Present: Christopher Cadbury, Mary Foster Cadbury, Denise Sherman, Karen Snare, Vonn New, Caroline Besse Webster, Bob West, Nettie West.
The Meeting opened with a period of worshipful silence.
2010-19: The Clerk announced New York Yearly Meeting Spring Sessions to be held at Chautauqua Institution April 11, 2010. Friends approved a change of date for the next Monthly Meeting from April 11th to April 18th.
2010-20: The auditor's review of the 2009 budget stated that the auditor has found the treasurer's reports to be accurate and to represent the financial status of the Monthly Meeting as set forth in the statements. The auditor's review was accepted.
2010-21: Mary Foster Cadbury reported that Quarterly Meeting will be held May 2, 2010. More people are needed to work on food. Vonn New volunteered to make a large pot of vegetarian soup. It is suggested that people bring bread, salad, and fruit. The clerk will convey this to the Hospitality Committee. Friends approved.
2010-22: Peace and Social Action Committee: Vonn New reported that the committee is open to all who wish to participate. The next meeting will be April 11. The committee hosted a meeting for worship on March 14, 2010, to hold in the Light the Oscar Romero delegation to El Salvador, in which Friend Caroline Besse Webster will be participating. Vonn presented the following travel minute for Caroline to carry with her. The minute was approved.
To Friends in El Salvador and elsewhere:
We commend to you our Friend Caroline Webster, who will be traveling with the School of the Americas Watch Oscar Romero Legacy Delegation in March 2010. The peace building work of this delegation in healing the hurt of past violence and preventing future violence is consistent with our understanding of the Quaker Peace Testimony. We hold the witness of the delegation and Friend Caroline in our prayers that all may know and live in peace.
2010-23: State of the Meeting 2009: Friends approved the State of the Meeting report. (Attached)
The Monthly Meeting with a concern for business closed in silent worshipful reflection. The next Monthly Meeting will occur April 18, 2010.
Karen Snare, Clerk Caroline Besse Webster, Recording Clerk
STATE OF THE MEETING 2009
We write in response to three of the queries posed by the Yearly Meeting. We are blessed that our worship is deep and our meetings for worship often feel gathered. We are concerned about the relatively advanced age of nearly all of our members and attenders and about the lack of children in the Meeting. Our remote geographic location makes for a low probability of drop-ins, spontaneous or otherwise. What feels like minimal outreach is of concern to many of us. Some of our members continue to worship with men in nearby prisons, participate in Yearly Meeting and wider Quaker organizations and conduct active ministries in the wider world. We collect food for a local food pantry, and individually take actions for social justice. Our recently revived Peace & Social Action committee is looking for opportunities for service for the Meeting as a whole, both because we are called to this and because those searching for Friends or for Friends values and beliefs would expect to find us acting in ways to help others.
We are aware that before this and other improvements can take place, we must solve the task of ready communication among ourselves. We have been unsuccessful at communicating Meeting events or news of individual Friends. We have a website which provides a calendar. This has proved, however, to be ineffective for many, and we recognize that we need a more promising method.
Over the years the Meeting has had an active First Day school. Today that is not true, although there are 2 teenagers who come fairly regularly and often choose to stay in Meeting for Worship. We have explored various ways to attract young families: designated one Sunday a month for First day school, provided teaching materials ready to use should children come, and sponsored a ‘fun day.’ The fun day was attended by previously non-attending parents and their children as well as regulars. We did have a good time. The efforts, however, did not achieve their goal: consistently attending children and families. Does our current lack of families and children represent only one of the many dips and climbs of a long established meeting which will eventually change?
Our Meeting is feeling the financial pinch that the world is feeling. In October we thought we wouldn’t be able to make our budget/expenditures and the decision was made to reduce our Yearly Meeting contribution for 2010. But we note with surprised gratitude that at the end of the year we met our 2009 expenditures with only a $250 shortfall, and felt able to restore our Yearly Meeting commitment to the 2009 level. We feel a strong commitment to supporting the work of the Yearly Meeting, and were helped in making our financial decisions by the visit from Peter Phillips as a representative of the Yearly Meeting finance committee. Our largest expenses are maintenance and the Yearly Meeting contribution; our spending for community or committee support is small.
We are grateful for our Meeting community. We try to be faithful; we are aware of our weaknesses. The love and support of everyone in our beloved Meeting community nourishes and sustains us on our journey.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February 2010 Meeting for Business
Bulls Head Oswego Monthly Meeting
Minutes of Meeting of February 14, 2010
Present: Christopher Cadbury, Mary Cadbury, Janet Carter, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Denise Sherman, Valerie Suter, Nettie West, Robert West
The Meeting opened with a period of worshipful silence. The clerk reviewed the agenda
2010-11: Due to the inability of our clerk, Karen Snare, to be present for this meeting, the meeting approved having Valerie Suter serve as clerk. Word having been received of the Recording Clerk, Caroline Webster, not being present because of an automobile accident on the way to meeting, Mary Cadbury took over those duties for the day. We are glad to know that Caroline reports that she herself is uninjured
2010-12: Valerie Suter reported a correction regarding minute # 2010-04 which stated that a cell phone had been purchased for the Meeting. Val had not yet purchased the cell phone in January and the cost is higher than reported in January, but still lower than the cost of the Verizon landline.
As of February 12, the change in phone service is complete. The Verizon landline service has been replaced by a combination of Skype phone service for messages and an AT&T pre-paid cell phone for ingoing and outgoing calls when people are at the meeting house. The cost of the Verizon landline service was approximately $396 per year; the combined cost of the two new services is $172 per year. There was an additional one-time charge of $30 to purchase the cell phone and charger. The Meeting’s old Verizon phone number, 845-266-4618, was reassigned to the cell phone. The Skype phone number is 845-266-6068.
The meeting accepted this report. Ministry and Counsel was asked to continue making arrangements for use of the phones.
2010-13: Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating Committee. The committee brought forward the names of Valerie Suter for Treasurer and Nancy Angell for Assistant Treasurer for the calendar year, 2010. The meeting approved.
The nominating committee confirmed the name of Nancy Sorel as Recording Clerk for the months of April and May, 2010 (Minute 2009-49, October 11, 2009). Mary Cadbury will continue as alternate for the Recording Clerk.
2010-14: Denise Sherman for Ministry and Counsel read a proposed memorial minute for Elliott McEldowney. The meeting asked that Ministry and Counsel revise it with the help of others.
2010-15: Denise Sherman reported the following minute from Ministry and Counsel:
A small committee met with Tom and Janet Angell to look back at our shared past as well as our current spiritual condition. Our goal in doing this was to express and move beyond any lingering hurts and to see how our relationship might go forward. The meeting was honest and heartfelt. In addressing the question of how we might be in relationship with each other going forward, Tom was very clear: he loves the Meeting deeply, and hopes to be able to continue in friendship with individuals in it. His spiritual need is to worship with people who have the same very specific Christian beliefs that he does, and the Meeting does not share these beliefs. He longs for the day when the Meeting will come to share his beliefs and methods of expression about Jesus; then he will feel he can come ‘home.’ All of us in that meeting expressed a mutual desire not to be proselytized, and the hope to live lovingly side-by-side.
The meeting accepted the report. The forward-looking message of the report can serve as a reminder of the concerns for this relationship still remaining.
2010-16: Denise Sherman for Ministry and Counsel presented a draft State of the Meeting Report. The meeting asked Ministry and Counsel to consider the concerns raised today and bring a revised State of the Meeting Report to our March meeting.
2010-17: The meeting approved including in our minutes the following report from Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting session of February 7, 2010, for our information.
In accordance with the decision made at the November 1, 2009 session of Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting, the amount budgeted for “Programs” is available not only for program expenses at Quarterly Meeting sessions, but also for financial assistance to adults going to Powell House programs.
If an individual’s monthly meeting approves of financial assistance and more is needed than the monthly meeting can provide, the meeting can approach the Quarterly Meeting Treasurer on the individual’s behalf. The monthly meeting and the individual will decide on the amount to be requested, no more than $70. The Treasurer will forward on that person’s behalf the amount requested, as long as the budgeted total for “Programs” ($300 in 2009-2010) has not been exceeded. Quarterly Meeting assistance is limited to no more than once a year per person.
2010-18: John Perry spoke of the upcoming Meeting for Discernment to be held at Purchase Meeting February 20, 2010. Information about that session has been minimal in our Meeting. The clerk is asked to circulate details to our members. We ask that our representative report on the session at our March meeting.
The meeting ended in worship purposing to meet again March 14, 2010.
Valerie J. Suter, acting clerk Mary Foster Cadbury, alternate for the Recording Clerk
Minutes of Meeting of February 14, 2010
Present: Christopher Cadbury, Mary Cadbury, Janet Carter, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Denise Sherman, Valerie Suter, Nettie West, Robert West
The Meeting opened with a period of worshipful silence. The clerk reviewed the agenda
2010-11: Due to the inability of our clerk, Karen Snare, to be present for this meeting, the meeting approved having Valerie Suter serve as clerk. Word having been received of the Recording Clerk, Caroline Webster, not being present because of an automobile accident on the way to meeting, Mary Cadbury took over those duties for the day. We are glad to know that Caroline reports that she herself is uninjured
2010-12: Valerie Suter reported a correction regarding minute # 2010-04 which stated that a cell phone had been purchased for the Meeting. Val had not yet purchased the cell phone in January and the cost is higher than reported in January, but still lower than the cost of the Verizon landline.
As of February 12, the change in phone service is complete. The Verizon landline service has been replaced by a combination of Skype phone service for messages and an AT&T pre-paid cell phone for ingoing and outgoing calls when people are at the meeting house. The cost of the Verizon landline service was approximately $396 per year; the combined cost of the two new services is $172 per year. There was an additional one-time charge of $30 to purchase the cell phone and charger. The Meeting’s old Verizon phone number, 845-266-4618, was reassigned to the cell phone. The Skype phone number is 845-266-6068.
The meeting accepted this report. Ministry and Counsel was asked to continue making arrangements for use of the phones.
2010-13: Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating Committee. The committee brought forward the names of Valerie Suter for Treasurer and Nancy Angell for Assistant Treasurer for the calendar year, 2010. The meeting approved.
The nominating committee confirmed the name of Nancy Sorel as Recording Clerk for the months of April and May, 2010 (Minute 2009-49, October 11, 2009). Mary Cadbury will continue as alternate for the Recording Clerk.
2010-14: Denise Sherman for Ministry and Counsel read a proposed memorial minute for Elliott McEldowney. The meeting asked that Ministry and Counsel revise it with the help of others.
2010-15: Denise Sherman reported the following minute from Ministry and Counsel:
A small committee met with Tom and Janet Angell to look back at our shared past as well as our current spiritual condition. Our goal in doing this was to express and move beyond any lingering hurts and to see how our relationship might go forward. The meeting was honest and heartfelt. In addressing the question of how we might be in relationship with each other going forward, Tom was very clear: he loves the Meeting deeply, and hopes to be able to continue in friendship with individuals in it. His spiritual need is to worship with people who have the same very specific Christian beliefs that he does, and the Meeting does not share these beliefs. He longs for the day when the Meeting will come to share his beliefs and methods of expression about Jesus; then he will feel he can come ‘home.’ All of us in that meeting expressed a mutual desire not to be proselytized, and the hope to live lovingly side-by-side.
The meeting accepted the report. The forward-looking message of the report can serve as a reminder of the concerns for this relationship still remaining.
2010-16: Denise Sherman for Ministry and Counsel presented a draft State of the Meeting Report. The meeting asked Ministry and Counsel to consider the concerns raised today and bring a revised State of the Meeting Report to our March meeting.
2010-17: The meeting approved including in our minutes the following report from Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting session of February 7, 2010, for our information.
In accordance with the decision made at the November 1, 2009 session of Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting, the amount budgeted for “Programs” is available not only for program expenses at Quarterly Meeting sessions, but also for financial assistance to adults going to Powell House programs.
If an individual’s monthly meeting approves of financial assistance and more is needed than the monthly meeting can provide, the meeting can approach the Quarterly Meeting Treasurer on the individual’s behalf. The monthly meeting and the individual will decide on the amount to be requested, no more than $70. The Treasurer will forward on that person’s behalf the amount requested, as long as the budgeted total for “Programs” ($300 in 2009-2010) has not been exceeded. Quarterly Meeting assistance is limited to no more than once a year per person.
2010-18: John Perry spoke of the upcoming Meeting for Discernment to be held at Purchase Meeting February 20, 2010. Information about that session has been minimal in our Meeting. The clerk is asked to circulate details to our members. We ask that our representative report on the session at our March meeting.
The meeting ended in worship purposing to meet again March 14, 2010.
Valerie J. Suter, acting clerk Mary Foster Cadbury, alternate for the Recording Clerk
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monthly Meeting Minutes January 10, 2010
Present: Mary Hannon Williams, Robert West, Nettie West, Mary Foster Cadbury, Christopher Cadbury, Janet Carter, Vonn New, John Perry, Karen Snare, Caroline Besse Webster.
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The Meeting opened with a period of worshipful silence.
2010-01.
Mary Williams, Clerk of Finance, presented for Val Suter, Treasurer, the end of year treasurer's report. The Hospitality budget went over budget, possibly due to the memorial for Margaret M. Currie. Education fund money was spent for two Oakwood School students. It was noted that the cemetery maintenance fund money is not being spent. (This fund is for the maintenance of two cemeteries, one at Pleasant Valley and the other, called Gardner Hollow Cemetery, near Poughquag. The cemetery at Oswego is managed by a separate cemetery organization.) We question if there is a reason for us to keep them. It was suggested we try again to find someone who is interested in taking responsibility for these properties, and transfer the money to them. It was noted that the trustees looked into it last year or the year before. David Cardall did a lot of research. The clerk was asked to contact David Cardall, and ask for a report on the situation. The treasurer's report was accepted.
2010-02.
Mary Williams, Clerk of Finance, presented the proposed budget for 2010. An unchanged budget was recommended. Mary noted that the only way to reduce this budget would be to cut the conference help line, or the contribution to Yearly Meeting. It was noted that in September [Minute 2009-45] we had promised $10,000 as our 2010 donation to the Yearly Meeting. Friends labored to discern whether to give $12,000, which is in the budget. It was suggested that we give $11,000 to the Yearly Meeting. After some discussion, the budget was approved with $12,000 allotted for Yearly Meeting. One Friend stood aside.
The 2010 budget is attached.
2010-03:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry and Counsel.
Conference Help:There is currently no written procedure for approving financial conference help from the Monthly Meeting. Practice has varied, but it has most often fallen to Ministry & Counsel. We recommend to the Meeting that the following written charge be added to the duties of the committee for Ministry & Counsel:
Requests for financial assistance for conferences come to Ministry & Counsel, who will consider each request and direct the Monthly Meeting Treasurer to make available any approved funds.
One Friend mentioned the importance of having a clear procedure, so as not to increase the difficulty of asking for help. The meeting approved that conference help be handled by M&C.
2010-04:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry and Counsel on the meetinghouse telephone. Val Suter has bought a prepaid cell phone with charger for use at the meetinghouse. The phone with charger cost $40.00. Usage will cost $10.00 for each 30 minutes. The number is the same as the current meeting number. The Meeting approved.
2010-05:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry & Counsel. At the October MM, the nominating Committee made the following suggestion (minute 2009-50):
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About our leadings?
In order to address fully these concerns brought forward by nominating committee, we propose a discussion on Jan. 31 from 12:30 – 2 on the concerns outlined above. Mary Foster Cadbury has agreed to facilitate the discussion and will provide informational materials in advance.
2010-06:
Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting will be held February 7, 2010 at Poughkeepsie Monthly Meeting at 10:00 a.m. The discussion will be about the nature of Ministry & Counsel committees and committee work in general.
2010-07:
Calendar. January 17th Don Badgley, Poughkeepsie Meeting, will speak on the Peace Testimony, urging that Quakers have not been active enough.
February 21st & March 21st are scheduled programs on ARCH.
February 21st Anita Paul from Schenectady Meeting will speak on end of life as an act of love.
March 21st Barbara Spring will present a program on the subject "Share the Care: Helping the End of Life be Meaningful and go Smoothly," There are lessons to be learned from others' experience with Care Teams, family concerns and what is to be the Role of the Meeting.
April 4th is our Easter Breakfast.
May 16th Bill Leicht will present a second program on BodyMind and Quaker Worship. Reading materials will be distributed in advance.
2010-08:
The clerk is unable to be present for meeting for business on February 14. Other events will create conflicts if that meeting is rescheduled. It is suggested that Val Suter, clerk of Ministry and Counsel, be asked to serve as clerk for that day. The clerk is directed to ask Val if she is willing to serve. If Val is not able to serve, Karen and Val are to consult on another substitute.
2010-09
A meeting to welcome new members will be held Feb 28th at rise of meeting. Friends are requested to bring food to share. A program will be participatory with Friends sharing their own histories in association with Bulls Head-Oswego Meeting.
2010-10 Vonn New reported for Peace and Social Action Committee. There will be an open meeting Feb 21st at 9:15 before meeting for worship. All are invited to attend.
The Meeting closed with a period of silent reflection. The next Monthly Meeting will be held February 14, 2010.
Karen Snare, Clerk Caroline Besse Webster, Recording Clerk
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The Meeting opened with a period of worshipful silence.
2010-01.
Mary Williams, Clerk of Finance, presented for Val Suter, Treasurer, the end of year treasurer's report. The Hospitality budget went over budget, possibly due to the memorial for Margaret M. Currie. Education fund money was spent for two Oakwood School students. It was noted that the cemetery maintenance fund money is not being spent. (This fund is for the maintenance of two cemeteries, one at Pleasant Valley and the other, called Gardner Hollow Cemetery, near Poughquag. The cemetery at Oswego is managed by a separate cemetery organization.) We question if there is a reason for us to keep them. It was suggested we try again to find someone who is interested in taking responsibility for these properties, and transfer the money to them. It was noted that the trustees looked into it last year or the year before. David Cardall did a lot of research. The clerk was asked to contact David Cardall, and ask for a report on the situation. The treasurer's report was accepted.
2010-02.
Mary Williams, Clerk of Finance, presented the proposed budget for 2010. An unchanged budget was recommended. Mary noted that the only way to reduce this budget would be to cut the conference help line, or the contribution to Yearly Meeting. It was noted that in September [Minute 2009-45] we had promised $10,000 as our 2010 donation to the Yearly Meeting. Friends labored to discern whether to give $12,000, which is in the budget. It was suggested that we give $11,000 to the Yearly Meeting. After some discussion, the budget was approved with $12,000 allotted for Yearly Meeting. One Friend stood aside.
The 2010 budget is attached.
2010-03:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry and Counsel.
Conference Help:There is currently no written procedure for approving financial conference help from the Monthly Meeting. Practice has varied, but it has most often fallen to Ministry & Counsel. We recommend to the Meeting that the following written charge be added to the duties of the committee for Ministry & Counsel:
Requests for financial assistance for conferences come to Ministry & Counsel, who will consider each request and direct the Monthly Meeting Treasurer to make available any approved funds.
One Friend mentioned the importance of having a clear procedure, so as not to increase the difficulty of asking for help. The meeting approved that conference help be handled by M&C.
2010-04:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry and Counsel on the meetinghouse telephone. Val Suter has bought a prepaid cell phone with charger for use at the meetinghouse. The phone with charger cost $40.00. Usage will cost $10.00 for each 30 minutes. The number is the same as the current meeting number. The Meeting approved.
2010-05:
Janet Carter reported for Ministry & Counsel. At the October MM, the nominating Committee made the following suggestion (minute 2009-50):
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About our leadings?
In order to address fully these concerns brought forward by nominating committee, we propose a discussion on Jan. 31 from 12:30 – 2 on the concerns outlined above. Mary Foster Cadbury has agreed to facilitate the discussion and will provide informational materials in advance.
2010-06:
Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting will be held February 7, 2010 at Poughkeepsie Monthly Meeting at 10:00 a.m. The discussion will be about the nature of Ministry & Counsel committees and committee work in general.
2010-07:
Calendar. January 17th Don Badgley, Poughkeepsie Meeting, will speak on the Peace Testimony, urging that Quakers have not been active enough.
February 21st & March 21st are scheduled programs on ARCH.
February 21st Anita Paul from Schenectady Meeting will speak on end of life as an act of love.
March 21st Barbara Spring will present a program on the subject "Share the Care: Helping the End of Life be Meaningful and go Smoothly," There are lessons to be learned from others' experience with Care Teams, family concerns and what is to be the Role of the Meeting.
April 4th is our Easter Breakfast.
May 16th Bill Leicht will present a second program on BodyMind and Quaker Worship. Reading materials will be distributed in advance.
2010-08:
The clerk is unable to be present for meeting for business on February 14. Other events will create conflicts if that meeting is rescheduled. It is suggested that Val Suter, clerk of Ministry and Counsel, be asked to serve as clerk for that day. The clerk is directed to ask Val if she is willing to serve. If Val is not able to serve, Karen and Val are to consult on another substitute.
2010-09
A meeting to welcome new members will be held Feb 28th at rise of meeting. Friends are requested to bring food to share. A program will be participatory with Friends sharing their own histories in association with Bulls Head-Oswego Meeting.
2010-10 Vonn New reported for Peace and Social Action Committee. There will be an open meeting Feb 21st at 9:15 before meeting for worship. All are invited to attend.
The Meeting closed with a period of silent reflection. The next Monthly Meeting will be held February 14, 2010.
Karen Snare, Clerk Caroline Besse Webster, Recording Clerk
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Minutes of Meeting of December 13, 2009
BULLS HEAD-OSWEGO MONTHLY MEETING
Present: Karen Snare, Clerk; Bob Suter, Valerie Suter, Vonn New, Carol Rice, Bob West, Nettie West, Chris Cadbury, Mary Foster Cadbury, Lee Haring, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Elisabeth Prenot.
The meeting opens with a few minutes of worshipful silence. The clerk reviews the agenda.
2009-59 The Nominating Committee suggests Caroline Webster as Recording Clerk for January, February, and March 2010, with Mary Foster Cadbury as alternate. These names are approved.
2009-60 At the recommendation of the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, Elisabeth Prenot is welcomed to membership.
2009-61 Ministry and Counsel has fixed a regular time for committee meetings, the first Sunday of the month at 12:30 p. m. Ministry and Counsel further reports that Friendly Bunches have been organized. Speakers have been invited for three upcoming pot-luck lunches: January 17, Don Badgley (Poughkeepsie); February 21, Anita Paul (Schenectady); March 21, Barbara Spring (Albany).
2009-62 As to the meeting’s telephone service, the committee recommends acquiring the Internet-based service Skype to replace the existing telephone. This would include voicemail and e-mail notification. The committee also mentions the possibility of one prepaid mobile phone for calling outside and receiving calls to the meeting house. Friends approve the recommendation and direct the committee to get a prepaid phone, if further investigation finds it practical.
2009-63 Word is received of the death of our member Elliott McEldowney on Oct. 10, 2009.
2009-64 For the Trustees, Bob Suter presents a recommendation for repair of the roof over the gathering room, removing and replacing shingles, tar paper, and drip edge, and installing a ridge vent. They estimate the cost as $5,250 ($2,700 for materials, $2,550 for labor); work would be done in spring 2010. Funds could be transferred from our general fund for this purpose. Friends approve the recommendation for the repair. It is suggested that the Trustees consult with the Finance Committee as to the availability of funds for meeting house repair, from the trustees of New York Yearly Meeting or other sources.
2009-65 The clerk summarizes mail received from FCNL, Friends School in Ramallah, and the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund; appeals for funds from Project Lakota, Quaker House (Fayetteville, NC), Friends United Meeting, and Friends Journal. The materials will be added to the correspondence file in the gathering room, for Friends who may wish to review them.
The meeting ended with a few moments of silent worship.
Karen Snare, Clerk
Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day
Present: Karen Snare, Clerk; Bob Suter, Valerie Suter, Vonn New, Carol Rice, Bob West, Nettie West, Chris Cadbury, Mary Foster Cadbury, Lee Haring, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Elisabeth Prenot.
The meeting opens with a few minutes of worshipful silence. The clerk reviews the agenda.
2009-59 The Nominating Committee suggests Caroline Webster as Recording Clerk for January, February, and March 2010, with Mary Foster Cadbury as alternate. These names are approved.
2009-60 At the recommendation of the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, Elisabeth Prenot is welcomed to membership.
2009-61 Ministry and Counsel has fixed a regular time for committee meetings, the first Sunday of the month at 12:30 p. m. Ministry and Counsel further reports that Friendly Bunches have been organized. Speakers have been invited for three upcoming pot-luck lunches: January 17, Don Badgley (Poughkeepsie); February 21, Anita Paul (Schenectady); March 21, Barbara Spring (Albany).
2009-62 As to the meeting’s telephone service, the committee recommends acquiring the Internet-based service Skype to replace the existing telephone. This would include voicemail and e-mail notification. The committee also mentions the possibility of one prepaid mobile phone for calling outside and receiving calls to the meeting house. Friends approve the recommendation and direct the committee to get a prepaid phone, if further investigation finds it practical.
2009-63 Word is received of the death of our member Elliott McEldowney on Oct. 10, 2009.
2009-64 For the Trustees, Bob Suter presents a recommendation for repair of the roof over the gathering room, removing and replacing shingles, tar paper, and drip edge, and installing a ridge vent. They estimate the cost as $5,250 ($2,700 for materials, $2,550 for labor); work would be done in spring 2010. Funds could be transferred from our general fund for this purpose. Friends approve the recommendation for the repair. It is suggested that the Trustees consult with the Finance Committee as to the availability of funds for meeting house repair, from the trustees of New York Yearly Meeting or other sources.
2009-65 The clerk summarizes mail received from FCNL, Friends School in Ramallah, and the Bolivian Quaker Education Fund; appeals for funds from Project Lakota, Quaker House (Fayetteville, NC), Friends United Meeting, and Friends Journal. The materials will be added to the correspondence file in the gathering room, for Friends who may wish to review them.
The meeting ended with a few moments of silent worship.
Karen Snare, Clerk
Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day
Friday, December 4, 2009
Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2009
BULLS HEAD-OSWEGO MONTHLY MEETING
of the Religious Society of Friends
Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2009
Present: Karen Snare, Clerk; Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day; Mary Foster Cadbury, Val Suter, Christopher Cadbury, Caroline Webster, Vonn New, Elisabeth Prenot, Carol Rice, Sybil Perry, John Perry.
The meeting opens with a few moments of worshipful silence.
2009-55. The clerk reads a letter from Elisabeth Prenot requesting readmittance to membership; the letter is referred to the Committee on Ministry and Counsel.
2009-56. At the recommendation of Ministry and Counsel, the meeting receives the application for transfer of Kathleen Scanlon from Purchase Monthly Meeting, and she is accepted into membership. Vonn New and the Hospitality Committee are asked to plan a welcoming party for Friends recently admitted to membership.
2009-57. For the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, Val Suter announces future pot luck events from November 2009 through March 2010. Details will be put in the meeting calendar. The committee is considering the roles of meeting clerks, pursuant to minute 2009-50, and is organizing Friendly Bunches.
2009-58. The clerk reads several items of correspondence and appeals for funds, which have been received by the meeting. Specific requests have come from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, the Alternatives to Violence Project, William Penn House, Earlham College, and Earlham School of Religion.
Then adjourned to meet at the appointed time and place in December.
Karen Snare, Clerk
Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day
of the Religious Society of Friends
Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2009
Present: Karen Snare, Clerk; Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day; Mary Foster Cadbury, Val Suter, Christopher Cadbury, Caroline Webster, Vonn New, Elisabeth Prenot, Carol Rice, Sybil Perry, John Perry.
The meeting opens with a few moments of worshipful silence.
2009-55. The clerk reads a letter from Elisabeth Prenot requesting readmittance to membership; the letter is referred to the Committee on Ministry and Counsel.
2009-56. At the recommendation of Ministry and Counsel, the meeting receives the application for transfer of Kathleen Scanlon from Purchase Monthly Meeting, and she is accepted into membership. Vonn New and the Hospitality Committee are asked to plan a welcoming party for Friends recently admitted to membership.
2009-57. For the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, Val Suter announces future pot luck events from November 2009 through March 2010. Details will be put in the meeting calendar. The committee is considering the roles of meeting clerks, pursuant to minute 2009-50, and is organizing Friendly Bunches.
2009-58. The clerk reads several items of correspondence and appeals for funds, which have been received by the meeting. Specific requests have come from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, the Alternatives to Violence Project, William Penn House, Earlham College, and Earlham School of Religion.
Then adjourned to meet at the appointed time and place in December.
Karen Snare, Clerk
Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends Committee on National Legislation
has issued an action alert concerning the health care bill now making its way through Congress. Please click on the link above to respond.
has issued an action alert concerning the health care bill now making its way through Congress. Please click on the link above to respond.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
MINUTES BULLS HEAD OSWEGO MONTHLY MEETING FOR BUSINESS 10/11/2009
Present: Janet Carter, Christopher Cadbury, Mary Cadbury, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Elisabeth Prenot, Christopher Sammond, Denise Sherman, Karen Snare, Caroline Webster, Mary Williams.
Meeting began at 12.30 after a brief opening silent worship.
2009-48 Denise Sherman agreed to act as recording clerk for the day.
2009-49. Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating committee that they have not as yet been able to name a recording clerk. The Meeting approved their recommendation to name 3 people who will serve for 3 months each, to cover the period of October 2009 through June 2010. At this time Nominating committee brings forward the names of Lee Haring, to serve through December 2009, and Nancy Sorel, to serve in the spring of 2010. We will consider these nominations and bring them forward for approval at the next Monthly Meeting. No one has as yet been named for the winter of 2010. John Perry has agreed to mail the minutes to Friends who don't get them by email, and to print an acid-free copy to be sent to Swarthmore Library.
2009-50 As a result of Nominating committee’s struggle to fill the office of recording/assistant clerk, they proposed the following:
As we worked on discernment of how to present names for clerks - presiding, recording, and/or assistant clerks - we began to understand that there are differing views of the task of each of these appointees. And these differing expectations mean that among all of us present at monthly meetings for business, notions at cross purposes with each other may surface without our realizing or understanding what is happening.
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About following our leadings?
The Meeting referred this to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration, adding the further question of whether to find a different time for Meeting for Business.
2009-51 Mary Williams, clerk of Finance committee, submitted the third quarter Treasurer’s report, (attached) noting that our contributions are at 60% of our budget, which is higher than in previous years. Sybil Perry noted that the contribution of money for a planting in honor of Marge Currie is from Sonia Blumenthal, for an azalea to be planted in the spring.
2009-52 Karen Snare and Christopher Sammond reported on Budget Saturday, held 10/10/09. There were approximately 20+ Monthly Meetings represented, as well as regional Treasurers. At the start of the deliberations the budget contained a $33,000 shortfall. During the day $7000 was cut out of the budget. The Friends who were gathered pledged $5000, ending with a budget with a $21,000 shortfall. There was a clear sense that the budget had been cut as much as possible, and that the money budgeted will be expressly supporting things that are very important to Friends. The Yearly Meeting will send a letter to Friends explaining this, and will ask if Friends might be able to contribute more, either corporately or individually.
2009-53 Denise Sherman brings the following minute from Ministry & Counsel:
We have never gotten any calls from anyone searching for a meeting on our phone. We recommend eliminating the phone and that expense. In order to have a phone number to publish in the case that someone might call in the future, we recommend publishing the phone numbers of the clerk of the Meeting and the clerk of Ministry & Counsel in any place we currently list a Meeting number.
Friends approve in principle, but asked Mary Williams, with Vonn New to explore ways of obtaining a low cost permanent phone number for the Meeting. They will report their findings to Ministry & Counsel to consider and bring back to Monthly Meeting.
2009-54. Purchase Monthly Meeting has sent a letter of transfer of Membership for Kathie Scanlon. This is forwarded to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration.
Meeting closed at 1.50 pm, to meet again on November 8 at 12:30pm.
Meeting began at 12.30 after a brief opening silent worship.
2009-48 Denise Sherman agreed to act as recording clerk for the day.
2009-49. Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating committee that they have not as yet been able to name a recording clerk. The Meeting approved their recommendation to name 3 people who will serve for 3 months each, to cover the period of October 2009 through June 2010. At this time Nominating committee brings forward the names of Lee Haring, to serve through December 2009, and Nancy Sorel, to serve in the spring of 2010. We will consider these nominations and bring them forward for approval at the next Monthly Meeting. No one has as yet been named for the winter of 2010. John Perry has agreed to mail the minutes to Friends who don't get them by email, and to print an acid-free copy to be sent to Swarthmore Library.
2009-50 As a result of Nominating committee’s struggle to fill the office of recording/assistant clerk, they proposed the following:
As we worked on discernment of how to present names for clerks - presiding, recording, and/or assistant clerks - we began to understand that there are differing views of the task of each of these appointees. And these differing expectations mean that among all of us present at monthly meetings for business, notions at cross purposes with each other may surface without our realizing or understanding what is happening.
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About following our leadings?
The Meeting referred this to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration, adding the further question of whether to find a different time for Meeting for Business.
2009-51 Mary Williams, clerk of Finance committee, submitted the third quarter Treasurer’s report, (attached) noting that our contributions are at 60% of our budget, which is higher than in previous years. Sybil Perry noted that the contribution of money for a planting in honor of Marge Currie is from Sonia Blumenthal, for an azalea to be planted in the spring.
2009-52 Karen Snare and Christopher Sammond reported on Budget Saturday, held 10/10/09. There were approximately 20+ Monthly Meetings represented, as well as regional Treasurers. At the start of the deliberations the budget contained a $33,000 shortfall. During the day $7000 was cut out of the budget. The Friends who were gathered pledged $5000, ending with a budget with a $21,000 shortfall. There was a clear sense that the budget had been cut as much as possible, and that the money budgeted will be expressly supporting things that are very important to Friends. The Yearly Meeting will send a letter to Friends explaining this, and will ask if Friends might be able to contribute more, either corporately or individually.
2009-53 Denise Sherman brings the following minute from Ministry & Counsel:
We have never gotten any calls from anyone searching for a meeting on our phone. We recommend eliminating the phone and that expense. In order to have a phone number to publish in the case that someone might call in the future, we recommend publishing the phone numbers of the clerk of the Meeting and the clerk of Ministry & Counsel in any place we currently list a Meeting number.
Friends approve in principle, but asked Mary Williams, with Vonn New to explore ways of obtaining a low cost permanent phone number for the Meeting. They will report their findings to Ministry & Counsel to consider and bring back to Monthly Meeting.
2009-54. Purchase Monthly Meeting has sent a letter of transfer of Membership for Kathie Scanlon. This is forwarded to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration.
Meeting closed at 1.50 pm, to meet again on November 8 at 12:30pm.
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