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SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE MEETING REPORT - 2004
When we gathered in worship to discern the spiritual state of our Meeting, the words which sprang from our worship sharing most often were vital, hopeful, energized, and maturity. Also prominently featured were joyful and confident.
Two elements seem to be key to the new sense of vital community we share:
- Changing (in 2003) the time of our Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business (MWB) to the regular 11:00 AM worship time every third First Day.
- Going forward with the renovation and expansion of our religious education building.
Holding MWB at 11:00 AM has exponentially increased attendance and thereby fostered a greater sense of connection and involvement in the life of our Meeting community. With so many more hearts and minds focused on whatever business is before us, Way seems to open more easily. This has increased our confidence and helped us to overcome a lingering sense of inertia as we find that we can get things done. Even with difficult issues, we seem more willing to labor lovingly together.
Nowhere were these changes more apparent than in our deliberations over if and how we could proceed in our relationship with Friends United Meeting. We are distressed by and opposed to their employment policies regarding the private sexual activity of employees and volunteers, and the requirement of all employees to report anyone suspected of not adhering to those policies. Taking John Woolman as our guide, we found a way forward which was acceptable to all.
Time and again, finding a way forward has been what the Building Committee has done. The project includes an extension which provides more classroom space and a larger all purpose room, a new, larger kitchen, accessible bathrooms, and the installation of an elevator to provide easier access to the entire RE building as well as the Meeting House. Through all the phases of planning and construction, through all the foreseen and unforeseen complications, they have worked diligently, effectively and with great humor. They found a temporary home for meeting and RE classes at the Seventh Day Adventist Church a few blocks away from the Meeting House. They have addressed varied concerns, tended to myriad details, worked closely with the contractor and kept Meeting informed of and comfortable with the status of the project.
The home visitations initiated by the Building Committee as a way of including everyone in our excitement and hope for the future began a series of events centered around the building project. Although the immediate purpose of the home visitations was to encourage pledges of financial support, the most important result was a greater sense of connection and involvement - the building of community. Other events have continued to build community, starting with the very moving Joining Hands celebration for ground breaking in which we literally held hands and formed an unbroken chain surrounding the building while we sang.
In token of our focus on building community and not just improving a building, we call all activities designed to increase financial support FUN RAISERS, and they certainly have been. The two most widely supported events were the coffee house/talent show organized and managed by Young Friends in the spring and the yard sale in the fall. Both were great fun and major financial successes. The community plans to repeat these events in 2005. Individuals have offered services and educational opportunities, and continue to find creative ways to raise money.
After asking each other to consider pledging financial support and accepting the necessity of a mortgage, it seems that our habitual discomfort in discussing money matters has abated and that we are much better able to face financial issues directly and make necessary decisions with grace. This has provided a sense of relief to the Financial Stewardship Committee and others, and has increased our sense that "we can do this!" -whatever 'this' we take on.
Meeting has honored our commitment to maintain our focus on community outreach while engaged in the building project. We continued to provide bimonthly meals at the Hull Street Shelter and continued the semiannual work camp ministry with residents of Highland Park. Meeting supported and participated in the poverty diet program sponsored by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. We participated in ongoing efforts to shape public policy. We provided assistance in a variety of ways to the refugee family with whom we have been working. We also continued our financial support of numerous local organizations.
Meeting has also continued its stewardship of our retreat center, The Clearing. The reorganization of The Clearing Committee and division of labor among subcommittees has been very productive, and the work of maintaining The Clearing does not seem as overwhelming. Usage of The Clearing generated sufficient income to meet budget goals for 2004. It is hoped that the newly created website will help increase future usage.
Meeting's main website has flourished and is beginning to be used as a means of communication for items needing immediate awareness. The growing photo gallery provides frequent updates on the progress of the construction as well as documentation of community events. Our monthly newsletter and other information about Meeting are also available.
Even as our communication in general improves, we continue to find that communication of Spirit's messages, as reflected by the quality of our vocal ministry within meetings for worship, is an ongoing area of concern. We also feel that Meeting could benefit from further nurturing of leadership skills and from continuing to make available a variety of opportunities for individual spiritual inquiry. We are excited about having identified further opportunities for growth. We are confident that our experience thus far and the increasing desire for adult education and opportunities for shared spirituality that have been voiced will in time yield fruit.
In response to this desire, different types of opportunities have been provided for spiritual development and the sharing of our spiritual journeys - true communion and community building with the strongest sort of building blocks. Some of these have been sponsored by Ministry and Worship (M&W), and others have arisen independently.
In late spring, M&W coordinated the formation of several groups which met weekly over the summer, and suggested focusing on developing our various spiritual disciplines. The sharing of our spiritual journeys in these intimate groups deepened and strengthened our ties to and support of one another. Prior to the fall elections, M&W offered forums on politics in meeting, tax resistance, and Simplicity as well as a series of six weekly meetings focusing on the writings and work of John Woolman. The purpose was to help Friends counteract the bitterness, cynicism and despair associated with the political campaigns. This was reportedly helpful, and has had a broader impact, as previously mentioned.
The children and teenagers of Meeting continue to bring joy, energy and hopefulness to our community. The children's Christmas program was a highlight. Young Friends continue to be an active, caring and self-directed group. The Religious Education Committee and teachers provide dedicated service. Richmond Friends are active in the BYM camping program as campers, counselors and adult volunteers.
We find ourselves looking back at growing maturity and energy with joy, gratitude and a greater sense of community. We look forward with hope and excitement to how that maturity and energy may help us follow Spirit's leadings. We feel confident that this newly generated energy will flow naturally in the direction of community service and outreach. This is already evident in the eagerness with which Meeting embraced one Friend's leading to work with Friends Peace Teams in Africa and accepted the attendant responsibility to this ministry. Even more exciting is the prospect that ongoing education about the BYM Embraced Ministry process and protocols will encourage us to greater recognition and support of other Friends' personal ministries.
Interchange, Spring 2005
Early 2005 is a time of physical dislocation for us, yet we continued
advocacy work during the Virginia General Asembly, serve our monthly
meal at the Hull Street shelter, help young Friends with scholarships
for BYM camping programs, and consider through Bible Workbench how
these timeless stories "walk on earth" in our lives. We
learn more about the meaning of embraced ministry and support the
leading of Linda Heacock, who offers her skills in alternatives
to violence to Friends Peace Teams in Africa. We respond to needs
of an Afghan family resettled locally, and our youngest Friends
raised funds for AFSC tsunami relief. Expansion and renovation of
our religious education building is underway; completion is anticipated
late March. We temporarily vacated our Kensington Avenue location
and use a Seventh Day Adventist church.
FUM Policy Concern
From Minutes of Richmond's Twelfth Month Meeting for Business:
During consideration of the budget, the Clerk called on an ad hoc committee recently formed to make a recommendation
about the conflict with Friends United Meeting (FUM) and RFM's $300 yearly contribution to that organization.
Together with the Ministry and Worship committee, the ad hoc group had drafted a minute, which Jean Jones Andersen read
aloud. Friends offered ideas about how the funds might be used within the proposed framework, and after some
consideration, Meeting approved the minute as follows.
Minute
- Richmond Friends Meeting unites in deciding that the $300 that RFM budgeted in 2004 as a contribution to Friends United
Meeting (FUM) be set aside to support an earnest effort to labor with our fellow Quakers in FUM concerning issues that
currently divide us; that the same amount be allocated in the same way for 2005; and that the Ministry and Worship
committee be asked to administer these funds as part of their Adult Education responsibility.
- Further, Richmond Friends Meeting unites in asking the Clerk to request that Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) withhold RFM's portion
of BYM's annual contribution to FUM, effective immediately and until further notice, and respectfully to suggest that BYM consider
redirecting such withheld funds to support enhanced communication with FUM, with a view to seeking light about our differences.
- Finally, Richmond Friends Meeting requests that Ministry and Worship report to Meeting on these efforts on an annual basis, prior to
budget formation for the ensuing year, so that decisions about continuation can be made appropriately.
Interchange, September 2004
As fall begins, Richmond Friends is wrapping up three spiritual
development groups that were formed to encourage spiritual discipline
and the sharing of per-son al journeys in a small group setting.
An autumn adult education series will help friends approach the
Novem-ber elections with a Quakerly perspective; using the Pendle
Hill curriculum “John Woolman’s Spirituality and Our Contemporary
Witness.” A recent Friendly Forum focused on politics and spiritual
messages, ad-dressing the question of how to maintain a tradition
of political activism, while keeping our spiritual home from becoming
overwhelmed by the political.
After deep reflection and weighty messages during threshing and
business meetings, a special called meeting for worship with a concern
for business in June produced a minute protesting the Friends United
Meeting policy restricting marriage to heterosexuals, while acknowledging
the importance of keeping dialogue open between FUM and BYM.
Construction and renovation on Richmond Friends Religious Education
building soon will be underway. Our “fun”raising efforts continue
and are spawning some creative activities that highlight our meeting’s
talents and resourcefulness. We are preparing to relocate temporarily
and use the facilities of a nearby congregation for our First Day
School and Meeting for Worship, probably later this fall.
FUM Policy Concern
Minute Prepared for Baltimore Yearly Meeting -- Sixth Month 2004
We of Richmond Friends Meeting (RFM) are distressed by the policy of Friends United Meeting (FUM), which states that marriage is possible only between a man and a woman. We believe this policy states that homosexuals and heterosexuals are not equal before God. We believe that this policy violates the Quaker Testimony of Equality and violates Christ's commandment: "in everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12, NRSV).
We at RFM know the value of gay and lesbian marriage. Our community is blessed by the spirit-led gay and lesbian marriages that have occurred under the care of our meeting since the early 1990s.
In April 2004, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Marriage Affirmation Act which prohibits members of the same sex from entering into any "arrangement that purport(s) to bestow the privilege or obligations of marriage." Virginia's Marriage Affirmation Act is currently the most restrictive law of its kind in the nation. This secular condemnation by the state and the religious prohibition by FUM are causing great pain and suffering to our members and attenders.
It is our hope that the peaceful thoughts, reflections, and prayers of all Friends will lead in time to a greater understanding and acceptance that in God's house there are many mansions and in God's love there is room for all.
With that hope, we have prepared the following minute:
Richmond Friends Meeting is in unity in protesting the FUM policy restricting marriage to heterosexuals. We are deeply concerned that FUM policy and practices reinforce long-term underlying discrimination against gays and lesbians.
We recognize the importance of keeping the dialogue open between FUM and BYM. We call upon the wisdom of all the Meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting to seek right action on this matter.
Interchange, March 2004
Richmond Friends Meeting continues to reap enormous benefits from
conducting monthly meeting for worship with attention to business
at 11a.m. on each 3rd First Day. Conducting the business of meeting
seems more worshipful and better seasoned during this time frame,
with increased communication, a greater awareness of committee work,
and collective ownership of that work.
The decision to renovate and expand our religious education building,
though a difficult one, has stretched us as a community and provided
many opportunities to reflect on and gauge our personal commitment
to and financial responsibility for our spiritual home. For our
"Joining Hands" fundraising effort, teams of volunteers have visited
Friends' homes, explained the building project and fundraising projections,
and answered questions about the initiative. Friends report a greater
sense of community, connectedness, and shared purpose that has energized
our Meeting. Pledges toward the $600,000 goal have enabled us to
move forward with building design. We anticipate construction will
begin by summer.
Recent forums that have focused on special topics - conscientious
objection, creating simple and meaningful holiday traditions, the
quest for simplicity, tax resistance — have enriched us and helped
us grow as individuals and as a community. We continue to offer
a monthly meal at a local homeless shelter, support important needs
of refugee families, and learn more about our Quaker history through
the devoted work of our History and Archives committee. Our religious
education program is thriving, serving 75 children and teenagers.
We are especially inspired by our Young Friends, who have demonstrated
their adeptness at using Quaker process to guide their decisions
about programs, topics for study and service, and fundraising projects.
SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE MEETING REPORT - 2003
Richmond Friends Meeting (RFM) continues to reap enormous benefits from changing the meeting time for its monthly meeting for worship with attention to business to 11 a.m. on each 3rd First Day. The change has facilitated decisions on plans for the R.E. building renovation, on interactions with the community on the future of Jacob House, and on changing the committee structure to provide continued stewardship of The Clearing, all without sacrificing a sense of expectant waiting on the Spirit. Attendance has soared. Conducting the business of meeting seems more worshipful and better seasoned, with increased communication, a greater awareness of committee work, and collective ownership of that work.
The decision to renovate the religious education building was a difficult one and continues to stretch us as a community. The challenge of raising $600,000 has forced us to talk about finances, to gauge our personal commitment to RFM, and to take financial responsibility for our participation in the life of the Meeting. The committee charged with fundraising launched the "Joining Hands" initiative with a community celebration followed by personal contacts and visits with almost all households of the RFM community. Teams of volunteers visited friends' homes, explained the building project and fundraising projections, and answered any questions people had about the project. Friends reported a greater sense of community, connectedness, and shared purpose that has energized our meeting.
There is continued concern over spending so much money, time, and energy on a building, when so many social and political needs demand our attention. The tension between internal stewardship and external calls to action continues to ripple within our meeting. It is encouraging that "we have more in common than divides us" as one friend has said. It is our hope that struggling with each other and listening to one another will make us a stronger community.
Many reported a sense of their spiritual faith deepening in 2003. More than 25 people attended the Quakerism 101 program in the spring; their energy, enthusiasm, and hunger for the spiritual spilled over into the meeting. Bible Workbench continues to attract people interested in Bible study; in the fall, seven members and attenders committed to the Education for Ministry program, a four-year curriculum equivalent to seminary training. The BYM Spiritual Formation program continues to be an important resource for spiritual growth.
Regarding vocal ministry, some have expressed concern that political and self-help messages may have at times overshadowed the spiritual. Others have thought it most important to allow friends full authority to speak from their experience wherever it may be. We recognize we are all at different places in our spiritual journeys yet we wish to work for deeper process. Are we properly prepared for meeting for worship? Are we aware of how our actions and words affect those around us in worship? Do we hold in the light those in our Meeting who struggle with political and personal issues that are not our own? Are our political or personal messages grounded in the spiritual? These are queries we want to ask ourselves in 2004.
The activities of the History and Archives Committee brought an increased awareness of the role of Quakers in Richmond's history. The informal committee prepared 50 years of records for placement in The Library of Virginia permanent archives and staffed the Jacob House Citizens Commission to select the new owner for this historic Quaker residence. Having two parks in Oregon Hill named for Quakers, and learning about the role of Richmond Quakers in the anti-slavery movement and in the early penal reform movement has been encouraging as we face many changes. The committee was made official in January 2004, and RFM honors the efforts of our past historians working to preserve our past and bring it to life.
The preemptive war in Iraq brought many new folks to RFM in 2003. Friends reported that the support of Meeting helped them feel less isolated in a national atmosphere eager for war. Friends found ways to witness their peace testimony, including an active participation with the Women in Black. Meeting reached out to the people of Iraq by sending them health hygiene kits.
An ad hoc committee, working since November 2001, brought its recommendations for the management of the Clearing to business meeting. The ad hoc committee proposed a restructuring of the management of the Clearing into two separate committees, Building and Grounds and Promotion and Usage, both managed by an Oversight Committee. Meeting accepted the proposal and, in the fall, both committees held their first meetings. The Clearing Building and Grounds Committee found the Clearing in excellent condition and the Promotion and Usage Committee expressed much excitement for their work. It is exciting to see this new committee structure in action.
The Clearing was the site in May of a joyous reunion Homecoming weekend attended by about 75 adults, Children, Young Friends, and returning members from afar. The event celebrated 20 years of RFM's stewardship of the Clearing with dance, songs and storytelling around the campfire, as well as our treasured traditions of worship, swimming, games, activities, cooking together and enjoying being together in nature.
RFM acknowledges the work of individuals and committees on peace and social justice issues, including work with refugees, advocacy against the death penalty, protest of the School of the Americas, work with the Quaker House in Fayetteville, a commitment to feeding the homeless a home-cooked meal six times a year, and organizing a work camp in
a predominantly African-American community at least once a year.
RFM also acknowledges the "stewards of the internal" - those individuals and committees who nurture and support the RFM community: caring for the buildings and grounds, preparing and mailing the newsletter, caring for and teaching children, maintaining the library, organizing and facilitating a monthly shared meal, and recognizing and encouraging the spiritual gifts of members and attenders.
Most friends report that RFM has been a nurturing and loving community, providing them with the support they needed in 2003. Friends were impressed that so many with special needs were provided support. Some are concerned that not everyone is cared for; reaching out to those less vocal about their needs or their family's needs remains a consideration.
Care and Counsel Committee recommended seven new people for membership, assisted with one marriage under the care of the meeting, and assisted with another marriage in the manner of Friends. Over $4500 in camp scholarships was distributed, six clearness committees were held, and numerous Friendly 8s were formed in the fall. Most importantly, the committee provided support and organized support for a large number of RFM families and individuals.
RFM continues to have a large religious education program, serving about 75 children and teenagers. It continues to be a challenge to meet the needs of so many children and families. Most parents report how "Quaker" RFM youth seem to be, and they credit the dedication of the R.E. committee, as well as the BYM programs and the camping program with helping parents raise Quaker kids.
The Young Friends continued to adapt and develop the BYM conference model for their R.E., which means the teenagers have their own business meetings and set their own agendas for what transpires from week to week. The Young Friends program has grown to more than 35 young people, many of whom have not grown up at RFM.
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