Record of Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting

Baltimore, homewood, 9/11/05

 

1. Opening

            We met on a beautiful day in the warm hospitality of Homewood Friends. Friends settled into silent worship for some minutes after which Clerk John McKusick thanked our hosts for their reception.

 

2. Roll call

            Representatives from all Meetings of the Quarter were present, for a total of 41 attendees.

 

3.  Agenda review

            The agenda was approved without change.

 

4. Record

            The record of the sixth Month Meeting of Chesapeake quarter was approved without change.

 

5. Schedule

            Baltimore Stony Run confirms its willingness to host CQM 3rd Month, 2006, Patapsco confirmed hosting 6th Month 2007, and Seneca Valley confirmed that they can serve as hosts 3rd Month, 2007. The schedule is now:

2006    3rd BSR

            6th Little Falls

            9th  Sandy Spring

2007    3rd Seneca Valley

            6th Patapsco

            9th  Gunpowder?

 

Jean Wilson  pointed out that the 9th Month 07 date coincides with the date of the Spiritual formation Retreat, which many Gunpowder members plan to attend. (is this really a problem in 2007??)  Gunpowder will contact Betsy Meyer to see if the SF retreat could be rescheduled. Failing that, Gunpowder will contact Seneea Valley and/or Patapsco to see if a switch could be arranged.

 

6. Minute of appreciation

            The Clerk read a draft Minute of Appreciation to Patuxent for hosting CQM 6th Month (attached). The Minute was approved.

 

7. Sharings

*Dusty Rhodes  spoke of  Patuxent Meeting’s concern about the erosion of affordable housing in Calvert County, saying that it has become a bedroom suburb with mean price for a house being about $370,000. They presented a Minute on Affordable Housing (attached) previously approved by Patuxent, for our consideration. No action was taken.

*Lamar Matthews informed us of several forums (fora?) to be held at BSR in coming weeks, to which all are invited. “Seekers and Speakers: An Introduction to Quakerism”  is offered as a six-week series starting 10/2 and continuing on each First Day until 11/6/05. A forum on Quaker Worship and Vocal ministry will be 9/25/05 at 9AM. A workshop for committees and clerks will begin 9/29 , with two additional sessions 10/15 and 10/23.

*Bob Heaton (Gp) offered thank for support for a family after the tragic death of their son.(details??)

*Jim Rose (Ptc) pointed out that there are several publications on the BYM website at http://www.bym-rsf.org/quakers/pubs/publications.shtml#Response. These include the 2005 Carey memorial lecture by Vicki Cooley, “A Quaker Response to Christian Fundamentalism” by Sallie B. King, and “Milk for Babes, by James Naylor, edited by Evamaria Hawkins. Jim also noted that Meeting events may be publicized on the BYM website.

*Bobbi Stevens (LF) spoke of a children’s program involving 9 6th grade students. (more?)

*Ramona Buck (Ptc) directed our attention to flyers advertising a fall yard and bake sale, at Mt. Hebron House 10/15.

*Ken Stockbridge (Ptc) told of a series they are starting on Death and Dying: four meetings 9/25/05, 10/30/05, 11/20/05, 1/22/06.

*Lowell Christy (SV) Reminds us that SV has care of Friends Meeting School, and that they are looking for more students from Quaker families.. Also a new Quaker school is opening at Oakton (?) in Northern Virginia. (did he say what is his role?)

*Tracey Stambaugh (LF) told of summer programs there, and that their Peace sign has been repeatedly vandalized.  They are working on constructive responses. Members are being challenged after Meeting for Worship with the query “does your life speak?”

*Claire Twose (BH) directed our attention to flyers advertising “Reach the Beach”, a running relay race of 207 miles to raise funds for the AFSC’s  Katrina disaster relief effort.

*Nancy  Moore (BSR) told of a poetry reading by David d’Orio (sp?) today on the Hopkins campus.

*Ann Heaton (Gp) announced the annual Gunpowder book sale 11/12/05 at the meetinghouse. There will also be a rummage sale.

*A letter from Amy Schmaljohn was read regarding Rachel Stacey’s trip to the World Gathering of YFs in England, thanking all for their support of Rachel. Lamar Matthews noted that Rachel has been appointed as the youngest (ever?)  member of the FUM Board.

 

8. Reports and Updates

BYM Annual Sessions-

*Jim Rose noted that three epistles (BYM, Adult YF’s, and YF’s) are on the BYM website.

*Lamar Matthews said that this is the 2nd year in which coupons good for 2 nights at YM sessions were made available to first time attendees, and that this has been very successful, with many new faces being seen. He expressed appreciation to the format of the sessions, very much liking the “flavor”. under clerkship of Lori Perman. He also was pleased to see that CQM is well represented at YM sessions.

*Ken Stockbridge as appreciative of the talk by the brother of Ted Kazinsky (unibomber), and the comparison of the good defense he was accorded, compared to that of a less well known defendant. Friends from FUM spoke of their struggles with the practice of same-sex unions.

*Susan Rose appreciated the presence of three African representatives at YM sessions. One Kenyan woman was the child of a polygamous family, and a Rwanden woman spoke who was “appointed” by her government to do peace work, and whose husband is in prison for 10 years (Tutsi) accused of genocide.

West River Burial Ground

            Joe Miller gave a report, saying that the Trustees are doing well. there are 9 Trustees, of which 5 are Quakers, from four Meetings (BSR, Ann, Patux, BH). They have contracted with an arborist company to maintain the historic trees on the property. . They are also expending some of their equity funds to rebuild the fence, and will work on fundraising to replace the expenditures. Repair work on some of the damaged or worn stones is being done. Some gravesites are still available, but in 2 or 3 years they plan to terminate sales, after which the graveyard can become a historical site, and qualify for additional maintenance support. they are also discussing the possibility of some archeological work, possibly to find the site of the old Meetinghouse.

 

            Ken Stockbridge told that it has been found that the Ellicott City Friends graveyard actually belong to BYM. They are being asked or an easement so a new owner of adjacent property can build a driveway. Lowell Christy told also of an abandoned historical graveyard in their vicinity. They are working with the Historical Society on this. The Meetinghouse was burnt by the C&P builders, and a fund set up that pays an annual sum to Frederick Meeting for care of the burial ground.

 

Clerk Search

            The Clerk presented the first reading for Ken Stockbridge to be our new Clerk and for Alan DeSilva to take a second 2-year term as Recorder.

 

Amicus Brief regarding civil unions

            A hearing was held 8/30, not clear if any Friend was present, but our brief was presented.

 

9. Statement of Purpose

            The Clerk asked how the Statement of Purpose might be used.  Representatives are asked to take it back to their Meetings, asking how CQM might become more involved and influential in public affairs.. Lowell Christy applauded the statement as perceptive and clear.  Ken asked that it be published on the BYM website, and in the Interchange. . Susan Rose asked to be relieved of her appointment to the Interfaith Coalition for Peace, which she described as having interesting meetings, but as doing little else. The question of whether or not CQM should continue to appoint a representative to the ICP was deferred to the next meeting.

 

10. Closing

            Noting that CQM will meet next on 3rd Month, 2006 at Baltimore, Stony Run as way opens, the Meeting closed with some moments of silent worship.

 

11  Program

            After the excellent lunch provided by our hosts, we were treated to a talk by Marq Anderson,  Director of the AFSC “Eyes Wide Open” exhibit that has toured dozens of cities throughut the country. This exceedingly moving  exhibit has been on the Hopkins campus the past three days. It consists simply of pairs of military boots, one pair for each of the man and women killed in Iraq arrayed in rows on the lawn.  Boots are identified by the name of the person represented, and with some are accompanied by photos. There is also a symbolic display of civilian shoes, representing the Iraqi civilians who died as a result of the war. Marq described some of his experiences in meeting relatives of the dead during the exhibitions in New York, Texas, and elsewhere.