by WebPost | Jan 24, 2019 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Richmond Friends Meeting, First Month 20, 2019
Edited Draft
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business (MWB) began in silence at 11:00 am with 46 in attendance. Lucia Lloyd and Emily Lyth were first-time attenders to MWB. The greeter was Janet Thoroman of Care and Counsel Committee; Margaret Edds of Ministry and Worship Committee held Meeting in the Light from the facing bench. Jim Thoroman read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Queries and Voices on Vocal Ministry.
Clearing Usage Annual Report: Janett Forté presented the report for 2018. The Clearing was rented thirty-six times during the year, for groups ranging from three people to forty, with an average of ten to fifteen. Most rentals were on weekends with the exception of a Wednesday homeschool group that has begun to use the facility with some regularity. Groups were a mix of community organizations, individuals needing a large space to host an event (birthday, baby shower, etc.) and RFM. RFM used the Clearing for Spring Retreat, Fall Retreat, and the Clearing Work Committee held three work days. Total rental revenue for 2018 was $7,912.00, which was more than 26% higher than the previous year. A Friend asked if rental fees covered the cost of maintaining the Clearing; treasurer Scott Morrison said no, and are not meant to. All use-of-space monies received from both the Kensington Avenue building and the Clearing are put in the Maintenance Fund; money for Clearing maintenance is budgeted annually. Members and attenders of RFM are able to use the Clearing at no cost. There was one such use last year. The Clearing committees are attempting to generate more usage from Quakers individually as well as other regional meetings. Tim Staub thanked Janett for all her work as Clearing Scheduler, and noted the Worthington family continues to provide care and love to the land. Janett concluded by inviting all to help on upcoming workdays.
Peace & Social Concerns: Roni Kingsley put forward a request from the committee to consolidate two existing fund accounts, Sanctuary and Puerto Rican Relief, to a single one named Rotating Community Partnership Fund. The committee has decided to use their monthly fundraising lunches to support a different cause each month. The request was approved. The lunch at Rise of Meeting today will benefit Midwives for Haiti; the next two lunches will benefit Boys to Men and GraceInside. P&SC will develop a process for individuals in Meeting to suggest groups; for now email Roni Kingsley with suggestions. P&SC will give advance notice of beneficiaries on the listserve and in the newsletter.
Disaster Relief: Ben Hebner described the upcoming Disaster Relief trip to Danville, March 17-23, where the Quaker team will work under the direction of Reverend Elizabeth Norton of the United Methodist Church. She is overseeing help for twenty families who suffered serious flood damage last fall. This will be the first time our group works in Virginia. The group is well-funded this year with $1,800 raised for the project. So far ten have committed to go; the team usually has twelve to sixteen members. Ben noted the deep bonding that takes place among participants, and encouraged everyone to consider participating.
Ministry & Worship: Denna Joy reminded Friends of the upcoming Spiritual State of the Meeting meeting February 9, beginning with a simple breakfast from 9:00-9:30 am and with Worship Sharing guided by selected Baltimore Yearly Meeting queries from 9:30 until noon. The report of this meeting is required by BYM, and provides a truthful examination of our Meeting. Prior to the SSotM, all end-of-year committee reports must be submitted to Denna; she will distribute them to everyone else required to have them.
BYM Report: Denna Joy noted Baltimore Yearly Meeting serves about forty monthly meetings. On March 23 the Interim Meeting will meet in Annapolis. Four Friends from RFM hold BYM positions: Barb Adams is an Earthcare Witness representative, Ellen Arginteanu a member of the Religious Education Committee, Diane Bowden is on the Faith & Practice Committee, and Denna Joy is on the Nominating Committee. April 26-28 BYM will hold a spring clean-up at Shiloh, one of its youth camps.
Adult Spiritual Education: Diane Bowden announced the following upcoming ASE programs, held from 9:30-10:40 am in the Community Room: February 10, Friend and author Margaret Edds will discuss her recent book We Face the Dawn; February 24 poet Leslie Shiel leads “The Body and the Lyric,” a conversation on reading poetry aloud (this has been rescheduled from an earlier date); March 10 Diane Bowden coordinates a morning of Poetry and Hot Chocolate. All are asked to bring and share a poem of personal significance to this last program of the writing series.
Care & Counsel: Janet Thoroman encouraged all to attend the February 3 New Member Welcome at Rise of Meeting in honor of Janett Forté and Joe Ball.
Approval of Twelfth Month Minutes: With one minor change, the minutes were approved.
Clerk’s Business: Clerk Tracey Cain noted receipt of a thank-you letter from ReEstablish Richmond.
Financial Stewardship requests Clerk to form an ad hoc committee to discern the best use of Donna Knicely’s generous bequest. The committee will identify a process to collect and consider ideas in a way satisfactory to the Meeting and will bring a recommendation to Meeting when clarity and unity are reached. Formation of this ad hoc committee was approved by Meeting.
Clerk asked for approval to transfer membership for Lisa Knox to Mountain View Friends Meeting in Denver, CO. The request was approved. Committee clerks were reminded to reserve a month for their committees to provide coffee at Rise of Meeting for 2019.
There being no other business, Meeting settled into silent worship at noon, adjourning at 12:30 pm.
Catherine Roseberry, Recording
Clerk Tracey Cain, Clerk
by WebPost | Feb 3, 2018 | Announcement, Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
First Month 21, 2018
Draft Minutes
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business (WMB) began with silence at 11:00 am with 56 in attendance. Sylvia and Arthur Shurcliff and Cameron and Victoria (did not catch last name) were welcomed as first-time attenders. The greeter was Wendy Wadsworth of Care and Counsel Committee; Roni Kingsley of Ministry and Worship Committee held Meeting in the Light from the facing bench. Janett Forte read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Proposed Queries and Voices on stewardship of the earth.
New Clerk of Meeting Tracey Cain introduced herself and Catherine Roseberry, new Recording Clerk.
Consent Agenda: Care and Counsel Committee asks for other committees or interested persons to continue the practice of hosting Rise-of-Meeting coffees during 2018; the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. The Meeting approved the continuation of this welcoming event. Monica Shaw is the contact for questions.
Ministry & Worship: Brooke Davis reported on the committee’s efforts to make worship more welcoming to those attending, especially newcomers. An experiment over the past six months involved the wording of signage next to the Meeting room doors, flexibility regarding entrance times, and testing the feasibility of having doors left open. The result, for now, will have the doors closed during Meeting; however, the sign at the Kensington Avenue door asks people to enter quietly (regardless of the time) and sit near the back; the sign in the foyer directs late comers to wait until 11:20 to enter when the children leave for RE, or enter Meeting from the Kensington Avenue door. This plan has been in operation since October, and Ministry and Worship feels this adjustment has helped the meeting be more settled as well as solving noise issues resulting from open doors. Ministry & Worship continues to invite comments.
On behalf of Ministry & Worship, Jim Thoroman encouraged everyone to attend the annual gathering to consider the Spiritual State of the Meeting, Saturday, February 17, beginning at 9 am.
Nominating: Clarisse Harton noted that since approval of the 2018 Roster of Committees and Positions at the 12th Month MWB, Ted Heck has come forward to serve as Assistant Treasurer. Nominating asked for consent in order for Ted to hold this position; Meeting approved.
Old Clerks/New Clerks will be held Sunday, February 4, at 9:30 am in the Community Room; This meeting gathers incoming and outgoing clerks to review Quaker process and RFM details necessaryV in committee work.
Spring Retreat Committee will shift their work year to September through May beginning this fall, and has asked Nominating to work on staffing its positions during the summer.
Financial Stewardship: Scott Morrison presented the Treasurer’s Final Report for 2017; he pointed out income was in excess of expenses, making the committee feel confident to raise the 2018 budget in anticipation of known increasing expenses. Scott mentioned that once again, Meeting took in fifty percent of its income during the last months of the calendar year. Meeting accepted the report with appreciation.
Laura Goren announced the Meeting’s contingency fund contains a surplus of $3,300; at its February meeting Financial Stewardship will be considering what its recommendation to Meeting should be. Comments or suggestions to any member of the committee are welcome.
Care & Counsel: Monica Shaw reminded Meeting of the new “open enrollment” policy for Friendly 8s; interested folks can join up at any time during the year. A list of the groups is posted on the bulletin board.
Adult Spiritual Education: Dan Shaw urged attendance to the upcoming all-new “Living the Quaker Life” series, generally second and fourth Sundays, February through June, at 9:30 am in the Community Room. Attendees (and anyone interested) will receive a free copy of the current (2013) draft of Faith and Practice. A Friend, on behalf of newcomers, asked why the book is meaningful, and Clerk rose to explain its purpose, and why it is considered a draft. As Quakers believe in continuing revelation, Baltimore Yearly Meeting has established an ongoing committee to continually revise Faith and Practice guidelines. The last approved version of Faith and Practice occurred in 1988.
Peace & Social Concerns: Representing the Ad Hoc Sanctuary Committee, Ellen Arginteanu briefly updated Meeting on the group’s progress in clarifying issues. They met with Alina Kilpatrick, an immigration lawyer, and continue to investigate other practical matters. They believe they will be clear to come to Meeting with a recommendation within a few months. Ellen also requested financial contributions, if Friends are so led, to the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Sanctuary Fund, for assistance with legal fees. Three bills working through the General Assembly affect immigrants: Driver’s Privilege Bill, Extended In-State Tuition, and a detrimental bill that would require localities to enforce Federal immigration laws to the full extent.
Sally Gudas, who with Sylvia Clute are our representatives in a coalition with other Virginia Quaker meetings within the VICPP, also mentioned several topics, including the VICPP’s top priority, Medicaid expansion. Other priority issues include sanctuary, raising the felony threshold and wage theft. Sally invited Friends to join her at VICPP’s annual “Day for All People,” a time of advocacy at the General Assembly on January 23, beginning at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Ben Hebner, our FCNL representative, presented the issues Peace & Social Concerns discern to be the most important to our Meeting. P&SC asked for approval to submit the following to FCNL as our ranking concerns; FCNL will use feedback from monthly meetings to develop their agenda of lobby issues for the 2019 Congress. The topics, in order of concern, are:
- universal health care
- climate concerns
- net neutrality
- immigration reform
- criminal justice reform
- discrimination issues, especially concerning LGBTQ
- the use of diplomacy over war
Meeting approved submitting these topics to FCNL as our most important legislative issues. A Friend suggested informing the press of our concerns, via a letter to the editor of the newspaper; Ben agreed to do so with another Friend’s assistance. Meeting thanked P&SC and work done with the FCNL.
Tracey Cain made an announcement on behalf of Peace &Social Concerns: they are considering doing a monthly fund-raising lunch for contributions to Puerto Rico aid and Sanctuary legal fees, and ask for input from Meeting. Would the first Sunday of the month work? What are other concerns? Contact Rhonda Ligon at rligon@gmail.com.
A Friend asked if Circles RVA will meet in the Community Room next Sunday; P&SC agreed to find out and send a notice on the listserv.
Spring Retreat: Ron Lee announced the theme for this year’s Spring Retreat, May 25-27: “Rooting Down, Branching Out.” Details to be announced.
Approval of Twelfth Month MWB Minutes: As Twelfth Month minutes were inadvertently omitted from the agenda packet, approval will be held over to Second Month’s MWB.
Clerk’s Business: Clerk Tracey Cain read touching notes of thanks from two incarcerated people who received holiday cards from RFM. Al Simmons annually distributes address labels from Virginia-CURE so incarcerated people in Virginia prisons might receive a kind word at Christmas.
Clerk reminded Meeting of our willingness to host the Long Range Conference Planning Committee (LRCP) of Friends General Conference February 23-24. This event will need coordinators for arranging lodging, meals at RFM, and transportation from RIC and Amtrak. Contact Tracey Cain or Michelle Bellows if you can help with this need.
Other business: Patricia Stansbury of Hospitality invited everyone to the Community Room at Rise of Meeting for a light repast courtesy of Linda Whittington.
There being no other business, Meeting settled into silence before adjournment at 12:35 pm.
Catherine Roseberry, Recording Clerk
Tracey Cain, Clerk
by WebPost | Dec 25, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Richmond Friends Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Twelfth Month 20, 2015
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Forty (40) members and attenders were present. Laura Cribbs was greeter. Mary Julia Street from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Brooke Davis read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries, Advices, and Voices on Youth.
Religious Education: Catherine Roseberry reported that the children were engaged in a program making Christmas crafts and cookies. She invited Friends to two upcoming events: (1) Candlelight Christmas on Monday, December 21, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Although the program is family-oriented, all are encouraged to attend. (2) The “Bond Fire/S’more Time Together” gathering for pizza dinner, and making dessert around the outdoor fire pit, is planned for Friday, January 15, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Nominating Committee: Brooke Davis reported for the committee: (1) The updated, final roster of nominated positions and committee memberships for 2016 was distributed for the second reading and approval. Brooke thanked Friends for their willingness to serve in positions and on committees, and asked for comments. Two corrections were requested. A Friend asked for clarification about which committees have specified term lengths; Don Miller responded that this applies only to the four committees that require membership in Meeting (Ministry and Worship, Care and Counsel, Nominating, and Adult Spiritual Education). Friends approved the 2016 roster. (2) Brooke encouraged all committees to meet in January and choose a clerk in preparation for the New Clerks/Old Clerks meeting scheduled for February 7, 2016, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. The Clerk expressed thanks to the Nominating Committee for their work, and to Friends for being willing to serve and create a community that binds us together. Don Miller asked committees to send the names of incoming clerks to the newsletter editors for inclusion in the list of committees to be published in the February newsletter.
BYM Camping Program: Brooke Davis “changed hats” and announced that an open house for the BYM Camping Program will be held January 3, 2016 at rise of Meeting. There will be a variety of activities, and former counselors and campers will talk about the program. Brooke asked Friends to spread the word to any children and parents that might be interested, non-Quakers included. Flyers are available on the table under the bulletin board and directly from Brooke.
Financial Stewardship: (1) Treasurer Bronwyn Hughes and committee clerk Steve Humphrey handed out copies of the final 2016 General Fund Budget for approval. Bronwyn stated that the budget was the same as last year, except for two additional Quaker organizations (Monteverde Radio Station and FGC Bayard-Rustin Fund) and a decrease of $50 in the BYM apportionment. Bronwyn asked for questions. A Friend asked whether contributions had increased enough to meet the budgeted amount in the current year. Bronwyn replied that the assumption and hope is that the full amount will be received, but she will not know until mid-to-late January when all of the checks dated in 2015 are counted. At that time, she will provide an update to the Meeting. Steve commented that contingency funds would be used to cover any shortfall in contributions. Friends approved the 2016 budget. (2) Bronwyn reported that Curian, the investment vehicle currently used for ASE funds, is being closed. She has scheduled a meeting with our investment advisor on December 28th to determine where the money can be invested in a socially-conscious way. Bronwyn encourages anyone interested in attending to contact her for details. The Clerk thanked the treasurer and the committee, and reminded Friends that approval of the budget is a commitment by everyone in our community to support the Meeting with contributions.
Peace and Social Concerns: (1) Dave Depp reported for the committee: He spoke about the history of RFM in supporting refugees from a number of countries, including Cambodia, Iraq, Bosnia, Somalia, and Afghanistan. The committee is looking into how RFM might support refugees from economic conditions or war, perhaps an individual or family from Syria. The committee will provide more information in the coming weeks and will bring a proposal to a future business meeting if so led. In response, a Friend described past efforts of the Meeting and the importance of these activities as witness. Another Friend expressed appreciation to the committee for helping us engage our concerns and leadings regarding the current refugee crisis. (2) Ben Hebner, RFM representative to Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), gave a report on his recent involvement in FCNL activities. He attended a recent FCNL meeting and returned with renewed appreciation for Friends who lobby our government about our concerns. He also spoke about being inspired and moved by a collection of writings by RFM Friends on the Peace Testimony that he found in our library. FCNL is looking for ways to “wage peace,” including lobbying for permanent funding for a commission established by the current administration and guided by principles of the Great Lakes Initiative in Africa (a program with which RFM member Linda Heacock was actively involved). Ben discussed his meetings with the staffs of Virginia’s U.S. senators and Ben’s Congressman. Lastly, Ben described the big push by FCNL to engage youth and get them involved. He asked Friends to help connect interested young people with FCNL.
Ministry and Worship: The Clerk made an announcement for the committee: The Christmas Eve Meeting for Worship will be held Thursday, December 24, 2015. Singing will begin at 4:30 pm, worship will be from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner reported for the committee. He referred Friends to events listed in the agenda and to the page titled “Living the Quaker Life” attached to the agenda handout. This series grew out of a desire to build upon the old “Quaker 101” program and is designed for new attenders, attenders considering membership, and long-term members and attenders interested in a deeper Quaker experience. The “textbook” is the proposed BYM Faith and Practice (2013), copies of which are available without charge to Friends who intend to participate in the program. Howard encouraged Friends to sign and return the slip at the bottom of the page describing the series as a way of making the commitment to attend, whether or not a copy of F&P was requested.
Eleventh Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved, with correction of a typographical error. It was noted that Care and Counsel’s second reading of a request for membership, referred to in the minutes, is being held over until January so that the family involved can be present.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk reviewed the history of the formation of the Ad Hoc Building Use Committee and the creation of revised building use guidelines which were sent to the Richmond Zoning Office in August. Since there has been no need for committee work for a while, and a new Clerk will start in January, the Clerk requested that the committee be laid down. Friends approved. Several Friends asked whether there would be a final report from the committee. The Clerk offered the possibility that the existing documents of the committee’s work and the building use guidelines themselves, all of which have been turned over to the Archivist, were sufficient. After discussion, Friends approved. (2) The Clerk reminded committee clerks to send year-end reports to Ministry and Worship, the Archivist, and the Clerk. (3) As the Clerk announced the next potluck, Bob Alexander reported that the new oven is defective and Hospitality is trying to determine whether it makes sense to hold the potluck on the 27th. The Meeting will be notified whether a potluck lunch will be held. (3) After the Clerk asked if there was any further business, a Friend requested that personal announcements be made immediately. Friends agreed.
Personal Announcements: (1) A Friend expressed appreciation to Barbara Hulburt for her two years’ service as Clerk of Meeting and asked that it be minuted. (2) Janet Worsham announced her plan to create a portable lending library in Puerto Rico and asked for book donations for ages infant to adult, in Spanish and English.
All business being concluded we settled into silence until the rise of meeting was signaled from the facing bench.
Barbara Hulburt, Clerk
James Thoroman, Recording Clerk
by WebPost | Nov 19, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
MWB Minutes Draft November 2015
Richmond Friends Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Eleventh Month 15, 2015
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Fifty-six (56) members and attenders were present. Clarisse Harton was greeter. Jan Hampton from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Pat Tashjian was welcomed as a first-time attender to MWB; Ellen Arginteanu and Jules Arginteanu were welcomed back after many years away. Leslie Shiel read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Meeting for Business.
Religions Education: Catherine Roseberry announced the following upcoming events listed in the agenda and referred Friends to the Tenth Month minutes for details: (1) The RE Christmas Program will be presented on Sunday, December 13. (2) Handmade Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 20. (3) The Candlelight Christmas celebration for families and all Friends will be held on Monday, December 21, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, at the Meetinghouse. (4) On Friday, January 15, 2016, the “Bond Fire/S’more Time Together” event will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Friends are encouraged to attend.
Care and Counsel: (1) Clarisse Harton introduced and read the memorial minute for Marie DuBois Clark, who died on August 10, 2014. She was the wife of Robert “Bob” Clark. The memorial minute is attached. (2) Bob Alexander presented the committee’s recommendation of approval of membership for Paula McMahon, Thomas Manthey and Luke Manthey. As is our custom, approval will be held over for a month. Friends are encouraged to meet and get to know Paula, Thomas and Luke. (3) Bob also presented the committee’s recommendation to restore the membership of Dave Depp. After being a member for many years, Dave laid down his membership several years ago for reasons of conscience. Dave is now clear that he wishes to rejoin the Meeting. Friends approved.
Nominating Committee: Brooke Davis presented the roster of nominated positions and committee memberships for 2016 for the first reading. She announced two last-minute additions to the Hospitality Committee: Lori Kvam and Melissa Franco. The final roster of nominations will be presented for approval at the Twelfth Month MWB. Committee Member Don Miller encouraged any Friends still considering joining a committee to sign up; committee work is a great way to get to know the Meeting better and to deepen connections with other Friends.
Friend’s General Conference: Michelle Bellows reported on several decisions made by FGC’s Central Committee at their October Meeting. Due to fewer volunteers and reduced funding, Central Committee decided to lay down some programs and projects. Some staff is also being let go; FGC is being as considerate and supportive as possible. Two key points that Michelle mentioned were that Quaker Quest is one the programs being laid down and that the Couples Enrichment program is being spun off. A description of other affected programs is available on the FGC website.
Michelle called particular attention to QuakerBooks, which has seen revenue fall by 70%, in large part because many of the titles can be purchased from other online sources such as Amazon for a few dollars less. Many Friends consider QuakerBooks to be as much a ministry as a bookstore and, while FGC will continue to subsidize it, Michelle encouraged Friends to buy their books from QuakerBooks and spend a few dollars more as a contribution to keeping this ministry available for all Quakers. Quantity purchases of books are eligible for a discount. Friends suggested that Michelle give a more complete presentation of FGC programs at some time in the future and put the information she shared this morning in the newsletter. The Clerk encouraged Friends to visit the FGC website to learn more about FGC and its programs.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bronwyn Hughes handed out copies of the first draft of the proposed 2016 General Fund Budget and described several changes from the 2015 budget. She asked Friends to examine the proposed budget in preparation for approval at the Twelfth Month MWB. A Friend suggested that the final presentation include the other funds, such as the Adult Spiritual Education fund, and the rules for spending them. A member of the committee commented that Financial Stewardship is considering compensation for the Treasurer, since having a CPA do this work is extremely beneficial to Meeting and should be acknowledged. More information will be forthcoming about this idea.
Financial Stewardship Committee Clerk Steve Humphrey stated that, as of mid-November, only approximately 50% of the income budgeted for 2015 had been contributed. And, although it is normal for a significant percentage of contributions to come in late in the year, the amount received to date is $4000 less than this time last year. Steve reminded Meeting that last year contributions met expenses, but only because some expenses were down. If contributions are down this year, the 2016 budget will need to be changed to reflect the lower level of contributions. Steve asked the Meeting to consider our approved budget a commitment to the level of contributions it requires. The Clerk asked Friends to make contributions as an important part of our support of our community.
Ministry and Worship: Michael Pierce announced the Christmas Eve Meeting for Worship to be held Thursday, December 24, with singing at 4:30 pm and worship from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Clerk reminded Friends that this is distinct from the family-oriented Candlelight Christmas planned for December 21, sponsored by the RE committee (see RE report), and encouraged Friends to come to both.
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner announced the following: (1) The next Bible Workbench will be held Sunday, December 20, 9:30 to 10:45 am. After the first of next year, Bible Workbench will be held on the first Sunday of the month. (2) The BYM Women’s Retreat will be held January 29 -31, 2016. Scholarships are available from BYM and the ASE committee (application information is on the RFM website). Ada Hammer spoke about the Women’s Retreat and encouraged women to visit the BYM website to learn more. (3) The committee is planning a winter/spring series, “Living the Quaker Life.” The events of the series will take place at 9:00 am, on the second and fourth Sundays of February, March and April.
Peace and Social Concerns: (1) Ada Hammer reported on the meal being provided to families of prisoners returning from visiting their family members on December 12, 2014. She has all the help needed, except for several batches of brownies. (2) Denna Joy announced that the olive oil ordered from the source in Palestine was available. Orders for future deliveries are being taken. Bottles are $20; contact Verna Boos.
Building and Grounds: Bob Alexander gave an update on issues with use of our building. A neighbor filed a complaint that RFM had renovations done without the necessary permit. The City of Richmond building inspector who visited found that our recent kitchen upgrade did not need a permit. Bob reported that the inspector said his department gets complaints fairly often that are actually attempts to harass neighbors; should this individual call again, the inspector indicated that the city would deal with him.
Tenth Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved, with the correction of the spelling of Anne Gray’s name.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk reminded Friends that on Sunday, December 6, 2014, from 9:00 to 10:30 am, the Carol Sing and Potluck breakfast will be held at the home of Kelly and Paul DiPasquale. (2) The next potluck lunch will be November 22, 2015, at rise of Meeting. Please bring food to share. (3) The Clerk read a thank you note from the Quaker House directors who made the recent presentation on Moral Injury. Wade Smith commented that the Quaker House board recently recognized Betsy Brinson for nine years of service on the board.
All business being concluded we settled into silence until the rise of meeting was signaled from the facing bench.
Barbara Hulburt, Clerk
James Thoroman, Recording Clerk
by WebPost | Oct 21, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Fifty-five (55) members and attenders were present. Bob Alexander was greeter. Jan Hampton from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Donna Shields was welcomed as a first-time attender to MWB. Steve Humphrey read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Vocal Ministry.
Religious Education: Catherine Roseberry announced upcoming events for the committee: (1) Today, October 18, RE will be making a trip to the Pumpkin Patch at the rise of Meeting. (2) On Sunday, November 1, the classes will be Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF at rise of Meeting. Friends were asked to bring lots of loose change to contribute. (3) The RE Christmas Program will be presented on Sunday, December 13. (4) Handmade Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 20. (5) The Candlelight Christmas will be held on Monday, December 21, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, at the Meetinghouse.
It was noted that the annual Carol Sing and pot luck breakfast (although not sponsored by RE), will be held Sunday, December 6, 9:00 to 10:30 am at the home of Kelly and Paul DiPasquale. Friends were asked to bring breakfast food to share.
Nominating Committee: Brooke Davis reported that the committee is actively engaged in talking with Friends about serving the Meeting. She encouraged Friends to contact her, or the other members of the nominating committee (Bob Alexander, Anne Gray and Don Miller), to express their interest in serving on a committee or in a specific position. Brooke thanked Friends who have already agreed to serve and emphasized that serving on a committee is a good way to get to know other Friends and to deepen ties to our community.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bronwyn Hughes handed out copies of the Third Quarter 2015 report. She noted that, at 75% into the current fiscal year, the Meeting had received 49% of budgeted contributions, and made 76% of budgeted expenses. She noted several things about the report: the telephone bill is up because our service now includes WiFi; the Clerk’s expenses are up because the Assistant Clerk’s attendance at a Pendle Hill clerking workshop was not budgeted for. A committee member commented that if all families in Meeting were to contribute according to their ability, the budget could be managed. Steve Humphrey repeated that contributions are significantly behind expenditures and asked Friends to begin making the contributions needed for us to meet our budget; there are only two-and-a-half months left to contribute half of the budgeted contribution amount. Finally, Steve reminded the Meeting that the committee was asked to consider how committees doing fundraising for various purposes should be handling cash and checks they receive. The committee has created a set of draft guidelines, copies of which are now available in the Treasurer’s mailbox. As other committees begin to use the guidelines, the committee will accept suggestions for how to improve them.
Care and Counsel: Barbara Myers reported for the committee: (1) For the second month, she brought the committee’s recommendation that Meeting approve the membership application of Allen Lee. Friends approved and welcomed Allen to membership. (2) The Friendly 8’s sign-up sheets will be taken down after Meeting. Barbara requested the original poster or the first person on the list to take the sheet, and then contact everyone on the list and facilitate the start of meetings. (3) Mary Bo Gassman is very ill, but would appreciate visits. Please call ahead to see if she’s up for a visit before you go.
Ministry and Worship: Tracey Cain made announcements for the committee:
(1) Co-sponsored with Peace and Social Concerns, on Friday, November 13, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, John Calvi will present “Quaker Initiative to End Torture.” (2) The Fall Retreat will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Clearing. John Calvi will lead “The Goodness Workshop.” Registration is not required, but please notify Mary Fran Hughes-McIntyre if you plan to come. Bring a blanket and pillow for the workshop. Lunch will be potluck. Please bring food to share. (3) Sunday, November 15, 9:30 to 10:45 am, John Calvi will present “Journal Reading of a Quaker Healer After 30-plus Years.”
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner announced the following: (1) Today, at 1:00 pm, or soon thereafter, Dr. Alice Rothchild, physician and human rights advocate, will present “Healing the Divide in Israel and Palestine.” (2) Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, a “Moral Injury Workshop” will be conducted by Lynn and Steve Newsom, Co-Directors of Quaker House. (3) Sunday, October 25, 9:30 to 10:45 am, Dr. Margaret Fisher, Herndon Friends Meeting, will present “The Spiritual Implications of Our Food Choices.” (4) In coordination with both Care and Counsel, and Ministry and Worship, ASE is planning a winter series on the basic values and fundamentals of Quakerism. Howard encouraged Friends to talk to committee members about questions or topics of interest.
Peace and Social Concerns: (1) Marcia Dickinson reminded Friends that the food drive for the Fan Free Clinic will last through October (including Sunday, November 1). Marcia passed out shopping lists for the most needed items. She is also accepting cash donations. (2) Dave Depp described the October blood drive and announced he was placing an information sheet on the table below the bulletin board. This year blood collection is at the agency facility. If enough Friends participate, another drive at the Meetinghouse will be considered. (3) Mark Skolnick announced that the second case of olive oil from a Palestinian supplier has arrived. Future orders will be placed when another twelve bottles ($20 each) have been requested. Requests should be made to Verna Boos. A Friend suggested that the bottles are a nice holiday gift. After the above announcements, (4) Ben Hebner, the FCNL representative for RFM, announced that Lon Burnam from FCNL will be present next week during potluck. He will have information about the upcoming Public Policy Institute which is held each year before the Lobbying Day (this year the dates are Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13). Ben described several recent meetings with legislators. A Friend reminded us that FCNL can always use donations. (5) Denna Joy announced the John Calvi presentation on November 13 (see the first item in the Ministry and Worship announcements, above).
Ada Hammer made two announcements: (1) A group is forming to make a trip to help with disaster relief in flood-ravaged South Carolina the week of March 26th. Contact Ada, Frances Stewart, Wendy Wadsworth or Ben Hebner if you are interested. (2) A group from Meeting will be providing a meal for families of prisoners after they return from visiting their family members, on December 12. Ada is accepting donations to cover food costs and will contact Friends about any needed help preparing the meal.
Ninth Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk announced that she will bring forward names for next year’s Nominating Committee at the November MWB when the first list of nominees for all committees and positions is presented for Meeting’s consideration. The Clerk presents these names so that Nominating is not replacing its own members. (2) The next potluck lunch will be October 25, 2015, at rise of Meeting. Please bring food to share.
All business being concluded we settled into silence until the rise of meeting was signaled from the facing bench.
Barbara Hulburt, Clerk
James Thoroman, Recording Clerk
by WebPost | Sep 26, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Richmond Friends Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Ninth Month 20, 2015
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 AM. Thirty-seven (37) members and attenders were present. Clarisse Harton was greeter. Frances Stewart from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Verónica Corrales Fuentes and Sebastian Wolff were welcomed as first-time attenders to MWB. Tracey Cain read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Peace.
Religious Education: Barb Adams updated the meeting on the state of the Religious Education program. There are currently 29 children on the roster, of which about 14 are expected to attend regularly. The high school aged Young Friends (YF) and middle school aged Junior Young Friends (JYF) have typical enrollment numbers, while the elementary aged (ELF) class is quite small. All members of the JYF class will be attending the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program at the First Unitarian Universalist church for the majority of the First Days during the school year, and will only attend the meeting RE program sporadically. In order to accommodate these enrollment changes the K–8 children will be grouped together and have a rotating set of teachers. Upcoming RE events include the sale of handmade ‘Tz for Pz’ shirts (proceeds to Doctors without Borders), and participation in the International Day of Peace vigil to be held at the meetinghouse on Monday Sept. 21st at 7pm. Barb announced that there will be a program during Young Friends First Day class on October 4th on Conscientious Objection by Curt Terrell of Quaker House. Betsy Brinson, longtime QH Board member elaborated on the work of Quaker House.
Nominating Committee: Brooke Davis announced that the nominating committee is looking for members to serve on committees next year, and urged people to consider volunteering both to serve the meeting and to deepen their ties within the community.
Care and Counsel: Clarisse Harton announced that the committee is highly recommending Allen Lee for membership. As is customary his membership will be held over for approval to the October MWB, allowing Friends an opportunity to get to know Allen. Clarisse also urged people to consider joining a ‘Friendly 8s’ group by signing up on the lists on the bulletin board. These groups connect members with shared interests on a monthly basis and are a great way to get to know other meeting members. She highlighted the new group that will read One Year to Live by Steven Levine and discuss how to live meaningfully. Wade Smith announced that the trip sponsored by the birding group at the end of October still has openings.
Ministry and Worship: Tracey Cain announced the following upcoming events: (1) She extended an invitation to the Fall Retreat that is being held on November 14 from 9 am to 3 pm at The Clearing. John Calvi, a licensed massage therapist who has worked extensively with survivors of traumatic events, will lead The Goodness Workshop. This slow quiet time will include sharing by choice, simple clothes-on massage, an energy work form for deep relaxation, and John’s stories to keep us laughing. (2) John Calvi will lead two other events at the meetinghouse during the retreat weekend. On Friday evening he will give a presentation about QUIT, (the Quaker Initiative to End Torture,) and on Sunday at 9:30 am he will present ‘Journal Reading of a Quaker Healer After 30+ years’. (3) On November 1st, after meeting, VCCW (Virginia Correctional Center for Women) volunteers will gather for a light lunch and discussion, and invite people to learn more about their prison ministry (R.S.V.P. Rita Willett). The Quaker group at the women’s prison has been meeting for almost one year and plans to use the “spiritual state” process to develop a report to be shared with our meeting.
Website Committee: Don Miller updated members on changes to the meeting website, richmondfriendsmeeting.org, which has been available for more than a year. The committee has recently completed a significant revision to make it more convenient to use and make navigation more intuitive. Archives of meeting documents and the current directory are available in a password protected area. The committee would like to add more photographs once there is a clear privacy policy for publishing pictures. Don encouraged people to explore and use the website. Don also read a letter from Tom Illmensee, the primary architect of the website, who has moved to Hungary with his family. In his letter he talked about his family taking food and supplies to Syrian refugees who were at the Budapest train station and visiting the protest zone.
Peace and Social Concerns: (1) Mark Skolnick reported that PSC is selling Palestinian olive oil. Orders may be placed through Verna Boos. (2) Marcia Dickinson reminded members of the annual food drive we sponsor in October to collect food for the Fan Free Clinic. Leave donations of nonperishable foods, dog food, and paper bags in the collection box at the meetinghouse. (3) Ada Hammer announced that she is coordinating a dinner our meeting is sponsoring on 12/12/15 for families returning from a visiting day at distant prisons through Assisting Families of Inmates. Donations of time and food will be needed. (4) At its annual session in August, BYM approved a Climate Change Minute which had been created by Quaker Earthcare Witness, Quaker United Nations Office and Friends Committee on National Legislation. BYM asked individual meetings to consider the minute. The Climate Change minute was read and approved. This minute is separate from the one drafted and approved by RFM.
Adult Spiritual Education: Monica Shaw announced the following events, for which details are found on our website and in the newsletter: (1) Sunday, October 4th at 9:30 and 11 am in the Community Room: Workshops on Conscientious Objection and the Peace Testimony. There will be a session on Being an Advocate at rise of meeting, (2) Sunday, October 18th at 1 pm in the Community Room: Healing the Divide in Israel and Palestine. Dr. Alice Rothchild, Boston physician, human rights advocate and Jewish advocate for peace in Israel and Palestine, will present on her recent and ongoing travels to Gaza, (3) Saturday, October 24th from 10-12 noon in the Community Room: Moral Injury Workshop a presentation featuring Lynn and Steve Newsom, co-directors of Quaker House Military Counseling Center, Fayetteville, NC, home of Fort Bragg. Wade Smith, Quaker House Board Member spoke about the work that Quaker House is doing in this area to support veterans. (4) Sunday, October 25th, 9:30 to 10:45 am in the Community Room: The Spiritual Implications of Our Food Choices with Dr. Margaret Fisher of Herndon Friends Mtg.
Seventh Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved.
Clerk’s Business: The next potluck lunch will be September 27th, 2015, at rise of Meeting. Please bring food to share. The clerk announced the scheduled execution of Alfredo R. Prieto on Thursday, October 1st at 9:00 pm. RFM will hold a vigil beginning at 8:30. Friends are asked to consult the VADP (Virginians Against the Death Penalty) website for further information as the date approaches.
Other Business: Margaret Edds of Care and Counsel reported that Mary Bo Gassman has fallen ill and would appreciate cards and letters. Elizabeth Smith announced a silent retreat at The Clearing on Wednesday September 23rd from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The day is co-sponsored with the group Chrysalis, and those interested were reminded to bring a bag lunch.
All business being concluded we settled into silence until the rise of meeting was signaled from the facing bench.
Denna Joy, Acting Clerk
Tina Mello, Acting Recording Clerk
