335^th Annual Session

of

Baltimore Yearly Meeting

Of the Religious Society of Friends

 

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

 

 

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

 

 Y2006-01 The meeting began with a period of open worship. Presiding Clerk Lauri Perman, State College, welcomed us to the 335th annual sessions of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting with the following Clerk's opening minute:

We, members of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends of Truth, gathered for our 335th Annual Sessions on the modern campus of James Madison University. Amidst the concrete, many Friends will seek refuge in the coming week in the green grove of trees near the Campus Center or in the University Arboretum where the Yearly Meeting's Unity with Nature Committee will host one of our daily worship sharing sessions. As we gather, we look back over the preceding year and see how far we've come through trials and tribulations. It's been a year of losses and a time to remember that each loss contains within it the seed of a new beginning.
 
We lost, through resignation, our General Secretary of 17 years, Frank Massey, who has returned to his family roots in North Carolina. We gained as our new General Secretary, Riley Robinson, a long-time servant of Friends Meeting of Washington.
 
We lost a dear member, Tom Fox, of Langley Hill Meeting, who risked his life serving as a member of a Christian Peacemaker Team delegation in Iraq. We gained an awareness that we are one body and that what affects one of us affects all of us. We gained a desire to keep Tom's legacy alive by adopting his concern for Iraqi detainees. We also gained a recognition that while we wish to serve as a "people of peace," most of us are not comfortable risking as much as Tom risked.
 
Our individual Meetings lost members dear to them, founding members of their meetings, members who kept their meetings going during long periods of drought, and members who hosted the meeting in their homes. These losses have been painful, heart-breaking, confusing, and challenging, sometimes all at once. Each loss has brought us a healing opportunity to learn more about love. As we come together at Yearly Meeting, we know that in the coming week we will create a school for love in which each of us is a teacher and each a learner.
 
Our theme for the week is "living in harmony," and during this week, we will try to stay in tune with ourselves, each other, and all creation. May we be blessed today and always by the presence of the Source of All Love, the Creator Within and Without, and by an awareness that Abundant Love is always present.

 Y2006-02 Clerk Lauri Perman introduced the others at the clerks' table: Recording Clerk Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria, and Reading Clerk Bill Carroll, Williamsburg. She noted that the flowers gracing the clerk's table were brought by Anita Bower, Oxford, and thanked Anita for extending her ministry of flowers to these annual sessions. She introduced those seated at the front of the room reminding us all to hold these sessions in the Light: Lamar Matthew, Baltimore-Stony Run, and Ruth Flower, Takoma Park. She then asked visitors to the Yearly Meeting to introduce themselves. Those welcomed included:

Marshall Massey, member of Omaha (NE), Iowa Yearly Meeting (C);
 
Nancy Irving, General Secretary of Friends World Committee for Consultation, member of Olympia (WA), North Pacific Yearly Meeting, sojourning at Wandsworth Preparative Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting;
 
Marjorie Larrabee, Mount Holly, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, formerly a long-time member of Baltimore Yearly Meeting;
 
Kathy Sawyer, Development Manager for Friends United Meeting (FUM), representing the FUM office staff;
 
Micah Bales, Heartland (KS), Great Plains Yearly Meeting;
 
Jean-Marie Prestwidge-Barch, member of Schuykill, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, sojourning at Valley, Baltimore Yearly Meeting;
 
David Male, Ohio Yearly Meeting (C), the official visitor from the Friends World Committee for Consultation (Section of the Americas); and
 
Elizabeth "Minga" Claggett-Borne, Cambridge (MA), New England Yearly Meeting, an official visitor from NEYM in response to BYM's Intervisitation initiative.
 

 Y2006-03 Reading Clerk Bill Carroll read three travel minutes: Valerie Groszmann, Kalamazoo (MI), Lake Erie yearly Meeting is traveling with a minute from the Yearly Meeting Visitors Committee of Friends General Conference (FGC). She has been active in many aspects of the work of FGC, and is serving as the FGC visitor to Baltimore Yearly Meeting this year.
 
Michael Gibson is attending these sessions on behalf of the staff of Friends General Conference. He provides staff support to the FGC Religious Education program.
 
Penelope Wright is traveling with minutes from her Monthly Meeting, Nashville (TN), and her Yearly Meeting, Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association (SAYMA). These minutes introduce her leading to be present with us during these sessions under guidance of the Spirit, as she was last year. She has been part of the School of the Spirit, and would be glad for opportunities to share her experience with Friends.
 
Clerk Lauri Perman also offered a special welcome to first time attenders at these sessions and asked them to stand to be recognized.

 Y2006-04 Reading Clerk Bill Carroll read an excerpt containing advices on Meeting for Business from the draft being prepared by the Faith and Practice Revision Committee. This paragraph lifts up the need to come to business meetings with an open mind, and an intention to seek the guidance of the Spirit.

 Y2006-05 Sheila Bach, Langley Hill, clerk of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee, introduced the members of that committee, who have been meeting almost monthly to carry forward this important work. She announced that a set of booklets containing the new draft text of several sections of Faith and Practice are available in the bookstore. She encouraged Friends to pick up a set and take them back to their meetings for careful review and consideration.

 Y2006-06 Clerk Lauri Perman announced that three Friends have agreed to serve on the Epistle Committee for these sessions. They are Betty Brody, Alexandria; Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Meyer, Sandy Spring; and Gary Sandman, Roanoke. Friends APPROVED these names.

 Y2006-07 Clerk Lauri Perman yielded the clerk's chair to Michael Cronin, FMW, Clerk of Interim Meeting, for the report of the Search Committee.
 
Janet Eaby, Oxford, presented the report of the Search Committee for a first reading. She noted that three more names are still needed for Nominating Committee. Friends are encouraged to consider who might be called to this service and to bring those names to the Nominating Committee. There will be a second reading of the report of the Search Committee on Saturday.

 Y2006-08 Clerk Lauri Perman returned to the clerk's chair, and introduced and thanked Jason Eaby, who has been managing the sound system for our annual sessions for many years. His assistants serving as microphone "walkers" today are David Ross, Oxford, and Margaret Stambaugh, Gettysburg.

 Y2006-09 Elizabeth Hofmeister, Bethesda, Clerk of the Program Committee, introduced the members of the Committee, who are distinguished by red dots on their nametags, and other staff and volunteers who have played crucial roles in planning these sessions. She announced that the James Madison University East Campus facilities, which we have used for our annual sessions for the past four years will not be available next year for either the last week in July or the first week in August. Facilities may be available in the main JMU campus (West Campus). The Committee is exploring this and other possibilities, and has been authorized by Interim Meeting (see Minute I2006-24) to choose the site that seems most suitable and enter into an agreement for next year's sessions. Friends who have suggestions about possible sites, or other ideas about what considerations should guide the choice, are encouraged to speak to a member of the Program Committee.

 Y2006-10 Howard Fullerton, Sandy Spring, who has served for the past nine months as Interim General Secretary, introduced the office staff in order of seniority:

• Jane Megginson, Camp Administrator;
• David Hunter, Camp Properties Manager;
• Hope Braveheart, Youth Secretary;
• Margot Lehman, Bookkeeper;
• Ann Whittaker, Administrative Assistant, who began work July 5; and
• Robert "Riley" Robinson, General Secretary, as of July 31.

He noted that Margo Lehman, Ann Whittaker, and Robert "Riley" Robinson all worked for Friends organizations within Baltimore Yearly Meeting before joining the Yearly Meeting office staff. They are thus not beginning their employment with Baltimore Yearly Meeting, but merely continuing it.

 Y2006-11 Reading Clerk Bill Carroll read a letter from Frank Massey, past General Secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and Beth Massey, expressing their deep gratitude for years of friendship and support. They offered a prayer for "blessings of laughter, joy, singing, courage, and wisdom" as we move forward with Robert "Riley" Robinson as our new General Secretary.

 Y2006-12 Byron Sandford, FMW, Executive Director of William Penn House, reported that William Penn House (WPH) is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, and is in very good health, both financially and spiritually. WPH has hosted 80 groups this year, including 28 Quaker groups, and has filled its beds a cumulative total of 6864 times. Occupancy rates have risen from about 30% in 2003 to over 60% in 2005. The merger between William Penn House and Washington Quaker Workcamps was completed this year, to the great benefit of both organizations. Washington Quaker Workcamps is growing steadily, and offered 34 workcamps this past year. Byron Sandford described some of the exciting weekend programs offered at WPH, including workshops for "Teachers of Peace" and an inter-racial youth seminar being developed in cooperation with the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the American Friends Service Committee's Help Increase the Peace Program (HIPP). He invited Friends to come join in the 40th anniversary events in October, which will include a 40 mile bicycle ride, and a special celebrational dinner. He expressed gratitude for the financial support of Friends, which has enabled William Penn House to catch up on deferred maintenance and raise staff salaries while maintaining a balanced budget.

 Y2006-13 James "Jim" Rose, Patapsco, volunteer web manager for the Yearly Meeting, explained how he sees his work as building community within Baltimore Yearly Meeting. He thanked those who contribute to the BYM Interchange, and thereby keep communication flowing among us. He called attention to the fact that large print editions of the new draft Faith and Practice are available, as well as booklets of State of the Society reports from our Meetings. He encouraged Friends to keep on sharing news and reports to be posted on the website, as a way of keeping our community strong. Friends minuted their deep appreciation to James Rose for his service to the Yearly Meeting.

 Y2006-14 Patricia Kutzner introduced Evangeline Tachine, Secretary-Treasurer of the Torreon/Star Lake chapter of the Navajo Nation, guest of the Yearly Meeting.
 
Reading Clerk Bill Carroll read several announcements, including an invitation to Friends to help finish the stitching on a quilt being made for Andrew Fox. Out of worship Bill Carroll read a memorial minute for Suzanne Tignor, beloved member of Williamsburg.
 
Wednesday, August 2, 2005, 9:30 A.M. ­ 12:00 Noon
 

 Y2006-15 The session began with a period of open worship. Presiding Clerk Lauri Perman introduced the others at the clerk's table: Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria, Recording Clerk; David Ross, Oxford, Reading Clerk; and Sean Wilner, Langley Hill, incoming clerk of the Young Friends community. Seated at the front of the room this session, reminding us all to hold these proceedings in the Light, are Maria Bradley, Sandy Spring, and Betty Brody, Alexandria.

 Y2006-16 Lauri Perman welcomed visitors to Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Those who introduced themselves included:

James and Eden Grace, Beacon Hill, New England Yearly Meeting, visiting from the Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries office in Kenya, East Africa;
 
Elizabeth De Sa from England, a member of South Australia Regional Meeting, who worked at Opequon for two summers, and is on her way to a job teaching Environmental Science at the Woolman Semester in California;
 
John Benson, Purchase, New York Yearly Meeting, sojourning at Stillwater, Ohio Yearly Meeting (C), who is accompanying David Male in his travels in Gospel Love;
 
Anna Sandidge, St. Louis, South Central Yearly Meeting, traveling for Friends Peace Teams; and
 
Joe Cayaditto, President of the Torreon/Star Lake chapter of the Navajo Nation, guest of the Yearly Meeting, who brought us the greeting Ya'eh'tey'.

Clerk Lauri Perman offered a special welcome to those who are first time attenders at this annual session of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. She also asked Friends to hold in the light our beloved member Bonnie Stockslager, of Herndon Meeting, who is unable to be with us this week because of serious health issues.

 Y2006-17 David Ross, Reading Clerk, read two travel minutes:
 
A minute from Cambridge Friends Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting, introduced Elizabeth "Minga" Claggett-Borne, and described her leading to travel among Friends under a concern for equal treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer Friends. She wishes to listen to ways in which Friends respond to the Friends United Meeting restrictive employment policy, and to share her own experience of the sustaining power of GLBTQ ministry in her own life.
 
A minute from Omaha (NE) Friends Meeting, Iowa Yearly Meeting (C), introduced Marshall Massey, and described his leading to walk from Omaha to Baltimore Yearly Meeting annual sessions, as a witness to how we are all called to walk gently over the earth. Marshall Massey will be our Carey Memorial lecturer at these sessions.

 Y2006-18 David Ross read from the new draft Faith and Practice a quotation from William Charles Brathwaite lifting up the vision that our religious society does not consist in shared beliefs or outward organizations, but in the vital union of our members with God and with each other.

 Y2006-19 Tasha Walsh, Maury River, co-clerk with Steve Gilbert of the Camping Program Committee, introduced the work of the Committee. One problem that arose this year was that there were more applicants for the Teen Adventure program than could be accommodated. The hurt this caused made the Committee aware that it needs to work harder to expand its programs to meet growing demand. She encouraged Friends to speak with any member of the Camping Program Committee about ideas, concerns, or questions they may have. She read a minute of appreciation as follows:

The Camping Program Committee wishes to minute its appreciation for Jane Megginson, for her continuing dedication, care, and diligence in serving the Camping Program and the Yearly Meeting.
 
We deeply value Jane's long-standing connections with the BYM Camping Program, her analytic abilities, her attention to detail, her persistence, and her insight into the intricacies of camp management.
 
This past year, however, has been especially challenging as she provided continuity and expertise to the Yearly Meeting during this time of transition, and so we are especially grateful.
 
This year she worked harder and accomplished much more than any of us could reasonably expect from one highly-qualified person. She deserves much of the credit for the excellence of the program!
 

Linda Garretson, director of Catoctin, shared stories of how the camping program has touched hearts and changed lives, not only for the campers, but for counselors, the children of staff, and parent volunteers. At camp our children learn to see how they can be agents of change. Many come back as counselors, and pass on the tradition of Quaker community and transformation. Barry Morley's first grandchild is now part of the camping program, a testimony to the cycles of care and generations of learning that carry our program forward. A student from the Quaker Leadership Program at Guilford College spent time in the BYM camping program this summer, and will spread BYM traditions and ways as he visits other Quaker camps around the country.
 
Dana Foster, director of Shiloh, came to camp at age 15 and decided she wanted to be a Quaker. She spoke of how the camp staff is chosen and prepared. Most of those who work in the camping program have been part of it in the past in one way or another, but there are always newcomers as well. Counselors are chosen because of their spirit and their love of the children. There are two weeks of pre-camp training. The first, held this year at Opequon, focuses on basic skills, and knits the whole camping program together. Then the staffers go to their own camp to prepare and plan for the arrival of the campers, during what is usually the busiest week of the year. Once the camp is in session, there is ongoing nurture and support for every staff member as well as for the children.
 
Whitney Thompson, co-director of Teen Adventure with Melissa Poole, spoke about the concept of "attainable challenge" which is one of the foundations of the camping program. She described exercises Melissa Poole has developed to help the staff to explore their own comfort zones, stretch zones, and panic zones. The camping program aims to keep campers in their stretch zone, where they can learn and grow and encounter God as they meet physical and personal challenges.
 
Elaine Brigham, director of Opequon, talked about the spiritual life and the camping program. The central focus is on teaching children to care. Speaking to that of God in people requires looking for and recognizing that of God, and reaching out to it. Spiritual life is not just one aspect of the camping program, it is the fundamental framework for choosing staff, building community in pre-camp, making day to day decisions, facing challenges, and choosing and leading activities for the children. All the chores and physical work of the camp are done together in community, as a living expression of the testimonies of Equality and Simplicity. The commitment is to hold everything in the Light, and approach everything with tenderness and intentionality. She described how a Spirit-grounded program is not only joyful, but a lot of fun and invited Friends to a viewing of the Opequon film this afternoon.
 
Elaine Brigham closed by thanking Jane Megginson and David Hunter, who have served the camping program in a thousand ways seen and unseen, and expressing her gratitude to the Camping Program Committee and the entire Yearly Meeting for their ongoing, unflagging support.

 Y2006-20 Eden and James Grace of the Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries office reported on their work. Eden Grace pointed out that Baltimore Yearly Meeting is part of Friends United Meeting, and that Friends United Meeting is addressing urgent needs in East Africa, including providing desperately needed education, water, and health care. This work is being done in partnership with the Yearly Meetings in East Africa. It is a way of giving Africans a voice, to share both their needs and their joys.

 Y2006-21 Reading Clerk David Ross read another excerpt from the draft revision of Faith and Practice, a quotation from Richard Foster lifting up the idea that we are called to live and speak our truth, but the business of straightening each other out belongs to God.

 Y2006-22 Walter Fry, West Branch, reported for Baltimore Yearly Meeting's representatives to the Friends United Meeting General Board. He noted that the letter BYM sent in tenderness and love to FUM was perceived as an attempt to apply undue pressure. He urged us to hold in our hearts the importance of staying in community, and consider whether we in BYM can embrace Friends United Meeting and support its programs in spite of the wounds we have suffered. The good work of FUM continues, in spite of budget cuts, in East Africa, Ramallah, Belize, Jamaica, and Cuba. Our financial support is urgently needed. He asked us to consider that we can readily support much of this work, and urged us to take the path of generosity.

 Y2006-23 Frannie Taylor, Goose Creek, reported for the Stewardship and Finance Committee. She explained some of the difficulties the Committee has faced this year, including the departure of Frank Massey as our General Secretary, and a delay in completion of the audit. She described the packet of budget sheets just distributed. These include a summary of the 2007 proposed apportionments. Baltimore Yearly Meeting uses a formula to calculate apportionments that takes into account the number of contributing households in each meeting, not the number of members on the rolls. This is different from the practice in many other Yearly Meetings. She pointed out that $60,000 from individuals and meetings in addition to the apportionments are needed to balance the budget.
 
She reviewed the proposed budget, calling attention to a number of items, including proposed contributions to Friends General Conference and Friends United Meeting, changes in the youth program, and the increasing cost of operating our camp properties. She introduced members of the Stewardship and Finance committee and noted that an information session to answer questions about the budget will be scheduled.

 Y2006-24 After announcements, the meeting settled into a brief period of closing worship.
 
Thursday, August 3, 2005, 9:30 A.M. ­ 12:00 Noon
 

 Y2006-25 The meeting began with a period of open worship. We heard an excerpt from the epistle from Monteverde Friends Meeting, Costa Rica, describing the ebb and flow of life that connects us as individuals and as a world, binding us into one vibrant living whole.

 Y2006-26 Clerk Lauri Perman, State College, introduced the others at the clerks' table: Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria, Recording Clerk; Elizabeth DuVerlie, Baltimore-Stony Run, Reading Clerk; and Sean Wilner, Langley Hill, Clerk of Young Friends. Those sitting in the front to remind us to hold all our proceedings in the Light today are Virginia Schurman, Gunpowder, and Bill Carroll, Williamsburg.

 Y2006-27 Lauri Perman welcomed a visiting Friend, Bruce Birchard, General Secretary of Friends General Conference, and a member of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

 Y2006-28 Elizabeth DuVerlie read an excerpt from the York Friends Meeting Spiritual State of the Meeting report, lifting up the thought that meeting for worship has a "snowball effect." The more individuals in a meeting grow spiritually, "the more loving energy is gathered together when we worship," and the more individual growth is nurtured.

 Y2006-29 Lamar Matthew, on behalf of the Ministry and Pastoral Care Committee, read the Spiritual State of the Yearly Meeting report.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Spiritual State of the Meeting Report, 2006
 
Baltimore Yearly Meeting is a consolidated Yearly Meeting. We are two sides of a family who have noted our similarities and differences and have agreed that we are more alike than not, and so can live, work, and fellowship under the same tent. Possibly because of our own diversity, which allows each of us to find a place at the table, we are a growing Yearly Meeting. Our Meetings are enriched by a range of theological perspectives and spiritual vocabularies. We meet on the common ground of openness to God, the leading of the Spirit, and our need to listen and learn from each other.
 
We find ourselves placed in a world filled with tension and violence; a world that God calls us to improve. From Meetings situated in bucolic settings, and Meetings surrounded by the noise and busyness of urban scapes, we hear a fervent desire for peace, justice, harmony, and love.
 
A myriad of local and global issues call us to respond. There is motion along these lines. From vigils to conferences and active involvements, the Meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends continually discern where their energies and resources can be directed for the betterment of all God's children and this Earth on which we dwell.
 
Within some of our Meetings we witness sporadic attendance at Meetings for Worship and often, meager attention to Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business. The presence and love of seasoned Friends, who were once the lifegiving energies of our Meetings, are deeply missed; some have been called away by desires for much needed rest, some by illness or death, and others by relocations to distant regions. Among those we deeply miss is Frank Massey, our General Secretary who faithfully served the yearly Meeting for seventeen years. Frank and Beth have removed to North Carolina to pursue new challenges. Memories of their love and tender care will linger with us forever. Whatever the nature of the departures, we, those left behind, must ask ourselves if we are fully prepared to pick up the vacated mantles and willingly, and joyfully, carry on the labors that enrich and nurture our communities.
 
Many Meetings are giving much attention to youth safety concerns. Studying these issues has led us to seek new understandings of how we protect and care for the dignity and well being of all members of our communities.
 
We continue to seek way forward in our relationship with Friends United Meeting (FUM). We struggle with the rightness of giving financially to this Friends organization that enforces a policy that excludes our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters from positions of service. At the same time, we recognize the value of the many FUM programs around the world that improve the quality of life for others. Friends are certain that we must stay in communion with our brethren who do not share our truth. We pray for open ears, minds, and hearts, to lead us out of this impasse.
 
The kidnapping and murder of our beloved Friend, Tom Fox, brought us face to face with the reality of thousands of people around the world. We have had a taste of their experience and their sorrow. Our grief extends to all who suffer and die every day.
 
We know that when someone is removed from Spirit-led work, the work continues, and it is our responsibility to pick up the concern and carry it on. As a Yearly Meeting, we are committed to keeping Tom's Light shining as we continue his unfinished labors on behalf of Iraqi detainees.
 
What may appear at first notice to be trouble and tribulations among us, are indeed gifts of the Spirit that challenge us to go deeper into the understanding of the Eternal. We have been highly sensitized this past year to our own and the suffering of others, whether from natural disasters or human injustice and cruelty and death. All that we have experienced has deepened our sense of connectedness to each other and to the Light. Though we are a consolidated people, we are ultimately and truly unified, one with another, by the Love and Grace of God.
 
Approved by Ministry and Pastoral Care, 2, 8th month, 2006.

We reflected on this report in deep worship. We were reminded of the vibrant spiritual life evident in our camping program and women's retreat. We heard an excerpt from the Spiritual State of the Meeting report from South Mountain Friends Fellowship, a prison ministry under the care of Patapsco, which spoke of long-time prisoners meeting in worship and finding redemption and understanding in the presence of God. We heard of excitement over increased intervisitation within our Yearly Meeting, and new vibrancy in our regional gatherings. We reflected on the grief and hope of our ongoing peace witness.
 
Friends expressed appreciation for a message from one of our visitors. He noted that grief over the death of Tom Fox and disunity over our relations with Friends United Meeting may sap our strength as a Yearly Meeting. He urged us to consider not only the power of naming and claiming our gifts, as Rachel Stacey urged in her keynote address, but the power of naming and claiming the Giver of all gifts. For some Friends, he said, this might mean moving our of our "comfort zone"; for others it might provide just what was needed to move us out of our "panic zone."
 
Out of worship, we heard a passage from Ephesians 4:2-4:

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called.

 Y2006-30 Clerk Lauri Perman reviewed the remaining agenda, and then invited Lamar Matthew to come forward to present a minute of appreciation:

There is one Friend present in Meeting today who may have the privilege of saying he has attended every business session for the last fifteen years. That Friend is Jason Eaby, Oxford Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting's technology specialist and audio wizard. Jason has modulated the voices of four Presiding Clerks and countless Friends as they expressed their joys and concerns over matters of how Truth prospers among us. We are deeply grateful for Jason's expertise as he turned up the volume on the timid voices, and lessened the decibels of the thundering ones.
 
Each year Jason skillfully fine-tuned the art of audio, adapting ever changing technology and needs at three different locations.
 
Jason is here, making it possible for all to hear the Spirit speaking through us. We greatly appreciate his talent and faithful service and look forward to listening in the Spirit...as Jason embarks on his next 15 years of amplifying the Spirit.

Friends enthusiastically APPROVED this minute.

 Y2006-31 Dorothea Malsbary, Sandy Spring, clerk of Nominating Committee, brought forward the Nominating Committee report for a first reading. She introduced the members of the Committee, and thanked them for their hard work. She noted a few additions and corrections, and pointed out that additional names are still needed, especially for Program Committee, Religious Education, Stewardship and Finance, and Sandy Spring Friends School. Friends are urged to consider whether they might be led to serve in these ways.

 Y2006-32 Walter Brown, Langley Hill, presented the report of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting representatives to the Friends General Conference (FGC) Central Committee. He noted that this is a wonderful time to be involved in the work of FGC. There is a feeling of spiritual vibrancy, deep community, energy and excitement in Central Committee meetings. The staff is growing, and FGC is able to offer more services to more Friends than ever before. He noted in particular the Traveling Ministries Program, which helped BYM develop its own intervisitation project, and the Advancement and Outreach Committee, which is focusing on meeting the needs of small meetings, new worship groups, and isolated Friends. The Religious Education Committee is exploring and promoting new experiential approaches to religious education for children. A new book on the history of racism within the Religious Society of Friends will be coming out next year. There is a new Youth Ministries program, with the slogan "Quaker Youth...Speak Thy Truth!" The recent FGC Gathering in Tacoma, Washington was enormously successful. Next year's Gathering will be in River Falls, Wisconsin, with the theme: "Who is My Neighbor?" FGC is moving toward launching a new development campaign to support all of this expanding work. Its financial condition is very strong. Walter Brown closed by introducing the BYM representatives to FGC Central Committee, and encouraging Friends to seek them out with questions and comments.

 Y2006-33 After a brief break, Reading Clerk Elizabeth DuVerlie read a poem by Wendell Berry, brought to us by David Hunter, Camp Property manager.

Song in a Year of Catastrophe
 
I began to be followed by a voice saying:
"It can't last. It can't last.
Harden yourself. Harden yourself.
Be ready. Be ready."

"Go look under the leaves,"
it said, "for what is living there
is long dead in your tongue,"
And it said, "Put your hands
into the earth.
Live close to the ground.
Learn the darkness.
Gather round you all
the things that you love, name
their names, prepare
to lose them. It will be
as if all you know were turned around within your body."

And I went and put my hands
into the ground, and they took root
and grew into a season's harvest.
I looked behind the veil
of leaves, and heard voices
that I knew had been dead
in my tongue years before my birth.
I learned the dark.

And still the voice stayed with me.
Waking in the early mornings,
I could hear it, like a bird
bemused among the leaves,
a mockingbird idly singing
in the autumn of catastrophe:

"Be ready. Be ready.
Harden yourself. Harden yourself."
And I heard the sound
of a great engine pounding
in the air, and a voice asking:
"Change or slavery?
Hardship or slavery?"
and voices answering
"Slavery! Slavery!
And I was afraid, loving
what I knew would be lost.

Then the voice following me said:
"You have not yet come close enough.
Come nearer the ground. Learn
from the woodcock in the woods
whose feathering is a ritual
of the fallen leaves,
and from the nesting quail
whose speckling makes her hard to see
in the long grass.
Study the coat of the mole.
For the farmer shall wear
the furrows and the
greenery of his fields, and bear
the long standing of the woods.

And I asked: "You mean death, then?"
"Yes," the voice said. "Die
into what the earth requires of you."
I let go all holds then, and sank
like a hopeless swimmer into the earth,
and at last came fully into the ease
and the joy of that place,
all my lost ones returning.

 Y2006-34 Sarah Brabson, Little Britain, co-clerk of the Unity with Nature Committee, presented for a second reading the recommendation that the Friends Wilderness Center be formally affiliated with Baltimore Yearly Meeting. (See Minute I2006-25.) Friends Wilderness Center is on land in West Virginia left in trust in 1975 by Henry and Mary Cushing Niles. For many years Friends Wilderness Center was under the care of a committee of Friends Meeting of Washington. It is now an independent group with a board drawn from eight Meetings in Baltimore Yearly Meeting. It supports the work of the Yearly Meeting, including an ongoing relationship with the Camping Program, and hosting the meetings of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee. The Yearly Meeting would be asked to name one or more representatives to the Friends Wilderness Center board, and members of the Unity with Nature Committee have offered to serve in this role. The Friends Wilderness Center is not requesting an annual contribution from Baltimore Yearly Meeting at this time.

 Y2006-35 In response to a question about what "affiliation" implies, Clerk Lauri Perman noted that this question has arisen before, and recommended that we ask the Manual of Procedure Committee to look into it and bring a clarification back to a future meeting. This recommendation was APPROVED.

The question of affiliation of the Friends Wilderness Center with Baltimore Yearly Meeting was held over for a future session.

 Y2006-36 Evamaria "Ria" Hawkins, Bethesda, attending at Annapolis, invited all Friends to join in celebrating the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Quakerism on this continent. The first "Publisher of Truth" to arrive from England was Elizabeth Harris, who landed on the Chesapeake in 1856 and set up a number of Quaker Meetings. When she left there were several Meetings on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake, including Severn, West River, South River, and Broad Neck. All of these Meetings were within the area now served by Annapolis Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Annapolis Meeting has a very energetic committee working on ways to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Elizabeth Harris. At Interim Meeting, Annapolis Meeting invited Friends to come to the July 4th parade in Annapolis, to accompany their Quaker float celebrating the theme "Quakers Then--Quakers Now." Unfortunately the parade was cancelled due to heavy rain, but Friends who had gathered for the event, including many visitors, enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship at the Meeting House over a superb potluck. Wes Stone, who re-enacted George Fox, was enjoyed by all, and the time spent waiting for the parade to start and huddling together in the rain gave Friends a further chance to get acquainted! Ria Hawkins urged us to pick up anniversary bumper stickers and water bottles proclaiming that Quakers are alive and well after 350 years in America. Both are available for sale in the bookstore and can be purchased in bulk to take back to your meeting.

 Y2006-37 Clerk Lauri Perman announced that the work of discerning a way forward with regard to Baltimore Yearly Meeting's financial contribution to Friends United Meeting will continue under the care of the four committees originally charged with this task. These committees last met in October 2005. They have agreed to resume consideration of the question, and to try to bring a recommendation to Interim Meeting in October.

 Y2006-38 After further announcements, Elizabeth DuVerlie read the concluding paragraph from the epistle of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Called Session on Climate Change, expressing a deep concern about the rise of global climate temperatures and its dangerous implications for life on our earth. Friends gathered expressed a readiness "with divine assistance, to assume the challenges of being prophetic witnesses to protect the earth," and asked that all Friends be held "lovingly accountable to live in God's world in a more environmentally sustainable fashion."

The meeting closed with a period of open worship.

Friday, August 4, 2005, 9:30 A.M. ­ 12:00 Noon

 Y2006-39 The meeting settled into open worship. We heard two excerpts from the epistle of Lake Erie Yearly Meeting. The first, the epistle from the Infants and Toddlers, was read by Sarah Buchanan-Wollastan, Deer Creek. It spoke of finding bugs and seeing the moon in the middle of the day, and ended: "We cried, we laughed, we sang, we danced with the grownups--and now we're really tired. See you next year." The second, from the Middle Schoolers was read by Jacob Keener, Baltimore, Stony Run. It described games, strawberry-picking, learning about Quaker schools in Rwanda, El Salvador, and Bolivia, and how faith and community--the themes of the yearly meeting--seemed to be part of everything that had happened.

 Y2006-40 Clerk Lauri Perman, State College, introduced the others at the clerks' table: Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria, Recording Clerk; Clinton Pettus, Wilmington Friends Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Reading Clerk; and Sean Wilner, Langley Hill, Clerk of Young Friends.

 Y2006-41 Clerk Lauri Perman introduced the roll call of Meetings. We celebrated the presence among us of Friends from meetings and worship groups both large and small.

 Y2006-42 June Confer, Adelphi, introduced the report from the Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) program. This week has been a time of quiet reflection, learning, sharing, and active play. She lifted up the need for young people to explore their faith, and learn to turn it into work in the world. She spoke of the "wisdom of innocence." This is the well the JYM program draws deeply from, to learn from the children, and return to the world refreshed and rejuvenated. She named the many adults who are serving as volunteers in JYM, and thanked them for making the program possible:

Nursery and Pre-School
Dorothy Habecker
Sarah Buchanan-Wollaston
Joanie Maughmer
Mike Hansen
Mark Brabson
Liz Arginteanu
Carol Seddon
Melanie Griffen
Katrina Mason
Francesca Bravo
K-1
Joy Newheart
June Confer
Grades 2-3 Linda and Eric Uberseder
Grades 4-5 Michael Newheart
Ann Marie Moriarty
Junior Young Friends Anna Rain
Marcy Seitel
John Yost
Linda Coates
Janey Pugsley
PM-Early Audrey Banach and a bevy of helpers
PM-Late Susan Vanderhoff
Joe Chin
Alessa Keener and others who have pitched in like Diane Eaby

The youngsters and Junior Yearly Meeting staff then surrounded us in a "circle of love," singing, "I'm going to sing, sing, sing." The entire body was invited to join in, blending the children's song with "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "When the Saints Go Marching In." In the worship that followed, Friends spoke of the love they feel for the children, and the joy these particular children have brought to us this week, as cheerful helpers when help was needed, as wise advisers when advice was wanted, and always as expressions of vitality and divine gifts. As the children left the room to return to their activities, the adults spontaneously joined in singing "As the Saints Go Marching Out."

 Y2006-43 Out of the silence, we heard a reading from 1 John, 11:5-7:

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another....

 Y2006-44 Clerk Lauri Perman introduced those up front helping hold us in the Light: Joe Izzo, Friends Meeting of Washington, and Jeanette Smith, Langley Hill. She then welcomed visitors. Those introduced included:

Serving as Reading Clerk, Clinton Pettus, Wilmington Meeting, Philadel phia Yearly Meeting, Regional Director of the Middle Atlantic Region of the American Friends Service Committee;

Kathryn Pettus, Wilmington Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting;

Thomas Swain, Middletown Meeting, Concord Quarter, the new clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting; and

Mary Stover, Associate Regional Director, Middle Atlantic Region of the American Friends Service Committee.

 Y2006-45 Sean Wilner, on behalf of Young Friends, expressed gratitude to all the adults who have served as Friendly Adult Presences (FAPs) in the program, and introduced those who are present today.

 Y2006-46 Hope Braveheart (Sandy Spring), Tory Smith (Langley Hill), and Lamar Matthew (Baltimore, Stony Run) presented a report on the Young Friends in Ramallah project, accompanied by a wonderful slide show. Hope spoke of the roots of the project in a vision of a world in which kindness would no longer be an island.

On July 11, 2007, four Young Friends, John Stitzer (State College), Rosie Whitney (Richmond), Bennett Murray (Goose Creek), and Tory Smith, and two adults, Lamar Matthew, and Hope Braveheart, left for a two-week workcamp with Palestinian youth from the Friends School in Ramallah in the West Bank of Israel, Palestine. Once in Ramallah, Lamar and Hope stayed above the American Friends Service Committee offices in downtown Ramallah while the Young Friends met and departed with host families.

Workshop, trips, and service projects were carefully designed and integrated into the experience, to allow time to listen and reflect. Marianne Williamson reminds us that "Behind every political wound is a human wound, and human wounds need to be addressed on a human level." Hope quietly repeated this quote like a prayer as she listened to the stories and heard of the wounds, the complexity of the situation and the resiliency of Palestinians.

With each individual, with each organization, the Young Friends asked the same question. "What message would you like us to carry back to our home?" Some of the messages heard were:

"Israel's occupation of Palestine is the center of the conflict."
"Fighting for freedom is not terrorism; it is resistance to an illegal and unjust occupation."
"How can Israel and Palestine negotiate when Israel has leverage and Palestine has nothing to leverage with?"
"Israel wants a Palestinian state but they DO NOT want a viable Palestinian state. Because Israel controls the boarders, the water, and the economy they prevent Palestine from having a viable economy."
"Destruction of history, or the past, or of a people is a destruction of the future." "I don't believe in a Jewish State, or a Christian State, or a Muslim State. I'm for secular democracy."

Lamar noted that they had gone to Palestine seeking a balanced understanding of an unbalanced situation, and wanting to hear what people on both sides of this conflict are doing to bring about peace and justice for all. Some additional messages they heard:

"Palestine has lived under Mamluk, Ottoman, British and Jordanian yokes, and will survive this current occupation."
"`Building for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence' will be the theme of a lecture series at the Friends International Center in Ramallah."
"Your presence here in Palestine is a testament to your faith and belief in the possibility for peace and a better world. Please take our stories home with you. And please return to us again. Salaam--God be with you."
In responding to the report, Friends underlined the need to be balanced in our listening as we plan how to move forward with this important work.

(Attachment) BYM Young Friends In Ramallah - July 9 to 25, 2006

Monday-July 10	08 am: Departure from Dulles Airport
Tuesday- July 11	05 am: Arrive in Tel Aviv St. Andrew's Guest House, Jerusalem. Visit Old City.
Wednesday ­ July 12	12 at noon: Arrive in Ramallah 2:30 pm: Meet Host Families 03 pm: Movie about Palestine 04 pm: Historical/Political Lecture (Ghassan Khatib)* 06 pm: To the host families
Thursday ­ July 13	09 am: American Friends Service Committee Quaker Palestine Youth Program ­ meet with staff and with youth participants 02 pm: Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange (Dr. Adel Yahya)**
Friday ­ July 14	09 am: Work day at Amari Refugee Camp play center***
Saturday ­ July 15	09 am: Visit Inash al-Usra Institute**** 01 pm: Painting at Friends Boys School
Sunday ­ July 16	10 am: Worship at Ramallah Friends Meeting Noon ­ Lunch with Allyn & Holly Dean of World Vision 04 pm: Visit Jalazone Refugee Camp ­ tour and film on Palestine history+
Monday ­ July 17	09 am: Visit Birzeit University ­ Tour and discussion about life for students (Yasser Darwish)++ 11 am: Travel to Bethlehem ­ Tour Old City, area churches; deal with hours-long waits at vehicle check points 10 pm: Dinner with host families at Angelo's
Tuesday ­ July 18	Day - Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange ­ museum tour And walking tour of Al-Bireh historic sites Evening - Palestine Center of Culture -traditional dabka dance group
Wednesday ­ July 19	Galilee trip cancelled due to Israeli military action with Lebanon Trip to Dead Sea, Jericho, Biblical historical sites
Thursday ­ July 20	More painting at Friends Boys School; visit organic garden Lunch at Friends International Center in Ramallah ­ AFSC peace trainer Hykmet and FICR staffer Kathy Bergen Al-Bireh Byzantine Basilica ­ work project Hannah Mermelstein ­ Birthright Unplugged ­ discussion+++
Friday ­ July 21	Free day with host families
Saturday ­ July 22	Journal writing/Sharing/Presentation preparation
Sunday ­ July 23	10 am: Worship at Ramallah Friends Meeting Lunch with Kathy Bergen and Maia Carter Hallward 3 pm: Travel to St. Andrew's Guest House in Jerusalem
Monday ­ July 24	Free time in Jerusalem Lunch with Jeff Halper of ICHAD++++ UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs -Alternative Information Office ­ maps and information
Tuesday ­ July 25	8:05 am Depart Tel Aviv

* Ghassan Khatib, a non-violent activist, has served as a Palestinian government minister; international negotiator; Director of the Institute of Modern Media at Al Quds University in Jerusalem; and member of the Board of Trustees of the Ramallah Friends Schools.

** Dr. Adel Yahya, researcher and author, works with refugees in the West Bank, and studies modes of Palestinian-Israeli dialogue. PACE (Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange) is working to preserve Palestinian cultural heritage, raise awareness of the history of Palestine and its people and to promote cultural exchange with the wider world.

*** Amari Refugee Camp - Amari camp was established in 1949 Like most of the West Bank camps, Amari suffers from overcrowding, poor sewerage and water networks. The local committees running the youth activities centre and the women's program centre are well-known for their good management. The UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) health centre provides health care services to refugees residing in Al-Bireh and Ramallah towns. The approximate population is 8,800.

**** In'ash al-usra (Social Research and Palestinian Folklore Committee http://www.inash.org/) works to empower women by helping them acquire skills and capabilities to become wage earners, active participants, and decision makers within their community by providing care and education for children, by supporting victims of war, occupation, and social circumstances, by studying and preserving Palestinian folklore, and developing rural handicrafts and industries.

+ Jalazone Refugee Camp - Jalazone camp was established in 1949 on a rocky hillside 7 kilometers north of Ramallah. Today, while many of the camp's residents still find employment in Israel, unemployment has risen in recent years due to the closure imposed by the Israeli authorities on the West Bank in 1993. Many of the camp's roads and pathways are unsurfaced and are in serious need of repair. The lack of a sewerage system poses a serious hazard for both the camp's residents and the residents of nearby Jifna village. UNRWA has working to develop a sewerage network in the camp. UNRWA upgraded the boys' school in the camp in 1995 with contributions from the Government of Saudi Arabia. An additional eight classrooms were constructed in the girls' school in 1997 with contributions from the Government of Germany. During the intifadah, at least 12 youths were shot dead during clashes with the Israeli army or Israeli settlers passing on the main Ramallah-Nablus road above the camp. Despite developments in the Middle East peace process, the situation in the camp has remained unchanged in terms of security incidents, and arrests and clashes still take place. In 1997, the Israeli army reinstalled a fence surrounding the camp. The Alkarameh Rehabilitation Center, a new center for the handicapped, has opened. It carries out different social activities in coordination with The Youth Program Center and Women Program Center. The approximate population of the camp is 10,400.

++ Birzeit University - At the beginning of the first intifada, Israel closed the university. Under pressure from European countries, Birzeit was re-opened in 1992. Palestinian schools and universities are difficult to access because of an intensive system of checkpoints and blockades. When Birzeit students protest at the nearby Surda checkpoint, the Israeli army disperses them with tear gas. During its siege of Ramallah, Israel cut water, electricity, and phone lines to the university, forcing it to close. The Israeli army invaded Birzeit four times, trashing offices and destroying equipment. Birzeit faculty and students have persisted, opening a computer study program that students could access from any Internet café.

+++ Birthright Unplugged trips are designed primarily for Jewish people, though others are welcome. They visit Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps and help participants develop an understanding of daily life under occupation.

++++ Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions ­ ICAHD is a nonviolent, direct-action group originally established to oppose and resist Israeli demolition of Palestinian houses in the Occupied Territories. It became necessary to expand resistance activities to other areas - land expropriation, settlement expansion, by-pass road construction, policies of "closure" and "separation," the wholesale uprooting of fruit and olive trees and more. As a direct-action group, ICAHD is comprised of members of many Israeli peace and human rights organizations. All work in the Occupied Territories is closely coordinated with local Palestinian organizations.

American Friends Service Committee ­ AFSC's Quaker Palestine Youth Program does peace/non-violence training in the West Bank and Gaza. It also does work with Israelis out of the Jerusalem office focusing on youth workshops. It works, supports, and trains Palestinians in non-violence resistance against the wall, etc. and runs summer camps on non-violence. Young Palestinians become involved in civic engagement initiatives, and youth service projects. AFSC partners with universities, NGO's, GSO's on many of their projects/programs. AFSC uses a "coach model" to organize and train the youth in their programs. Young people are organized into groups, composed of 14 to 17 year-olds, 13-15 students in each group. The training focuses are political (democracy) and social (citizenship). Each group selects its own focus. Analysis identifies the needs and methods to reach their goals. Skills learned in these programs translate into leadership later. Those who are marginalized by society learn self-worth through this program. For a better idea of the full range of the programs, go to: http://afsc.org/ middleeast/int/palestine.htm or http://afsc.org/middleeast/int/israel.htm.

Friends International Center in Ramallah ­ "The Friends Center in Ramallah exists to unite in one place: (1) a space for sacred worship after the manner of Friends to which all are welcome; (2) a safe and supportive environment in which residents of Ramallah can come together to work toward a better future in an atmosphere of faith and hope; and, (3) a vehicle through which Friends and other people of goodwill from outside Ramallah can connect with and provide support to those in the region who are striving to build a future of peace and justice. To these ends, the Friends International Center in Ramallah will offer a ministry of hospitality; create an atmosphere of care and respect in which positive, civic and civil discourse can be pursued; and be a witness to hope and reconciliation in a region where despair and violence have too often reigned. In all this we seek to express the deepest values and highest aspirations of the Quaker faith." http://ramallah.quaker.org

Special thanks are in order to Mohammed Saleem of Friends Boys School and Kathy Bergen of Friends Center in Ramallah for their valuable help with arrangements for this enriching, enlightening journey.

 Y2006-47 After a break, Reading Clerk Clinton Pettus read a passage from an essay published in Whispers of Faith, a book of Young Friends' reflections. This essay, by Claire Reddy, a 16 year old Friend from North Carolina, emphasized the importance of friendships between adults and young Friends. Claire Reddy wrote that she had been attending the same meeting since she was born, but most of the adults in the meeting seemed to have no idea of who she was. She described her hunger for people to talk to about the spiritual questions and discoveries that were such an important part of her life.

 Y2006-48 On behalf of the Manual of Procedure Committee, Katherine Smith, Maury River, brought forward the recommendation that we lay down the Ethel Reynolds Fund Committee. This recommendation was approved by Interim Meeting in March, but requires final approval at annual sessions since it is a Yearly Meeting fund. Friends expressed their gratitude for Ethel Reynolds' vision and generosity, and noted that her bequest will continue to benefit the Yearly Meeting. Friends APPROVED the laying down of the Ethel Reynolds Fund Committee.

 Y2006-49 Clerk Lauri Perman brought forward the following minute of appreciation for the Recording Clerk:

We thank Deborah Haines for the beautiful reflection of our efforts. The tender care she gives preserves the best of our spirit and tenderizes our tough portions.

Friends APPROVED this minute with gratitude.

 Y2006-50 Reading Clerk Clinton Pettus read a passage from the history of Deer Creek Meeting, telling the story of its evolution from a meeting with slaveholding members to a meeting witnessing against slavery, participating in the Underground Railroad, and launching efforts to provide education and spiritual nurture to freed slaves. The complete history is available on the Baltimore Yearly Meeting website.

 Y2006-51 Michael Cronin gave the report of the Supervisory Committee. He introduced the members of the Committee, and described the Committee's work this past year.

He presented a minute of appreciation for Howard Fullerton as follows:

The purpose of this minute is to thank Howard Fullerton for his special service as Interim General Secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting from October 2005 through August 2006.

It is a welcome challenge to describe the magnificence and generosity of Howard's gift to Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

As we know, when asked, in October 2005, Howard willingly stepped into a position Frank Massey had skillfully managed in the manner of Friends for seventeen years. Many of the duties Howard has performed as Interim General Secretary were complicated by unanticipated changes ­ including a 50% turnover in the office staff, delays in an audit of financial records, and a deteriorating data base system.

Over the past ten months, Howard Fullerton's successes as Interim General Secretary have demonstrated his spiritual grounding in the world, his commitment to Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and his thorough knowledge of our history and the manner of Friends. Not only did Howard serve as Interim General Secretary, he also continued his other volunteer involvement in Baltimore Yearly Meeting, most notably making important contributions to the work of the ad hoc Intervisitation Committee.

As Howard began his service as Interim General Secretary in October 2005, he and his wife Flossie were experiencing some significant life transitions. First, the Fullertons spent many weeks packing up, fixing up, and selling their Washington, DC home of forty years. In November, the Fullertons moved from a house in the city to a much smaller space in the suburban and structured environment of Friends House, and began the process of resettling. Later in November Howard accompanied colleagues from Friends United Meeting on a three week visit to the Middle East. In December 2005, Howard and Flossie enjoyed a sojourn out of town together, to visit their family, including their dear grandchildren, in New Jersey.

The end of 2005 was a full and rich and busy time for Howard and Flossie. Yet, in January 2006, Howard returned to Sandy Spring, Baltimore Yearly Meeting offices to guide effectively BYM's secular and spiritual business, its committees and its officers, its schedule and its outreach, its finances and its staff. Howard's effectiveness is due in part to his thorough knowledge of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, his considerable experience as Interim [then Representative] Meeting Clerk, several years as Clerk of the Manual of Procedure Committee, and exemplary patience. Howard's subtle and kind sense of humor has also been a continuing blessing.

Throughout this time as Interim General Secretary Howard has served without financial compensation.

We note 2005 ­ 2006 was the second time Howard has come forward to serve Baltimore Yearly Meeting during another complicated transition. Eighteen years ago, after Thom Jeavons's departure and before Frank Massey's arrival, in 1988, Howard ­ who was working a full time job as a statistician with the US Labor Department in Washington ­ served as Interim Clerk of Representative Meeting.

We have truly been blessed with Howard's gifts that he has brought to the Yearly Meeting office. We give our best wishes to Howard and Flossie in a retirement that may now be a little easier. Of course he is always welcome to drop into the office for there is always something for helping hands to do.

It is our pleasure to minute our trust and deep appreciation for Howard Fullerton's many gifts to us in Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

Friends APPROVED this minute with minor corrections and with deep gratitude.

Michael Cronin presented a minute of appreciation for Jane Megginson, David Hunter, and Hope Braveheart, our three continuing staff members as follows:

The past year has been a time of much change and many challenges for the administrative staff of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. The Supervisory Committee is aware of extra burdens that all have had to shoulder. With great admiration, we noticed each of you stepping forward to take up tasks beyond the purview of your own position. Because of your willingness to freely give of your knowledge, skills and care, the work of the Yearly Meeting office has continued smoothly over this time of transition.

And certainly, we realize there have been others who have also given of their time and talents to help accomplish what needed to be done. We are thankful for their contributions as well. But you, Friends, have been the constants, always there, always working, always able to be counted on.

As staff, you are patterns and examples of dedication and love for Baltimore Yearly Meeting, where you have been called to labor. You have accomplished much and you did it all...walking cheerfully and answering that of God in everything and everyone you encountered.

Well done, Friends.

He noted that a bonus has been given to each of these staff members as a token of our appreciation for their outstanding service in the face of extraordinary demands.

Friends enthusiastically APPROVED this minute.

Michael Cronin presented a minute of appreciation to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings that have hosted Interim Meeting this year:

Baltimore Yearly Meeting thanks Nottingham Quarter, Baltimore-Stony Run, and Hopewell Centre Monthly Meetings, where Friends hosted Interim Meeting last year, October 22, 2005, March 5, 2006, and June 17, 2006.

Friends APPROVED this minute with gratitude.

 Y2006-52 Katherine Smith presented the final report of the Ad Hoc Search Committee, which completed its work and was formally laid down by Interim Meeting in June. She introduced the members of the Committee and thanked them for their hard work. She also thanked the many Friends in the Yearly Meeting who supported the work in other ways. She then introduced Robert H. "Riley" Robinson, our new General Secretary.

Friends APPROVED minuting our deep appreciation to the Ad Hoc Search Committee for their hard work and careful discernment.

 Y2006-53 Riley Robinson spoke out of the silence. He noted that he has worked for three Quaker organizations, and each taught him invaluable lessons. Friends Meeting of Washington, where he served as Meeting Secretary for many years, taught him how a Quaker organization can grow and adapt, and taught him to never stop listening. The Friends Conference on Religion and Psychology expanded his horizons. The American Friends Service Committee taught him that organizations that know what they want to do will hold together in the face of troubles. He observed that Baltimore Yearly Meeting generally knows what it wants, and is a family that will hold together, nurturing us all. Concluding the report of the Supervisory Committee, Michael Cronin read a minute of welcome for Riley Robinson as follows:

Baltimore yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends welcomes our new General Secretary, Robert H. "Riley" Robinson, who began employment with us on July 31, the day of the opening retreat of our Annual Session. We minute our appreciation to Riley for accepting this challenging position and for his willingness to be open and grow as he embarks on learning a multi-faceted job. We commit to offering Riley our prayers, our nurture, and our patience, and do not expect him to pick up in Year One where Frank Massey left off in Year 17.

In fact, we recognize that, while retaining the core set of responsibilities in the position summary approved at our February Called Meeting, the job of General Secretary will inevitably and properly evolve to take advantage of the unique set of gifts and leadings Riley brings to the position. We look forward to seeing Riley's many gifts revealed as he continues his service to the Yearly Meeting in his new role.

Friends APPROVED this minute.

 Y2006-54 Clerk Lauri Perman announced that Lydia Rain, Adelphi, co-assistant clerk of Young Friends has joined those at the clerk's table. She also shared the news that the Shepherdstown (WV) Allowed Meeting for Worship has been established under the care of Frederick Meeting. This brings to 53 the number of Meetings and Worship Groups in Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

 Y2006-55 After announcements, we heard a minute of condolence on the death of Tom Fox from New York Yearly Meeting. "We grieve with you," the message said, "and also celebrate the faith and commitment Tom embodied." The meeting closed with a period of open worship.

Saturday, August 5, 2005, 9:30 A.M. ­ 12:00 Noon

 Y2006-56 The meeting began with a period of open worship. Clerk Lauri Perman, State College, introduced the others at the clerks' table: Recording Clerk Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria, Reading Clerk David Hunter, Frederick, Baltimore Yearly Meeting Camp Property Manager, and Amrit Moore, Maury River, Co-assistant Clerk of Young Friends.

She introduced those sitting up front to help hold our sessions in the Light today: Alexander Barnes, Adelphi, and Jean-Marie Prestwidge Barch, Schuylkill, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, sojourning at Valley, BYM.

 Y2006-57 Clerk Lauri Perman welcomed a visitor, Elizabeth Eames Roebling, Asheville, Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association, working in Santa Domingo, Haiti.

She then welcomed those attending Baltimore Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions for the first time, and expressed deep appreciation for the gifts they bring to us.

 Y2006-58 Nancy Irving, General Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), based in London, described the work of FWCC. She noted that she sometimes feels like a hummingbird, flying thousands of miles, visiting Friends, and gently moving forward the pollination process. She described how FWCC grew out of an international conference held at Swarthmore, Pennsylvania in 1937, responding to Friends' longing to stay in touch with each other throughout the world, even when they could not agree. Disagreements persist, and so does the longing to stay connected. She introduced Baltimore Yearly Meetings representatives to FWCC, and drew attention to how many others have participated in some FWCC event, including annual meetings, regional gatherings, the international Triennial, and the recent World Gathering of Young Friends.

In addition to bringing Friends together, Friends World Committee for Consultation sponsors the Quaker United Nations Offices (QUNO) in New York and Geneva, helps represent Friends in international conferences, and also helps put isolated Friends around the world in touch with each other. She noted that FWCC would love to hear from Friends living in far flung places who are willing to receive visits from traveling Friends and seekers. She also noted with deep sadness that the newly organizing Middle East Yearly Meeting, which will include Friends from Lebanon and Palestine, was intending to meet for the first time in Lebanon this month, and will probably have to postpone its meeting. She asked us to hold all of those Friends in our prayers. She urged us to find out more about the Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas, which includes our Yearly Meeting, and closed by reminding us that FWCC is the place where all Friends are welcome.

 Y2006-59 Marcy Seitel, clerk of the Intervisitation Committee, presented the Committee's report and a plea for help. She introduced the members of the Committee and reviewed its purpose: to improve relationships with Yearly Meetings throughout Friends United Meeting. During the past year, Baltimore Yearly Meeting visitors have attended New England, Great Plains, and Indiana Yearly Meetings. Return visits have proved to be very important as friendships have time to blossom and relationships grow. Marcy read from the endorsement to the minute of introduction one visitor carried to Great Plains Yearly Meeting: "We feel connected to [your meeting] because you reached out to us." She noted that the Committee is making progress on developing a variety of guidelines and forms, and revealing new layers of complexity as they dig deeper into this important work.

Marcy Seitel noted that the committee visits only upon invitation, and more invitations are needed. She asked all Friends in Baltimore Yearly Meeting to think about contacts they have that might become invitations and bring them to the attention of the committee. She encouraged us to share our wisdom, insights, and experiences with the committee, to help make our Intervisitation program ever broader and deeper. Marcy Seitel also asked that the Yearly Meeting extend an expression of appreciation to Howard Fullerton for his valuable contribution to the work of the Intervisitation Committee during the past year.

Clerk Lauri Perman proposed that we incorporate a reference to Howard Fullerton's work with the Intervisitation Committee and other Yearly Meeting committees into the minute of appreciation approved in our Friday session.

Friends APPROVED this proposal.

 Y2006-60 Howard Fullerton presented the Interim General Secretary's report, as published in the Advance Reports. He highlighted the extraordinary work of our staff members during a difficult transition time. He reported that the Yearly Meeting grew again this year, by 77 members. This growth may be due to our camping program and outreach to youth, or may be due primarily to our location in an area where population is growing. He encouraged us to think more deeply about how to knit newcomers into our meetings, and help them learn what it means to be a Quaker.

Howard Fullerton then spoke of his trip to Ramallah, and described the history of Friends work there, beginning almost 125 years ago. He spoke of the extreme difficulty of getting Israelis and Palestinians together in today's conditions, and noted how Friends in recent visits were able to meet with peacemakers on all sides. He lifted up the importance of the contribution to peace Friends may be able to make, working with the Friends International Peace Center in Ramallah.

The meeting expressed deep appreciation to Howard Fullerton for his service as Interim General Secretary.

 Y2006-61 Clerk Lauri Perman called attention to a resource many Friends may be interested in: a film by Landrum Bolling, entitled "Search for Peace in the Middle East." It is available on a DVD with background materials, from the Foundation for Middle East Peace.

 Y2006-62 Lauri Perman yielded the clerk's chair to Michael Cronin, Clerk of Interim Meeting for a second reading of the Search Committee report. Janet Eaby, clerk of the Search Committee, presented the report. In response to a question she explained that Clerks, Recording Clerks, and members of the Supervisory Committee have two-year terms; members of the Nominating Committee have three-year terms.

Friends APPROVED the report of the Search Committee as follows:

Clerk of the Yearly Meeting:	Lauri Perman, State College, second term
Recording Clerk for Interim Meeting:	Meg Meyer, Baltimore, Stony Run
Nominating Committee:	Joan Clippinger, Warrington Andrei Israel, Friends Meeting of Washington Nancy Moore, Baltimore, Stony Run Charlotte Boynton, Langley Hill
Supervisory Committee:	Meg Meyer, Baltimore-Stony Run, third term

 Y2006-63 Clerk Lauri Perman returned to the clerk's chair, and explained the procedure for approving the Nominating Committee report. She noted that our Manual of Procedure calls for the report to be read twice, not for every individual name to be read twice. If no major changes are made, the entire report may be approved at the second reading, even if it includes some names not brought forward at the first reading.

 Y2006-64 Dorothea Malsbary, Sandy Spring, clerk of the Nominating Committee presented the Nominating Committee report for a second reading. She again acknowledged the members of the Nominating Committee, including Barbara Thomas, Annapolis, incoming clerk. She explained the format of the report, and reviewed term lengths. Most terms are three years, but Friends may be appointed to serve only one or two years if they are filling a vacancy created by a resignation. Dorothea noted that a few corrections and additions have been made to the report, and listed the committees that still have vacancies.

A question was raised about the Friends appointed last year to attend the Friends World Committee for Consultation Triennial in Dublin, Ireland, in 2007. These names did not appear in the Yearbook for 2006. The Nominating Committee will make sure the list is published this year.

Friends appointed in 2005 to attend the August 2007 Ireland Triennial of FWCC were: Sheila Bach, Langley Hill Sage Taylor, Sandy Spring Robert Fetter, Roanoke Graham Johnson, Sandy Spring Alternate: Dona Manoukian, Langley Hill

Friends APPROVED the Nominating Committee Report as submitted.

 Y2006-65 Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Meyer presented the first reading of the Yearly Meeting Epistle, on behalf of the Epistle Committee.

Clerk Lauri Perman encouraged Friends to submit written suggestions for improvements to the Epistle Committee, or take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the committee this evening. The epistle will be read again tomorrow.

 Y2006-66 Clerk Lauri Perman introduced Frannie Taylor, clerk of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Frannie Taylor is rotating off the committee, after six years of service and two years as clerk. Friends APPROVED minuting our deep appreciation to Frannie Taylor for her service to the Yearly Meeting.

 Y2006-67 Frannie Taylor presented the 2007 Budget for a second reading. She explained the format and noted minor corrections. She explained that the $10,000 in "undesignated funds" will not be lost if they are not designated before the end of the year, but will continue to be available for use as the Yearly Meeting sees fit. She noted that funds initially set aside for Youth Quake were used this year for the Ramallah trip, when Youth Quake was cancelled. That line item is now designated for special youth programs, to allow similar flexibility in the future.

Clerk Lauri Perman reminded us that the question of our contribution to Friends United Meeting will be further considered jointly by four committees: the Ad Hoc Committee on Gender and Sexual Diversity Concerns, Advancement and Outreach, Ministry and Pastoral Care, and Stewardship and Finance, with a recommendation to be brought to Interim Meeting in October.

Friends called attention to the need for at least $60,000 in individual contributions to balance the Yearly Meeting budget. It was noted that it is now possible to arrange to contribute through automatic bank withdrawals. Friends are urged to bring word of the need for contributions back to their Meetings.

Frannie Taylor reviewed the process by which apportionments are allocated, reviewed and finalized in consultation with Monthly Meeting treasurers.

Friends APPROVED the Apportionment portion of the budget.

Friends APPROVED the Budget for 2007 as submitted.

 Y2006-68 Karen-Marie "Kit" Mason, Takoma Park, presented a minute from the Criminal and Restorative Justice Committee relative to the proposed "Enemy Combatant Military Commissions Act of 2006" drafted by the White House and made public within the past few days. She explained that the implications of this proposed legislation are much larger than they might at first appear. It would declare Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions legally unenforceable, and permit the imprisonment of Quakers and others engaging in peaceful protest as enemy combatants. It was proposed very recently and requires further study. It seems a cause for urgent concern. Friends APPROVED the following minute:

Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) supports the efforts of the Friends Committee on National Legislation to study and advise Friends on the Enemy Combatant Military Commissions Act of 2006.

 Y2006-69 The meeting closed with a period of open worship. Reading clerk David Hunter read a "re-envisioning" of a passage from the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:15-18)

Go ye into the world seeking that of God everywhere and in everyone And those who embrace you and call you Friend will nourish you and you will nourish them; And those who cannot embrace you are those whom you are called to love and serve. Watch them, for there you will see signs and miracles.

Sunday, August 6, 2005, 9:00 A.M. ­ 10:30 A.M.

 Y2006-70 The meeting settled into open worship. The Reading Clerk read from a letter written by a first time attender at these sessions lifting up a message heard earlier this week: that God is Power. In this time of anguish and crisis, can we find a way to focus God's power like a laser beam to address the needs of a hurting world?

 Y2006-71 Clerk Lauri Perman, State College, introduced the others at the clerks' table: Recording Clerk Deborah Haines, sojourning at Alexandria; and Reading Clerk Ruth Flower, Takoma Park. She introduced those sitting up front to help hold these sessions in the Light: Susan Rose, Patapsco; and David Ross, Oxford.

 Y2006-72 Rebecca Rawls, Langley Hill, presented the Registrar's Report. She celebrated, in particular the number of children, Young Adult Friends, and first-time attenders present among us this year.

Registrar's Report, 2006

This week 500 of us have gathered at James Madison University for our 335th annual sessions. That's 80 more than last year, and more than we have had at annual sessions since 1999 at Wilson College. We represent 35 monthly or preparative meetings, and range in age from 17 months to 88 years in age.

Our ranks are growing at many levels. Those involved in the Junior Yearly Meeting program already know that this year that program has been abundantly blessed with participants. We've had 21 pre-schoolers and 46 older children here for at least some part of the week. That's twice as many school-age children as we had last year, and a sizeable increase in younger children as well. In addition, 42 Young Friends have been part of our program for high-school-aged young people.

Of particular note, as well, is the emerging Young Adult Friends group at Baltimore Yearly Meeting. This year some 23 young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 asked to be housed together on one floor of the dormitory and to have a lounge set aside as their own gathering place. Many of you will have seen the full row of these Young Adult Friends up front for our opening plenary talk on Tuesday night, given by one of their number, Rachel Stacy. As Rachel Stacy reminded us, the younger Friends of our Yearly Meeting in past years have helped us to expand our vision of who we are, and it is encouraging to see this group growing into a supportive and nurturing community.

Our time together has also been enriched by the presence of many visitors and first-time attenders. More than 100 people are attending Baltimore Yearly Meeting for the first time this week. The Yearly Meeting has had a program for the past several years to encourage people who have not been here before to come to annual sessions by allowing each monthly meeting to send up to three first-time attenders for two days for free. This year 19 Monthly Meetings took advantage of this offer, sending a total of 39 people here for the first time. We were also blessed by the presence of visitors from at least eight other yearly meetings as well as several Quaker organizations.

I want to express gratitude to the many people who have helped make the logistics of getting you all registered go smoothly this year. Thanks, in particular, to Ann Whitaker, the new administrative assistant in the Yearly Meeting office, who plunged into registration tasks in her very first days in her new job. Thanks also to the many volunteers who have helped me both ahead of time and here at JMU. Finally, thank you to all of you for your patience when the lines at the registration desk grew long. We know we are among the first faces you see when you arrive at annual sessions, and I very much hope we always remembered to let each of you know how very glad we all are to have you here.

Clerk Lauri Perman proposed a minute of appreciation for Rebecca Rawls, in recognition of her hard work in accommodating so many more of us this year so very gracefully. Friends APPROVED this minute with gratitude.

 Y2006-73 Reading Clerk Ruth Flower read an excerpt from Patience "Pat" Schenk's 2006 Pendle Hill pamphlet, "Answering the Call to Heal the World.

" ....[W]e can make a difference if we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, if we ground our work in that power about which Fox wrote. From that spiritual wellspring we can experience power, energy, and great joy as we do our part to help bring the kingdom of God to our precious world.

 Y2006-74 Nancy Coleman, Dunnings Creek, gave the Bookstore Report. Sales increased again this year, to over $12,000. The Ten Thousand Villages consignment, delayed due to a failure of communication, arrived in good order on Thursday, and was much appreciated. Nancy Coleman expressed her gratitude to all who helped out, especially Margo "the Magnificent" (Lehman), Sandy Spring, who untangled all the numbers.

Clerk Lauri Perman noted that much of the increase in sales may be due to Nancy Coleman's willingness to keep the bookstore open long before and after posted hours. Friends expressed their deep appreciation to Nancy Coleman for her dedication, her efficiency, and her intentionality in creating a welcoming atmosphere in the bookstore. This minute of appreciation was APPROVED, with gratitude.

 Y2006-75 Clerk Lauri Perman introduced the roll call of committee clerks. She thanked all the committee clerks for their service to the Yearly Meeting. She noted that the clerks had an opportunity to meet together during this annual session and look forward to other such opportunities in the future. The clerk of each committee and working group will be identified in the Yearbook.

 Y2006-77 The following minute of appreciation for Elizabeth "Betsy" Krome was proposed:

We thank Elizabeth "Betsy" Krome, Williamsburg, for her dedication, energy, creativity and late evening hours devoted to producing the Daily Minute.

Friends APPROVED this minute with enthusiasm.

 Y2006-78 Friends celebrated the presence among us of visitors from the Torreon/ Star Lake chapter of the Navajo Nation, marking ten years of friendship between Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Torreon/Star Lake. Friends enjoyed the opportunity this week to meet and learn from these visitors.

 Y2006-79 Matthew Bacon, Clerk of Junior Young Friends at this annual session, presented the Junior Young Friends Epistle.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Junior Young Friends Epistle 2006

Dear Friends,

This week at Junior Young Friends was a time of newcomers and with them new ideas. We chose two first-timers, Matthew Bacon and Amy Heaton as our Clerk and Recording Clerk, respectively.. Although two of our conferences during the year were canceled due to lack of kids and FAPs (Friends Adult Presences), we had a good turnout at Annual Session. We are also thankful to the adults working at increasing the size and quality of our conferences.

We explored the theme of finding our voices through exploring Rachel Stacy's [talk on what] is possible and then discussing it along with other topics including peacemaking, homosexuality, and reaching out to Quaker and other communities. We talked about Rachel's question "What do you think is possible and what are you doing to make it happen?"

Eden and Jim Grace of Friends United Meeting African Ministries blessed us with their presence on Wednesday. They discussed issues they are working on in Kenya such as putting girls in schools and community development. Gary Gillespie visited us on Thursday and explained his peacemaking work at American Friends Service Committee. We then tried walking meditation. On Friday John Calvi showed us some energy and meditation work.

As our service project we played with little kids in the nursery. Also, several JYFs signed up as "Red Hats" [to help carry trays] at mealtimes. We made dream catchers, played Mafia, and hit ping pong balls off the walls.

At our sleepover we had tacos, sundaes (with extensive toppings), and sodas, which we relished. We watched Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

We will take home many memories and thoughts from our fellow JYFs. We hope to see all of them again.

Yours in the Light,
The Baltimore Yearly Meeting Junior Young Friends

Friends received this Epistle with joy.

 Y2006-80 In an expression of support and unity, Young Friends and Young Adult Friends switched roles and presented each other's Epistles. The Young Friends Epistle was presented by Young Adult Friends playing the part of Sean Wilner, Langley Hill, Clerk of Young Friends, and Amrit Moore, Co-Assistant Clerk.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Young Friends Epistle Eight Month 2006

The loss of a member of the community is never easy, and the tragic capture and death of Tom Fox was no exception. The world, however, does not stop when a heart stops, and, despite our collective grief, our community persevered.

One thing Tom Fox was always in awe of was our self-governance. Yet lately, we have struggled to live up to the grave responsibility self-governance represents. Committees were made but never met; attendance has dropped among Young Friends, Friendly Adult Presences, and Floaters; and process was upheld in neither the way concerns were brought to the community, nor the way issues were addressed. Things came to a head at what fondly became known as the Business Meeting of Doom, wherein our community's very right to exist came into question. But the Spirit spoke that night, and guided us back towards functioning as a self-governed community.

The process has not been without its serendipities. Paraphernalia Committee has produced a CafePress shop wherein Young Friends t-shirts and other paraphernalia will soon be available for purchase; Calendar Committee will be printing calendars next week; and the Ramallah trip has returned safely from a fruitful journey. An effort to improve handbook literacy produced astounding epiphanies as to the role and relationships of the many named positions within the community, be they members of Executive Committee, Friendly Adult Presences, or Floaters. The latter of which were re-welcomed into our community and proved to be immeasurable sources of wise counsel. While the issue of boundaries is still being addressed, the related communication problems between Young Friends and the greater Baltimore Yearly Meeting Community have an easy enough fix: Feedback forms. Look for them in the next BYFN (light willing).

Filled as it has been with Comic book Superheroes, a philosophical policeman and the furtive attempt by God to speak through a burning bush--an attempt that was crushed in its infancy by an overzealous volunteer fireman--the positive change in our community's overall cohesiveness and spirituality over the past week has been tangible.

The Young Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting

Friends received this Epistle with gratitude.

 Y2006-81 The Young Adult Friends Epistle was read by Young Friends playing the part of Rebecca Haines Rosenberg, Alexandria, and Annalee Flower Horne, Takoma Park, Co-Clerks of Young Adult Friends.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Young Adult Friends Epistle
Eighth Month, 2006

Greetings, Friends.

Last year, the Young Adult Friends were joyous as we sent out the news of our community's revitalization. We brought forth our new community's first epistle; we ran a fishbowl and several social events; and our focus on identity produced a Minute of Purpose outlining our foundation and long-term goals. We come to this Annual Session with a new reason to be joyous. We've achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves last year; new Young Adult Friends are contributing to our ongoing vitality and growth; and we've formed new goals for our continued development as a community.

In keeping with our Minute of Purpose, Young Adult Friends held two gatherings this year. The first, held during Ninth Month at Alexandria Friends Meeting, focused on long-term planning. The second, held at Adelphi Friends Meeting during Twelfth Month, gave Friends a chance to witness through service by participating in a food drive. We also created a new email list to help us keep in touch, and organized social activities through this Annual Session week to help us bond. We are glad to affirm that these steps have indeed helped us to form a strong and stable community.

We rejoice also at our continuing growth. We are accustomed to welcoming new members, but we were astounded by how quickly and how well this year's new YAFs made themselves an integral part of the community. Their contributions to our business process, committees, and social activities have proven invaluable as we work to move our program forward. As many of our new YAFs come to us from the Young Friends program, we thank the Young Friends for invigorating the spirit within these individuals and for contributing to the infusion of new energy that has strengthened our community this year. As we look forward to the coming year, we find even more cause for joy. We've scheduled two more conferences and plans for a Young Adult Friends' Manual of Operations are underway. We also hope to continue our outreach to Young Adults and Young Adult Friends communities within BYM's monthly meetings. Several of our Friends have also expressed an interest in networking with Young Adult Friends in other Yearly Meetings, and we seek to support them as they follow their leadings to promote inter-visitation and mutual understanding.

Last year, we produced an epistle in hopes that small steps would lead to great strides. The small steps we have taken over this past year have brought us to a path where great strides seem well within reach, and we look forward to finding out where the road will lead.

In the Silence,
The Young Adult Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting

Friends rejoice in the growth of this community among us, and received this Epistle with gratitude.

 Y2006-82 The Yearly Meeting Epistle was presented by Elizabeth F. "Betsy" Meyer, Sandy Spring, and Gary Sandman, Roanoke. Friends expressed deep gratitude for the work of the Epistle Committee. After some improvements, Friends APPROVED the Epistle.

Eighth Month 6, 2006

O God guide us
strengthen us and support us
help us live in harmony with thy will.

Greetings to Friends everywhere:

Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends gathered for its 335th annual session from Seventh Month 31 to Eighth Month 6, 2006 on the green ­ but hot ­ campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Our theme was Living in Harmony: With One Another and All Creation. This year marks the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Friend Elizabeth Harris in the Chesapeake Bay area, leading to the establishment of the first Quaker Meetings in America. We seek among us the same courage and harmony with God's will that brought her to our area so long ago. An opening retreat led by Jean-Marie Prestwidge-Barch encouraged us

to experience diversity within the Religious Society of Friends and included a wonderful jazz concert, a parable of harmony. Young Adult Friend Rachel Stacy gave an impassioned talk about Friends and transformation, the Light shining through her as she strode about the platform, leading us into deep worship.

Our beloved Friend Tom Fox, a Christian Peacemaker Team member, was kidnapped in Iraq on Eleventh Month 26, 2005, then shot and killed on Third Month 9, 2006. Our grief, especially our campers' and Young Friends' grief, is profound. A moving memorial meeting, an evening panel of heartfelt sharing and other activities helped us understand that Tom's ministry and death are a witness to the whole world and a legacy for the future. Our Young Friends and Young Adult Friends honor Tom's memory by moving forward in Tom's playful spirit and humor.

Throughout the week, in business sessions, over meals, and during wor ship and activities, the love working within our vibrant community comforted us in our grief. We celebrated the presence among us of our Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends who encircled our business session with love and song.

The Young Friends in Ramallah Program participants brought us messages of desires for peace and justice for the troubled Middle East. Their experiences and reflections on the fifteen days of listening, service and learning in Palestine and Israel will be helpful resources for understanding the situation in that region.

We joyfully welcomed our new General Secretary Robert H. Robinson, Jr. (known to all of us as Riley), and expressed appreciation for the hard work of our continuing staff and of Howard Fullerton, who served as Interim General Secretary after the resignation of Frank Massey, our General Secretary for the past 17 years.

Our Camping Program staff shared with us its goal of providing camp ers with attainable challenges, situations that put campers in a zone between comfort and panic, a place of stretching where they most feel the Spirit working and where they grow. We continue to labor with whether we can financially support Friends

United Meeting while its personnel policy effectively discriminates against gays, lesbians and others. Though our connection to FUM and its work is important to us, can we, in good conscience, fund a policy we find hurtful and wrong? This challenge has taken us out of the comfort zone into the place of spiritual growth through continued intervisitation with other FUM Friends and continued seeking for discernment. Our intervisitations have built bonds of affection, and we welcome invitations for future visits.

The presence of many visitors enriched our session. Marshall Massey, of Omaha Monthly Meeting, Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative), who carries a deep concern for a common environmental testimony among Friends, walked much of the way to our session from Nebraska. In the Carey Memorial Lecture, Marshall called on Friends to approach environmental concerns in the same way that the earliest Friends changed the world: by keeping under the dictates of God and by speaking to the spiritual condition of others. There is no need for despair. We should dream big dreams, and pursue them as a community.

Yours in the Light,
Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

 Y2006-83 Friends APPROVED forwarding all four Epistles to Friends Everywhere.

 Y2006-84 Clerk Lauri Perman read the Clerk's closing minute:

Friends, this has been a remarkable year for Baltimore Yearly Meeting ­ a year of loss, transformation, and possibility. The Spirit is calling us forth into service. As we are called, the gifts the community needs are also called forth in each one of us and in the process we are transformed.

We walk forward together in faith, not knowing where we are going, but certain we are held in the Light and Power of God and that if we live up to the light we have, more will be granted to us. Help us open our hearts to the Christ Within and help us let go of fear as we seek to open ourselves fully to the Light.

Dear Friends, I testify to you that I have seen the Hand of God at work here this week. I have felt the Spirit of Love move among us.

 Y2006-85 After a period of open worship, Baltimore Yearly Meeting adjourned, proposing to meet again in the last week of July or the first week of August 2007 at a site to be determined.