SUMMER 2003March 9, 2003
alem Quarterly Meeting met March 9, 2003, at Woodstown Meetinghouse. Our Quarter Clerk, Michael Gibson, read two excerpts from Great Britain’s Faith and Practice (pages 14 and 41) and a query related to the process of Friends discerning “the sense of the meeting” in conducting business rather than determining consensus. He then convened the meeting with a brief period of “waiting or expectant worship.” He reviewed the agenda and asked if there were any other items needing the Quarter’s consideration.
Our Clerk asked for a review and approval of the December Quarterly Meeting Minutes; the Minutes were approved as written.
Our new Steering Committee Clerk, Frank Lenik, was invited to share his report. He emphasized that the Committee is experiencing revitalization, focusing its attention and actively working to address the identified six Quarter Goals. He encouraged Friends to submit ideas for discussion through their respective Monthly Meeting (MM) Steering Committee representatives. He reported how much Friends, young and old, had enjoyed the recent Woodstown MM rock climbing event to which all Quarter kids had been invited; he praised the efforts of Sue Price-Redfern and Cindy Cox Crispin for publicizing the successful activity resulting in the participation of about fifty Quarter Friends, including thirty children and teens. Friends were reminded to register early for the Quarter Eldering Workshop scheduled for Saturday, April 12, to be led by Margery Larrabee. Upon request, Frank explained some of the important responsibilities of the Steering Committee, noting that the Committee oversees the Quarter Coordinator, and promotes communication and coordination of activities between the Quarter’s seven MMs. Friends accepted the Steering Committee Report with gratitude.
Our Clerk read a Trustees Report submitted by George Crispin, Clerk of the Quarter Trustees (see report), in which the specific functions of the Trustees were described, the Quarter properties were delineated, goals were identified, and Quarter projects were prioritized. Friends accepted the Report with thanks. The Quarter approved a Minute of Appreciation for George, expressing their heartfelt appreciation for his fifteen years of faithful and loving service in his “ministry of grass.” Friends recognize with gratitude the tremendous investment of time and labor George devoted to this practical ministry, and are pleased that he found spiritual nurture in this work.
Lori Talbot from Greenwich MM read a Minute which had been approved by her Meeting concerning Iraq (see Minute). She reported that it had been sent to two newspapers, but so far it had not been printed. Our Clerk asked for the leadings of Friends regarding the Minute. The suggestion was made that all items published use the word “Quaker,” which the public recognizes better than the word “Friends.” It was announced that Woodstown MM recently united to support the Minute on Iraq from Greenwich MM. After discussion, Friends united as a Quarter in supporting the Minute. Our Clerk agreed to coordinate with Phil getting the Minute sent to Arlene Kelly at PYM (on letterhead paper) as well as to various Quaker organizations and web pages, to newspapers, and to local governmental leaders.
Our Clerk shared his recent personal experience of discovering a heart-touching article written by Iraqi Christians. Friends paused for a brief period of worship to hold in the Light the forgotten Iraqi Christians and all other forgotten possible victims of the potential war.
Our Clerk read a letter submitted by Elizabeth Thomas in which she requested Quarter financial assistance to attend the Annual Meeting of Friends Committee for Consultation to be held later this month in Texas. Upon the request of Friends for more information, Elizabeth briefly described the gathering and explained that she did not know if PYM will be able to furnish any financial support this year. Discussion ensued about whether the Quarter had available discretionary funds to provide such support and the suggestion was made that the Treasurer and Finance Committee be consulted prior to granting funds. Dianne Herland Sloane, our Quarter Treasurer, stated that she believed we could find some funds to support the trip, but could not identify where the funds would be taken at this time. After further discussion, Friends approved that $150.00 be granted to Elizabeth from Quarter funds, and possibly more if recommended by the Quarter Treasurer and Finance Committee.
Our Clerk read a report from Emma Prince, clerk of the Quarter Education Fund Committee (see report). The committee has made a commitment to provide $6500.00 in scholarship assistance for next year, the school year 2003-2004. Friends were reminded that the Quarter has stated its intention to raise funds to increase the principle amount in order to accumulate more interest available to disburse to support the education of Quarter children. Friends emphasized the tri-fold serious problem of decreasing available funds (due to the current poor economy), the increase in the number of requests for scholarship (applications for more children in the Quarter), and the significant increase in the tuition costs for Friends schools. The report was accepted by Friends.
Our Clerk reported that he did not have a Quarter Financial Report to share with Friends today. Friends were reminded to develop and approve their MM covenants by June.
Cindy provided a brief report on the Quarter Kids Program, “The Light of Love,” which was held in February at the Friends School. She indicated that children aged two months to seventh grade, representing almost all MMs, participated in the activities which included community building games and creating seven special banners with messages of love—one for each MM. Friends expressed appreciation for the banners which were displayed at the front of the Woodstown Meetinghouse; she requested that representatives from the MMs be responsible for transporting the banners to the respective Meetinghouses. The suggestion was made that the banners be rotated among MMs; Friends will decide whether they will be rotated as a group or individually. Cindy announced that another Quarter Kids activity will be held to celebrate Earth Day in April for which flyers will be forthcoming to all MMs. Friends accepted the report with appreciation and expressed gratitude for the work of Sue and Cindy in organizing these meaningful gatherings for our Quarter children.
Peggy Warner, Clerk of the Quarter Nominating Committee, provided a Committee Report in which she first identified the responsibility of the Committee was to search for Friends best suited to serve in Quarter positions and on Quarter Committees. She offered the list of current nominations of Friends for all positions and Committees for next year. Some Friends questioned the appropriateness of the current process of the Nominating Committee naming the members of the Quarter Finance Committee, suggesting that a better process would be for each MM to name one or two members to serve on this Committee. After Friends discussed at length this proposed change in process, our Clerk noted that there was no clear sense of the Meeting on this idea; therefore, consideration of this organizational change will be included on the agenda for June Quarterly Meeting. Friends approved the suggestion that the Nominating Committee consult the Finance Committee for its evaluation of the current process and consideration of the suggested alteration in process; then the Nominating Committee will provide its recommendation at June Quarterly Meeting. Friends approved all the nominations submitted by the Nominating Committee (after revisiting this issue late in the Quarterly Meeting).
Friends minuted their appreciation for the prayerful discernment, dedication, and hard work of the Nominating Committee.
Mario Cavallini, Clerk of the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee, read his Committee Report, which highlighted the responsibilities of this Committee, primarily to serve as an opportunity for Friends from all MMs to share worship and ministry concerns with each other and coordinate actions as they are led. In the report, he acknowledged the current Committee responsibility as requested by the Quarter of planning the Quarter Retreat. He announced the next Retreat Planning Committee Meeting, scheduled for 6:30 pm March 25, which will be held at Woodbury Friends Meetinghouse. He stated that he had two items for Friends to consider whether the Quarter felt led in a specific direction today. Our Clerk asked for acceptance of the Report prior to reflecting on the specific concerns being brought forth for Quarter consideration; Friends accepted the Report with gratitude.
Mario mentioned that the idea was raised at their Committee Meeting to determine whether there was interest by Quarter Friends to pursue a legislative visitation which had been done by Friends in past years. After Friends discussed this idea, it was decided that Friends should find out if there is interest from individuals in MMs to coordinate this possible project; any Friends who are led to organize this should convey their interest to the Steering Committee.
Mario described the second concern recently identified by the Worship and Ministry Committee involved the issue of establishing conscientious objection to military service for our young adult Friends, in case a draft is reinstituted. Three points were raised in the significant discussion that ensued: (1) Concern for counseling and “conscientious objection status” in the Quarter, (2) the idea of pursuing more projects in conjunction with our wider communities, and (3) the need to identify, report, and respect our different views and perspectives within the Quaker community. Friends were encouraged to pray about these important issues, discuss them with Friends in their MMs, and forward specific ideas to the Steering Committee. After further thoughtful and spiritually led discussion about how we might support young people to discern their individual leadings during this difficult time of likely impending war, Friends approved the following Minute to be disseminated immediately to all Monthly Meetings:
Friends of all Monthly Meetings (MMs) are encouraged to work with and counsel young people in our MMs and the wider community as they wrestle with participating in the military and to report their MM efforts to the Steering Committee and the Quarterly Meeting. Friends also encourage the Steering Committee to investigate Quarter-wide activities to support MMs in this effort. We support our young people in their spiritual search for finding a more peaceful world.
Friends held the family of Marion Frazier in the Light and approved that George will compose a Memorial Minute for her to be offered at the June Quarterly Meeting.
Our Clerk led periods of worship sharing wherein Friends expressed their appreciation for a variety of individuals and situations. Friends approved our Clerk summarizing these comments in Minutes of Appreciation.
There is much to be thankful for and appreciative of in the quarter at this time. The quarter minutes its appreciation:
- for the rebirth of the quarter children’s program, the children themselves, and the beautiful and inspiring banners the children created for each monthly meeting in the quarter;
- for the uplifting and soothing music program which brought a touch of culture to our quarterly meeting this morning and witnessed to the importance of young people;
- for the informative, helpful, challenging, and spiritually moving program this morning on Friends Transition Support Services, led by Priscilla Adams and Tommy Trantino, which witnessed to the power of God to change lives and invited us to take part in that transforming work; and
- for Woodstown Friends, our hosts today, who have welcomed us with gracious warmth and great food, extending themselves to us at a time of deep loss.
The quarter further minuted deep appreciation for the faithful service of Cindy Cox Crispin, who is ending two consecutive terms as Assistant Clerk for the quarter. The quarter acknowledges the cheer, good humor, earnestness, gracefulness, ready willingness, and longsuffering love with which she has served, providing us with full, descriptive minutes. We are confident she will continue to let her Light shine.
Our Clerk invited Friends to make announcements of upcoming events and opportunities. Friends were encouraged to participate in the March Philadelphia Yearly Meeting sessions. Our Clerk thanked Friends for their patience and contributions during this unusually long Meeting; he closed the Meeting after a brief period of worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin, Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
