Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

 

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Newsletter, April, 2009

 

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Queries on Stewardship of the Environment

Addressed to the Meeting::

  • Is the Meeting concerned that human interaction with nature be responsible, guided by a reverence for life  and a sense of the splendor of God's continuing creation?

  • Are the decisions of the Meeting and its committees relating to the uses of property, goods and services, and energy made with sensitivity toward the environmental impact of these choices?

  • How does our Meeting learn about environmental concerns and then act in the community on its concerns?

Addressed to the individual:

  • How am I helping to develop a social, economic, and political system which will nurture an environment which sustains and enriches life for all?

  • Am I aware of the place of water, air, and soil in my life? Do I consider with care the necessity of purchasing substances hazardous to the environment?

  • Do I choose with care the use of technology and devices that truly simplify and add quality to my life without adding an undue burden to essential resources?

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, 2002, page 213

 

Partial Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Meeting opened with a few moments of silent worship. Mike Malone, Acting Clerk, presided.  The Queries on Outreach were read, contemplated, and spoken to.  Our hosting of the Friends World Conference Celebration about a year ago was mentioned as was the Meeting's openness to new attenders.  Minutes of the previous Meeting were perused and approved with the correction that 13% to 41%, not 16% to 41%, of other Meeting's budgets go toward their PYM Covenant.

Andrea Knox distributed a written summary of the February 15 Threshing Session on our Covenant with Yearly Meeting. She led a brief discussion and clarified how the proposed reduction of our Covenant would be implemented in view of the fact that our fiscal year is calendar while Yearly Meeting's runs from July to June.  The proposal was adopted, as was the proposed Meeting Budget of January 11 reflecting this change. Yearly Meeting has been made aware of our discussion on the matter and will be contacted regarding our approval of the change.

LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: William Christopher Hollinsed has requested transfer of membership to Adelphi Monthly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Accepted with regret. Our longtime member Richard L. Raymond, Sr., died November 26, 2008. A Memorial Meeting was held at the Meetinghouse on December 13, 2008.  Our new members Sharon Gunther, Frank Lindgren, Florence Lewis, and Alexandra Kendrick will be welcomed at the Easter Tea, April 12, 2009, at the rise of Meeting for Worship.  A total of 143 local members and attenders were called and invited to attend the recent Friendly Gatherings. Scott Newman and other Committee members, in conjunction with our Meeting Secretary, are working on an updated Meeting Directory to be made available in both print and pdf electronic format, the latter requested for use by Meeting members and attenders only. 

Pat Thomas reported for Worship and Ministry Committee: 1) The Spirit and the Arts program will be next Sunday.  So far, 12 people have indicated they will participate. 2) The Committee is updating and expanding the availability of Pendle Hill and other pamphlets. 3) The Committee invites ideas on how to solve the problem of lateness to Meeting for Worship.

Mimi Hall reported for Peace and Social Concerns Committee: 1) She noted that Paul Green, Sue Larson, and Chris DeGrado will be in charge of purchasing food for Cooking for the Homeless and that the Group is looking into the use of biodegradable products to replace plastic. 2) The Discretionary Fund is still active under the leadership of Mac Hoffman and Paul Greene. 3) A letter-writing session is being planned to be held after Meeting for Worship.  4) The Committee is looking for new members in that several will be retiring this summer. 5) Through the efforts of Paul Greene and Shelly Costa, Suraya Pakzad, an Afghan active in human rights for Afghan women, will be speaking at Whittier House on March 23, at 7:00 p.m. Sharon Gunther recommended the film "Grains of Sand" about the women of Afghanistan and Pakistan in this regard.  She is hopeful that it can be shown here.  A Friend raised a concern in light of the present economic financial hardship.  The work of SHARE, Philabundance, and the Chester Garden Project were mentioned in discussion, as was the Widener Conference on Hunger in Delaware County.

Paul Joyce Collins Williams reported for PYM Interim Meeting: He distributed and commented on a written report covering the following: History, Vision of a Renewed Purpose, a letter from Mark Myers regarding priorities process listening sessions, draft Statement of Priorities for PYM 2009-2012, and the General Secretary's Report on Goals for 2008-2009. He noted that final approval of Priorities for PYM 2009 to 2012 will be sought either this March or at this summer's Yearly Meeting Session.  A member expressed a deep concern of her own and others that this represents a huge change in governance and would push aside and bypass participation by Quakers, in general. It was noted that while 14 to 15 Meetings have held threshing sessions on the proposed changes, Swarthmore has not, due to other pressing issues.  There is still and opportunity to voice concerns at the upcoming Yearly Meeting Sessions.  Paul suggested appointing our official representatives to Yearly Meeting which was done.  They will be Paul Joyce Collins Williams and Sharon Gunther.

Mary Titus reported as Meeting Secretary: Last week's overnight session involving 70 high school students went smoothly and presented no problems.  Thus, their $100 deposit should be returned.  Approved.

After a few moments of silent worship, the Meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

 

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

Save Money! Get Your Mailings by E-Mail

Since as most of you know, the U.S. Postal Service is raising postage rates again in May, to 44 cents.  The cost of paper continues to rise.  The Meeting is looking at ways to reduce the amount of money we spend on postage and paper each year.  We could send the monthly newsletter by e-mail to those who would prefer it.  This would save not only postage, but also paper.  Would you prefer to receive your newsletter by email? If you would, please call or e-mail the Meeting Office and let us know.  We would need a valid e-mail address.  It will come as a pdf file.

Easter Tea to Welcome New Members

All are invited to a celebration tea for new members, Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, in Whittier Room at the rise of Meeting.  Please join us for this special annual fellowship.  Spend time getting to know each of the new members at a deeper level.  While honoring our new members, reflect and renew one's own relationship to our Meeting.  Sip a cup of punch, enjoy finger foods from the sweet and savory table, and joyously celebrate our growing Swarthmore Meeting community.  We hope to see  you all there!

    Submitted by LaDorna Pfaff, Co-Clerk of Care and Counsel Committee

Prayer Shawl Crafters to Meet Twice a Month

Beginning in April, the Prayer Shawl Crafters will meet twice monthly, on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting Office.  If you love to knit, join us.  If you would like to learn to knit, we will teach you.

First Day School Events

  • April 12, Easter Sunday - there will be singing during Meeting for Worship. We will have plants to give away, in our tradition of celebrating growing, re-emergence, and resurrection.

  • May 3 - Bird Walk, one of our meeting's oldest traditions, has a change this year!

    7:45 - 9:00 a.m. Bird Walk on Campus

    9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Potluck breakfast (instead of a potluck lunch) for everyone, even if you don't go strolling in the woods.

    10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship

  • May 17 - The last First Day School classes will be on May 17.  During Meeting for Worship, Johanna Sibbett will present Bibles to the 4th graders, and Faith and Practice to the 8th graders and the college senior attenders.  For the following special refreshments to thank the First Day School teachers, sweet of savory finger foods would be appreciated.

Every Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, there is a family-style, multi-age childcare, provided by the Meeting's teens.

    Submitted by Kit Raven, Clerk of First Day School Committee, and Barbara Burger-Lentz

Changes in April and May Calendars

Since Easter falls on the second Sunday in April (the 12th), Meeting for Business will be held on the third Sunday, April 19.  The April potluck brunch ahs been cancelled, replaced by the Easter tea.

Since Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May (the 10th), Meeting for Business will be held on the third Sunday, May 17.  The May potluck brunch has been moved to May 3, and will be a potluck breakfast with the First Day School's annual Bird Walk.

Giving Made Easy

It's now as easy to contribute to the meeting as to pay your mortgage or electric bill. Just arrange for automatic deductions from your checking account to be sent directly to the Meeting each month, quarter, or year.  The form authorizing automatic deductions was included in the March appeal mailing.  If you didn't receive the form, or need another one, please contact the Meeting Secretary, Mary Titus, at 610-328-8699 or [email protected].

    Submitted by Andrea Knox for Budget and Finance Committee

New First Day School Format for Teens: Sociable Sunday Lunchtime Discussions

Since January Swarthmore College senior Emlen Metz has been guiding students in ethical and philosophical discussions.  This format has been a success, but we think we can do even better! Instead of being concurrent with Meeting for Worship, Emlen's classes will now meet Sundays at NOON for a pizza lunch in Kohlberg 202, on the Swarthmore College Campus.  Please note that is is  WEEKLY format, with the only exception being potluck Sundays (April 19 and May 17), when Emlen will host a teen discussion table in Rushmore Room at the regular potluck time.

Our sampling of the new First Day School format has been very promising. By several accounts, Emlen's February potluck discussion opened up new ways of thinking for our teens. And, in March, Emlen paired a viewing of the Jim Carrey film The Truman Show with a successful discussion about morality and friendship as illustrated by the film.  Reports from the high schoolers have been very positive.

All teens are welcome, whether Meeting members or not, so students should feel free to bring friends! For "normal" (non-potluck) Sundays, high schoolers should bring $1.00, or so, to contribute to pizza and drinks. There will sometimes be films, sometimes thought-provoking games, always discussion and chat.  Emlen loves getting to know new students.

Many thanks to the teens and parents whose feedback helped us to restructure the high school class.

    Submitted by Shelley Costa

Upcoming Adult Religious Education Programs

April 5 - "Five Steps to Forgiveness" led by Judy Owens and Gary Smith, Haddonfield Friends Meeting

May 3 - "Spiritual Basis of Peace and Social Concerns Work" led by Mimi Hall

June 5 - "Non-violent Communications" led by Steve Weimar

All Religious Education events are held in Whittier Room.

 

Jumble 2009

This year is a great year to Jumble! More than any other time in most of our lifetimes, money is in short supply; any means that allows us to help the Meeting and the community "get more with less' should be a focus.

Jumble is the ultimate "get more with less" event.

  • People energy fuels the Jumble Sale. Your "contribution" (mostly in sweat and donated items) comes back to the Meeting more than a hundred-fold; turning your investment into thousands of dollars for the Meeting and for the causes it supports.

  • Jumble is an opportunity to share our bounty with those who need to stretch their dollars. Donated old treasures and former necessities allow struggling families in our community to get treasures and obtain necessities they  (and we) couldn't normally afford.

  • We can decrease our clutter and overflowing stuff, knowing that the chances are high it will be well appreciated.  Even material left over is donated to programs needing toys or books or to a local "reuse" entrepreneur to continue getting the most out of what folks have given.  Almost nothing from the Jumble Sale goes to a landfill!

  • Jumble breakfast and lunch provide good fellowship for the Meeting and the Community, using, to the greatest extend possible, local suppliers and fresh local ingredients to created fabulous inexpensive "slow food" meals.

Jumble planning has already begun; Spring Drop-Off is Sunday, May 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (start eyeing those boxes you never unpacked form the mover or that overstuffed garage.)

Jumble Committee meets Tuesday, April 21 (low- and high-carb snacks will be available!). I hope to see as many as possible so that Jumble planning and execution will be high-intensity but low stress.  If you have questions, suggestions, or information for Jumble, contact Barbara Berger-Lentz or the Meeting Office.

On Gathered Meeting for Worship

Meeting for Worship is the heart of the Religious Society of Friends.  It draws us together in the enlightening presence of God, sending us forth with renewed vision and commitment.  All who attend Meeting for Worship share responsibility for drawing the Meeting together in expectant waiting and prayer, while feeling the encompassing presence of others, and opening oneself to the Spirit.

The depth of Friends Meeting for Worship is enhanced with respect for the time of assembling; therefore all care should be taken to arrive on time with consideration for those already settled, and for the gathering of the Meeting for Worship.

Friends find it useful to come to Meeting for Worship with hearts and minds nourished for worship by daily prayer, meditation, and study.  We deepen our awareness of the wonder of God and of God's love, and acquire the words with which to understand and express that awareness.  As Friends arrive for Meeting, such preparation helps us set aside our preoccupation with ourselves and so to settle into worship. There is no one right way to prepare for spiritual communion.  Worshiping together strengthens the members of the worshiping community and deepens worship itself.

Vital worship depends of a deeply felt longing for God.

Submitted by Worship and Ministry Committee

Do You Have a Key to the Meetinghouse?

Our record of who has a key to the Meetinghouse is very outdated.  We know many Friends have keys to the Meetinghouse and take good care of them.  But there are some missing keys that we are trying to find.  The Meeting would like to know who has a key so we can update our records.  WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO RETURN THE KEY.  We just need the key number on the back of the Best key.  Please call the office and tell Mary your key number.  We appreciate your help in this effort.

 

Wider News from Friends

Due to the large number of announcements in this newsletter, the number of announcements from PYM has been greatly reduced.  A complete listing is on the bulletin board in the vestibule.  Or you may request the list by e-mail, and the Meeting Secretary will send it to you as an attachment.

Friends Employment Opportunities

  • Associate Director for Communications and Public Relations, The Kendal Corporation - The Kendal Corporation, Kennett Square, PA, not-for-profit, values-based leader in services to older people is seeking an Associate Director for Communications and Public Relations.  Kendal embraces principles of the Religious Society of Friends values and practices; The Annual Report is on web site www.kendal.org. Competitive wage/benefits. Ten affiliates/six states.. Successful candidate fosters Kendal's values in outcomes and processes.  With Director develops, coordinates public media relations and publications programs.  Requirements and experiences:  10 years public media relations plans and activities; communication, writing and editing; publishing well-written and designed articles; web-based communications and web-sites; advertising layout and copywriting; public speaking; advance applied technical knowledge of publishing software; managing multiple projects; Bachelor's or Master's degree preferred. Send resume to: [email protected]

  • Director of Recruitment and Admissions, Earlham School of Religions seeks a Director of Recruitment and Admissions.  The person occupying this position bears primary responsibility for identifying and recruiting qualified students for the school.  The Director must understand the value of theological education, the diversity of Friends and the wider Church, and the Quaker understanding of universal ministry.  A bachelor's degree is required.  A Master of Divinity or Master of Ministry is strongly preferred.  For a full description, contact Jay Marshall at [email protected] or (765) 983-1423.

Let Your Lives Speak

As we approach the deadline for filing our federal income taxes, visit your members of Congress to tell them what your priorities are for the federal budget.  Join Friends Committee on National Legislation's (FCNL) 2009 Lobby Weekend, April 5-6, in Washington, D.C. Sunday afternoon, April 5, is a training session on effective lobbying strategies.  Visit congressional offices on Monday, April 6.  Financial support is available from PYM's FCNL Network.  For more information from FCNL see http://www.fcnl.org/action/spring_lobby09.htm

Community Events at Fair Hill Burial Ground

Saturday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is a Quaker and Community Day at Fair Hill Friends Burial Ground in North Philadelphia. Help with spring clean up and Easter egg hunt for neighborhood children.  The summer festival will be Saturday, July 11. (Note change of date). Summer festival includes horse and carriage rides, cookout, old-fashioned games, music.  Fall cleanup and historic dedication will be Saturday, October 17.  From June to October, come any weekend afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. for gardening and games.  Directions at www.fairhillburial.org

PeaceWay Festival is May 16 at Providence Meeting

Providence Meeting at 105 North Providence Road (Route 252) in Media PA will host its fourth annual PeaceWay Festival on Saturday, May 16. Two speakers have been invited to start thoughtful, timely conversations about peace-making in our homes, our nation, and the world.  Joe Sestak is a 3-star Navy admiral currently serving as U.S. Congressman from the 7th district of Pennsylvania.  Bob Edgar is President of Common Cause, formerly Congressman fro the same district (1975-1987), and formerly General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.  The day's program also includes peace and justice literature, food, music, children's crafts, a peace labyrinth, and more.  Public invited, Bring your friends.  Watch for program details on www.peaceway.net

Quaker Artists Gathering May 13

A spring gathering of Quaker artists will take place Wednesday evening, May 13, at the Fourth and Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia.  Artist Zan Lombardo will be the guest speaker after dinner.  The gathering is co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts (FQA) and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.  There will be a $15 charge to cover dinner.  Invitations will be sent to FQA members.  If you would like an invitation or more information contact Elke Muller via  http://www.quaker.org/fqa/

From the Greater Pennsylvania Climate Action Project of the PYM Earthcare Working Group: Green Cleaning Products

It's spring, time to muck out the heifer barn and clean your house top to bottom.  So which cleaning products should you use? Phosphate-and chlorine-free products are less damaging to the environment in their manufacture and their disposal.  Those that can be used with cold water and come as to-be-diluted concentrates in reduced packing have less impact with respect to global warming.  For many jobs, ordinary baking soda is a good choice.  Since "green" cleaners are an active field of research of both small and large producers, new information and products are becoming more easily available.  In the future, "green" cleaners are likely to be universally preferred for most applications.  The more often "green" cleaners are chosen now, the sooner that future will arrive.

 

Upcoming Quaker Programs at Pendle Hill

For more information and registration information visit www.pendlehill.org or call (800) 742-3150, extension #3.  Matching scholarships are available. Pendle Hill is a Quaker center for study and contemplation in Wallingford PA

April 10-12: Easter retreat, "Love Made Complete in Us," with Deborah Shaw

April 18: Paul Lacey Speaks on "Privacy Dilemma" "Privacy and Keeping Confidences: Some Moral Dilemmas" is the theme of the third annual Stephen G. Cary Memorial lecture at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, in the Barn at Pendle Hill.  The speaker is Paul Lacey, Clerk of the Board of the American Friends Service Committee. The lecture is free and open to the public.  The Bookstore will be open at 7:00 p.m. and refreshments will be served prior to the lecture starting.  As members of boards, teachers, and participants in religious communities, we take on obligations to maintain confidences we receive in our daily work.  But there are also pressures against maintaining confidences, sometimes in the name of loyalty to the government, sometimes out of a sense that openness and transparency are values transcending respect for privacy.  Paul Lacey sees this topic as especially appropriate for a lecture honoring Stephen Cary, whose many professional, volunteer, and personal responsibilities would have placed him frequently in situations of needing to weigh the competing claims of openness and keeping confidences. 

April 19-23: Short course: "Our Quaker and African-American Ancestors: What Can We Learn from Their Interactions?" withVanessa Julye and Donna McDaniel

April 24-26: "Advanced Clerking Clinic" with Arthur Larrabee

May 1-3: "Beyond Abstinence - Taking the Steps to Happy, Joyous, and Free" A weekend retreat for those recovering from addictions will take place May 1-3 at Pendle Hill in Wallingford PA.  In this program we will explore how to achieve the promises of recovery, especially the "happy, joyous, and free" life promised in the 12th step.  We will use the AA Big Book as our text.  Six months abstinence and familiarity with the steps is a prerequisite.  We will meet, eat, and sleep at the Brinton House Conference Center, so anonymity is assured.  Retreat leader Maia S. has been active in several 12-step programs since 1985 and has over 20 years of continuous abstinence from alcohol. In a life visited with some significant challenges, she has found a faith that works in the 12-step process and a rich, full, rewarding life which is indeed happy, joyous, and free. 

May 3-7: Short course: "Mixed Blessings: The Legacy of William Penn," with with Paul Buckley

May 15-17: "Black Fire: Black Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights"." with Hal Weaver and Stephen W. Angell

 

 

Newsletter Calendar for April, 2009

Date Time Event
Thursday, April 2

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Worship and Ministry Committee at Pat Thomas's home

 

7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Care and Counsel Committee in the Meeting Office

Sunday, April 5

9:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Student Breakfast in Rushmore Room*  when the college is in session

  9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Hymn singing in the Meetinghouse*
 

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Meeting for Worship in the Meetinghouse*First Day School  in Whittier House*

 

11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Fellowship in Rushmore Room

 

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Adult Religious Education in Whittier Room,  "Five Steps to Forgineness""

Monday, April 6

7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Budget and Finance Committee in Meeting Office

Easter Sunday, April 12

 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

  11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Easter Tea to meet new members in Rushmore Room
  4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Prayer Shawl Crafters in Meeting Office

Tuesday, April 14

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Peace and Social Concerns Committee in Meeting Office.

Saturday, April 18

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cooking for the Homeless in Whittier Kitchen

 

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Transitions Book Discussion Group in Whittier Room.

Sunday, April 19

9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

  11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meeting for Business in Whittier Room  (Third Sunday, not the usual second Sunday)
  1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Work Session in Whittier House

Tuesday, April 21 

12:00 noon Deadline for May newsletter

 

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jumble Sale Committee in Meeting Office

Thursday, April 23 

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Newsletter Folding Party in Whittier Room
Sunday, April 26   Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*
  11:45 to 1:00 p.m. Forum: Quaker Quest "Pacifism" in Whittier Room
  4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Crafters in Meeting office (new day)

 

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Mike Malone, Clerk of the Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk;  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; email: [email protected], website: http://swarthmore.quaker.org