• 16, Fifth Month,  2010 [PDF]
• 15, Eleventh Month,  2009
• 16, Eighth Month,  2009 [PDF]
• 17, Fifth Month,  2009 [PDF]
• 15, Second Month,  2009
• 16, Eleventh Month,  2008
• 17, Eighth Month,  2008
• 19, Fifth Month,  2008 
   
• Spiritual State of Our Meeting - 2007
• 17, Second Month, 2008
• 18, Eleventh Month, 2007
• 20, Eighth Month,  2007 
• 20, Fifth Month,  2007 
• 18, Second Month,  2007 
• 19, Eleventh Month,  2006 
• 19, Second Month, 2006

15, Eleventh Month, 2009                                                                                       Number 888

WQ 09-11-01  Friends of Warrington Quarter gathered at Carlisle Monthly Meeting, Carlisle, PA, on 15, Eleventh Month, 2009 for the 888^th  Meeting of Warrington Quarter.

Meeting began with a period of silent worship.

WQ  09-11-02 Attendance

The following Friends were present:

• Carlisle: Kenyon McCoy, Joan Anderson, Andy Hoover
• Frederick: Ian Clarke, Sue deVeer
• Gettysburg: Margaret Stambaugh
• Menallen/Huntingdon: Barclay Brooks
• Pipe Creek: Evelyn Gosnell, Bob Gosnell
• Warrington: Faith Basehore
• York: David Fitz, Wim Neij, Leada Dietz
• Langley Hill: Bill Mims, Clerk of BYM Peace and Social Concerns Committee

WQ 09-11-03 Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports

Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports from the following individual Monthly Meetings were submitted and read:

• Carlisle: attached
• Frederick: attached
• Gettysburg: attached
• Menallen: attached
• Pipe Creek: attached
• Warrington: attached
• York: attached

Upon hearing of the plans of several meetings to seek bids for building maintenance work, the Clerk suggested that their needs might be publicized to the Quarter as another opportunity to help out–of-work friends with the appropriate skills find work.

WQ 09-11-04 Treasurer’s Report All apportionments for 2009 have been received for a total of $611.19 in the savings account. One Meeting has already paid their 2010 apportionment. Given the financial difficulties Menallen has been having with the upkeep of three Meetinghouses and five graveyards, a recommendation was made to use some of the Quarter’s money for that. That recommendation will be held over for consideration at next Quarterly Meeting. A Friend again raised his concern that Meetings could help other Meetings financially in a more intentional way.

WQ 09-11-05 Business

We began by considering the proposed Queries on Membership:

• How do I actively support the meeting community?
• How do I support the Clerk of Meeting and clerks of committees?
• How am I maturing into the fullness of membership in this spiritual community?
• How does meeting nurture my spiritual growth and transformation?
• Plus an additional one: What’s the distinction between an attender and a member? Why assume the responsibilities of membership?

An attender feels the same responsibilities and benefits as a member in her Meeting. Another attender wants to feel able to accurately represent the Quaker way before becoming a member. Membership in a Meeting may actually mark ending affiliation with another group. A clearness committee for membership should not be a rubber stamp inspired by eagerness to grow but should beome clear about the person’s awareness and maturity in the Quaker way. One person voiced the impact of a question he was asked by his clearness committee for membership, “What are you going to do when you find the same problems in this community as in the one you came from?”

We were blessed to have Bill Mims (Langley Hill) visit us in his capacity as Clerk of BYM’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee (PSCC) to share some of their activities and encourage us to act in our local area. PSSC stimulates and coordinates activities of Monthly Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committees regarding those issues that affect the fabric of society and on which Quaker testimonies can be brought to bear. It also serves as a resource to the Yearly Meeting, gathering and disseminating information. At the last Interim Meeting, in response to a concern, PSCC asked the Interim Meeting to send a letter to President Obama congratulating him on winning the Nobel Peace Prize and encouraging him to remain steadfast to his commitment to peace. That letter is as follows:

Dear President Obama:

We congratulate you on being awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, given in recognition of the extraordinary change you have initiated in international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples. In 1947, the Quakers, as represented by our two great relief organizations, the Friends Service Council in London and the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia, also received the Nobel Peace Prize. So we write as fellow recipients who, like you, feel humbled by the honor and feel called to greater work for peace.

As members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), we are guided by our Peace Testimony which is core to our faith and our actions. We believe that God would never ask us to make war on others. Our experience, and indeed human history, teaches us that violence and war are never the answer. We urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment to peace.

We ask that you reduce our military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq now. Increasing humanitarian efforts instead will bring more lasting peace both for their people and ours.

On behalf of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),

Elizabeth F. Meyer, Clerk of Interim Meeting
Howard Fullerton, Presiding Clerk

PSCC also encourages other Meetings to write letters, so far Gettysburg and York from this Quarter have done so. Their letters follow as inspirations to others in the Quarter to do likewise:

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, we join with them in congratulating you on being awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, given in recognition of the extraordinary change you have initiated in international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples. In 1947, the Quakers, as represented by our two great relief organizations, the Friends Service Council in London and the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia, also received the Nobel Peace Prize.

As Friends (Quakers), we are guided by our Peace Testimony which is core to our faith and our actions. We believe that God would never ask us to make war on others. Our experience, and indeed human history, teaches us that violence and war are never the answer. We urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment to peace and to seek nonviolent solutions to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We hold you in the Light as you work through these profoundly difficult and momentous matters.

On behalf of the Gettysburg Monthly Meeting,
Margaret Stambaugh, Clerk of the Meeting
Diana R. Henne, Acting Recording Clerk

Dear President Obama,

Congratulations on receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. We support your efforts to encourage dialogue and to finding non-violent solutions to world problems. We applaud your initiative to reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles and your commitment to working with other world leaders to eliminate the threat of nuclear war. We support your efforts to increase the diplomatic role of the State Department and USAID in helping to prevent or mitigate conflict, and to rebuild areas devastated by war.

We encourage you to withdraw our military forces from both Iraq and Afghanistan and use our country's resources and influence to work with civilian and humanitarian groups' in these countries. A Status of Forces Agreement, including a timetable for withdrawal, with the Afghan government would be a positive first step.

As members of the York Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, we encourage and support your efforts to bring an end to conflict and war through negotiation and reconciliation. We also support work to prevent future wars by engaging all people with respect and equality.

In peace,
Pat Long, Clerk of Peace and Social Concerns Committee
York Friends Meeting

Bill also shared a resource on Israel/Palestine, a book and DVD published by the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) called Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for a Just Peace. More information at http://www.israelpalestinemissionnetwork.org/ In an effort to focus our thinking about peace and social concerns, he shared an exercise conducted at Annual Session, where we each wrote an answer to one or both of the following queries: “What have you done or seen others do that takes away occasion for war?” “Where are you most eager to put your energies for promoting peace and social justice?” The Quarter expressed its appreciation for Bill’s message and inspiration.

The Clerk clarified the request from Yearly Meeting’s Ad Hoc committee on Gender and Sexual Diversity Concerns that was passed on at last Quarterly Meeting—responses from each Meeting’s consideration of their query, copied below, should be made to one of the contact people included with the below query. The Quarter’s Clerk also asks that we share our Meeting’s responses with each other at the next Quarterly Meeting.

Gender and Sexual Diversity Consideration

The Ad Hoc committee on Gender and Sexual Diversity Concerns asks your monthly meeting to consider the following query and send your responses to us at: Denny Hartzel, co-clerk, 44 Rhode Island Ave, NM, Washington DC, 20001 or Margaret Stambaugh, co-clerk, 15014 Mud College Rd., Thurmont, Md, 21788

"Historically Friends held a called meeting for worship to celebrate the religious commitment and spiritual union of two of their members. There was no legal or civil component to these earliest marriages, because the state did not sanction marriage between two Friends in a Quaker meeting house. Today many of our Friends are in a similar position. No legal jurisdiction within the boundaries of our yearly meeting will sanction marriage between two Friends of the same gender. Is it time to encourage a return to this earlier practice of separation of church and state? In accordance with our testimony to equality, should we offer the same marriage under the care of meeting-no more and no less-to all couples, while encouraging couples who are legally able, to have a separate civil ceremony."

Suggestions for Meetings to consider for programs as Quarterly hosts of future Quarterly Meetings included inviting representatives of Right Sharing of World Resources who have an excellent presentation on their work with micro lending in India and other developing countries, inviting a representative of Yearly Meeting’s visioning process, and sharing the puppet show on wrongful conviction at a Peace Festival during May’s Quarterly Meeting at Menallen. If there is still interest in holding a Peace Festival then (May 16, 2010) we should start planning soon.

WQ 09-11-06 Minute of Appreciation

The Quarter would like to thank our host, Carlisle Monthly Meeting, for their hospitality in hosting today’s session.

WQ 09-11-07 Meeting closed with a period of silent worship. Friends of Warrington Quarter will meet again Third First Day, Second Month (2-21) 2010 at Frederick Monthly Meeting, Frederick, MD, if so favored.

Clerk: Andy Hoover (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)
Recording Clerk/Treasurer: Leada Dietz (York Monthly Meeting)

15, Second Month, 2009                                                                                       Number 885

WQ 09-01  Friends of Warrington Quarter gathered at York Monthly Meeting, York, PA, on 15, Second Month, 2009 for the 885^th  Meeting of Warrington Quarter.

Meeting began with a period of silent worship.

WQ  09-02 Attendance

The following Friends were present:

Carlisle: Amy Hurley, Andy Hoover, Joan Anderson

Frederick: Ian Clarke

Gettysburg: Cristina Puig-Lugo, Margaret Stambaugh

Menallen/Huntingdon:  Mary Gemmill, Mike Gemmill

Pipe Creek:  Susan Thompson

Warrington:  Faith Basehore

York:  Amy Hooper, Deb Spinelli, Ed Norton, Fran Norton, Fred Palmer, Lamar Matthew, Leada Dietz, Wim Neij

WQ 09-03 Query

After reading excerpts from The Life of William Savery by Francis Taylor, we considered the following queries:

Is there a sense in which we share meeting not only with the Friends that we can see and touch, but also with Friends who have gone before us and who come after us? Are we accountable to and for the historical testimony of Friends? How do we introduce this kind of Quaker history (two and one half hour sermons, more than six hours of meeting in one day, warnings against reading novels, traveling ministers who could speak to people's conditions, plain dress, quietism) to newcomers and still claim the past as somehow more than a curiosity and in any way relevant to who we are today? In what ways have we progressed beyond these earlier Friends? In what ways haven't we?

Responses included sharing with students in First Day School the impact early Friends had on current social norms such as casual dress arising from Quaker belief that clothing should be utilitarian and standardization of price instead of bargaining.  Our distractions today seem more prevalent and invasive and enrich our lives less. They also make it easier to share the message through the many forms of communication available and may enhance the specialness and power of the silence. The importance of experiencing quiet as a young person and learning to take yourself on in that way with the opportunity to feel God and feel that you have a calling is important to individual spirituality.  Do we experience enough of these opportunities and invite others to share them for their life changing potential today? 

Job Scott, Elias Hicks, and Lucretia Mott all spoke in York.  Has our current aversion to lengthy messages replaced early Friends’ messages with an idolatrous worship of the silence itself? How does that prevent us from hearing God through each other?   What impact has becoming more universalist and avoiding Biblical language had on us and our message to the world?

WQ  09-04  Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports

Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports from the following individual Monthly Meetings were submitted and read:

Carlisle:  Received.  Additionally, there will be a memorial service for Burleigh Anderson at 2 pm on 3-8-09 at the Carlisle Meetinghouse. In either April or May, Carlisle plans to host Friendly Folk Dancing

Frederick:  Received .

Gettysburg:  Received

Menallen:  Received.  Additionally, they have almost completed the Partners for Sacred Places program and will soon begin a fund raising program to be called Friends of Quaker Valley to help support the five burial grounds and three meetings under their care.

Pipe Creek:  Received.

Warrington:  report to be forwarded, update as follows:  Faith’s mother is recovering from hip replacement surgery and would welcome cards and letters.

York:  Received

WQ  09-05  Treasurer’s Report: No report

WQ 09-06  Business

1.  After the second reading by the Nominating Committee of the names of Andy Hoover for Clerk and Leada Dietz for Recording Clerk/Treasurer, each for a two-year term, the meeting approved.

2. BYM Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee is sponsoring two all day Pastoral Care workshops, at Frederick Monthly Meeting on 4-18-09 and in Richmond on 4-25-09.  More information and registration at http://www.bym-rsf.org/quakers/news/caring.shtml or contact Virginia Schurman at 410.527.3919

3. Quaker Quest will be held at York Monthly Meeting a Saturday in late May or early June—will let you know the date as soon as we do.  Friends from other meetings are welcome to attend.

4. Glennor Shirley, head of Maryland’s prison library system is seeking people interested in educational programs for inmates, especially book discussion groups.  More information at http://prisonlibrarian.blogspot.com/ If interested, contact gshirley@msde.state.md.us or 410-767-0493, or Drew Leder at dleder@loyola.edu

5.      Outreach: Discussion was begun on the possibility of the Quarter hosting their own peace and social and environmental justice festival.

6.       Lamar Matthew (York) shared a brochure from Bucks Quarter in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and offered to create one for Warrington Quarter.

7. The following details and contacts on Home Funerals and Green Burial were provided for information:

What is 'A Natural Undertaking'

A Natural Undertaking is a service that empowers families to be in attendance at the passing of a loved one and afterwards in the setting of their own home. The goal is to allow family members to participate as much or as little as they want, making use of some funeral home services if they choose, while avoiding unnatural, unnecessary, expensive and harmful practices such as embalming.

A home funeral is one that is held in a private home after the deceased has been cared for and surrounded by loved ones for a period of I to 3 days. Caring for loved ones is legal in most states. Family and friends may want to look into practices for a vigil or wake in their own spiritual traditions.

After death a powerfully intimate and precious relationship exists between the physical body and the spirit while the life forces of the deceased disengage. Appropriate surroundings and presence of friends can support and deepen this process. Also, this time allows loved ones to experience the transition in a way that is less sudden and traumatic, in a setting that is private and familiar. Natural emotions and quiet remembering can take place without the complex interruptions of an unfamiliar ceremony.

Services Offered

Consulting services are offered either on an hourly basis or on a fee basis when guiding families and friends through the entire process including various levels of participation including but not limited to:

• Preparing the way: planning for an anticipated death
• Caring for and preparation of the body
• Guiding family members to care for their loved one's body
• Obtaining and preparing the casket
• Helping the family set up a vigil
• Providing and managing dry ice
• Guiding family and friends how to continue to care for the body for up to three days

For more info, see http://www.naturalundertaking.org

Welcome to the Green Burial Council

Since 2005, the Green Burial Council has been working to make burial sustainable for the planet, meaningful for the families, and economically viable for the provider. And in that short period of time, we've emerged as the "gold standard" among consumers, land trusts, park service agencies as well the cemetery/funeral profession.

How are we doing it?

By developing a certification program that is bringing about a new ethic in deathcare rooted in transparency, accountability and ecological responsibility;

By building out an international network of "approved providers" who are committed to reducing toxins, waste, and carbon emissions that have been associated with conventional end-of-life rituals; and

By bringing conservation organizations together with cemetery operators, funeral establishments, and cremation companies to create burial programs that facilitate the restoration, acquisition and stewardship of natural areas.

To be kept posted about the latest in green burial, and to learn about certified providers in your area, write to us at info@greenburialcouncil.org. If you have a situation requiring immediate attention, please call us toll-free at 888-966-3330.

http://www.greenburialcouncil.org 

WQ 09-06 Minute of Appreciation

The Quarter would like to thank our host, York Monthly Meeting, for their hospitality in hosting today’s session.

WQ 09-07 Meeting closed with a period of silent worship.  Friends of Warrington Quarter will meet again Third First Day, 17, Fifth Month, 2009 (5-17-2009), at Warrington Monthly Meeting, Wellsville, PA, if so favored.

Clerk:  Andy Hoover (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)

Recording Clerk/Treasurer:  Leada Dietz (York Monthly Meeting)

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
of the
Religious Society of Friends
Warrington Quarter

carlisle  frederick gettysburg  menallen  pipe creek warrington  york

http://www.bym-rsf.org/quakers/meetings/warringtonq.shtml

 

 

Clerk: Andy Hoover

Recording Clerk/Treasurer: Ed Sonnenberg

 

 

17, Eighth Month,  2008                                                                          Number 883

 

---

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
of the
Religious Society of Friends
Warrington Quarter

carlisle  frederick gettysburg  menallen  pipe creek warrington  york

http://www.bym-rsf.org/quakers/meetings/warringtonq.shtml

 

 

Clerk: Andy Hoover

Recording Clerk/Treasurer: Ed Sonnenberg

 

 

16, Eleventh Month,  2008                                                                          Number 884

 

WQ 08-57 Friends of Warrington Quarter gathered at Pipe Creek Meeting

                   House, Union Bridge, MD 16^th day of Eleventh Month, 2008 for the 884^th

       Meeting of Warrington Quarter.  Meeting began with a period of silent

       worship.

 

WQ  08-58  Attendance

The following Friends were present:

 

Carlisle:  Andy Hoover, Joan Anderson, Ed Sonnenberg

Frederick/Shepherdstown: Ian Clarke

Gettysburg: Margaret Stambaugh

Menallen/Huntingdon:  Barclay Brooks

Pipe Creek:  Tony Breda, Walter Calahan, Larry Fisher, Gwen Handler, Laurel

Hummel, Frank Reitemeyer, Jim Slingluff, Emily & C.J. Swet,

William Swetchannik, T.R. & Laura Wailes, Wilbur Wright

Warrington:  Faith Basehore

York:  Leada Dietz, Lamar Matthew, Wim Neij

Guest:  Ann Whittaker (Baltimore Yearly Meeting, in her own capacity)

 

WQ  08-59  Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports

Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports from the following individual Monthly Meetings were submitted and read:

 

Carlisle:  Received

Frederick:  Received

Gettysburg:  Received

Menallen:  Received

Pipe Creek:  Received

Warrington:  Received

York:  Received

WQ  08-60  Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer reports that Warrington Quarter’s finances are in good order.  All apportionments from Monthly Meetings for 2008 have been received, as well as all past due apportionments. The Quarter began the year with a balance of $485.95.  Income received for the year totaled $155.00.  Expenses for the Quarter totaled $149.76.  The Quarter ends the year with a checking account balance of $491.19.

 

WQ 08-61

Clerk requested that Friends reflect on the following BYM proposed Advices and Queries on Stewardship and the “voices” on the matter and asked for their reflections:

 

Stewardship of Personal Resources: Advices

“To turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives” - this, in the words of John Woolman, is the meaning of Quaker stewardship.

This applies to all that we have and are, as individuals, as members of groups, and as inhabitants of the earth. As individuals, we are obliged to use our time, our various abilities, our strength, our money, our material possessions, and other resources in a spirit of love, aware that we hold these gifts in trust, and are responsible to use them in the Light.

Investment of assets and consumption of resources require our careful stewardship. As friends, we can direct our investments toward socially desirable ends, avoiding speculation and activities wasteful or harmful to others. We should seek to participate constructively and without greed in the economic life of the community and to refrain from undue accumulation of wealth as well as irresponsible borrowing.

 

Stewardship of Personal Resources: Queries

Do we regard our time, talents, energy, money, material possessions and other resources as gifts from God, to be held in trust and shared according to the Light we are given?

What are we doing as individuals and as a meeting to nurture our gifts?

How do we encourage the members of the larger community to be careful stewards of their gifts?

 

Stewardship of Personal Resources: Voices

To turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives.

John Woolman

 

Of the interest of the public in our estates: Hardly any thing is given us for our selves, but the public may claim a share with us. But of all we call ours, we are most accountable to God and the public for our estates: In this we are but stewards, and to hoard up all to ourselves is great injustice as well as ingratitude.

John Woolman, 1720 (quoted by North Pacific YM)

 

As Christians, all we possess is the gift of God, and in the distribution of it we act as his stewards; it becomes us therefore to act agreeably to that divine wisdom which he graciously gives to his servants.

John Woolman, “A Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich”

 

In reading those short last essays of John Woolman, which are little treatises on economics, I have been struck by his intuition that wrong roads were being taken by his contemporaries, upon which we their descendants should find our direction almost irreversibly fixed. Unrighteous use of other human beings, unrighteous use of one's own powers, irresponsible use and waste of land and other natural resources - he touches on them all. It is evident that he was convinced that the spiritual life of men and women is deeply conditioned by their economic life.

Mildred Binns Young, What Doth The Lord Require of Thee?

 

For some there is a danger that care for the future may lead to undue anxiety and become a habit of saving for its own sake, resulting in the withholding of what should be expended for the needs of the family or devoted to the service of the Society. The temptation to trust in riches comes in many forms, and can only be withstood through faith in our Father and his providing care.

London Yearly Meeting, 1945

 

To “stretch beyond one’s compass” grasping at shadows, and encumbering oneself with more than is needed for simple, wholesome living, is at variance with all our best traditions.

Caroline Stephens, Quaker Strongholds

 

 

WQ  08-62  Business

 

Agenda

1) Monthly Meeting Reports

2) Report of Nominating Committee

3) Major Projects

4) Outreach

5)  Interim Meeting-Peace and Social Concerns

6)  Advice on Preparing Quarterly Reports

WQ 08-63  Report of Nominating Committee

Margaret Stambaugh presented the report of the Nominating Committee.  Andy Hoover has accepted the nomination as Clerk of the Quarter and Leada Dietz as Recording Clerk/Treasurer of the Quarter.  Friends gathered accepted the nominees.  The nominations will be laid over for final consideration until the next meeting of Warrington Quarter on 15 Second Month 2009 per custom.

 

WQ 08-64 Major Projects

Clerk requested to hear from Monthly Meetings about any major projects that Meetings have been, or are, engaged in.

 

Carlisle Friends stated that their mortgage on the Meetinghouse has been retired.  A major annual endeavor of Carlisle Friends is their participation in Carlisle Cares.  Carlisle Cares is a project of several religious communities in Carlisle to provide overnight overflow housing for the homeless.  Carlisle Friends have been opening their meetinghouse for several years to provide overnight accommodation for men and women in conjunction with this worthwhile cause.

 

Frederick Friends are looking at ways to “green” their meetinghouse.  Frederick Friends have a healthy population of young Friends and a major obligation is providing First Day education.

 

York Friends are investigating adding additional building space.

 

WQ 08-65  Outreach

 

Friends exchanged information about what their respective Meetings have been doing in regards to outreach in their communities.  Meetings have been hosting speakers, festivals, yard sales, and open houses all in an effort to make themselves more visible and to engage their communities. Maintaining a web presence was another route that Meetings have been using.  York Friends will be hosting Quaker Quest next year and invite Monthly Meetings to participate.  Information will be announced as it becomes available.  Check with Leada Dietz for further information.     Clerk stated that Quarterly Meeting can also be used as a venue to exchange ideas for outreach.

 

Ann Whittaker stated that Meetings can contact her at BYM for information on outreach (adm@bym-rsf.org) and/or to inform other Friends what their Meeting is doing by publishing news in the Interchange.

 

WQ 08-66  Interim Meeting-Peace and Social Concerns

 

Leada Dietz reported from BYM Peace and Social Concerns Committee.  Through Warrington Quarter’s sponsorship, the Committee joined, on behalf of the Yearly Meeting, the National Religious Coalition Against Torture (NRCAT). This temporary arrangement was formalized by Yearly Meeting at Interim Session last fall. Baltimore Yearly Meeting is now a Participating Member of NRCAT, and a member of our committee represents the Yearly Meeting to that organization.

 

The Committee calls upon Meetings and individual Friends to act out of our beliefs and to prayerfully consider supporting and creating awareness of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (www.peacetaxfund.org).

 

WQ 08-67 Advice on Preparing Quarterly Reports

Clerk shared the following minute approved by Carlisle Friends November 8, 1998 as a closing reflection on the preparation of Quarterly reports:

 

Carlisle Friends unite in understanding that Quarterly Meeting, whatever it may undertake, should focus its main efforts on developing a sense of unity among Friends across Monthly Meetings, strengthening Friends’ public witness, and helping Monthly Meetings discern and cultivate gifts (of ministry and otherwise) among their members.

 

There may be many ways to support these efforts, but we believe that it will be helpful to ask Meetings to report on a regular basis about specific developments, whether encouraging or problematical. To this end, we suggest that the following queries be considered when submitting reports to the Quarter from Monthly Meetings within Warrington Quarter:

1) What fresh openings have occurred in your Meeting during the past quarter year?

2) What has your Meeting done during the past three months that has strengthened your witness to your community?

3) Where is your Meeting languishing?  Who or what is missing in your Meeting?

 

 

WQ 08-68 Announcements

 

The 49^th Annual Nazareth to Bethlehem Christmas Peace Pilgrimage is planned for Saturday, December 13^th.  The Pilgrimage began in 1960 as a Christian witness for peace. All persons of any age are welcome to join the Pilgrimage, symbolic of the journey of Mary and Joseph. In the 10-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and in the rally, we seek to reflect the non-violent life of Jesus Christ and his truth of forgiving love. Walk with your family and friends and make new friends with others who seek a more peaceful world.  For more information visit:  http://www.peacewalk.org/. 

 

Carlisle Meeting has 4 or 5 very heavy 11 foot benches (benches painted white with brown ends) it would like to offer.

 

 

WQ 08-69 Minute of Appreciation

The Quarter would like to thank our host, Pipe Creek Meeting, for hosting today’s session.

 

WQ 08-70

Meeting closed with a period of silent worship.  Friends of Warrington Quarter will meet again Third First Day, Second Month, 2009 (February 15^th, 2009) at York Monthly Meeting, York, PA, if so favored.

 

Clerk:  Andy Hoover (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)

Recording Clerk/Treasurer:  Ed Sonnenberg (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)

WQ 08-45 Friends of Warrington Quarter gathered at the historic Huntingdon Meeting

                   House, York Springs, PA 17^th day of Eighth Month, 2008 for the 883^rd

       Meeting of Warrington Quarter.  Meeting began with a period of silent

       worship.

 

WQ  08-46  Attendance

The following Friends were present:

 

Carlisle:  Andy Hoover, Ed Sonnenberg

Frederick/Shepherdstown: Tori Bolton, Sue deNeer, Emily & Ian Clarke, Andrea

                                               McCluskey, Ruth Snyder

Gettysburg: Margaret Stambaugh

Menallen/Huntingdon:  Barclay Brooks, Chris Fee, Kate McCaffrey

Pipe Creek:  Tony Breda, Tr. & Laura Dailes, Larry Fisher, Gwen Handler, Dottie

                       McAdams

Warrington:  Faith Basehore

York:  Leada Dietz, David Fitz, Tracy Hardar, Lamar Matthew, Wim Neij, Tim

            Williams

 

 

WQ  08-47  Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports

Monthly Meeting Quarterly Reports from the following individual Monthly Meetings were submitted and read:

 

Carlisle:  Reported

Frederick:  Received

Gettysburg:  Received

Menallen:  Received

Pipe Creek:  Received

Warrington:  Received

York:  Received

WQ  08-48  Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer reports that Warrington Quarter’s finances are in good order.  The Quarter has a checking account balance of $640.95.

 

 

 

WQ  08-49  Business

 

Agenda

1) Query on outreach

2) Nominating Committee

3) Ideas for the Quarter-M&C hour before meeting for worship?  Retreat Ideas?

4) Financial needs of monthly meetings

 

 

WQ 08-50  Query on Outreach

 

Following the reading of Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s query on Outreach, Clerk solicited Friends’ reflections.  Among the reflections offered:

 

• The world needs to hear the Quaker message and we need to do a better job of getting it out.
• Let our lives speak by sharing and witnessing to our concerns.
• Friends need to express their faith in words and in deeds.
• The Faith & Practice Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting is making available to Monthly Meetings revision packets on the queries.  Friends are encouraged to read and offer suggestions, either individually or as a Monthly Meeting.

 

 

WQ 08-51 Nominating Committee

 

The Nominating Committee for the Quarter to search for a new Recording Clerk and Treasurer will be comprised of:

 

Recording Clerk:  Andy Hoover

Ian Clark: Frederick Meeting

Margaret Stambaugh (conveener):  Gettysburg Meeting

Barclay Brooks:  Menallen Meeting

Tony Brady: Pipe Creek Meeting

Lamar Matthew:  York Meeting

Faith Basehore:  Warrington Meeting

Joan Anderson:  Carlisle Meeting

 

 

 

 

WQ 08-52  Ideas for the Quarter

 

Clerk has asked Friends to consider a proposal for having a Ministry & Counsel hour before Meeting for Worship.  Clerk would also like to generate ideas for future retreats.

 

 

WQ 08-53  Financial Needs of Monthly Meetings

 

Clerk asked Friends to consider whether there is a need to establish a network to assist Monthly Meetings in need of financial assistance outside of Yearly Meeting channels.  What are the practicalities and how would it be administered?

 

Menallen Meeting has contacted Partners for Sacred Places for guidance for meetinghouses under its care.  Pipe Creek Meeting is beginning initial investigations into replacing its flooring and may require assistance.

 

One Friend spoke in favor of a Quarterly fund in that it would foster community building among the Meetings of the Quarter and raise awareness of the needs of the Monthly Meetings.

 

WQ 08-54 Announcements

 

Carlisle Meeting has benches it would like to offer to Meetings.

 

Leada Dietz (York Meeting) reports that the Peace & Social Concerns Committee of BYM calls upon Quakers to hold fast to our peace testimony and to take action as F/friends are led, in the spirit of Jesus’ teachings, as we are held in the light with the steadfast belief that there is that of God in everyone.  As one expression of this, we ask Baltimore Yearly Meeting to send the accompanying letter to Mr. George W. Bush, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and Senators Obama and McCain. (Copies of the letter were made available on the front bench).

 

Copies of a Petition against the paying of taxes for war were made available on the front bench.

 

The Network of Spiritual Progressives (www.spiritualprogressives.org)  is seeking to have the advanced industrial countries of the world use their resources to eliminate once and for all global poverty, homelessness, and hunger; provide quality education and health care for all; and repair the global environment. As an initial commitment, it wants the U.S. to donate at least 1-2% of its Gross Domestic Product each year for the next twenty (though the amount may be less if other countries join in the effort, more if they do not).

 

 

 

WQ 08-55 Minute of Appreciation

The Quarter would like to thank our host, Huntingdon/Menallen Meeting, for hosting today’s session.

 

 

 

WQ 08-56

Meeting closed with a period of silent worship.  Friends of Warrington Quarter will meet again Third First Day, Eleventh Month (November 16^th), 2008 at Pipe Creek Monthly Meeting, Union Bridge, MD, if so favored.

 

Clerk:  Andy Hoover (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)

Recording Clerk/Treasurer:  Ed Sonnenberg (Carlisle Monthly Meeting)