WINTER 2006Phil Anthony
(856) 769-0066 (voice)
(856) 769-1416 (fax)
salemqtr@verizon.net
he handsome fellow on the cover of this issue of the newsletter was my office mate for over a year. A blue tetra, he lived on the table in the middle of the room. He was named Blue—short for Blue Suede Shoes—by the friend from whom I inherited him when she left her job in Woodstown. Usually, though, I just thought of him as the Salem Quarter Fish.
He was a good companion. His demands were few: a pinch of food when I arrived for the day, a change of water every month or so. We never talked, but several times a day I swung my chair around and looked at him. Each time I did, he swam to the front of his bowl and looked back at me.
DECEMBER QUARTERLY MEETING
Salem Monthly Meeting
Sunday, 10 December 20069:00 am Gather 9:30 am Program: Diane Metz speaks on the work and rewards of parish nursing in her life 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am Brown-bag lunch: desserts and beverages provided by Salem MM 12:30 pm Business meeting Child care provided I never learned any great spiritual lessons from him. We simply stared at each other. He waved his colorful silk-scarf-like fins. I smiled. There was peace and contentment in our communion.
I believe everybody needs friends like that, the ones who just sit with you when you need a moment of undemanding peace. No deep understanding. No words. We satisfied each other's needs.
I miss him. I feel as if I've lost a good friend. I never expected to mourn for a fish, but I am. Perhaps he brings back memories of other dear friends I've lost. I grieve over them too, sometimes, and over the special relationships with those friends who are gone.
But I don't want to make him a symbol for the people I've loved who are no longer part of my life. That wouldn't honor the fishy reality of what he and I shared in our quiet moments together. Instead I'll remember him as who he was for me: the Salem Quarter Fish, bright and beautiful. His photograph will become the memory of a memory. I think the God who watches over the smallest sparrow will remember him too.
Hey, Blue. Splash happily in the peaceful river that runs from the throne of God, between the trees of life whose leaves are for the healing of nations.
alem Quarter, of course, is alive and well. Greenwich MM is holding its annual lasagna dinner, a benefit for the St. Theresa soup kitchen in Bridgeton. Mickleton MM has held four sessions of the gifts program, with two more to come. Mullica Hill MM, along with the Quarter, hosted the annual meeting of the Bible Association of Friends in America.
Salem MM is preparing to offer a workshop on clerking, facilitated by Arthur Larrabee, in January. Seaville MM has a full schedule of midweek worship and Thanksgiving and Christmas events coming up. Woodbury MM said its good-byes to long-time member Marge Smith, another personal friend I've lost. Woodstown MM once more holds the Ten Thousand Villages crafts sale. See the Quarter calendarfor information about these events.
nd we're preparing for Quarterly Meeting on Sunday, 10 December. It will be held at Salem MM, gathering at 9:00 am for our program at 9:30. Our speaker this time is Diane Metz, clerk of Seaville MM. A registered nurse, she'll be telling us about the work and the rewards of providing volunteer health screening and care in Cape May County in a faith-based ecumenical program.
Our clerk, Sondra Ball, promises to follow up on the short (hour and a half) business meeting at Greenwich MM in September with another session that will not be unduly long. Add that to the desserts that Salem MM regularly provides for Quarterly Meetings in their meetinghouse, and there will be something for everybody. Please join us at Salem MM—we'd love to see you all!
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