I2001-1 Opening. Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Interim Meeting
gathered on 10/20/2001 at the Sandy Spring Meeting House in Sandy Spring,
Maryland.
Adelphi: Ruth Flower (Takoma Park Preparative), Martha Gay, Michele
Levasseur (Takoma Park Preparative), Arthur David Olson (recording clerk-
Takoma Park Preparative), Sharon Stout, Jane Stowe, Pam Tyng; Alexandria:
Georgia Fuller, John Mason, Howard van Breemen; Annapolis: Nan Elsbree,
Betty Hutchinson, Pat Schenck; Baltimore, Stony Run: Dellie James,
Marjorie Scott; Bethesda: Lee Foster, Elizabeth Hofmeister;
Blacksburg: Jim Shotts, Josie Shotts; Carlisle: Joan Anderson;
Charlottesville: Frances Schutz, Gladys Swift; Deer Creek: Betsy
Wollaston; Frederick: JoAnn Coates-Hunter, John Darnell; Gettysburg:
Margaret Stambaugh; Gunpowder: Marshall Sutton; Herndon:
Bonnie Stockslager; Langley Hill: Sheila Bach, Laurie Wilner; Maury
River: Katherine Smith; Roanoke: Elizabeth Fetter, Robert Fetter;
Sandy Spring: Annette Breiling (Seneca Valley Preparative), Kevin
Caughlan, Jack Fogarty, Peggy Fogarty, Flossie Fullerton, Howard Fullerton,
Betty Hutchinson, Victor Kaufman, Rich Liversidge, Elizabeth Meyer, Trudy
Rogers (Seneca Valley Preparative); Friends Meeting of Washington: Neil
Froemming, Joseph Izzo, Susan Lepper, Winifred Walker-Jones; Williamsburg:
Cindy Frazier; York: Lamar Matthew
I2001-2 Peace and Social Concerns. John Rich, Co-Clerk of Peace
and Social Concerns Committee, reported. A joint statement by the executives of
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Friends General Conference, the American Friends
Service Committee, and the Friends Committee on National Legislation on military
attacks on Afghanistan has been endorsed by the committee and was handed out.
We pray at this time for the people of the United States, Afghanistan, and
the rest of the world. We hold in prayer those killed and wounded in the
terrorist attacks of September 11, those being killed and wounded by the
military strikes on Afghanistan that began on October 7, and all who grieve
for them.
We regret the decision by our nation's leaders to launch military strikes
against Afghanistan, and we call upon them to halt the bombing and other
military attacks.
We recognize the responsibility of the international community to apprehend
and try, under international law, those responsible for the recent terrorist
attacks. We urge that such efforts be undertaken as a law enforcement
action-not as acts of war-and with great care to avoid the killing or injuring
of innocent people.
History teaches us that violence leads to more violence. We expect that
these massive military strikes by missiles and bombers against this already
devastated, starving country will almost certainly make it easier for the
leaders of this terrorist struggle to recruit more people to their cause. We
must break the cycle of escalating violence.
The struggle against terrorism will indeed be long. To succeed, it will
have to undermine the ability of those who would use terrorism to recruit new
people to carry out such attacks. This requires ending, or greatly
diminishing, the tremendous anger and hatred toward the United States and its
allies felt, in particular, by many in the Muslim and Arab world. This can
only be done with prolonged, nonviolent efforts for reconciliation, justice,
and long-term economic development. It cannot be done through massive bombing
and military attacks.
As executives of organizations of the Religious Society of Friends
(Quakers), we continue to be guided by our historic testimony concerning God's
call to renounce war and seek peace. We commit ourselves to work and pray for
the time of justice and peace promised by God when "peoples shall beat their
swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; and nations shall
not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
(Isaiah 2:4)
Bruce Birchard, General Secretary, Friends General Conference of the
Religious Society of Friends
Thomas H. Jeavons, General Secretary, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the
Religious Society of Friends
Mary Ellen McNish, General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee
Joe Volk, Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation
We heard a concern that quickly-produced and -endorsed statements have caused
difficulties within Monthly Meetings in the past, and a concern that endorsing
the joint statement neither ends our responsibility nor sets us in the right
direction. We heard concerns about a blanket call to end bombings, and a concern
that characterizing current action as "bombing of Afghanistan" was inaccurately
general.
We ENDORSED the spirit of this statement, Georgia Fuller and Rich Liversidge
standing aside; the Presiding Clerk of Interim Meeting and General Secretary of
Yearly Meeting UNDERTOOK to send it and a cover letter to congressional
representatives for the Baltimore Yearly Meeting area.
John Rich noted that participation in monthly prayer vigils, lobbying
congressional representatives, and outreach to Muslim groups are among the
positive responses to recent events. John noted that Barbara Lee, a
Representative from California, was alone in voting against authorizing military
action in response to events of 9/11/2001; John asked friends to extend support
to Barbara Lee.
John reported that the American Friends Service Committee is holding a
1/19/2002 meeting in Philadelphia on Iraq sanctions; we NAMED J. E. McNeil and
Cathy Moran to represent us at this meeting.
John reported that Roger Wolcott has been led to travel to the Middle East as
part of a Christian Peacemakers Team delegation; at the Committee’s
recommendation we ENDORSED Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting’s traveling minute for
Roger:
Our dear friend, Roger Wolcott, has a leading to be part of a Christian
Peacemakers Team delegation in Israel and Palestine November 16 to 28. He is
personally concerned about the engulfing violence in the region. He wants to
find and show support to peace groups on both sides of the conflict and bring
their messages back to this country.
Roger Wolcott is a valued member of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting of the
Religious Society of Friends. The meeting wholeheartedly approves and supports
Roger in this leading. We ask Friends whom Roger will visit to welcome him and
to provide him with any assistance they can.
John reported Peace and Social Concern’s willingness to provide a home for a
group focused on issues of diversity and associated injustice. We EMPOWERED the
Committee to work in this area; John Rich is to report the names of participants
in this work; Pat Schenck is to serve as contact for the group.
John encouraged us to contact congressional representatives regarding a
Middle East peace providing justice for all parties to the conflict.
I2001-3 Indian Affairs. Flossie Fullerton, Clerk of Indian Affairs
Committee, reported. New committees of support and oversight are being named for
the work of Pat Kutzner with people of the Torreon/Starlake Chapter of the
Navajo Nation. The third regional conference of northeastern Friends and Native
Americans is to be held at William Penn House in Washington, D. C.,
11/16-18/2001; the Indian Affairs Committee is hosting the conference.
I2001-4 Warrington Quarter. Margaret Stambaugh reported that the
11/18/2001 meeting of Warrington Quarter is to be held at Gettysburg.
I2001-5 Friends United Meeting. Rich Liversidge, a Baltimore
Yearly Meeting Representative on the General Board of Friends United Meeting (FUM),
reported. At the most recent of its three annual meetings, the Board had mixed
success in considering broad issues such as the diversity of its constituency
(where some Yearly Meetings are affiliated only with FUM while others are also
affiliated with Friends General Conference). Rich noted that while Baltimore
Yearly Meeting has the second largest membership of Yearly Meetings affiliated
with FUM, it makes the third smallest North American financial contribution.
Rich noted FUM’s current plan to keep its upcoming Triennial in Kenya. FUM is
seeking $2,200 from each North American Yearly Meeting’s travel budget to
underwrite Kenyan and Ugandan travel and site costs for the Triennial. FUM is
requesting that each Yearly Meeting write a letter of greeting from the Yearly
Meeting to the Triennial, and is also requesting one or more (not necessarily
original) songs. We EMPOWERED the Epistle Committee to write a letter of
greeting to the Friends United Meeting Triennial.
We heard that Retha McCutchen is to serve as General Secretary of FUM through
2005.
I2001-6 Friends General Conference. Bob Fetter reported on
activities of Friends General Conference (FGC). FGC’s Nurturing Quakerism
program is engaged in a capital campaign, described fully in the most recent
Baltimore Yearly Meeting Interchange. Bob noted the important role of
volunteers in making possible FGC’s annual gathering and other activities. Next
year’s annual gathering is set for Normal, Illinois.
I2001-7 Nurture and Recognition of Ministry. John Mason, Clerk of
Nurture and Recognition of Ministry, reported. Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s most
recent annual session referred to this Interim Meeting "Revised guidelines
Embracing the Ministry of Friends." We ADDED the following as the last item of
the list headed "Corporate discernment thus includes": "Working with other
organizations, host communities, or individuals to be involved in the ministry
to identify their understanding and expectations about the scope of the
ministry, the financial and other support for the ministry, and Friends’
testimonies and practices." We DELETED the phrase "if needed" from the section
"An Overview of Discerning and Embracing a Ministry." We EXTENDED a sentence
reading "The Clearness Committee will labor with the Friend" to include "and
with other entities to be involved in the ministry." We ADDED an item to a list
headed "The nature of the Friends gift:" "The understanding of other
organizations, host communities, and/or individuals to be engaged in the
ministry of the work to be undertaken, Friends’ testimonies and practices, and
these ‘Guidelines.’" we CHANGED a sentence starting "The Committee may suggest
the individuals..." to start "The Committee may suggest the individuals and/or
organizations..." We CHANGED a sentence including the phrase "other Friends
willing to help" to include the phrase "other Friends qualified and willing to
help." We MOVED a sentence beginning "Members of the Working Support Committee
generally..." to the start of a paragraph previously beginning "They will be
sought first among the members..." We CHANGED a sentence reading "Lay down the
embrace and the ministry" to read "Lay down the embrace." We ADDED, before a
sentence beginning "At least annually..." a sentence reading "The Oversight
Committee will also communicate directly with other organizations, host
communities, and/or individuals involved in the ministry." We CHANGED a sentence
beginning "In some cases, the Oversight Committee may in consultation with the
Friend, the Working Support committee and the standing BYM committee..." to
begin "In some cases, the Oversight Committee may in consultation with the
Friend, the Working Support committee, the other organizations, host
communities, and/or individuals involved, and/or the standing BYM committee..."
We thanked Sharon Stout for her work on the guidelines.
I2001-8 Treasurer. Sheila Bach, Baltimore Yearly Meeting
treasurer, reported. Sheila noted that Monthly Meetings have been sporadic in
making regular payments of their apportionments and that the Yearly Meeting has
had to secure a line of credit as a result. Sheila noted plans to write to
Monthly Meetings about this, and urged those present to reinforce to Finance
Committees the importance of regular payments.
I2001-9 Sabbatical. Marjorie F. Scott, Presiding Clerk of Interim
Meeting, reported General Secretary Frank Massey’s request for a six-month
sabbatical beginning 1/2003, as provided by our personnel policy.
I2001-10 Nominating Committee. Ruth Flower, Co-Clerk of Nominating
Committee, reported receipt of the following resignations: Ada Hammer from
Program Committee; Helen Laskovac from Manual of Procedure, and Kathy Wright
from Right Sharing. We ACCEPTED the resignations.
At the Committee’s recommendation, we NAMED Rich Liversidge to the Nominating
Committee and Howard Fullerton to the New Business Committee of Friends United
Meeting Triennial.
At this second reading, we NAMED the following people to the indicated
positions and terms:
Advancement and Outreach
We heard first readings of these nominations: Susie Fetter, Epistle
Committee; Jennifer Morris, Advancement and Outreach; Mike Alomar, Camping
Property Management.
I2001-11 Friends United Meeting. Rich Liversidge handed out copies
of a statement from Friends United Meeting on responses to events of 9/11/2001
and the aftermath:
In response to the cruel attack on civilian airlines resulting in
devastation in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, Friends United
Meeting expresses our grief for the victims and counsel one another as we look
toward healing in the aftermath of this fearful reality.
Friends United Meeting, headquartered in the United States, has an
international constituency. A large percentage of our membership is in Kenya,
where many suffered in the bombing of the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in 1998. We
also have a school in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, and the local Ramallah
Friends operate a play center for children in a nearby refugee camp. For many
years, they have suffered the effects of war and terrorism directed against
civilians on both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
We are, therefore, familiar with the emotions of anger, violation, fear,
grief, and the desire for justice and even revenge that have swept the United
States in the last week. We are also grateful, through these experiences, to
have seen people of faith, rooted in confidence in the grace of God, respond
with compassion, mutual care and loving service that crosses lines of supposed
enmity.
In his Journal, the seventeenth century Quaker, George Fox wrote: "I saw
also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of
light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness. And in that also I
saw the infinite love of God..." We desire and urge all peoples to live in
awareness of the infinite love of God. Friends have long sought to find ways
of dealing with evil that recognizes that the enemy is not this person or that
nation, ethnicity or faith. Rather, the enemy is sin, dwelling in the hearts
of people in rebellion against God. We have found the reality of redemption in
Jesus Christ, who commanded those who would follow Him to love their enemies.
(Matthew 5:44) We recall the words of Paul, "The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world." (2 Cor. 10:4)
We, therefore, pray the nations will pursue the cause of justice and peace
in ways that do not foster future violence. We are asking our own members to
remember George Fox's historic counsel that "the Spirit of Christ, by which we
are guided... will never move us to fight and war against any man with outward
weapons...." Instead, we encourage one another to find ways to reach out in
love across walls of enmity that separate us and "overcome evil with good."
(Romans 12:21)
We ENDORSED the spirit of this letter; the Presiding Clerk of Interim Meeting
and General Secretary of Yearly Meeting UNDERTOOK to send it and a cover letter
to congressional representatives for the Baltimore Yearly Meeting area.
I2001-12 General Secretary. Frank Massey, General Secretary,
reported. Frank has spoken with various groups on the Quaker response to events
of 9/11/2001. Our next Interchange is to contain a full report on this
year’s camping program. Frank reported that the Yearly Meeting has received
correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on taxes owed by the
Yearly Meeting because of money not sent to the IRS in 1997 and 1998 from
Frank’s wages because of Frank’s conscientious objection.
The Presiding Clerk thanked the General Secretary and staff for their work.
I2001-13 Closing. We THANKED Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting for
being such wonderful hosts. We heard, corrected, and APPROVED these minutes,
along with the attachment of written versions of reports given. We ADJOURNED, to
gather next on 3/23/2002 at Richmond Meeting House in Richmond, Virginia, or at
the call of the Presiding Clerk.
Marjorie F. Scott, presiding
Arthur David Olson, recording
