Swarthmore Friends Meeting

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

September 2009 Newsletter

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 Meeitng 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 recorded 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

Partial Draft Minutes of Swarthmore Monthly Meeting for Business

Sunday, June 14, 2009

(Note: Since Swarthmore Meeting did not have Meeting for Business during the summer, the following draft minutes from June 14, 2009, are to be considered and approved at our Meeting for Business, Sunday, September 13, 2009.)

After a few moments of silent worship, the Meeting opened with our new Clerk, Chris DeGrado, presiding.  The queries on Meeting for Worship were read, considered and spoken to: the intimacy of our smaller summer Meetings in Whittier Room was mentioned as a positive factor.  It was suggested that future worship sharing sessions would be beneficial. Minutes of the previous Meeting were perused and approved with slight clarification. Chris spoke of her appreciation for the well-wishes and support she's been given as she undertakes the Clerkship. It was proposed and agreed that the July 19 potluck be a barbecue.  There was discussion regarding the Meeting's proposed letter welcoming the new College President.  Several suggestions were made and will be forwarded to the group working on this: an emphasis on the Meeting's appreciation for the College's help in maintaining the property and an invitation to the new President to share with us her own thoughts on religion were noted.

LaDorna Pfaff reported for Care and Counsel Committee: 1) The Committee expresses its sincere thanks to Steve Weimar and Scott Newman who are leaving Care and Counsel. 2) The new telephone directory will go to the printer this month. 3) Moira Donovan has applied for Meeting membership along with her sons, Sam and Alex Veith.  Sally Shane, Steve Weimar, and LaDorna Pfaff met with her as a Clearness Committee. Care and Counsel strongly recommends their membership.  As customary, this will be held over one month. 4) Sally Shane contacted Katie McKinstry, now living in Vermont, confirming her membership and our happiness in having her as part of the Meeting. 5) Our longtime member, Charles Cryer, died June 2, 2009, at White Horse Village.  A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, August 17, 3:00 p.m. at White Horse. The Committee would like to hear from anyone who wants to help in writing a Memorial Minute for him. 

Two Memorial Minutes were presented and read aloud to the Meeting: one for our member Richard Raymond, Jr., and the other for our member Holley Webster.

Jennifer Cheung reported for Nominating Committee:  Will Starr is leaving Jumble Sale Committee and Elizabeth McAndrew and Mac Hoffman are joining.  Gary King is on Jumble Sale Committee for one more year.  Pat Thomas is leaving Worship and Ministry Committee  and joining Care and Counsel Committee. Lynne Piersol and Alexandra Kendrick are joining Worship and Ministry Committee and Margaret Fraser will be serving a one-year term there.  Nancy Saunders and Steve Weimar will be on Personnel Committee.  All assignments approved. Johanna Sibbett, Lynne Piersol and Jon Van Til will be the Naming Committee to find a new Assistant Clerk.  Dawn Zimmerman is resigning her position as head of Jumble Sale house wares department.  A new head needs to be found.  It was noted that considerable work is involved. The Committee is contemplating laying down Library Committee since it is difficult to find people to serve on it.  Mac Hoffman has been the sole person on the Committee these past few years.  Discussion ensued: One worry expressed was that if the Committee were laid down, this could put an added burden on our Meeting Secretary. It was noted that in today's busy world people seem to have less time to use the library and some, because of its location, may not know it is there.  It was suggested that a brief write-up of a book each month be placed in the Meeting Newsletter and that some of the books be displayed at Coffee Hour to help generate interest.  Visitors and new Meeting members should be made aware of the library  There was general agreement that the Committee should continue.  Mary and Paul Mangelsdorf offered to serve on it. Approved..

Lisa Dainton reported for the Nursery School Board of Directors: The Board is in the process of selecting a new President.  The School is currently operating with one Director in that Carol Williamson has retired.  Joanne Swanson is the sole Director, though she does have an assistant.  Over the summer the Board will decide on whether to find another Co-Director or keep things as they are now.  With the help of Attorney Sue Garrison, it is hoped that the problems with the State will soon be completely resolved.  Progress is being made and it appears now that the School will recover those payments in fines and taxes it has been required to make and win its claim as a non-profit entity.  The Meeting minuted its appreciation to Lisa for her work both before and after the establishment of the School's Board. Concern was expressed regarding the Meeting's on-going participation in the affairs of the Nursery School, especially its spiritual growth, now that the School is more independent in nature.  It was noted that at least one-half of the Board members will be Quakers.  After further discussion, it was decided that Lisa should convey to the Board the Meeting's desire to establish a Quaker Life Committee in support of the Board.  The importance of regular communication between the Board and the Meeting was stressed.

Mary Titus reported that there are some problems with finishing the Directory but it should be out shortly. 

Lynne Piersol appealed for support for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Annual Fund Drive which is running behind its goal with only two weeks left.

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

Submitted by Leslie Keighton, Recording Clerk

General Swarthmore Meeting Announcements

E-Mail Problems Plague the Office

Members and attenders may have noticed that they have not been receiving their Sunday announcements, normally e-mailed on Friday afternoons. Swarthmore College has been having major e-mail problems, and because the office computer is connected to the College server, we have been affected.  At the present time, the Office can send and receive individual e-mails, but has lost the ability to use our group e-mail lists.  Until that ability is restored, we cannot send the Sunday announcements or any other announcement to the Meeting.

We apologize for the inconvenience this is causing our Members and attenders, and hope the problem is resolved soon.

We Return to the Meetinghouse on September 6

Beginning on Sunday, September 6, Meeting for Worship will return to the Meetinghouse.  Worship begins at 10:00 a.m.

Grand Welcoming Tea on Sunday, September 6

The Meeting will host a Grand Welcoming Tea on Sunday, September 6, in Whittier Room, after Meeting for Worship.  (Please note that this date has changed from the Summer Newsletter listing.)

We will be welcoming new freshmen students, returning college students, faculty, and our own First Day faculty and students!  Please plan to attend, to greet the new and old College people, and to warmly acknowledge our great First Day teachers and our schoolage Meeting members and attenders.  We will be serving our famous ginger ale and strawberry punch and many other delights.  Please plan to join in the celebration.

    Submitted by LaDorna Pfaff, Care and Counsel Committee

The "Thank You" Corner

Thanks to:

• Barbara Casini for filling in the Office while Mary was away.

• Andrea Knox and Jonathan Hodgson for donating a Weber grill, used in our first annual Meeting Barbeque.

• Barbara BurgerLentz and Bill Titus for consultation about the Office computer.

• And to all who give to the Meeting in silent and unacknowledged ways.

Back-up Pianists Needed

It has come to our attention that our dear Betsy and Johanna could use a back-up pianist (or more than one) who could occasionally take their place accompanying those who like to sing from 9:30 to 9:55 a.m. every First Day before Meeting for Worship.  This would relieve them of the pressure of feeling they should be there whether they are feeling up to it, or not, on a given Sunday.  If you would like to help with this and are familiar (or could get familiar) with the hymns in the red and blue hymnals, please let Marry know in the Office.  The singers will be most appreciative!

    Submitted by Sue Edwards

A Note from July 4, 2009

Dear Swarthmore Friends,

I was giving a concert at Orange Grove Friends Meeting in California the other day.  I was very surprised to see that you donated one of the benches there, back in 1909.  Swarthmore Friends Meeting holds a dear spot in my heart and the bench made me feel right at home at that Meeting also.

Submitted by Keith Calmes, former attender at Swarthmore Friends Meeting

New Season for Adult Religious Education, 2009-2010

The Committee on Worship and Ministry is busily planning the 2009-2010 Adult Religious Education season.  Tentative topics include Personal Spiritual Journeys from longtime Friends, sessions on Stewardship of our Environment, Christianity and the Inner Light, Our Relationship with College Students, and Worship-Sharing on Our Experience of Worship at Swarthmore. Stay tuned for dates and details.

Submitted by Virginia Williams Joyce and Sue Edwards

Jumble Sale is Coming!

Important Dates: 

Last Jumble Sale Drop-off:  Sunday, October 18, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Jumble Sale: Saturday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

What is one of the biggest community-building events of the year for Swarthmore Meeting? Our Jumble Sale! Jumble not only raises an important chunk of our annual budget, but Jumble also builds relationships within the Meeting and with our greater community.

Jumble serves the best lunch (ever!). The Mushroom soup is reason enough to spend the day.

But more than lunch and a fundraiser, this year Jumble Sale can play an important role in helping families solve difficult problems.  I know that this year I am looking to Jumble to provide some household items that I would not have thought twice about buying at a store in years past.  This year, like many families, we just don't have the money to buy a lot.  At Jumble families can find linens for their tables, saucers for their plants, bowls for their kitchens, alarm clocks for their middle-schoolers, tables for their dining rooms, and who knows what else.  Folks can buy these things at a fraction of what new ones would cost and we keep a massive amount of stuff out of the waste streams.

Jumble Sale Wish List:

1. Bring us your old "treasures" ready to be someone's new necessities. Last Drop-off date is Sunday, October 18, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

2. Make plans to help us October 20 to 24 (We can't do it without your help!) We especially need people to help clean up after the sale (1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) on Saturday, October 24

Submitted by Barbara BurgerLentz, Jumble Sale Committee

Feeding the Homeless

On the third Saturday of each month, volunteers from Swarthmore Meeting, and others, prepare and serve a meal for homeless persons from Delaware County and the 69th Street area.  This is done in cooperation with other Meetings, churches, and organizations in the area, each sharing one day of the month.

The menu is usually a nutritious "Quaker stew" of in-season vegetables with turkey hot dogs, pasta or rice.  In addition to the hot meal, our volunteers offer peanut butter sandwiches and fresh fruit that the diners can take away with them for another meal.  Dessert is also provided, often baked goods made by a local Girl Scout troop, First Day school students, and others.  The food, enough to feed over 100, is prepared in the Whittier House kitchen and then transported to the Life Center at 69th Street.

The combined efforts of many members and attenders at Swarthmore make this valuable activity possible.  Regulars include Johanna Sibbett, Mimi Hall, Paul Greene, Chris DeGrado, Sally Shane, Chris Mulford, Sue Dyson, LaDorna Pfaff, Beth Thomas, Liz Lawson, the Schell Family, the Starr Family, the King Family, Jon Van Til, Margaret Robinson, as well as many others from a large group of on-call volunteers.  Among the younger generation, Zoe Golub and her friends have been regular helpers.

Johanna Sibbett, who coordinates the workers, needs 10 to 12 people to help with the preparation and cooking from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the third Saturday, and, at 5:45 p.m., an additional 4 or 5 people with cars, vans, or station wagons, to transport and serve the food at 69th Street.  Johanna tries to rotate her volunteers so that no one has to commit every month.

The Meeting provides a budget for the food which is supplemented by donations from individuals and other groups, such as local Girl Scouts.

If you haven't been involved and would like to be, contact the Meeting Office and leave a message for Johanna Sibbett.  You will truly be fulfilling our mission to reach those outside our Meeting who are in need of help.

Submitted by Barbara Casini

Wider News from Friends

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting  (PYM) News

There will changes in future PYM News:   The format will switch to a magazine format, about 8 1/2 x 11 inches.  The PYM News will be published four times a year.  Tentatively these issues will come out in September, November, February, and May.  The September issue will feature an annual report about PYM, and so its content will be extracted from Yearly Meeting activities over the past year.

The articles will not be limited to 200 words.  Articles of any length will be considered.  We are actively seeking photographs, as well. We will be featuring more articles that are of a reflective nature -- stories of personal faith journeys, contemplations of our testimonies and their presence in today's world, stories of growth, life and vitality in our Meetings. To celebrate these changes, we may be renaming PYM News, but more on that later.

Submitted by Allen Reeder, Editor, PYM News, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

ArtsOnArch is November 5-7

Mark your calendar for November 5-7, when all manner of arts will combine for one cool weekend of fun at Arch Street Meetinghouse in Philadelphia.

ArtsOnArch, a benefit for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's Annual Fund, will include a three-day Juried Art Show and Sale by the Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts, and a concert featuring Livingston Taylor and Liz Longley on Friday evening, November 6.  For more information contact PYM Development Director Jan Hatchard  [email protected] or visit the PYM website www.pym.org

From the Greater Pennsylvania Climate Action Network

The United Nations Summit in December, 2009, will set the agenda for the next stage of the fight against climate change when government representatives meet in Copenhagen, Denmark, to finalize a new global agreement.  Here are two things you can do:

1. Support the "Countdown to Copenhagen" pledge to address climate change and create a greener, more just economy.  Look for pledge cards at your Meeting or sign the pledge on-line at http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer

2. . Church World Service will be sending President Obama a list of all the pledges made.

3. Urge your U.S. senators to work for an effective climate and energy bill.  The House of Representatives passed the American Climate and Energy Security Act earlier this year; unfortunately, the bill contains loopholes that significantly weaken its impact.  For analysis of climate legislation and provisions you can suggest to your senators, follow the climate and energy links at www.fcnl.org

Upcoming Quakerism 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.

Newsletter Calendar for September, 2009

SWARTHMORE MONTHLY MEETING

Christine DeGrado, Clerk of 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