Bucks Quarterly Friends Meeting For
Worship
For The Purpose Of Business
21 Eight Month 2005
Held at
Clerk: David Smith
Recording Clerk: David Rose
Meeting began at 1:10 PM with a period of silent worship.
Roll call of Meetings
Minutes of Fifth Month Meeting
Minutes read by Clerk. In response to mention of BQM’s lack of representation on PYM Nominating Committee, a Friend involved with the process repeated the excuses he has heard for this lack of response. Minutes approved as read.
Coordinator’s Report
Holly Olson read the report which is attached.
She reported that Quakerphernalia will be out a week late
due to Grange Fair and effort involved.
She provided some early notice of future events to those present. An early report on the Middletown Grange Fair
was requested. Holly’s preliminary
impressions are that it was very successful.
There was good attendance and distribution of ten “Faith and
Practice”. The BQM Singing Group was
well received and sang “for” Governor Randell.
There was a good response from Friends to volunteer staffing the
tent. A Friend reported his experience
in staffing the tent that parents of students attending
Report presented by Jerry Belew and is attached. He mentioned in report the amount that the Meeting charges for the use of facilities for Memorial Services caused a Friend to express appreciation for providing such information so that other meetings can compare their rates for these types of services.
Treasurer’s Report
Judy Kashoff gave the report. She highlighted that the real rate of return from Friends Fiduciary is 13.69 %.. The report given was not yet audited and may, though not likely, be changed. A Friend requested information regarding additional contributions from Monthly Meetings in excess of amount pledged and to where that money would go. The 2005/6 Budget presented and approved in the fifth month was balanced at the direction of the Quarter. Since the Meetings did not pledge the 10% requested by PYM, only the amount pledged will be forwarded. We pledged about a 2% increase in last 11th month. The pledges that have come in has raised that to 4%. Budget and Nominating will be providing a budget time table to Monthly Meeting for the 2006/7 Budget year. This report will be mailed out shortly and will be received by Monthly Meetings within the month. Friends were asked to remember that health care costs have gone up and rate of returns on investments have gone down and that additional pledges will be needed to provide the same level of services. A Friend commented that the Religious Society of Friends has been around long enough for Friends to learn by now how to plan ahead.
BQM Budget and Nominating Committee Report
No report at present. A Friend noted that the donation to designated funds, mentioned in the Treasurer’s report, is discouraged, and that Friends should rather give unrestricted gifts.
Solebury Meeting Annual Report
Report presented by Lynne Feldman and is attached. A Friend noted that the tree at Solebury blocking the Indian monument still stands.
Wrightstown Meeting Annual Report
Annual report presented and is attached.
Peace and Social Concerns Committee Report
Marcia Angermann presented the following Minute from the BQ Peace and Concerns Committee to BQM
We ask that a significant discussion be held to reaffirm and recommit ourselves to the Peace Testimony. Members should not be discouraged from criticizing the actions of our government because of the political affiliations of other members. Each Friend should be able to follow their conscience in expressing their leading, without shame.
A Friend proposed an alternative minute. As this suggestion had not been reviewed by
the committee, it was not discussed. There were questions asked regarding the
reason for the need for such a minute to which the response was given that it
was in response to comments contained in the report of the BQM Coordinator at
February Quarterly Meeting. It was noted
that this report was reviewed by the Committee of Oversight for the Coordinator
prior to the report being presented. A
Friend stated that the Peace Testimony is a guiding principle of Friends and
does not need to be reaffirmed. Another
could only concur with the first sentence.
After discussion, it was suggested by Friends from Quakertown MM that
the next Quarterly Meeting, to be held at Quakertown, use this minute as a
discussion topic for the morning program.
This suggestion was accepted, with the understanding that it would still
need to be approved by the host Meeting.
Two Friends spoke of their experiences as
Report presented by Maggie Farley and is attached.
Buckingham Meeting request for BQM to co-sponsor a talk by Chuck Fager
Beth Ann Morgan presented the request for co-sponsorship from Buckingham MM. After discussion the following Minute was approved:
Bucks Quarterly Meeting agrees to co-sponsor, with Buckingham MM, Chuck Fager’s presentation at Buckingham MM on creating a long term strategy to achieve peace, based on his publication, “Hundred-Year Lamb’s War”.
Report presented by Karen Wright, Clerk of the
BQM Clerk’s Annual Report to PYM – Report presented by David Smith. Report was approved and is attached.
Chandler Hall Annual Report
Report presented by Lynette Killen, CEO and is
attached. A 2004 Program Evaluation
booklet was also provided. She highlighted that Chandler Hall is the second
largest provider of Home Nursing services in
Other Business and Announcements
Judy asked for artists and crafters for the Peace Fair, also donations of baked goods. Meetings are asked to include notice in their programs.
Next Quarterly meeting to be held Eleventh Month, Third
Sunday, otherwise known as November 20th, at Quakertown MM,
Close of Worship
Meeting closed with a period of silent worship at 3:30 PM.