Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

 

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Newsletter

November, 2010

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Queries on Care for the Meeting Community

Addressed to the Meeting:

  • Are love and unity maintained among us?

  • When conflicts exist, are they faced with patience, forbearance, and openness to healing? Are avenues for exploring differences kept open?

  • To what extent does our Meeting ignore differences in order to avoid possible conflicts? Is the Meeting a safe, loving place?

  • When we become aware of someone’s need, do we offer assistance?

  • Are the Meeting and its property physically accessible to all?

  • Do all adults and children in our Meeting receive our loving care and encouragement to share in the life of our Meeting, and to live as Friends?

  • Do we truly welcome newcomers and include them in the life of our Meeting community?

  • When a member’s conduct or manner of living gives cause for concern how does the Meeting respond?

  • How does our Meeting keep in touch with all its members?

Addressed to the individual:

  • Am I ready to offer assistance as part of my religious community serving its

  • members?

  • Am I equally willing to accept graciously the help of others?

  • Do I recognize and face disagreements and other situations that put me in conflict with others?

  • Do I manifest a spirit ready to give or receive forgiveness?

  • Do I treat adults and children alike with respect and without condescension?

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

Queries on care in our homes :

(This set of personal queries may be helpful for the family to consider within the family setting. Families may also wish to explore other General Queries as part of regular family worship.)

  • Is my home a place where all members of the family receive affection and understanding, and where visitors are welcome?

  • Do I choose recreation and a manner of living that enriches the body, mind, and spirit, and shows a high regard for family, community, and creation?

  • Is our family prepared to discuss sensitive topics such as death, faith, money, even sex and drugs, in a manner that allows openness and honesty, and also direction?

  • How do I help to arrange life at home so that there is an opportunity for all to learn and absorb by example what it means to live a life of Spirit-led commitment

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, 2002, page 208 and 209

 

Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Meeting opened after a period of silent worship. Christine DeGrado, Clerk, presided. The Query on Spiritual Nurture, Ministry, and Religious Education was read, contemplated and spoken to. Upcoming sessions sponsored by Worship and Ministry Committee were mentioned, as well as, participation by Meeting members in programs offered by Pendle Hill. Some expressed the feeling that the wider range of Quaker practices should be offered for study. The Meeting’s acceptance and welcoming of those from other religious backgrounds was noted.

Minutes of the September Meeting were perused and approved with minor clarification

 Steve Weimar reported for Budget and Finance Committee: He stressed that last year’s surplus was an anomaly, owing to such factors as the low amount spent by House and Property. Significant amount of contributions are needed before year’s end to reach the budgeted amount. The Committee is trying to encourage participation by those Meeting families, about one fifth, who have not given in the last few years, to give this year. In discussion which followed, it was suggested that members who have not given be encouraged to give any amount possible. It was pointed out that members who live out- of-town do rely on the Meeting, be it only for such special occasions such as weddings and Memorial Services. Also, members should be reminded that the age of Whittier House necessitates major, costly repairs. Steve said that the Committee’s task is a difficult one and that an effort is made to ask for money in an honorable way. The Committee is mindful that some members who are unable to contribute financially do contribute mightily to the Meeting in other ways.

 LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: The Committee thanks everyone for their help with the Welcoming Tea on September 26. This was a first-time experiment and it is felt that the first Sunday in September, the traditional date, is better—only 8 students attended this year, whereas more than 20 freshmen attended Meeting on the first Sunday. Those present concurred. Mike Malone has volunteered to go fulfill a request by the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to explain the main teachings and practices of Quakers to them. The Committee brings forward the second presentation for the membership of Joan Urban. Approved. Lois Sellers, Paul Joyce Collins Williams and Virginia Joyce, and John van Til will welcome. The Meeting has been notified of the death of our member Lark Hargraves March on October 2, 2010. She had been living at Crosslands. The Meeting has contacted her daughter in Texas and will try to contact her son to offer our help. The Committee welcomes those who wish to contribute to a Memorial Minute. In other business, Paul Joyce Collins Williams suggested that the Meeting have a table, as do other local churches, in front of Parrish Hall during College Orientation. The College sponsors this project and would welcome our presence. The Meeting minuted its appreciation to LaDorna for all her work on the Welcoming Tea.

 Barbara BurgerLentz reported for Jumble Sale Committee: A great sale is anticipated. There is an abundance of things, much of it of good quality. She noted some of the new ideas being tried this year and expressed the hope that over $10,000 can be achieved.

 Lynne Piersol reported for Worship and Ministry Committee: Plans for Religious Education this year include spiritual journeys, vocal ministry, and the environment. The Committee agrees with Care and Counsel that the old date for the Welcoming Tea be re-established. In discussion, it was felt that more attention needs to be given to publicity for this and other Meeting events.

 Virginia Joyce presented an updated Nominating Committee roster. Approved. The complete Committee Roster, 2010 to 2013 can be found on the web Committee Rosters page.

 Barbara Grove reported for House and Property Committee: The kitchen is being thoroughly cleaned and a new refrigerator will soon be in place. A major job over the summer was replacement of the rotted door frame on the back door to the playground—a cost of $2,400. The moisture problem in the Library and basement classrooms is being addressed. Whittier House is much admired by the many groups who use it but the building is quite old and in need of attention. Again, the issue of security was mentioned. It is essential that Meeting members, as well as groups using the facilities, be sure to lock all entranceways when leaving. The College does provide some security but their prime focus is on other buildings on campus.

 Mary Titus gave the Secretary’s report: A College Wellness group, Qi Gong, will be using Whittier Room for an additional class. Meeting members may join in. There is a small fee. The Nursery School would like to serve beer and wine at their November 11 Fundraiser. After brief discussion the request was denied in that it is Meeting policy only to allow use of alcohol (in small amounts) for ceremonial functions. A request has been received from a Swarthmore College group, Sew Swatties, who would like to use Whittier Room every Saturday. Concern was expressed that bringing in a number of machines and irons might overload the electrical circuit. The use of the room by other groups—wedding receptions and concerts, for example— would present difficulties. It was decided to offer the group the use of Rushmore Room for workshops three times a semester.

 Chris DeGrado, Clerk, reported that Keith Calmes has offered to give another benefit concert. His last concert was well received and raised $1,000 for Haitian relief. Those present expressed their gratitude and it was agreed that another benefit should be scheduled.

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

 

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

 

Directory Updates

New updates are available in the printed copy of the newsletter.  If you have a new address, phone number, or email, please notify the Office so we can keep our records up-to-date.  If you would like to receive a directory, please contact the Office, [email protected] 

 

Lark Hargraves March 

The Meeting Office has learned of the death of long-time member Lark Hargraves March on October 2, 2010, at Crosslands in Kennett Square, PA. We do not yet have any information on a Memorial service.

Noted Peace Activist to Visit Swarthmore College: David Hartsough

On Tuesday, November 2, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., David Hartsough, peace activist and co-founder of Nonviolent Peaceforce, will visit with Peace and Conflict students during the day, and then give a talk at 4:15 p.m. in the Scheuer Room at Swarthmore College . During his lecture, Hartsough will share his own experiences and memories on waging nonviolent protests over the last fifty years. This lecture is free and open to the public.

Results of 2010 Discretionary Fund Two-for-One Campaign

This year, Meeting members and attenders donated $2,585 to five carefully-selected organizations, and these donations were matched with $1,200 from the Discretionary Fund. The organizations included the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC), a Congo-based healing and prevention program under the aegis of the Friends Peace Teams African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI), Voice of Women Organization ( Afghanistan ), Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute, and the Brandywine Peace Community/Delaware County Peace Center.

For a breakdown in the donations, please see a copy of the printed newsletter. Thanks to everyone for making the 2010 Discretionary Fund Two-for-One Campaign such a success!

Submitted by Paul Greene, Peace and Social Concerns Committee

 

Christmas Pot luck and Carol Sing, Save the date!

Sunday, December 12,  5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Our traditional evening Christmas pot luck and carol sing will be Sunday, December 12, starting at 5:00 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. Bring your favorite holiday casserole or dessert for this special pot luck. This year our FDS students, again, will be creating hand-made decorations for the Christmas tree in Whittier Room. Peace and Social Concerns and the Care and Counsel Committees will be hosting the pot luck, and providing punch. Others are donating greens for the table and the tree for Whittier Room. The carol sing will feature musical talents, piano, voice – our traditional We Three Kings trio, “pop-up” Twelve Days of Christmas, and, an audience selection of carols. Please join us!

Submitted by Care and Counsel Committee

 Fitness Classes in Whittier Room

Swarthmore College offers several fitness classes in Whittier Room throughout the year – Pilates, Yoga, and Qi Gong – at various times during the week. Meeting members are always welcome to join the classes, although they must pay a small fee. The classes are listed on the weekly schedule, posted throughout Whittier House each week. Or you can call the Office for more information.

 

Meeting Portrait: Swathmore Friends Nursery School

Swarthmore Friends Nursery School (SFNS) started out in the late 1950’s as a kindergarten program. When local public schools began offering kindergarten, Swarthmore Friends began operating a morning nursery school for three- and four-year- olds providing service to children from a wide area. Eventually, a pre-K program was added for children from the 4’s classroom that weren’t yet ready for kindergarten.

For roughly 20 years, SFNS has also offered an afternoon kindergarten enrichment program.

The school’s philosophy stresses the personal worth of each child. Within a warm, loving environment, the teachers use everyday social experiences to help each child develop a good image, forming the foundation for getting along well with their peers. Other qualities emphasized and nurtured at SFNS include self responsibility, respect for other people and their ideas, simplicity, equality, non-violence, and love of and respect for nature.

The preschool is currently fully enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year. There are two three-year-old classes with 15 and 16 students in each (14 is considered our minimum goal and 16 is our maximum for this age group). Both Pre-K fours and fives prefer a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 24. This year’s Pre-K four-year-old class has 22 and the Pre-K fives have 21.

Our Lunch Bunch is thriving with students from all three classes, and we have 9 kindergarteners enrolled in the enrichment program.

This year’s All-School Unit has been decided upon by the staff and it will focus on “Habitats.” Later in the year, every class will participate in learning about various habitats. Each classroom has special events and units specific to their age group. In the Spring, the youngest children become ladybugs to fly to the college rose garden where they release the real insects for the benefit of the flowers. The Pre-K Fours will learn about baseball with a family game and picnic near year’s end, and the Pre-K Fives learn about varied mediums in the art world, creating masterpieces of their own for a year end art show. For now, though, all of the students and staff are getting to know one another, teaching and learning classroom and school routines and looking forward to enjoying a beautiful autumn with walks around the campus to observe changes in the world around us.

 Submitted by Catherine King, Budget & Finance Committee

Swarthmore Friends Nursery School Needs You!

The Swarthmore Friends Nursery School Board is looking for new members. We are a group committed to supporting the Nursery School in a variety of ways. We meet about five times a year and an interest in education is all you need! If you have a child enrolled, or your children were the beneficiaries of this special nursery school, please think about serving on our board; we could use your help. For further information contact Jon Van Til, Clerk, or Bernadette Smith, secretary. Thank you for your consideration.

Slow Progress Towards Our Budget Goal 

As we enter the final quarter of the 2010 budget year, our Meeting is barely halfway toward reaching our goal from member and attender contributions.  Contributions to date lag behind those received at this point last year.  We urgently require your support  to carry out the work of the Meeting and maintain the Meeting facility. 

 We ask you to search your heart and contribute what you can.   We also urge you to consider using the online donation option on the Meeting website to make your financial contribution for this year and future years. The Website address is http://swarthmore.quaker.org.  Using this option, you do not have to write one larger check but can contribute over several months ; it will also enable the Meeting to have more regular income to cover its expenses rather than waiting until the end of the budget year.

Submitted by Barbara Casini for Budget & Finance Committee

 

Community Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving Celebration: Major upcoming Swarthmore Interfaith Ministerium (SWIM) event

Sunday, November 21, at 3:00 p.m., To be held at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 2 Chester Rd. Wallingford . All are invited, and we’re asking everyone to promote the event in your community. The program will include choir performances from: Congregation Ohev Shalom, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church , Swarthmore Friends Meeting, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, Wallingford Presbyterian Church.

It was suggested that food and/or monetary donations go to the Islamic Center of Chester, and their work with poverty in Chester . Congregants are all invited to bring pies.

In the coming weeks the group that sings before Meeting will decide which Quaker song will be sung by us at the service. In addition Mary Lou Parker and George Alexander will bring music to be sung as a group with all the other churches.

 

Wider News from Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting  (PYM) News

 For a complete list of activities go to www.pym.org  

Sunday, November 7, 2:00 -4:30 p.m. –“Talking Through Walls” Film Screening. Held at Medford Leas, One Medford Leas Way, Medford, New Jersey, in conjunction with the Muslim American Community Association are pleased to present the inspiring story of ordinary people engaged in an extraordinary effort. The film is about a local New Jersey interfaith community who came together to raise the walls of a Mosque, and bring down the walls of prejudice. All are welcome for this intergenerational event. Open dialogue and light meal with members of the Muslim American Community Association will follow the film screening. Seating is limited. No charge. Please RSVP by November 1, by calling 609-654-3527. Pre-registration is required. Please arrive 15 minutes early to be seated.

Friday, November 12, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. - Life in the Spirit ~ Living in the Light Discussion Series. Kennett Square Friends Meeting, 125 West Sickle Street, Kennett Square , PA 19348 . All are welcome to a series of conversations.

Saturday, November 13, 2:30-3:45 p.m. - Lecture Series: Friends 2.0: New Tools for our Faith, Arch Street Meetinghouse. Stephen Dotson will speak about "Friends, Families, and Facebook: Safety and Privacy" This series of lectures will discuss how technology, when used in accordance with Quaker values, can empower Quakers and strengthen our witness and our community. Contact Stephen Dotson for more information, [email protected] 

Saturday, November 20 - Quaker Fair at Kennett Friends Meeting. Every year, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Kennett Friends Meeting puts on the fun, festive Quaker Fair. The whole community is invited to come enjoy delicious homemade foods, children’s’ activities and a plethora of unique items to purchase. All proceeds benefit the American Friends Service Committee. Co-Chairs: Bob Bean and Besy Neuville

Saturday, November 20, 7:30 p.m. London Grove Friends Meeting Forum – A Panel Discussion. The Peace Testimony and its relevance in today’s violent world. Free. All are welcome. London Grove Friends Meeting, 500 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 . For more information, please email: [email protected]

Panelists include:

  • Dan Seeger, former interim General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee

  • Mark Bowden, reporter, columnist, author Black Hawk Down and Guests of the Ayatollah

  • Matt Southworth, Campaigns Program Assistant, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Upcoming Programs at Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill, a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center in Wallingford , PA , 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. 

November 5-7 - Inquirers’ Weekend: An Introduction to Quakerism - A weekend with La Verne Shelton and Frank Massey.

November 12-14 - Pendle Hill’s 80th Anniversary Celebration - A weekend with Parker J. Palmer, Patricia Loring, and many others.

November 19-21 - Clerking: Serving the Community with Joy and Confidence - A weekend with Arthur Larrabee.

November 26-28 - Five Spiritual Principles - A weekend with George Owen.

 

Newsletter Calendar for November, 2010

Date Time Event
Monday, November 1 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Budget and Finance Committee Meeting in Meeting Office
Wednesday, November 3 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Worship and Ministry Committee in Meeting Office
Thursday, November 4 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Care and Counsel Committee in Meeting Office
Sunday, November 7 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Hymn singing in Meetinghouse*  
Student Breakfast in Rushmore Room*
 

10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Meeting for Worship in Meetinghouse*    

Godly Play in FDS rooms (First Sunday of month)
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Childcare in Library*
 

11:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Fellowship in Rushmore Room*

Thursday, November 11 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Nursery School Fundraiser in Whittier Room
Sunday, November 14 Similar Sunday Schedule as above* 
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meeting for Business in Whittier Room
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Piano Recital in Whittier Room
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Whittier Knittiers in Meeting Office
Tuesday, November 16 noon December newsletter deadline
Thursday, November 18 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Newsletter Folding Party in Whittier Room
Saturday, November 20 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Peace and Social Concerns Committee in Meeting Office
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Cooking for the Homeless in Kitchen

Sunday, November 20

Similar Sunday schedule as above* 
11:15 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Pot luck Brunch in Rushmore Room hosted by Library and House and Personnel Committees
3:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service at Congregation Ohev Shalom
Sunday, November 28 Similar Sunday schedule as above*  
10:00 to 11:00 a.m. FDS Craft Fair in Rushmore Room
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Whittier Knittiers in Meeting Office

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Christine DeGrado, Clerk of Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk;  Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Lynne Piersol, 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