Swarthmore Friends Meeting  of the Religious Society of Friends


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Calendar Highlights: 

  • Sunday, January 6, 2013, 11:45 a.m. - Worship Sharing on Spiritual Experiences, Whittier Room
  • Sunday, January 27, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Chester Quarterly Meeting hosted by Swarthmore Meeting

 

                                         

Newsletter, January, 2013    

Navigation links within the electronic Newsletter:  

 

Queries on Education  

Addressed to the Meeting:

  • What is our Meeting’s role in the life and support of Friends’ education? 

  • If supporting or maintaining a Friends school, have we developed an appropriate relationship, Meeting and school?

  • What is our role in the spiritual life of the school, and its maintaining of Friends principles? 

  • What does our Meeting do to support education in the wider community? 

  • What help do we provide for the children and adults in our Meeting to pursue the education they seek, whether academic, technical, or vocational? 

  • Do we make provision for children in our Meeting to attend a Friends school?

Addressed to the Individual:

  • How do I show my concern for the improvement of public education in my community and in the world?

  • Am I aware of what Friends schools are doing and of their plans for the future?

  • How do I show encouragement and support? 

from Faith and Practice of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 2002, page 209

Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business,  

Sunday, December 9, 2012, (edited for the Web)  

The Meeting opened with a few moments of silent worship. Christine DeGrado, Clerk, presided. Several “Moments of Light” were mentioned: Chris expressed her appreciation for the hard work of the various Meeting committees, and Sue Edwards noted how the children during Intergenerational Worship made everyone feel especially welcome. The Queries on Meeting Care for One Another were read, contemplated, and spoken to: Appreciation was voiced to Mary Titus as well as past Meeting Secretaries for their fine work. The Meeting is also blessed with our First Day School , which strives to make all children feel welcome. The Meeting’s efforts to make Whittier Room handicapped accessible were noted. The College continues to be helpful in this regard. Worship and Ministry’s forums on conflict resolution are another expression of developing concern for one another. Minutes of the last Meeting were perused and accepted with slight modifications: In First Day School report: “Westtown Meeting” should read “West Chester Meeting.” In Jumble:  “Almost all” not “All: departments did better.” Margot Ells, an eleventh grade student at Westtown Friends School and frequent participant at Swarthmore Meeting, presented a request to help Dawn’s Place, an organization helping sexually abused women for which she has volunteered. She proposed placing a collection box somewhere in the building for cash and checks. Details were discussed and the idea enthusiastically endorsed, at least for a limited time, by the Meeting. Margot’s participation since a young age in the life of our Meeting was mentioned as especially appreciated, as she has come on her own. It was suggested that Peace & Social Concerns consider the group for next year’s Matching Fund Campaign. Paul Green, speaking for Peace & Social Concerns, suggested Meeting for Business in the future take up the whole question of targeted donations. For example, it would be nice if a collection box be placed in the kitchen to help the Meeting’s Cooking for the Homeless program. A general feeling was expressed that future requests go through a seasoning process, i.e., to held over for one month. Peace & Social Concerns will continue their exploration of targeted donations and will include Dawn’s Place in their discussions. 

Barbara Casini reported for Budget and Finance Committee: The Meeting set a goal for contributions, but has received only 33% so far. Although the new fiscal year ends June 30, we are still only a third of the way there with half of the year gone. She encouraged those who usually give at the end of the calendar year to do so. PYM has asked for a 3% increase in our covenant (Swarthmore has decreased its covenant over the past few years). This will be further discussed in the February Meeting for Business. 

John McKinstry reported for Care & Counsel Committee: The Committee recommends Rich Schiffer for membership. Approved. Also Kathy Florentz. Approved. And also, Barbara BurgerLentz, Lisa BurgerLentz, and Lili BurgerLentz. All approved. In view of this recent flood of new members, the Committee would like to have a more celebratory welcoming, such as a diner for all of them in which they can become better acquainted. It was generally agreed that a potluck dinner sometime in the New Year would serve this purpose. It was noted that Barbara Grove reported that the October 13, 2012 wedding of Nancy Peters and Patrick Farren was performed in the manner of Friends. Nancy Hayden and Edmund Jones were Overseers, as was Joan Taylor of Norristown Meeting, the bride’s aunt. 

Susan Edwards reported for Worship and Ministry Committee: the forums on conflict resolution are being well received. She handed out an extensive summary of the two forums thus far. Discussion continues on the establishment of a skills bank among Meeting members and attenders. She reminded Committee Clerks of the upcoming State of the Meeting report and the need to send their brief summaries to Worship and Ministry Committee soon. 

Shelley Costa reported for First Day School : The Committee discussed ways in which to bring our Faith into everyday family life. Normally Faith and Play is performed by First Day School on the first and third Sundays. The Committee would like to schedule it for the second Sunday during Intergenerational Worship at 9:00 a.m. This would allow Meeting for Worship participants to attend. A Minute of Appreciation was noted for First Day School ’s child care provider Kaity Rockwell. Shelley plans to conduct a forum on March 24 devoted to the life and teaching of Maria Montessori. She finds her work is greatly inspiring and in harmony with our Peace Testimony. 

Susan Larson reported for Quarterly Meeting: She presented a Minute from Providence Friends Meeting calling for an end to the environmentally devastating practice of mountaintop coal removal in  Appalachia . Studies done by the National Academy of Sciences and other organizations point to the increasing health problems in communities in the area. All Meeting members are urged to examine the issues as well in their relationship to PNC Bank, Bank of America, and other institutions heavily invested in the practice. In discussion, there was general approval, although some felt a Minute urging an end to reliance on all coal as well as other fossil fuels should be endorsed. People were encouraged to examine their own electric bills as to the methods used in generation. The movements on college campuses, including Swarthmore, towards divestment were mentioned. The Environmental Working Group will discuss the matter further and draft a Minute to bring before Monthly Meeting. 

Paul Indorf reported on his recent participation in the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Lobbying Day and Annual Meeting in Washington , DC . Five interns spoke at length on their own experiences. This, as well as the visits to members of Congress, proved most fruitful. Cutting Pentagon spending is the FCNL’s chief goal. Other agenda items were discussed. 84% of the financial support for FCNL comes through contributions, primarily in modest amounts of twenty, fifty, or a hundred dollars. Their budget is currently in good shape. Continued contact with our Representatives in letters or emails is important. Paul will work with Peace & Social Concerns to revive the Meeting’s practice of Quaker Quick Notes in electronic format. The Meeting approved sending out links from FCNL and the issues it is working on for those interested in more information about FCNL’s work. 

Mary Titus gave the Secretary’s report: Since the Meeting gave approval at the November Meeting for Business, the number of attendees for the Swarthmore Mountain Justice’s divestment convergence on February 22 and 23 has grown beyond the Meeting’s ability to safely house them. Fifty visitors will spend the night at Whittier House; the students have found additional accommodations at Trinity Episcopal Church for the remaining visitors. Trinity is also providing additional kitchen space. Mary presented a contract drawn up by SMJ’s ME Covarrubias regarding the group’s stay in Whittier House. The Meeting approved the contract with slight amendments. 

Clerk’s announcements: A note was read from Kathy Florentz thanking the Meeting for its help as she applied from membership. A letter from Thomas D. Paxton, Clerk of Kendal Monthly Meeting, accepting the transfer of Erika Muhlenberg, was noted. Chris also clarified the provisions of the John Martin Fund in which applicants with assets of $ 10,000 or more will have distributions from the Fund considered a loan. After brief silent worship, the Meeting adjourned. 

 Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recorder

 

 

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

Worship Sharing of Spiritual Experiences

When: Sunday, January 6, at 11:45 a.m. in Whittier Room. 

The Worship and Ministry Committee invites one and all to a Worship Sharing on Sunday, January 6, at 11:45 a.m. This sharing will be a space for those who attend to share some of their spiritual experiences with one another in a respectful and meditative setting. We will hold each offering as a gift, and we welcome any who choose to participate. Speaking from a background of silence, we will ask questions, express our wonderings, and deepen our shared thinking about questions such as: In your life at present, do you, or how do you, feel profound love, spirit, the Inner Light, or something deeply moving to you? (however you would refer to it) 

Submitted by Sue Edwards, Worship and Ministry Committee 

 Intergenerational Worship Sharing

When: Second Sundays

Intergenerational Worship Sharing -- 2nd Sundays (9:00-9:30a.m.) In December, the First Day School Committee presented the "Parable of Parables" during our monthly Intergenerational Worship Sharing period. This is a very simple Godly Play presentation that explores the very nature of what parables are, and what lies at their heart. In the spirit of continuing revelation, in January, we plan to again present The Parable of Parables, and to continue to wonder about its meaning in our lives. We invite Friends of all ages to join us. 

Submitted by Rich Schiffer, First Day School Committee 

 

Joining Swarthmore Friends Meeting 

It has become clear over the years that the customary process for new members can be-off-putting. While we always want to consider carefully each application of membership, the present procedure can serve as a barrier to those who might otherwise want to join us on a spiritual journey. We have heard from many potential members that the criteria for what one thinks about before application, as well as the application letter itself and the term “clearness committee” imply that there is a fixed image of what a Quaker should look like and think like, before someone even approaches us for membership. We understand how the present practice came about, but it exults form over substance, and we fear we are losing the commitment of many who would like to join us on their spiritual journey. For this reason, Care and Counsel Committee adopted a new process for a person considering membership. We tell that person that several people from the Meeting would like to sit down with them to discuss their concerns or questions about Quakerism and the Meeting, to discuss the meaning of membership and to discuss the more formal process of application. Once we have discussed all this, we ask if they still are interested in membership. If so, we invite them to reduce their interest to writing, explaining the wide variety in letters written. This more personal and flexible approach has borne fruit, for in the one month since we announced it, we had over six new applications for membership, and they continue to flow to Care and Counsel Committee. 

Submitted by John McKinstry, Care and Counsel Committee 

 

Changes to the Newsletter are Coming Soon

This is the Last Issue of the Paper Newsletter! The Meeting is under the weight of the time, expense, paper and labor that goes into sending out paper copies of the newsletter. We are aware of and grateful for the connection the newsletter maintains with all of our members and attenders, both near and far. Nonetheless, given that almost all of our members have computer access, and given that going paperless would be consistent with our testimony on stewardship, the Meeting approved sending its newsletter out entirely by email, as well as continuing its present practice of having it available on its website. In the November and December newsletters, we have asked our membership to notify the Meeting Office, [email protected],  if you would like to receive the newsletter by email, and many of you have done so. A few have also asked to continue to receive the newsletter by U.S. Mail, and we will honor those requests. However, there are a number of members for whom we do not have an email address. Our January 15 deadline is fast approaching. Beginning on January 15, everyone with an email address will receive the newsletter by email, unless we hear otherwise. Those members with a preference to receive the newsletter by U.S. Mail will continue to receive the newsletter by mail. Those members for whom we do not have an email address – if we do not hear from you by January 15, we will assume you no longer wish to receive our newsletter. You will not receive another newsletter until we hear otherwise. Call the Meeting Office at 610-328-8699 to continue your newsletter. 

 

Conflict Resolution at Swarthmore Monthly Meeting – Summary

(Please see the new Conflict Resolution tab on the front page for summaries of other Conflict Resolution Forums)

We held the second of our sessions on Conflict Resolution at SMM on 12/2/2012, and there was a rich discussion of what we do well and what we could do better in this area. The Swarthmore Monthly Meeting community is willing to work with conflict and wants to support people having conflict within the Meeting. The Meeting has a culture that values diversity and respect for one another. When people are in conflict, they are vulnerable, and the Meeting seeks to affirm all parties involved as a resolution is sought. We often don’t know what to do for others and we want to increase our skill set so that we can accompany people to resolution effectively as well as compassionately. In order to strengthen our ability to manifest our values and goals, we have some ideas we might develop that fall into the categories of 1) building the community that serves as the foundational container that holds those in conflict and 2) building specific skill sets in the area of Conflict Resolution. Strengthening the Community We acknowledged many strengths in the area of building social connections: potlucks, Friendly Gatherings, socializing and having fun together. To further strengthen our community we might want to develop interest groups so that people can share with one another the things that matter most to them, for example the Arts and Spirituality sessions. We may want to do more of that in other realms of interest. Organized worship sharing when situations are difficult may help. More use of clearness and support committees might also serve us well. Addressing the disagreements that people might have is important; developing a process whereby we can express our disagreements in constructive and respectful ways may be helpful. We want to acknowledge that when decisions are made at SMM, usually a lot of work and thought goes into them, but people need a way to express themselves when they don’t like something. Opportunities and mechanisms for bringing concerns and disagreements or expressing “upset-ment” is important. We need a process for people to feel safe bringing forward their vulnerabilities. This area of action will be for the purpose of building a strong base of support to strengthen us as a Meeting and as individuals within the Meeting who need assistance with conflict. 

Building Specific Skills: To build conflict resolution skills within the Meeting, it was suggested that we identify a point person or  point group, a first-responders group. These may be members who agree to participate in  mediation or conflict training. Drawing on our strengths as Quakers will be important. Learning to use silence when there is an impasse is an example of a skill that comes directly from our Quakerism. A yearly training would keep skills current. Where do we go from here? We will need to think about next steps. Who will make changes and how? 

Submitted by Sue Edwards, Worship and Ministry Committee

 

Our New Bench 

Meeting members Phyllis Raymond and Mary Lou Parker recently donated a beautiful bench for Friends and attenders to use while waiting for rides or the door to be opened. The bench is made of Eastern White Cedar, which will not rot or warp. It needs no special care, and will weather to a lovely Quaker gray in several months. The bench was made in Tidewater workshop, Galloway , NJ . The bench is located outside the entrance to Whittier House. 

 

Swarthmore Mountain Justice (SMJ) to Hold Divestment Convergence at Swarthmore Friends Meeting

 At our November Meeting for Business, two Swarthmore College students spoke on behalf of a student group at Swarthmore which is trying to get the College to divest itself of investments in companies (including banks) which profit from the fossil fuel industry. They are working specifically to end investment in mountain top removal, a cause they share with EQAT. This campaign is gaining support on a number of college campuses and draws inspiration from the successful divestment regarding South Africa some years ago. They asked the Meeting to support their efforts, mainly in providing overnight facilities and meeting rooms, when groups from other colleges visit the campus on February 22 and 23, 2013, for special lectures and programs forwarding the campaign. The Meeting approved this request. Since that time, the number of people attending the convergence has grown; the Meeting will now provide housing for up to 50 student visitors during the weekend of February 22 and 23, and allow participants to eat their meals here. The remainder of the attendees will be housed elsewhere. We may allow SMJ to use the Meetinghouse for a meeting room. ME Covarrubias, a student attender and active member of SMJ, has written the following letter. “Dear Meeting Members, Swarthmore Mountain Justice, a student organization fighting fossil fuel extraction, would like to ask Meeting members for their assistance housing guest speakers during a student divestment convergence the weekend of Feb. 22-24th. SMJ formed two years ago after members took a trip to Appalachia to visit communities fighting mountaintop removal coal mining. In figuring out how best to be allies to these frontline communities, SMJ members took inspiration from the Earth Quaker Action Team’s PNC bank boycott and started campaigning to divest Swarthmore College ’s endowment from the fossil fuel industry. Since then, the student movement has grown in power, with over 150 allied school campaigns and numerous national non-governmental organizations. Among these are the Responsible Endowments Coalition, the Energy Action Coalition, and 350.org with its notable spokesperson Bill McKibben. Even with growing student and community support and national recognition (SMJ was recently featured in the New York Times), Swarthmore and many other colleges are still hesitating to divest. As one of the oldest student divestment organizations, SMJ has invited student representatives from across the country to a convergence at Swarthmore, where from trainings and speakers students will learn valuable organizing and campaign planning skills that they can take back to their campaigns. We feel that this convergence is absolutely vital for the student movement at this stage of its growth, and are seeking any assistance possible making sure that it can happen. We are still looking to house trainers and guest speakers on Friday and Saturday nights, and would like to reach out to any Meeting members with extra guest rooms, sofas, or floor space who would be willing to provide housing for these guests. Feeding these guests will not be necessary. If interested, please contact ME Covarrubias through the Office, [email protected].  We greatly appreciate any help you could possibly provide. Sincerely,  Swarthmore Mountain Justice” 

 

2-for-1 Campaign Deadline Extended

  The deadline for the 2012 Matching Fund Donation Campaign has been extended until February 1, 2012.  The contribution form was included in last month’s newsletter.  If you would like to contribute but need the form, please notify the Meeting Office [email protected]  and Mary will send you another form. 

Please be sure to submit donations to the working group or to the Meeting Office by February 1, 2013. The selections are listed below: 

1. Nonviolent  Peaceforce is working in partnership with local groups in conflict areas, currently in the Philippines , South Sudan and the Republic of Georgia . The Nonviolent Peaceforce applies proven nonviolent strategies to protect human rights, deter violence and help create space for local people there to negotiate peace.  It is an international nongovernmental organization which has had significant Quaker involvement in its foundation and leadership. www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/

2. Protecting our Waters’ mission is to protect the rivers of Pennsylvania . It has led successful initiatives to defend our river basins from the environmental destruction of fracking.  This grassroots organization is based in Philadelphia .  It supports citizens in organizing to fight threats to drinking water, public health and the environment http://protectingourwaters.wordpress.com/about/

3. The Tibetan Association of Philadelphia works to preserve the Tibetan culture, language and religion in Philadelphia .  They work for justice for the people of Tibet .  Committed to non-violence, they promote the Dalai Lama’s message of love, compassion and kindness http://phillytibetans.com/

 For more information, contact Susan Larson through the Meeting Office, [email protected]

 

Thank You Corner

Thanks to:  

  • Everyone who donated silverware to the kitchen;

  • Phyllis Raymond and Mary Lou Parker, who generously donated a bench to the Meeting in memory of their late husbands (Rich Raymond and Curt Parker, respectively);

  • Jeff Jabco and the Swarthmore College grounds crew, who anchored the bench to the concrete; 

  • And to others who serve the Meeting in silent and unacknowledged ways. 

News about Swarthmore Members

Samantha Griggs is a Grantee

Meeting member, Samantha Griggs, is a 2013 Grantee of the Clarence and Lilly Pickett Endowment for Quaker Leadership. Samantha joined our Meeting after graduating from Swarthmore College last year. Her project is leadership activities with the Young Adult Friends Leadership Institute initiative. 

Steve Olshewsky is an Author 

Meeting Member Steve Olshewsky has written an article that was published in a recent issue of Quaker Life. Friends may read it by going to: http://fum.org/answering-the-divine-grace-of-time/

 

Wider News from Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting  (PYM) News

 To view PYM News in its entirety, go to www.pym.org. for a complete list of activities.

Young Adult Friends Winter Retreat – January 4-6, 2013 --Living Out Our Faith in the World, at Swarthmore Friends Meeting. Join YAFs (age 18-35ish) from across the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting region and beyond for our Winter Retreat, organized by the PYM YAF Working Group http://www.pym.org/committee/young-adult-friends-working-group  We'll be working with the theme "Living Out our Faith in the World." Expect worship sharing, workshops, games, and fellowship as our time is centered around exploring the external expressions of our faith - including ministry, vocation, and activism - and how we live in the world, but are not of it. YAFs are at different places on our journeys, and we come together for rejuvenation, relaxation, and to deepen our connection to one another and the Spirit. Good food and fun are also assured! We're currently looking for YAF workshop leaders for the retreat. Please contact the coordinator if you are interested in becoming a workshop leader. If we've piqued your interest! The cost of the weekend is $35, but financial aid and work grants are available. Registration and more information can be found online at http://www.pym.org/programs/young-adult-friends Questions? Ideas? Contact Elizabeth Piersol Schmidt, YAF Communications Coordinator at [email protected] Please register by January 1st! 

Interim Meeting, Saturday, January 12, 2013, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Arch Street Meetinghouse. We will gather at 9:00 a.m. for fellowship. Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Parking is available at the Meetinghouse. For more information, please check the PYM website at http://www.pym.org/interim-meeting. The agenda, advance documents and reports are generally available one week before Interim Meeting. 

 Junior Interim Meeting, Saturday, January 12, 2013, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Arch Street Meetinghouse. Quaker kids gather to pursue the PYM Children’s Priority as they discerned at Annual Sessions. Fulfilling God’s Big Idea involves service, fun and community. All children in 1st-5th grade are invited to participate. Also, all children in 6th-8th grades are invited to participate and help as Junior Friendly Presences. For more information, contact Ben Camp, Children's Religious Life Program Coordinator at  www.pym.org/children

Connecting With Friends in India , Saturday, January 19, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Arch Street Meetinghouse. Help PYM Friends discern ways to further our ties with Yearly Meetings in India where an older generation wants to nurture leadership among young Quakers. Join us in worship sharing and reflection as we hear from PYM members who attended the All India Friends Gathering. We value your assistance in envisioning our future connections with Indian Friends. http://www.pym.org/committee/india-friends-working-group 

Worship and Ministry Thread Gathering, Saturday January 26, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Newtown Meeting. The Worship and Ministry Thread Gathering is an opportunity for grounding and skills development for Friends who are called to care for the worship, ministry and adult religious education in our meetings. Thread Gatherings offer wisdom and experience sharing, workshops and community around a thread of concern that runs through our meetings. For more information, see the PYM website at http://www.pym.org/threads/gatherings/worship or contact Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Associate Secretary for Program & Religious Life at [email protected]

Winter Family Overnight at Camp Onas , January 26-27, 2013, at Camp Onas in Ottsville , PA. Family overnight is a one night sleepover for the families with kids K-5th grade. Come spend the night at Camp Onas with other families. There is multigenerational activity for the whole family, a dinner together, free time to play, hot chocolate, bedtime stories in front of the fire, Giant First Day School, worship, and a chance for adults to spend time with other parents. You’ll be home on Sunday in time to prepare for the rest of the week! Family overnight is an intentional village for the purpose of being a family of Friends. For more information, contact Ben Camp, Children's Religious Life Program Coordinator at www.pym.org/children

Care of the Caregiver, a PYM Brown-Bag Lunchtime Webinar, January 30, 2013, 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. Join George Schaefer, PYM Care & Aging Coordinator for a lunchtime webinar on supporting care givers in your Meeting. Learn ways to recognize and cope with caregiver stress and compassion fatigue. Discover ways to find strength and support from your Meeting and the larger community. To participate you only need a computer with internet access. For more information and to help with getting connected, contact George Schaefer at [email protected]  To register in advance http://www.pym.org/node/5087  

Tuition Aid Applications for Friends Children in Friends Schools Applications are available beginning in November. Families begin the application process in November. Please complete the form, ensure that your Meeting signs it and ensure that the forms arrive at your school before the school's deadline. This is usually by mid-February. Application forms and instructions are online at www.FriendsEducationFund.org  Families and Meetings with questions may contact Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Associate Secretary for Program & Religious Life [email protected] 

PYM Annual Sessions 2013: July 24-28, 2013 at Muhlenberg College , Allentown PA. Sessions Planning Group invites friends to mark your calendars for the next PYM Annual Sessions: Gathering Together Our Past, Our Presence, and Our Future. Ken Park, Clerk of Sessions Planning, writes about the theme and the group’s discernment, "After much hard work, the Workgroup sensed unity in expressing the need to celebrate who we are, the importance of our past and future while looking at what presence we hold to each other and the world." Read his full statement at http://www.pym.org/gathering-together-our-past-our-presence-and-our-future and please save the dates! Contact Tricia Coscia, Annual Sessions and Volunteer Coordinator [email protected]

Upcoming Programs at Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill, a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, offers programs throughout the year on Quaker faith and practice.  For more information visit www.pendlehill.org  or call ext. 3 at (610) 566-4507 or (800) 742-3150.

Listed below are a few of Pendle Hill’s upcoming events. Please view the entire program at www.pendlehill.org

  • January 11-13, Spirit-Mind-Body Practices for Wholeness, a weekend with Amanda Kemp, Kevin Greene, Amy Ward Brimmer, and Walter Hjelt Sullivan

  • January 18-20, Helping Teens Engage Racial Justice Work, a weekend with Lisa Graustein.

  • January 25-27, Whites Confronting Racism and Working for Racial Justice, a weekend with Ali Michael and Sarah Halley

  • February 8-10 Clerking, a weekend with Deborah Fisch and Deborah Shaw.

 

January, 2013 Calendar

Date Time Event
Thursday, January 3 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Care and Counsel Committee in Meeting Office
Friday, January  4  4:00 p.m. to overnight Young Adult Winter Conference Weekend
Saturday, January 5 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Peace and Social Concerns Committee in Meeting Office
All day and overnight Young Adult Winter Conference Weekend in Whittier and Meetinghouse
Sunday, January 6 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Worship and Ministry Committee in Meeting Office
9:30 to 10: 00 a.m. Student Breakfast in Rushmore Room*
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Hymn singing in Meetinghouse*  
 

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Meeting for Worship in Meetinghouse*    
10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Faith and Play in Whittier House
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Childcare in upstairs Whittier House*
 

11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Library Committee in Library
11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Fellowship Time in Rushmore Room*
11:45 to 1:00 p.m. Adult Religious Education in Whittier Room, Worship Sharing on Spiritual Experiences
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Whittier Knittiers in Meeting Office
Monday, January 7 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. First Day School Committee in Meeting Office
Thursday, January 10 9;30 a.m. to noon Library work day
Saturday, January 12 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Royal Scottish Country Dancers in Rushmore Room
Sunday, January 13 Similar Sunday Schedule as above*
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Intergenerational Worship Sharing in Whittier Room
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meeting for Business in Whittier Room
Monday, January 14 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Cooking for the Homeless Core group in Meeting Office
Wednesday, January 16 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Nursery School Open House in Whittier House
Saturday, January 19 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cooking for the Homeless, Whittier House
Sunday,  January 20 Similar Sunday Schedule* 
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Student Breakfasts resume in Rushmore Room
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Faith and Play in Whittier House
11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pot luck Brunch in Rushmore Room hosted by Jumble Sale Committee
Tuesday, January 22 noon Newsletter deadline
Thursday, January 24 2:00 p.m. Newsletter distribution in Meeting Office
Friday, January 25 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Collection for Black History Month in Meetinghouse
3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Reception in Whittier Room
Sunday, January 27 Similar Sunday Schedule* 
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Chester Quarterly Meeting in Meetinghouse, hosted by Swarthmore Meeting
Monday, January 28 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Budget and Finance Committee, at Steve Weimar's home

 

Swarthmore Monthly Meeting

  • Christine DeGrado, Clerk of the Meeting;

  • Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk;

  • Stephen Weimar, Treasurer;

  • Susan Edwards, Clerk of Worship & Ministry Committee;

  • John McKinstry, Clerk of Care and Counsel Committee;

  • Mary Titus, Meeting Secretary 

  • Meeting telephone and voice mail: 610-328-8699 

  • Meeting e-mail address: [email protected] 

  • Web: http://swarthmore.quaker.org 

  • Office hours: Tuesday through Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.