June 2012 Newsletter
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Meeting for Business- Order of Worship
Attachments
Report from Committee of Clerks
Letter from Adelphi Friends Meeting
Ministry and Worship letter RE: Liz Paxton
FMW Newsletter
FRIENDS MEETING OF WASHINGTON
ORDER OF WORSHIP
MONTHLY MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH A CONCERN FOR BUSINESS
May 13, 2012
5/12.1 Opening The Meeting opened at 12:01 pm with a period of silent worship. David
Etheridge served as Clerk, Meg Greene as Alternate Clerk and Debby Churchman as
Recording Clerk. The clerks read Advices, Queries and Voices concerning Religious
Education which have been proposed by the Faith and Practice Revision Committee of
Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
Advices
Seek for ourselves and for our children the full development of God’s gifts, which is true
education. Realize that education should continue throughout life, and that all should share its
opportunities and privileges. Be ready at all times to receive fresh light from whatever quarter
it may come; approach new theories with discernment.
Friends are concerned to educate for individual growth, community responsibility, a
knowledge of God’s world, and a sense of wonder at continuing revelation in this changing
universe. Religious education begins early in the home as the child participates in family
silence, prayer, readings from the Bible and other religious works, and in family discussions.
We set an example in our own lives and seek actively to guide our children’s development of
sensitivity to God and the world.
Meetings should foster activities that bring all age groups together. Conferences, workshops,
and retreats, organized by Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly Meetings or other Friends’ bodies,
provide contacts with a variety of Friends’ viewpoints. We should encourage adult members to
follow their leadings in seeking education of all kinds and should be sensitive in offering the
financial assistance sometimes needed to take advantage of such opportunities.
For many years Friends have been concerned about the problem of exclusivity in private
schools especially those carrying the name of Friends. Those concerned with any Quakerrelated
school would agree that each institution has a continuing responsibility to discourage
snobbishness and feelings of false superiority, to encourage economy and simplicity, and to
cultivate a realization that with special opportunities go special obligations.
Queries
How can we most effectively foster a spirit of inquiry and a loving and understanding attitude?
What effort are we making to be better acquainted with Quaker faith and practices and the
beliefs of other faiths?
Do we take an active and supportive interest in schools, libraries, and other educational
resources in our communities and elsewhere?
How do we prepare ourselves and our children to play active roles in a changing world?
Voices
But I showed them by the scriptures that there was an anointing within man to teach him and
that the Lord would teach his people himself. --George Fox, Journal
The last reaches of religious education are not attained by carefully planned and externally
applied lessons, taught to people through the outward ears. The fundamental religious
education of the soul is conducted by the Holy Spirit, the living voice of God within us. He is
the last and greatest teacher of the soul. All else is but pointings to the inward Teacher, the
Spirit of the indwelling Christ. Until life is lived in the presence of this Teacher, we are apt to
confuse knowledge of Church history and Biblical backgrounds with the true education of the
soul that takes place in the listening life of prayer. –Thomas R. Kelly, 1942
True education nurtures the insights that unite knowledge with behavior and ability with desire,
changing one’s life, not merely one’s ideas. –Carol Murphy, 1952
Lacking a creed, what is it we teach? Theology has been defined as faith reflected upon. For
Friends, theology, or what takes the place of theology, is experience reflected upon. We begin
by reflecting on our own experience, but, as members of the Religious Society of Friends, we
are engaged in a corporate endeavor. Ours is not a do-it-yourself religion but a do-it-together
religion. –Gene Hillman, 2003
5/12.2 Welcome of Visitors Approximately 29 friends were present. FMW welcomed Diane
Randall, Executive Director of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
5/12.3 Clerks’ Report
David Etheridge, Clerk, reported the following:
• Report from Committee of Clerks (see attached)
• An Epistle from Adelphi (see attached) about a possible gathering of those concerned
with inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual transgendered Friends
• Child Safety training will be held on May 20 at two different times for all who work with
children. For more information, see Tracy Hart.
• There will be a Baltimore Yearly Meeting for Singing on Saturday, June 2 at FMW from
9:30 to 4:00 pm. All are welcome. For more information, see Debby Churchman
• A Memorial Meeting for Dick Bellin will be held on Sunday, June 3, 1:00 pm
MAJOR ITEM
5/12.4 Fiscal Year 2013 budget (first presentation) Jim Bell, Interim Clerk of Finance &
Stewardship, presented the first draft of the FY2013 budget. He introduced members of the
committee, and reviewed the objectives of the Finance & Stewardship committee. F&S
supports the financial operation of the Meeting and the committees. The committee has
communicated with all of the Meeting's committees regarding their budget needs. This draft
budget is balanced and includes setting aside some monies into reserves. He presented four
documents (see attached). What is driving the budget is income from donations, bequests,
and property use, and expenses from staffing and committee needs, as well as property tax,
which we anticipate to be $29,000. Staffing for FY2013 would require an additional $91,000.
Staffing needs are currently being reviewed by a subcommittee of the Committee of Clerks.
Another driver is apportionment, which will be $63,000, an increase of 12% over last year.
F&S plans to send a letter to BYM agreeing to a 6% increase rather than a 12% increase. We
are currently $74,000 short for FY 2012. These budgets are posted on our FMW website.
A Friend asked about FMW's philosophy towards reserves. Is it our goal that every year the
reserves should increase, or is there a notion of adequate reserves? Jim says that every year
the reserves should increase. A Friend noted that this is partly because unanticipated costs
like urgent repairs on the roof and ceiling also increase each year.
A Friend commented that every year, there seems to be a major shortfall around June. Is that
why we have a shortfall now? Jim said that the contributions now are lower than usual. F&S
has just prepared an appeal letter to send to those who have donated before, and may also
post the appeal on the website. He is concerned that this shortfall is significant.
A Friend recalls that last year, a large contribution helped us to balance our budget. He notes
that budget creation used to be driven by committee desires rather than projected income, but
that more recently, those drivers have been reversed. We typically balance the budget by
spending less. He asks that FMW stop acting like the Tea Party, wanting services without
paying taxes. We cannot provide for much-needed services at FMW unless we financially
support our Meeting.
A Friend reminded us of a comment by former member Sarah Hadley, whose half brother
Herbert Hadley was the Meeting secretary. Herbert, she said, would balance the budget by
sending a note about the shortfall to a particularly generous member. One way or another we
are outsourcing the work of our Meeting to the experts, and should be doing the work,
including the financial support work, ourselves.
A Friend asked about the budget for the Shoebox project. A large part of our funding comes
from the World Bank. Those donations have greatly decreased. Hunger & Homelessness has
considered asking Area Meetings, including FMW, to support it. Jim says that this item is
currently zero balanced.
A Friend asked, at our current rate, what each Friend should donate that would cover the 6%
versus 12% apportionment. The 6% would be $3,500 and the 12% would be $7,000. Jim asks
that we each contribute what we can.
A Friend comments that people look at budgets in different ways. It could be useful for the
Meeting as a whole to understand in words and graphics exactly what it takes to keep going,
and to see what supports what.
A Friend asked how we are projecting contributions for FY13. Jim says we do not expect
property to produce additional income. The investment income is expected to be the same.
So the increase will have to come from contributions. He hopes this is realistic. We may have
to cut some staff hours and committee budgets.
A Friend asked what percentage of members and attenders are contributing. Jim says in 2011
we had 264 contributors. In 2012 we had 307, about 68 of whom contributed less than $100
each. Per capita, compared to other Meetings in BYM, we are not the highest (we are $263);
other, smaller Meetings have higher per capita donations.
A Friend asks if we have a large number of people who aren't contributing. Jim doesn't know.
We send letters to 400 people who have contributed.
A Friend on the Membership Committee points to the wider question of membership
participation, of which financial support is one part. What is a member? Because we don’t
know how and if members will fulfill their membership requirements, in some ways, we are
always operating in the dark.
A Friend asks that the budget be shown graphically—out of $1, this many cents goes to this
and that many cents goes to that. Jim says they will bring a pie chart to the next MfB, and put
it on the website. The Friend asks that it be put in terms of dollars and cents.
A Friend asks that we speak, not of dollars, but of stewardship, generosity, and friendship.
Should we consider apportioning each household?
A friend asks how much the average gift was last year. It was $800, including only those who
gave.
A Friend spoke to the condition of “enough.” We are hearing that income is not enough, and
that our needs cannot get “enough.” Can we change our outlook on this issue, and think
about what “enough” might look like?
A Friend spoke to the need for reserves.
A Friend asked about donor bases. Are donors individuals or households? Grant Thompson,
member of F&S, says that realistically they look at donor households. The Friend asks that a
family be on equal footing with individual donors.
A Friend suggested that it would be useful for us to generate a snapshot of the Meeting that
tells our story and includes graphics and narrative on attendance, membership, participation
on committees, financial contributions and major expenditures. F&S, Membership and
Nominating Committee could provide data for a more visual analysis.
Jim welcomes individual conversations, by phone or email, about the budget details. The
committee will work to answer these questions and suggestions.
MILESTONES
5/12.5 Membership Committee Hayden Wetzel of the Membership Committee made the
following presentations:
1. Request for Membership of Justin Connor (first presentation). Justin has worshipped
here on and off since 1998, except when he lived overseas. He was married here
under the care of FMW, and is currently the Religious Education Clerk, and recently
attended the World Gathering of Friends, in Kenya. This request lies over for a month,
as is our custom.
2. Request for Transfer for Amy Lear from Friends Meeting of Washington to Bethesda
(Maryland) Friends Meeting. Friends APPROVED
3. David Etheridge made the second presentation of request for Membership of Elizabeth
Paxton. Friends APPROVED.
4. David Etheridge presented the second request for Transfer of Marsha Holliday from
Langley Hill Friends Meeting to Friends Meeting of Washington. Friends ACCEPTED
.
5/12.6 Marriage and Family Relations Committee—Martha Solt reported on the wedding of
Brett McBride and Victor Malychev, which was held in good order on April 21, 2012.
5/12.7 Nominating Committee Beth Cogswell, Clerk of Nominating, made the following
presentations:
Beth asked that number of members on the Child Safety Committee be expanded from four
members to six during this period when there is much to do to develop policies and implement
them. Friends APPROVED
Beth brought these nominations for the Child Safety Committee for terms through December
2014:
1. Elise Storck (APPROVED)
2. Marsha Holliday (APPROVED)
3. Giovanni Sella (first presentation)
4. Kathrina Peterson (first presentation)
5. Carrie Mitchell (first presentation)
Nominations of non-members will be held over for a month, as is our new custom.
Beth announced the resignation of Anita Drever from the Child Safety Committee. Friends
regretfully ACCEPTED.
Beth brought the following nominations, which originated with the Trustees, for Friends to
serve as Trustees for terms expiring in October 2017
1. Daniel Dozier
2. Bill Foskett
3. Mark Haskell
4. Martha Solt
5. Faith Williams
Friends APPROVED.
Beth announced the resignation of David Etheridge from Trustees. Friends regretfully
ACCEPTED.
Beth nominated Jim Bell to Trustees until the end of October 2013. Friends APPROVED.
Beth nominated Roger Burns to Religious Education for a term ending in Dec 2014. Friends
APPROVED.
Beth gave the second presentation of Mohamad Olabi to the Marriage and Family Relations
Committee for a term through Dec. 2014. Friends APPROVED.
Beth gave the second presentation of Mark Cannon as the Clerk of Peace &Social Concerns.
Friends APPROVED.
Beth announced the resignation of Susan Lepper from the Finance and Stewardship. Friends
ACCEPTED.
Beth presented the nomination of Jim Bell as Interim Clerk of Finance &Stewardship
Committee through Oct. 2012. Friends APPROVED.
Beth presented the nomination of Merry Pearlstein and Neil Froemming as co-clerks of the
Capital Improvements Task Force. Friends APPROVED.
Beth announced that Ken Forsberg has resigned as Clerk of the Capital Improvements Task
Force. Friends ACCEPTED.
Beth announced that Tina Giffin and Justin Connor have resigned from the Capital
Improvements Task Force. Friends ACCEPTED.
Friends noted the hard work of all of these Capital Improvements Task Force members.
5/12.8 Ministry & Worship Debby Churchman, Clerk of Ministry & Worship, presented an
endorsement of Elizabeth Paxton for ministry as a professional chaplain/pastoral therapist.
A Friend asked for clarification of the organization to whom we would be endorsing and
whether Elizabeth Paxton would be a military chaplain. Liz would be applying to the
Association of Professional Chaplains and to the Clerk of the Court in Virginia. Elizabeth
responded that she would be working in a hospital or hospice, and that a military hospital
would likely not accept her; nor would she choose to work there. She noted that this
endorsement letter would advance her professionally.
A Friend asked whether her request for endorsement should have preceded her application
for membership. She has attended Meeting for a decade and has just moved back to
Washington, DC.
A Friend noted the intense training required to become a chaplain; it is not a commitment one
enters lightly.
Friends APPROVED the letter.
5/12.8 Report World Conference of Friends – Justin Connor and Diane Randall recently attended the World Conference of Friends in Kenya. Justin reports that there were more than 850 Friends from
around the world. His roommate was from Burundi and Australia. It gave Justin a better sense
of the global community of Friends. There were friends from North and South America, Asia,
Africa, Europe and Australia. Friends came from every tradition of Quakers, including
programmed and unprogrammed, Conservative, Evangelical and everything in between. The
messages were rich and profound, from individual conversations, worship groups, and larger
groups, with a great deal of ministry given. He gave two excerpts. The first was from North
America, and quoted Ann Wilson in 1696, whose words changed a young man and inspired
his ministry. Justin also read the ministry of European Friends about the discomfort of being
with brokenness, urging us to resist the need to fix but learn to be with our brokenness.
Diane Randall spoke to the theme, Healing a Broken World. The speakers asked, how are we
the salt of the earth? How are we the Light of the world? She was delighted to find what a rich
body of faith traditions Friends have, and what a joy it was to be with each other, despite our
differences. Friends from New England even danced! She commends the website—
SaltandLight2012.org—as speaking to our spiritual condition. There are more Kenyan
Quakers than North American Quakers. The Kenyans organized a number of tours of their
programs, including Alternatives to Violence, Healing & Rebuilding Our Communities, and
Turning the Tide. This is radical and transformative peace work, and could serve as an
inspiration to U.S. Friends to work in this country. Diane met Friends whose family life had
been fractured by violence, and who had worked it through peacefully. On the FCNL website,
go to issues/foreign policy/Kenya to learn more.
5/12.9 Property Committee Steve Brooks, co-clerk of Property gave the following
presentation:
Update (See attached)
Minute: (see attached) – A Friend asked if BYM youth will be required to sign a “hold
harmless” release form, as our insurance requires. Could Property revisit this question? Steve
says he would welcome that.
A Friend thanked Property for hosting Occupy DC for two weeks in April.
5/12.10 Adjournment The Meeting adjourned at 2:29 pm with 23 in attendance, to convene
again as way opens, June 9 at Noon.
Attachments:
Report from Committee of Clerks meeting, May 10, 2012
Letter from Adelphi Friends Meeting
Finance and Stewardship (F&S) – General Balance Sheet as of April 30, 2012
F&S – FY 2013 Draft Summary Budget Report (4 pages)
F&S – FY 2013 Draft Committee Budget
Ministry and Worship letter Re: Elizabeth Paxton
Property Committee Update
Committee of Clerks, 5/10/12
Attenders: David Etheridge, Meg Greene, Michael Cronin, Todd Harvey, Jim
Steen, Martha Solt, Michael North, Susan Griffin, Judy Hubbard, Mark
Cannon, Jim Bell, Debby Churchman, Justin Connor, Tracy Hart
Michael Cronin, on behalf of the Personnel Committee, presented two
recommendations:
a. To extend Administrator's contract until 9/30/12
b. To appoint a committee to examine staffing needs
The Committee of Clerks approved the following:
• To extend the Administrator’s contract until 9/30/12
• To establish a committee to examine staffing needs.
The committee members are David Etheridge, Meg Greene, Steve
Brooks, Jim Bell, and Michael Cronin. The committee will evaluate what
work needs to be done at FMW by paid staff and which is best left to
committees. They will assess all staffing needs, and make recommendations
regarding staffing options, including the major responsibilities of
each staff person and who they report to, as well as salary and benefits
range. The assessment will include but not be limited to administrator,
property manager, bookkeeper, friendly office presence, Youth Program
Coordinator, and child care workers. This committee will report back to
the Committee of Clerks in early July before Meeting for Business.
Letter fom Adelphi Friends Meeting
February 1, 2012 To Friends Everywhere,
We at Adelphi Monthly Meeting are deeply concerned that there are
Friends in any Meeting or Quaker organization who cannot be
honest about their intimate relationship and know that they are
honored and fully included in their worship and work communities.
Such a condition diminishes not just those relationships, but all in
the community as we endeavor to minister to one another. We
witness to our conviction that every person should be able to live out
fully what God is leading them to do in their lives.
The Spirit that resonates in our souls is one that affirms love, that
celebrates love, that rejoices in the presence of love. When we
embrace that of God in everyone, including the full richness of the
loving relationships in our Meeting, our worship deepens and our
community is enhanced.
After laboring for almost a decade, A Delphi Monthly Meeting
approved a minute affirming same sex marriage in 1991. We have
done our best to welcome equally gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender,
questioning and heterosexual Friends in to the life of our Meeting.
The first same-sex marriage under Adelphi's care was celebrated in
2006. After twenty years, Adelphi's policy on same-sex marriages
continues to feel Spirit-led.
We of varied sexual orientations and gender identities worship
together and accomplish the committee work of our monthly
Meeting. We raise our children and minister to one another in the
wide variety of ways that the Spirit leads us. Our Meeting
recognizes "the Light in all sincere, loving, supportive relationships,
which are characterized by growth and in which faith, hope, love, a
truth abide.." Although we do the work of community imperfectly,
we have all been blessed by the open, accepting, and loving
atmosphere of our Meeting.
Adelphi works hard to be a welcoming place for young people from
our monthly and yearly Meetings. We owe we our youth the
guarantee that Adelphi be a safe place where our community will
defend their basic human rights, including their right to have
responsible loving relationships without discrimination of any sort.
Our lives are better for this. We are grateful for the gifts each
member brings to our faith community. We have been uplifted by the
openness with which our children accept differences.
Our Meeting is now considering whether we have a corporate
leading to organize a gathering for Friends with a concern for the
loving inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and
questioning Friends in their meetings and within the wider circle of
Friends. Perhaps there are other Meetings or individuals with similar
leadings. We would like to hear from you.
We treasure our kinship with all Friends. We have genuine, heartfelt
connections to Friends and Meetings around the world. We have
built relationships by worshipping and working together, by
sojourning and through visitation. We are filled with hope that,
through continuing dialogue within The wider Quaker community,
we can come to an understanding that allows us to walk gently over
the earth, answering that of God in every person and slighting none.
This is our experience. This is our witness.
In Love and Light,
Jade Eaton, Clerk
Adelphi Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
2303 Metzerott Rd.
Adelphi, Maryland 20783
Elizabeth Paxton
Elizabeth Paxton, who has applied for membership at Friends Meeting of Washington, is called to serve as a chaplain. She has completed her training, and is looking to the Meeting to help her achieve accreditation. She needs a letter from the Meeting to send to the Commonwealth of Virginia to be allowed to work as a chaplain in that state. She would send the same letter as part of her application to the Association of Professional Chaplains. Here is what she says about her training:
“As an undergraduate at Beloit College I earned a double major in Religion and Women's and Gender Studies in 2005. I focused on Islam and Buddhism. This is also the place I first discovered Quaker Meeting.
I graduated with a Master's of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School in 2010. I studied Christianity, Counseling, and Arabic, and spent a summer in Palestine/Israel doing an internship with the Friends International Center in Ramallah. I also focused a lot of my energy towards ministering to the homeless community; I did two internships with Outdoor Church.
I spent 2010 - 2011 at Washington Hospital Center completing a year-long Chaplain Residency program. I worked in the trauma center, the neo-natal intensive care unit, the ICU, and the oncology floor. I earned 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education credits and a specialization in oncology care.
I will begin another Clinical Pastoral Education Residency to specialize in hospice care at Goodwin House in Virginia come September.
I will apply to become a board certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. It is an extensive process, with many professional requirements. (Master's of Divinity degree, at least 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education credit, ordination or the equivalent from my church body, extensive writing and interviews.)
This is why I want to be a chaplain: To put it as succinctly as possible, I am drawn towards chaplaincy to help people explore their spirituality (however that manifests, regardless of religion or belief system) and to be a loving presence through difficult times when people feel most alone or afraid.“
Ministry & Worship has written the attached letter for Elizabeth's use in achieving professional accreditation for chaplaincy.
Dear _______,
Regarding Elizabeth Paxton’s application to serve as a chaplain/pastoral counselor, I affirm that she has received endorsement for ministry as a professional chaplain/pastoral therapist from the Friends Meeting of Washington (FMW), a congregation of the Society of Friends (Quakers) located in Washington, D.C. It is our understanding that Elizabeth Paxton has felt called to offer spiritual care to those of a variety of faiths, in particular to serve as chaplain for individuals in health care and end-of-life settings, as well as those preparing for marriage.
Since The Society of Friends (Quakers) does not observe the practice of ordination, each Friends Meeting has the authority to recognize gifts of ministry and to provide oversight to our members who minister as professionals. In this regard, the Friends Meeting of Washington will provide continuing oversight of Elizabeth Paxton’s ministry by appointing a committee of support to meet with her on a regular basis.
In faith,
David Etheridge
Presiding Clerk, Friends Meeting of Washington
Property Manager Update
5/13/2012 corrected
We continue to work on the tasks required to improve safety and maintain our old buildings. Recommendations based on a recent inspection by our insurance company are being addressed. The refurbishment of the Quaker House 2nd floor kitchen, bathroom, corner office and closet is nearly complete and just awaiting finishing touches, at which time the Refrigerator can be moved out of the Living Room and back to its spot. Quaker House 1st floor is being renovated and when that’s complete, will be occupied by DuPont Circle Village, a non-profit organization that assists DC seniors in hooking up with cultural/social activities and accessing health and practical assistance so they may remain in their homes. Major upcoming activities include painting and repair of external woodwork on all our buildings and investigation of repainting the metal fence around the front yard. Property continues to consult with RE and FDS to try to determine and address their space needs, both inside and out.
Property minuted its understanding of its role vis-à-vis events sponsored by other committees:
Property sees one of its roles as facilitating space use requests for events sponsored by committees and other bodies within FMW and trusts in their discernment that such events will further the mission of FMW.
Property will consider safety, security, legality and space use conflicts when scheduling such space use requests.
Events, including sleep overs, serving the spiritual and community needs of Young Friends, are particularly important to the life of our meeting. Property will assist in whatever way possible to facilitate these events. To ensure safety and security, Property will assist the sponsoring committee(s) in helping implement the procedures laid out by BYM for Youth Events.
FMW NEWSLETTER
June 2012
Summer Events
Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities
This workshop, hosted by Stony Run Friends Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, from Thursday,
May 31 through June 2, offers participants the opportunity to learn about trauma, healing, and
reconciliation. Participants will gain knowledge, self-awareness, and tools to help themselves
and others through the process of grieving, loss, and conflict resolution in order to build inner
and outer peace. The workshops will be in the evenings on the weekdays and all day on Saturday
June 2, This workshop offers participants the opportunity to learn about trauma, healing, and
reconciliation. Participants will gain knowledge, self-awareness, and tools to help themselves
and others through the process of grieving, loss, and conflict resolution in order to build inner
and outer peace. The workshops will be in the evenings on the weekdays and all day on Saturday
the 2nd. For more information and registration details, contact Adrian Bishop (443) 703-2590 or
or Amy Rakusin at (410) 472-3060.
Adelphi Friends Hold Strawberry Festival
Adelphi Friends Meeting will hold its annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 2, from 10
a.m. to 3 pm (rain or shine), on the Meeting grounds, 2303 Metzerott Rd, Adelphi, Maryland,
(between Riggs and Adelphi Roads). In addition to luscious, vine ripened, local strawberries, the
Festival features a giant rummage sale with fantastic bargains in previously owned clothes,
jewelry, kitchen wares, electronics, tools, books, house plants, and much more. A section for
children includes clothes, games, and toys. For more information about the festival contact
Doron Antrim at (301) 622-1570.
Friendly Sing-in at FMW
FMW hosting the third Friendly Sing-In of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Everyone is welcome
and the ability to either read music or sing is NOT a requirement. All ranges and ages are
welcome (although there will not be child-care, there will be child-friendly songs). We will have
a general sing led by Ruth Fitz, chanting led by Betsy Krome, hymn singing with Meg Meyer,
and You Pick led by all participants. Bagels and juice will be available in the morning, and a
yummy lunch at midday. Friends will gather at 9:30 a.m., and the singing will commence at 10
p.m. With a lunch break, the Sing-In will continue until 4 pm. For more information, contact
Debby Churchman. (540) 467-3455 or the FMW Office (202) 483-3310.
William Penn House
The William Penn House, a Quaker Center on Capitol Hill, hosts monthly potluck dinners on a
scheduled Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. There is a topic, speaker, and open discussion afterwards.
The potluck starts at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to
the potlucks- bring a dish to share! In addition to monthly potlucks, the William Penn House
provides low cost accommodations and Quaker center programs and seminars. Join the weekly
Yoga class at the William Penn House on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. All ages and all skill levels are
welcome. There is a $15 charge per class. Daily at 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. a Meeting for Worship is
held. On Sundays, with the exception of the first Sunday of the month, Capitol Hill Friends meet
from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information contact The William Penn House. It is located at 515 East Capitol St. SE
Washington, DC 20003, (202) 543-5560.
On Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. the William Penn House will host a potluck with guest speaker
Adrien Niyongabo, a staff member of the African Great Lakes Initiative. He will be discussing
the Burundi Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) project. Adrien will be in the
D.C. area as a facilitator for a HROC training session held May 31 through June 2, 2012 at
Stony Run Friends Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Originally, HROC was developed by
Africans in order to rebuild ravaged communities in Rwanda and Burundi. HROC focuses on
transforming the traumatic effects of violence and war into an opportunity for building peace and
trust, and ending the cycle of hatred and revenge.
This year, we will be offering 3 Workcamps for individuals and small groups. All of these
Workcamps are variations of Workcamps we have done in the past but often have been restricted
to groups. They are great ways to journey out into the world as well as inside oneself while
deepening a commitment to make a difference and appreciating the fulfillment such a
commitment brings. While the Workcamp experience can be tiring at times, they rechargeenergize
the mind and soul to make the world a better place. They are an ideal way to practice
putting faith into action.
The Workcamps offered this year include:
West Virginia Workcamp, June 24-30. For the past decade, Washington Quaker Workcamps
has gone to southern West Virginia with a group of students from Sidwell Friends School. This
year, we are adding a week and inviting people to come and experience the beauty and harsh
realities of life in coal country. As consumers of energy, it is a powerful experience to spend
time in communities that benefited from the heyday of coal and now live with the economic,
environmental and health consequences of our demand for cheap energy. We will spend the
week working with Big Creek People in Action in dorm-style rooms and doing home
repair/renovation projects during the day. The fee is $900/person including transportation
to/from William Penn House.
Washington DC Workcamp, July 1-6. 15 million visitors come to Washington DC every
year, but few actually see beyond the tourist attractions to the community that keeps DC
going. This Workcamp will include July 4 fireworks and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, but
will go beyond as we connect with local organizations that do incredible work below the radar.
In addition, we will see sites that few tourists venture to see. Lodging will be at William Penn
House. The fee is $500 for the week.
Further information and registration information can be found at the William Penn House web
site, or call (202) 543-5560.
FMW Adult Study Group
The Adult Study Group will meet on Sunday, June 3, at 9:15 a.m. in the Assembly Room. The
topic will be Quakers and the Underground Railroad. It is not mandatory to attend every group
session if a F/friend is interested in participating in the Adult Study Group. For more
information, contact John Scales at johnkscales@aol.com.
Memorial Meeting
Longtime FMW Member Dick Bellin died on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. A Memorial
Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 1 p.m. in the FMW Meeting Room. A simple
reception will follow the memorial meeting in the Assembly Room.
BYM Interim Meeting
Get to know Yearly Meeting Committees and Friends from other Meetings. Baltimore Yearly
Meeting (BYM) will hold quarterly Meeting on Saturday, June 16. Be a part of important
decision making. Join Friends for morning committee meetings and the afternoon’s Business
Meeting. Dunnings Creek Friends Meeting is hosting the Interim Meeting. Friends will begin
gathering at 10:00 a.m. at the Meeting House at 285 Old Quaker Church Road, Fishertown,
Pennsylvania, 15522. Check the BYM website for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Friends Wilderness Center
The Friends Wilderness Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is holding a workshop on
Saturday, June 30, at 10:00 a.m. on Exploring Meditation in the Midst of Nature, led by Michael
Moore. For more information, or directions call Sheila Bach at (304) 728-4820.
Silent Retreat at Dayspring
Is your spirit in need of nourishment and refreshment? Come to the Dayspring Silent Retreat,
held at the Dayspring Retreat Center in Germantown, Maryland from Friday, June 8 through
Sunday, June 10. We will keep the silence from Friday evening through worship on Sunday,
enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, reading, walking, resting, finding our own rhythms, and
listening for the Still Small Voice. Sponsored by Annapolis Meeting, the Retreat will begin at
3:30 pm on Friday at the Dayspring Retreat Center in Germantown, MD. For registration
materials, contact Jean Christianson. (410) 544-1912.
BYM Annual Session
Let your Spirit grow! Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Annual Session 2012 will be held at
Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland from Monday July 30 through Sunday
August 5. The theme for this year is Spirit-led Social Action. You can refresh yourself at
Monday’s retreat, take in the exciting plenary sessions, and engage in a range of activities for the
whole family. The Spring edition of the Interchange contains all of the information regarding
registration, including forms and rates. This year there is online registration as well, so you can
register with ease right now. There are many ways to reduce the costs of attendance, including
first-time attender certificates, work grants, assistance for younger adult Friends, and
scholarships from Religious Education and Ministry & Pastoral Care Committees. Register by
Monday, June 25 for early lower rates! Check the BYM website or call (301) 774-7663 for more
information.
First Time Attender Certificates for Annual Session
Baltimore Yearly Meeting provides 3 First Time Attender certificates to each local Meeting to
help encourage new attenders, or those returning after a long absence, to come to Annual
Session. Each certificate entitles the adult recipient to two free days (and nights) at the Early
Registration, adult double occupancy rate. Children may receive the certificates as well with
rates discounted according to their age.
The Annual Session is scheduled from July 30 through August 5 at Frostburg State University
in Frostburg, MD. More information and registration forms are in the Spring 2012 issue of BYM
Intervention newsletter or at the BYM website. Please remember that in order for the certificate
to be honored, it must accompany a registration form that is postmarked on or before June 25.
The certificates are being distributed on a “first come, first serve” basis. If you are interested in
obtaining one, please contact Jim Steen or the FMW Office at (202) 483-3310.
BYM Unity With Nature Committee Workshops
To what sort of life changes does the Quaker testimony of simplicity point us to in these
times? The BYM Unity with Nature Committee invites all within the yearly meeting to explore
the physical and spiritual implications and responsibilities of SUSTAINABILITY. God's
creation faces threats/disturbances from climate change, environmental degradation, species
extermination, and resource depletion. To help with this exploration, there will be a series of
three workshops at the Annual Sessions culminating on Saturday, August 4, 2012, with a
workshop entitled Are We Called to Live Sustainably?, led by Eli Fishpaw. The first workshop
on Thursday, August 2, entitled When Goliath Comes to Town, will look at the hydraulic
fracking disaster at Dunkard Creek, through the eyes of Quaker botanical artist Ann Payne. The
second workshop on Friday, August 3, is entitled Reducing Our Carbon Footstep, with John
Hudson leading. More information about the Annual Sessions is at the website www.bymrsf. org.
From the Vault
A monthly series of edited extracts from the historical material of the Friends Meeting of
Washington.
Application for use of Meeting House
Sept. 7, 1941
Name: David Darrin
Type of Organization: Spiritual Family of God on Earth
Purpose: Establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth
Method of Achieving Purpose: prayer, education, democratic cooperation and participation
Officers & Sponsors: Almighty God, Jesus Christ, The Saints, Abraham Lincoln, William Penn;
no carnate officials
Date the use is desired: soon
Speakers: brief address by myself, questions, criticisms, suggestions all all who will
9-18-41
Dear Mr. Davvin:
The Committee on Ministry and Oversight has met and given consideration to your request to
use our building for a meeting. Your organization appeared to the Committee to be too nebulous
for consideration of use of the Meeting House. Your efforts seem to us to represent the
endeavor of one person to create an organization, and it did not appeal to the Committee as a
proper field for our cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
Furman Lloyd Mulford
Chairman, pro tem
Our files from this period have many applications for building use (there was a standard form
used then), most of them by well-known and -established organizations. This one, and the
response, are anomalous.
++++++++++
I have been listening to and summarizing the many taped reminiscences of our Meeting recorded
in 1981 by long-time members mentioned in an earlier posting. Altho these give us surprisingly
few specific facts not also captured in our paper files, many of the speakers do recall the feel of
the Meeting in earlier times that is not otherwise recorded. Two points are consistently made of
the Meeting in the 1930-50 period: the Meeting for Worship has always wrestled with much
speaking, ranging from Friends who planned to speak every week to messages of dubious
inspiration; and a number of speakers specifically stated that the Meeting was not welcoming to
them when they first came (and remember that these are only the ones who stayed and became
weighty members).
Hayden Wetzel
Meeting Historian
Thinking About Race
Living Our Testimony on Equality: A White Friend’s Experience is a recent Pendle Hill
pamphlet (December 2011). The author is one of BYM’s own – Pat Schenck of Annapolis
Friends Meeting. The following passages provide a glimpse. This is from p. 5:
“… white Friends will ask, ‘What does this have to do with me? I’m not prejudiced!’ But racism
has a number of aspects: the prejudice that may exist in individual people’s thoughts and actions
is one aspect; institutional racism, such as who gets the best schools, health care, and jobs, in
another; and cultural racism, the fact, for example, that history is generally written and taught
from a European American perspective, is a third. As individuals, we have little control over
institutional and cultural racism, but we benefit by it. Life is just easier if you are white, all other
things being the same, and that is not fair. But a white person may not be aware of his or her
advantage.”
And from p. 29: “Remember, being anti-racist does not mean being totally free of prejudice; it
means committing to recognizing prejudice in ourselves and racism in society and then doing
something about it.”
The Baltimore Yearly Meeting Working Group on Racism meets most months on the third Saturday
from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, at Bethesda Friends Meeting or Friends Meeting of Washington. If you would
like to attend, on a regular or a drop-in basis, contact clerk David Etheridge.