by WebPost | Aug 3, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Fifty-one (51) members and attenders were present. Mary Graham Landau was greeter. Kat Sharp from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Diane Penfield, Tyler Plante, Charles Teixeira, and Kaia Alderson, with son Rafe, were welcomed as first-time attenders to MWB. Janet Thoroman read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Aging.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bronwyn Hughes handed out copies of the Second Quarter 2015 report. Bronwyn noted that after 50% of this fiscal year, the Meeting had received 26% of budgeted contributions. Steve Humphrey, clerk of Financial Stewardship, commented that it is normal for the most of the budgeted contributions to come in late in the year, but encouraged Friends to make contributions earlier as a help to the committee when they begin the budgeting process this fall. Bronwyn then noted that Meeting has expended 64% of the budget; she described the line items and amounts that have made up most of the expenses so far. She reminded Friends that she is always available to answer questions.
Care and Counsel: Chris Olson-Vickers reported for the committee: (1) Jim Melton has moved to Church Hill and still needs rides to and from Meeting. His new address and phone number are posted on the bulletin board. Friends are encouraged to sign up to give rides to Jim. (2) Martha Menk is recovering at the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Center and would appreciate cards, phone calls and visits to provide respite for her husband. Contact Ellen Thurmond if you are interested in providing support. More details, including phone numbers, will be in the newsletter.
Ministry and Worship: Mary Julia Street made announcements for the committee:
(1) The Fall Retreat is planned for Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Clearing. Details will be provided in the future. (2) In response to the request from the Clerk to start a process for the Meeting to engage in dialog about what it means to do something on behalf of, or in the name of, the Meeting, the committee will begin meeting with individual Friends for deep listening about concerns. These individual meetings will help the committee shape its listening session(s) for the entire Meeting, sometime in the future. One Friend wondered whether it is generally understood what it means to do something under the care of the Meeting and the processes we follow. Another Friend asked whether a person simply identifying him or herself as a Quaker or member of our Meeting is acting on behalf of the Meeting. The Clerk responded that the process the committee is just beginning is an opportunity for all of us to have a conversation about these topics. Friends who would like to meet with members of the committee may contact clerk Tracey Cain. (3) There are new pamphlets and cards (from Friends General Conference) in the meetinghouse foyer.
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner announced the following: (1) The next Bible Workbench will be held at 9:30 am on Sunday, September 6, 2015. (2) Four ASE workshops on a variety of topics will be held in October. (3) A series on Quaker values, including some “Quaker 101” topics, is being planned for this winter.
Hospitality: Bob Alexander reported on the kitchen improvement project. The renovations to address the features of the kitchen that were creating major problems during cleanup after potluck are complete. The cost was $4500, less than the $5500 budgeted. Friends are encouraged to inspect the improvements.
Peace and Social Concerns: Martha Foster announced that the committee was reviewing the list of 30 local outreach organizations that the Meeting supports with financial contributions. The committee is asking for input from the Meeting. Martha made available a list of the organizations and budgeted amounts of support. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Martha, or clerk Denna Joy.
Sixth Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk noted that 27 Friends from our Meeting attended the recent FGC Gathering. She asked Friends who attended to share special moments or highlights. Friends responded with the following: after a hectic day of travel, arrival and making arrangements, settling into silence with 900 people at the opening Plenary Session; spending leisurely time with Friends from our Meeting; meeting new people, many from Canada and the West Coast; volunteering at the information desk; daily worship for one hour; talking with a variety of people who are serious about their spiritual lives; considering the concern raised by speaker Parker Palmer about the declining number of Quakers (now about half of what it was in the 1970’s) and the implications if the trend continues. The Clerk noted that several Friends were planning to transfer some of the energy of their experience at the Gathering into our local Spiritual Formation Program.
(2) Our building use guidelines have been submitted to the Richmond Zoning Department, which has not responded. The Clerk also announced that the Financial Stewardship Committee has approved the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Building Use Committee that the Meeting stop charging rent and instead request suggested donations for use of the facilities.
(3) The next potluck lunch will be July 26, 2015, at rise of Meeting. Please bring food to share.
(4) As is our custom when there is no pressing business, we will not hold Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business in August. The next MWB will be the third First Day in September, with Denna Joy substituting as Clerk.
Other Business: Farid Alan Schintzius asked how we might act more quickly in response to events such as the shootings in Charleston, South Carolina, the national debate about displaying the Confederate Battle Flag, and monuments to the Confederacy in public places. He put forth the idea of Meeting supporting a change.org petition to call on the city, mayor and city council to create a commission to supervise memorials and monuments in Richmond. Several Friends commented on Alan’s suggestions and various aspects of Quaker process. The Clerk asked a member of Peace and Social Concerns to take the questions and suggestions to the committee; it was agreed that she would do so. In the meantime, Alan has a Facebook page discussing the theme “Truthful History Heals,” which can be found by searching for that phrase.
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 | Jul 1, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Forty-six (46) members and attenders were present. Clarisse Harton was greeter. Rita Willett from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Govind Narayan was welcomed as a first-time attender to MWB. Linda Whittington read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Caring for One Another.
Website Committee: Bob Alexander reported that WiFi (wireless internet) was installed in the building and is now operating. The site ID will appear when you look for WiFi networks with your device. The password is available from Bob or members of the committee, or other members of the Meeting community already using the network. During installation, caller ID was added to our phone service. The Meeting purchased the wireless router ($200), instead of renting it, to save money over time.
Nominating Committee: Don Miller announced the nomination and recommendation by the committee of Michelle Bellows as the Friends General Conference (FGC) Liaison. Don noted that Michelle has extensive experience with FGC, including work planning the upcoming FGC Gathering. Friends approved.
Religious Education: Diane Bowden announced that the Summer RE program calendar still has three dates open and encouraged committees to sign up.
Financial Stewardship: Steve Humphrey reported for the committee. Before Steve gave his report, the Clerk provided this background: On the First Day following the Young Friends’ coffeehouse, a $100 bill was taken from the contribution basket which had been put out during Meeting for Worship to encourage additional contributions to be made. Financial Stewardship was asked to consider this incident and Steve reported they had two responses: (1) The committee felt that the Young Friends should be able to accomplish their goal of raising money to donate to the organizations they had chosen. The committee will transfer $100 from the Meeting contingency fund to cover the missing amount. (2) The committee will develop guidelines for committees that handle cash with the intent of avoiding a similar incident. A Friend commented that although he was in unity with the committee’s decision to replace the missing amount, he wanted to make note of the responsibility of the adults who were charged with safeguarding the money. In response to a question, the Clerk said that money had gone missing from a pocketbook in January (Friends were notified at that time). These are the only two instances we are aware of. A Friend suggested that we all contribute a dollar to make up the missing amount; Steve stated the committee would accept any contributions. During a discussion of a recent period during which the lock on the contribution box was missing, Steve noted that it is best to make contributions by check or by online transfer.
Care and Counsel: Randee Humphrey reported for the committee: (1) Katy Rugg’s application for membership was presented for the second month, again with the recommendation of the committee. Friends approved. (2) Martha Menk is requesting help with meals in early July. Please contact Margaret Edds if you can help.
Ad Hoc Committee for Building Use: Margaret Edds reported for the committee:
(1) After the recent threshing session held to gather input about how the Meeting should respond to issues regarding the use of our building by non-Quaker groups, and what is required of us to be good neighbors, the committee completed a set of guidelines for building use. These guidelines are for the building coordinator to use when considering requests and scheduling, and for groups that use our building. Margaret read the guidelines, which elicited comments. One Friend suggested we plan a way of communicating the essential guidelines to non-Quaker users of our building, perhaps using signage located both inside and outside the building. After some discussion of the phrase “there should be no congregating outside the building for smoking or socializing in the evening,” Friends requested that the guidelines be changed to make it clear that this was intended to apply after 9:00 pm. Friends approved the guidelines, with that change. (2) During the threshing session, suggestions were made for a variety of ways that we might communicate with residents of the neighborhood. After discussion and consideration at several meetings, it was the discernment of the committee that these efforts might create unrealistic expectations. As a result, the committee recommended that Meeting not pursue active engagement with the neighbors. In response to questions, Friends were reminded that we do notify and invite neighbors to join us in some activities, such as the International Day of Peace candlelight walk. (3) The committee is meeting again to consider whether there might be merit in requesting donations of suggested amounts from users of the building instead of our current practice of charging rent.
Peace and Social Concerns: Denna Joy reported that the changes suggested at the second reading of the climate change minute at Fifth Month MWB had been accepted by the committee and incorporated into the minute. The final minute will be published in the newsletter and on the website. In response to suggestions from the Meeting, the committee is looking at ways to disseminate the minute, including sending it to BYM and various newspapers, and sharing it with the Virginia legislature.
BYM Representative Report: Denna Joy reported on her trip to Sixth Month Interim Meeting, held at Patuxent Friends Meeting. Denna informed Friends that there are 55 Meetings in BYM and that Virginia has more than any other state. She also described several highlights of the Interim Meeting: the grant from the Shoemaker Fund to BYM to fund a position to help Meetings grow in diversity and encourage young Friends to stay involved and become leaders; the “one book” chosen to be read next year, “A Sustainable Life,” by Doug Gwyn; the visit to Patuxent Meeting, with its rich history, including a visit by George Fox; the honoring of two Friends (Alison Duncan and Riley Robinson) leaving BYM after serving many years and, a current effort to find someone from Virginia to serve on the BYM nominating committee. Denna emphasized how interesting it is to visit other Meetings.
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner announced the next Bible Workbench will be held July 12, 2015 at 9:30 am.
Fifth Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk announced that she had received a minute from Langley Hill Meeting concerning the use of drones as weapons. She forwarded it to Peace and Social Concerns, who did not feel led to take up the concern at this time. The Clerk read the minute. It will be posted on our bulletin board. (2) Midlothian Meeting invites us to a celebration of completion of work to make their meetinghouse accessible to be held on June 28, 2015. More details are in the RFM Sixth Month newsletter. (3) Several Friends have raised concerns with the Clerk about what it means to do something on behalf of, or in the name of, the Meeting. While it has long been RFM’s practice to have committees season issues affecting the Meeting before bringing them to the entire community, there does not appear to be unity about what issues require the “approval” of Meeting as a whole and what issues can or should be acted on through the discernment of a committee. The Clerk asked whether this was something we needed to have dialogue about and, if so, how we might go about that. After some discussion, Friends agreed to ask Ministry and Worship to take the lead in developing a process for dialogue about these issues. (4) The next potluck lunch will be June 28, 2015, at rise of Meeting. Please bring food to share.
Other Business: A Friend noted that the kitchen faucet was still leaking significantly. She expressed a concern about the amount of water that is being wasted and said that it is urgent to have it fixed as soon as possible. Noting that there was not a report this month from the Hospitality or Building and Grounds committees, the Friend asked if anyone knew when the kitchen renovation work was scheduled. Bob Alexander stated that he understood the renovation work would begin in one to three weeks, as soon as the contractor was available.
All business being concluded for the day, we settled into silence until the rise of meeting was signaled from the facing bench.
Barbara Hulburt, Clerk
James Thoroman, Recording Clerk
by WebPost | Apr 24, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Fifty-four (54) members and attenders were present. Clarisse Harton was greeter. Julia Hebner from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Nick Martina read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Community.
Religious Education: Diane Bowden made two announcements: (1) A coffee house will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Doors will open at 6:30 pm; performances will begin at 7:00 pm. Diane asked Friends to sign up to share “secret talents.” Proceeds will be donated to the Byrd Theatre Foundation. (2) On First Day (Sunday), May 31, 2015, at rise of Meeting, Senior Recognition Day will be held in the community room. Four seniors are graduating.
Adult Spiritual Education: (1) Howard Garner introduced Betsy Brinson who announced that on First Day, May 17, 2015, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, a representative from Moscow House (Russia) will speak about their activities. Items from Russia will be offered for sale to support the organization. (2) On First Days, June 7, 2015 and June 14, 2015, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, members of the Faith and Practice Ad Hoc Committee (which reviewed the proposed BYM Faith and Practice and was then laid down) will lead a discussion of how we use language to express the “Inward Light.” (3) On First Day, June 21, 2015, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, the committee will facilitate a sharing of “Faith Transitions,” inviting Friends to share and discuss our experiences during the individual spiritual journeys that led to us to become Quakers.
Building and Grounds: Bob Alexander announced the Spring Work Day to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015. Most work will be outside. Extra rakes are welcome. Lunch will be provided. Activities will be over before 2:00 pm.
Care and Counsel: Margaret Edds made two announcements: (1) There will be a New Member and New Baby welcome on First Day, May 3, 2015, at rise of Meeting. (2) The committee received an application for membership from Youth member Anna Best and recommends her for membership. Margaret read parts of Anna’s letter of application. As is our practice, the recommendation will be held over for one month and approval will be requested at Fifth Month MWB.
Hospitality Committee: Scott Selby presented the final proposal for improvements to the kitchen layout, including a new countertop and sink configuration. The existing dishwasher will be used. Ada Hammer explained that a new commercial dishwasher would have been very expensive, and very different and likely difficult to use. Financial Stewardship has approved a budget of $5500. There was discussion about whether a garbage disposal would be included; there is money in the budget for a garbage disposal but there are several unanswered questions that will require additional research. After discussion, Friends approved the proposal.
Clearing Building and Grounds Sub-Committee: Nick Martina reported for the committee: (1) The new website for The Clearing is up and includes a calendar displaying currently reserved and available times for use by the Meeting and rental by outside groups. Rental rates and other information is also on the website. Pictures of The Clearing (no pictures of children) are requested and may be sent to Dan Shaw. (2) A group of Young Friends spent a recent weekend at The Clearing and helped with major maintenance, including disposal of a felled tree and clearing of trails. A project is underway to create a map of the current trails. Friends interested in helping with maintenance were encouraged to contact Nick.
Ad Hoc Committee for Building Use: Steve Humphrey reported for the committee:
(1) The issue of identifying the person who made the threatening phone calls is in the hands of the police. (2) The zoning issue is now resolved. The for-profit yoga class – the only disqualified activity that was renting space from the Meeting – is moving to another location. The city acknowledged that we are allowed to post signs on our property, but Meeting is not yet in unity about whether to put signs out again. (3) The committee has begun developing guidelines for the use of our building. New guidelines will be developed with input from the Meeting community. To assist the Building Coordinator in the meantime, the following temporary guidelines are in place: (a) All committees should let Bob Alexander know when meetings are being held at the meetinghouse; (b) All meetings should end by 9:00 pm and people should be thoughtful about noise as they leave the building; and, (c) There should be no more than 30 people using the building in the evenings in order to limit the number of cars parked in the neighborhood. (4) A Listening Circle will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm to hear concerns about building use and the evolving guidelines. The temporary guidelines will be published in the newsletter.
Ministry and Worship: Tracey Cain distributed copies of the second draft of the 2014 Spiritual State of the Meeting report. She reported that comments on the first draft had been largely positive. The committee incorporated several of the suggestions received into the second draft. Tracey then read the second draft. Friends suggested two additional changes. Several Friends spoke in appreciation of the report. Friends approved the report with the changes. The Clerk thanked the committee for the report. One Friend suggested that since the report was a statement of our values, it would be useful as we considered guidelines for use of our building. The report, as approved with changes, will be attached to these minutes and published in the newsletter. There was discussion about the desire for a more detailed review of the previous year’s activities and the meaning they have for individual members and attenders. The Newsletter was identified as a good place for such reflections at this time.
Treasurer’s Report: Bronwyn Hughes distributed the financial report for the first quarter of 2015. Contributions were 14% of budget and expenses were 21% of budget (including a transfer to facility set-aside). Bronwyn noted several expenses were up and described recent transfers and fund activity. Friends thanked the treasurer for the report.
Working Group on New Jim Crow: Betsy Brinson announced the working group was laying itself down with the approval of the oversight committees (ASE and Ministry and Worship) and that the final report of the group will be published in the newsletter. Betsy then gave the highlights of the full report, including summaries of the current results of four activities the Meeting had focused on: the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) organization, introduction to Quakerism and worship at the women’s prison in Goochland (VCCW), VA CURE, and Prisoner Visitation and Support (PVS). With the exception of OAR, which has not worked out as an activity, numerous Friends are involved and making a difference. Friends accepted the working group’s decision to lay itself down. The Clerk thanked the group for its work. The final report will also be attached to these minutes.
In closing, Betsy described another possible volunteer opportunity: the Richmond Day Reception Center may need volunteers for tutoring, mentoring and G.E.D. preparation. There will be an information meeting on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 3:00 pm. For more information contact Betsy.
Peace and Social Concerns: Clerk Denna Joy read the first draft of a proposed minute on climate change.
Proposed Minute on Climate Change
Richmond Friends Meeting is a Quaker community of spirit dedicated to peace, justice and right relations with all creatures and life upon the earth. Our place on the earth is rooted in respect not domination. We submit this Minute in furtherance of that respect.
The effects of climate change have been documented by scientists who agree that human activity, specifically pouring millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, is reaching a tipping point. Living in harmony with the natural world has been replaced with unsustainable ways of living: reliance on fossil fuels, extreme methods of resource extraction, widespread destruction of old-growth and rain forests, and over-consumption of natural resources. These unsustainable practices are responsible for the Earth’s degraded state and climate disruption. As a faith community dedicated to peace and social justice, it alarms us that the effects of climate change disproportionately impact the world’s most impoverished peoples and that fossil fuel extraction and consumption has contributed to international conflict.
We recognize the urgency of this problem and support actions on all levels, from individuals to international groups, to work toward an ecologically healthy planet. Globally, developed countries must reduce carbon emissions and actively support the development of alternative energy sources. It is imperative that developed countries transfer money, expertise and technology to support sustainable development in less developed countries.
Our commitments to peace and justice, as well as our commitment to care for the earth, compel us to restorative action. Restorative actions include: education about climate change, education about sustainable living, conservation, downsizing our standards of living, reducing our carbon footprints, investing in renewable energy, divesting from fossil fuels and supporting sustainable energy development.
We are convinced that the problem of Climate Change is real, significant, worsening, and urgent. We are called to advocate for immediate attention to the climate at the local, state, national and global levels through lobbying, community education, and peaceful protest as conscience dictates.
Although the challenge posed by climate change is complex and may seem daunting, our call to action is grounded in faith and supported by community. We are a connected part of this earth, not separate from it. We invite other communities, individuals and groups to endorse this minute and to join us in restorative actions to heal ourselves and the planet.
The minute was previously circulated via the NewsList. Copies were made available at MWB. After Denna read the proposed minute, the Clerk asked Friends to contact Denna or Suzanne Keller with comments and suggestions. The proposed minute, with any changes made by the committee, will be read for the second time next month at Fifth Month MWB.
Third Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved, with three changes: correct the ASE announcement of the April 12 discussion (there was no plan for the author, Joanna Macy, to be present); correct the comment in the Ministry and Worship section to show that a suggestion was made that the Spiritual State of the Meeting be a topic for sharing during a regular First Day Meeting for Worship; and, under ASE, last paragraph, change FGC “sessions” to FGC “Annual Gathering.” For this last change, at the invitation of the Clerk, Michelle Bellows explained that “sessions” connotes business, which is not conducted at the Annual Gathering, and that FGC has many ministries, one of which is the Annual Gathering.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk announced that Tom and Carol Wolf plan a trip to Cuba and she anticipates they will request a minute of introduction from RFM, possibly at Fifth Month MWB. (2) The next potluck lunch will be April 26, 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 | Mar 17, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Richmond Friends Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Third Month 15, 2015
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Forty-four (44) members and attenders were present. Mary Graham-Landau was greeter. Michael Pierce from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Kyle Ginraick and Cheron Constance were welcomed as first time attenders to MWB. Randee Humphrey read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) proposed Queries and Voices on Listening.
Peace and Social Concerns: Clerk Denna Joy announced: (1) The committee is a joint sponsor with Richmonders for Peace in Israel and Palestine and the Richmond Peace Education Center of a discussion of the book “The Lemon Tree” at the downtown Richmond Public Library on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Snacks will be provided. The discussion will be meaningful even if you haven’t yet read the book. (2) On March 15 and 22, 2015, “gently used” items will be collected for donation to The Thrifty Quaker to benefit Quaker House. (3) March is the food drive month for the Fan Free Clinic. Food items will be accepted each Sunday. Friends are encouraged to donate.
Nominating Committee: Brooke Davis announced the nomination of Bob Alexander to the Care and Counsel committee. Friends approved. Bob explained that he was led to join the committee after a discussion at a Men’s Retreat when it was noted that some committees have few or no men as members.
Recorder’s Report: Recorder Mary Julia Street recently submitted the annual Recorder’s Report to BYM. She presented some of the key information. In 2014, we added three new members and lost one member. Twenty letters were sent to junior associate members who were turning 25 years of age to see if they wanted to become members. Two requested membership; the others were dropped from the members list. Currently, the Meeting has 168 adult members and 25 junior associate members.
Adult Spiritual Education: Howard Garner announced the following: (1) On March 22, 2015, Bible Workbench will be held from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. It will focus on Jeremiah 31: 31-34. (2) On April 12, 2015, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, as part of the series Spirit and the Environment, Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy will present and lead a discussion of an essay “The Greening of the Self.” Copies will be made available before the event. All are encouraged to attend. (3) The committee is in the process of rescheduling the programs on the James River and conscientious objection as soon as possible.
Elizabeth Smith spoke on a topic related to conscientious objection. For a number of years, a notebook with statements by Meeting members in opposition to war and military service was kept in the library. She wondered whether having the notebook available again, with the opportunity for additional statements, might be helpful. The Clerk asked Elizabeth and representatives from Adult Spiritual Education, Peace and Social Concerns, and Religious Education to meet and discuss this.
Dan Shaw announced that registration for the 2015 Friends General Conference sessions opens on April 1, 2015.
Care and Counsel: Margaret Edds made two announcements: (1) The committee is still accepting applications to Quaker camps. Since the available funds exceed what is likely to be used by members of the Meeting community, she asked Friends to think about other young people who might be interested in attending with a scholarship. A Friend suggested that scholarships be made available through the Friends Association for Children. (2) There will be a New Member and New Baby welcome on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at rise of Meeting.
Ministry and Worship: Tracey Cain distributed copies and read the first draft of the 2014 Spiritual State of the Meeting report. Several Friends expressed their appreciation of both the content and the writing of the report. The committee invites Friends to submit comments and suggestions to clerk Tracey Cain, who will share them with the committee as they consider revisions. Several Friends commented that having an opportunity to talk about the Spiritual State of the Meeting on a Sunday would be helpful and might engage more people. The Clerk suggested that Ministry and Worship consider additional ways for Friends to meet to give input to the committee in the future.
Second Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved. A suggestion was made about usage and capitalization of the names of days of the week in minutes (e.g. Sunday vs. First Day). The Clerk and Recording Clerk will consider the suggestion.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk read the travel minute for Rita Willett. Friends approved. The letter will be attached to the minutes. (2) The Clerk described several recent activities related to the zoning complaint and building usage. Recently, two hostile phone messages were left on the answering machine, which were reported to the police. Having heard the messages, it was the judgment of the police that the individual who left the messages is not dangerous. (A Friend noted that while the situation was being evaluated, the BYM Junior Young Friends conference scheduled to be held at RFM was moved to Midlothian Meeting.) The Clerk has formed an ad hoc Building Use Committee including the Trustees, the Building Coordinator, the Clerk, Margaret Edds, Randee Humphrey, Steve Humphrey, and Rita Willett. The committee’s charge is to address our building use policies and to find ways to engage the neighborhood to ensure that we are being respectful of our neighbors and remaining true to our values. The committee is hoping to resolve the complaint before a formal letter of zoning violation is issued.
A question was raised about the FCNL “War Is Not the Answer” sign, which was taken down after a zoning officer who came to the building said that it had to be removed. While informal legal advice has said that RFM has the right to replace the sign, there was not unity among the Trustees, the Building Coordinator and the Clerk as to whether it was appropriate to replace it.
Representatives from the ad hoc committee will be meeting with City Councilman Jonathan Baliles to explore ways to engage the community. The Clerk encouraged Friends to consider our responsibilities in the neighborhood and discern what we should be doing, not simply react to what we can do. The Clerk asked Friends with concerns and suggestions to contact her, the Trustees, or members of the ad hoc committee. In response to several suggestions and comments, she stated that they were examples of the kinds of questioning and consideration we need to do as a Meeting community. Friends were clear that they supported the work of the ad hoc committee and also that they were eager to be engaged at the level of deep and spiritual dialogue. A desire for sharing about our values and our spiritual response to the issues being raised, in addition to whatever legal concerns need to be addressed, was made clear. (3) The next potluck lunch will be March 22, 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 | Feb 22, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
Meeting began with silence at 11:00 am. Forty-four (44) members and attenders were present. Barbara Myers was greeter. Mary Julia Street from Ministry and Worship sat on the facing bench to hold Meeting in the Light. Doug Reed, Shea Allen Moore, Laura Wead, Kaylee Wead, Mike Callahan, Jim Mustin and Carol Hendricksen were welcomed as first-time attenders to MWB. Tracey Cain read the Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) Queries on Spiritual State of the Meeting.
Religious Education: Catherine Roseberry announced that the BYM Junior Young Friends Conference will be held at RFM the weekend of March 14-15, 2015.
Peace and Social Concerns: Clerk Denna Joy announced: (1) The film “Five Broken Cameras” will be shown on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the Meetinghouse. This showing is in conjunction with the Richmonders for Peace in Israel and Palestine. Discussion will follow the showing. (2) On March 1, 2015 and March 8, 2015, “gently used” items will be collected for donation to The Thrifty Quaker to benefit Quaker House. A Friend noted that The Thrifty Quaker is also collecting items for box lunches for school children. (3) March is the food drive month for the Fan Free Clinic. Food items will be accepted each Sunday in March. Friends are encouraged to donate.
Adult Spiritual Education: Betsy Brinson announced the following: (1) The ASE Winter Series “Spirit and the Environment” will have events on Sundays March 1 and April 12, 2015, from 9:30 to 10:45 am. The March 1 program on Nature and Spirituality will be led by Lynn Domina, writer and poet. The April 12 program will be a presentation by Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy. Copies of an essay that will be discussed will be made available before the event. All are encouraged to attend. (2) On March 8, 2015, from 9:30 to 10:45 am representatives from Quaker House will present a program on conscientious objection. At 11:00 am, a presentation will be made to Young Friends.
Website Committee: Dan Shaw reported for the committee: (1) The committee will investigate installing wireless internet (Wi-Fi) capability at the Meetinghouse, including costs, maintenance, how it would work, and what equipment might be used with it for presentations and other activities. The information will be provided to Monica Shaw (ASE) to share with committees that might want to propose uses of Wi-Fi at the Meetinghouse. In response to questions, Dan stated that no decision has been made about bringing Wi-Fi into the Meetinghouse and that ASE has agreed to provide funds for Wi-Fi, if the Meeting approves installation at some future time. (2) Dan described the sections of the currently functioning and usable RFM website. He also described access to committee folders on Google Drive, including the password. A member of the website committee will meet with each committee to explain how to use the committee folders. In the near future, a Meetinghouse calendar will be added with available dates and times.
Care and Counsel: Barbara Myers announced that the committee is accepting applications for scholarships to Quaker Camp. She encouraged all families to send their children and to apply for scholarships. March 31 is the deadline for applications.
Ministry and Worship: Tracey Cain made two announcements: (1) On Saturday, February 21, the committee will hold the annual Spiritual State of the Meeting meeting. Bagels and coffee will be available at 8:30 am, and Friends will gather and share from 9:00 am to noon, before sharing a potluck lunch. All Friends are encouraged to attend and share thoughts and reflections from the past year. Tracey emphasized that in addition to the importance of the resulting report to BYM, the report allows our Meeting to reflect on the past year and discern what it means for the spiritual life of our Meeting. (2) The Ministry and Worship Committee and the Adult Spiritual Education Committee will hold a Winter Retreat at The Clearing on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Lynn Domina, a poet and teacher, will lead a day of spiritual and creative expression through writing about nature and spirituality. You do not have to be a writer to attend or experience the retreat; all are encouraged to attend. Tracey handed out registration forms to interested Friends. Friends can also register by sending Tracey an email.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Bronwyn Hughes distributed copies of the final 2014 financial report and asked for questions. As forecast last month, although contributions were lower than budgeted, a year-end surplus resulted because of lower-than-budgeted building maintenance costs. Several Friends expressed appreciation for the clarity of the report. The Clerk expressed gratitude for the work of the previous treasurer, the current treasurer, and the Financial Stewardship committee.
First Month 2015 MWB Minutes: Approved, with two spelling corrections.
Clerk’s Business: (1) The Clerk announced some neighborhood concerns about the use of the Meetinghouse that arose beginning last summer. Recently, an employee of the city informed us that a formal complaint about zoning violations was filed. The Clerk, clerk of Building and Grounds, and the Trustees are waiting for an official letter of notification from the city informing us of the specific violation with which we are charged. The Clerk stated she had no definitive information or answers to questions to share yet, and asked if any Friends wished to comment. After a number of comments, she stated that in addition to whatever actions Meeting decides to take with respect to the zoning issue itself, we will also want to engage our neighbors constructively to share how we are stewards of our building and to learn how we can be better neighbors. She may form an ad hoc committee to explore this. More information about the situation will be brought forward in the future. In closing, the Clerk encouraged us to respect that of God in everyone, even those who seem to attack us. (2) The next potluck lunch is at rise of Meeting on Sunday, February 22, 2015. (3) The Letter of Support for Rita Willett’s ministry as a teacher in School of the Spirit, approved by Meeting at 12th month MWB, is being finalized and will be shared with the Meeting community.
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 | Jan 20, 2015 | Minutes of Business Meeting
MWB Minutes, January 2015
