FALL 200413 Sixth Month 2004
alem Quarterly Meeting met 13 Sixth Month 2004, at Red Bank Battlefield in Woodbury. Clerk Michael Gibson convened the meeting. He welcomed all and made several announcements regarding Quarter activities, the upcoming Senate vote on the Kennedy-Feinstein amendment to cut funding for new nuclear weapons, and the relocation of the Peace Center from the Woodstown meetinghouse to Salem Community College. We transitioned into worship with a reading of letter 86 from The Power of the Lord Is Over All: The Pastoral Letters of George Fox with the theme, “Dwell in love and peace with one another.”
Michael reviewed the agenda and noted that the minute on the Rowan University Progressive Student Alliance has been withdrawn by those who first submitted it. The minutes of the Third month Quarterly Meeting were reviewed as printed and approved.
A report from the Friends School at Mullica Hill was accepted as presented. Highlights from the report included a summary of their eighth grade graduation, results of the annual auction, plans for the next academic year, landscaping improvements, and the growing alumni group.
Mario Cavallini presented a report from the Worship and Ministry Committee. Friends were updated on the Spiritual Healing project being developed by two Friends from Woodbury and Princeton Meetings. The Spiritual Gifts project is continuing to meet and is developing a workshop series. There is no retreat scheduled for 2004 and the committee asked Meeting for ideas and volunteers. Meeting approved the solicitation of ideas and volunteers by Worship and Ministry. They will collect responses and re-evaluate the event as necessitated by the volume of response. The report was accepted with appreciation to the committee for their extensive efforts.
The Trustees report was accepted with deep, sincere appreciation. They have met regarding various property issues and to select an assistant clerk. Meeting asked for clarification regarding their minute on volunteer appreciation. Some discussion ensued on the types of volunteer service and methods of recognition. Meeting appreciated the desire to recognize volunteers and their contributions and seeks the simplest, most direct manner to do so.
Frank Lenik presented a report from the Steering Committee on the budget status and the evaluation of the Coordinator. The report was accepted with appreciation, and the recommendation of a 3 per cent salary increase for the coordinator, as provided in the budget and customary for a positive review, was approved.
Meeting approved the amended budget. The $4,760 shortfall has been covered thanks to an overwhelming response of $4,954 in additional donations from throughout the Quarter. The coordinator’s health insurance cost has decreased, which reflects a shift from Blue Cross/Keystone to Aetna. It was noted that in the current fiscal year the contribution by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to the coordinator's budget is at about 30 per cent. It has ranged from roughly 25 per cent to 32 per cent. The Salem Quarter budget can now be balanced by lowering the amount requested from PYM to 27.9 per cent for the 04/05 fiscal year. This allows us to give back to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, covering the times when we’ve needed more.
Phil Anthony announced that Biz Thomas will be making a presentation on the Friends World Committee for Consultation conference on the 17th or 24th of September. Mullica Hill Meeting volunteered to host the evening.
The clerk welcomed those visiting Quarterly Meeting for the first time. Suzanne Forrest and Melodie Perri of Seaville Meeting were introduced. They shared some background information and presented a minute from Seaville on Same-Gender Unions/Marriage. Meeting accepted the report on the minute and thanked Suzanne and Melodie for sharing with love and warmth.
Sondra Ball reported that two Mickleton Friends have sons serving in the military, stationed in Iraq. As a response to the consideration that they are probably not the only families in the Quarter in this position, and with the concern for the safety and well-being of these Friends and family members, Mickleton would like to compose a list and have it presented to the meetings in the Quarter so that these young people and those with whom they may come in contact may be held in the Light. With permission, e-mail addresses would be available so that direct contact may be made. After a discussion regarding the intent of the proposal, the tension felt within the conflict between disapproval of military action and care of loved ones who may feel called to serve, and the felt need for balance in praying for all people—both American and Iraqi—whose lives and families are affected by the war, Meeting approved the proposal as a Quarter project under the care of Mickleton Meeting’s Peace and Outreach Committee. It was noted that other Meetings around the Quarter have responded to this concern as well. Seaville began a Wednesday evening prayer vigil that continues even though those being held in the Light have returned home, and in a similar vein, Mullica Hill Meeting continues to meet on Tuesday evenings.
Meeting approved the following minute of appreciation for Emma Prince, not because she is retiring, but to show gratitude for her continued service to the quarter:
Emma Prince has clerked the Education Fund committee for many years with vigor, dedication, competence, and a deeply felt sense of fairness and integrity. She approaches her work with humor and flexibility, and with a down-to-earth, can-do spirit. Salem Quarter appreciates the gifts she brings to her ongoing work with both the Education Fund Committee and the Nominating Committee.
Meeting approved a minute of appreciation for Kathryn Dodson, who presented the program:
Kathryn offered a sincere, moving testimony to her felt experience of God in her life. Her honest testament to the work of Christ within her and her sharing of her deep joyfulness enriched our gathering.
Meeting was closed with silent worship.
Rebecca Shapiro, Recording ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Saturday, August 28, 2004 at 09:52 PM
