Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Newsletter, March, 2009

Queries on the Ministry of Outreach

Outreach

Addressed to the Meeting::

• What are we doing as a Meeting to communicate our presence and our principles to the community around us?

• Does our Meeting's ministry of outreach lead Friends to share their spiritual experience with others?

• What are we doing to invite persons not in membership to attend our Meetings for Worship and to encourage their continued attendance?

• How does the Meeting welcome visitors?

• Are we sensitive to the needs and hesitations of each visitor?

• Are we tender to the needs of isolated Friends and Meetings, and to nearby Meetings seeking support?

Addressed to the individual:

• How do I ground myself in the understanding of my faith?

• Am I clear about my beliefs?

• How do I prepare myself to share my faith and beliefs with others?

• Does my manner of life as a Friend attract others to our religious society?

• Do I seize opportunities to tell others about the Religious Society of Friends and invite them to worship with us?

• Is my manner with visitors and attenders to our Meeting one of welcome?

Collaboration

Addressed to the Meeting:

• In what ways does our Meeting respond to opportunities to join with other faiths in worship, in social action, and in spiritual dialogue?

• How does our Meeting encourage its members to seek opportunities to meet and work with Friends world wide?

Addressed to the individual:

• What opportunities have I taken to know people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, to worship with them, and to work with them on common concerns?

• What opportunities have I taken to know, to work, and to worship with Friends outside of my own Meeting?

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, 2002, page 212-213

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

The Meeting opened with a few moments of silent worship. Mike Malone, Acting Clerk, presided.  The Queries on Peace were read, contemplated, and spoken to.  The importance of teaching the younger generation of the evils of war, especially through the testimony of those who experienced it, was stressed.  The weekly vigils of Women in Black since 2002 and the interest they have elicited, was noted.  Writing to the President and our Representatives is always important.

Minutes of the previous Meeting were perused and approved.

A Naming Committee for the purpose of establishing nominations for a permanent Meeting Clerk was approved: Jon Van Til, Lynne Piersol, and Johanna Sibbett, convener.  April-May scheduling conflicts were discussed: it was decided that Meeting for Business will be held on the third Sunday in April and in May.  April Potluck will be cancelled and May's Potluck will be discussed later.

LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: Friendly Gatherings are to be held Saturday and Sunday, February 21 and 22. Local members and attenders are being called and invited to attend.  Our new member Frank Lindgren was welcomed by Sally Shane, Pat Thomas, and Robert Turner at Pat Thomas's home on January 28, 2009.

Christine DeGrado reported for Worship and Ministry: The new policy of having those we hold in the Light before the close of Meeting for Worship will continue.  Most responses to this were favorable, although two people responding favored the old method.  The Quaker Quest program will be pursued at the Seekers Session.  Pamphlets are available (modest cost).  The Spirit and Arts event to be held March 15 was discussed.  Help is needed for Coffee Hour on the Second Sunday.  Ray Ripper has been doing it in the interim.  Relative to this, Chris noted a recent talk by our former member, Deborah Haines, at Pendle Hill, in which it was reveled that some Meetings have no coffee hour.  Chris observed that we should consider ourselves fortunate to have this opportunity for fellowship.

Andrea Knox reported for budget and Finance Committee: She presented a breakdown for 2007 and 2008 of the percent of households contributions to the Meeting (61% and 64%); also, the number on non-member contributors (16 and 27). About one-half of the Meeting's households live outside the area.  The Committee is working to determine the percentage on in-area versus out-of-area households contributing.  There was a discussion regarding how these percentages compare to other Meetings, as well as, what percent of other Meetings' budgets go the the PYM covenant.  George Alexander offered some general figures: other Meetings percentages of members contribution to their budget range from 32% to 80%, or more.  Our PYM covenant draws on 38% of our budget, while other Meetings draw on 13% to 41%.  Another factor affecting the percentage going to the covenant might be that some Meetings have the added cost of paid personnel, while others do not.

Peace and Social Concerns Committee: Mike noted that he had read their latest minutes and there were no action items.  The Committee continues its work on those issues raised in today's Queries.

Mary Titus noted that work continues on updating and keeping accurate the Meeting Directory.

It was noted that the Ann Richan Fund has approved a grant of $850 to enable a Swarthmore College senior to got to El Salvador to help monitor the upcoming elections.

Christine DeGrado gave a brief Recorder's Report: Current Meeting membership is 316.

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

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

Save Money! Get Your Mailings by E-Mail

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. It would come as an attachment in RTF; you would have to be able to open attachments.  We might be able to send it in Word. 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.

We are also considering sending other mailings, such as appeals letter, by e-mail in the future..

Important Changes in April Calendar

Since Easter falls on the second Sunday in April (the 12th) this year, Meeting for Business agreed to move Meeting for Business to the third Sunday, the 19th, the usual date the for potluck brunch.  The potluck bunch for April is cancelled.

Welcome for New Members

We will welcome new members on Easter Sunday, April 12, with a reception in Whittier Room after the rise of Meeting for Worship.

Forum on March 22, 11:45 a.m. in Whittier Room

Supported in part by the Meeting's Anne Bernstein Richan Peace Action Fund, Swarthmore College senior, Alexa Malishchak, will be taking part in election monitoring during El Salvador's March 15 presidential elections.  She will share her experience with us.

Who Contributes to the Meeting? How Much Do They Give?

Members are rightfully interested in the financial health of our Meeting.  Two-thirds of our Meeting budget is funded by contributions from members, attenders, and guests. Other sources are Jumble Sale, interest, and rental income.

In 2008 we received contributions from 64% of our member households. See the printed newsletter for a bar graph showing  a breakdown of contributions by amount, with percentage of givers in each category.

Data analysis and presentation: Budget and Finance Committee and Scott Newman

Donations of Garden Tools, Plants, and Seeds Needed

The Swarthmore Environmental Justice Group is working with Chester, PA residents to organize and build a community garden in the Ruth L. Bennett housing project.  We're looking for donations of plants and supplies to get us started.  In particular, we're looking for garden tools, soil, and seeds or seedlings of vegetable plants.  If you would like to donate anything, or want more information about the project, see a member of Peace and Social Concerns Committee.  The project aims to create a self-sustaining community garden within the city of Chester to address the issues of food quality access, and empower the community while education the youth. The primary issue that the community garden will address is the inaccessibility of fresh produce for Chester residents as the City lacks a grocery store that offers such products (until the 2008 opening of the Chester Co-op.) By the end of the summer, the garden will yield fresh produce for the gardeners with a surplus to sell to other Chester residents.  The project is a collaboration between Swarthmore College students, Chester community members, the Chester Housing Authority, and Teens 4 Good.  To donate, or for more information, please contact Swarthmore Environmental Justice (EJ) Group, [email protected].

Treasurer Needed for Nursery School

The Swarthmore Friends Nursery School Board of Trustees is in need of a Treasurer.  The Nursery School Board meets four times a year with additional meetings as needed. The treasurer is in close communication with the Nursery School Board, the Director of the Nursery School, and the Swarthmore Friends Meeting Budget and Finance Committee.  For more information or to express interest in the position, please contact the Meeting Office or Catherine King.

Presentation by Suraya Pakzad, Voice of Women's Organization, Afghanistan

Suraya Pakzad has been a courageous advocate of women's rights and proponent of the advancement of women's causes in Afghanistan for over a decade.  In 2008 she was awarded the International Woman of Courage Award for her efforts by the White House. She is affiliated with the Afghan Women's Educational Center (AWEC).

On March 23 she will deliver a presentation at our Meetinghouse, and open a dialogue about her work.  The event will be in the Whittier Room, Monday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. The talk is free, but donations to Voices of Women, for AWEC, would be very much appreciated. Please come, and help us spread the word! Refreshments will be served.

    Submitted by Paul Green, Peace and Social Concerns Committee

Upcoming Religious Education Events

March 1 - "The Grateful Bread" led by Nancy Saunders and Christine DeGrado

March 15 (after potluck brunch) - "The Spirit and the Arts: Music, Poetry, Prose, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture"

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.

The Spirit and the Arts, Sunday, March 15 after Potluck

Music, poetry, prose, drawing, photography, and sculpture, are all sources of inspiration and expression.  Share this inspiration or expressive mode with others.  Read a poem or a passage.  Present a drawing or photograph. Play music. Sing. Original works welcome, but not required.  Plan something that will take five minutes of less.

A sign-up sheet will be available in Whittier House or call the Meeting Office at (610) 328-8699.  If you don't wish to present something, just come, look, and listen.  This is an opportunity to meet for enjoyment and sharing. To be held  March 15, in Whittier Room, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. after the potluck brunch.

Urgent - Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Fund

Did you enjoy the demonstration of Godly Play® and Faith and Play at our Meeting a few weeks ago?  It is but one of many projects of our Yearly Meeting (PYM).  The annual fund drive ends June 30th. So far, contributions are lagging behind where they were this time last year, and are nowhere near the goal.  Please be as generous as you can, especially in light of the fact that our Meeting has approved a tentative budget that will cut our covenant payment to PYM.  If you have questions about the Annual Fund, please contact Lynne Piersol, Swarthmore Meeting Representative to the Annual Fund. If you are also interested in giving in-kind, consider volunteering for one of the phonothons scheduled March through June, usually in the evening, including supper.  Please help PYM plan for phonathons by contacting Kay Henley, [email protected].  For suggestions or further questions, please contact Jan Hatchard (the new director of the Annual Fund), at [email protected]

    Submitted by Lynne Piersol

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.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 's March Sessions

We look forward to seeing you at the Fourth and Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia, Friday to Sunday, March 27-29, as we explore "Living up to the Light."  There is a full and balanced agenda with a good deal of worship, important business items (like the Governance Report and follow-up on the Gathering on Peace), presentations by Amanda Kemp and Mary Ellen McNish, and music by Madi Diaz. Further details are online at http://www.pym.org/annualsessions. You can register online up to March 13.  After March 13, please register in person at the Sessions.  Holiday Inn reservations (if desired) must be made by March 10 using group code "PY8."  If you can lend a hand (ushering, greeting, meal help, help with youth programs, etc.) please contact Sessions Coordinator Michael Gagné [email protected] Sessions rely on the work of many Friends (members and staff) working behind the scenes to make them the best they can be.  Sessions are for all members and attenders within our Yearly Meeting; and they are family- and child-friendly.  

Afghan for Afghans at Sessions

Each year at PYM sessions (now twice a year) those of us who like to knit or crochet have created squares to be combined into an afghan.  Last summer we refocused the project just a bit.  We now are making strips to create a wool afghan which will be donated to the Afghans for Afghans project, www.afghansforafghans.org. Knitting needles, crochet hooks and wool yarn will be available at PYM sessions (March and summer) for anyone who would like to participate.  If you would like to get a head start or simply participate from home, the requirements are as follows: Crochet or knit strips with wool yarn 6 to 8-inches wide, 44 inches long.  The wool may be any color except white (or any other very light color). Bright colors are appreciated. Donations of wool yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks may be brought to sessions.  There will be an afghan table with supplies.  If anyone would like to mail a contribution to this project, please send it to Friendly Crafters, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102. Happy knitting/crocheting!

Pastoral Care Conference in Philadelphia

Earlham School of Religion (ESR) presents a conference on "Pastoral Care in the Monthly Meeting" at the Fourth and Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is the fourth year of ESR's "Vitality Among Friends" series in the Philadelphia area. Presenters will include Jim Higginbotham on "Pastoral Care in the Context of Monthly Meetings," Stephanie Ford on "Spiritual Friendship as Pastoral Care," and Jennie Isbell on "Nominating Committee and//as Pastoral Care." For registration and information, visit http://esr.earlham.edu/philly or contact Donna Trankley at [email protected]

April 4 Workshop on "Learning to Listen"

Concord Quarterly Meeting invites all to attend a workshop day on listening, Saturday, April 4, at Birmingham Meeting, Pennsylvania.  We will look at many aspects of listening -- from listening to ourselves, to listening in community, to using our listening skills to truly welcome newcomers with all their joys and challenges.  There is no cost, but registration is required for planning purposes.  Child care is available.  You are welcome to come for all or part of the day as you are able.  Information can be found on the Concord Quarter website on page seven, www.pym.org/concordquarter or contact Coordinator, Beth Lawn, at [email protected]

PYM Meeting on Worship and Ministry is May 2

The PYM Meeting on Worship and Ministry will gather from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at Willistown Meeting, 7069 Goshen Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Telephone: (610) 356-9799.  As minuted at its gathering on December 8, Meeting on Worship and Ministry is composed of the Clerks of the Worship and Ministry Committees of Quarterly and Monthly Meetings, and is open "to all those with a leading or concern for the worship, ministry, and spiritual life of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting faith community." It gathers twice a year. PYM Faith and Practice states that "the Meeting on Worship and Ministry of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting is specifically charged with the responsibility of nurturing the quality of worship, ministry, and spiritual life throughout the Yearly Meeting." The May gathering will be the first one in 2009.  Friends are asked to hold the Meeting in the Light, and are warmly encouraged to attend.  Additional information will be sent to Quarterly and Monthly Meetings and Friends, in general, as soon as it becomes available.  For questions, please contact Jorge Aráuz, Convener, at [email protected]

Upcoming Quakerism 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

March 3: Tuesday Evening Lecture Series

Friends are invited to attend Pendle Hill's winter Tuesday Evening Lecture Series, "Finding the Way: Practical Choices that Support Faithful Living." The free lectures are scheduled for January 13 through March 3, 2009, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., in the Barn at Pendle Hill, 338 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA.   Barbarajene Williams will be the March 3 speaker.

March 13-15: Introducing Quaker Quest!

Pendle Hill weekend with Elaine Crauderueff and Rubye Howard Braye.  Co-sponsored by the Advancement & Outreach Committee of Friends General Conference.

Do you believe that Quakerism is "a spiritual path for our time" and want to share it? Quaker Quest is a dynamic Monthly Meeting-based outreach program that has proven successful in engaging seekers in the Quaker way across England for the past six years.  Learn to articulate your faith and discover how Meetings can experience new vitality and build community. Websites: http://www.quakerquest.org/ and http://www.fgcquaker.org/quakerquest .

April 3-5: "Permaculture, Ecology and Biodynamics: Design Ideas for Your Home and Garden," with Andrew Faust

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

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 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

June 14-August 1:Young Adult Leadership Development Program

Friends age 18-24 are encouraged to apply for Pendle Hill's seven-week Young Adult Leadership Development Program (YALD), designed for young people serious about serving as leaders in their communities and among Friends, developing the tools for social transformation, and living a life grounded in God's Spirit.  This summer's program will take place June 14 to August 1, 2009. Applications are due March 20, 2009. For more information and applications materials, visit YALD at www.pendlehill.org or contact Emma Churchman at [email protected].

Newsletter Calendar for March, 2009

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