Newsletter, October 2009

After opening worship, the Meeting began with Chris DeGrado, Clerk, presiding. The Queries on Spiritual Nurture, Ministry, and Religious Education were read, considered, and spoken to. Mention was made of the sharing of spiritual journeys, the "Grateful Bread," and the Quaker Quest program - as well as, the involvement of First Day School in religious education. Minutes of the June Meeting were perused and approved.

Kit Raven reported for First Day School Committee: Last year was disappointing in that attendance was off considerably. But, this year is far more encouraging, although it was stressed that families with children who attend Meeting for Worship should be made aware of the First Day School and encouraged to participate. The Committee, with the help of Scott Newman, is working on a brochure which will show children engaged in First Day School activities. Today, 12 children attended, but there are several more who often come. All classes through High School are available. There are two High School students who are Caregivers for the youngest. Sharon Gunther and her friends will be presenting a new teaching program called Faith and Play. This will be done once a month. There is much optimism that children will find this an exciting way to learn about Quakerism and other religious issues. One Friend asked if there were plans to have First Day School students take part in Meeting for Worship. This will be left up to the individual teachers based on interest shown by the children.

Sally Shane reported for Care and Counsel Committee: Katie McKinstry has responded to their inquiry and would like to become a full member. Approved. The application for membership (held over) of Moira Donovan and her two children, Sam and Alex Veith, was approved. A Welcoming Committee headed by Sue Larson is being formed to offer an official welcome later on. Contact Sue if you wish to join.

Steve Weimar reported for Budget and Finance Committee: Contributions now stand at 43% of our annual budget, about the same as last year's pace. Income from investments thus far is about that anticipated. Expenses are down somewhat compared to last year. He explained the details of the Meeting's Covenant payment which will begin to show a quarterly reduction based on our new lower commitment, adjusted for differing fiscal years. He noted that the Meeting has given money to the Swarthmore Friends Nursery School to help with legal expenses. It is possible that Meeting members may receive a further request in that their expenses are running over budget. Because of the lightning strike which destroyed the Office computer, a donated second-hand computer is now in use. At some point the Meeting will need to budget for a new computer. It was explained that the time is ripe for a new one, anyway. The Meeting minuted its appreciation to Steve for his help in this emergency.

Andrea Knox also spoke for Budget and Finance Committee: The fall solicitation letter is about to go out. Budget and Finance would like to have budget requests form the various Committees earlier this year: by November 1.

Margaret Fraser reported for Worship and Ministry Committee: The Committee has been working on planning adult forums and on ways to strengthen the Meeting's relationship with the College. There is a reluctance to start the Quaker Quest program without first learning more about it. Discussion followed. It was decided to invite representatives from Yearly Meeting to come and talk about it. Sharon Gunther is enthusiastic about the program and offered to act as facilitator.

Shelley Costa reported for Peace and Social Concerns Committee: She spoke enthusiastically about the visit of Suraya Pakzad in March and how well it was received. The Committee would like to schedule more events such as this, at least once a year.

Sue Larson reported for Quarterly Meeting: A proposal was put forth that Monthly Meeting Covenants be paid directly to Yearly Meeting, and not be sent through Quarterly Meeting. After brief discussion, the Meeting endorsed this change.

Jon Van Til, speaking for the Naming Committee, announced that Lois Sellers has agreed to serve as Assistant Clerk. Approved. Chris noted that Willa Schell has agreed to serve on the Library Committee. Approved.

Mary Titus gave the Meeting Secretary's report: She had a request from a student at the College to use Whittier Room for a Saturday yoga class she is starting. Concern was expressed regarding the need for adult supervision, as well as possible conflicts when the room is to be used for other events. It was decided that the student should seek a place on campus, and if this were not possible, the request could be reconsidered providing the class was done under the auspices of the College Wellness Program. Mary noted that all the files on the old computer sere saved. Security remains an on-going problem, it being important to make sure that doors are locked when Sunday activities or events on other days are over.

Paul Joyce Collins Williams handed out a written full page report on the Swarthmore College Partners in Ministry Program. He elaborated on several points including the mission statement developed by the late Paula Allen. Currently, Protestant, Neumann Catholic, Moslem, Jewish, and Hindi groups are participating.

Chris DeGrado read a letter from the new College President, Rebecca Chopp, in response to Meeting well-wishes. She plans to attend Meeting for Worship later this fall. She noted her interest in Quakerism and her desire and efforts to learn more, both historical and contemporary. She has a special respect for Lucretia Mott and Elias Hicks, and is appreciative of the Meeting's relationship with students.

In the September newsletter we regretfully omitted several people from the article on Cooking for the Homeless, such as Lois Sellers, Terry Hauger, and others. Our sincere apologies.

Please see a printed copy of the October Newsletter for updates of new addresses and emails. If you would like a copy of the new directory and have not yet picked it up, please notify the Office, 610 328-8699.

Drop-off for the Jumble Sale: NEW! Any Sunday morning from now until October 18. On Sunday the 18th, people will be available at curbside to carry in you donations from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Jumble raises an important chunk of our Meeting's annual budget. It is an important Meeting fundraiser! But, we need your help! Due to flooding in the dungeon during June and July, we have lost items which were stored there. Consequently, we are short of things to sell. We urge everyone in the Meeting to look around their house, in their closets, basements, and attics for treasures that are ready to pass on. Think of these donations as a financial contribution to the Meeting. Since our inventory is sparser this year, we are now accepting items on ANY Sunday morning from now until October 18.

Selling furniture and the Silent Auction are two of our more profitable departments. Brainstorm creative Silent Auction ideas...family photographic portraits; vacation hideaways; monthly baked goods, water-colored, pen and ink, or petit point pictures of people's homes; flower garden design, planting, and upkeep; pro golf lessons, salon music performances, etc.....

On the day of the Jumble Sale, please bring baked goods for The Country Store, plastic bags for people to carry their Jumble items home, and plastic quart containers for take-out luncheon items. Jumble serves the best lunch (ever!). The menu reflects our Quaker testimonies of stewardship and simplicity. Walk gently on the Earth....come enjoy our homemade vegetarian or meat chili, Kennett mushroom soup, and home-baked goods.

LIHEAP stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It is a grant; you don’t have to repay it. There are “cash grants” to help families pay their heating bills. It is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider. There are “crisis grants” to help families who have an emergency and are in danger of being without heat, such as having broken heating equipment or a leaking line, having utility service shut off, or a fuel shortage that may leave you without heat. Applications are accepted in November. You can either be a renter or own your home. To apply, visit your local County Assistance Office, call toll-free 1 866-857-7095, or apply online at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/LIHEAP/003676887.htm

The scale of who is eligible is computed before taxes; for instance, if there are 4 people in the household, the yearly income, before taxes, must be less than $44,443. The entire scale and other information is available at the toll-free number and on-line.

The Moore Price Fund has scholarship funds for Quaker Studies -- at Pendle Hill, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, or other Quaker venues. Please make written application (to Care and Counsel Committee) for scholarships before the event takes place, and plan to share your experience with us at a Meeting Forum.

Just a few of the many weekend programs at Pendle Hill are highlighted below. For details see http://www.pendlehill.org/

Memorial Minute for Charles Pickett Cryer

Charles Pickett Cryer was born March 21, 1922, in Philadelphia. He was graduated from Lansdowne High School where he played football and tennis, as well as the tuba in the band. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from Swarthmore College, where he was president of Kappa Sigma and played on the football team. He later served in the U.S. Navy, earning three bronze stars as a Lt. Senior Grade and Captain of a Destroyer Escort.

On April 26, 1956, he married Anne Ferguson in Bryn Mawr. He and Anne were married 53 years. They have three children, Christopher Brinton Cryer, Ellen Ferguson Cryer Gilbert, and Margaret (Marnie) Magill Cryer Foody. He joined Swarthmore Meeting in September, 1966. In a quiet way Chuck was proud of his Quaker ancestors. While not an overly-active member of Meeting, he helped repair electrical appliances for the Jumble Sale. Their daughter, Ellen, and Tom Gilbert were married at Swarthmore Meeting. He enjoyed cooking and was known for his good sense of humor. He enjoyed playing golf, being a member of the Rolling Green Golf Club and the Ozone Golf Club, where he served as president.

Charles was employed as a manufacturer’s representative for industrial equipment and operated Cryer Sales Company in Swarthmore for 45 years. He was a source of inspiration to his co-workers. After a thirty-seven year residence in Swarthmore, he and Anne moved to Hershey’s Mill in West Chester, and later to White Horse Village, Newtown Square. He died at home at 87 years of age, June 2, 2009.

Prepared by LaDorna Pfaff with help from Mary and Paul Manglesdorf

By mid-September, contributions from members and attenders was only 43 % of what was budgeted for this year to meet the Meeting's needs. The next solicitation letter will reach you by early October, complete with a return envelope. We need an average contribution of $500 per household this year to meet our budget; please consider prayerfully what your contribution can be. Those who are financially comfortable should be mindful that we count on you to contribute more, as there are others in the Meeting who are not able to give that much.

Swarthmore Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends First Day School offers "A Wondering in the Light." Holding the intention of helping children find words and images for expressing their experiences of holy mystery and wonder in their lives, we begin Faith and Play! This program, created by Friends General Conference of the Religious Society of Friends, was inspired by "Godly Play," a Montessori curriculum. By creating a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive to wonder and worship, we aim to nurture the spiritual lives of children. This is an experiential open-ended way to share with youth from ages three and up, Friends' values and themes.

The first Sunday of the month, repeated the next month, gives an opportunity for continued pondering, wondering, learning, and sharing. Promptness helps for settling together in readiness as a group. The schedule is as follows:

Having participated in the required training, Sharon Gunther will be leading, with support from Jinny Schiffer, and Alex Kendrick. Please check Faith and Play's website for further insight: www.faithandplay.org

We bid farewell to our creative movement teacher/assistant science teacher, Lyn Falkowski, at the end of the last school years as she traded working with preschoolers to working with college-aged individuals at Neumann College. We welcome to our staff, Kate Winward, as creative movement teacher and Jennifer D'Ambrosio as assistant science teacher. Classes started with an orientation session for the children and parents on September 17 and 18. The regular class schedule began on September 21, including our extended day programs on Monday - Wednesday.

The only openings remaining at the school are in the three-year-old class and the After-Kindergarten lunch bunch program. If you know any three-year-olds or kindergarteners looking for a warm, caring environment for a few days a week, please get in touch with Joanne Swanson at the School Office, 610-328-8584.

Fall is always full of getting-to-know you projects, as well as fire protection, changing seasons, and William Penn's birthday. Watch the classroom walls and bulletin boards for evidence of our activities.

Friends General Conference (FGC) seeks a Development Assistant in its Philadelphia office. Duties include support for annual fund and campaign, information management, volunteer recruitment, gift entry, and mailing coordination. Good writing skills, database experience (DonorPerfect, preferred), attention to detail, and general computer savvy are essential. Great entry-level position, 80% time, excellent benefits, $20,500/year. Send resume and letter to Carrie Glasby, FGC 1216 Arch Street, 2B, Philadelphia PA 19107 or email to [email protected]. Position open until filled.

PYM's new Greenleaf Fund will provide grants and loans to elderly PYM Quakers, and those in sympathy with Friends, who are in need of assistance to meet their housing, medical, maintenance, and living costs. First application deadline is November 15, 2009. Application forms and guidelines will be available soon at www.pym.org for from the Clerk of your Meeting's Care Committee.

Questions? Contact PYM Care and Aging Coordinator, George Schaefer, at 215-241-7068 or [email protected]

On Saturday, October 24, Providence Friends Meeting will celebrate 325 years of Quaker presence in Media, Pennsylvania. This public celebration, "Quaker Contributions to Freedom," will focus on the impact that Friends have had, and continue to have, on local issues of peace and social justice. The festival will begin at 12:00 noon at Providence Meeting, 105 North Providence Road, Media PA 19063. Considered the oldest faith community in Media, Providence Meeting was first noted in historical records in 1684. Quakers first met in the homes of settlers. The first Meetinghouse, a log cabin, was built in the year 1700. The current structure was completed in 1815. Today Providence Meeting is a vital, growing faith community of over 200 people.

Sponsored by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and Friends Association for Higher Education

High school students and recent graduates (and parents) are invited to come learn about Quaker colleges and adult study centers. The morning address is by Tom Tritton, past President of Haverford College. Representatives for the 15 Quaker-affiliated colleges in the United States, along with an expert on the college financial aid process, will be participating.

Contact Elke Muller, [email protected] to reserve a space (walk-ins are welcome!).

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts are presenting an Art Show and Sale which opens with a Preview Party (open to all) on Thursday evening, November 5, and runs through Saturday afternoon, November 7. The show, at the Fourth and Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia, will feature up to 40 artists.

On Friday evening, November 6, there will be a concert with Livingston Taylor and Liz Longley at the Arch Street Meetinghouse. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased on-line. Information about the events can be found at www.pym.org or contact PYM Development Director Jan Hatchard [email protected]

To the artists: This juried art show, a benefit for the Annual Fund of PYM is open to artists who are members of the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts. The DEADLINE to submit digital images of your work is September 30. If you are not a member, you can join at the special rate of $20 for a year's membership. The Arts on Arch Artist's Guide is on www.pym.org. Click on the Arts on Arch icon to the right. Contact Elke Muller for more information, [email protected]

For a complete list of programs and registration information visit www.pendlehill.org or call (800) 742-3150, extension #3. Matching scholarships are available.

October 9-11 The Wisdom to Know the Difference

Do you find it harder to let go of the things you cannot change or to muster the courage to change the things you might be able to change if you tried? Discover how discernment and self-knowledge can help us lead more peace-filled, productive lives. Facilitator is Eileen Flanagan.

October 30-November 1 Inward Activism and Outward Prayer: Integrating Our Lives through Nonviolence

We often feel burdened with a confusing array of spiritual practices and multiple competing demands for political action. Discover an integrative model that, for workshop leader, leads to a more discerning engagement with the world. Facilitator is Daniel O. Snyder

November 1-5, Holding in the Light, Framing the Sacred: Photography in the Digital Age

Prepare to behold! As fall unfolds its glories, set your camera to worship mode and come to Pendle Hill. Taking advantage of the magic light of morning and late afternoon, we literally "hold in the Light" and "frame the sacred." The Facilitator is our own Swarthmore Meeting member, Sharon Gunther.

Christine DeGrado, Clerk of Meeting; Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk; Stephen Weimar, Treasurer; Mary Titus, Meeting Secretary