WINTER 2002September 8, 2002
alem Quarterly Meeting met September 8, 2002, at Seaville Meetinghouse. Michael Gibson, our new Clerk, opened the meeting after a brief period of worship. In light of our program today he read a passage from The Recovery of Love: Christian Mysticism and the Addictive Society by Jeffrey Imbach, then welcomed all Friends to the business meeting.
Michael asked for a review and approval of the minutes from June Quarterly Meeting. A correction was made to the spelling of Sam Chamberlain’s name and to the term “criminal injustice.” Friends approved the following sentence modifications: (1) In the Trustees Report: “The report highlighted difficulties with the insurance company despite recent work completed and in progress for Alloway Creek Meetinghouse,” (2) Addition of “in her report” to sentence about Mary Waddington’s shared difficult decision, (3) “a website focusing on South Jersey history” (on page 10), (4) specifying “corrections to Steering Committee positions” (on page 12), and (5) adding the location of the Peace Center “at Woodstown Meetinghouse.” It was noted that the Minutes should reflect that Sue Price-Redfern was not present at September Quarterly Meeting to submit her Finance Report personally. Michael discerned that Friends approved the Minutes with those minor corrections.
Michael expressed regrets from Gloria Horvay, Clerk of the Steering Committee, for her inability to attend today then read the Steering Committee Report which she had submitted. In the report, she highlighted the recommendation of the Steering Committee for a change in the evaluation cycle for our Coordinator to parallel the staff evaluation cycle for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) employees. According to the recommendation, this year our Coordinator would be evaluated in January, his usual yearly evaluation time; however, then he would be evaluated after six months, and thereafter he would be evaluated annually at the same time other PYM staff are evaluated. Sue Price-Redfern responded to questions and clarified that this change is being requested by PYM. Friends approved this change in the evaluation cycle.
In her report, Gloria emphasized the Steering Committee’s concern for children in the Quarter. Accordingly, the Steering Committee has requested that Sue Price-Redfern and Cindy Cox Crispin coordinate a Quarter sub-committee to focus on this concern; they will contact Friends in the Monthly Meetings to assist. Friends accepted the Steering Committee Report.
Michael read a written Trustee Report submitted by George Crispin, Clerk of the Quarter Trustees (see report). In his report, he highlighted repairs and refurbishings to Alloway Creek Meetinghouse, noting the maintenance of the historicity of the building, and progress toward registering the Meetinghouse as a historic site. He thanked Mullica Hill Friends for mowing the grass and yard work at the Port Elizabeth cemetery. Friends minuted appreciation to Barry Sloane for his successful efforts to establish new insurance coverage for the Quarter and to Torrey Reade for her personal oversight of the building. Friends accepted the Trustees Report, expressing gratitude to George, other Trustees, and all those who work on the properties. Friends were encouraged to visit and worship in the Alloway Creek Meetinghouse as they felt led. Some discussion ensued about how the Quarter might benefit more from the Meetinghouse in the future; Friends were invited to share positive ideas for its utilization with the Trustees. Friends requested that special uses and meetings held at the Meetinghouse be publicized in the Quarter monthly calendar and/or the Quarter newsletter. George invited Friends from the Quarter to join students from Mullica Hill Friends School in their project to reclaim the old Quaker cemetery. Friends interested in assisting with care of Quarter properties were invited to call or email George to obtain the long list of things to do regarding the properties.
Sue Price-Redfern, Assistant Treasurer for the Quarter, provided a Treasurer’s Report (see printed report). Sue noted that the Quarter is doing well overall and that we have about $320 excess for the year which according to our previously approved policy we need to decide how to allocate those funds. Friends suggested various possible applications for the excess funds, including: making an additional contribution toward the Tri-Quarter Gathering, adding to the Quarter’s Education Fund, or applying it toward a peace project. Sue explained that the dollar market value of the Education Fund has decreased significantly due to the current national financial state, as have most of our fiduciary accounts. Friends approved holding this decision over to next Quarterly Meeting.
Sue also presented the Quarterly Budget Report (see printed report). Friends accepted both financial reports with gratitude for the continued expertise and efforts of both Sue and Dianne Herland Sloane, our Quarter Treasurer.
Mario gave the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee Report (see written report) in which he described what transpired at the recent Committee Meeting; he acknowledged his acceptance of the request that he clerk this committee. He reported that only twenty adult Friends attended the Quarter Retreat; thus, unfortunately, no children attended. He indicated that a planning committee has been developed for next year’s gathering. Michael initiated a brief period of worship to facilitate Friends discerning clarity of whether another retreat should be planned for next year. Friends shared that the retreat benefited those who attended and therefore, another should be planned to provide valuable fellowship and spirituality for those who participate. Sue described the fellowship and fun enjoyed by the First Day School adult and children’s classes of Mullica Hill and Woodbury at their recent joint picnic at the Crispin farm. The observation was made that a different location might interest families more; and Friends mentioned that perhaps the retreat should be held at a better time during the year rather than at the end of August. Friends accepted the Worship and Ministry Committee Report with appreciation.
Diane Metz, Clerk of Seaville MM, read a letter from a Seaville Meeting member, Dr. Karen Paarz, who is working on a peace project in Northern Ireland. Diane read a minute of support from Seaville MM and explained that PYM is providing a clearness committee for this active member. Chris Mahon clarified the process for a traveling minute, noting that the original minute from Seaville MM should be submitted to our Quarter for approval in which case it would be endorsed and sent to PYM for further endorsement. Friends approved endorsing the Traveling Minute and the Minute of Support from Seaville MM and requested that a report concerning the project be submitted to the Quarter newsletter when possible. Interest was expressed in having a future Quarterly meeting program on this peace program. Friends asked how the Quarter might best assist Karen in this ministry. Diane indicated that she would keep the Quarter updated on this project.
Michael and other Friends expressed a special welcome to Friends from Atlantic City Area Meeting who were visiting our Quarterly Meeting today.
Michael read a letter from Mary Waddington, in which she responded to our Quarter letter summarizing the messages shared when we held her in God’s Light and conveyed our support for her following her leadings. In her response letter, Mary expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the loving empowerment encompassed in the Quarter’s letter to her.
Michael read the following Minutes of Appreciation he had drafted for Greenwich MM to thank them for hosting today’s Quarterly Meeting and for the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee for coordinating today’s program for Quarterly Meeting:
Salem Quarterly Meeting expresses gratitude for the hospitality of Greenwich Monthly Meeting. We always appreciate the beautiful meetinghouse and grounds, the tranquil setting in historic Greenwich, and the gracious welcome of Greenwich members—and we look forward to eating, sharing and worshiping together as our day unfolds. Thank you, Greenwich Meeting. We also minute our appreciation for the leadership of the quarter Worship & Ministry Committee in providing the program to follow meeting for worship to business.
Friends approved the two Minutes of Appreciation as read.
Michael invited Friends to make various announcements concerning special opportunities available for Friends in the next few months. Phil highlighted several valuable upcoming programs and events. Cindy encouraged Friends to attend Tri-Quarter Gathering at Camp Ockanickon in mid October, noting the continued availability of generous Friends Institute scholarships; she also requested that Friends support the “Reason for Hope cup fundraiser” which will provide some scholarships to Friends and families not in the 18-40 age group. Elizabeth Thomas reported that Camp Darkwaters enjoyed a successful summer; she invited interested Friends to contact her.
Bob Barnett from Atlantic City Area MM presented a special flower to a young couple from their MM to commemorate their one year wedding anniversary.
Michael thanked the Recording Clerk for her continued patience and meticulous notetaking during this and other Quarterly Meetings. He then closed the Quarterly Meeting with a brief period of worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin, Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
