Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Summer Newsletter, 2008

Queries on Meeting for Worship

Addressed to the Meeting:

• Is our Meeting for Business held in the spirit of a Meeting for Worship in which we seek divine guidance?

• Are we careful to keep in the spirit of worship each of the concerns that emerge, whether of nurture, of spirit, of social concerns, of property, or of finance??

• Are Meeting decisions directed by prayerful consideration of all aspects of an issue and are difficult problems considered carefully with patient search for truth, unhurried by the pressures of time?

• How do we respond if we notice the Meeting has lost an understanding of the presence of God.

• Do we recognize that we speak through our inaction as well as our action?

Addressed to the individual:

• Do I regularly attend Meeting for Business and in a spirit of love and unity?

• If unable to attend, how do I attend to my responsibility?

• Do I consider prayerfully the many concerns that are lifted up on any issue, acknowledging that the search for truth in unity involves what God requires, being open to personal transformation as the community arrives at the sense of the Meeting?

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice , 1997, page 206 and 207

Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Meeting opened after a few moments of silent worship, with Lynne Piersol, Clerk, presiding.  The Queries on Meeting for Worship were read, thoughtfully considered and spoken to.  Several felt that Meetings for Worship had lately been more meaningful.  Worship and Ministry is trying to make connections with people in order to help them become more educated about worship and Quaker ways. The Minutes of Meeting for Business on May 12, 2008, were perused and approved.

Lynne expressed her gratitude to Mike Malone and Margaret Fraser (her Support Committee), along with others in the Meeting as she finishes out her term as Clerk, probably through September.  She noted that this would be the last Business Meeting until September unless there is very urgent business.  She has been working closely with our new Meeting Secretary, Mary Titus, who has been doing a great job navigating our community and providing services for us.

LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: 1) Jean Boardman has requested that her membership be transferred to Schuylkill Monthly Meeting.  Her transfer was accepted. 2) Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Deepening and Strengthening Program: after much discussion, both in person and by email, Care and Counsel Committee recommends that the Meeting not undertake the program at this time.  The Committee feels there are on-going issues that are more pressing and require our attention including the continuation of learning more about non-violent communication and finding the right course of action in dealing with disturbed individuals who attend Meeting for Worship, and whose actions can be disruptive.

This second need prompted further explanation and discussion.  The Meeting recently has received several disturbing, although non-threatening, letters from someone who has attended briefly at some Meetings for Worship.  The letters were reported to the police, who say that he is mentally ill and has drug issues.  The police have since spoken with him and there has been no trouble since.  Years ago, we faced an issue with an individual who was extremely disruptive and the police were ultimately called.  It was pointed out that other Monthly Meetings face this problem, too, from time to time.  For example, one even found it necessary to hire an armed guard during Meeting for Worship.

It was agreed that at this time Swarthmore Meeting will not undertake the Deepening and Strengthening Program.  Worship and Ministry Committee will contact Arlene Kelly about our decision.  In the meantime there will continue to be religious education programs, and speakers can be invited from both inside and outside the Meeting.

Andrea Knox reported for Budget and Finance Committee: the Committee would like the Meeting to minute its appreciation to Suzanne Wharton who is retiring as Payroll Treasurer. The Meeting minuted its appreciation to Suzanne Wharton for her years of service and asked the Clerk to write a letter to Suzanne expressing our appreciation.

Facilities Use Agreement:  Budget and Finance Committee suggests that Swarthmore use as its model the agreement written by Haverford Meeting, which includes a "hold harmless" clause.  Certain policies in this agreement were discussed.  The prohibition of alcohol except as a part of a religious service was endorsed.  Smoking is allowed only outside the building.  The wearing of uniforms in the Meetinghouse was discussed; for example, could guests wear military uniforms at weddings, how about a whole group in uniform? What about debates in which a strong military point of view is defended?  In general, it was decided that no military event or ceremony inconsistent with the Quaker Peace testimony should be permitted, with no mention of uniforms.  With these clarifications, the Facilities Use Agreement was approved. 

A Policy of Member Payment for Facilities Use (June 2, 2008) was presented, briefly discussed, and approved for use over the summer. This will be published in the July-August Newsletter and revisited in the fall when final approval will be sought.

Peace and Social Concerns Committee: Lynne Piersol presented a brief report from the Committee at Mimi Hall's request.  They would like to especially minute appreciation for their service to: Meg Hawkins, who is resigning and has been working on the Cooking for the Homeless project, Ingeborg Jack, who is moving in July, and has been especially involved regarding peace in the Middle East issues; and Shelly Costa, who will be in Europe next year.

Peace and Social concerns is laying down the Peace Page and will encourage Friends to use a link to PYM http://pym.org/peace-and-concerns/events.php. Steve Olshewsky urged that a volunteer come forth to help Mimi Hall with the purchasing of food for Cooking for the Homeless, a time-consuming job for one individual.

Steve Olshewsky reported on Interim Meeting (Lois Sellers was there, too): the Minute on the World Peace Tax Fund was approved by Interim Meeting.  He also discussed a report fro a Committee that had been looking at the governance of PYM.  It should be available on the Yearly Meeting website and copies will be available in the office.  This report will go to Residential Yearly Meeting for further discussion and approval.

The Meeting has been invited (since it is our turn in the rotation of local churches) to present the Invocation at Swarthmore Borough's July 4th celebration.  It was noted that this would be a good opportunity for outreach.  The request for Swarthmore Meeting to do the Invocation on July 4th was approved.  Ed Jones was asked to do it and accepted.

After several announcements and a brief period of silent worship, the Meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

Request from Care and Counsel Committee

    As a religious community, it is important that we care for those among us who, because of medical or other problems, need our assistance.  If you become aware of such a need, please let a member of the Care and Counsel Committee or the Visiting Committee know.  The Meeting Secretary has a list of members of these Committees.

        Submitted by Lois Sellers

Traffic Flow in Summer

Beginning on Monday, June 23, the Meetinghouse is being used by three summer camps for children.  As a result, the entrance to the building is very congested during certain times of the day.  Every morning from approximately 8:45 to 9:30 a.m., in the middle of the day from approximately 11.15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and in the afternoon from approximately 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., it will be difficult for anyone to pull up to the Meetinghouse by car.  Parking will be at a premium during these times.

If you need to come to the Meetinghouse of the Meeting Office on weekdays, please try to arrange your trip so that you do not get caught up in the massive traffic jam of parents dropping off or picking up their children. 

The camps will be over by the middle of August.

Thank You from the Two-for-One Campaign

        The Discretionary Fund Working Group would like to thank the Meeting for participating in the 2-for-1 Campaign of 2008.  Collectively, we have made over $2,000 in individual donations to the American Friends Service Committee, The Claysure Water Project, the Central Asia Institute, Downingtown Friends Meeting fund for Ammar, and the Chester Co-op. These donations will be matched up to $1500, the amount in the Meeting's Discretionary Fund, so overall the campaign has resulted in a total of over $3500 in donations.  Thank you for making this campaign such a success!

    Submitted by Paul Greene

Feeding the Homeless

    One of the outreach programs at Swarthmore Monthly Meeting is the third Saturday of each month, when members and attenders of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting create a meal for over 100 people at the 69th Street homeless shelter.  Thanks to all who have been helping Cooking for the Homeless over the years, in getting the meals ready in the morning and transporting them to the Life Center in the evening -- some of you started this 18 years ago!

Before the cooking happens, the food and supplies need to be purchased so the cooking can be done (usually the Thursday/Friday night before).  Recently one of our purchasers had to lay down this work; Feeding the Homeless Working Group is looking for someone who would like to take part in this very practical, valuable work every other month.

Please contact Johanna Sibbett or Mimi Hall through the Meeting Office, if you feel you would like to take on this work.

Our next cooking date is Saturday, July 19 --if you are free, please come and help.  Does anyone have a large cooking pan for us? We had to dump one because it leaked!

        Submitted by Mimi Hall and Johanna Sibbett

Fellowship Coffee Hour

            It's the end of another academic year, and that means the Fellowship Coffee Hour regular service will be taking a well-deserved hiatus until Labor Day.  Volunteer servers may sign up for summer First Days on the clipboard in Whittier Room.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our regular serves and substitutes for all the loyal work they've done in providing coffee, tea, and delicious snacks since last fall.  I know thy would a appreciate a word of thanks.  Regular servers were: Ruth Cary, Elizabeth McAndrew, Bill DeGrado, and Joanne Shallcross. Substitutes were: Mary Mangelsdorf, Kathy Santiago, and Willia Schell.

Our greatest acknowledgements, however, must be extended to the Cheung family who, once again, provided a full, hot breakfast for the college students every First Day.  It was a shared sacrifice with the Cheung children, Nicholas, Benjamin, and Natalie, serving and cleaning up, Al manning the stove and dishwasher, and Jennifer planning the menus, shopping, preparing the food, coordinating everything and leading informative, thoughtful discussions during the meals.  A profound thank you, dear Cheungs, is the least we can offer.

P.S. Our servers have provided years of loyal service in this ministry, and it's time for a couple of new faces to step forward for at least a year (September to June) to share the effort.  Everyone loves the results of the extended fellowship time, and the greater variety and amounts of snacks, but we need new volunteers for it to continue.  If you have the time and the interest or any questions, please call Ray Ripper through the Meeting Office.

        Submitted by Ray Ripper

Special Human Rights Speakers' Series at Hedgerow Theatre

        Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley is hosing a series of Human Rights Speakers' Nights at 6:30 p.m. with related plays and readings.

Sunday, June 29 - Speaker: Nancy Webster. Cost $15; $10 for students and groups. "Women's Voices for Freedom" followed at 7:30 p.m. by a topic-related play reading, "Angel Voices."

Monday, June 30 - Speaker: Nancy Webster. Cost $15; $10 for students and groups. "Slavery, the Underground Railroad & Quaker Catalyst" followed at 7:30 p.m. by a topic-related play and reading, "Stand by the River."

        Submitted by Mimi Hall

Volunteers Needed in the Meeting Office

We are looking for one or more people to work in the office for a few hours a day while Mary is away.  The dates are July 16 to July 23.  You would basically answer the phone, handle the email, and handle the mail.  it's easy and fun.  Mary will show you what to do.  If you are interested, please call the Meting Office at (610) 328-8699 and talk to Mary.  You will be paid for your time.

Chester Quarterly Meeting

Quarterly Meeting will be on Sunday, July 27, at Middletown Preparative Meeting.  Worship will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Our Meeting's National Guard Minute is on the agenda.

        Submitted by Lynne Piersol

Tri-Quarter Gathering

Each year for the past 20 years or so, Friends of three quarters, Burlington, Haddonfield, and Salem Quarters, gather in the fall at Camp Ockanickon, in Medford, NJ, to experience an uplifting and fun-filled weekend.  Friends come away from this gathering refreshed and enriched in body, mind, and spirit.  This year we would like to invite Friends from Chester Quarter to join us.

The dates are October 3,4, and 5, 2008. The theme is "Friendly Connections: Strengthening the Ties to our Communities and Our Environment." There are formal and informal activities for all ages. Please contact the Meeting Office for further details.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Book Recommendations

This year's Philadelphia Yearly Meeting will be at DeSales University near Allentown, Pennsylvania, on July 30 to August 3, 2008. The theme is "Sharing Our Journeys: in Light, Love, and Peace." The Sessions Planning Groups for Residential Yearly Meetings invites Friends across the Yearly Meeting to gather together around the common experience of a good book. This year's theme inspired the choice of these books: 

"Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future" (for adults), by Margaret J. Wheatley, and "Other Ways to Listen" (for all ages) by Byrd Baylor. There will be opportunities to respond to these books at Summer Sessions.

For more information on the Sessions, go to www.pym.org/sessions

Policy on Member Payment for Facilities Use -- Draft, June 9, 2006

Members of Swarthmore Friends Meeting and regular attenders who contribute to the life of the Meeting are encouraged to use Meeting facilities for events of a civic or religious nature in which they are involved, and for private events.

1.  Meetinghouse: use of the Meetinghouse is free but a contribution of $100 to $300 requested.

2. Whittier House (Whittier Room, Rushmore Room, the kitchen, and the classrooms):

• For small, informal gatherings (up to 10-20 people), no fee will be charged and no custodian will be provided to open and close the building.  A key may be borrowed from the Meeting Secretary and the member will be responsible for closing windows and locking up after the event.  Voluntary contributions to the meeting are welcome, if possible, and are encouraged in cases where the meeting incurs cleaning or other costs related to the event

• For larger, more institutions gatherings, no rental fee will be charged but the group or member will pay a $35 fee to cover the cost of having a custodian open the building the close the building, making sure it is secure when the event is over.  Voluntary additional contributions to the meeting are welcome, and are encouraged in the Meetings incurs cleaning or other costs related to the event.

• It is hoped that events with significance for the Meeting as a whole will be brought to Meeting for Business for endorsement so that they become Meeting-sponsored events.  Such events will incur no rental or custodial/security fee. If time does not allow for for the event to be considered at the regular Meeting for Business, a brief called Meeting for Business would be appropriate.  Voluntary contributions to Meeting are welcome if possible.

• For a personal or private event, such as a family party, members will pay the standard rental fee of $50 per  hour for Whittier Room, $35 per hour for Rushmore Room, $25 per day for the kitchen, or $15 per hour for a classroom.  Rental of Whittier Room for 3 hours or more is a flat fee of $125 and rental of Rushmore Room for 3 hours or more is a flat fee of $75.  There is no additional security or custodial fee.  Voluntary additional contributions to the Meeting are welcome.

General Policies

1. Those who use the space are expected to leave it as they found it.  Non-food trash must be bagged and left in the kitchen. Food and food trash must be removed from the building.  Leftover food may not be left on the counters or in the refrigerator.

2. Any group or individual wishing to reserve space in either the Meetinghouse or Whittier House must have on file with the Meeting Office and a current certificate of insurance or a signed "hold harmless*" agreement identical to that in the Meeting's agreement for paid rentals.  Space will not be reserved until this certificate is received.

3. Space is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

*Hold Harmless Agreement

The User assumes entire responsibility and liability for any and all damage or injury of any kind or nature to persons, property, or animals caused by, or resulting from, its use on the premises and/or facilities of the Facility Provider, and agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Facilities Provider, its successors, assigns, directors, officers, members, attenders, agents, employees and their heirs, executors and administrators, from and against any and all claims, demands, actions in law or equity, liability, loss, expense, damage or injury, to persons, property or animals caused directly or indirectly by use of the Facilities Provider's premises and/or its facilities by the User's family, agents, friend, invitees attending the event, employees or any and all persons acting in User's behalf or under User's supervision or control, whether direct or indirect.

Newsletter Calendar for July and August, 2008

Please note: Summer camps are using the Meetinghouse through mid-August.

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Lynne Piersol, Clerk of the Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk; Michael Malone, Clerk of Worship and Ministry; Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Mary Titus, Meeting Secretary

Office hours: Tuesday though Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Telephone: (610) 328-8699