PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING
BUCKS QUARTER
MEETING FOR BUSINESS
20 EIGHT MONTH 2006
HELD AT WRIGHTSTOWN MONTHLY MEETING
Clerk: David Smith (Solebury MM)
Recording Clerk: David Rose (Lehigh Valley MM)
Meeting started at 1:05 PM with a period of worship
Roll Call of Meetings: Bristol: 1, Buckingham: 1, Doylestown: 0, Fallsington: 0, Lehigh Valley: 2, Makefield: 1, Middletown: 2, Newton: 1, Plumstead: 0, Quakertown: 1, Solebury: 3, Southampton: 4, Wrightstown: 5, Yardly: 0
Minutes of Fifth Month Quarterly Meeting approved as read.
Coordinator’s Report: Report read by Holly Olson and is attached.
Report described her activities since the last Quarterly Meeting, with details provided on publicizing the Multigenerational Shareshop Event, Direct Mail Project, and arranging Grange Fair Volunteers. She also shared her experience of Residential Yearly Meeting and the work involved, and the satisfaction experienced, in being involved with a group that created a minute regarding the conflict in Lebanon.
There were some observations from members present who had been to the Grange Fair about the positive reactions noted to the Quaker Outreach at Grange Fair, especially the “God Box”, a box that provides the answer to the question of “ where is God?” by showing a reflection the person.
A question was asked about the “Shareshop event”. Holly explained that the program is not just about providing Religious Education, but about the broader issue of getting children involved in the life of the meeting.
Middletown MM Annual Report: Presented by Jerry Belew. Full report of two pages provided for records and is attached.
Rather then read the whole report, Jerry Belew highlighted a First Day discussions about the Peace Testimony and Conscientious Objection . Some young Friends involved with the discussion were not ready to make the decision to be CO’s and the Meeting was asked to provide a minute of support to these Young Friends. This led to some interesting discussion among adult Friends regarding the Peace Testimony. A final letter was created and mailed out to all young Friends offering the services of a Clearness Committee for Young Friends unsure about their convictions. This resulted in one response for a Clearness Committee.
Treasurer’s Report.
Not available at present. It is expected that a full report will be provided in November.
Solebury MM Annual Report: Presented by Lynne Feldman and is attached.
Rather then read the full report, Lynne Feldman highlighted the plans for the upcoming Bicentennial celebration on Oct 7 and 8th. Solebury is also looking for a paid child care giver.
Solebury MM Minute on obtaining a Quaker Marriage License. Minute is attached
Minute read by Lynne Feldman who also provided background of why this minute was passed by Solebry MM and forwarded to Quarterly Meeting. It appears that persons can apply for a Quaker Marriage license by saying that they are being married under the care of a Meeting without the Meeting in questions ever being contacted. Holly reported that the Prothonarty Office has visited the Quaker Tent at the Grange Fair and has been following up on this issue. Bill Dockorn reported from his experience that persons who want to marry each other have been encouraged to apply for this type of license. John Wood, a lawyer, said that the intent of the original legislation may have been for any two people to marry each other and that we may be doing a disservice to limit this to Quakers. He will research the wording of this legislation and report back in November.
Committee of Oversight for the Coordinator Annual Report: Report presented by David Rose and is attached. The report mentioned the work the committee has done in creating a “Mission Statement” The comment was made that Mission Statements are unnecessary, that Minutes of meetings should be the mission. “What we are about is what we do”. Another Friend opinioned that mission statements provide a focus and that these statements can be revised. Recommendations of Quarterly Meeting Project Working Group is for each Quarter to create a mission statement. The process of creating as statements is believed to be helpful. A Friend suggested that rather then calling it a “Mission Statement” that the term “Statement of Purpose” be used. Suggestion made and supported to include proposed Statement of Purpose in Quakerphernalia. The Clerk of the Oversight Committee was directed to provide the statement to MM Clerks within the Quarter and that comments regarding it are encouraged.
Wrightstown MM Annual Report: Laid over till November
Peace and Concerns Committee: Report not available at this time.
There was some concern expressed about rumors of the Peace Center’s possible demise. Bristol MM and Middletown MM reported that they have provided emergency donations.
Minute from Residential Meeting on Conflict in Lebanon:
Holly Olson read the minute that she was involved with the creation of regarding the conflict in Lebanon.
Question was raised regarding who will send the minute to the persons indicated. Holly relayed that this was up to the Monthly Meetings. The specific focus of the Minute recommendations, it was observed, may make it irrelevant with the changing situation in Lebanon. Malcolm Crooks (Solebury Meeting) suggested that we accept the Minute from RYM with appreciation, and that the Quarter's Peace and Concerns Committee write a more broad based Minute that would speak to the larger Middle East crisis. This Minute would hopefully be available in November. Mention was made that Friends were unsure as to whether the Quarter's Peace and Concerns Committee remained a functioning committee. Alternate clerk, Bethann Morgan agreed to speak with the current clerk of the committee to determine the committee’s health. If the committee remains to be active, Bethann would request that they consider the Minute requested by Quarterly Meeting and present a draft in November. A number of Friends indicated their willingness to assist in the rewording should the Peace and Concerns committee be unable to complete this task.
Minute on Same-Gender Marriage from Residential Yearly Meeting: Minute is attached.
There was a variety of responses to this minute, among which are that Faith and Practice defines “marriage” as involving a man and a woman and another that the term “marriage” is valued for relationships not involving a man and a woman.
Quaker School at Horsham/ United Friend School Annual Report: Moved to Eleventh Month. A revision of the schedule of Annual Reports was suggested so that the school reports are not on the agenda during the summer. There was general agreement that the setting of the agenda, including the scheduling of Annual Reports, could be at the discretion of the Clerk.
Annual Monthly Report Bristol Monthly Meeting. Presented by Paul Shaffer, Clerk of Bristol MM.
Bristol MM only meets on Third Sunday of the Month. Although its membership is small, Paul reported that over ten persons attended the last Meeting for Business. The report included the number of ways that Bristol MM is involved in promoting the Meeting through a number of activities in the Bristol area.
Bucks Quarter Clerk’ Annual Report: Report read by David Smith and is attached. Report accepted with the proviso “that of God in every Man” be changed to “that of God in every Person”
Other Announcement:
Meeting closed with a period of silent worship at 3:00 PM