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March 2004 QuakerShaker
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QuakerShaker on-line distribution
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Mar 29, 2004 10:00 PST
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This is the March 2004 QuakerShaker, Newsletter of the Yellow Springs
meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. To unsubscribe from e-mail
edition, e-mail DABlan-@aol.com. To subscribe to paper e-mail
edition, contact Harold Putnam at HPu-@aol.com. For information or
feedback about the newsletter, contact the editor, Ann Cooper, at
adco-@aol.com.
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In this issue:
1. March Calendar
2. Planning ahead
3. Getting to know Luanne Ebert
4. Internet Mail
5. Committee Membership
6. Listening Spirituality
7. Simplicity Circle
8. Introductory Quakerism Series—Bruce Heckman
9. Dances of Universal Peace
10. The House Above the Trees
11. E-Quakers
12. A Friendly Limerick
13. From the OVYM February Calendar
14. Apartment for Rent-Jane Morgan
15. Barry Hollister Obituary
16. Chatterjee Lecture at Antioch
17. Right Sharing of World Resources
18. Good News!
19. News of Friends
20. February Meeting for Business Minutes
21. Minute on Electronic Voting
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1. March Calendar
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Always: Sundays 8:30 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Rockford
8:30 a.m. Early Meeting for Worship, Rockford
10:00 a.m. First Day School (Sept-May), Rockford
11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Rockford (Child care is available)
Wednesdays 7:00 a.m.Meeting for Worship, Rockford
Saturdays 12-1:00 p.m. Peace Vigil, corner of Limestone & Xenia Ave.
**********
March Calendar
Mondays 7:00-8:15 PM Introduction to Quaker Faith & Practice, Rockford
Saturdays 12-1:00 p.m. Peace Vigil, corner of Limestone & Xenia Ave.
Sunday, March 7 Monthly Meeting for Business, following a noon
potluck, Rockford
Tuesday, March 9 Membership & Pastoral Care Committee Meeting, 7:00
PM Jane Morgan's home
Thurs., March 18 Simplicity Circle, 7:00-8:00 PM, Thorpe home,
Friday, March 19 Ministry & Advancement Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM
Cindy Butler-Jones' home, Tipp City
Sunday, March 21 Dances of Universal Peace, 3:00-5:00 PM, Rockford
Deadline for March Quakershaker submissions -
Contact editor, Ann Cooper, at 937-767-7973, or email Adco-@aol.com.
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2. Planning ahead
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Work Bee! Friends are invited to a Work Bee on May 22 (tentative
date), for a good Spring Cleaning of Rockford. All are welcome and
encouraged to participate.
**********
Meeting Retreat! The Ministry & Advancement Committee invites
interested Friends to participate in planning the 2004 Fall Retreat.
Special opportunities are available for those wishing to help coordinate
teen programs, religious education activities, and childcare, as well as
general planning for the retreat. Contact Bruce Heckman, 767-7973.
**********
Don't see your committee meeting listed here? Contact the Quakershaker
editor with information about times, places and activities to be
included in future newsletters.
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3. Getting to know Luanne Ebert
**********
It's been suggested that we use the newsletter to get to know more about
each other as individuals, as well to provide details about Quaker
activities and programs. Thanks to Friend, Luanne Ebert, for submitting
this essay about her own spiritual seeking and the paths she has
followed. I invite other Friends and attenders to introduce themselves
through the Quakershaker, too. -Ann Cooper
It's impossible to know the exact moment we consciously become aware of
our spiritual journey. I see a significant turning point in mine. In the
late 1970s I was working in corporate America. I'd recently stepped out
of a ten-year career in education. My inner-city students were
excelling, and hungry for the adventures words unlocked. Fellow teachers
chastised me, "You can't do what you're doing! We won't have a reading
group to put them in next year." I left broken-hearted, unable to
compromise my values: that it is possible to make a difference in young
innocent lives. And there I was … retrained in business, in love with
computers, following my new dream, and just as frustrated, this time
with corporate politics.
In exasperation, I turned to a colleague and vowed, "I'm going to write
a book. I'm titling it: Life's Simple - It's Just Us Human Beings that
Keep Mucking it Up All the Time!" I didn't know then-that declaration
was the beginning of my purposeful inward journey.
I crisscrossed the country several times. Each new project was bigger
than the last-more responsibilities, higher visibility, more
decision-making authority. But underneath, a silent sea of discontent
was growing. I was quietly translating the "mucking it up" part to
there's "something more to life."
Three positions later-and just as many corporations-I found myself back
in the Midwest. I worried at first. The heartland is conservative. I
didn't want to jeopardize the continued exploration of my inner
landscape. Family was here, so I appeased myself: "I'll just continue my
spiritual sojourn on my own if I have to."
Indigenous cultures intrigued me. Eventually I started mulling over how
two-thirds of the world could rely on healers as their primary source of
care giving. Then, I stumbled across Phineas P. Quimby, the nineteenth
century Silent Healer in America. People first scoffed at his abilities.
Later, when afflicted with "incurable" diseases, they sought him out. My
interest was piqued. "What skills do these special people need to reach
that innermost ability?" I didn't know then … what I thought was simply
following my insatiable curiosity was actually preparing me for my
future.
In 1995, the focus of my life shifted dramatically. On the work front
the company was downsizing, rightsizing and generally reengineering
itself. On the home front I faced the threat of losing my Faithful
Bonding Dog. (You know, the kind that crawls into your heart and never
leaves?) I knelt beside him that fateful morning. The dichotomy was
stark. No degrees, titles, accomplishments or recognition were powerful
enough to talk him back to health. None of the alternative healing
techniques or methods I'd studied by then brought relief from his pain
and suffering. I slumped into my ignorance. An inner knowing said,
"There's more for you to do." Logic argued, "Then why don't you know
what it is?" A short while later, I left my influential corporate
decision-maker colleagues in search of the answer. I was no longer able
to compromise the new values I'd grown into: that it is possible to
create a life of meaning by staying focused on the important things.
I pursued two avenues simultaneously. The first: a credentialed
spiritual course of study through Unity's School of Religious Studies.
There I discovered my natural ability to empower others to go to that
place within where all answers reside. The second: I sought out healers,
some world-renowned. I expected them to teach me how to find those
innermost skills eluding me. When that didn't happen, I got up the
courage to ask, "Where's the roadmap?" And, there I was one more time,
confronted with the battle-of-beliefs, when told, "There isn't one."
I walked away, once again unable to compromise my values: that healing
means leaving behind those beliefs that threaten to destroy what we
love. I didn't know it then; the decision to NOT believe there was no
roadmap would catapult me from "knowing there's more to life," to
discovering "how simple it is."
Life has taught me three things: (1) To trust my instincts (i.e. that
still small voice; whispers of wisdom; or in Quakerese, the
calling/leading); (2) To stay focused on the priorities that give
meaning to life; and (3) That there is a roadmap to remembering our
human capacity to heal naturally.
Today, I share five milestones of healing I've pioneered. This new
Spirit/Mind/Body approach is trademarked as Unconditional Healingsm. I
founded Silent Spring, L.L.C. (www.SilentSpringofWisdom.com). It's a
social entrepreneurial company dedicated to inspire, educate and assist
individuals and organizations that want to live from their innermost
skills of wisdom.
I offer programs to help individuals (executives, established
professionals, successful entrepreneurs, alternative healing
practitioners, wisdom-seekers of any age) find and apply those healing
skills to alleviate the hurdles of today's challenges. It's called
HealMyStress! www.HealMyStress.com. There are three ways to participate:
1.) A 7-Week Program of classes (given locally, or via teleclass where
you can be anywhere in the world and still participate)
2.) One-on-one private coaching/mentoring that facilitates integrating
the skills to create a more satisfying personal and business life
3.) Attending speaking presentations
Nearly two years ago, I once again trusted my inner wisdom. It led me to
the Yellow Springs Friends Meeting. I welcome the opportunity to give
back to you the spiritual nurturing I've received. If this work speaks
to you, I'd love to keep in touch via HealMyStress! Notes of Wisdom, the
first known online newsletter that applies our innermost
skills-of-wisdom to today's challenges. It's an inspirational reminder:
how ordinary people find alternative solutions to impossible problems.
Luanne Ebert can be reached: E-Mail - Lua-@HealMyStress.com; or call
(937) 438-5224.
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"My dear hearts, be faithful every one in your particular measure of
God, which he hath given you, and in the Invisible wait in silence, and
patience, and obedience, in that which opens the mystery of God."
-Margaret Fell, 1654
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4. Internet Mail
**********To the editor:
I received these messages by e-mail, but I am sure they were intended
for all. -Ann
Jan. 30 Enjoyed this month's newsletter - very newsy! Sorry we could not
get to visit this year because of mucho busyness. We head for Buenos
Aires Monday and Bruce will teach for the spring: from winter to hot
summer. We hope Joan Brucker is better and congratulations to Barry and
Irwin. Love to all. Jane and Bruce Ergood
Jan. 30 Would you be willing to spread the word about (or link to)
www.draftresistance.org? When it comes to the draft, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure! Thanks! Scott Kohlhaas
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5. Committee Membership-Dale Blanchard
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I was on the Nominating Committee for three years. When I started, my
whole concept of committees was very secular. Committees were necessary,
if not evils, then duties. When Nominating Committee members had called
me in previous years, I'd reluctantly agreed to be on a committee. My
life was very busy, meeting the needs of family and work. I wasn't sure
what a new member like me had to offer, and I certainly didn't think
there was anything for me to receive from being on a committee.
The first year I was a member of the Nominating Committee, I dreaded
calling people, thinking I was trying to get busy people to agree to add
another obligation to their already burgeoning schedule of duties. The
second year was a little better, but it wasn't until the third year that
I fully understood the importance of the Nominating Committee's work and
that of other committees. Since finally "getting" this, I've found being
on a committee is often a joyful duty, a way to get to know others and a
source of giving and receiving nurture and growth on several levels.
Here are my top eleven reasons to join committees:
You'll get to know regular members and attenders (if you're new).
You'll get to know new people (if you're not new).
You'll help strengthen the life of the meeting.
You'll continue building a spiritual community.
You'll bring your light to the meeting.
You'll receive light from the meeting.
You'll learn more about meeting history.
You'll understand meeting process.
You'll feel more connected to many aspects of the meeting.
You'll help assure that the meeting will be here for you in the future.
You'll help assure that the meeting will be here for others in the
future.
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6. Listening Spirituality -Mary Thorp
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Friends continue to meet at 10:00 a.m. on First Days to discuss writings
about living out our Quaker faith. The current book is Patricia Loring's
Listening Spirituality, Vol. I; please contact Dale Blanchard if you
need a copy.
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7. Simplicity Circle-Mary Thorp
**********
The Simplicity Circle meets on the third Thursday of every month, from
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Thorps' house (1420 Southgate, 767-2815) to
discuss the Northwest Earth Institute's course on Voluntary Simplicity.
There may be extra copies of the study/reading guide available from the
Thorps. Those dates, for the near future, are March 18, April 15 and
May 20. Please join us!
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8. Introductory Quakerism Series-Bruce Heckman
**********
The Yellow Springs Friends Meeting is continuing the series, An
Introduction to Quaker Faith and Practice, which began February 16.
Consecutive weekly sessions take place Monday evenings 7:00 to 8:15
p.m., at the Rockford Meeting House on President Street in Yellow
Springs. Childcare is available if requested in advance.
This series provides interested adults with an introduction to Quaker
principles and practices. Those wishing to attend may know very little
about Quakerism, or they may already have some experience and
understanding of Quakerism but wish to learn more. Sessions include
opportunities for questions and discussion. Relevant reading materials
are available for participants' use. The Light Within and Evolution of
the Religious Society of Friends were introduced in February. Upcoming
topics include The Meeting for Worship; Discernment and Decision-making;
Quakers and Peace; Quaker Organizations; and Quaker Testimonies,
Traditions and Customs.
Call Bruce Heckman at 767-7973 for additional information or to request
childcare.
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9. Dances of Universal Peace-Denise Runyon
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The Dances of Universal Peace will be held on Sunday, March 21, 3-5 p.m.
at Rockford Chapel. Open to all. Contact Denise Runyon, 767-8422 or
Tom Malcolm, 767-2293.
"From the beginning of time, sacred movement, song and story have
brought people together-at times of seasonal ceremony and celebration,
as part of everyday life and life passages, in daily renewal and
meditation, etc. The Dances of Universal Peace are part of this timeless
tradition of Sacred Dance."
-from the website, http://www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/main.htm
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10. The House Above the Trees-Jane Morgan
**********
John Morgan recently published The House Above the Trees, a positive
fairy tale by Ethel Cook Eliot, author of The Wind Boy, which John also
published a few years ago.
The heroine of this new story is an 8-year-old girl. The book has 143
pages and several colored pictures. The soft cover edition is $12. I
plan on giving the Meeting Library a hard cover copy, and one to the
Public Library when I receive them from John. I already have copies of
the soft cover ones for anyone who wants one.
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11. E-Quakers
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Quakers who use the Internet can find a treasure trove of Friendly
resources. Tired of Yahoo and Google? Go directly to these sites for
something special:
The Autobiography of George Fox at
http://bible.christiansunite.com/geoindex.shtml
Quakers and the Political Process: Living Our Faith into Action at
http://www.pym.org/exhibit/p045.html
Quaker Jargon Buster at
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/pdaniels/qjargon.html
Every Church a Peace Church at http://www.ecapc.org/mainframe.asp
Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting at http://www.quaker.org/ovym
Yellow Springs Friends Meeting at http://quakershaker.net
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12. A Friendly Limerick, by Jane Morgan
**********
Irwin Abrams reminded us of the inspirational value of the words carved
into the woodwork above the fireplace in the Meeting Room at Rockford.
Somehow they reminded me of the following:
There was a young Meeting attender,
of unidentified gender,
who sought with impunity
Love, Virtue and Unity
in hopes of becoming a Member.
**********
13.From the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting Calendar
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March 12-14: Midwest Young Friends Gathering; Plainfield, IN
March 12-14: FGC Retreat for Traveling Ministers; Moy Spiritual Life
Center in Melbourne, KY
March 18-21: FWCC, Section of the Americas; Ottawa, Canada
March 25-27: Associated Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs;
Barnesville, OH
March 27: Discipline Revision Committee Meeting; Community Friends, 10 -
3pm
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14. Apartment for Rent-Jane Morgan
**********
The Vale Community, a half-mile south of Hyde Road and Corry Street, has
the upstairs apartment of a duplex to rent in April. This apartment has
two bedrooms, a family room, kitchen and living room. The lower
apartment is rented by a quiet, single man.
Children are welcome in the Vale Community of twelve families and 40
acres of mostly woodland. Please call Billie Eastman, 767-1511, Jane
Morgan, 767-1461, or Abby Cobb-Bieri, 767-1170, for more information.
**********
15. Barrett Hollister, 1914-2004
**********
Barry Hollister died at Greene Memorial Hospital, on February 6, just
short of his ninetieth birthday. Barry was a longtime faculty member and
administrator at Antioch College and a leading figure in the Religious
Society of Friends.
A conscientious objector during World War II, Barry was a dedicated
pacifist whose work took him to Switzerland and New York City for
leadership positions with the American Friends Service Committee,
1954-56, and the Quaker United Nations Office, 1969-78. In the Miami
Valley, he was well known as a director emeritus of the Dayton Council
on World Affairs and as president of the Greene County Chapter, League
of Women Voters.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Barry entered Antioch College at age 16, in
1930. After graduating in 1936, he did graduate work at Syracuse
University until 1939.
Locally, Barry served as school board president and secretary of the
Yellow Springs Charter Commission. At Antioch, he taught and held
positions as dean of students, associate to the president, and director
of international studies.
He was clerk of Friends General Conference, a national Quaker
organization, from 1959-69. In 1968, he was one of two U.S. delegates
representing the Religious Society of Friends at the World Council of
Churches meeting in Uppsala, Sweden.
After his 1978 retirement, Barry and his wife Kay moved back to Yellow
Springs. He volunteered with the American Friends Service Committee,
Friends Committee on National Legislation and other groups, and the
couple traveled the world. At home, he presided at a "board of
directors" of village residents who met each morning at a coffee shop to
discuss world issues.
Survivors include his wife and their children, Rob (Brookline MA), Don
(Yellow Springs), Virginia Freeman (Arcadia MI), and Joan Hollister
(Walkill NY), and six grandchildren.
As this newsletter is going to be printed, a memorial service is
scheduled for Saturday, February 28. In lieu of flowers, Barry's family
invites people to contribute to the Chatterjee Fund for peace education
activities at Antioch College, c/o Development Office; Antioch College;
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387.
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16. Chatterjee Lecture at Antioch
**********
Irwin Abrams has provided the following information about Manmatha Nath
Chatterjee and Antioch's Chatterjee Fund.
Eleanor Holmes Norton spoke on February 18, as the Second Chatterjee
Lecturer. Manmatha Nath Chatterjee was a member of our Friends Meeting.
Barry Hollister was in his course on Social Science when he was a
student at Antioch, became his longtime friend, and always held him in
the highest regard.
Meeting has been making a contribution to the Fund ever since it began
in 1977. The Clerk of our Meeting has always been invited to attend the
Chatterjee Committee. Jay Rothman (of Yellow Springs) was one of the
first grantees when he was a student and has gone on to a distinguished
career in mediation and peace studies.
Manmatha Nath Chatterjee (1888-1964) was a high-caste Brahmin from
India, who was educated at Punjab University and then had studied
engineering at Glasgow University. He worked with the Y.M.C.A. in World
War I. After the war he met Arthur E. Morgan, the new president of
Antioch College, who had a remarkable ability to spot potential teachers
with unconventional backgrounds and invited him to join the Antioch
faculty. He served as Professor of Social Science, 1922-1954, and his
Socratic methods made him a very popular teacher.
Chatterjee had a lifelong interest in peace and his ANTIOCH NOTES, "A
Science of Peace," was one of the earliest calls for the establishment
of a scholarly institute for the study of peace (1948). In Yellow
Springs he joined the Quaker Meeting, where Friends came to know him
best.
After he retired, he taught for one year at an Afro-American college.
When he and his Scottish wife moved away from Yellow Springs, Freda and
Irwin Abrams purchased their home, where Irwin still lives. Having been
told how often Chatterjee and his students gathered around the fireplace
there for interesting conversations, Irwin has tried to do something of
the same with his own students.
Manmatha Chatterjee's concern with peace was emphasized when the
memorial Chatterjee Award was set up in 1977, "to enable young people
with inadequate means to undertake training in the arts of peace by
combining experience and study in the Antioch tradition."
Chatterjee students relate their peace studies to experiences as varied
as work in offices of the American Friends Service Committee, jobs at
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta, and with a shelter for
battered women in Eugene, Oregon. Overseas students have worked with
peace groups in Northern Ireland, the Women's International League for
Peace and Freedom in Geneva, and the World Health Organization.
In the beginning funds were raised from Chatterjee's former students and
his former friends and colleagues, as well as from the Yellow Springs
Friends Meeting, which still contributes every year. In recent years the
Fund has received a legacy from one of Chatterjee's former students who
said, "I owe Chat more than I can repay."
**********
17. Right Sharing of World Resources
**********
"God calls us to the right sharing of world resources, from the burdens
of materialism and poverty into the abundance of God's love, to work for
equity through partnership with our sisters and brothers throughout the
world."
If that sounds right to you, you might like to know more about Right
Sharing of World Resources, a program of the Religious Society of
Friends supporting grassroots projects for economic development and
offering educational materials for the study of the lives of the poor,
the lives of the rich, and the spiritual meaning of both. Learn more by
contacting
Right Sharing of World Resources
3960 Winding Way
Cincinnati, OH 45229-1950 USA
513.281.4401 - voice 513.281.4340 - fax
rs-@earthlink.net
**********
18. Good News!
**********
Friends will be delighted to know that Ken Champney, his oncologist, and
his radiologist are all in agreement: No chemotherapy or radiation will
be necessary. Ken is enjoying an exceptional recovery following a recent
illness.
**********
19. FRIENDLY CONCERNS
**********
From time to time, Friends wish to share information about interests or
concerns that they hold personally. These topics may not have been
addressed by the Meeting as a whole or by other Quaker organizations,
but individuals among us still care about them very deeply. These topics
seem to fit well under a heading of "Friendly Concerns." In this issue
of the Quakershaker, we hear from Denise Runyon, a member of this
Meeting, about The Dances of Universal Peace. Thanks, Denise, for
sharing this information.
Neil Douglas-Klotz has a new book, and will be presenting a workshop in
Columbus in April. Caravan of Creation: A Shared Spirituality of New
Beginnings for Christians, Jews and Muslims, With Neil Douglas-Klotz,
Ph.D., will take place April 1-4, 2004, beginning with an Introductory
Session on Thursday, April 1, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., at Methodist Theological
School in Delaware, Ohio. The workshop is sponsored by the Shalem Center
and Abwoon Study Circle.
Dr. Douglas-Klotz' newest book, The Genesis Meditations, teaches how
early mystics-including Jesus-may have meditated in all three great
religions springing from the Middle East. This workshop will explore how
all three faiths, in spite of apparent differences, share an emphasis on
sacred beginnings. Over the centuries, Westerners have progressively
lost this sense by instead emphasizing apocalyptic endings. The Genesis
Meditations reclaim the life-affirming energy of sacred "beginning
time," so that we can experience its creative power for ourselves-and
perhaps for our world.
This workshop will include chant, body prayer, contemplation and Dances
of Universal Peace.
Neil Douglas-Klotz is a senior teacher in the Sufi Ruhaniat
International. His earlier works translating Jesus' words from the
original Aramaic language have transformed the lives of many persons.
(Those earlier works include Prayers of the Cosmos, Hidden Gospel, and
Desert Wisdom.) Neil is the co-founder of the International Network for
the Dances of Universal Peace, and currently chairs the Mysticism Group
of the American Academy of Religion. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland,
where he co-directs the Edinburgh Institute for Advanced Learning.
The conference cost is $185; there is a small fee for the Thursday
introductory session. For more information, contact Denise Runyon
(937/767-8422), Tom Malcolm (937/767-2293), or Elizabeth Reed,
ereed-@msn.com (for program information), or Covita Moroney,
moro-@ix.netcom.com (for registration information).
**********
**********
20. Monthly Meeting for Business, February 1, 2004
**********
Yellow Springs Friends met for business at the meetinghouse on Feb. 1,
2004. Present were: Carl Hyde, Cindy Butler-Jones, Dick Eastman, Dale
Blanchard, Bruce Heckman, Peg Champney, David Hyde, Billie Eastman, Jane
Morgan, Joan Brucker, Terry Snyder, Hazel Tulecke, Bill Houston, Jean
Putnam, Lorena Hyde, Clyde Replogle, Neal Crandall, Kathy Hale, Susan
Hyde, Irwin Abrams, Allen Treadway, Faith Morgan, Fran Goodman, Carolyn
Treadway, Deb Kociszewski
The meeting opened in silent worship, which included prayerful
consideration of the second query on prayer.
1. Minutes.
The recording clerk read the minutes from the February 2004 Meeting for
Business.
2. Miami Quarterly Meeting.
Billie and Dick Eastman have offered to serve as Yellow Springs Friends
delegates to Miami Quarterly Meeting on February 15, 2004, at Eastern
Hills. The agenda indicates that the death penalty will be discussed.
Friends also discussed the OVYM assessment system to prepare for that
discussion at Quarterly Meeting. Friends are hopeful that a consistent
interpretation of assessable membership can be reached, and a phase-in
of any new policy could help.
3. Nominating Committee.
Jean Putnam reported for the committee that the names Mark Perry and
Clyde Replogle are offered as Yellow Springs Friends representatives to
the Friends Care Center Board. Friends approved.
4. Peace and Social Concerns.
Billie Eastman reported for the committee that the meeting-wide
discussion of the Peace Testimony will be held Sunday February 22, as a
brown bag luncheon. Friends suggested rescheduling the discussion to
Sunday, February 29, to avoid a scheduling conflict with a birthday
celebration for Irwin Abrams, Barry Hollister and Kay Hollister. Denise
Runyon will facilitate the discussion. Friends approve, pending Denise's
availability on February 29.
Billie Eastman presented a minute from the Peace and Social Concerns
committee regarding electronic voting. It reads as Follows:
"The Yellow Springs Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
considered the present state of electronic voting in its meeting,
Sunday, February 1, 2004, and deems the availability of voter verified
paper ballot and open source codes to be absolutely necessary for fair
and accurate elections. We ask Secretary of State Kenneth J. Blackwell
to require these two features on all election voting machines presently
in use and any to be purchased.
The clerk will send this minute to Secretary of State Blackwell, and to
the press.
The clerk will also forward the minute to the Miami Quarterly Meeting
for its consideration and we ask the Quarterly Meeting to forward it to
Ohio Yearly Meeting for action."
Friends engaged in a discussion regarding the minute. Friends agreed to
send the minute back to Peace and Social Concerns for re-working and
further consideration. Friends will consider the minute at a brief
Called Meeting for Business on February 8, 2004, after Meeting for
Worship.
**********
5. Jane Morgan Picture Donation.
**********
Friends discussed past artwork offerings, noting that we should not be
bound by past agreements, but look toward stating our current sense.
After considerable discussion, the clerk recommended holding this matter
over to the March, 2004, Meeting for Business, and encourages Friends to
discuss this matter among themselves.
6. FCNL. Neal Crandall shared that Friends Committee on National
Legislation (FCNL) offers bumper stickers and yard signs stating, "War
is not the answer," and suggested that the meeting place a bulk order
for the items to include 25 yard signs and a supply of 25 bumper
stickers. Neal will place the order.
7. William Penn House. Peg Champney announced that William Penn House
is sponsoring a seminar on the five Quaker Testimonies from February
13-16, 2004, for young people. The spiritual enrichment fund could
support young Friends who are interested in attending.
The meeting closed in silent worship.
The next Meeting for Business will be held Sunday, March 7, 2004, at
12:45 at the meetinghouse.
Submitted, Deb Kociszewski, Recording Clerk
**********
21. Minute on Electronic Voting
**********
Called Meeting for Business, February 8, 2004
Friends considered the following minute:
"The Yellow Springs Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
considered the present state of electronic voting at its meeting Sunday,
February 1, 2004, and deems the availability of voter verified paper
ballot and open source codes to be absolutely necessary for fair and
accurate elections. We ask Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth J. Blackwell
to require these two features on all election voting machines presently
in use and any to be purchased.
The clerk will send this minute to Secretary of State Blackwell and to
the press.
The clerk will also forward the minute to Miami Quarterly Meeting for
its consideration, and we ask the Quarterly Meeting to forward it to
Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting for action."
Friends shared concerns about an appropriate level of explanation of
spiritual concerns supporting the minute. Friends agreed that it is
appropriate to issue the statement as a group concerned about voter
issues with no additional explanation of Quaker spiritual foundation.
Three Friends agreed to stand aside from this decision. The minute will
be forwarded to Miami Quarterly Meeting for consideration at its
February 15, 2004 meeting.
Submitted, Deb Kociszewski, Recording Clerk
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Mail address: Yellow Springs Friends P.O. 45 Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
website: http://quakershaker.net
******end March 2004 QuakerShaker newsletter***********
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