Printer-friendly version

Published monthly – Issue #92 – 03/04

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Schedule of Meetings for Worship
3rd Month Query: The Meeting Community
Spiritual State of the Meeting 2022: Take this Survey!
News
-FMW Members Go to Russian Embassy
-Gas Leaks Damage Climate & Health in DC: Peace & Social Concerns
Events
Quakerism 101 (Inquirers Class) begins April 13
Opportunities: Protecting Voting Rights; Quaker Voluntary Service
Thinking about Race: The 1619 Project

Meeting for Business Minutes - February 2022
Clerk’s Report, February 2022
Major Business
-Membership Committee - presentations
​-Ministry and Worship
-Nominations
-Finance and Stewardship Committee
-Property Committee - Appliance Purchases, Security
-Committee of Clerks recommendation on Returning to In-person Worship
​ADDENDA: ATTACHED COMMITTEE REPORTS
-Memorial Minute - Rebecca Del Carmen-Wiggins
-Memorial Minute - Molly Tully
-Ministry & Worship: Proposed Minute on name change for one 10:30 Meeting for Worship
-Kathy Powell Transfer of Membership
-FMW Rental Report, January 2022
​-Committee of Clerks Meeting Minutes - January 30th 2022

Meeting for Business Minutes - March 2022
Clerk’s Report, March 2022
Major Business
-Nominating Committee
-Membership Committee-2nd presentation of Kate Oberg
​-Marriage & Family Relations-1st Presentation of Chris Zubowicz and Heather Weaver
-Ministry & Worship request for guidance
-Sunday FOP’s needed
-Anti-Trans Legislative Efforts, Support for Trans Gender people
​ADDENDA: ATTACHED COMMITTEE REPORTS
-FMW Rental Report, February 2022

MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP ~ ALL ARE WELCOME

Sundays:  9:00 - 10:00 am (online);  10:30-11:30 am (online & in-person); 
                   6:00-7:00 pm
Tuesdays:  6:00 - 7:00 pm
Monthly Meetings for Business:  12:15 pm March 13, April 10 (2nd Sunday)

Sunday 10:30 Meeting for Worship has resumed in-person and continues online.  
Vaccine documentation, ID and Masks, required.
You may send a photo of your vaccine ID to Admin@QuakersDC.org (by Friday noon to attend the following Sunday.)

Meetings for worship continue to be linked on Zoom.  Join 10:30 Meeting here.
For more information, email admin@QuakersDC.org.

3rd Month Query:  The Meeting Community 

Are love and harmony within the Meeting community fostered by a spirit of open sharing? Do you endeavor to widen your circle of friendships within the Meeting, seeking to know persons of all ages and at all stages of the spiritual journey? Does the Meeting provide for the spiritual refreshment of all members and attenders? Do Friends provide spiritual and practical care for the elderly, the lonely, and others with special needs?  (For more see: Statement on Spiritual Unity, 1964; The Meeting as Caring Community; Fellowship and Community) Source:  BYM Faith & Practice, Part II The Queries

Spiritual State of the Meeting–Please take this Once a year Survey to Mark & Guide our Path

Each year, FMW’s Ministry & Worship guides our community in a conversation about the Spiritual State of our Meeting.  Their report, which is shared with Baltimore Yearly Meeting, helps our community understand how we have grown and challenges that we need to work to overcome.  Please join the process by filling out this Survey.  Baltimore Yearly Meeting has provided these queries to guide our reflection.

News

FMW Members Demand End to War in Ukraine 

On Sunday, February 27, a delegation of 20 FMW members and attenders joined peaceful protesters in front of the Russian Embassy, demanding an end to the invasion of Ukraine.  The effort was initiated by Susan Meehan who said she “had to be there.”  We were among several hundred calling for an end to the violence, including groups from Uzbekistan and mainland China.

Gas Leaks in DC Damage Climate, Gas Burned Harms Health of DC Residents:   FMW’s leading role in Investigation, Report Release, Testimony before DC Council
View the report on DC gas leaks, maps, photos, DC Council testimonies and press here.

On February 23, faith and climate activists released the results of a year-long study of natural gas leaks in DC.  The citizen science investigation began a year ago, in February 2021, when FMW’s First Day School made the first foray with a leak detector paid for in part by FMW’s Social Justice Fund.  A block from our Meeting House, Quaker kids inserted the gas detector nozzle into an opening in a gas access cover on the corner of S Street & Florida.  The device began to flash and beep, indicating natural gas (methane concentration) at or about the lower explosive limit of 50,000 part per million.  FDS teachers called Washington Gas.  Eight months later, that leak was repaired.   Volunteer researchers from FMW, WIN, Sierra Club, Audubon Naturalist Society and Interfaith Power and Light followed that first outing with leak detection in 21 neighborhoods across all eight of DC Wards over the course of 2021 and early ‘22.

In all, in about 25 hours detection-time, the investigation identified and mapped nearly 400 leaks, 50 of them “big” with methane concentrations measuring over 2,000 parts per mission and 14 of them measuring at or over 50,000 ppm (the lower explosive limit–the highest the device was able to measure.)

On February 23, FMW Peace & Social Concerns clerk Barbara Briggs joined 22 faith and climate activists testifying before DC Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, demanding that Council Act to speed the Districts transition from gas to clean, renewable energy sources.  Learn more here.

Events

Quaker Spiritual Development Programs - Full schedule for March 2022

Spiritual State of the Meeting Survey and Worship Sharing, March 20 12:15.
Please take this survey to respond to queries regarding the Spiritual State of our Meeting.
Also, Friends are invited to join a Worship Sharing this Sunday, 12:15 in the Meeting Room or via Zoom (same zoom link as 10:30 Meeting for Worship. For more information contact Joe Izzo, JIzzo4102@gmail.com  

Washington Interfaith Network Major Election Season Action, March 20, 3:00 pm
WIN is entirely non-partisan, and never never endorses a candidate. Instead, WIN engages and challenges all candidates to go on record supporting economic and racial justice, climate and issues of importance to DC residents. Regardless of who is elected, we will continue organizing to ensure they act on and implement the WIN agenda.  Please register here–right away!  High registration numbers now will ensure candidate participation.

FMW Film Club Showing and Discussion at FMW Meeting House, March 23, 6:00 pm
Our next film showing and discussion will be Blade Runner (1983).
For more information contact convener Bill Parker, email: earnestlyeston@gmail.com

Black Quaker Project Film Festival offerings in March and April
“Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” (2003) on March 26
“Paul Robeson and His Quaker Ancestors” (1989) on April 9
Click here for details and to register 

Quakerism 101 – Spring Program starts April 13, 2022.  SAVE THESE DATES! 
Quakerism 101 (formerly the Inquirer’s Class) consists of five sessions which provide the basics of the Quaker Beliefs and Practices.  These introductory sessions will provide a strong foundation of understanding as you begin your spiritual journey into the rich tradition of the Religious Society of Friends.  Sessions will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm starting April 13th. 
    Session 1. Quaker Worship & Vocal Ministry – April 13,
    Session 2. Quaker History – April 27,
    Session 3. Quaker Beliefs & Practices – May 11,
    Session 4.  Quaker Testimonies – May 25th
    Session 5. Quaker Process – June 8th.
Registration and more details on the April sessions will be available soon.  For more information contact convener Ann Herzog, email:  AHerzog333@yahoo.com

April weddings under the care of the Meeting

• Annelise Haskell and Eli Greenspan, April 2, 2022
• Barbara Briggs and Steve Chase, April 23, 2022

New Quakerspeak Video from Patapsco Friends Meeting 

Opportunities

Thinking about Race, March 2022
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story expands the 2019 New York Times Magazine issue that reframed American history to place slavery at the center, socially and economically.  The creator of the project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, writes in the preface:

My favorite subjects in school were English and Social Studies, and I peppered my teachers with questions.  History revealed the building blocks of the world I now inhabited, explaining how communities, institutions, relationships came to be.  Learning history made the world make sense.  It provided the key to decode all that I saw around me. 

Black people, however, were largely absent from the histories I read.  The vision of the past I absorbed from school textbooks, television, and the local history museum depicted a world, perhaps a wishful one, where Black people did not really exist.  The history rendered Black Americans, Black people on all the earth, inconsequential at best, invisible at worst.  We appeared only where unavoidable: slavery was mentioned briefly in the chapter on this nation’s most deadly war, and then Black people disappeared again for a full century, until magically reappearing as Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech about a dream. This quantum leap served to wrap the Black experience up in a few paragraphs and a tidy bow, never really explaining why, one hundred years after the abolition of slavery, King had to lead the March on Washington in the first place….

The world revealed to me through my education was a white one.  And yet my intimate world – my neighborhood, the friends I rode the bus with for two hours each day to and from the schools on the white side of town, the boisterous bevy of aunts, uncles, and cousins who crowded our home for barbecues and card games – was largely Black.  At school, I searched desperately to find myself in the American story we were taught, to see my humanity – our humanity – reflected back to me.

This column is prepared by the BYM Working Group on Racism (WGR) and sent to the designated liaison at each local Meeting.  The BYM WGR meets most months on the first Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, currently via Zoom.  If you would like to attend, contact the clerk at david.etheridge@verizon.net. 

Meeting for Business Minutes - February 2022

Friends Meeting of Washington
Order of Worship
Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
February 13, 2022

Number of attendees:  22
Newcomers? 1

Query for Worship Sharing: What is opening/re-opening for you/Friends right now, spiritually? What doors appear to be closing?

Clerk’s Report, February 2022

Upcoming Events

• Teach-in with Mentra:  Neurodiversity, Jobs, Inclusion, Sunday, February 20, 12:15 Peace & Social Concerns is sponsoring this 2nd workshop on neurodiversity with guests from Mentra, a startup that matches neurodiverse individuals to jobs.  For more information contact PSC member and facilitator Peter Nye,   p_nye@yahoo.com
  Join on Zoom.  By phone dial: (301) 715-8592 and enter Meeting ID 979 505 413#

• #GasLeaks Virtual Rally & Preview of Citizen Science Investigation, Feb 22 7:00 pm Register Here.  Over the last year, allies from FMW, Washington Interfaith Network, DC One year ago, FMW’s First Day School conducted the first in over 20 rounds of detecting climate-damaging and sometimes hazardous methane gas leaks, from the pipes under DC streets.  Now allies from FMW, Washington Interfaith Network, DC Sierra Club and Interfaith Power & Light will release the results of our citizen science investigation. Then, on February 23, we will bring them to DC Council.  Join us for a preview and discussion of how we can build power together to speed DC’s transition to cleaner, healthier energy sources! 
  For more information, contact Barbara Briggs,email: BarbaraHBriggs@gmail.com. 

• FMW Film Club - Discussion, February 23 (4th Wednesdays), 6:00 pm - online
  We will discuss the Silver Linings Playbook (R) 2012. After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging… See Trailer Here.  Queries for discussion: 1. What was the Director’s main point?  2. Were any testimonies identified? (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship)  3. Is this movie true to my experience? 4. What new light do I find in this movie? 5. What implications are there for my life?
  Join on Zoom.  By phone dial: (301) 715-8592. Enter Meeting ID: 8469 0998 509# on prompt. For more info, contact Bill Parker, email: WParkerCRA@gmail.com

• Washington Interfaith Network Major Election Season Action, March 20, 3:00 pm
  WIN is entirely non-partisan, and never never endorses a candidate. Instead, WIN engages and challenges all candidates to go on record supporting economic and racial justice, climate and issues of importance to DC residents. Regardless of who is elected, we will continue organizing to ensure they act on and implement the WIN agenda.  Please register here–right away!  High registration numbers now will ensure candidate participation.

FMW Community Highlights & Kudos

• Quaker Spiritual Development at FMW is a living thing–and you can help shape it!
  If you haven’t already, please fill out this Quaker Spiritual Development survey. 
  Deadline: Feb 15.  For more info, contact Ann Herzog, AHerzog333@yahoo.com

• FMW’s Polar Bear Plunge team, the Quaking Quakers, did the deed on Saturday.  
  Some team members jumped into the Potomac River and others doused themselves with very icy water in FMW’s courtyard–raising over $13K for climate and social justice.  Thank you to all who have donated already.  If you haven’t, you can still make a contribution here!

Tenant Updates- Activities at our Meeting House

• See Events Manager’s report, attached below.

Major Business

In Memoriam

• Molly Tully  (Memorial minute, Grant Thompson)
  One friend recalled that, unbeknownst to Friends, Molly served as the Quaker Chaplain at American University until the current chaplain, Gene Throwe, asked her how to serve in that position. She kindly put her hand on his shoulder and said: "You should become the new Quaker Chaplain."
• Rebecca Del-Carmen Wiggins (Memorial minute, Elise Storck)

Membership - Rob Farr

Second presentation, Jason Terry    -Friends approved Jason Terry’s membership.

First presentation, Kate Oberg.  One friend noted that Kate was the reason she continued coming to the meeting after their first attendance.

Transfer, Kathryn  Powell  -Friends approved Kathyrn Powell’s transfer of membership.

Transfer, Helena Cobban.  One friend noted that Helena has been an extraordinary contributor to Peace and Social Concerns.  Friends approved Helena Cobban’s transfer of membership.

Ministry and Worship -  Jean Capps 

Name change for Meeting for Worship that used to meet in QHLR and now meets in Library

Joseph Izzo spoke on the history of sexual and gender minorities in meeting for worship, and their current status as fully integrated members of the meeting.

The Ministry and Worship Committee, with Joseph Izzo speaking on their behalf, recommended that the designation of "Special welcome for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others (LGBTQ+)" for the 10:30 AM (Library) worship be laid down, with a sense of joy, that we as a Religious Society of Friends are truly living the Testimony of Equality toward our LGBTQ+ sisters, brothers and gender non-binary Friends. [The full minute is recorded below]

Several friends noted their enthusiastic support for the minute, and expressed joy regarding the entirety of FMW’s embracing of all LGBTQ+ people.

Friends approved the minute.

Spiritual State of the Meeting process 

Joseph Izzo requested input from Friends via an online survey.

Joseph Izzo noted that we are planning some worship sharing events that will be hybrid (both in person and on zoom).

Nominating - Michael Beer 

• Kathy Powell to Ministry and Worship committee  -Friends approved the nomination.
• Letty Coffin for Trustees membership at March MfB (pending membership process)  Nominating committee withdrew the nomination.
• Jessica Vermooten to be nominated to Library, Records, and Handbook committee. -Friends approve the nomination.
• GeneThrowe to be nominated as Librarian.  -Friends approve the nomination.
• Steve Watkins nominated for Hospitality committee.  -Friends approve the nomination.
• Susan Griffin and Tamina Chowdhury nominated as co-representatives to FCNL  -Friends approve the nomination.

Resignations: 

• Tom Yonker - Ministry and Worship.  One friend reminded the meeting that all resignations must be sent to the nominating committee for consideration.  Friends accept the resignation.

Finance and Stewardship Committee - Grant Thompson 

Procedural note:  Grant Thompson apologetically reported that the committee underestimated a monetary commitment previously made to Alternatives to Violence Project to aid with their tax requirements to DC government and wished that the meeting be made aware of what had happened.

One friend requested additional information regarding what had happened and the tax laws in question. Grant Thompson noted that Neil Froemming would be the best contact for additional specifics.

Addendum:    The National office of the Alternatives to Violence Project decided to have its 2022 Annual Gathering in May at Catholic University in DC.  AVP-USA will pay CU for meals and lodging for attendees at this four-day residential event.  DC charges a 15% tax on lodging and 10% on meals and only exempts local nonprofits (such as FMW) that provide local services.  AVP-USA reached out through AVP-DC to ask if FMW could sponsor the event in such a way as to use our own DC tax exemption to avoid the taxes.    The Finance & Stewardship Committee was not easy with seeking an exemption for a conference that we are not organizing and funding and felt that this might put our exempt status at risk.  

Mindful of our close relationship with AVP and support for it's work, F&S suggested instead that we offer to contribute the amount of the tax, thus providing the same financial benefit to AVP-USA in a more straightforward way. Without ascertaining the amount of the tax, F&S agreed to pay the tax as a donation to AVP. In the event, the tax amounted to $3,766.28; that donation has been made to AVP. The Committee recognizes that it failed to exercise proper stewardship in agreeing to make a payment without knowing the amount in advance and reported its failing to the Meeting. 

One friend noted that, should the meeting become more financially flexible, that such commitments should potentially be applauded and supported.

Friends accepted the explanation provided by the committee regarding the procedural irregularity.

Property Committee - Ken Forsberg

Upcoming purchases of kitchen appliances using money from Alex Mathews estate

The committee happily accepted approximately $10,000 in funds from Alex Mathews Estate and from a donation from Bill Foskett, and noted intentions to acquire a new dishwasher, two fridges, range, icemaker, and washer/dryer set. The committee noted a need for additional electrical wiring work to be done prior to the appliances being ready for use.

One friend requested information regarding whether wholesale opportunities were available. Ken Forsberg noted that either he or Ken Orvis were the best contacts for additional information.

To catch a thief

The committee noted that several items have been stolen from within FMW. The committee noted that, in light of the expanded campus, more care and attention should be paid to security than in previous years, specifically regarding the locking of doors upon exit.

One friend requested that additional signaling methods be provided that individuals should not leave valuables unattended.

One friend noted a concern that, in light of the theft, we not risk losing our status of being a welcoming space, and that special concern be made regarding racial profiling.

One friend noted that, if we treat every person the same way, friends can be equally cautious and non-discriminatory, and that all individuals entering during non-worship hours should be considered with care.

One friend noted that our front door does not reliably latch, and that individuals exiting should confirm that the door is adequately locked after they exit.

Committee of Clerks - Rebecca

Minutes (see attached)

The Committee of Clerks found tentative unity for returning on February 27th for in-person worship, possibly including outdoor worship, allowing for the issue to be reconsidered if circumstances drastically change in the near future.

Friends accepted the recommendation by the committee of clerks.

The Committee of Clerks found that the matter of how the meeting might handle vaccine requirements for in-person worship needed additional time and voices for consideration.

One friend noted that verification does not necessarily conflict with trust.

One friend recalled information from sources at the NIH that anyone that is vaccinated and boosted is not at risk when in groups, and that the only individuals at risk are those that have made the personal choice to both remain unvaccinated and have decided to take the risk of being in groups. They then queried who was benefiting from a potential exclusion of the unvaccinated, and what our motivation for doing so should be.

One friend noted concern for those who may not be able to be vaccinated or are not eligible.

One friend noted that, despite being open to non-vaccinated individuals attending, they would not consider an ID or vaccination requirement egregious considering other DC requirements.

One friend asked whether we should require flu vaccines.

Several friends noted concern for elderly friends and the possibility of disease spread from the meeting to individuals at home.

One friend noted a responsibility to the larger quaker community and the larger DC community.

One friend noted that some friends who may have avoided meeting for personal safety reasons may be more comfortable coming back to the meeting with a vaccine requirement.

One friend noted that the continuation of zoom meetings for worship would help the meeting remain inclusive.

One friend noted that requiring vaccinations would aid in inclusivity.

One friend noted that vulnerable populations in DC, specifically the homeless, may not be able to provide necessary proof.

One friend raised the option of a separated in-person space, connected by zoom, designed for those who cannot provide proof of vaccination, such that those individuals could still remain included.

Friends approved the issue of requesting proof of vaccination and ID for regular in-person worship in accordance with DC guidelines, and the creation of a separate in-person worship space for those who are unable to provide proof of vaccination.

Meeting House Reopening Plans from Committee of Clerks - Rebecca 

The minutes were read and friends approved the minutes.

Note number of attendees and time concluded: 22, 2:19 pm

ADDENDA: ATTACHED COMMITTEE REPORTS

Memorial Minute for Rebecca Del Carmen-Wiggins, 1957-2021

Rebecca Del Carmen-Wiggins, beloved wife, mother, friend, colleague, and Member of Friends Meeting of Washington (FMW), let her life speak through her kindness and commitment to service. Rebecca was a native Californian whose parents’ Filipino-Lebanese heritage informed her cultural sensitivity and respect for people of diverse backgrounds.  

Rebecca received a doctorate in psychology from Ohio State University and practiced as a licensed psychologist in Maryland and Washington, DC where she also served on the faculty of American University and Georgetown University. A researcher and health advocate, Rebecca worked for many years at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While at the Office of Research on Women’s Health at NIH, she worked to ensure that research reflects fundamental differences in women’s health and physiology and resulting health needs that are particular to women. In addition to being loved by her family and F/friends, she was greatly respected by her colleagues.

Rebecca was married for 29 years to Stephen E. Wiggins, M.D., an active FMW Attender, with whom she had two children, Danny and Lizzie. She became a member of FMW in April 2000, after having attended Meeting since 1997 with Steve and their children. In her letter requesting membership, Rebecca explained that she had first been introduced to Quaker beliefs by her 95-year-old grandmother who attended a Quaker school some 80 years earlier. Rebecca described her grandmother as exemplifying Quaker values of simplicity and service to others and having been “a major inspiration throughout my life.” Reflecting on her desire to help others, Rebecca’s letter continued that her grandmother’s influence, her own experiences of loss and subsequent “spiritual seeking and spiritual discovery” and a “drive to serve others in need… led to a readiness to accept Quakerism as a living force in my life.”

During her years at FMW, Rebecca served on the Religious Education Committee, was active in helping to plan and support Catoctin weekends and was a frequent volunteer for auctions and other FMW events. Friends always enjoyed her participation in the annual Christmas Eve potluck, carol singing, and silent worship, where her daughter Lizzie sang as beautifully as the angels described in the carols.

Friends fondly remember Rebecca’s glowing smile and her attentiveness to others when in conversation– Rebecca had a great gift of making you feel seen, heard, and cared for. She spoke encouragingly about and to most people, especially children. She was always stylish, mostly in her characteristic pastel clothes. Rebecca loved family, kids especially, and cooking Lebanese and Filipino food. She was an optimistic person, with a quick smile and a great intellect. FMW is the better for her having been among us.

Memorial Minute
Mary Ellen (Molly) Wood Tully
May 29, 1926 – November 3, 2021

Molly Tully, a birthright Friend and longtime member of Friends Meeting of Washington, was of the generation of talented, educated women whose lives were often summarized as “wife of.” No one would make that mistake in describing Molly’s extraordinary life that intertwined public service, volunteer dedication, and personal warmth. 

Molly transferred into Friends Meeting of Washington from West Chester Friends Meeting in Pennsylvania in March 1981. Growing up, she attended George School and Hood College (where she received her B.A., majoring in French), and went to Normandy with the Experiment in International Living. Her husband, Andrew Tully, was a well-known author and syndicated columnist. 

Molly had a long career in public service, including working at the American Embassy in Paris, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and for a number of powerful members of Congress, including Philip Hart and Barber Conable, and as an assistant on the House Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran (the “Iran-Contra Affair”) in 1987. As a volunteer, she was a member of the National Board of the Medical College of Pennsylvania and vice-president of the Parents Council of Washington. In 1995, she served as project director of the family outreach program for Martha’s Table.

Most within the Meeting community were surprised (and at least some were secretly delighted) to learn that during her time at the Embassy in Paris, she worked undercover for the Central Intelligence Agency, as a contact for local operatives in the union movement in France, handling covert operations and finances.

Even prior to transferring her membership, Molly became deeply involved in the life of the Meeting. Records show her membership on the Religious Education Committee as early as 1977. She was at various times a member of House Committee, Overseers, Ministry & Worship, Worship & Family, Nominating, Trustees, and a member of the William Penn House Board. Few serving on a committee could match her dedication and hard work. She delighted in bringing her instinctive Quaker knowhow into the process of refining the work of committees, yet she was graceful in letting go when she felt that others could better serve. She spoke, for example, of “the spiritual rewards and energy which I have received in the past months” as “gifts which I cherish.” Speaking of what made her enjoy serving on committees, she wrote, “The energy of people coming together with a common purpose and who are enthusiastic about the challenge of our work.” No Pollyanna, she noted that she was impatient with “Those who are unable to articulate or who belabor unnecessarily irrelevant issues.”

Later years in life are a matter of luck, in part, and Andy Tully drew a short straw as it became increasingly clear that he was disappearing into the fog of Alzheimer’s Disease. The disease is devastating not only for the patient but also for caregivers. For men with successful public careers, the lack of activity and wounded egos can make them angry and ungrateful. Molly felt the weight of the disease. Characteristically, she decided to act; characteristically, she approached the problem with a brave, cheerful heart. As she wrote,

Ironically, when I reflect on my most rewarding experiences during a lifetime of interesting adventures, it is not the years in the foreign service nor the years on Capitol Hill that have brought the most satisfaction. … We knew instinctively that they [our husbands] would not last five minutes in a day care center. So we decided to start our own. … [Friends Club] grew to four hours a week, gradually adding lunch and then professional entertainers and more than a dozen men each week.”

Starting in 1990 and supported with free space and a small grant from the Meeting, Friends Club provided a dignified space for men to meet for reminiscing, singing, field trips, community service projects, and friendships. Importantly, if also provided dependable respite time for spouses and caregivers. By 1994, the program had grown and required more space; it moved to Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Intent on helping others needing an organized program, Molly wrote a handbook with Joan Turner, Join the Club: Meeting the Special Needs of Men with Alzheimer’s Disease, that provides detailed guidance on replicating the program that is one of Molly’s lasting contributions to others.

When speaking of Molly, her many friends universally recall her energy, her willingness to roll up her sleeves to pitch in, her common sense, and her ability to laugh at setbacks, then find ways to move forward. Even near the end of her life, she enthusiastically talked about adventures – perhaps a ride on a hot air balloon? – and retained her zest for a fully-engaged life. Her warm smile was an outward manifestation of her giving heart. She is deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Minute on name change for one 10:30 Meeting for Worship from Ministry and Worship Committee, Friends Meeting of Washington, Sixth Day, Second Month, 2022.

BACKGROUND HISTORY:

In the late 1970's and early 1980's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and other (LGBTQ+) Quakers and those interested in the spirituality of Friends would gather for First Day silent worship at the Gay Community Center, which was then located at the corner of 15th & Corcoran Streets, N.W. Historically, at that time, being a sexual minority was still highly stigmatized and openly Gay/Queer people were shunned from many houses of worship. Friends tended to be a little more tolerant and, eventually, Friend and Gay activist, Clint Hockenberry, prevailed upon FMW to allow a special Meeting for Worship to be held in the Meeting House. We were designated space in the offices of the third floor Peace Center, so we were quietly out of sight & sound from the rest of the Meeting.

By the mid-1980's the worship group, with a special welcome for LGBTQ+ folks, eventually began to meet in the Quaker House Living Room at 10:00 AM while the main worship met at 11:00 AM in the Meeting Room.....

Fast forwarding to 2022, LGBTQ+ attendees and members of FMW are fully integrated into the life of the Meeting; serving on Committees and worshipping at whatever meeting they feel led to attend. We are truly a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive (DEI) Community of Friends without bias or discrimination toward those of different gender identities or sexual orientations. We are, indeed, a Blessed Community. (Joe sheds some tears at this point).

PROPOSED MINUTE:

Since both Friends Meeting of Washington, the wider Quaker community and even some in the broader society have moved beyond the old biases, discrimination and prejudices against LGBTQ+ people and have integrated these Friends into the full life of the community, the continued existence of a  Meeting for Worship with special welcome for LGBTQ+ people seems to be anachronistic; a relic from an unhappy past. The Ministry and Worship Committee recommends that the designation of "Special welcome for LGBTQ+" for the 10:30 AM (Library) worship be laid down, with a sense of joy, that we as a Religious Society of Friends are truly living the Testimony of Equality toward our LGBTQ+ sisters, brothers and gender non-binary Friends. That worship group, is, and continues to be, open to all Friends.

Kathy Powell Transfer of Membership

FMW Rental Report, January 2022

Prepared by Brian Lutenegger, Event and Rental Manager

Financials – FY22 Bookings
Here is a breakdown of where we are in terms of bookings for recent past and future fiscal years as of January 31, 2022. 

We booked $9,829 worth of events during January 2022 and $208,053 so far this fiscal year. 

We have already booked more than $38,000 in events for FY23 that will begin on July 1st. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to the following June 30th.

Financials – FY22 Earned

In January, we earned $7,842.14 for events successfully completed, a bit slower than previous months due to Omicron. We have already earned $146,445.87 in the first seven months of FY22. We have already exceeded the income from event rentals that we had budgeted for in FY22 ($100,000). 

Office Space Rentals

Income from office rentals has recently been stable at $14,135 which includes rent, property taxes (for applicable tenants), as well as fees for using our Comcast Internet access by office tenants. 

This fiscal year to date, we have collected $99,365 in office tenant rent – more than 65 percent of our fiscal year budget of $151,172.

At present, we have eleven tenants. However, two of our tenants, AsylumWorks and Children’s Art Studio are moving out at the end of February. We are working to replace them with new tenants.

Opportunities for the FMW community to help with rentals

Please think about whether your employer, an organization whose board you sit on – or even yourself for a special event – might be able to make use of our event rental spaces. Of course, at least for now, these events would need to be kept small and happen safely.

If you have ideas for content that we can post on Facebook and Instagram that might be of interest to a wide (not necessarily Quaker) audience, I am happy to consider. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fmw.event.venue/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsmeetingofwashington/

We may also have a need to hire additional event hosts in the spring to work events in our spaces this year. Please let me know if you are interested -- or if you know anyone within or outside the FMW community who would be.

Finally, if you know of any potential new office tenants, please connect them to me.

Committee of Clerks Meeting Minutes - January 30th 2022

Present: Rebecca Nelson, Debby Churchman, Tristan Kirkman, Barbara Briggs, Greg Robb, Rob Farr, Gene Throw, Jean Capps, Ken Forsberg, Mary Melchior, Bill Strein, Grant Thompson, Merry Pearlstein, Neil Froemming, Elaine Wilson, Martha Solt, Michael Beer 

Resources for Clerks:

The administrative secretary has been transferring somewhat up-to-date resources for clerks to a Google Drive folder - many could use updating, and that’s something clerks can take on themselves with their committees as desired. The financial coordinator offered to make an updated resource for clerks to plan their budgets. 

You can check the meeting calendar to see what’s going on in the Meeting community and at the Meetinghouse, to avoid conflicts 

Ask the administrative secretary (Barbara) for the password to access our Breeze meeting directory 

Use of App (Breeze CHMS App)

-App can be used for access to the Meeting Directory.

Use of Directory

The Meeting has three separate Zoom accounts and any FMW clerk can work with the administrative secretary to use them up.

Every committee has an existing Google Drive folder where they can keep committee documents and minutes. The administrative secretary has access to all of them, but otherwise Friends only have access to their own committee. Barbara can help anyone who wants support/training in how to use Google Drive.  

Shared Clerks Resources folder:

How are records for meeting minutes for committees maintained?

• Barbara will copy and transfer to hard drive for archival purposes

How do clerks handle online security?

• Online folder is only seen by individuals you give permission to

How do clerks handle committee members who are less tech savvy?

Every committee will be contacted by finance about how to develop a budget. Are resources available for writing up a budget?

• Finance committee will provide templates. Resource binders are part of the manual but are likely out of date. Need to be either updated, deleted, or transferred to electronic format. Library committee is responsible for updates.
• Check request is through an excel document, needs additional instructional notes

Barbara is the best resource regarding Google Drive usage.

Handbook updates:

• Gene sent handbook sections to committee clerks for updates along with notes/guidance.
• Need to update the section on discussing business electronically.
• Handbook resources need electronic links to external forms and documents
• Gene will send out a list of resources each committee is responsible for
• Question from a friend: How to handle overlap between committees?
• New website incoming that should be able to host resources
• Consider all references to 2015 BYM Faith and Practice guidebook
  • Gene will be providing electronic access as well as a paper copy of the new version for reference
  • A Friend recommends links in the handbook to BYM guidebook

CoC Areas of Discussion:

In December, CoC decided to halt in-person worship and revisit the matter near the beginning of February. The CoC discussed the matter. Areas of consideration by Friends included:

• The significantly reduced attendance of zoom meetings and the drifting away of friends who do not use zoom
• The possibility of outdoor meetings and outdoor heating
• Whether waiting an additional month was likely to cause lasting harm in comparison to the potential safety benefits
• The zoom fatigue of young adults, and how setting a return date could provide hope
• Current DC Guidelines
• The possibility of using a criteria-based opening rather than setting a date
• Returning to in person being an individual choice
• The best interest of our community versus the best interest of society at large
• The struggles of the First Day program

Friends found tentative unity for returning on February 27th for in person return, possibly including outdoor worship, allowing for the issue to be reconsidered if circumstances drastically change in the near future.

The CoC discussed how the meeting might handle vaccine requirements for in-person worship. Areas of consideration by friends included:

• DC Guidance in levels of proof required
• The potential ease and potential difficulty of maintaining electronic records and/or spreadsheets of who has provided proof and who has not, and how this will might positively or negatively affect the process of entering the meeting and the workload involved by those checking
• Whether requiring proof beyond what someone had stated is in alignment with quaker values
• The potential for spread from and to vaccinated individuals

Friends found that this issue needed additional time and voices for consideration.

The CoC discussed how the meeting might handle religious and medical exemptions from vaccines for rentals of the meeting spaces. Areas of consideration by Friends included:

• The current default is that the meeting is not accepting religious or medical exemptions
• The possibility of individuals who can show a negative test result from within 24 hours being acceptable
• The proportionate levels of risk for the vaccinated and unvaccinated
• The potential difficulty of verifying a shown negative test result by FOPs
• The potential importance of retaining documentation regarding individuals who have requested religious or medical exemptions

Friends found unity in accepting religious and medical exemptions from vaccines for rentals of the meeting spaces provided that a negative test result from within 24 hours can be confirmed. One Friend stood aside.

The meeting concluded at 10:17am.
End Committee of Clerks' Minutes, January 30, 2022

###End Meeting for Business Minutes, February 13, 2022####

Meeting for Business Minutes - March 2022

Friends Meeting of Washington
Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Minutes - March 13, 2022

Query for Worship Sharing: What is beginning to bloom in your life? 

Number of friends in attendance: 20

First time attendees: Heather Weaver

Clerk’s Report, March 2022

In Memoriam

• Beloved FMW member Lewis Smith passed away on February 13.  His memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 16 in FMW’s Meeting Room and online.  Merry Pearlstein will write Friend Lewis Smith’s memorial minute.  Obituary, Washington Post 2/20/22

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Spiritual State of the Meeting Survey and Worship Sharing, March 20 12:15.
  Please take this survey to respond to queries regarding the Spiritual State of our Meeting.
  ​Also, Friends are invited to join a Worship Sharing next Sunday (3/20) in the Meeting Room or via Zoom. For more information contact Joe Izzo, JIzzo4102@gmail.com 
• Washington Interfaith Network Major Election Season Action, March 20, 3:00 pm
  WIN is entirely non-partisan, and never never endorses a candidate. Instead, WIN engages and challenges all candidates to go on record supporting economic and racial justice, climate and issues of importance to DC residents. Regardless of who is elected, we will continue organizing to ensure they act on and implement the WIN agenda.  Please register here–right away!  High registration numbers now will ensure candidate participation.
• FMW Film Club Showing and Discussion at FMW Meeting House, March 23, 6:00 pmOur next film showing and discussion will be Blade Runner (1983).  
  For more information contact convener Bill Parker, email: earnestlyeston@gmail.com

FMW Community Highlights & Kudos

• On Sunday, February 27 Susan Meehan led a group of 20 FMW members and attenders to the Russian Embassy to join peaceful protests against the invasion of Ukraine.  Friend Mary Melchior provided sunflower seeds (Ukraine’s national flower and now symbol of resistance) to sow on the Embassy grounds. 
• On February 23, a coalition of DC climate and faith organizations (which FMW’s Peace & Social Concerns helped to form) released its report on gas leaks in DC after a year-long investigation. FMW kids kicked off the first round of gas leaks detection on February 7, 2021.  Following the report's release, FMW PSC clerk Barbara Briggs and 20 other faith and climate activists testified before DC Council on the climate and health impact of gas.  You can read the report, testimonies and press coverage here.
• Thank you note from World Food Program for FMW member/attender donation for food relief in Afghanistan:  “Your gift of $2,745 has provided over 8,300 meals to those that need it most.”

Tenant Updates- Activities at our Meeting House

• In the first eight months of FY 2022, rentals have earned FMW $152,882–over $50,000 more than projected!  
• At present, FMW has ten nonprofit and small business tenants.
• See Rental Manager’s report below.

Major Business

Nominating Committee - Michael Beer.  -Represented today by Virginia Avanesyan

Elizabeth Nyman, Library Committee.  Friends approved this nomination

Letty Coffin, Trustees

One friend noted that Letty Coffin is in the process of being approved as a member.

One friend noted that Letty Coffin has not yet made an explicit commitment to membership, and asked what would happen if they did not become a member.

One friend noted that members of the Trustees committee were not comfortable with a non-member joining, and that there wasn’t a rush for Letty to join. This friend noted an inclination to wait until Letty became a member of the meeting. The friend recommended waiting at least until Letty’s membership application was submitted.

Friends engaged in a discussion regarding whether membership in the meeting was required for some or all or specific committees.

Friends found unity in delaying deciding on approving this nomination, letting the nomination lie over for one month.

Roger Caitlin, Hospitality  -Friends approved this nomination.

Jennifer Jenkins, resigning from Finance & Stewardship.  -Friends accepted this resignation with gratitude.

Neil Froemming, resigning as Clerk of IT  -Friends accepted this resignation with gratitude.

One friend noted that the IT committee has gone through myriad changes recently, and recommended that several clerks and committees (property, staff, records and handbook, and Neil Froemming) should come together to help resolve some of the IT Committee’s issues and return with a proposal.

One friend noted that the IT committee is not a functioning committee with established membership, and noted difficulty in contacting and coordinating with the IT Committee. This friend noted that resolving these issues was of special importance to Ministry and Worship.

Jason Terry, Finance and Stewardship.  -Friends approved this nomination.

Membership Committee - Rob Farr

Rob Farr noted an intention to hold a special welcome for new members on May 15th.

Kate Oberg, second presentation.   -Friends approved this membership.

Marriage & Family Relations - Beth Cogswell

First presentation, marriage of Chris Zubowicz and Heather Weaver, under the care of our Meeting.

Beth noted that the Marriage and Family Relations committee has no hesitation in accepting this request. The request lies over for one month, as is our custom.

Ministry & Worship - Jean Capps
M&W would like guidance on coordinating with other committees and individuals to coordinate the “new normal” as we reopen the Meeting House, while keeping Zoom (at least for now).

One friend noted that providing guidance regarding the IT Committee is a significant priority for the meeting. This friend also noted the special importance of the use of Zoom for hybrid FMW events.

Jean noted that Ministry and Worship has no intention of providing guidance to or jurisdiction over the IT Committee, and primarily seeks a better ability to coordinate in establishing Meeting for Worship policies and practices, especially regarding the use of rooms.

The Clerk of Library and Records  noted that, after sending sections of the handbook to the committees, committees should propose potential changes to the handbook for consideration by Meeting for Business, and that this is the best method for determining clarity in roles and responsibilities.

One friend noted that, in coordination with Baltimore Yearly Meeting, opinions vary greatly on the use of hybrid meetings and Covid policies and noted that the process should likely be determined iteratively over significant time.

One friend noted that, regarding questions over the use of space and rooms, Barbara Briggs as Administrative Secretary is the best person to contact.

One friend noted that the creation of Standard Operating Procedures might be beneficial to the meeting for training others in IT Committee actions, as well as other committees, and this friend noted the importance of determining specific tasks within the IT Committee.

One friend noted that feedback regarding the IT Committee can be supplied via the currently running Ministry and Worship survey to the meeting.

Sunday FOP’s needed  - Barbara
Needed for 2nd & 3rd Sundays!  This could be a great monthly hang-out date with a F/friend!  
Barbara discussed the need for FOPs and the specific responsibilities associated with being an FOP.

One friend noted that Meeting for Business is primarily made up of already-engaged individuals, and that it could be a good idea to announce this need after Meeting for Worship with the larger meeting.

One friend noted that, when individuals are not ready to serve on a regular committee, serving as an FOP may be a good intermediate step for engagement.

Support for Trans Gender people, Concern about Anti-Trans Legislative Efforts
- Tamina Chowdhury, Barbara Briggs, Peace & Social Concerns

Tamina requested that the Trans flag and Rainbow flag be added to the top of the FMW website and for specific language to be added to the website that decries legislation that may harm transgender individuals. Tamina also requested approval to provide an informational seminar regarding this legislation.

One friend noted enthusiasm and asked to see the specific language to be added prior to consideration.

One friend noted enthusiasm for the seminar and expressed a desire to provide additional resources if it would be helpful.

Friends expressed disapproval for the legislation in question.

One friend expressed a desire to rapidly move this issue forward, rather than waiting until the next Meeting for Business.

One friend noted that Peace and Social Concerns is empowered to move rapidly and speak on its own behalf and can provide a formal request to the next Meeting for Business.

One friend noted that the Gay Pride flag is present at the bottom of the website and expressed a desire to move it to the top of the website as well. This friend noted a strong desire to protect gay and trans individuals.

One friend noted that some aspects of the website can be modified quickly by Peace and Social Concerns. 

Friends approved these minutes at 1:25 pm.

ADDENDA: ATTACHED COMMITTEE REPORTS

FMW Rental Report, February 2022

Prepared by Brian Lutenegger, Event and Rental Manager 

Financials – FY22 Bookings
Here is a breakdown of where we are in terms of bookings for recent past and future fiscal years as of February 28, 2022.

The chart above shows $10,416 booked in February 2022 and $218,469 booked so far this fiscal year.

We have already booked more than $38,000 in events for FY23 that will begin on July 1st. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to the following June 30th.

Financials – FY22 Earned

In February, we earned $6,410.99 for events successfully completed, a bit slower than previous months due to Omicron. We have already earned $152,881.86 in the first eight months of FY22. We have already exceeded the income from event rentals that we had budgeted for in FY22 ($100,000).

Office Space Rentals

Income from office rentals has changed in recent months due to turnover in tenants.

This fiscal year to date, with most rents paid for March, we have collected $120,290 in office tenant rent – more than 79 percent of our fiscal year budget of $151,172.

At present, we have ten nonprofit and small business tenants.

Opportunities for the FMW community to help with rentals

Please think about whether your employer, an organization whose board you sit on – or even yourself for a special event – might be able to make use of our event rental spaces. Of course, at least for now, these events would need to be kept small and happen safely.

If you have ideas for content that we can post on Facebook and Instagram that might be of interest to a wide (not necessarily Quaker) audience, I am happy to consider. 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fmw.event.venue/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsmeetingofwashington/

Finally, if you know of any potential new office tenants, please connect them to me.

###End Meeting for Business Minutes, March 2022###