332nd Annual Session
of
of
the Religious Society of Friends
Second
Day, 28 Seventh Month 2003
The
Baltimore Yearly Meeting Retreat was devoted to the theme, “Peace Within =
Peace Without: Preparing Oneself for Meeting for Business,” and was led by
Edward Norton of York Monthly Meeting. Friends contemplated a series of queries,
including “What do we mean by the Inner Light?” and “How can the spirit
help to make decisions?” This led to a time of open sharing and searching
together based on the wealth of experiences of Friends present. In an evening
session, Yearly Meeting Clerk Lamar Matthew described with warmth and frankness
some of the peace he has found within, both through difficult and joyous
experiences and also through spiritual gifts from others. On Tuesday morning,
Friends contemplated writings on the Light within, on Quaker business and on
inward journeys.
Through
the course of the retreat, a sense of deeply settled consciousness grew among
attenders. A feeling of community formed as they tendered themselves for the
week’s Worship with Concern for Business.
Riley
Robinson, Recorder
Third
Day Afternoon, 29 Seventh Month
2003,
Y2003–1
As Friends gathered for the opening session of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
of Friends for Business with a Concern for Worship, with muted construction
drilling and hammering in the background, we felt privileged to once again
gather in worship and fellowship. The Yearly Meeting’s ‘modesty skirt,’
with panels from individual Monthly Meetings, surrounded the table, in front of
which Mark Brabson (Little Britain) had arranged beautiful flowers.
Seated
at the table were Lamar Matthew, Clerk (York), Teresa Dutton, Reading Clerk for
the day (
As
we began worship Teresa Dutton read from the Goose Creek Monthly Meeting’s
State of the Meeting report. Speaking of the international conflict in our
world, they wrote: “We find that Meeting for Worship helps us to come back to
a spiritual center, to a place ruled by love rather than hate or fear. From this
place we are able not only to quiet our hearts, but to move with grace into
testimony to the broader community.”
Continuing
to worship, Lamar Matthew shared with us the Clerk’s opening minute:
Welcome
Friends to this, the 332nd Annual
Sessions of
Two years ago, York Monthly Meeting brought to Yearly Meeting a concern. They asked that we re-examine, reconsider, and, as Way Opens, bring new light to our long-held testimony to peace.
Many Meetings bowed to the request and were prepared to answer the call to be peace-makers. After the events of September 11th unfolded, with vigor, Friends lifted voices and energies to the great challenge of love, understanding and forgiveness.
This year, our cherished hopes for world peace were crushed as the storm and fury of war broke over us. Were we discouraged? No. To the contrary, we were bolstered by the sense that our small voice was not alone or unheard, as we continued to pray and work for that peaceable kingdom that we know is attainable. Our Meeting Houses filled with kindred spirits and our resolve quickened to work for peace on all levels.
However, Friends, we do realize that we, the Quakers of today, may not see or pass into the promised land of peace, but we hold an abiding belief that our thoughts, our words, our actions, will help carry a future generation to a place where violence and war are just a sad, past chapter in the history of humankind.
As we gather this week, let us all consider our words and actions and hold them in the Light to see how peace prospers among us, and how we can carry that hopeful message to a war weary world.
With gladness and joy, ‘Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.’ [Colossians 3:15] Let your hearts be open to answer the call to be peacemakers.”
Y2003–2
We
were told that the BYM Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee has initiated a
procedure to have two individual hold each Meeting for Worship with a Concern
for Business in the Light. Present today, in that capacity, are Beth Massey and
Maria Bradley, both from Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting.
Y2003–3
We are privileged each year to have visitors in our sessions.
Introduced at this time were:
Mark
Lancaster, Regional Director, Middle Atlantic Regional office, American
Friends Service Committee,
Rubye
Braye of
Louise
Salinas, Associate Secretary, Friends World Committee for Consultation,
Section of the
Deborah
Fisch, from Friends General Conference,
Leo Charley, one of the guests this year from the Torreon/Starlake chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Jean-Marie
Prestwidge Barch, Schuykill Monthly Meeting,
Nancy Tait, a first-time attender and member of Friends Meeting of Washington.
The
Clerk welcomed these visitors on behalf of the Meeting and granted them the
freedom of our sessions.
Y2003–4
In relation to the printed agenda it was announced that the Search
Committee report will be moved to Fourth Day’s agenda.
There will be no report from the Interim Meeting at this time.
Y2003–5
The Clerk proposes to name to the Ad Hoc Epistle Committee for this
session the names of Katrina Mason (
Y2003–6
Report of the Interim General Secretary.
Ronald Mattson served from the 1st of
First Month to the last day of Sixth Month this year while Frank Massey (
Y2003–7
David Hines, Clerk of the Program Committee (
The
Program Committee has arranged for two special speakers for our sessions: Mary
Lord will be speaking tonight and Paul Lacey will deliver the Carey Lecture on
Seventh Day evening. David also
shared that will be an evaluation form available later in the sessions and
Friends are encouraged to note their comments and to make suggestions for next
year’s sessions.
We
moved into a period of reflective silence as special note was made of the
passing this year of a member of the Program Committee, Ron Stroud (
Y2003–8
Introduction
of
Y2003–9
Ben Richmond, Friends United Meeting Staff member as Secretary of North
American Ministries, had arrived and was welcomed.
He is a member of West Richmond Monthly Meeting, Indiana Yearly Meeting.
He was given the freedom of the Meeting.
Y2003–10
Report of BYM Representatives to Friends World Committee for
Consultation. Flossie Fullerton
(Sandy Spring) reported that she, Rebecca Rawls, Dona Boyce Manoukin (Langley
Hill) and Jenny Johnson (Sandy Spring) are the representatives from our Yearly
Meeting to Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas.
She noted that all the members of Baltimore Yearly Meeting are, in
reality, members of FWCC.
The
upcoming 21st FWCC
Triennial will be held in
Louisa
Salinas, FWCC Associate Secretary,
Bob
Fetter (
Y2003–11
Minutes were read, corrected
and Approved to this point
Y2003–12
The Recording Clerk requested permission to list the home Monthly Meeting
of each person the first time an individual is introduced or speaks.
There was some hesitation about accepting this request and the matter
will be laid over as we examine possible guidelines in our Yearly Meeting style
manual.
Y2003–13
Continuing in worship, Teresa Dutton read an excerpt from Charity
Cook: A Liberated Woman (p. 39). This account, provided by the Yearly
Meeting Clerk, spoke of the dangers faced by the
Sixteen year-old Quaker, Joseph Cook, the eldest son of Isaac and Charity Cook, was captured by an armed band. When he refused to join them, the captain ordered him to be shot. While preparation for the execution was being made, non-Quaker, Mary Herbert, a girl about Joseph’s age, interceded on behalf of this unfortunate victim of the ruthless band. When pleading failed, she boldly declared that they could not shoot Joseph, that he belonged to her: and she picked the young man up in her arms and started away with him.
The captain of the company must have been amused, for he told her that if she could carry him out of range of their muskets and rifles, she could keep him, but if she allowed his feet to touch the ground they would start shooting. Evidently Mary Herbert mustered her full strength to meet this vital challenge, for she is reputed to have carried Joseph Cook over the hill and out of sight and range of the armed band. In all probability she saved his life.
Two years later she legalized her claim to Joseph by marrying him. For marrying out of unity with the Society of Friends, Joseph Cook got himself ejected from Bush River Monthly Meeting.”
Y2003–14
Ed Norton, Clerk of York Monthly Meeting, presented a Minute reaffirming
our Quaker Peace Testimony. It had
been Approved by Interim Meeting on
10th Month
26, 2002.
Teresa Dutton, as Reading Clerk, read the Minute:
Minute
On Reaffirming The Peace Testimony
Baltimore Yearly Meeting reaffirms the Religious Society of Friends’ historic peace testimony and Friends’ historic peace witness. We commit ourselves, individually and collectively, to live in ways that take away the occasion for war. We affirm that of God in ourselves and in all others, including those who attempt to do us harm. In these commitments we are pulled by an ideal and pushed by reality. The ideal is our desire to follow in the way of Jesus of Nazareth and the reality is the suffering and ultimate inadequacy of war.
As we affirm the unchanging principles of peace, we acknowledge the radically changed nature of war. As we have in the past, we continue to support and offer a sanctuary to those who reject violence in all its forms, in conscience and in deed.
We understand the need for all of us as individuals to discern faithfully how God calls us to live our peace testimony. We acknowledge the struggle of the individual to discern ways of achieving justice and peace as a means to take away the occasion of further violence and war of any kind. We challenge ourselves and all who share the peace testimony to open ourselves to the leading of the Spirit, the Seed of Christ, the Inner Light, so that we can find new ways to make our peace witness relevant and effective in today’s climate.
Added
to today’s reading were two queries:
Should we not broadcast this statement to the world? and
Do Friends wish to encourage continued discussion of this Minute in their Monthly Meetings?
Friends
were in unity in approving a continuing discussion occurring in our Monthly
Meetings regarding Friends Peace Testimonies and also Approved
a wider distribution. The Peace and
Social Concerns Committee were asked to take this Minute and come back to us
this session with a plan for distribution. This appears to be difficult as so
few committee members are currently present in this session. It was suggested
that each individual should publicize this Minute when
he or she returns home.
Rosalind
Zuses (
Ed
Norton volunteered to coordinate Friends implementing our concerns for a later
report in these sessions. The BYM Clerk will work on a press release for
immediate distribution.
The
Clerk thanked all Friends who have worked on this Minute and Friends agreed to
release York Monthly Meeting from further work on our behalf.
Y2003–15
The Minutes were read and Approved
to this point. Announcements
followed before Friends were at liberty to proceed to the evening meal.
Third
Day Evening, 29 Seventh Month 2003,
Friends
gathered in the evening’s stillness for a period of worship and refreshment.
Seated at the table were Riley Robinson (
Riley
Robinson, Clerk of the Executive Committee of the Middle Atlantic Region Office
of the American Friends Service Committee, introduced Mary Lord.
He noted her gifts of leadership, administration, writing and music.
Mary is currently the Director of the National American Friends Service
Committee Peace Building Unit.
Mary,
speaking to our Yearly Meeting theme, “Called to be Peacemakers,” noted that
it was especially appropriate considering the time we find ourselves in history.
“We have been called, whether we are ready or not.” Yet, what does it mean to
be a peacemaker?
Centering
on Psalm 46, Mary pointed out three central ideas:
God is our refuge and strength, therefore we need not be too afraid to act,
Be still and know that I am God,
The transformation needed comes through the power of God, acting through us.
“In
the eyes of God being a world superpower is pure silliness, for the Psalmist
reminds us that our power is in a sense of community and a sense of faith.
In the refuge and stillness of God we learn to become peacemakers.
Transformation does not come through our actions.”
As
she spoke she outlined three areas of action that each of us, as well as our
Monthly Meetings, can undertake:
1. oppose war and militarism;
2. look for, and unmask, seeds of war; and
3. look for the road not yet taken.
She
closed by reminding us of the prayer of French Friends in an earlier time of
conflict: “We pray Lord not for you to keep us safe in a time of war, but to
keep us loyal.”
Fourth
Day Morning, 30 Seventh Month 2003,
Y2003–17
Friends gathered at
Bonnie
Stockslager read from the Sate of the Meeting report of Frederick Monthly
Meeting. They noted that “We have wrestled with questions of how we grow as a
community, how we season ourselves as a vital, active Meeting, and how we
develop and implement the wishes, visions and dreams of the Meeting and its
members. Like the grappler Jacob, we are stronger from our matches; our hips are
bruised, but not broken.”
Y2003–18
Introductions. Patricia
Kutzner (
All
were welcomed and given the freedom of the Meeting.
Y2003–19
Ron Akins (
Dana
Foster, Shiloh Quaker Camp Director, recounted how way had opened for that camp
this year, even as the campers became stranded on a rapidly rising river or as
they explored the rigors of a two week hiking trip from Maryland back to Shiloh.
Elaine
Brigham, Opequon Quaker Camp Director, began by saying that “All the
difference in the world” was made this year when there was a full staff of 20
people. (All but three having gone through the BYM camping program.) Way opened
for an almost ‘panicky’ situation of needing a camp cook right up to the
opening of the camp. “Oscar” quality movies were made at camp each week,
celebrating a different theme each time.
Linda
Garrettson, Catoctin Camp Director, opened her remarks by saying that “we are
now truly a full camping program” (within BYM). Linda taught life-guarding
skills for all the camp counselors before season began, even when the water was
so cold that the counselor’s lips turned blue. (This was in early June.) She
closed her remarks by telling of the joys of using both busses and hiking to
enrich the quality of the camper’s camping program. (Linda is working with
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as they begin to plan to set up their camping
program.)
Whitney
Thompson and Melissa Poole, Co-Directors of Teen Adventure, were introduced,
then spoke separately. Melissa was a new Co-Director this year and found it to
be an incredible experience. She said that Teen Adventure helps campers learn
how to “make that ‘magic’” that is the real center of a truly moving
camping program. Whitney told of how camp leaders become empowered to help
develop and carry out an exciting camping program.
Ron
Akins summarized the joys in our Yearly Meeting’s camping programs.
Lamar Matthew noted that the camping program is our largest outreach
program in Baltimore Yearly Meeting. “It is often times the first total
immersion (sometimes submersion) into a Quaker experience for many young
Friends.”
(See
Minute Y2003–49 for an addition to this Minute.)
Y2003–20
Minutes number 17–19 were read and Approved.
Y2003–21
Marion Ballard (
Y2003–22
Sheila Bach (Langley Hill), for the Ad Hoc Search Committee appointed by
Interim Meeting, brought forward for a second reading the names of Margaret
Stambaugh (Gettysburg) and Elizabeth Meyer (Sandy Spring) for a second term of
three years on the Search Committee. Approved.
The
Meeting noted the resignation of Carolyn Unger (
Y2003–23
Ann Marie Moriarty (Adelphi), Clerk of the Search Committee brought forth
the following names, for a first reading:
Clerk
of Interim Meeting: Michael Cronin (
Supervisory
Committee: The reappointment of Rich Liversidge (
Nominating
Committee: Cynthia
Power (
Recording Clerk, Baltimore Yearly Meeting: Deborah Haines (Swarthmore Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and a Sojourning member of Alexandria Monthly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting).
The
second reading for these names will be on Seventh Day.
Y2003–24
Final Report of Released Friend, Patricia Kutzner.
Pat showed us a large red notebook, a composite report of her seven years
as a released Friend with the Torreon/Starlake chapter of the Navajo Nation. She
noted that this is her last report to Baltimore Yearly Meeting in this capacity.
She
movingly outlined the leading that took her to
Bonnie
Stockslager, at the Clerk’s request, read a Minute that had been written in
appreciation of Patricia Kutzner’s work as a released Friend.
Minute
Recognizing Patricia Kutzner’s Service
With the close of these 332nd Sessions of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, so ends our embrace of Patricia Kutzner and her work with the Navajo Nation. Since embrace began in 1966, Pat has worked with the Torreon/Starlake Chapter to carry out a variety of projects. Pat has supported the Chapter officers as they began a process to establish local government authority under the new Navajo Nation policy of local autonomy. She encouraged use of working committees for community projects. Pat secured grants for two summers for a summer youth employment project to control erosion; the third summer she mentored the Torreon/Starlake youth director as he successfully wrote the grant; the project attracted the interest of other Chapters who have now started comparable youth projects. Additionally, Pat helped establish a thrift store and trained both the store’s board and staff. The board, with Pat’s assistance, successfully incorporated and received a 501 (c)(3) status. Finally, she did much of the technical research and organizational/financial exploration, setting the stage for a program of solarization for houses far from the local power grid. Some of these activities are still underway.
Pat’s
response to the opening for work with the people of Torreon/Starlake revived the
practice of release at Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
We were led to examine the meaning of leadings and of corporate support
for a leading. Pat also provided a
case study in the application of the new guidelines for embrace.
Pat
has indicated that she plans to remain in
Y2003–25
Patricia Coffman from William Penn House was present and acknowledged and
it was announced that she would speak later in the sessions.
The
Clerk asked for a reading of Minutes 20 – 25, but the hour was so late that we
deferred to the Recording Clerk’s request that we break for lunch so as to not
further inconvenience the college food service staff.
Just after that was agreed to, the fire alarm rang and everyone had to
evacuate the building. Lunch became even later.
Fifth
Day Morning, 31 Seventh Month 2003,
Y2003–26
In the stillness of this day Friends gathered promptly to continue the
business of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
Seated
at the table were Lamar Matthew (
Maria
read the annual State of the Meeting report from Maury River Friends.
The concluding paragraph read: “In
this time of overwhelming distress in the world, we often feel neither centered
enough nor active enough. This is
when the life of the Meeting feels most essential to us.
Here we find stories of historical Friends who steadfastly did God’s
work among their fellows. Here we
find the strength and comfort of corporate worship, and the personal support to
resist despair. Whatever the
challenges of Meeting life—and they are many – we are deeply grateful to be
a part of it. Among Friends, we feel
empowered to face the coming storms.”
Y2003–27
Minutes 21 through 25 were read, corrected and Approved.
Y2003–28
The Clerk announced that the press release regarding our “Reaffirming
the Peace Testimony” (see Minute Y2003-14) has been completed.
Copies are available in the hallway outside the Meeting room.
Y2003–29
Patricia Coffman, new Assistant Director of William Penn House in
Y2003–30
First
Camping
Program, David Hunter (2005); Criminal and Restorative Justice, Annalee Flower
Horne (2004); Faith and Practice revision, Chip Tucker and Ronald Mattson;
Indian Affairs, Byron Sandford and H. Alan Weisel (2004); Ministry and Pastoral
Care, Angelina Woo and Margery Larabee (2004); Religious Education, Alessa
Giampolo Keener (2004); Youth Programs, Carol Cober (2005); Friends House Board,
Sam Stayton (2005); AFSC Corporation, Toshi Salzberg (2004); FGC Central
Committee, Rob Duncan (2004); FUM General Board (Alternate), Kathy Wright
(2005), FWCC Section of the Americas, Elizabeth Duverlie (2004) and FWCC
Triennial in New Zealand, Margaret Stambaugh (2004).
She
then presented the first reading of proposed names for consideration as
appointees to Baltimore Yearly Meeting committees and related Quaker
organizations. Approval will take
place on Seventh Day of this week.
Y2003–31
Listening Project on Diversity
and Outreach in
They
have undertaken a “listening project” to stimulate ideas and deepen
discernment. They have not sought to
develop statistics but rather they have wanted all to appreciate the benefits of
diversity, and to build on this enriching factor.
This working group is available to hold a listening project within our
individual Monthly Meetings.
Y2003–32
As we continued in worship the Clerk had the Reading Clerk read two
quotations, one from Isaac Pennington and one from Jack Kirk:
Isaac Pennington reminded us of “how sweet and pleasant it is to the truly spiritual eye to see several sorts of believers, several forms of Christians ....” And from Jack Kirk we heard “Each group thought that it carried the full Quaker banner, while in actuality each had tightly clasped only a tattered shred of the rich tapestry that was the original Quaker banner.”
The
report of the Yearly Meeting’s Representatives to Friends United Meeting came
to us from Rich Liversidge (
Rich
also read a letter from Brett McKinney, Clerk of Friends United Meeting,
regarding Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s concerns from last year. (See Y2002-43)
Our concerns are being considered by FUM’s Executive Committee. Brett McKinney
writes: “It is clear that FUM does have a policy” [regarding the selection
of worship-sharing leaders for FUM conferences] and is working on clarifying the
roles, responsibilities and authority of FUM staff and committees.
Discussion
followed on Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s and Friends United Meeting’s
exploration of the issue of sexual orientation and we heard again from the floor
of this gathering that sexual orientation should not be a bar to any spiritual
service within our Yearly Meeting. We
will await further response from FUM after their fall General Board meeting.
Y2003–33
Bonnie Stockslager (Herndon), Clerk of the Ad Hoc Gay, Lesbian and
Bisexual Concerns Committee, started her report by saying that this group would
like to change their name to the Ad Hoc Committee on Gender and Sexual Diversity
Concerns. The charge for this newly named group is as follows:
The Ad Hoc Committee on Gender and Sexual Diversity Concerns holds as its charge to gather and distribute information on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns arising from within Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Furthermore, the Committee is charged to put new energy into advocacy activities that help to end the oppression, often unconscious, that is imposed on people because of their real or perceived identity or sexual orientation. In its charge, the Committee continues the tradition of Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s original Minute #87.
Friends
Approved the new name and the
proposed charge for the Committee. The work of this group was extended for
another two years.
Y2003–34
The Working Group on Torreon/Starlake and
The Torreon/Starlake Working Group would be under the standing committee, Indian Affairs Committee (IAC), for a specific functional process. IAC will provide oversight for the Working Group, as it has provided for the oversight and support for Pat Kutzner through subcommittees. For many of us, the model of a subcommittee of a standing committee may be more familiar and understandable.
The Torreon/Starlake Working Group will consist of individuals, identified by IAC, who are interested in continuing to work with Torreon/Starlake. A working group is administered by the standing committee, so that there will NOT be additional work for the Nominating Committee.
The Torreon/Starlake Working Group will be responsible for raising its own funds for its work. Therefore, there is no effect on the Yearly Meeting’s apportionment resulting from the Working Group’s activities. If additional funds are needed from Yearly Meeting, the IAC will take the request to Stewardship and Finance Committee.
It should be understood clearly that the Torreon/Starlake Working Group is not a continuation of the embrace of Pat Kutzner in another form. Instead, it is the Yearly Meeting’s way of continuing the opening begun by Pat six years ago in a way that broadens the opening and makes it accessible to many other members of the Yearly Meeting.
The Working Group will work on cultural integration and understanding in general, and specific projects (such as the Thrift Store) and other needs of the Torreon/Starlake Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Because it is an activity of the IAC, the T/S Working Group and its history need to be only reported to the Yearly Meeting. There is no need or requirement that it be approved by the Yearly Meeting in session. Therefore, this report is being made for information purposes only.
I encourage any members who are led to join us in this important work to contact an IAC member so you can participate with the rest of us in this important work with the Navajo Nation.
The
report was Accepted.
Y2003–35
The Minutes for this morning’s session were read, corrected and Approved.
Maria
Bradley read several announcements. Oral
announcements told us that there would be a bus to Shiloh Quaker Camp site at
The
Clerk closed the session with this quotation from John Woolman:
Each of these Quarterly Meetings was large and sat near eight hours. I had occasion to consider that it is a weighty thing to speak much in large meetings for business, for except our minds are rightly prepared, and we clearly understand that case we speak to, instead of forwarding we hinder business, and make more labor for those on whom the burden of the work is laid. If selfish views or a partial spirit have any room in our minds, we are unfit for the Lord’s work; if we have a clear prospect of the business, and proper weight on our minds to speak, we should avoid useless apologies and repetitions. Where people are gathered from far, and adjourning a meeting of business is attended with great difficulty, it behooves all to be cautious how they detain a meeting, especially when they have sat six or seven hours, and have a great distance to ride home. After this meeting I rode home.”
Sixth
Day, 1 Eighth Month 2003,
Y2003–36
As Friends gathered for Worship with a Concern for Business we found at
the table Lamar Matthew (York), Clerk, Joan Liversidge (Sandy Spring), Reading
Clerk for the Day, Ross Galloway (Sandy Spring) and Hannah Mayer (Maury River)
Co-Assistant Clerks of Young Friends, Phoebe Stern (student at Sandy Spring
Friends School) and Ronald Mattson, Recording Clerk. Holding us in the Light
during this session were David Ross (
The
Reading Clerk, for our opening, read a 1983 statement by Fred Rogers (Mr.
Rogers), reminding us that all need to be loved.
Introduced
were Paul Lacey, Clear Creek Monthly Meeting, Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting; Robin
Wells, Asheville Monthly Meeting, Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and
Association, with her sons Dillon and Nicholas; Sara VanDegrift, First Friends
Meeting, Greensboro, North Carolina, North Carolina Yearly Meeting (FUM); Jamie
Photo and Paulette Meier, Community Friends Monthly Meeting (of Cincinnati),
Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. All were given the freedom of the Meeting.
Joan
Liversidge then read from
Our Beloved Community is dutiful and careful. With love and discernment we are striving to meet the concerns of our faith community. Yet, we recognize unresolved matters. Are those that are new to our Meeting met with welcome, and do we listen to their needs? Are we open to our own calling, deepening the quality of worshipful silence and recognizing the time to share vocal ministry? Do our lives evidence the teachings of our faith?
Y2003–37
Roll Call of Meetings. The
Clerk called the name of each Monthly Meeting within the Yearly Meeting. We
found that Friends were present from 35 Monthly Meetings; it was judged that a
quorum was present.
Y2003–38
Junior Yearly Meeting. Eric
Uberseder (Dunnings Creek), Clerk of this year’s Junior Yearly Meeting
Program, “Lions and Lambs–Hand in Hand” introduced the Junior Yearly
Meeting program and the staff that made all this possible.
Recognized were:
Nursery Karen Cunnyngham (Adelphi) and Ellen Johnson (State College), Coordinators, with Jules Arginteanu (State College), Jennifer Morris (Washington), Carol Sedden (Stony Run) Kathy Funkhouser (Frederick), and Marcy Seitel (Adelphi).
Morning Classes (Rising Kindergarten to Rising 5th grade), June Confer, Coordinator, with Susan Williams (Dunnings Creek), Linda Uberseder (Nottingham), Eric Uberseder (Dunnings Creek), Sarah Buchanon-Wollaston (Deer Creek), Margo Lehman (Sandy Spring), and Robin Wells.
Afternoon
Program Anna Rains, Coordinator,
with Linda Uberseder, Susan Williams, Jim Lehman (
Evening Program Susan Vanderhof (Stony Run), Coordinator with Sarah Buchanon-Wollaston, Sherri Morgan and Jim Lehman. Linda Uberseder, Susan Williams, and Jim Lehman.
Junior
Young Friends Linda Coates,
Coordinator with Mark Brabson (Little
Hannah
Mayer announced that Young Friends will be seated around the room to hold our
business session in the Light. At
this point Young Friends rose and moved to encircle our community.
Paulette
Meier was called up and led the entire gathering in moving to the music of the
“Hokey Pokey.” The words were
‘modified’ and we sang,
We put the peacemakers in, and take the warmongers out, and shake it all about;
We march and sing and shout
We do the power shuffle and turn the world about
(Teachers in and missiles out; housing in and bombers out)
At
the Clerk’s request, Joan Liversidge read a tender advice from a father,
William Penn, to his children Springett, Letitia, and William:
Hear my counsel, and lay it up in your hearts; love it more than treasure, and follow it ... In the first place remember your Creator ... Be obedient to your dear Mother ... Next betake yourself to some honest, and industrious life ... Be sure to live within compass; borrow not, neither be beholden to any ... I charge you help the poor and needy ... Love not money, nor the world ... Pity the distressed, and hold out a hand to help them ... In making friends, consider well first ... Watch against anger, neither speak nor act in it ... Avoid pride, avarice and luxury. Be no busy bodies. If God give you children, love them with wisdom, correct them with affection ... Finally, my children, love one another ...
Y2003–39
Michele Levasseur, our out-going Youth Secretary in Baltimore Yearly
Meeting, spoke of her sense of thanks to BYM: thanks for the ability to listen,
thanks for trust, thanks for kindness and compassion.
Our
Yearly Meeting Youth Program has grown tremendously over the last six years with
Michele’s involvement and leadership. She said the FAPs (Friendly Adult
Presences) are a resource that has been invaluable to the growth of our
children.
A
program has also evolved with Junior Young Friends, meeting a need for them to
be together for worship and fellowship during the year.
In
her work she acknowledged the support of Abby Graffron (
Hannah
Mayer read the following minute, which was done in fine calligraphy, and then
presented it to her:
When
your life is centered in the power of love
you
create a ripple effect that transforms the community.
When
the community is centered in the power of love
it
creates a ripple effect that transforms the nation.
When
the nation is centered in the power of love
it
creates a ripple effect that transforms the world.
And
when the world is centered in the power of love
the
ripple spreads throughout the cosmos.
Paraphrased
from teaching #54 of the Tao Te Ching.
Michele,
your concern, compassion, caring and love have created a multitude of ripples
throughout the Young Friends community for the five years you have served as
Youth Secretary.
Beyond
that we have asked so much from you –
There
will come a time in the Young Friends community when it will be a name without a
face, a person from the history of Young Friends.
But your spiritual gifts, repeat, never fade from us.
Your love ripples now through Young Friends who have grown and left the
community, ripples now through those who form the community and ever will ripple
through Young Friends yet to come.
Words
fail us; we can’t express our gratitude, our love and our hope for a future
that is blessed with all the joy and contentment you deserve.
Perhaps our mantra throughout the years says it best,
“We
love you Michele.”
The
Young Friends of
Abby
Gaffron and Audrey Banach, future coordinators for the continuing Junior Young
Friends program and speaking for that group, presented Michele with flowers and
words of love. (It was noted that there is a real need for adult presences at
JYF and YF events.) Laura Rupeck (
Ruth
Flower (
Then,
after another quotation from William Penn we were called again from our labors
by the fire alarm and the evacuation of the building. (Twice plumbers, working
on the pipes in the building, have activated the alarm.)
Y2003–40
As we returned from our ‘outing,’ Joan Liversidge read from George
Fox, reminding us to be careful in all our Meetings ... as Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the children of God.”
Report
of the Religious Education Committee. Chuck Fager repeated an earlier statement
that said that Yearly Meeting is the fulcrum of the year for him.
This
year the Religious Education Committee continues to support Monthly Meetings
with resources for religious education. They
have also brought in two master teachers to help us here at Yearly Meeting and
in our Monthly Meeting. Robin Wells,
the
Baltimore
Yearly Meeting’s Religious Education Committee has provided six $100
scholarships to
Y2003–41
Manual of Procedure. Trudy
Rogers (
Y2003–42
Young Friends Request. Leslie
Keffer-King (Valley Meeting) spoke of a visit she made to Friends in
Y2003–43
All minutes to this point for the morning’s session were read,
corrected and Approved.
Sixth
Day Afternoon, I Eighth Month 2003, 1:
Y2003–44
Friends gathered for an extra session in the afternoon and as we started
the Clerk remarked on the exuberance and joy that all had felt during this
morning’s session.
Y2003–45
Among
the three camps we have 39 cabins, two residences, three kitchens, four art
pavilions, six bath houses, three infirmaries, five fire circles, three wells,
two well houses, six septic systems, one lagoon, three stream banks and five
miles of trails. “We are thankful that we have now a property manager.”
Major
improvements have taken place at all the camps and needed vehicles have been
purchased. The new camp manager will also be responsible for maintaining all
necessary permits and meeting all required health or governmental regulations.
Happy
smiles and nods of agreement gave acceptance to her report.
The
Reading Clerk read a paragraph from the
Our grown children tell us that they felt the nurturing and love from friends and embraced the teachings of Quakerism in their hearts. They sense grounding from our community in their adult lives. We need to insure the same opportunities to our current young ones.
Y2003–46
Y2003–47
Stewardship and Finance Committee. Marion
Ballard (
Y2003–48
All the Minutes to this point were Approved.
Y2003–49
The Recording Clerk shared with the Meeting that some Friends felt Minute
Number Y2003–19 needed a further addition and proposed the following
addition prepared by two Friends:
Our camping program is really a religious education program that immerses our children in a community of unconditional love in ways similar to how the early Quakers provided for their children. It honors and nurtures their spiritual lives in a child-focused environment that is free of anxiety and fear that we adults carry. As such, it is essentially both in-reach and outreach, and is well worth 50% of our budget and at least that much of our time.
Approved
the addition of this paragraph to Minute 19.
Sixth
Day Evening, 1 Eighth Month 2003,
Y2003–50
Friends gathered after dinner to raise their voice in song and that joy
carried over as we settled in to hear from Lamar Matthew (York) and Frank Massey
(Sandy Spring), seated in our midst. They had been asked to share with us
information on their travels in the ministry among Friends in
Frank
began his remarks by thanking the Yearly Meeting for his sabbatical leave, part
of which he spent at
Lamar
talked of the pastoral visit to
Lamar
also noted the absence of a care for human rights for some in the area.
Frank told of the Friends schools in Ramallah, serving some 1,000 students in pre-K though 12