WINTER 200610 Ninth Month 2006
alem Quarterly Meeting met 10 Ninth Month 2006, in Greenwich. During worship Friends shared joys about marriage, butterflies, travel, and freedom from illness. We held in the Light those dealing with illness, death, surgery, and assorted difficulties of life. Clerk Sondra Ball (Mickleton) then convened the meeting, reminding Friends: "We are listening to the Spirit and should not feel a need to talk people into our viewpoint." She also explained the evaluation forms, which Friends will be completing at the rise of meeting to assess the effectiveness of our business meeting.
The minutes of the last quarterly meeting were approved as they appeared in the Salem Quarter News.
The Nominating Committee recommended Robert Holden (Seaville) and Barbara Jean Chadwick (Seaville) to serve on the new Child Safety Committee. A third position remains vacant. Meeting approved the following minute of action and noted that the committee members, along with the Quarter's regular child care providers, will need background checks.
Salem Quarterly Meeting approved the nomination of Robert Holden and Barbara Jean Chadwick, both of Seaville Monthly Meeting, to serve on the newly formed Child Safety Committee. Meeting further authorized the Salem Quarterly Meeting Steering Committee to approve the third nominee for that committee.
Diane Metz (Seaville) presented a minute in opposition to disposal of altered nerve gas in the Delaware River approved by Seaville Meeting and forwarded by them to politicians and government agencies. She outlined the responses that Seaville received and asked for Quarter support in uniting behind the minute and forwarding it to Interim Meeting. Meeting approved the following minute of action.
Salem Quarterly Meeting approved uniting behind the Seaville minute in opposition to disposal of altered nerve gas in the Delaware River. Meeting further approved forwarding the minute to Interim Meeting with the following recommended action to be taken by Interim Meeting: a) the minute be forwarded to legislators in both Pennsylvania and Delaware, b) the minute be forwarded to the news media.
George Crispin presented a report from the Trustees, which was gratefully accepted. The Trustees expect to opt between the offer of a tractor with a "Bush Hog" and farm workers to run it from David Cadwallader and hiring someone to come in and do the job. Gary Holmes is mowing the Port Elizabeth property and working on the wall.
Tom Etherington (Mullica Hill) reported for the Steering Committee regarding the programs planned for the next two quarterly meetings, ways to improve Salem Quarter News, and the new Steering Committee treasurer, Mike Ayars. Meeting accepted the report with thanks.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) presented a summary report on behalf of the Finance Committee, which he indicated would appear in the Salem Quarter News. He also presented a more detailed chart and a list of reporting dates. Meeting gratefully accepted the report.
Patti Burns (Woodstown) reported on the Salem Quarterly Meeting Young and Young at Heart Committee. Meeting accepted the report, which detailed the first activity and described the upcoming activities and schedule in text and picture. Friendly Presences will need background checks for the November event. Patti will forward the names to Sondra, who will in turn forward them to the Child Safety Committee.
Mario Cavallini (Mickleton) presented the Worship & Ministry report, which focused on Quaker leadership. Meeting accepted the report.
As liaison, Patti Burns (Woodstown) reported on the Friends School at Mullica Hill regarding the opening of school this fall. The Annual Fall Festival is being planned as well as an overnight environmental trip. On behalf of the students and staff, she invited Friends to attend weekly meeting for worship on Thursdays. The lower school meets at 9:00 am and the middle school meets at 10:30 am; both meet in the Mullica Hill meetinghouse. Her report was gratefully accepted.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) reported on Friends Village. He commented on the available space and the long-range planning to update residential and long-term care. They have a strategic planning committee to look at new trends such as community greenhouses and facilities located throughout the community rather than all in one location. He also expressed the interest that Friends Village has in hosting Quarterly Meeting. Meeting accepted the report and thanked Mike for his efforts.
As a new resident of Friends Village, Ruth Hall Brooks (Salem) spoke regarding her new community from a resident's perspective. She shared the need for Quarter Friends to visit and visibly demonstrate their loving care and support. George Crispin (Woodbury) spoke of a Friend whose spent the last six months of life in FV with a life-threatening illness, experiencing all the stages of aging, illness, and death. He noted that the people there rose above all expectations to assist and love. Meeting thanked and accepted the comments of these Friends.
The Tri-Quarter Gathering will be held on 9/29-10/1. George Crispin (Woodbury) reported that the lake is back and described the weekend event as a step back into another world. There will be a professional astronomer on hand. Events include hayrides, bonfires, workshops, square dancing, a book fair, and ice cream social. Facilities include canoeing, nature trails, and a ropes course.
Ruth Hall Brooks (Salem) shared a need for additional copies of the Salem Quarter history book for local historical societies and libraries.
Sondra made several announcements regarding upcoming activities, asked Friends to complete the evaluation forms, and thanked Greenwich for their hospitality. Meeting was concluded with worship.
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Monday, November 20, 2006 at 06:09 PM
