Fourth Day Afternoon

25 Seventh Month 2001

Seated at the table were Lamar Matthew, Clerk (York), Rachel Stacy, Co-Clerk of Young Friends (Gunpowder), Lauri Perman, Reading Clerk (State College), and Ronald Mattson, Recording Clerk (Baltimore, Stony Run).

Friends gathered in worship for refreshment and in thanksgiving for being able to once again gather. As the session opened, the Reading Clerk read a section of the Baltimore Monthly Meeting (Hicksite) Epistle prepared for their 1862 session, noting how Virginia Friends fared during the war between the States. "At Hopewell and Winchester, our members have been subjected to peculiar privations and trials, by reason of the large outstanding armies that have alternately occupied and despoiled that region; but the meetings of Friends have seldom been omitted, though often held in private houses."

Y2001–2 The Clerk read his opening Minute, in which he gave thanks for being able to meet one another on the vast piedmont of Virginia. "We feel welcomed and blessed to be among Friends in this part of God’s world."

Y2001–3 A letter of welcome was read, having come from Roger H. Martin, President of Randolph-Macon College and a member of Richmond Friends Meeting. "… and if there is anything we can do to make next year’s meeting even better, please communicate … to me. We very much want you to continue meeting at Randolph-Macon."

Y2001–4 Visiting Friend Patricia Thomas of Wilmington Yearly Meeting, and a member of Campus Friends Meeting in Wilmington, Ohio, was recognized as the official visitor from Friends World Committee for Consultation.

Y2001–5 Roll Call of Friends Meetings and Worship Groups. The Reading Clerk called the roll of the Meetings and Worship Groups. Approximately 80 to 100 Friends, representing 26 Meetings and Worship Groups, answered the roll call and were recognized.

Y2001–6 Sheila Bach (Langley Hill), Clerk of the Program Committee, related to this body the functions of that Committee. They are responsible for all aspects of planning for a successful Yearly Meeting, with the exception of the Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business. Fourteen members of the Committee were present and were introduced.

Y2001–7 Frank Massey (Sandy Spring), beloved General Secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, introduced the Yearly Meeting staff who were present: Pam Tyng (Adelphi), Josh Riley (Hopewell Centre), and Michelle Levasseur (Takoma Park). The staff’s efforts were supplemented during the summer by four volunteers: James Keach (Frederick), Brigit and Alicia Hensey (Takoma Park), and Ellen Massey (Sandy Spring).

He noted that approximately $27 million worth of insurance is now underwritten by a Yearly Meeting master policy. He also said that a possible rearrangement of office space is being considered.

Frank has now renewed his opposition to the military portion of the Internal Revenue Service taxes and has arranged his salary so that there is a balance owed at the end of the year, allowing him to protest the portion spent on military matters.

Y2001–8 Marjorie Scott (Baltimore, Stony Run), Clerk of Representative Meeting reported a good session at Representative Meeting at Charlottesville in Sixth Month. Representative Meeting recommended to Yearly Meeting that the name of Representative Meeting be changed to Interim Meeting. APPROVED.

The Manual of Procedure Committee will make appropriate changes of language in the Manual of Procedure.

Marjorie Scott announced that the Trustees, Peace and Social Concerns Committee, and Representative Meeting have approved laying down the "Fund for Conscience," with the balance in that fund being distributed to an outside education fund, the "Fund for Education and Training" under the care of the Center on Conscience and War. This has been approved by all three bodies.

Representative Meeting recommends the transfer of $8,000 from the Yearly Meeting General Operating Reserves, to be used for the renovation of our Yearly Meeting Office on Quaker Lane. APPROVED.

Y2001–9 The Minutes were read at this time and were APPROVED.

Y2001–10 Liz Hofmeister (Bethesda), Clerk of Search Committee, reported that Representative Committee recommends the appointments of Marjorie Forbush Scott (Baltimore, Stony Run) and Arthur David Olson (Takoma Park), for third and final two-year terms as Clerk of Representative Meeting and Recording Clerk of Representative Meeting, respectively.

In addition, Search Committee recommended and Representative Meeting accepted for Supervisory Committee Richard Liversidge (SndSpg) and John Darnell (Fredrk) to the class of 2003.

Search Committee now brings forward all these names on behalf of Representative Committee for final approval by Yearly Meeting. APPROVED.

The Search Committee recommends the reappointment of the following current members of the Nominating Committee for the Class of 2004: Kathy Wright (Sandy Spring), Chip Tucker (Charlottesville), Howard van Bremen (Alexandria), and Rodney Pelton (Goose Creekk). These nominations lie over until a further session, as is our custom.

Continuing members of the Nominating Committee are Ruth Flower (Takoma Park), Jamesen Goodman (Adelphi), Beverly Moore (Valley) in the Class of 2002 and Katrina Mason (Bethesda), David Hines (Richmond) and Dorthea Musgrave (Washington) in the Class of 2003.

Y2001–11 First Reading of the proposed changes in the Manual of Procedure: Trudy Rogers, Clerk of the Manual of Procedures Committee presented that Committee’s report. As she began, permission was given to the Manual of Procedure Committee to make necessary changes in the Manual that have resulted in the changing of "Representative Meeting" to "Interim Meeting". (Y2001–8.)

Proposed changes to the Manual of Procedure were distributed, having been approved by Representative Meeting.

Trudy Rogers pointed out that in the document presented, additions were underlined, items struck out were to be removed, and items in italics were recommendations from the Manual of Procedure Committee. She then read what will be the new descriptions of the sections proposed for change in the Manual of Procedure.

Regarding the section in the Manual concerning the Coordinating Council for Youth Programs (p. 49), permission was requested to make further stylistic changes should need be found. APPROVED.

This report shall now lie over until a later session, when approval will be sought.

Y2001–12 The Reading Clerk read excerpts from the Spiritual States of the Meeting reports received from Bethesda Friends Meeting, Friends Meeting of Washington and Maury River Friends Meeting, all of which were reflected upon as we continued to worship.

Y2001–13 Structure of Committees Task Group Report. Howard Fullerton (Sandy Spring) distributed his Committee’s five page report and opened the discussion by reminding us what tasks are delegated to Representative Committee, (soon to be called Interim Meeting). One of their charges is to re-examine, from time to time, the functions and structure of any Yearly Meeting Committee.

The Draft report reads as follows:

As the Task Group was not seeking approval today for the draft report, the proposed changes were opened to comments and questions from the floor. A clarification in the section on Camping Committee was noted, in that the Camping Committee recommends the name of a Camp Director to the Yearly Meeting General Secretary for hiring; the Committee does not do the actual hiring.

Y2001–14 Betty Hutchinson (Sandy Spring), Clerk of Peace and Social Concerns Committee called to our attention the three Minutes the Committee had included in their report this year: opposing the missile defense system, a plea to alleviate suffering in Iraq, and an acknowledgement of the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Future work will concern a letter-writing campaign against the death penalty and active support of the Center on Conscience and War.

It was noted that the Quaker Peace Roundtable was held in good order during fourth month at State College, Pennsylvania. Approximately 120 Friends from 17 different states were in attendance. This program was a project of State College Friends Meeting and was endorsed by Baltimore Yearly Meeting last year.

The final report for the afternoon was allowed to go forward by Friends, even though we had gone over our scheduled time frame.

Y2001–15 Nurture and Recognition of Ministry. Sharon Stout (Adelphi) reported that this Committee shall be bringing revised Guidelines for this policy statement back to a future sitting of the Yearly Meeting. The draft report had been distributed to all present. She noted that there are two basic changes in this draft that Friends need to consider carefully: 1) there is an emphasis on the importance of both the Oversight Committee and the Support Committees for the person under care and 2) there is a need to look at the settings in which Friends are working.

Y2001–16 Minutes number 10 through 14 were read and APPROVED. Announcements were made from the floor regarding details at this session of the Yearly Meeting. Special attention was called to the fact that we had six visitors to these sessions from the Torreon/Starlake chapter of the Navajo Nation.

Y2001–17 Earlier in this afternoon’s session, the Recording Clerk had sought permission to include a brief insertion in the Minutes regarding the Retreat that had preceded this annual session. Led by Ed and Fran Norton (York), the gathering had as its theme "Articulating Your Faith: A Gateway to Peace." As one participant wrote, "It was a time of rich contemplation and community."

Y2001–18 Introduced by Riley Robinson (Washington), Donald Gann (Baltimore, Stony Run) gave the evening address on "Issues of Peace in the World Today." During a time of personal sharing he told how his life had been led into the search for peace in the world. As the Clerk of the American Friends Service Committee, he related how Friends had achieved the reputation for providing significant efforts in creating a world with peace, but he challenged each of us to examine what we are called to do, what we are called to be responsive to in today’s world.

Y2001–19 As Friends gathered and centered into worship, Lamar Matthew (York), Clerk, Dellie James (Baltimore, Stony Run), Reading Clerk, Rachael Stacy (Gunpowder), Co-Clerk of Young Friends, and Ronald Mattson (Baltimore, Stony Run), Recording Clerk, were at the table.

An excerpt from Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting’s State of the Meeting report was read, noting that the Meeting’s size "makes for particular blessings and challenges." From Alexandria Monthly Meeting at Woodlawn we heard that "The Spirit moves through our Meeting, ‘comforting the shaken and shaking the comfortable.’"

Visitors and Friends representing Quaker bodies were introduced and welcomed: Lucy Duncan, a staff member and visitor from Friends General Conference, a member of Omaha Monthly Meeting, Iowa Conservative Yearly Meeting; Gary Gillespie, American Friends Service Committee, Middle Atlantic Region in Baltimore, Maryland, and a member of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Homewood; Steve Gilbert and his son Nate Gilbert (who is now living in Boulder, CO); Clemence Ravacon-Mershon, a Friends General Conference visitor, and a member of Pittsburgh Monthly Meeting, Lake Erie Yearly Meeting; Geeta McGahey, representing Right Sharing of World Resources, a member of Celo Monthly Meeting and Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association; Byron Sandford, Hill Country Monthly Meeting, South Central Yearly Meeting, representing William Penn House, Washington, D.C.; Graham Garner, Sutton Preparative Monthly Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting; Mary Lord (Adelphi), representing Friends Committee on National Legislation, Washington, D.C.; Alberta Ballard, Marlena Waukazoo, Dave Rico and Joe Ciaydito, all from the Torreon/Star Lake Nation of the Navajo; Loida Cutipa Pillco, Bolivia Friends Meeting Yearly Meeting (MIBSA); Cecilia Paco Roque, Iglesia National Evangelica "Los Amigos" (INELA)–Bolivia; Kerry Day, Bill Hamann, and Ralph Day, all from Guide One Representative Insurance Company.

Y2001–20 Second Reading, Manual of Procedure Revisions. Trudy Rogers (Sandy Spring), Clerk, noted that the Committee formal report is on page 37 of the "Advance Reports." She then led us through the proposed changes that are properly before this year’s session. (Y2001–11 for the full text of proposed changes.)

The Section on Advancement and Outreach Committee was read and APPROVED. The addition to the Publication Committee was read, with the first three sentences being rearranged to now read: "The Publication Committee has the oversight of publishing on the Internet and the Yearly Meeting web site, which has been active since April 20, 1997. Responsibilities include assisting Yearly Meeting committees, Monthly Meetings, and Quaker schools to establish and maintain a web presence. It selects a Web Site Coordinator who meets with the Committee as appropriate. As with other Yearly Meeting publications, materials on the Yearly Meeting web site will be reviewed by the Publications Committee." This section was then APPROVED.

The section dealing with the Coordinating Council for Youth programs, was read and it was noted that it would remove page 49 in the Manual entirely and would eliminate other references to this Council. APPROVED. The section on Young Adult Friends was APPROVED, as outlined in the Proposed Revisions. The Families of Diversity section will be removed as this proposal is now APPROVED. Revisions to the section relating to certain aspects of the Trustees’ charge was APPROVED.

Y2001–21 Sharon Stout (Adelphi), Clerk of the Committee on Nurture and Recognition of Ministry presented a second reading of the "Revised Guidelines Embracing the Ministry of Friends. (The document is found on pages 39 to 45 of the Advance Reports.) She pointed out the specific changes that are now being proposed.

Extensive discussion followed, but Friends could not find unity at this time and the matter was referred to the Interim Meeting for further seasoning.

Nurture and Recognition of Ministry was thanked for their hard work.

Y2001–22 As we returned from a break, a portion of the Spiritual State of the Meeting was read from Hopewell Centre Meeting. The final paragraph read "As we gather in this worship sharing, we are reminded of our purpose here–to reconnect with the Light within each of us, in ways that touch our hearts and souls with God’s gentle wisdom, eternal love, and unending energy. We are filled with gratitude for the Spirit’s living presence in our midst."

Y2001–23 Minutes 17 through 22 were read, corrected and APPROVED.

Y2001–24 What was scheduled to be a first reading on the Nominating Committee report was delayed and Ruth Flower (Takoma Park), Clerk, and the Yearly Meeting Clerk, suggested that a "first pleading" might be appropriate. Ruth noted that several committees currently have openings and help is needed in filling these appointments. She read a list of the committees and indicated the numbers of individuals still needed before a completed Nominating Committee slate may be brought to this body. The first reading of the Nominating Committee will come before us later in the week.

Y2001–25 Marian Ballard (Bethesda), Clerk of Stewardship and Finance, presented the first reading of the proposed Yearly Meeting budget for 2002. (It is found in pages 92–111 of Advance Reports.) After a period of questions and explanations, we moved forward as the proposed budget will return to us late in the week for approval.

Y2001–26 As we prepared to close this portion of our morning session, the Reading Clerk read a portion of a statement titled I Believe, written by a former Yearly Meeting Secretary, Bliss Forbush. It says, in part: "God is transcendent, inasmuch as the human mind can never fully comprehend Him nor compress His meaning into the tiny capsules of our mind."

Y2001–27 Even though we were past our closing time for this session, many Friends stayed to hear the report of the Camping Committee. Alan Wright (Sandy Spring) Clerk, introduced the directors of the Yearly Meeting camps. We heard from Dana Foster, Camp Shiloh; Linda Garretson, Camp Catoctin; Elaine Brigham, Quaker Arts Camp at Opequon; and Alison Downey (Langley Hill) and Whitney Thompson, co-directors of Teen Adventure camps. We learned that part of the values for the campers is in enlarging a sense of community and learning to support one another. Queries at one of the camps included questions such as "What is God?," "Are simple and free related?" and "How do your dreams reflect your spiritual life?" Camp directors were constantly amazed at how much happens in one day of camp life, and how the campers were willing to articulate their spiritual life.

There was some need for the camp directors to be aware of possible health hazards, such as rabies (from bats) and lyme disease (from ticks), but generally all camps were very successful.

The body of the Meeting also noted our thanks to Josh Riley, Yearly Meeting Camp Administrative Secretary.

Y2001–28 Dave Ricos, President of the Torreon/Starlake Chapter of the Navajo Nation, was introduced to the body by Peter Schenck (Takoma Park). He spoke briefly about the activities taking place in his community in New Mexico and noted that they are currently working on obtaining an IRS classification of 501c(3) for their community thrift store. Pat Kutzner (Washington) has helped with their work and the community is thankful for that assistance.

As the hour was so late, Friends worshipped briefly before leaving for lunch.

Y2001–29 Friends gathered in Meeting for Worship at the appointed hour, and out of the silence Dellie James (Baltimore, Stony Run), Reading Clerk, read from a report on a conference Friends held in Baltimore in 1865 "to consult upon the interests of the Freedman." The closing sentence noted that Friends urged that the government should maintain its care and authority after the Civil War.

At the table with the Reading Clerk were Lamar Matthew, Clerk and Ronald Mattson, Recording Clerk.

A visitor present and introduced was Retha McCutcheon, General Secretary of Friends United Meeting and a member of Boise Friends Church in Idaho, Northwest Yearly Meeting. She is currently a sojourning member at West River Monthly Meeting, Indiana Yearly Meeting.

Y2001–30 Minutes 23 through 28 were read, corrected, and approved.

Y2001–31 Our evening session was enriched by presentations from several Friends agencies. Reports were presented from the following agencies:

Friends World Committee for Consultation: Patricia Thomas, representing FWCC, told of the four areas where FWCC is organized: Europe and the Middle East; Africa; Asia and the West Pacific; and the Section of the Americas. She noted that the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage will be in our area next year, from July 12 to August 10, 2002. The "Meaning of the Peace Testimony for Friends Today" will be the theme of the next FWCC, Section of the Americas, Annual Meeting. She asked for our prayers as job searches are underway for an Associate Secretary in London and an Executive Secretary in Philadelphia.

American Friends Service Committee: Riley Robinson, Clerk of the Executive Committee, Middle Atlantic Region of the AFSC in Baltimore, Maryland, spoke of the many programs of this Region. He noted the New Empowerment for Women Project in West Virginia, the Akawatase Environment Project and a support program for families who have a family member in prison in upper New York state, and a Help Increase the Peace Project (HIPP) in Pennsylvania. These are just a few of the many programs undertaken by this regional office.

Gary Gillespie (Baltimore Homewood), Area Director, for the Middle Atlantic Region, spoke of the need for small arms eradication. The AFSC works with the Baltimore communities where gun violence has become commonplace, looking for new ways to respond in a non-violent way.

Betty Hoover, AFSC staff person in Washington, D.C., spoke of coalition building in neighborhood communities–which she characterized as a non-stop process of building peace–and skills building among the residents. She is deeply involved in seeking self-determination and voting rights for the District of Columbia.

Friends General Conference: Trudy Rogers (Sandy Spring and Seneca Valley) asked the Friends present to raise their hands if they had been present at this year’s Friends General Conference Gathering at Blacksburg, Virginia, earlier this month. More than one third of the audience raised their hands. She followed this visual affirmation of interest in FGC by reminding us that FGC is more than just a Gathering. She spoke of the book store, religious education materials, and all the other services FGC provides. The Advancement and Outreach Committee and the Traveling Ministry were two more aspects of FGC that she spoke about.

Y2001–32 The minutes numbered 24 through 31 were read, corrected, and APPROVED.

Y2001–33 Indian Affairs Subcommittee for Pat Kutzner. Susan Lepper (Washington) made the introduction for this part of the evening’s program, reminding us that this subcommittee’s report is on pages 35-37 of Advance Reports, and then introduced Pat Kutzner (Washington), Released Friend. She asked her to speak of her work with the Torreon/Starlake chapter of the Navajo Nation as a released Friend.

Pat spoke of her seeking, her meditation and her times of prayer that led her to the Torreon/Starlake community some five years ago. She outlined what she has been undertaking in her time with this part of the Navajo Nation and she reminded us that fear keeps us from following our leadings. She is working on a ‘solarization’ project to bring electricity to several homes and is involved with training programs that increase the skills and self-image of the people involved with this chapter of the Navajo Nation.

Susan Lepper then asked the Yearly Meeting for a final two-year extension of Pat Kutzner’s work in the Torreon/Starlake community, permission to use the BYM mailing list once each year in the next two years, and permission to waive the three-month reserve funding requirement for this final period.

Discussion continued and Friends were unable to proceed any further because of the late hour. The Clerk said that he would draft a minute to bring back to a future sitting of this body.

The meeting closed with a period of worship.

As we continued to worship, the Reading Clerk read from the Adelphi Friends Meeting Spiritual State of the Meeting Report: "Since we have so many children in our Meeting, our First Day school has evolved into a full program serving all ages from infants to adults … Once a month, the kindergarten through sixth grades have Junior Meeting and it has become a shortened version of ‘big Meeting.’"

Y2001–35 Special and much welcome guests at this morning’s session were the younger Friends present at Yearly Meeting. Eric Uberseder (Dunnings Creek) Junior Yearly Meeting Coordinator, introduced Ellen Johnson (State College), Nursery Coordinator, June Confer (Adelphi), Coordinator of morning classes, Anna Rain (Adelphi), afternoon program Coordinator, and Susan Vanderhof (Baltimore, Stony Run), evening program Coordinator.

Each of these Coordinators introduced the Friends who worked in their area and briefly explained their programs.

Betsy Tobin (Frederick), facilitator for the JYFs (Junior Young Friends) spoke to their program and introduced those working with this group. Rachel Stacy (Gunpowder), Co-Clerk of Young Friends, introduced Young Friends present, along with some of the Friendly Adult Presences.

When asked as to numbers of younger Friends present at this session, the staff indicated that we had eight in nursery, 25 in the morning and afternoon programs, 17 Junior Young Friends, and 50 Young Friends.

A group photo of all the younger Friends present followed, in order to record these smiling faces for posterity and for a possible photo in the Interchange.

Introduced at this time was Barbara Larkin, Associate Regional Director of the American Friends Service Committee, Middle Atlantic Region office. Gladys Swift (Charlottesville) brought greetings from China, where she had been traveling.

Y2110–36 Lamar Matthew (York), Clerk, re-visited the Guidelines for Embraced Friends proposal, reading excerpts from last year’s Representative Meetings and the Yearly Meeting minutes. He noted that in Minute Y2000–46 the Yearly Meeting gave its approval to the draft of the working guidelines. The re-readings of previous minutes was offered for clarity.

The Clerk then read the following Minute that he had written after last evening’s Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business. (See Y2001–33.) Friends were asked to reflect on this Minute before tomorrow morning’s Business Meeting and hold it in the Light.

Much discussion ensued about the Guidelines that have been developed by Nurture and Recognition of Ministry and whether the subcommittee had taken them into consideration. It being near 10:00 p.m. we laid this business over until a later session.

Y2001–37 Minutes 33 through 36 were read, corrected, and APPROVED.

Y2001–38 Ted Hawkins (Bethesda), Clerk of Trustees, noted that the annual report of the Trustees is found in the Advance Reports. He now brings before this session of the Yearly Meeting a proposed statement regarding the handling of funds received for the conservation easement on the Catoctin Camp property. Before reading the proposed Minute, he explained the process of consultation that Trustees followed in order to bring forth the following recommendations:

Friends APPROVED the proposed Minute from Trustees after a period of discussion and clarification, with the understanding that the term "real property" be understood instead of the name of the two camps currently owned. This is necessary should further camp property be included. We were also advised that approval of the Minute before us did not preclude future action of the Yearly Meeting to change the use of the fund for any other purpose of the Yearly Meeting.

Y2001–39 Second Reading of the Budget. Marion Ballard (Bethesda) presented the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Budget for 2002. It was identical to the Budget read yesterday except that the budget would now strike the line item in the Camp Property Management budget showing interest income from the Catoctin easement.

The budget for 2002 was APPROVED, as amended. Friends then APPROVED the Apportionment figures for next year.

Y2001–40 The first reading of an additional name from the Search Committee. Liz Hofmeister (Bethesda), Clerk of the Search Committee, brought forth the name of Danah Kehnemuyi (Frederick) for a member of the Nominating Committee, Class of 2004. As is our practice, the name will lie over until a later Meeting.

Y2001–41 Liz Hofmeister (Bethesda) then brought to the body the second reading of members for the Class of 2004 on the Nominating Committee. Read for a second time were the names of Kathy Wright (Sandy Spring), Chip Tucker (Charlottesville), Howard van Bremen (Alexandria) and Rodney Pelton (Goose Creek). These names were APPROVED.

Y2001–42 Ministry and Counsel Committee report. MIrian Green (Baltimore, Homewood) read the State of the Meeting Report for the Yearly Meeting. The Yearly Meeting accepts the report, with thanks.

Y2001–43 As we continued to worship, the Reading Clerk, Walter Fry (West Branch), read excerpts from the Spiritual State of the Meeting Reports from Baltimore Monthly Meeting of Friends, Homewood, Baltimore Monthly Meeting of Friends, Stony Run, and Carlise Monthly Meeting.

These excerpts all highlighted how Monthly Meetings are involved in the concerns of the world, with both corporate and individual responses the pattern in many Monthly Meetings.

Y2001–44 The Clerk read a Minute from York Monthly Meeting regarding Friends peace testimony and the need for current examination of that testimony in individual Monthly Meetings. Friends APPROVED accepting this letter and agreed that it should be sent to constituent Monthly Meetings. The queries used at this Yearly Meeting will be included in the cover letter.

Y2001–45 Benjamin Zuses (Sandy Spring), read portions of the Spiritual State of the Meeting Reports from York, Warrington, and Goose Creek Monthly Meetings. At a point in each of these three reports there was an acknowledgment that each Meeting was deciding how it could respond to the issue of same gender relationships within their community. The final line from Goose Creek reads: "For many the more urgent need is to reach out in love to individuals who seem estranged from us, to keep the doors of communication open, and to become more responsive to the subtle promptings of the Spirit."

Y2001–46 Bonnie Stockslager (Herndon), Clerk of the Ad Hoc Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns, distributed this group’s Summer 2001 Report to the Yearly Meeting. She reminded us that there was an article in the Interchange this year that tells of the resources available in the Yearly Meeting office.

As this Committee’s charge was scheduled to expire this year, Friends APPROVED the continuation of this Committee for another two years. Their charge reads:

Y20001–47 Howard Fullerton (SndSpg), Clerk of Publications, speaking to suggested changes in Faith and Practice, brought forward the proposed changes dealing with the section on marriage.

Friends APPROVED removing Section "d" in the Faith and Practice section on "Marriage Under the Care of the Monthly Meeting." It would then be replaced by the following wording:

One Friend stood aside from the approval.

Howard Fullerton spoke of the work that may still need to be done by the Publications Committee in the section on Marriage to make the language gender neutral.

Y2001–48 Speaking for the Web Publishing Subcommittee of the Publications Committee, Howard Fullerton sought permission from the Yearly Meeting to put the entire Baltimore Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice on the Yearly Meeting web site. Friends APPROVED this request.

Announcements were made regarding the importance of Right Sharing of World Resources and the educational program that is part of this institution. (We were unable to arrange a simple meal this year, but Friends were reminded of the need to be aware of hunger in the world around us.)

Y2001–49 At the table as the morning session began were Lamar Matthew (York), Clerk, Judith Ceppa (Alexandria), Reading Clerk, and Ronald Mattson (Baltimore, Stony Run), Recording Clerk.

Out of the silence the Reading Clerk read from the State of the Meeting Report from Menallen Monthly Meeting. They write that a sense of strength and belonging arise out of their silent Meetings for Worship. The report from Seneca Valley Preparative Meeting was also read, noting that they have take the nearby Friends Meeting School under their care, realizing that the school is seeking to develop the spiritual grounding that will support the students in learning to live with respect for each person.

Y2001–50 Minutes number 38 through 49 were read, corrected and APPROVED.

Y2001–51 Geeta McGahey, representing Right Sharing of World’s Resources, asked Friends to pray for the two-thirds of our world’s partners who have insufficient resources to sustain life. She challenged our Yearly Meeting to make our budget reflect our true commitment to our neighbors.

Y2001–52 Howard Fullerton, a representative from Baltimore Yearly Meeting to the General Board of Friends United Meeting, commented on the changes that have taken place this past year in that organization. Finances are now under control and stability is being achieved. Friends United Meeting is involved in a great number of program, around the world: in Jamaica, in Belieze, in Cuba, in Kenya (with some 500 schools in operation) and in the Middle East.

Y2001–53 The Reading Clerk, Judith Ceppa (Alexandria), read from the report from Patuxent Monthly Meeting, in which they said that while they sometimes had met in homes, "we grew together and enjoyed rich communication."

From the floor of the meeting, Diane Kessler (Patuxent) noted that as of 2nd day of Seventh Month of this year, they now have their own Meeting House.

Y2001–54 Mary Lord (Adelphi), a Friend released by Baltimore Yearly Meeting, shared with this body that she now feels released from the task she had felt called to undertake–to reinstate programs of Quaker Volunteer Service.

She has been engaged in responding to this calling for the past three years. A committee has now been developed to continue this important work of nurturing and encouraging Quaker volunteer service.

Earlham and Guilford Colleges, Pendle Hill, the American Friends Service Committee, and Friends United Meeting are among the many organizations that have made commitments to nurture opportunities for voluntary service.

Mary now feels that an orderly transition is possible and the Spirit of God allows her calling to be laid down. APPROVED.

Martha Gay (Adelphi), a member of Mary’s Support Committee, thanked the Yearly Meeting for its past support and noted that there is still a need for approximately $1,000 to close out this work. One Friend said that we need to show names of Support Committee members for Embraced Friends in our Yearbook. Another Friend requested a Minute of Gratitude for Mary’s work. Her Support Committee agreed to bring the same to the next Interim Meeting.

Y2001–55 The Subcommittee of Indian Affairs, responsible for the support of embraced Friend Pat Kutzner (Takoma Park) The Yearly Meeting Clerk began this discussion by reading a letter from Dave Rico, President, Torreon/Starlake of the Navajo Nation. Dave spoke of the appreciation felt by the Chapter for Pat’s work and outlined what lies ahead to be done. Lamar also read the Minute he had written earlier (Y2001–36).

Susan Lepper (Washington) and Jane Stowe (Takoma Park), serving as Co-clerks of the Support Subcommittee, distributed two additional documents at this time: "Background Materials Related to Extending the Embrace of Patricia Kutzner for a Two-year Final Period to Work with the Torreon/Starlake Chapter, Navajo Nation" and "Oversight of Pat Kutzner by Her Oversight/Support Subcommittee of Indian Affairs Committee."

Susan and Jane told of the work being done by Pat and how the funding has come in from earlier appeal letters. Jane also said the Subcommittee is now willing to have an Oversight Committee, in addition to their Support Committee. They are now requesting a final two-year extension for Pat.

The Clerk now presented the three specific proposals concerning the final extension of time for work by Patricia Kutzner:

Y2001–56 Ruth Flower (Takoma Park), Co-clerk of the Nominating Committee brought forth, for the first reading, a list of 71 names for new appointments to Baltimore Yearly Meeting committees and appointments to other Friends’ agencies. As we require, the report will return later for final approval. If Friends have any response to the names suggested, they should speak to members of the Nominating Committee.

Ruth also presented ten names for removal, nine of them being resignations and the tenth one an appointment mistakenly made. The resignations are: Lou Harrington (Camp Property Management), Rich Liversidge, Laurel Kassoff, and Patricia Williams (Ministry and Counsel), Linda Heacock (Peace and Social Concerns), John Mason (Stewardship and Finance), Rick Picardi (Youth Programs), Richard Barnes (Friends General Conference Central Committee), Abby Gaffron (Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas) and David Etheridge (American Friends Service Committee Corporation). The resignations were ACCEPTED.

Y2001–57 Liz Hofmeister (Bethesda), Clerk of Search Committee, brought forth, for a second reading, the name of Darah Kehnemuyi (Frederick) for the Nominating Committee, Class of 2004. APPROVED.

Y2001–58 Judith Ceppa (Alexandria), Reading Clerk, opened this part of the agenda by reading a brief passage from Quaker Education in Baltimore and Virginia Yearly Meetings (1936), telling of a school kept in York County, Pennsylvania, where Tomas Garretson taught 23 years in succession at Newberry Friends Meeting House: "He was mild mannered and genial and generally controlled his students by moral suasion."

Ann Wilcox, Clerk of the Friends in Education Committee, spoke of the work of this new group and read the proposed charge for this Committee:

Friends APPROVED this charge, recognizing that in so doing we are creating a standing committee within Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

Y2001–59 Minutes 50 through 58 were read, corrected and approved. (Also read was the language for a correction which had been approved earlier for Y2001–39.)

As we prepared to adjourn for lunch, Kathy Berger, National Coordinator for the Middle East Program of the American Friends Service Committee and Felix Wedgewood, of Cotteridge Preparative Meeting, Warwickshire Monthly Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting, were recognized and introduced.

Y2001–60 David Hines (Richmond) introduced the President of Randolph-Macon College, Roger H. Martin, who was able to join us for this evening’s session. Friend Martin is a member of Richmond Friends Meeting and during his academic career has participated in Meetings in Massachusetts, New York state, Oxford, England and Pennsylvania. He had welcomed us earlier by letter and it was a pleasure to have him join us this evening.

Y2001–61 Howard Fullerton (Sandy Spring) opened the evening program by telling us about Morris and Margaret Thomas Carey, in whose honor the evening’s lecture is named. Both of these Friends were involved with the formation of the Five Year’s Meeting, forerunner of Friends United Meeting. They were interested in the nurture of young Friends.

Howard then introduced Retha McCutchen, General Secretary, Friends United Meeting, who delivered tonight’s Carey Memorial Lecture. She served for three years as the Director of the Friends School in Ramallah and accepted the FUM top leadership position this past January.

Retha told of her experiences in Palestine and on the West Bank and indicated that she felt that God had called her to this ministry. "On a journey with God we are called to be bold." Friends are also called, she said, to seek peace and justice and kindness and compassion.

RethaWhile she lived in the area she visited several refugee camps and could only say that all were horrendous. In one camp she visited, there was a grenade thrown from the outside into the camp compound. When picked up, lettering on it read on the canister, "Made in USA."

She said that all of us need to ask where we can start on our journey in search of peace, in our lives and in the world.

The Yearly Meeting thanks Retha for this time of sharing.

Y2001–63 As Friends came into the Auditorium from the rain for our final session, Lamar Matthew (York), Clerk, Margaret Stambaugh, (Gettysburg), Reading Clerk, Emily Buniva (Richmond), Assistant Clerk of Young Friends, and Ronald Mattson (Baltimore, Stony Run), Recording Clerk, were at the table.

As we continued in worship, the Reading Clerk read an excerpt of a report from a British Friend, William Forester, who attended our Yearly Meeting in 1820:

Thanks were extended to Jason Eaby (Nottingham), who has faithfully and skillfully operated the sound system during this year’s sessions.

Y2001–64 Reading of the Yearly Meeting Epistle. Martha Gay (Adelphi), Clerk of the Epistle Committee, reading the following draft of our annual Epistle:

The Epistle was warmly received and Martha Gay (Adelphi) was allowed to enlarge the term "embraced Friend" and offer an explanation in a footnote. Friends APPROVED.

Y2001–65 Young Friends Epistle. Hannah Jeffrey (Richmond) read the following Epistle from Young Friends:

The Young Friends were thanked for sharing their Epistle with us.

Y2001–66 Second Reading of the Nominating Committee Report Ruth Flower (Takoma Park), Clerk, read the Nominating Committee’s report for the second time. The slate she presented at this time was APPROVED. The following names were read for the first time, with approval needing to be sought at the next Interim Meeting:

Advancement and Outreach, Class of 2004: Deborah Lekowski (Sandy Spring), Angelina Woo (Bethesda), whose name was accidentally read, is shown under "Nurture and Recognition of Ministry." See below.

Criminal and Restorative Justice, Class of 2004: James Matsen (Nottingham), Stanly Berkemeyer (Langley Hill); and Victor Kaufman (Sandy Spring) to Prisoner Visitation and Support Representative

Indian Affairs, Class of 2004: Byron Sanford, (Hill Country Meeting, Texas)

Ministry and Counsel, Class of 2004: Georgia Fuller (Alexandria)

Nurture and Recognition of Ministry, Class of 2004: Angelina Woo (Bethesda)

Program Committee, Class of 2004: Liz Hofmeister (Bethesda)

Religious Education, Class of 2004: Alessa Giampaolo Keener (Baltimore, Stony Run), Mary Yeaney (Langley Hill)

Right Sharing of World Resources, Class of 2004: Maurice Boyd (Washington)

Stewardship and Finance, Class of 2004: Dick Bellin (Washington), Jean Wilson (Goose Creek)

Unity with Nature, Class of 2004: Fred Ceppa (Alexandria), Judith Ceppa (Alexandria)

Friends United Meeting, to represent BYM at the 2002 FUM Triennial: Lamar Matthew (York), Mary Lord (Adelphi)

The full slate, for Friends House, which we do need to approve, is not ready and will be approved at Interim Meeting in October.

It was pointed out that we are eligible for one additional seat on the Friends United Meeting General Board. We are also to appoint a member of the FUM Nominating Committee for the FUM Triennial from among the delegation we are sending, as well as one person to the New Business committee.

Y2001–67 Junior Young Friends Epistle was read by Sean Wilner (Langley Hill), Clerk of Junior Young Friends.

Junior Young Friends were thanked for their Epistle and it will be included with the others that we share with other Yearly Meetings.

Y2001–68 Epistle from Young Adult Friends Catherine Bell-Wetteroth, Recording Clerk of Young Adult Friends, presented that group’s Epistle.

Y2001–69 The Youth Program Committee recommends the name of Tom Fox to the QuakerYouth Planning Committee. The Yearly Meeting APPROVED.

Y2001–70 The Yearly Meeting Session’s Registrar, Laurie Wilner (Langley Hill), had the following report read to this business meeting:

The Registrar’s report was accepted, with thanks.

Y2001–71 The annual report from the Book Store will be included in the Yearbook, as it was not available at this time.

Y2001–72 Sheila Bach (Langley Hill), Clerk of the Program Committee, indicated that this Committee feels that the sessions have gone well and that there have been few problems. Evaluation forms are available, and Friends are encouraged to fill these and return them to the Yearly Meeting.

The Program Committee recommends that we return to Randolph-Macon College next year, 24–28 July, 2002, and that the Yearly Meeting Retreat be 23–24 July, 2002. APPROVED.

The Yearly Meeting desires to minute our appreciate to the Program Committee and to Sheila Bach for her many years of service on this committee. APPROVED.

Y2001–73 The Body of this Meeting notes that the new Clerk of Program Committee is a co-opted member. There were no objections to this.

Y2001–74 The Minutes, from last evening’s Carey Lecture to now, were read, corrected and APPROVED.

Y2001–75 A Traveling Minute for Margery Larrabee (Washington) was read, and the Clerk was asked to sign it for the Yearly Meeting. APPROVED.

The Yearly Meeting closed as we continued to an extended Meeting for Worship.