SUMMER 2003Phil Anthony
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salemqtr@verizon.net
oodstown MM’s Marion Frazier died late last February, after the Spring newsletter had already gone to press.
Every meeting that is truly blessed has somebody like Marion. That person may be on several committees, as Marion was—clerk of Overseers, member of Property, I don’t recall what else—or may be on none. It doesn’t matter. What’s important is the role she takes: The Person in the Meeting Who Gets Things Done.
And Marion did. In the two weeks after her death, I found myself reaching for the telephone to call her three times—about taking the meeting’s trash out one Thursday when I wasn’t around, about the gutters that tore loose from the Annex from the weight of the ice, about a touchy situation in another meeting that I’d been asked to take a part in addressing.
Each time I found myself sitting at my desk, staring at the telephone, and missing her. Not just her competence, but the reassurance of hearing her voice at the other end of the line (sometimes a little annoyed at me for interrupting her, I think) and knowing that whatever the problem was, it was under control.
It was a two-way street, of course. With my office at Woodstown, there were times I could give her a hand too. Did the meetinghouse need to be opened for a repairman or a meeting? Could I talk with Overseers about something? I tried to be as reliable for her as she was for me, and for everybody else connected with Salem Quarter. She modelled reliability, faithfulness, and willingness to be available for others.
Mostly, though, it was her presence that touched me. At Quarterly Meeting; at the Salem Quarter Retreat, ever since the first; at Woodstown’s Strawberry Festival; at First-day School and worship. Wherever she was, she helped us move forward.
The week before she died, I’m told, there was a meeting in her room at Friends Home of one of the Woodstown committees she clerked. She handed over all her papers and documents, and made sure everybody knew what part they would play in her absence. Only then did she lay down her responsibility.
She was a friend. I miss her.
There was also a war with Iraq this past winter and spring. It’s affected all of us. Greenwich and Woodstown MMs continued their prayer vigils in the streets; Seaville began midweek worship on Wednesday nights, and Mullica Hill continued the Tuesday worship that it has offered since 9/11. Salem held a deeply gathered candlelight prayer vigil for peace in the meetinghouse. Mickleton began a series of programs to deepen its understanding of peace, and after careful study, Woodbury united on a peace minute (which we hope to print in the Fall issue). Friends School united on its own minute, too, the Board supporting the school’s head in his efforts to lift up nonmilitary, nonviolent solutions to the world’s problems (see Drew Smith’s comments).
JUNE QUARTERLY MEETING
Woodbury Monthly Meeting
Sunday, 8 June 20039:30 am Gather: coffee and doughnuts 10:00 am Program: Peace Be With You: Re-examining the Peace Testimony—Phil Anthony 11:15 am Meeting for Worship 12:15 pm Lunch: Lunch provided by Woodbury MM, with desserts from Mullica Hill MM 1:15 pm Meeting for worship for business Child care provided The focus on peace continues into our Quarterly Meeting on 8 June at Woodbury MM. It’s an unusual one for me; last fall I was asked to say a few words about peace at Seaville’s anniversary. I did, lifting up some of the ambiguities about Quakers and peace. What I said seemed to speak to those who were present. So I was asked to expand on it for the June program. I hope that what I can offer will be meaningful to you as well. I’ll look forward to welcoming you there.
You’ll also find the flier, description, and registration form for the 2003 Salem Quarter Retreat—Friday through Sunday, 15-17 August—on pp. 3-4 of this issue. Chip Thomas, who grew up in Woodbury MM and is now a member of Marlborough MM, will help us look at the spiritual roots and fruit of another Quaker testimony: simplicity. Once again it’ll be at the Burlington Meeting House, with time for community, relaxation, and potluck dinner in between the program sessions. There’s a full children’s program featuring Dana Gayner of Salem MM. And the cost is still $45 for adults and $30 for children in the program, with a family cap of $120. We’ll look forward to your presence—and your kids.
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