Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Queries on Spiritual Nurture, Ministry, and Religious Education

Addressed to the Meeting:

• Does our Meeting encourage the ministry of both word and deed? 

• How does our Meeting recognize, develop, and nurture the gifts of our members and attenders of all ages?

• Does our Meeting prepare all its members and children for worship and for a way of life consistent with the principles of the Religious Society of Friends?

• How do we teach about Quaker practices in business and worship and their importance to the functioning of our Meeting community?

• In what ways do we support each other in order to seek God's will and act upon our understanding of truth?

• Is there opportunity in our Meeting to share the excitement of religious discovery and the possibility of religious transformation?

  Does our Meeting provide opportunities for all in the Meeting to learn about: 

  • the Inner Light, the living Christ within, the Bible, the writings of Friends, our Christian heritage, other religious traditions and their respective roles in the history and formation of Friends' principles?

  • the common testimonies Friends declare?

  • the variety of expression Quaker faith takes today?

Addressed to the individual:

• Do I maintain as part of my personal and family life those daily practices that focus on continued spiritual growth, with disciplined worship, inward retirement, and communion with the divine spirit?

• Do I frequently read the Bible and other religious literature, including the records of the lives and experiences of Friends?

• Do I take the time to explore these resources with others, and likewise encourage my children?

• Do I share my own faith and spiritual journey, and encourage such sharing within my family? 

from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice, 2002, page 207 and 208

Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business held Sunday, September 12, 2010

After a few moments of opening worship, the Meeting was opened with Susan Larson presiding.  The Queries on Meeting for Business were read and reflected upon.  Minutes of the June 13 Meeting for Business were considered and approved.

Steve Weimar reported for Budget and Finance Committee: He handed out a sheet explaining on-line giving and urged members to seriously consider this as an efficient and easy way to make their contributions to the Meeting.  Thus far this year, contributions are running behind last year's pace and expenses are ahead, owning to expenditures by House and Property Committee, which spent very little last year.  One Friend praised the recent appeal letter and asked if e-mail receipts for contributions would be acceptable to the IRS.  This was later clarified in the affirmative.  It was also suggested that Budget and Finance give an updated figure representing the average individual contribution needed from Meeting members, not as a requirement, but as a guideline.

Susan Larson reported for Care and Counsel Committee: The Committee is please to recommend Joan Urban for membership.  This will be held over the customary one month.  Susan Larson, Mary Lou Parker, and Phyllis Raymond were Joan's Committee of Clearness.  The Lynn Piersol-Michael Inskeep wedding of June 19, 2010, was accomplished in good order.  A Welcoming Tea for new and returning Swarthmore College students will be held September 26, after Meeting for Worship.  A Memorial Minute for our member Helen Pennock was read by the Recording Clerk.  One Friend voiced the sentiment that the Minute, written by Mary Manglesdorf, was well conceived and deeply moving. 

In lieu of a formal report, Mary Titus spoke for House and Property Committee, noting recent extensive cleaning in Whittier House and construction of shields over the north-facing basement windows in an effort to solve the seepage of water in that area.  Appreciation was minuted for Barbara Grove and Mimi Hall for their work on behalf of the Meeting.  Appreciation was also minuted to the Cheung family for their faithful work on behalf of the Sunday Student Breakfast, and to Ashley Rockwell for Child Care. 

Barbara BurgerLentz reported on the upcoming Jumble Sale Committee: She is encouraged by the quality, as well as the quantity of items coming in.

Elizabeth McAndrew reported for First Day School Committee: A larger group of First Graders and Middle Schoolers is encouraging.  Interest has been shown by several High School students as Child Care providers and two are currently employed.

Mary Titus gave the Secretary's report:  It was a quiet summer. Security is still a problem, specifically doors left unlocked, even wide open all night.  Those using Whittier House, including Meeting members, need to be more attentive.  A request from Marijuana Anonymous to rent the Library once a week was presented, clarified, and approved.  The need for a written contract for renters was also discussed and this will be worked on.

Paul Joyce Collins Williams reported for Interim Meeting: This was the first Meeting of the fall.  The Committee meets the second Saturday on the month. The Meetings are often long (five hours, for example) so a lot of information exists.  The PYM website offers much of the details as well as other valuable information.  Paul expressed high regard for PYM Clerk, Tom Swain, and his efforts toward innovation.  Three minutes were discussed and approved: from Wellsboro Meeting regarding the Marcellus Shale controversy, from Central Philadelphia Meeting regarding the Afghan war, and from the Indian Committee regarding the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.  PYM staff will be making a renewed effort this year toward a closer working relationship with Monthly Meetings, including personal visits.

A letter of appreciation for the Meeting's contribution was received from Friends World Committee for Consultation; likewise from Pendle Hill, and the Friends Journal.

After a few moments of silent worship, the Meeting 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] 

Jumble News...Mark your Calendars: Jumble Sale is October 23!

Call for artists! Jumble Sale is offering the opportunity to exhibit and sell original works of fine art.  They will be displayed in Rushmore Room.  If you have art to contributes, deadline for submissions is October 17, 2010.  For more information, contact Lois Sellers.  

Jumble Sale Committee is looking for a photographer to document our fabulous event.  If you would like to take photos, please contact Barb BrugerLentz.  We also need people to prepare mushroom soup...if you agree to make the soup, you get to learn the secret John McKinstry's recipe!

Jumble items still needed: The Garden Spot is in need of plants and garden items.

We also need: plastic bags, newspapers, chili containers (half-pint and pint size)

Jumble Sale is October 23!

Peace and Social Concerns News: David Hartsough talks

• Sunday, October 31, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Arch Street Meetinghouse
• Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 4:15 p.m. Scheuer Room, Kohlberg Hall, Swarthmore College.  The public is invited

Active Nonviolence: A Celebration of David Hartsough. Sponsored by Yearly Meeting's Peace and Concerns Committee, Sunday, October 31, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Arch Street Meetinghouse.  Sharing stories and refreshments after an introduction by George Lakey.  David Hartsough is a long-time friend of Johanna Sibbett and other Meeting members.  He co-founded the Nonviolent Peaceforce.  Among many peace actions was his support for the peaceful movement for independence of Kosovo, which got him into a Serbian jail; but might have succeeded if joined by more international peace activism.  Free. donations to Nonviolent Peaceforce welcome.  Please RSVP by October 20 to Clarkson Palmer.

    Submitted by Clarkson Palmer, for the Peace and Social Concerns Committee

Funds Available to Meeting Members for Quaker Conferences and Education

The Budget and Finance Committee would like to make Meeting members and attenders aware of the funds, listed below, that are available for various purposes related to Quaker education:

Moore/Price Fund: The Price fund was created to help send Meeting members and attenders to Quaker conferences.  In 2000, this fund was replenished with memorial cash donations in money of John B. and Margaret Moore, and renamed the Moore/Price fund.  Deductions form this Fund can be authorized by at least two Clerks from any Committee, as well as the Clerk of the Meeting.

Pendle Hill Workshop Fund: This fund was set up with an anonymous restricted gift.  The purpose of the fund is to sponsor two people from each Committee of the Meeting to attend weekend classes at Pendle Hill.  The fund is based on the premise that Pendle Hill will match the funds that the Meeting has put up.  Most of the weekend courses cost $120 for commuters.

Friends School Education Fund: This fund is designed to help Quakers send their children to Friends Schools under the care of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.  Interest earnings are available to provide scholarships to the children of Meeting members and attenders.  The available yearly funds are limited and the average scholarship is approximately $500.  However, all scholarships are matched by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Information about how to apply for these scholarships will be forthcoming in the January newsletter, and all applications are due by early February.

     Submitted by Mark Taylor, for Budget and Finance Committee

Community Thanksgiving Service, November 21

Sunday, November 21, at 3:00 p.m., there will be a Community Thanksgiving Service at Ohev Shalom, sponsored by the Wallingford Swarthmore Interfaith Ministerium.  We are looking for singers to join us in a simple Quaker hymn of thanksgiving.

    Submitted by Mary Lou Parker

Quaker Realtor

Did you know there is a new website dedicated to helping Quaker Friends buy and sell real estate? Scott Newman, Meeting member, and licensed real estate agent, gives 5% of his commission to a local Meeting, food bank, or charity of his client's choice.  Go to www.QuakerRealtor.com for more information.

Whittier Knittiers in Action

The Whittier Knittiers meet two Sundays a month.  They create Prayer Shawls and Afghans for Afghans. Come join Margery Lauber, Sally Shane, Phyllis Raymond, and others on the second and fourth Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Meeting Office.

Faith and Play to Begin in October

First Day School will once again be presenting the Faith and Play program in October, for children ages three and up. In Faith and Play we actively listen to a Quaker story presentation. Stories are told in a meditative way, using figures and other objects to make the story come alive. Afterwards, the storyteller leads the group in "wondering" about it, asking open-ended questions that elicit each participant's thoughts and opinions. Faith and Play stories are meant to be engaging and especially meaningful for children, although many adults find them meaningful as well. Faith and Play is Quaker created, and is modeled after Godly Play, a Montessori method of learning, encouraging children to speak about their spiritual lives. The first Sunday of the month, repeated the next month, gives an opportunity to continued pondering, wondering, learning and sharing. Promptness helps for settling together in readiness as a group.

• October 3, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Listening for God

• November 7, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Listening for God

• December 5, 2010, 10:00 a.m. Friends Meeting for Worship

• January 2, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Friends Meeting for Worship

• February 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Gifts

• March 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m. Gifts

Wider News from Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting  (PYM) News

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

Thursday, October 7, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Installation of the Afghanistan War Mural Project and Reception.  Arch Street Meetinghouse. Peace and Concerns Standing Committee invites everyone to the installation of the Afghanistan War Mural Project and Reception, in observance of the 9th anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan (which took place on November 7). AFSC will also be organizing seminars and teach-ins on responses to the war.

Saturday, October 9, 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. - Lecture Series: Friends 2.0 New Tools for our Faith, Arch Street Meetinghouse.  A series of lectures following Interim Meeting will discuss how technology, when used in accordance with Quaker values, can empower Quakers and strengthen our witness and our community. Naman Hampton will speak on "The New PYM Website and What it Can Do For You!" Contact Stephen Dotson for more information, [email protected] 

Sunday, October 10, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. "10/10/10 Global Work Party for Climate Justice," Friends Center, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia.  Join the PYM Eco-Justice Working Group event for a day of international action for the Earth.  Please check the PYM website for updates or visit www.350.org  

Sunday, October 17, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Heeding God's Call - Gun Violence Prevention, Friends Center, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia.  A rally and organizing event for the Partner Faith Communities and friends.  Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnomaon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, will be one of the keynote speakers; there will be an announcement of new gun shop campaigns and public witness opportunities. The event will be followed by public witness and prayer.  

Saturday, October 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. "How to Communicate with the Other" Arch Street Meetinghouse.  Featured presenter: Sally King, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, James Madison University.

Sunday, October 31, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Nonviolent PeaceForce Celebration with David Hartsough. See article above.

Upcoming Programs at Pendle Hill

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 22-24 and/or October 24-28, Holding in the Light, Framing the Sacred: Photography in the Digital Age. Set your cameras to "worship mode" for this Pendle Hill workshop lead by Sharon Gunther at Pendle Hill in the beauty of autumn.  Scholarships are available through Pendle Hill to match your Monthly Meeting's assistance.

The Way of the Artist: Pendle Hill Speaker Series,

The series will take place in the Barn at Pendle Hill. For more information, see http://www.pendlehill.org/lectures 

Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 7:30-9:00 p.m. Sharon Gunther, photographer, and member of our Meeting will give a presentation, "Fruits of the Spirit, the Joy of Teaching" 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010, 7:30-9:00 p.m. La Verne Shelton, who attends Swarthmore Meeting regularly, will speak on "Writing Mindfully: The Sacred Ordinary in Story and Song."

Newsletter Calendar for October, 2010

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