Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

 

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Newsletter for March 2008

 

 

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 guided by 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 environmnet?

  • Do I act as a faithful steward of the environment in the use and disposal of such hazardous substances?

  • 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 Faith and Practice of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 2002, page 213.

Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Meeting opened with Lynne Piersol, Clerk, presiding.  The following Friends and attenders recorded their presence by signing in:  Lisa Heath Dainton, Christine DeGrado, William DeGrado, Paul Greene, Mimi Hall, Bevier Hasbrouck, Virginia Williams Joyce, Leslie Keighton, Gary King, Andrea Knox, Mike Malone,  LaDorna Pfaff, Lynne Piersol, Nancy Saunders, Lois Sellers, Johanna Sibbett, Jon Van Til, Betsy Wray, and Paul Joyce Collins Williams (19).

After a brief period of silent worship, the Queries on Outreach were read, considered, and spoken to. One Friend remarked how appreciative she felt for the warm welcome she and her husband received when they joined the Meeting some forty years ago and urged the Meeting to always be attentive in its care for newcomers.  Minutes of the previous Meeting for Business were read and approved with slight clarification.

Clerk's Announcements:  1) Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's General Secretary, Arthur Larrabee, has offered to come to the Meeting to speak on Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PYM) finances.  The Clerk will arrange a time.  The PYM document Where Does the General Fund Money Go? is available and a copy was given to Budget and Finance Committee. 2) She will prepare a Letter of Introduction to Fort Myers Meeting for Alan and Betty Dickason.

Paul Joyce Collins Williams noted winners of his Holley Webster Proof-Reading Prize for February: Lois Sellers, Bill DeGrado, and Virginia Williams Joyce.  Paul then announced his desire to step down as Meeting Secretary by the end of March.  The Personnel Committee has started its search for a replacement.  Paul has offered to be flexible in terms of leaving to ensure a good transition.  The Meeting as a whole and as individuals expressed gratitude to Paul for his great dedication, innovation, and effort  in serving the Meeting.  Friends were reminded of the difficulties inherent in the job.  Appreciation was also voiced for Paul's deep knowledge of Quaker history.

Lois Sellers reported for Care and Counsel Committee. There was some confusion regarding the last potluck in that not enough food or help was available.  The suggestion has been made that there be a moment of silence before the meal.  All this will be discussed in detail at the upcoming Clerks and Officers Meeting.  Lyle Jenks has requested the return of his sojourning letter which was approved.

Nancy Saunders reported for Worship and Ministry Committee. She handed out a final draft of the State of the Meeting Report.  Further comments are invited and may be sent to Nancy by email.  With one clarification, the Meeting approved the 2007 State of the Meeting Report as presented.

Andrea Knox reported for Budget and Finance Committee. The Committee is looking into any written material of Yearly Meeting's use of the covenant.  There is concern, as noted in the February newsletter report, regarding the percentage of households (only 54% of member households) contributing to the Annual Appeal.

Mimi Hall reported for Peace and Social Concerns Committee. She presented an updated version of the Committee's Statement on Committee Role and Responsibility which was approved and will be placed on the Meeting's website.  One or two people are needed to help with the Discretionary Fund, which generally runs for 6-8 weeks beginning in June.  Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) has requested the Meeting's input into helping FCNL set priorities for the future.The Meeting approved the offer made by Mark Kharas, and FCNL representative and attender at Swarthmore Meeting, to clerk a session on March 30, 2008, for this discussion on setting priorities for FCNL.  Approval was also given to continue the writing of Quaker Quick Notes during Fellowship Hour. Pat Wolff will be leaving the Committee when her current term expires.

Bill DeGrado reported for Personnel Committee. The Search Committee for a new Meeting Secretary includes Mary Lou Parker, Lynne Piersol, Bob Turner, Nancy Saunders, Steve Weimar, and Bill DeGrado.  The Meeting approved the appointment of this Search Committee.  The Meeting also approved the process for hiring a new Meeting Secretary, final decision resting with Personnel Committee. The job will be posted in various places, with interviews to be held by mid-March.  Bill also handed out copies of the current job description and a proposed updated version.  This will be discussed further and final approval sought at the March Meeting for Business.  In the meantime, suggestions and comments may be emailed to Bill DeGrado.  Also, the Committee plans to evaluate the new staff person at 3,6, and 12 months.

Christine DeGrado reported for Nominating Committee.   The Committee asks the various committees as to which members will be staying, the number of new positions needed , and any names of who might want to serve.  A Naming Committee is needed to replace several members of Nominating Committee who will rotate off.

Regretfully, Nancy Saunders needs to withdraw from her appointment as Interim Clerk.  The positions of Interim Clerk and Assistant Clerk will need to be filled.  Members and attenders are encouraged to share their ideas with Nominating Committee.

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

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

Budget and Finance News

It is time for the Meeting's 2008 fund raising process to begin.  The first appeal letter will be mailed to members and attenders in early March, and the Budget and Finance Committee would like to invite everyone to join us for a mailing party on Sunday, March 2, 2008. We greatly appreciated the generous help offered during our last mailing party in November, so grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat, and join us after Meeting for Worship in the Rushmore Room.

Also, as most of you know, over 50% of our contributions for 2007 were received during November and December.  This giving pattern creates a daunting rush at the end of the year and can make it difficult for the Meeting to meet its financial obligations on time.  For 2008, please consider making your financial contributions earlier, and throughout the year.

Submitted by Mark Taylor

Job Posting for Meeting Secretary

Swarthmore Friends Meeting is seeking a part-time secretary. The job description includes answering phones, sorting mail, processing contributions/invoices, management of rentals, editing the newsletter, staff support for volunteer committees, and supervision of a part-time custodian.  Excellent communication, editing, computer, and organizational skills are required, as well as an ability to work with minimal supervision.  A college degree and knowledge/experience of Quakerism is preferred.  Contact the Meeting Office, referenced to the Search Committee, Swarthmore Meeting, 12 Whittier Place, Swarthmore, PA, 19081 by March 3, 2008.

A Note from Nominating Committee

Our Meeting faces a challenge and Nominating Committee seeks your help.  Nancy Saunders has had to withdraw from the position of Interim Clerk of Meeting (2008-2009 term). Please send your suggestions for Clerk (or Interim Clerk or co-Clerks) of Meeting to anyone on the Nominating Committee.  Also, if you, yourself, perceive a leading (or even a possible leading) in this direction and would like to talk to Nominating about it, please let us know.  The members of Nominating Committee include Christine DeGrado, Johanna Sibbett, Bill Wilson, Elizabeth McAndrew, Barbara Burger Lentz, and Jennifer Cheung.

Submitted by Christine DeGrado

Meeting Directory Update

On Sunday, February 17, Scott Newman announced that a draft of the 2008 Meeting Directory was available for review and self-correction.  Scott walked around the potluck lunch asking everyone to check their listing, which they did.  Scott will make the directory available one more time, next Sunday, February 24, after Meeting.  This will be your last chance to make self-corrections prior to publication.  Please take a minute of time to make sure your listing is accurate by coming to Meeting.

In addition to the Meeting Directory, Scott made a 30-second video and entered it in a scholarship contest for his son Zachary.  He would like everyone to register to vote for the video by visiting the website www.PenniesForScholars.Com and sigh-up using the "Join" link.  Once you have joined, you will be able to see a preview of the video and he will send you directions on how to vote.

Submitted by Scott Newman

Forum after Meeting for Worship, March 30, 2008

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) requests we organize and report our preferences for the following for priorities:

  • We seek a world free of war and the threat of war.

  • We seek a society with equity and justice for all.

  • We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled. 

  • We seek an Earth restored.

Please help FCNL representative, Mark Kharas, recommend four or five priorities to focus on with the next Congress. http://www.fcnl.org/priorities/

Submitted by Steve Olshewsky

Newsletter Calendar for March, 2008

Date   Event

Saturday, March 1

 

Saint David's Day

Sunday, March 2

9:30 a.m.

Student breakfast in Rushmore Room*

 

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* and First Day School in Whittier House*

 

11:15 a.m.

Fellowship in Rushmore Room

 

11:45 a.m.

Forum on "Non-violent Communication" in  Whittier Room, led by Steve Weimar and Nancy Saunders, cancelled, to be rescheduled

Monday, March 3

7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Budget and Finance Committee in Meeting Office

Tuesday, March 4 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Peace and Social Concerns Committee in Meeting Office

Thursday, March 6

7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Worship and Ministry Committee in Rushmore Room

 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Care and Counsel Committee, joint meeting with Worship and Ministry Committee

Friday, March 7

Meeting Office closed

 

Sunday, March 9

9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

  11:15 a.m. Fellowship in Rushmore Room

 

11:45 a.m.

Meeting for Business in Whittier Room

Friday, March 14

Meeting Office closed

 

Saturday, March 15

9:30  a.m.

Cooking for the Homeless in kitchen

Sunday, March 16

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

 

11:15 a.m.

Potluck Brunch hosted by Memorial Committee and Personnel Committee

Monday, March 17

12:00 noon

Deadline for April Newsletter

Thursday, March 20

9:30 a.m.

Newsletter folding party in Whittier Room

Friday, March 21 

Meeting Office closed  

Sunday, March 23

Easter Sunday, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 

Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*

 

11:15 a.m.

Welcoming reception for new members in Whittier Room. All are invited to attend.

Friday, March 28

Meeting Office closed

 

Sunday, March 30 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Introduction to Quakerism in Whittier Room, "Beyond Majority Rule: our Approach to Decision-making," led by Lynne Piersol
  9:30 to 11:00 a.m.  Similar Sunday schedule as noted above*
  11:15 a.m. Fellowship in Rushmore Room
  11:30 a.m. Meeting Forum on "Prioritizing Goals for FCNL" in Whittier Room led by Mark Kharas (see article)

Each weekday the Swarthmore Nursery School has sessions, except were noted above.  At opening and closing times there is an influx of traffic around the Meetinghouse and surrounding parking lots.  The opening and closing times are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:  8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and 11:30  to 2:30 p.m. Nursery School and Nursery School lunch brunch

  • Thursday and Friday: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nursery School.

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Lynne Piersol, Clerk of the Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk; Michael Malone, Clerk of Worship and Ministry; Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Paul Joyce Collins Williams, Meeting Secretary