by WebPost | Nov 20, 2023 | Clerk’s Business, Minuted Decisions
The Ad Hoc Committee on Race and Racism is presenting to the RFM community a Proposed Minute on Race and Racism. The minute has its origins in the following query that the committee had posed to the RFM community: "What should Richmond Friends Meeting do regarding race and racism?” Responses to the query were submitted online, were written and placed in a box at the meetinghouse, or were voiced at listening circles. The committee drafted the Proposed Minute on Race and Racism to encapsulate what was learned from the query responses. The ad hoc committee hopes that RFM will unite with a minute in order to clarify the Meeting's purpose and intention as we move forward into action. We invite reflection on this minute at a Meeting for Discernment on December 2 from 10am to 12 noon at the meetinghouse. We hope you can join us.
Richmond Friends Meeting - Proposed Minute on Race and Racism
As Friends, our belief that there is ‘that of God’ in everyone grounds our practice of upholding the worth of each human being. Each person is guided by an Inward Teacher toward truth; each has the capacity to experience and be transformed by Spirit. The fullness of our lives – as individuals and as a community – unfolds as we live into these spiritual truths. Just as we value each person, these core beliefs lead us to value the diversity of culture, race, and ethnicity that enrich the human family. Richmond Friends Meeting commits to being a faith community of deep hospitality for and inclusion of all people.
We recognize that inequality and injustice based on race are deeply rooted in our society. Richmond Friends Meeting commits to challenging and repairing racism in ourselves as individuals, within our Meeting, and in our Meeting’s relationship with the wider world.
We embrace these commitments as guides for our personal lives, our life as a community, and our Meeting’s engagement in the wider world. Living more fully into our commitments will require listening, humility, and a willingness to be transformed. We seek to live into our commitments in these ways:
· RFM will make it a clear, strong priority to understand and act on issues related to race and racism.
· We will be undergirded by our Quaker faith as we embark on this work, seeking to reflect and strengthen our relationship with Spirit.
· As expressions of our faith, our commitment to justice — and our testimonies of equality, community, peace, integrity, simplicity and stewardship — will guide our work.
· Living with integrity means consistency between our actions and our deeply held beliefs. The actions we take will make clear RFM’s stand against racism and will uphold our commitment to nurturing a community inclusive of all people.
· RFM will research and reflect on our history as a meeting in order to discern atonement for past harm and injustices, as well as to recognize sincere efforts at racial progress and healing.
· We will seek to understand the history and ongoing realities of systemic racism. This understanding will be fundamental in discerning action.
· RFM will collaborate with groups and organizations that promote racial healing and seek to dismantle some aspect of structural racism.
· We will seek to follow the leadership of people of color and that of Quaker organizations that are addressing issues of race and racism.
· We recognize that this is an ongoing process, and we hold each other in the Light as we seek to learn, to be transformed, and to be of service.
With Thanks,
Margaret Edds, Allen Lee, co-clerk, Kathleen Morgan, co-clerk, Ruth Morrison, Lynda Perry, Michael Pierce, Monica Shaw, Rita Willet
by WebPost | Dec 17, 2014 | Adult Spiritual Education, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Minuted Decisions, Worship
Editor’s Note: The following report was accepted at business meeting on 16 November, 2014.
Following 2013 Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) annual session, Richmond Friends Meeting (RFM) learned that the BYM Faith & Practice draft was not approved and the committee was laid down until a new committee could be formed. RFM felt a responsibility to look at the 2013 Faith & Practice draft and provide feedback to BYM. The Clerk of Meeting, Barbara Hulburt, created an ad hoc committee in First Month 2014, to look deeply at F&P and report back to business meeting. The committee met five times over the year.
The committee felt the reading and reflection on F&P was spiritually deep and rewarding. We read each section of Faith and Practice with the following queries as our guides: How does this speak to me? How do I think this speaks to my meeting?
Overall, we feel a deep respect and gratitude to the Friends who worked for 10 years to bring this draft to us all. We appreciate the breadth and depth of the undertaking. There is much that resonates with us as a group, we felt the Vision Statement’s use of the many metaphors for Quaker Spirituality inclusive and welcoming. We also liked several sections: Simplicity, Aging, Integrity and Listening. We liked the inclusive wording and appreciated the diversity in the Voices sections. The queries that are deeper and open-ended engaged our hearts and minds (versus the yes-no queries).
It reads as if different sections have different authors with different perspectives. Careful editing might smooth out these differences while not eliminating the varying thoughts and experiences. We also found some sections, like Education, were too wordy and too theistic.
We were particularly sensitive to the discussions and the advices and queries that speak of “God’s will” and “worshipping God together,” and “Quaker beliefs.” As these wordings embrace a spiritual perspective that implies an exterior God directing things and a Christo-centric creed, non-theists experience discomfort and may be led to feel like second-class Quakers. For guidance in re-writing and editorial work, we would refer to page 149 which states: “Baltimore Yearly Meeting is without binding creed. Its beliefs are based on its Judeo-Christian heritage and adherence to the Spirit of Christ, the inward Light, the Divine Seed, and That of God in everyone.
At this point of our exploration we recommend the continued editing of the F&P. We do not want the essence of Quakerism diluted, but ask for language that is authentic and meaningful to the diverse spectrum of Quakers today. We feel there are many expressions that are satisfying to theists and nontheists alike, such as Inner Light, Inner Teacher, that of God in everyone, Spirit-led, and others. We feel that inclusive language does not require the removal of God, Christo-centric voices and Biblical passages from F&P, but we do feel that it should not contain language that makes some Friends feel excluded. When these terms are used, the context should be that of the inward teacher, the inner light, etc. When used that way, they become interpretable to all of us.
We provide the following examples to show our thought process. A section that troubled the RFM ad-hoc committee was the marriage section and BYM’s definition of marriage, “Marriage, as understood by Friends, is a relationship involving two individuals, God, and the religious community that witnesses, recognizes and supports it.” We offer this in its stead, “Marriage, as understood by Friends, is a Spirit-led relationship involving two individuals and the Friends’ community that witnesses, recognizes, and supports it.”
We understand that Faith and Practice becomes a snap-shot of a time & place of our corporate spiritual journey, and that it will never be perfect or finished. We ask that as the new committee convenes, they hold the following query, found in the Diversity section on page, 71, as its guide: “Are we willing to be in communion with each other, open to our differences yet secure in the one Spirit that calls us all to be Friends?” We are confident that the Friends of BYM can create a document of greater integrity and right relationship.
Richmond Friends Meeting
BYM Faith & Practice ad hoc Committee
Bob Alexander
Diane Bowden
Tracey Cain
Bronwyn Hughes
Don Miller
Elizabeth Smith
by WebPost | Dec 17, 2014 | Children and Religious Education, Minuted Decisions
Child Safety Policy—Approved Final Policies
Ad hoc committee members:
Trustees: Ada Hammer, Gordon Davies, Sanford Hostetter
Nursery: Janet Thoroman
RE: Catherine Roseberry, Diane Bowden, Barb Adams
Advising: Steve Bricker
Background
The RE committee and Nursery coordinators have had general guidelines for what we do, but in the last few years our insurance company has sought more explicit protocols from their insured churches, including BYM and Quaker Meetings, aimed to prevent the opportunity for, or allegations of, child abuse. This culminated in a recent mandate from them to administer criminal background checks on people that work regularly with children. After receiving this mandate, Denna Joy, clerk at the time, suggested we review what we have in place, and in September 2013 the ad hoc committee was created and given this charge:
As clerk of Richmond Friends meeting, I recommend the creation of an ad hoc committee to review and refine guidelines, policies and processes that address child safety in our Meeting. The impetus for this review is new mandates by meeting’s insurance company, which includes criminal background checks on those who work directly with children. This committee will work to develop policies to ensure alignment with these mandates. At the conclusion of their review, the committee will prepare a report for Meeting, and work with the Clerk to determine what aspects would need to come to Meeting for Worship for Business for approval.
So we have been meeting and rigorously discussing since then. This past spring, with Barbara Hulburt’s guidance, it was decided that we would separate the presentation and approval of the policy regarding criminal background checks from the rest of the policies. The Trustees, who the ad hoc committee had decided would be responsible for administering the background checks, presented that policy to Meeting and it was approved in June 2014. Today we present the rest of the policies for the approval process.
Thoughts on Child Safety Policy
Richmond Friends Meeting dearly loves and cares for our children and protecting them is without a doubt a priority. We would say our Meeting is a safe and welcoming place for children. So to take a magnified look at child safety – preventing child abuse – is challenging at the very least. Most of us have personal, professional, political and spiritual experiences and perspectives that inform us in this discussion. And they are often accompanied by strong emotions – worry, dissonance, distrust and fear – while at the same time offering opportunities for insight and growth. Ours was a thoughtful and deliberate process and we grappled with a number of difficult issues, weighing what is reasonable and speaks Truth to us with what might be expected.
Someone mentioned during an earlier discussion in June that while social constructs, like background checks, provide some level of safety, they cannot replace empowering children, parents and the adults responsible for them. While Meeting has accepted the necessity and benefits of incorporating some of these constructs, we need to continue to explore other factors of a truly safe environment. It’s hoped that once we’ve concluded our charge and incorporated the heightened awareness prompted by these policies, we will move beyond them and focus on the positive face of this process – a more involved, loving and caring community.
The Policies
The ad hoc committee has worked to craft policies and guidelines that address a number of aspects of the safety of children that are realistic and doable given the size and structure of our Meeting. We have the policy document – the What – which is what we are bringing for approval, and we also have guideline documents – the How – from each committee and position that is involved in supporting them: Nursery, RE, Care and Counsel, and Building and Grounds and the Trustees guidelines which were shared in the spring.
Submitted by Barbara Adams
Editor’s Note: The following policies were approved at business meeting on 16 November, 2014.
Richmond Friends Meeting Child Safety Policies
Richmond Friends Meeting believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment, especially for our children. To ensure the greatest protection for children and the adults that work closely with them, we have adopted the following policies, appropriate for our meeting size and structure, which acknowledge the Light within us all.
- Criminal background checks are administered for adults who serve in roles with frequent and ongoing interaction with children (See Child Safety Policy: Criminal Background Checks, approved by Meeting June 15, 2014). Occasional volunteers, working with at least one other adult, are not required to have a criminal background check.
- We believe that two trusted adults, with cleared background checks, provide the safest oversight of children. We intend to provide this in all settings with children. If two such adults are not available, we will ensure alternate arrangements that provide the greatest protection.
- Meeting’s facilities used by children are regularly inspected and maintained for appropriate accessibility and safety (See B&G Guidelines).
- Parents, Meeting volunteers and paid child care workers collaborate to know and understand the medical and emotional needs of children, to limit the spread of illness and to respond quickly and effectively to illness and injuries.
- The RE and Care and Counsel Committees, Nursery Coordinator(s) and Clerk of Meeting will collaborate to enact a sensitive, effective process to address concerns or allegations of any misconduct. On receiving a concern, the committee clerk or coordinator responsible will document it in writing and will report promptly to the Clerk of Meeting. Together they will determine the next response or action to be taken, following guidelines specified by the State of Virginia, where applicable.
- Once adopted, these policies will be reviewed after one year, earlier if necessary, and thereafter as needed. Reviews will be initiated by the Trustees, and include the RE clerk, Nursery coordinator(s) and others deemed appropriate.
Note: The procedures to support these policies are specified in guideline documents for the committees or Meeting positions involved, including the Trustees, Religious Education, Nursery Coordinators, Care and Counsel, and Building and Grounds.
by WebPost | Jun 20, 2014 | Children and Religious Education, Minuted Decisions
Child Safety Policy: Criminal Background Checks
Adopted by Richmond Friends Meeting on June 15, 2015
The purpose of this policy is to ensure child safety. BYM encouraged such a policy and the insurance company required it.
One aspect of a child safety policy is Criminal Background Checks for persons who work with children in religious education, nursery care, or other Meeting activities. The Trustees have developed a procedure to meet this requirement.
In the tradition of Friends, the Trustees have worked with the ad hoc committee to establish a procedure that is compassionate and forgiving, respects personal privacy, and allows individuals to make decisions that affect their lives. The very notion of criminal background checks does not fit well with our tradition, but the Trustees have accepted the reality of this requirement and have attempted to develop a procedure that is both loving and thoughtful. The highest priority will always be the safety of the child.
Persons for whom Background Checks are required will include:
Adult Nursery workers 18 and over
Nursery Coordinators
Religious Education Committee and teachers
Persons who regularly are “Friendly Adults” caring for children
Both paid and volunteer adult workers will have Background Checks. They will be paid for by the Meeting, and the cost will be modest.
The Clerk of RE will review the procedure with possible workers and offer them an opportunity to share any background information that might be relevant.
A Trustee will forward the Background Check form to the investigating organization and will receive its report.
- If there are no adverse findings, the process will move forward.
- If there are adverse findings, the individual may withdraw from consideration or may request that the process continue.
- If there are adverse findings and the individual requests that the process continue, the RE Clerk or Nursery Coordinators will determine whether they wish to proceed; only if they decide to proceed will details of the adverse finding be shared.
- A committee made up of the individual, a Trustee, and the Clerk of RE/Nursery Coordinators or a designated member of the RE committee will work together to create a plan to mitigate any risks posed by the findings.
The Trustees will be responsible for the Background Check procedure and will report regularly to the Meeting as it is put into place.
by WebPost | Mar 27, 2014 | Minuted Decisions
The following marriage equity minute was approved in Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on 3/16/2014:
In keeping with our Quaker testimonies of integrity and equality, Richmond Friends Meeting offers the same marriage under the care of Meeting to all couples. Because civil marriage is not legally available to all in the state of Virginia, we lay down our practice of signing marriage licenses, until such time that it is available to all.
by WebPost | Nov 4, 2011 | Minuted Decisions, Peace and Social Concerns
For a number of years, groups of mostly RFM members and attenders have spent one-week in the spring working at sites affected by natural disasters, including the gulf coast (Hurricane Katrina), Ider, Alabama (tornadoes), and Crisfield, Maryland (Hurricane Sandy).
The following policy governing the oversight and financial support for disaster-relief groups was approved at the 11th month 2011 meeting for worship with a concern for business.
RFM policy governing the oversight and financial support for disaster-relief groups
Groups desiring to go on disaster relief missions as representatives of Richmond Friends Meeting will receive permission by writing to Peace and Social Concerns expressing their purpose, the dates of the trip, how the finances will be developed and a list of expected attendees. Disaster Relief groups will provide aid to the needy via labor to redevelop lost or damaged property, feed the hungry and serve the harmed following the principles of Quakerism. With the blessing of Richmond Friends Meeting, Peace and Social Concerns approval will allow the disaster mission to go as a Quaker group and allow them to hold fundraisers at Meeting. P&SC would request a short, written description of the work performed after their return. A separate line item will be included in the Richmond Friends Meeting budget and each group will have the authority to collect donations that will be posted on this line item of Richmond Friends Meeting financial statements.
Presented at Meeting for Worship for Business, Nov. 20, 2011, by Martha Foster, Co-clerk P&SC
