Minutes Of Baltimore Yearly Meeting

Interim Meeting

Tenth Month 26, 2002

Baltimore , Homewood Monthly Meeting

I2002-37 Opening. Baltimore Yearly Meetings’s Interim Meeting gathered on 10/26/2002 at the Baltimore, Homewood Meeting House in Baltimore , Maryland . Jean Zaru from the Ramallah Friends Meeting spoke of the grim situation of Palestinians living in occupied territories, of the hope springing from the efforts of groups using peaceful approaches to improve the situation, and of the vital need to speak the truth while avoiding the trap of neutrality. Marjorie Forbush Scott reported that an upcoming Interchange is to have information on making contributions to the rebuilding of the Ramallah Meeting House. We Approved a travel minute for Lamar Matthew and Frank Massey, who are traveling to Jerusalem and Ramallah on a trip organized by Friends United Meeting.

I2002-38 Peace Testimony. Ed Norton handed out copies of a “Minute on Reaffirming the Peace Testimony.

Ed reported that the minute has been revised in light of reactions to earlier versions. We Approved the minute, changing the phrase “historic peace testimony of 1660” to “Friends historic peace testimony.”

Baltimore Yearly Meeting reaffirms the Friends historic peace testimony and the historic peace witness of the Religious Society of Friends. 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.

Ed noted that copies of Monthly Meeting correspondence regarding the minute are available from the Yearly Meeting Office.

I2002-39 Peace and Social Concerns. John Salzberg, Co-Clerk of Peace and Social Concerns Committee, read a minute on the current situation in Iraq . We heard suggestions for changes in the minute. After a second reading reflecting changes, and changing a reference to “the Religious Society of Friends” to “Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends,” we Approved the minute.

We of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends are deeply troubled by the drive to make war on Iraq . We oppose the Bush administration’s plans to take military action against the Iraqi leadership and are concerned about the tragic consequences of such action, not only for the Iraqi people but also for the United States and the world as a whole. We believe that all wars sow a bitter seed and that the Iraqi people, U.S. citizens, and all the people of the world will reap a bitter harvest. Jesus challenged us to aspire to a higher standard than an “eye for an eye.” We are not to smite our enemies, but to love them, and we feel obliged, even in the face of evil, to follow that admonition. We ask our leaders to use the great power of the U.S. in an exemplary fashion to sow the seeds of peace and justice—a harder choice, but the right one.

We Directed the Committee to transmit the minute to appropriate officials.

I2002-40 Search Committee. We Named Miriam Green and Sheila Bach to bring us nominations for the Search Committee of Interim Meeting.

I2002-41 Camping Program. Josh Riley, Camping Program Administrator and Secretary, reported for the Camping Program Committee. Josh reported that the four Committees involved in camping are considering how best to fund the programs, in particular the balance between raising funds from participating families and raising funds from Monthly Meetings. Josh gave financial figures for this summer’s program; the program is in the black for a second straight year. Of the 566 campers this summer, 322 were Baltimore Yearly Meeting  Quakers, 56 were other Quakers, and 188 were non-Quakers; from 10 to 15 Quakers could not be accommodated. We heard of the need for kitchen managers for two or three camps this coming summer.

I2002-42 Task Group on Committee Structure. Howard Fullerton reported on behalf of the Task Group on Committee Structure. Howard called our attention to its written “Report to Interim Meeting Fall 2002”:

The new committee composed of members of Ministry and Counsel and of Nurture and Recognition of Ministry held an inaugural meeting during the Yearly Meeting sessions. The new Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee is indeed functioning. Our report said we would work with the new committee as it defined its charge.

The Yearly Meeting approved replacing the Committee on Records with an Archivist. This is a staff position, the Supervisory Committee is responsible. They would check on the help needed and develop a job description or project proposal.

We proposed making the Epistle Committee an ad hoc committee appointed by the Clerk. The Yearly Meeting would like to see these people nominated in the fall, but it approved our recommendation. We proposed dropping the description of the new Committee as it is now ad hoc, and inserting the following sentence into the description of the Clerk’s responsibility:

The Clerk nominates and Fall Interim Meeting appoints an ad hoc Epistle Committee to draft a general epistle to other Friends groups for the Yearly Meeting’s review and approval.

With the new Faith and Practice Revision Committee appointed, the work the Publications Committee was doing on the revision of the Appendix to Faith and Practice on marriage could be transferred to the new committee and Publications laid down. Interim Meeting needs to decide if the revision of the Appendix can wait until the rest of the revisions to Faith and Practice are complete.

We propose combining the Education Funding Committee and the Ethel Reynolds Fund Committee If Interim Meeting approves, we will work with the committees to describe the merged committee.

Changing the phrase “Fall Interim Meeting” to “Annual Session,” we Approved the proposed addition to the Manual of Procedure regarding Epistle Committee, Directing Manual of Procedure Committee to prepare this addition for consideration at our upcoming Annual Session. We Transferred responsibility for revising the Faith and Practice appendix on marriage from Publications Committee to Faith and Practice Revision Committee. We Laid Down Publications Committee; we Directed our Manual of Procedure Committee to recommend what to do with its Web Publishing Subcommittee.

I2002-43 Indian Affairs. Flossie Fullerton, Clerk of Indians Affairs Committee, and Susan Lepper, Co-Clerk of the Support Subcommittee for Pat Kutzner, reported on the groups involved with the work of Pat Kutzner with the Torreon/Starlake Chapter. They handed out a written report.

Relations between BYM and Torreon/Starlake Chapter

(from a Long-Term Planning meeting on October 19, 2002 and prior meetings)

A group of Friends who have been actively involved with the Embrace of Patricia Kutzner to work with the Torreon/Starlake Chapter, Navajo Nation, in New Mexico, and who have been active with joint BYM/Torreon camping exchange activities, asks the Interim Meeting (1) for approval for activities to be undertaken between now and August 2003 and (2) that a process of seasoning and discernment be initiated on the question of what our relationships with this Navajo Chapter have meant to us and whether there should be any continuing institutional relationship in the future.

First, approval is requested for the following proposal    A Working Group of Friends involved with joint BYM/TSL youth activities over the past two summers, which includes representation from the Indian Affairs Committee (Flossie Fullerton) and Camping Program Committee (Nancy Beiter) and Pat Kutzner’s oversight and support subcommittees (Susan Lepper, Katrina Mason and Pete Schenck), and which is in touch with Torreon leaders, plans to arrange for four to six Torreon youngsters to participate in BYM camps in the summer of 2003 (note this is largely within the time frame of Pat Kutzner’s release/embrace). They plan to explore sending two experienced BYM youth leaders to Torreon to assist with the expansion of the Chapter’s youth activities there. They also plan to arrange invitations for a small number of Torreon/Starlake officials to attend BYM Sessions in the summer of 2003. They will continue to operate as a Work Group, with the Indian Affairs Committee as the standing committee of jurisdiction where needed and expect to co-opt other members to the Work Group. They will seek authorization from the Stewardship and Finance Committee to raise ear-marked funds as needed and hope for a small budgeted allowance from general funds toward the cost of the Chapter officials’ visits (as this past summer).

Background   We are led to pursue continued joint youth work with our Torreon friends, reflecting their interests as well as the leadings, resources, experience of Friends here. In this connection, we have developed some principles and objectives for this work. We are sharing these principles with leadership at Torreon . These principles are: we want to work with Torreon leadership to support growth of their own youth program. We have experience providing for our young people the opportunity to have fun in healthy ways that promote learning about themselves and others and working cooperatively for the community. We expect Navajo share these objectives and we can work together. We look for opportunities for our youth to learn about Navajo culture and traditions (including but not limited to doing so from Navajo youth at our camps) and we hope this teaching by the Navajo would be enriching for them as well as us. We do not desire to convert others to Quakerism; our beliefs include respect for each individual, whether Quaker or not. We believe that helping a diverse group of young people Quaker testimony [sic], as well as being supportive of a deeply felt leading for social to know themselves and others in a safe and friendly environment will help them to grow into strong and mutually respecting adults [sic].

The Chapter is in the process of developing a Youth Council under the Chapter government, which reflects ideas discussed by Chapter officials at BYM Sessions this year. It is aimed at broadening opportunities for youth at the Chapter and is potentially a very significant development. Time will tell the breadth of participation in the Council and its effectiveness, but it seems a very promising group with whom to work. We expect to share minutes with leadership of this Council and to redouble efforts at true collaboration.

Last year’s project of bringing Torreon campers to Opequon seems to have been successful, most importantly in the view of the youngsters who participated and want to come back. According to informal reports, although there were areas for improvement, the experience seems generally to be viewed favorably by other camping participants here. (We are getting more detailed reports from Opequon administration.) The Work Group was able to meet its budget last summer not only for bringing campers to Opequon but for the visit of Friends to Torreon and of Chapter officials to BYM sessions. (We are grateful to the Camping Program Committee for scholarship support and to the Yearly Meeting for its budgeted allowance of some general funds for official visits.)

We think it highly likely that the Torreon Youth Council will be interested in sending youngsters to participate in the BYM camping program again next summer. We are awaiting word of how it will be determined which campers come and we expect to be working jointly with the Council to consider such issues as the need, selection and role of adults to participate in the trip. We have heard that there may be opportunities for some cost sharing by funds raised in Torreon . (We are considering possibly four Torreon slots again at Opequon if campers can be selected according to an inclusive process there; we are also exploring the possibility of one or two past campers of the appropriate age coming to Teen Adventure.)

Reflecting observations of Friends who visited Torreon on behalf of the Yearly Meeting last spring, we are also beginning to develop a plan for sending one or more experienced BYM youth leader(s) to Torreon, for some limited period this summer, to help with the growth of youth activities there. These would probably be previous leaders of BYM’s Teen Adventure camping program.

We note that this joint youth work was initiated as a result of the visit to BYM summer sessions of Torreon officers. We believe that evaluation and extension of this youth work, and building or extending any other relationships between BYM Friends and Torreon , will be greatly assisted by having Chapter officials at the BYM Sessions in the summer of 2003. We look forward to planning these visits.

Second, it is asked that BYM initiate a process of seasoning and discerning among Friends on the meaning to us of the coming together of BYM Friends and Torreon Chapter members during Patricia Kutzner’s release/embrace by BYM and whether to continue some form of institutional relationship between these two groups.

This question is timely owing to the end of Pat Kutzner’s embrace in August 2003. It is proposed that a special meeting be called early in December, with a possible follow-on meeting in February, to explore this question, and that an arrangement be established and publicized for intemet exchange on this question. Such activities would be looking toward a possible decision at the March 29 Interim Meeting of whether to endorse an arrangement for continuing work with Torreon that would permit longer-term plans as Way opens.

Such an arrangement might continue to utilize the Work Group structure, be linked to Indian Affairs Committee as the standing committee with jurisdiction when needed, be financed through ear-marked funds, and be committed to annual evaluation and reporting to Interim Meeting or Annual Session. The development of principles and focus on collaborative efforts, as evolving so far as this in year’s youth work, could be an indication of how such work would proceed. The institutional form of a BYM/Torreon relationship, however, could evolve quite differently than now foreseen, before a process of seasoning and discernment.

Action at the March Interim Meeting on whether to permit joint work between Torreon and BYM with a longer-term horizon than summer 2003 seems important so that neither implicit nor explicit long term commitments of time or funds are made that cannot be carried out. On the positive side, it is wise and empowering for Friends who carry the historical concern with Native American issues to have guidance on how to proceed.

Background

•    Friends at Baltimore Yearly Meeting have personal relationships with people at the Torreon/Starlake Chapter, Navajo Nation, as a result of Pat Kutzner’s release/embrace by BYM to work with the Chapter on capacity building [sic] and development (including obtaining grants if indicated). In addition, and also flowing from Pat Kutzner’s work, BYM has had an evolving institutional relationship with the Chapter, especially in recent years. This has included hosting Chapter officials at BYM Sessions for the past three years, hosting Navajo teens at Sessions and in Washington in the summer of 1998, and joint youth activities (most importantly Torreon campers at Opequon) in the past two summers.

•     Pat was invited by the Chapter on the basis of her individual knowledge and background. Events unfolded in a way leading to BYM financial support for her in order to make this work possible. This release/embrace was felt by many Friends to be an extension of BYM’s several-hundred-year concern with Native Americans, as well as a classic service by an individual member.

•     Pat Kutzner’s embrace (release) by Baltimore Yearly Meeting for the purpose of work with the Torreon/Starlake Chapter, Navajo Nation, which has lasted for six years, will end with Yearly Meeting Sessions, in August 2003.

•     Pat expects to continue a consultative relationship with the Chapter after the end of her BYM release/embrace, continuing to live in the area of Cuba, New Mexico, about 25 miles from the Chapter. (She may purchase land on which to place a group home/retreat center and thus to meet her cost of housing and possibly provide housing to volunteers to work with the Chapter.) She likely will get some financial support from a group of friends, forming independently of the Yearly Meeting (though many are likely to be members of BYM); these friends will relate to the Chapter through her continued relationship.

•     Extension of an institutional relationship between BYM and the Torreon/Starlake Chapter could provide Friends who carry this concern with the Spiritual and financial support of the Yearly Meeting. These are rich resources that must be used with discernment, in the Light.

Authored by Susan Lepper, Howard Fullerton, Flossie Fullerton, Katrina Mason, Pete Schenck, Jane Stowe, with assistance at various meetings from other Friends (Marian Ballard, Frank Massey, Alene Starkweather, Sharon Stout).

We Approved continuation of a Work Group to handle exchanges between BYM and Torreon/Starlake Chapter through our 2003 Annual Session, with the Work Group authorized to raise ear-marked funds. Susan presented the proposal on initiating a process to discern whether to continue some form of institutional relationship between BYM and Torreon/Starlake Chapter. We heard questions about whether such a process should be carried out through a Committee, and about what form a relationship could take; we heard a concern that we must not enter such a process making assumptions that we will have continued involvement. We Invited Indian Affairs Committee to hold an event to get Friends insights on continued involvement with Torreon/Starlake Chapter and to report to the 3/2003 Interim Meeting.

I2002-44 Faith and Practice Revision. Sheila Bach, Clerk of Faith and Practice Revision Committee, reported. At the Committee’s recommendation, we Approved naming eight to twelve people to this Committee with open-ended terms of service.

I2002-45 Friends United Meeting. Marjorie Forbush Scott read a letter from Brent McKinney, Clerk of Friends United Meeting (FUM):

Friends United Meeting

101 Quaker Hill Drive

Richmond , Indiana 47374

 

October 25, 2002

Marjorie Forbush Scott, Clerk, Interim Meeting

Baltimore Yearly Meeting

17100 Quaker Lane

Sandy Spring , Maryland 20860-1296

 Dear Marjorie Forbush Scott:

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I received your letter dated August 27, 2002 and I extend my sincere appreciation for your kind words of greeting.

As you requested, the Minute approved during the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) annual session was presented during the FUM General Board meeting on October 12, 2002 . 1 gave a brief overview of the occurrences, as I understood them, and read the Minute in reverent silence. A copy was then given to each person in attendance at the afternoon session. After which the BYM members of the FUM General Board added their personal reflections and the reflections of the BYM annual session held in Harrisonburg , Virginia , July 31- August 4, 2002 . Upon further discussion, members of the General Board referred the requests to the FUM Executive Committee for prayerful consideration and guidance.

On behalf of the FUM General Board, I express gratitude to the Clerk of BYM, Lamar Matthew, for his attitude of forgiveness in the spirit of Christian reconciliation, and I extend appreciation to Baltimore Yearly Meeting and to your representatives present at the FUM General Board meeting for your kind spirit and faithful obedience to the Light in which you have brought this incident to our attention.

In the coming days, weeks and months, let us all search for the words and actions that will ease the pain and bring healing to the body of Christ. May His Love, Mercy and Grace be over us all.

Sincerely,

Brent McKinney

Clerk, Friends United Meeting

cc:   FUM Executive Committee

        Frank Massey

Howard Fullerton and Rich Liversidge, BYM Representatives on the FUM General Board, reported. Rich has been named a Trustee of FUM. Rich reported on the FUM session at which BYM’s minute to the FUM Triennial was presented. Rich reported appreciation from some at FUM for the tenor of the minute; Rich expressed a concern about angry letters being sent to FUM officials by some individuals. Howard and Rich reported that difficulties in communication, differing perceptions by different individuals of the same events, and efforts to be sensitive to concerns of Kenyan hosts had contributed to this summer’s problems. Howard reported that Monthly Meetings in other Yearly Meetings have had same-sex marriages, that calls to lay these Monthly Meetings down have not resulted in unity, and that some Monthly Meetings may withdraw from their Yearly Meetings as a result. The Executive Committee of FUM is considering BYM’s minute and is to report to the General Board.

In answer to a question, Rich reported that work is continuing on a statement from the delegates to the FUM Triennial. We heard a sense that the work of our Representatives is best focused on changing policies rather than on fixing blame, and a call for the Representatives to be forthright about differences between BYM and FUM.

I2002-46 Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns. Bonnie Stockslager, Clerk of the Ad Hoc Committee on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns, read a minute approved by the Committee:

The Ad Hoc Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns unites with Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Minute Y2002-43 that was sent to the Friends United Meeting Board.

And we further minute that to continue to tenderly labor with Friends United Meeting, and work patiently toward more understanding, is an effective way to give life to Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Y1973 Minute-87 (quoted in part in the body of this 2002 minute to FUM) that calls for an end to oppression of people because of their sexual orientation.

I2002-47 Staff. Frank Massey, General Secretary of BYM, reported. Frank noted that Yearly Meeting membership had dropped this year, at least in part due to Monthly Meeting’s pruning their lists. Frank reported that work is in progress on a personnel policy for our camp staff. Michelle Levasseur asked Monthly Meeting to assist youth in recording their conscientious objection to military service; Michele has low-cost resources that Monthly Meetings can use in this work. Frank reported that our next Annual Session is to be held 7/28-8/3/2003 at James Madison University in Virginia ; a surplus from this year is to be used for scholarships next year. Frank noted the inreach aspect of BYM’s camping program; Frank sees this as one of the reasons that our membership is normally growing. Frank’s sabbatical begins in First Month 2003 at Woodbrooke; Frank is to be absent from our next two Interim Meetings. We Approved a travel minute for Frank’s travel in Britain ; the Presiding Clerk Undertook to write a minute.

I2002-48 Friends Committee In Unity With Nature. Marjorie Forbush Scott read a request from Stan Becker for responses from Monthly Meetings to a Friends Committee In Unity With Nature questionnaire.

I2002-49 Nominating. Ruth Flower, Co-Clerk of Nominating Committee, reported. At a second reading, we Named these people to BYM service through 2005: Ann Donovan, Camping Program; Lella Smith, Peace and Social Concerns; and Sarah Kuzmanoff, Unity With Nature. We heard first reading of these nominations: Elisabeth Dearborn, Program; Elizabeth Du Verlie, Program; Winifred Walker-Jones, Unity With Nature; and Don Gann, Friends General Conference Central Committee. Ruth read corrections to the Yearbook.

I2002-50 Naming Committee. Miriam Green reported on behalf of Naming Committee. At the Committee’s recommendation, we Named Ted Hawkins and Stephen Davidson to serve on Search Committee.

I2002-51  Correspondence. We Directed the Presiding Clerk to write a letter to Jimmy Carter congratulating him on receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.

I2002-52  Closing. We Thanked Baltimore, Homewood Friends for their hospitality. We heard, corrected, and Approved these minutes, along with the attachment of written versions of reports given. We Adjourned, to gather next on 3/29/2003 at the Langley Hill Meeting House in McLean , Virginia , or at the call of the Presiding Clerk.

Marjorie Forbush Scott, presiding                 Arthur David Olson, recording

 

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