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April 2003 QuakerShaker
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Editor, QuakerShaker
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Jun 15, 2003 11:03 PDT
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Posted June 2003
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QUAKERSHAKER, April, 2003
Newsletter of the Yellow Springs Religious Society of Friends
Quaker Constancy
by Jon Pahl [a professor at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia] Originally published in Sightings, from the Martin Marty
Center at the University of Chicago Divinity School
For the past month or so, partly out of fear about a coming war, partly
because I've wanted to find some silence, and partly because my
sabbatical research project is a book on violence and religion in
America, I've been attending Sunday meetings of the Society of Friends
around Philadelphia. What I've heard is a Quaker constancy that poses a
quiet challenge, like a deep underground stream, to
national policies that tilt toward war.
Constancy describes the Quaker meetings well. The "church growth"
movement hasn't arrived here, and never will. Mostly we sit in silence.
There's no clergy, no music, no sermon, no prayers, no liturgy, no
creeds, no sacraments.
Over the long haul, a cradle-cultivated Lutheran like me would miss
those things. But in these times, breathing as the primary act of
worship seems to make a lot of sense. The prevalence of silence gives
each sound -- the rustle of winter clothing, a throat clearing, a bird
singing outside, significance. The hour goes by very quickly.
Words take on inestimable worth. A few Sundays ago, at the Swarthmore
meeting, the silence was broken when a venerable Friend stood to utter a
concern, in a voice barely audible. Will participating in meetings
someday expire? In his own life, he testified, attending meeting has
been a true solace for the inevitable loneliness of living. A long
silence followed, until a woman stood to speak hope
into the stillness. She narrated how she recently participated in a
regional gathering of Quakers led by a group of energetic young people.
They were deeply grounded in the tradition, she affirmed, and they drew
upon the tradition to speak clearly against any up-coming war. Her
words were simple, but consoling.
After yet a longer silence, another speaker shared that she's aware of
her own complicity with the looming violence, by the privilege that
comes from living in the U.S., and by her lifestyle that depends on
cheap oil. It's hard to argue with her, and nobody did. But another
older woman stood to speak, and shared that although she had spent her
life teaching peace, she was still frightened by the prospect of the
coming war. Nevertheless, "we can take a positive approach" she
suggested. Such an approach would not primarily react to the current
crisis, although public protest may be warranted, but rather continue
working patiently to build trust with the long goal of peace in view.
Her words seemed very wise to me.
Such local wisdom is matched, of course, by the Quakers' national and
international organization. The American Friends Service Committee
recently worked with a coalition of peace groups to deliver a petition
to Congress with over 50,000 signatures. This "Campaign of
Conscience," along with manifold other sources of information about Iraq
and peace-building, can be found at
http://www.afsc.org/iraq/guide/Default.shtm.
Whatever happens in the coming weeks, history suggests that the Quaker
commitment to peace will not waver. That constancy is a deep stream of
living water, a testimony to the public in a time of shallow threats and
posturing power, based on irrational and arrogant assumptions of
national innocence, both Iraqi and American.
1. Calendar
2. Query for April
3. Register with the Memorial Committee
4. Memorial Service for Lila Templin
5. Upcoming Executions in Ohio
6. Brown Bag Discussions about YS Friends' Peace Activities
7. Dances of Universal Peace
8. Earl Whitted’s Article in the Friends Journal about the Friends
Music Camp
9. Pendle Hill Conference on Racial and Economic Justice, May 2 - 4
10. Jane Morgan’s thoughts on Scientific Inquiry, Democracy and
Values, 50 years ago
11. Proposed Minute on Same Sex Marriage
12. Minutes of the March Monthly Meeting for Business
Quakershaker deadline for May is April 21. Give information to Bill
Houston (email: htul-@antioch-college.edu) or Irwin Abrams, or email
to Quake-@aol.com
1. Calendar
Always:
Sundays: 8:30 a.m., Meeting for Worship, at Rockford
10:00 a.m. First Day School (Sept-May), at Rockford
11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, at Rockford
Wednesdays: 7:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, at Rockford
Saturdays: noon - 1 pm Peace Vigil, SW corner of Limestone St. and
Xenia Ave.
Saturday, April 5, 2 pm: Memorial Service for Lila Templin, at
Rockford (see item 4)
Sunday, April 6, noon: Potluck lunch before Monthly Meeting for
Business, at Rockford
Sunday, April 13, after Meeting for Worship: Brown bag lunch and
introductory discussion and practice of Dances of Universal Peace (see
item 6)
Sunday, April 27, 3 - 5 pm: Dances of Universal Peace, at Rockford
(see item 7)
Tuesday, April 29: Execution of David Brewer at Lucasville State
Prison in southeast Ohio (see item 5)
**** **** ****
2. Query for Fourth Month: Do you keep to simplicity and moderation in
your speech, your manner of living, and your pursuit of business? Are
you careful to keep your business and your outward activities from
absorbing time and energy that should be given to spiritual growth and
to the service of your religious society? Are you just in your dealings
and careful to fulfill your promises? Do
you take care of such members as need aid, and assist them, when
possible, to become self-supporting?
**** **** ****
3. Registration of Intent to Die: This is the yearly reminder from the
Memorial Committee to members and attenders of the Meeting to complete a
Registration of Intent if they wish to have the services of the
Committee at death. Green brochures, explaining what the Committee
offers are in the rack at Rockford. If you have not done so, we urge
you to take one and think about whether you want to have your death
handled in this way. Pre-registration is
necessary because of the paperwork involved immediately following death.
Most older people in the Meeting have made decisions about this. Many
younger individuals and families have given no indication that they have
given the matter any consideration. People who are new to the Meeting
may not be aware of this service. We urge all who have not done so to
think about their decision in this matter. Any Committee member can
discuss it with you. Heidi Eastman (767-7592) is clerk of the
Committee.
4. Memorial Service for Lila Templin: This will be held at Rockford
Saturday April 5 at 2 PM. Members of her family from Bluffton, Toledo
and Iowa will be present. Lila -- oldest and very much valued member of
our Meeting at age 104 -- died Dec. 5 in the Mennonite Memorial Home in
Bluffton. An obituary was printed
in the January Quaker Shaker.
**** **** ****
5. Good and Bad News about Executions in Ohio: This is a note from Carl
Hyde, who plans to drive to Lucasville to vigil at the executions. For a
ride, or for more information, call Carl at 767-3571.
Ernest Martin's execution, which had been scheduled for March 26 has
been stayed until June 18, in order evaluate his claim of mental
retardation.
The bad news: Two other executions have been scheduled, and they look
like serious dates:
David Brewer, April 29
Jerome Campbell, May 14
Let us continue to pray for a moratorium. -- Carl
**** **** ****
6. Discussions about YS Friends' Peace Activities: The Peace and
SocialConcerns Committee is sponsoring a series on YS Friends' Peace
Activities. To kick off the series in April Denise Runyon and Tom
Malcolm will share their experiences of the Dances of Universal Peace.
All are encouraged to gather on Sunday, April 13th for a brown bag
following meeting for worship. There will be an opportunity to hear
about and experience the significance of these dances.
(See also next item.)
Irwin Abrams will speak in May about his experience with the Carters in
Oslo.
**** **** ****
7. Dances of Universal Peace: These dances, led by Tom Malcolm and
Denise Runyon , are held 3 to 5 pm, one Sunday each month (sometimes the
last Sunday, sometimes toward the middle of the month). The next three
will be April 27, May 18, June 29. For more information call Tom at
767-2293 or Denise at 767-8422
**** **** ****
8. Earl Whitted’s Article in the Friends Journal about the Friends Music
Camp:
Among folks at the FMC this past summer were Peg Champney, Earl Whitted,
Martha Hyde and six Palestinian campers. Most of us know (or know of)
Earl best as Martha Hyde’s husband or as Lorena’s and Carl’s son-in-law.
On page 18 of the April Friends Journal, Earl has an article about the
six Palestinians and the huge job of getting visas and other clearance
for them to come to the USA for the summer. The article gives us all
some feel for what it’s like to be a child on
the West Bank these days, and incidentally gives a good picture of what
life at the Music Camp is like.
When they’re not at FMC, Earl and Martha live in Brooklyn, NY. As
Friends will remember from the February business meeting, Martha is
transferring her membership to Brooklyn Meeting. Ed is in the process of
becoming a Friend, and will probably also be a member of Brooklyn
Meeting soon
**** **** ****
9. Pendle Hill Conference on Racial and Economic Justice, May 2 - 4:
Cornel West, described as one of America's most vital and eloquent
public intellectuals, will deliver the keynote address on "Racial
Justice as Economic Justice", the theme of a weekend conference at the
Arch Street Meeting House in the center of Philadelphia's historic
district May 2 to 4, 2003. Sponsored by Pendle Hill, a
Quaker study center in Wallingford, Pa., the conference focuses on what
Martin Luther King called the "inseparable twins" -- racial and economic
injustice -- and caps an eight-month lecture series, Racial Justice:
Speak Truth to Power.
West will be joined at the conference by critically acclaimed thinkers
and activists including Manning Marable, Ada MarÖa Isasi-DÖaz, and
Jerry Leaphart.Having recently left Harvard, Cornel West is professor of
religion at Princeton University, where he also serves in the
African-American Studies Program. Widely heard as a commentator on
matters affecting the African-American community and
issues of race in the United States, West is the author of more than 13
books, including "Race Matters," and most recently, "The Cornel West
Reader."
**** **** ****
10. Quaker Discussions on Scientific Inquiry, Democracy and Values, 50
years ago: This is the second installment in our group of reprints --
for more details about the series (and for the first installment, by
Arthur Morgan) see item 5 of last month’s QuakerShaker (surely you save
your old QS’s!). The one this month is
by Arthur’s daughter-in-law, Jane Morgan, of the Antioch class of 1944:
At the time of the Puritan Revolution, in the 17th century, the Society
of Friends began to form under the leadership of George Fox. Puritan
ministers claimed that the Bible and the historic Jesus were the source
of spiiritual revelation and that, until the judgment and the second
advent of Christ, the Almighty would not be heard from again. In
contrast, Fox taught that every person can at any time and in any place
have direct access to the spiritual forces of the universe through the
indwelling Christ spirit.
Early Friends took seriously this belief in the sonship of all, which
effected changes in their way of life, physical, mental and spiritual.
To believe that “there is that of God in all men” is the very basis of
pacifism. The early Friends dwelt in “the virtue of that life and power
that took away the occasion of all wars”. Some of the practical results
of this conviction were the honest and friendly treatment of Indians in
Pennsylvania and the voluntary giving up of
slavery by Friends prior to the Civil War and their active leadership in
the abolition movement.
If this were true that each had access to the same source of light and
strength that Jesus had, men and women were equal. So, unlike the
pattern of their day, they gave women equal voice in meetings for
worship and meetings for business. It logically followed that God’s
Spirit could speak through anyone, not just through ordained ministers;
consequently Friends had no ministers (though many meetings now do) and
expected each to actively seek spiritual guidance and to share their
leadings with all. Like meeting for worship, business is conducted
without the usual outward forms. The sense of the meeting is taken;
parliamentary procedures are not needed where all live consciously in
brotherly love. If a person
seriously objects to a procedure, Friends postpone the decision for
further consideration, each prayerfully trying for a synthesis greater
than any individual’s thought.
Because Friends believed in that which is in all yet above all, they
believed in direct contact with this power or energy and that there is
no need for another to intervene between an individual and the source of
his life. This belief resulted in the silent meeting for worship which
is more than a mere outward silence and
intellectualizing. It involves the silencing of one’s turbulent thoughts
that Spirit may speak to and through one; at its best there is a unity
of minds and hearts and a feeling of definite spiritual growth. To use
silent meeting to advantage and to grow into spiritual manhood we need
daily spiritual sustenance as much as our bodies need daily bread.
Sharing the varied experiences of life together and study of
inspirational literature during the week helps one make
better use of this time set apart for group spiritual life.
The purpose of a religious organization is to foster spiritual growth
and understanding -- not in a vacuum --but that the Kingdom of God may
more nearly be manifest on earth. The fundamental faith of Friends leads
to a way of life, to the essential union of faith and works.
**** **** ****
11. Proposed Minute on Same Sex Marriage: The ad hoc committee on
sexuality recommends that Friends consider and act on the following
proposed minute at our business meeting on April 6:
During the past ten months, Yellow Springs Friends Meeting members and
attenders have met eight times to consider the question of whether the
meeting should take under its care the marriage of same sex couples.
The gatherings have ranged over a variety of issues related to sexuality
and relationships, and have been
characterized by respect, caring and tolerance among those with
differing opinions.
We believe that a sense of the meeting has emerged, and propose the
following minute, which has evolved from the minute proposed in July
2002 by Betty and Paul Wagner and concerns raised in the discussions.
We ask Friends to prayerfully consider the minute this month, and to
address it at the April business meeting.
The Yellow Springs Friends Meetings values the lifelong, monogamous
commitment of marriage. We believe a committed marriage forms the
foundation of the family, of child-rearing and of community.
Many of us feel troubled by the high percentage of divorce in today's
society, especially regarding the effects of divorce on children.
Our meeting also values equality, and acknowledges "that of God" in each
individual.
We believe that homosexual individuals are valued equally to
heterosexual individuals in the eyes of God.
The meeting wishes to take under its care marriages of individuals,
whether homosexual or heterosexual, who wish to make a lifelong,
monogamous commitment to each other, as long as one in the couple is
already a member of the meeting.
We acknowledge the value of the Quaker tradition of asking those who
wish to be married under the care of the Meeting to meet with a
clearness committee. We encourage clearness committee members to be
forthright and rigorous in the charge of determining if the relationship
seems to hold the characteristics of a successful marriage. Sexual
orientation will not be considered a factor.
We acknowledge that a few valued members of our meeting do not agree
with this minute, and we honor their thoughtful and deeply felt beliefs.
We are grateful that they have had the courage to express their
opinions, and recognize that the richness of our spiritual community
rests in our ability to respect our differing beliefs.
**** **** ****
12. Minutes of Monthly Meeting for Business, March 2, 2003: Yellow
Springs Friends met for business at the meetinghouse March 2, 2003.
Present were Diane Chiddister, Bruce Heckman, David Hyde, Bill Houston,
Hazel Tulecke, Denise Runyon, Tom Malcolm, Irwin Abrams, Joan Brucker,
Cindy Butler-Jones, Ken Champney, Peg Champney, Paul Wagner, Betty
Wagner, Jean Putnam, Harold Putnam, Louanne Ebert, John Eastman, Mattie
Fitch, Edward Hyde, Carl Hyde, Lorena Hyde,
Carol Simmons, Deb Kociszewski
The meeting opened in silent worship, which included prayerful
consideration of the third query on personal relationships within the
meeting.
1. Minutes. The recording clerk read the minutes from the February 2,
2003 Meeting for Business. Jean Putnam was added to the list of Friends
present at the February Meeting for Business, and minute number 6 on the
letter from Roger Dreisbach-Williams was clarified.
2. Clearness Committee Considering the Membership Request of Cindy
Butler-Jones. Carl Hyde reported that the clearness committee met with
Cindy on February 23, 2003, and recommends the acceptance of her as a
member in the Yellow Springs Friends Meeting. Friends accepted the
report of the clearness committee and will consider approval of Cindy's
membership at the April meeting for business.
3. Peace and Social Concerns. Louanne Ebert reported for Peace and
Social Concerns that the committee has been discussing its role in the
Yellow Springs Friends Meeting and requests guidance from the Business
Meeting about the most appropriate direction for the committee. The
committee is being facilitated by Hazel Tulecke and Jean Putnam.
Friends affirmed the central role of Peace and
Social Concerns in Friends Meetings and acknowledged that Friends
meetings in other places are struggling with these issues of direction
and need of separate committees within the meeting structures. Friends
are encouraged to attend the next Peace and Social Concerns meeting on
Saturday, March 8 at 2:30 at the
meetinghouse.
4. Contributions Pool. Peg Champney reported that the Contributions
Pool becomes active at this time of the year. Peg and Jean Putnam will
send a letter announcing the 2003 pool and its annual planning meeting
for Sunday, March 30 after Meeting for Worship.
5. Spiritual Enrichment Fund. Peg Champney reported that the Spiritual
Enrichment Fund was established to help Friends attend workshops and
events that foster spiritual growth. Membership and Pastoral Care
administers the fund with the help of Peg.
Peg distributed a detail of the fund activity since 1997 and advised
that additional funding will be requested in the next budget process.
Friends are encouraged to remember the fund and seek appropriate use of
it. Peg advised that Martha Hyde and Earl Whited would like to serve on
the faculty of Friends Music Camp in 2003. Martha and Earl are unable
to serve on the faculty at the wage offered by Friends Music Camp.
Membership and Pastoral Care recommends that the Spiritual Enrichment
Fund offer $ 1000 to help bridge the gap. Friends expressed support for
Martha and Earl, and concern about the most appropriate source of
funding. Friends agreed to support @ $1000 from the Spiritual Enrichment
Fund and request that the treasurers consider another means of funding
potential future requests. Friends expressed pride in the work of
Friends Music Camp and encourage that special needs of the camp be
brought to the business meeting for consideration and support.
6. Bill Preis Trust Request. Irwin Abrams reported that Bill Preis has
requested that the Yellow Springs Friends Meeting serve as trustee for a
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust with the Yellow Springs Friends
Meeting as the eventual beneficiary. Irwin has consulted Bill's
attorney, Mr. Collier. Irwin and Ken Champney recommend that the Yellow
Springs Friends Meeting accept the
appointment as trustee with the following considerations:
The trust would be a separate fund and not mingled in any way with other
meeting funds. An administrator be appointed specially for the purpose
of overseeing the trust. The administrator would make an annual report
about the status of the trust.
Friends expressed comfort in moving forward in the capacity and approve
serving as trustee for the Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust. Friends
approve authorizing the treasurer to sign finalized documents on behalf
of the Meeting.
7. Nominating Committee. Deb Kociszewski reported that Pam Davis and
Carl Champney have accepted appointments to the Friends Care Center
Board until March, 2006. Friends approved. Roselin Runnels has resigned
from the Friends Care Center Board. The Nominating Committee will seek
someone to serve a two year term.
8. Ad Hoc Committee on Sexuality. Denise Runyon distributed a revised
proposed minute on same sex marriage from the Ad Hoc Committee on
Sexuality for discussion at the April 2003 Meeting for Business.
Friends are requested to direct questions or concerns regarding wording
and semantics directly to the Ad Hoc
committee (Denise Runyon, Diane Chiddister, and Dick Eastman) prior to
the April meeting. The text of the proposed minute will be published in
the April Quaker Shaker.
9. Ministry and Advancement. Bruce Heckman reported that Ministry and
Advancement recommends the use of an AT&T system that would divert
callers to the meeting phone number to various members of the meeting
for specific questions. The Committee also recommends a Meeting Retreat
to be scheduled for fall 2003 and advises that 8 hearing devices will be
purchased soon.
The next meeting for business will be held on April 6, 2003 at 12:45 PM
at the meetinghouse.
The meeting closed in silent worship.
Submitted,
Deb Kociszewski, Recording Clerk
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