Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Queries on Stewardship of Resources 

Addressed to the Meeting:

• Does our Meeting serve social and economic justice in its uses of property and money? 

• How does our Meeting engage its members in the support of the Meeting’s work, its ministry and the upkeep of its property?

• How does our Meeting engage its members in the support of the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings and other Quaker organizations?

• To what extent does our Meeting rely on current members for financial support, and what role does endowment income serve?

• Does the Meeting consider carefully the appropriate role of invested funds? 

  Addressed to the Individual:

• Am I clear that I am the steward, not the owner, of property in my care? Do I simplify my needs, making choices that balance self-sufficiency (to avoid unnecessary dependence on others) and fair sharing of resources?

• Do I make choices as a consumer that support the equitable distribution of income?

• Does my employment and other activities allow for use of time in spiritual growth and in service to the Religious Society of Friends?

• Do I contribute generously within my means to the funding of the work of Friends in my Meeting, in the Yearly Meeting, and in the wider world of Friends? 

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, 2002, pages 213- 214

Partial Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, May 8, 2011 

The Meeting opened with a few moments of silent worship. Christine DeGrado, Clerk, presided. Two “Moments of Light” were noted: 

1. A thank letter from Martin Reber, PYM Representative, was read. He thanked the Meeting for warmly welcoming him on his recent visit to Meeting for Worship as well as the Hymn Sing beforehand and the Coffee Hour afterwards. He plans to attend again. 

2. Also, it was announced that Jennifer Elam was honored with a special teaching award from the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. 

The Queries on Stewardship of the Environment were read, contemplated and spoken to. One Friend stated that respect for the environment was taught her at an early age and has remained so throughout life. Special thanks was voiced for the efforts of Paul Greene and Shelley Costa to have the movie “Gasland” shown at Swarthmore   College . It is likely that the Working Group on the Environment will soon be revived. A brochure on Quakers and the environment was distributed at the recent Environmental Fair at Strath Haven High School . One Friend stated that per capita energy consumption in the U.S. is so great that even if conservation efforts reduced it by one-half, it would still amount to more than that of Europe . Minutes of the previous Meeting were perused and approved with one correction: George Lacey, not Paul Lacey gave the William Penn lecture. 

Paul Joyce Collins Williams reported for Partners in Ministry: He introduced Board Chairman David Rowley who spoke on the history and effectiveness of the Swarthmore College Protestant group. The Group began in the 1980s when students from the College went to the local churches requesting support for establishing such an organization on campus. Today, 47% of incoming Freshmen do not claim a religious affiliation, but during their stay at Swarthmore a number of them show interest either in revitalizing their old affiliation or exploring a new one. Thus the Group is quite active. David thanked the Meeting for its continued support. He praised the work of Joyce Tompkins, the Group's chaplain, who has greatly invigorated the Ministry. He recommended, as well, the reading of her monthly reflections. A detailed report from the Board was distributed. 

LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: The Committee heartily recommends Ruth Reynolds for membership. On this, the customary second presentation, the Meeting approved. A Welcoming Committee is being formed. Lois Sellers, LaDorna and Barbara Grove have agreed to be on it. Care and Counsel Committee would like to thank all those who helped on Easter Sunday to welcome our new members. Meeting member Charlotte Haines, living in  Leverett , Massachusetts , has requested resignation. Accepted with regret. 

Joanne Swanson reported for Friends Nursery School : The School is now thirty years old and currently has 75 children. She thanked all those who responded to the recent fund-raiser which sold plants for Mother's Day. She explained how one teacher resigned shortly before the Fall session began. Rather than immediately hiring a new, and to the children, unfamiliar person, it was decided to rearrange the teaching responsibilities of the current staff and bring in a new person later. Each teacher is expected to do one visitation of another school and to attend one workshop each year. The School's long legal battle with the State regarding its non-profit status has been successfully resolved. It seems certain that the School will be able to keep its tax-exempt status in the future. 

Marylin Simmel reported for Library Committee: There is a return-book box now in the Northwest corner of the library. There is a June 18 work day planned for sorting and organizing. There is a bequest available for the purchase of new books.

Barbara Grove reported for House and Property Committee: Many summer projects are anticipated: 1) installing special shades for the large window in Whittier Room to help keep the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter 2) repairs to the casement windows and repairs to the north library window 3) painting the library and one of the Nursery School classrooms—the plan being to paint one of the rooms each year. Stacey Quail has been hired to clean the kitchen twice a month, and a window cleaning service will be coming soon. It is hoped a new refrigerator—a larger one to accommodate Cooking for the Homeless preparations—can be purchased. The Committee urges those using the refrigerator not to leave leftovers there, especially if unlabeled. Proposals from two roofing companies are expected. One company advised installing wider gutters to lessen seepage of water into the basement. Depending on how much of the old roof needs to be removed, insulation is being considered. The Meeting minuted its appreciation to Barbara Grove and to Ann Renninger for their dedicated work on House and Property. 

The Clerk presented an updated Nominating Committee report provided by Virginia Williams Joyce who could not be present: Lois Sellers is a new appointment to Worship and Ministry Committee; Bob Turner is a continued appointment to Personnel Committee; Mike Malone to Worship and Ministry Committee as a special request to June, 2012; and Elizabeth McAndrew as a special request to First Day School Committee. 

Two announcements were made:

1)    The Friends Association for Higher Education will be held at Bryn Mawr   College June 16-19. Paul and Mary Mangelsdorf have attended in the past and highly recommend it.

2)    Middletown Meeting will be holding an all-day workshop on the Beatitudes on May 21.

 It was suggested that at next Monthly Meeting the upcoming tenth anniversary of 9/11 be discussed; specifically, what are the non-violent responses to such a tragedy. Another anniversary, the centennial of the building of Whittier House will be observed during the June potluck. The Friends Historical Library will be contacted for information and old photographs. There could be a sharing of Whittier Room/House experiences over the years. 

After a short period of silent worship, the Meeting adjourned. 

  Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recorder

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

Thank You Corner

Thanks to:

• Barbara BurgerLentz and Steve Weimar, for their prompt help in fixing the office computer; 

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

New Meeting Directory Updates

When Budget & Finance recently called Meeting members, they discovered that the current directory contained some incorrect phone numbers. As we are getting ready to issue the 2011 edition of the Meeting Directory, please let the Office know if you have moved, or have a new phone number or e-mail address. We can then update our database, and make the new directory as accurate as possible. If you’re not sure if your entry is correct, please call or email the Office and Mary will send your information back to you.  Please email changes to  [email protected] 

A Request from House and Property Committee: Help, Please!

To the generous people who contribute to coffee hour and potlucks - please take home your leftover food. With all good intentions, food is left on the counter and in the refrigerator with the hope it will be used next time. But it is not used, and ends up getting thrown out. We do not have a way to let the next group who does coffee hour (or potluck) know what foods and drinks may be available. Please keep the refrigerator empty for use the day of events organized by the Meeting, renters, and Cooking for the Homeless. Thank you. 

Submitted by House and Property Committee 

Library Committee News

Library Committee is moving forward! We are sorting our holdings and organizing our shelves. Please take a quick look at the shelves in your home or office and see if you might have any books outstanding. We want to make sure others have a chance to check out all the treasures in our collection. Thanks to all! 

Whittier Room Turns 100-Years-Old! 

Our Whittier Room turns 100 years old this year, 2011. Over the past century, the room has been used for countless events by the Meeting, the College, and renters. We are looking for fond memories of Whittier Room from our members. Was your wedding reception in Whittier Room? A First Day School play? A particular Carole Sing that stands out in your mind? A speaker who inspired you? If you have a fond memory of Whittier Room that you would like to share, please send it to the Meeting Office. Old photos are welcomed also; they will be returned after the celebration. The celebration will be on Sunday, June 19, at the Potluck Brunch. Volunteers to bring food for the potluck are also needed, as are people to help set up and clean up. 

Keith Calmes and Dean Maola Play for Japanese Earthquake Relief 

On Saturday, May 14, 2011, classical guitarist Keith Calmes and his star pupil Dean Maola, played a beautiful concert in Whittier Room. They raised money for the Japanese Red Cross, to benefit earthquake victims in Japan . See Keith Calmes Guitar concerts 

Adult Religious Education Series  

Sunday, May 29, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Daniel Hoffman, a distinguished academic, essayist, and poet who was appointed the twenty-second Poet Laureate in 1973, will be offering a reflection on his Spiritual Journey in Whittier Room. 

Sunday, June 5, 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Christopher Densmore, curator of Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College , will speak. His topic will be: "Mind the Light: Thoughts on Swarthmore College as a Quaker Institution and Swarthmore College as an Institution with Quaker Values." 

Submitted by Worship and Ministry Committee

A Request from Cooking for the Homeless

Delivery Team Friends, we need your help! We are losing a number of members over the summer, and it has been a great deal of work each month to get enough folks to deliver. We gather at the Meetinghouse at 5:45 p.m. on the evening of the third Saturday each month. We need two cars to drive down to the shelter in West Philadelphia and serve the food to whoever comes in that night, and then drive back. We usually arrive back around 8:30 p.m. The whole experience is truly eye opening and gives all of us a really warm feeling as we are able to directly help over 100 people in need. If you are able to help, please let Will Starr know through the Meeting Office, 610 328-8699 or [email protected]  

Submitted by Will Starr 

  SRA in Whittier House This Summer

Once again, the Swarthmore Recreation Association will rent our nursery school rooms for their pre-school summer camp. They will be here Monday through Friday, June 27 – July 29, from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. If you plan to come to the Meeting in July, try to time your visit so that you will not arrive around 9:00 or 11:30 – it will be hectic. 

 Summer Changes

Meeting for Worship will take place in Whittier Room during the summer months, rather than in the Meetinghouse. We move on Sunday, June 12 and remain in Whittier Room until Labor Day. There will be no First Day School after May 22; childcare will be available during the summer. Potluck Brunches will be done by volunteers during June, July, and August. There will be no Meeting for Business during July or August; if there is a pressing matter that needs to be addressed by the Meeting, the Clerk will call a Meeting for Business. Some Committees do not meet during the summer. 

  Deadline for John Martin Trust Fund Applications

June 1, 2011, is the application deadline for the July to December 2011 six-month term for the John Martin Trust (JMT). Meeting members who are experiencing financial difficulties may be eligible for assistance from the JMT, whose funds were left to assist “necessitous Friends.” Grants and loans are made generally in January and July. The maximum amount of a grant is $7500 per person per six month period. These grants are generally made for elderly Friends. If you would like apply, please contact LaDorna Pfaff or Susan Larson of the Care and Counsel Committee. Applications must be submitted through one of them, in conjunction with the Treasurer of the Meeting. The filing deadline is June 1, 2011. Please allow advance time for meetings with a Care and Counsel Co- Clerk and the Treasurer. Maximum confidentiality is observed. 

The JMT is administered by a committee of the Friends of Philadelphia of 4th and Arch Streets. The funds come from a property at 320 Walnut Street which was given by William Penn to his former servant, Elizabeth Simms, who married John Martin, a Quaker tailor. The property was passed on to 4th and Arch Street Friends after their deaths. It had been used to assist poor Friends. For many years it was known as the Friends Almshouse. In 1841, when the Commonwealth took over the care of the indigent, Friends built an office building on the site as a rental property. The office building was sold in 1924; and, the proceeds of that sale provided the John Martin Trust Fund with money which is used to assist needy Friends today. 

 Friends School Haverford's Tuition Pledge for Quaker Families

The Meeting has received word that, effective immediately, Friends School Haverford will meet the demonstrated financial aid need of any Quaker family up to 80% of the cost of tuition to attend their school. If you are interested in this offer, the letter is on the bulletin board in the vestibule. You can also go to  http://www.friendshaverford.org/ to learn more. 

 PYM Financial Shortfall

PYM is facing a very large shortfall for the 2011-12 program year. Serious cuts have been recommended and are being discussed, including the layoffs of a number of staff which will impact programs funded by the General Fund (non restricted funds). Some programs which will be seriously impacted include Adult Young Friends, the Library and Young Friends, the Eco Justice position, along with closing the Burlington Conference Center . Please inform yourself about this by going to the PYM website http://www.pym.org/  and look for one of the rotating pictures “Have you heard about the proposed PYM budget?” in the upper left hand corner of the home page.  Please read the selection so that you have the correct information about what is being proposed, what the shortfall is, and some of the Minutes that have been presented. An initial proposal was presented at last Interim Meeting, which will again meet on Saturday, June 11 (open to those who want to go). If you have feedback for the folks who will actually be present to make the decisions and who are working very hard to come up with a budget with much fewer resources than we would all like, there is a way to leave comments on that webpage and there are people to contact at the bottom. 

Submitted by Lynne Piersol 

   Member Announcements 

Betsy Wray recently announced that her granddaughter, Trina Wray Lamarre, has begun studying at Franklin   College , an American liberal arts institution located in Lugano , Switzerland . The college stresses an "international imperative" through which Trina will expand her horizons by studying abroad in several countries. 

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.

1. Publications Services Group – Seeking New Members! We are a small group of Friends, whose job it is to reprint existing PYM publications, to encourage Friends to publish writings of interest to PYM and beyond. We support those in the process of creating new publications for Friends, and we are currently rewriting an outreach brochure. In order to do this important task we need Friends with experience in editing, writing, publishing, or knowledge of Quaker history and practice. Knowing what Quakers have published and what is needed would also be helpful. Would your particular skills fit with what the Publications Services Group needs? Please contact Marty Smith, Clerk, through the PYM website http://www.pym.org/committee/publications-services-group 

2. Twilight Meetings for Worship (June 26, July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23). Join Newtown Square Friends for Twilight Meeting for Worship outside at various parks and preserves in Chester County . Meet at 7:00 p.m. at the  Newtown Square Friends Meetinghouse, 120 North Newtown Street Road (Route 252), Newtown Square, PA.  Meeting for Worship is between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact John Custer by leaving a message through Newtown Square Friends Meetinghouse, 215-968-1655.

3.  Friends Association for Higher Education Annual Conference (FAHE) – June 16-19, 2011, at Bryn Mawr College , Bryn Mawr ,  PA. “Living Our Heritage: Seeking Equality Through Education”. All are invited to the FAHE annual conference. Join us in reflecting on how to deepen our global orientation in our lives as teachers and learners, administrators and mentors. Check out the rich array of workshops, panels, and stimulating, open-ended discussions on all aspects of education, broadly conceived. Keynote speakers include Eboo Patel (4:00 p.m., Friday), founder of a national movement promoting interfaith religious cooperation; and members of ProNica (Friday morning), a Quaker organization supporting the people of Nicaragua as they empower themselves. Saturday evening’s program will take place at Pendle Hill, in honor of Howard and Anna Brinton. Doug Bennett, President of Earlham College, reflects that FAHE conferences help him as he nurtures “the connection between my professional role and my spiritual groundedness in Quakerism.” Join Doug and others in nurturing that vital connection, together with a lively, diverse community of f/Friends. For more information, visit: http://www.pym.org/event/friends-association-higher-education-annual-conference

4.  Quaker Pilgrimage (2012) Pre-registration re-registration for the next Quaker Pilgrimage to England (July 16-22, 2012) is now open. Join Quaker Pilgrims and trip leaders, Irene McHenry (Chestnut Hill Meeting, PA) and Deborra Sines Pancoe ( Abington Meeting , PA ) to explore the roots of the Religious Society of Friends. With a guide from Britain Yearly Meeting, the 2012 PYM Quaker Pilgrimage will explore England ’s “1652 Country”. To pre-register contact Deborra Sines-Pancoe, [email protected]  

5.   PYM Indian Committee. The Indian Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is one of the oldest committees still functioning in the U.S. Organized in 1795 by Quakers in Philadelphia ; the Committee still serves two functions. The first is that we make grants to Native American groups as they request funds for a short-term project of their choice, something that will benefit members of their tribe or nation. We have funded such projects as a sound system for a tribal storyteller and herbal healer, a project to help at risk teens on a reservation, and a dictionary for Maliseet Indians to help preserve their language. The Committee also serves as a Quaker group aware of past injustices to Native peoples; we help advocate for them today. The Indian Committee is, as Jada Jackson has said, “the face of PYM to Native people.” We are always looking for new members, so if you would like to learn more and/or attend a meeting, please contact Kate deRiel. Our treasurer, Louis LeFevre, is especially looking for someone with financial abilities to serve as a “treasurer in training.” We meet once a month, usually on the third Saturday of each month, except for July and August. The Indian Committee is an amazing group of Quakers and we all learn together from our Native friends about themselves and what they might need. Please refer to the website:  http://www.pym-indiancommittee.com/

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. Matching scholarships and bring-a-friend discounts are available for most programs to help enable Friends to attend. For more information visit www.pendlehill.org  or call ext. 3 at (610) 566-4507 or (800) 742-3150. 

June 3-5, Healing Through the Dark Emotions, the wisdom of Grief, Fear, and Despair in an Age of Global Threats. Facilitated by Miriam Greenspan

June 15-16, The Legacy of Howard and Anna Brinton, facilitated by Anthony Manousos, Paul Lacey, and Doug Gwyn.

June 26-30, Women Weaving Work and Worship, facilitated by Sara Knisely Bixler.

Newsletter Calendar for June, 2011

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Christine DeGrado, Clerk of Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk;  Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Susan Edwards, Clerk of Worship and Ministry Committee; 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