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