WINTER 20079 Ninth-month 2007
Salem Quarterly Meeting met 9 Ninth Month 2007, at Greenwich Monthly Meeting. Out of worship, Clerk Sondra Ball (Mickleton) convened the meeting. There was a Friendly presence of twenty-four.
Thoughts shared from Mickleton Monthly Meeting offered by Emily Blanck described how successful they have been at enriching their community and how they have grown in attendance and membership. Highlights from their First-day School program were presented as well as the development of their relationships with older Friends and their involvement in the wider community both locally and globally.
Minutes of the quarterly meeting on 10 Sixth-month 2007 were approved as they appeared in Salem Quarter News.
Linda Jeffery (Woodstown) presented an update on the efforts to bring Iraqi psychiatrist Dr. Abdul Karim and his family to the United States. To date they have been unsuccessful in securing a visa, but efforts continue. Woodstown Monthly Meeting is continuing their fund-raising efforts so that they are able to offer some financial support regardless of Dr. Karim and his family’s physical location. At present, the family has been reunited in Libya, where Dr. Karim is able to work. Friends wishing to offer support through participation or donation may contact Linda.
Salem Quarter News sizing format proposals were presented by Steering Committee Clerk Tom Etherington (Mullica Hill). Various options and their implications were considered. Meeting approved the following minute of action.
Quarterly Meeting approved changing the sizing format of the Salem Quarter News from its current 8½ by 11 inch size to an 8½ by 5½ inch booklet, providing that the publication costs remain the same as the current size or decrease.
Friends continued the discussion carried over from the Third-month quarterly meeting regarding the possibility of altering the dates, times, report presentation and scheduling format of quarterly meeting. A focus of the discussion was the manner of presenting reports, oral versus written as a method of reorienting business meeting to focus less on committee reports and freeing Friends for an increase of Spirit-led concerns. Friends offered thoughts regarding the value of the spoken word; the need for committee visibility and accountability; and gratitude for committee work, recognizing that it is far from trivial. It was the sense of the meeting that Friends appreciated written reports along with a brief oral presentation and that there should be further discussion in Steering Committee with recommendations to be returned to a future Salem Quarter business meeting. Regarding possible changes to the dates and times of quarterly meeting, it was the sense of the meeting to maintain the next quarterly meeting as scheduled. Meeting approved the following minute.
Quarterly Meeting approved maintaining the date and time of the next quarterly meeting as scheduled, with committee reports to be offered in a written format with a brief summary offered orally, including an option for more time as the committee feels led. Steering Committee will continue discussing the comments made and the various options available, reporting back to quarterly meeting in December.
A written report was available from the Quarter Worship & Ministry Committee. Mario Cavallini (Mickleton) spoke on the request made regarding prayer partners as referenced in the report. The topic was opened up, but not deeply discussed at their committee meeting. The committee felt that it warranted further discussion and exploration. An invitation to attend the next meeting was extended to all Friends.
A written report from the Finance Committee was noted. Mike Ayars (Woodstown) was available for questions.
The clerk made announcements regarding a variety of yearly, quarterly, and monthly meeting events. Sondra thanked Greenwich Monthly Meeting for their hospitality and reminded Friends to complete the evaluation forms. Meeting was closed with worship and Friends adjourned outdoors for a picnic supper.
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 10:17 PM
