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March 2005 QuakerShaker
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dablan-@aol.com
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Mar 31, 2005 06:55 PST
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1. March Calendar
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Sundays 8:30 a.m.Meeting for Worship, Rockford
1 0:00 a.m. Friendly Living Discussion, Rockford
First Day School for Children
11:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Rockford (Childcare is available)
Wednesdays 7:00 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Rockford
Sat. Mar. 5 OVYM Planning at Wilmington College
OVYM Nominating Committee at Earlham College
Sun. Mar. 6 1:00 Meeting for Business, following noon potluck, Rockford
Sun. Mar. 13 10 a.m. Friendly Bible Study, Rockford (see below)
Sun. Mar. 13 Noon Library Work Bee -- see Item #6 below
Sat. Mar. 19 All day OVYM Advancement and
Nurture workshop, “Deepening Worship, Strengthening Community” Earlham
School of Religion (See minute #8 on MMfW)
Sun. Mar. 20 Noon Sowelo Information Meeting, Rockford (see
below)
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2. Friendly Bible Study Discussions—Carolyn Treadway
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Beginning in March, the 10 a.m. discussion group on Sundays will be
making use of the FGC booklet, Friendly Bible Study, by Joanne and Larry
Spears. Those wishing to participate should bring a Bible (any
translation) and writing materials. Contact Carolyn Treadway,
trea-@midwest.net
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3. Sharing Sowelo—Denise Runyon
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On March 20 after Meeting for Worship, Sowelo staff will share
information about their services. They offer end-of-life spiritual and
psychological support for humans and animals. Two of the staff are
connected to YS Friends: Jane Brown and Maureen Dawn. Also Carl Hyde
and Hazel Tulecke are on their Board. As more than one Friend has
emphasized, this is for all ages, not just elders.
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4.Getting to know Susan Hyde
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Thanks to Susan Hyde for sharing this bit of her personal journey
through Quakerism.
Let me introduce myself; I am Susan Hyde—Quaker, wife, mother and
teacher. I am the fourth of five children. All my siblings are brothers.
I am a Quaker by choice. On both sides, my family have been Quakers for
a long time. Growing up in Community Friends Meeting, Cincinnati, Ohio,
I was a very active associate member. I regularly attended Sunday
School, Quarterly Meeting, and Yearly Meetings. In my meeting I started
helping with the babies while still in elementary school. I was part of
an active junior high and high school group at meeting too. I chaired my
first committee meeting while still in high school and my involvement
continues.
As I grew and developed I was exposed to a variety of religions and
various branches of Friends. Some experiences were pleasant; some were
not.
I started attending Young Friends of North America Conferences the
summer of my junior year in high school. These conferences were planned
and run by 18- to 25-year-old Quakers. The worship and business meetings
were long, but they were truly gathered meetings. God’s presence was
felt while we expediently dealt with issues and situations that arose
and were sometimes controversial. I left those meetings feeling truly
blessed to have been part of these processes.
I attended Wilmington College, a nice small school. I graduated with a
major in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. I taught in
various schools for four years, but I haven’t taught school full time
since.
I have been married to David Hyde for 25 years this September. Our four
children, Ed, James, Mary and Laura will all be in high school and
college next year. Since our children are getting older I started
substitute teaching four years ago. I really enjoy working with the
children and when their day is over my work is done too.
Now that our children are mostly grown, I’ve decided to take on a new
job as a Creative Memories Consultant. I started doing this to get my
family stories and photos organized and into books while my mother is
still able to help. I also want to help others organize and sort their
photos, stories and memorabilia in acid free, photo safe containers and
books. What a gift to share with family and friends. Friends who would
like to help me get my business going may call me. My work helps you
preserve your past so you can share it with he present and future
generations.
My family and Quaker values continue to play an important role in my
life. They inspire me to be the best I can be.
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5. Got a New Place in Cyberspace?
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Friendly E-mails and newsletters sent to these addresses are bouncing
back: jarrko-@hotmail.com nemo-@fuse.net Let us know if it's
time to update our records by contacting Dablan-@aol.com. Thanks!
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6. From the Library Committee Clerk—Claire Winold
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The February library work bee went well. Thanks to Joan Brucker (and
Bucky) and Ellen Duell for great straightening progress. A group of
books have been selected for removal. These old books may find a home
elsewhere. There are approximately 35 of them all told and a
representative sample list follows. A complete list will be available
from Claire Winold soon; contact me if you want any (or all?!) 767-7142.
Humanism and Christianity - Francis McConnell (1928)
The Church's Debt to Heretics - Rufus Jones (1924)
Friends and the Indians (1655-1917)-Rayner Kelsey (1917)
The Greatest Thing in the World - Henry Drummond (n.d.)
Toward World Wide Christianity - O.Nolde (ed.) (1946)
A second, rescheduled cataloging bee will follow the rise of meeting,
March 13. Wonderful books have been donated or purchased. We need to
get them all on the shelves soon. A few of those purchased from Dale
Blanchard's wonderfully complete and convenient mail order on line book
business, A Friendly Spirit Books and Gifts (friendlyspirit.com), are
listed below. Again a complete listing will be forthcoming.
The Qur'an - Translation
Stealing Freedom - Elisa Carbone (for middle readers)
Silence and Witness: The Quaker Tradition - Michael Birkel (2004)
(part of Traditions in Christian Spirituality series).Let me know of any
books you would like to add to the collection.
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7. Notes on the Environment Section of OVYM Discipline
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Yellow Springs Friends met on November 14, 2004, to discuss the third
draft of the Environment section of the OVYM Book of Discipline,
currently under revision. Below are comments Friends wanted to send to
the Discipline Revision Committee.
1) Most Friends believe the proposed beginning section is too long and
could be limited to one page.
2) Friends asked if the whole Book of Discipline would be written and
edited to fit together in unity with similar style, tone and substance.
Friends would like to see a flow between all sections, following
teachings, tradition and leadings of Friends.
3) Friends believe there is a need for a consistent awareness of God,
faith and tradition within the Book of Discipline and this section.
4) Friends felt that quotes and history within the body are distracting
and take away from the flow of the piece.
5) Friends felt that any quotes could be grouped separately, rather than
included in the main body of the environment section. Friends like the
idea of a quotations reference section in the back of the book,
organized parallel to the overall order in the Book of Discipline.
6) Friends suggest using quotes from our own Yearly Meeting, from
various Monthly Meeting State of the Meeting reports, or from minutes or
Epistles, rather than quotes from others.
7) If quotes were used, identifying the person quoted would be helpful
(year of the quote and Monthly or Yearly meeting association) as not all
Friends or attenders are familiar with people being quoted.
8) One Friend commented that she wished this section to “Make my soul
sing.” Several Friends commented that the first few sentences of the
2002 Minute do that, clearly and concisely.
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8. Raise Up the Roof, by Katy Kola*
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Skies of blue are a part of you, and to save them I can't help but try.
Things we do to the heart of you, when I see them, I can't help but cry.
All we do is a part of you - what we think, how we feel, live, and die.
What we need is to start anew 'cause it hurts much too much for goodbye.
Yes, it hurts much too much for goodbye.
It's all now, Spirit show us how - what to choose as your focus today.
Plant that seed for your soul to feed, or your garden might wither away.
This is true, there's a choice for you. You can choose how you're living
today.
Plant that seed for your soul to feed, or your garden might wither away.
Yes, this garden might wither away.
Come with me, there is much to see, when you open your eyes to the
truth.
You will find, when you're in a bind, fear and greed will be there at
the root.
You can know the best way to go, and your conscience provides you with
proof.
Don't be blind to the perfect mind. Let your consciousness raise up the
roof.
Come with me, there is much to see when we open our eyes to the truth.
You will find, in the perfect mind, what you need will be there at the
root.
You can know what's the way to go, and your conscience provides you with
proof.
Don't be blind to the perfect mind. Let your consciousness raise up the
roof.
Let your consciousness raise up the roof.
Let your consciousness raise up the roof.
* I consider the song to be in the public domain--Katy
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9. Look what they’re saying about YS Friends…
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• Interacting with a college community
• Peace and justice issues -- members active in mediation services
• Using drama as a method of children sharing with adults in First Day
School
• Memorial committee assists with arrangements for cremation at the time
of death of members (committee has been in existence for forty years)
• Relationship with Gidimo Friends School in Kenya
• Relationship with sister village, Jicaro, Nicaragua
Read about other Monthly Meetings in the OVYM Resource Directory:
http://www.quaker.org/ovym/ovymrsrc.htm
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10. Friends Music Camp at Olney Friends School
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Emphasizing music, Quaker experience, and community
P.O. Box 427
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
(937) 767-1311 or (937) 767-1818
musi-@yahoo.com
Friends Music Institute, Inc. operates Friends Music Camp, a 4-week
summer program for youth aged 10-18. Friends Music Camp emphasizes
musical growth through private lessons and group activities; Quaker
values, worship, and group decision by consensus; and caring community.
Campers come with a variety of musical experience. Some are "experts"
already; others have a minimum of one year of lessons behind them. All
are treasured for what they have to share and for their capacity to
learn and grow in new ways.
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11. Greater Cincinnati Dances of Universal Peace Circle Presents:
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OPENING TO THE SEED OF THE SELF
Dances of Universal Peace, Meditations & Other Practices to Nurture What
is Blossoming Within
No experience or partner needed. All dances are taught.
Saturday, March 19, 2005, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm; Grailville Retreat Center;
Loveland, Ohio
Matin Mize leads retreats internationally as a Certified Dance Leader,
Mentor and Teacher of the Dances of Universal Peace. He is an
accomplished musician and spiritual teacher of the Sufi tradition whose
involvement with the dances spans 30 years.
Elizabeth Reed, Ph.D is an ordained clergy, psychotherapist, and
Certified Dance Leader who leads workshops and retreats based on the
Aramaic translations & spiritual practice work of Neil Douglas-Klotz
(Prayers of the Cosmos).
Dances of Universal Peace are meditative and joyous circle dances
combining simple movements with sacred phrases to touch our spiritual
essence. They are dedicated to creating a sense of peace and community
while celebrating the underlying unity of all spiritual traditions of
the Earth. For more information about the Dance of Universal Peace,
visit http://www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/
Cost: $40 if registered before 3/1/05. $45 after 3/1 LUNCH
INCLUDED
Cancellations subject to $10 processing fee. No refunds after 3/1.
Overnight accommodations are available at Grailville for $30/person.
Lodging arrangements should be made directly with Grailville by phoning
513.683.2340
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To register, please detach, enclose a check payable to the GC DUP CIRCLE
and mail to: Mariam Weidner, 3904 Lewis Cr, Erlanger, KY 41018.
Confirmation with directions will be sent upon receipt. Call or email
for more info: mawei-@earthlink.net 859.727.1137.
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12. Called Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, Business
February 13, 2005
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Yellow Springs Friends met for a Called Meeting for Worship with
Attention to Business on February 13, 2005, at Rockford.
Present were: Dale Blanchard, Deb Kociszewski, Faith Morgan, Raymond
Ruka, Dick Eastman, Joan Brucker, Neal Crandall, Veronica Frost, Bruce
Heckman, Terry Snider, Bill Houston, Carl Hyde, Hazel Tulecke, Katy
Kola, Chris Mortimer, Ellen Duell
The meeting opened in silence.
The clerk introduced a letter from the Yellow Springs Human Relations
Commission and Solidarity Ohio regarding the Ohio State Constitution
Article XV, Section 11 regarding the definition of marriage in the state
of Ohio (see resolution text below). The letter requests that faith
communities endorse a resolution being proposed to the Yellow Springs
Village Council affirming rights and protections for all domestic
partnerships in the village of Yellow Springs. The resolution will be
proposed to and discussed at the Village Council at its meeting on
February 21, 2005. It would be expected that the Village Council would
then vote on the Resolution on March 7, 2005. A concern was expressed
that the resolution opposes the imposition of moralistic beliefs, when
there are actually different interpretations of what the morals are.
Friends were reminded that Yellow Springs Friends Meeting is being asked
to endorse the Resolution as it is presented and not offer edits to the
Resolution.
It was suggested that the Meeting affirm support for the Village taking
action supporting rights and protections for all, but perhaps not the
letter of the Resolution.
Concern was expressed that some of the claims made about property
transfer in the Resolution were not legally accurate. It was noted that
some property transfers can be designated contractually, while other
transfers are dependent upon marriage survivor rights.
Concern was expressed that the effect of Article XV, Section 11 on the
local economy is unclear. A Friend noted that one individual has chosen
to leave Yellow Springs and the state of Ohio because Article XV,
Section 11 makes Ohio an unfriendly place to grow a business.
The clerk reflected a sense of the meeting that Yellow Springs Friends
are not able to support the Resolution as the Yellow Springs Human
Relations Commission and Solidarity Ohio have presented it. Yellow
Springs Friends would support the spirit behind the resolution and would
be willing to draft a statement to the Village Council expressing a
clear statement of the position of the meeting.
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13. Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
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Yellow Springs Friends met for business at Rockford February 6, 2005
Present were: Dale Blanchard, Bruce Heckman, Allen Treadway, Irwin
Abrams, Betty Wagner, Peg Champney, Eve Williams, Paul Wagner, Alan
Palmer, Bill Houston, Susan Hyde, Jane Morgan, Faith Morgan, Carl Hyde,
Joan Brucker, Dick Eastman, Lorena Hyde, Terry Snider, Carolyn Treadway,
Deb Kociszewski, Hazel Tulecke, Kathy Hale, Veronica Frost, Ellen Duell,
Carol Simmons, Victoria Burke, Seth Duell, Denise Runyon, Billie Eastman
The meeting opened in silence, which included prayerful consideration of
the second query from the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting Book of Discipline
on Divine Relationship and a corporate query from Listening Spirituality
Vol. II by Patricia Loring. Friends discussed the value of seeking
spiritual nurture from many sources, and the potential enrichment of the
meeting by the sharing of these insights. Friends shared concerns that
we could learn much from those who leave our meeting. Friends ask that
Membership and Pastoral Care consider these matters and report to the
Meeting for Business as appropriate.
Minutes. The recording clerk read the minutes from the January 2, 2005,
Meeting for Business. Friends noted in addition to the approved minute
number 6, that the snowfall from December 2004 was a record-breaking
snow event. The clerk will follow up with Tucker Malishenko to ensure
that the thank-you letter to the village has been written. The spelling
of Kathy Angell’s name will be corrected in the January minutes.
1. Membership and Pastoral Care. Jane Morgan announced that Terry
Snider and Tucker Malishenko agreed enthusiastically to serve on the
Nominating Committee. They join Kathy Hale and Don Hollister. Friends
approved.
2. Miami Quarterly Meeting. Susan Hyde announced that Miami Quarterly
Meeting would be held Sunday, February 20, at Mills Lawn Gym. Susan
requested that those who can offer to help with Quarterly Meeting call
her at home.
3. Circle of Reconciliation. Denise Runyon asked for responses from
Friends regarding the January 30 Circle of Reconciliation and requested
that we minute our appreciation to Raymond Ruka for his facilitation of
the event. The clerk will write a letter to Raymond expressing the
reactions shared by Friends. Responses from Friends acknowledged a
variety of positive impressions and experiences taken from the Circle of
Reconciliation.
4. Letters. The clerk will submit to Archives a letter to the Friends
Care Center introducing Kathy Hale as a member of the Board and a letter
of introduction for Elizabeth Firestone to the Toronto Friends House.
The clerk read a letter from the clerk of Madison Monthly Meeting
introducing Kathy Angell to Yellow Springs Friends Meeting.
5. OVYM Book of Discipline Revision. The clerk shared that Yellow
Springs Friends Meeting was one of five meetings that responded on time
to the revision of the section on the Environment. Details of our
responses will be published in the Quakershaker. The next section to be
considered will be on the structure of the Book of Discipline.
6. FGC Epistle on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Friends.
The clerk read a letter from the FGC Central Committee, which shared a
minute affirming the value of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and
Queer Friends in the work of FGC Central Committee and the Gathering.
Eve Williams shared background of the term Queer in the minute. She
shared that the term Queer is being offered as an embrace of a once
derogatory label. Denise Runyon advised that the Solidarity group will
request that local religious groups endorse a statement supporting these
concerns. The endorsements will be presented to the Village of Yellow
Springs as support for the adoption of a Resolution supporting gay,
lesbian, and domestic partnership concerns.
7. FLGBTQC Midwinter Gathering. The clerk announced that the FLGBTQC
gathering titled “Spiritual Work at the Edge of Certainty” would be held
Feb 18-21 at Ghost Ranch Center at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Carol
Simmons and Kathy Angell will attend the conference. The clerk will
prepare a traveling minute introducing Carol and Kathy with the love and
support of Yellow Springs Friends Meeting for the work to be done at the
conference.
8. OVYM A&N Retreat. The Advancement and Nurture Committee of OVYM is
hosting a workshop on March 19 at Earlham School of Religion for clerks,
Ministry and Advancement committee members and other interested friends.
The title of the workshop is “Deepening Worship, Strengthening
Community.” The clerk will forward the announcement to the clerk of
Ministry and Advancement.
9. Martin Luther King Day. The clerk shared a request for a donation of
$100 to support the activities of Central Chapel AME Church to
commemorate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Friends
approved sending the donation for 2005 and ask that the Finance
Committee consider adding this to the annual budget for future years.
10. Representatives to Quarterly Meeting. Carl Hyde and Dale Blanchard
will represent Yellow Springs Friends meeting to the Miami Quarterly
Meeting on February 20. The clerk will ask Katy Kola to also represent
the meeting.
11. Whitewater Quarter Minute on Yearly Meeting Assessment. The clerk
will write a letter advising the clerk of Miami Quarterly Meeting that
Yellow Springs Friends support the adoption of the Whitewater Quarterly
Meeting minute recommendations for the funding of the OVYM budget.
12. Membership Transfer. The clerk read a letter from Bryan Eastman
(the grandson of Billie and Dick Eastman) requesting transfer of his
membership to the Florida Ave Meeting in Washington, D.C. The clerk
will prepare a letter supporting the transfer.
13. Request from Kathy Angell. The clerk read a letter from the clerk
of Madison Monthly Meeting requesting that Kathy Angell be considered a
sojourning member of Yellow Springs Friends Meeting while she completes
her post-doctoral work at Wright State University. Friends accept the
request for sojourning membership. The clerk will research the
technicalities of the status of sojourning members in OVYM and bring
those results to the Meeting for Business.
14. Eve Williams Request. Eve Williams shared elements of her journey
with Friends and a visit to Cuba when she was younger. Eve requested
help from Yellow Springs Friends Meeting to fulfill a mission to return
to Cuba for 3 to 4 months in May 2005. Her visit would require a
license from the U.S. Government. The license requires an assurance that
the activities on her trip would be of a spiritual nature. Eve requested
a letter from Yellow Springs Friends Meeting supporting her license
request. Friends suggested that Eve consider a project that could build
bridges between branches of Friends (the Meeting in Cuba is a pastored
meeting) and consider FWCC Section of the Americas activities. Dick
Eastman and Dale Blanchard will consult with Eve to coordinate meeting
support for Eve’s need. Faith Morgan will be asked to consult as well.
Hazel Tulecke offered support with any Spanish language needs.
15. Clearness Committee for Membership for Alan Palmer. Carl Hyde
reported that Billie and Dick Eastman, Hazel Tulecke, Neal Crandall, Peg
Champney and Carl Hyde met with Alan Palmer and Gloria Davies to
consider Alan’s membership in the Yellow Springs Friends Meeting. The
Clearness Committee recommends Alan unreservedly for membership in the
Yellow Springs Friends Meeting. The Meeting for Business will consider
approval at its March 2005 Meeting for Business.
16. Ministry and Advancement. Cindy Butler-Jones is serving as clerk of
Ministry and Advancement.
The meeting closed in silent worship.The next meeting for business will
be Sunday, March 6, 2005 at 1:00 PM at Rockford.Submitted, Deb
Kociszewski, Recording Clerk
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14. From A Call to the Religious Society of Friends To A Conference on
the Treatment and Prevention of Torture, by John Calvi
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I believe the time has come for Quakers to create a conference on
torture. Increasingly, there are corners without Light in American
culture and places of American domination where there is no longer
simply the threat of abduction, imprisonment or death, but also the
likelihood that this includes torture. This calculated brutality has
become so large a part of our culture that the U.S. president has
“found” legal grounds to sidestep the Geneva Conventions on torture
perpetrated by our military on captives. What was once small and secret
is now widespread, public, and stated policy. Opposition would be the
essence of Friends’ Peace Testimony, practice, and faith and would add
to our history.
Because there is indication that torture will continue and increase, I
believe it is time for Friends to study this with a conference. Let us
become informed, spread information, and choose action in education,
investigation, prevention, and treatment. …I ask 3 things of you-
1) Please share this call to conference widely among Friends, Friends
meetings and Friends organizations. Future updates will be posted here.
2) Please take this call to heart and hold the effort in the Light.
3) If there are talents, gifts, resources you or your organization have
to help make this conference happen, please be in touch with me
directly, e-mail is BEST cal-@sover.net.
John Calvi; PO Box 301; Putney, VT 05346 802/387-4789 For the complete
text of John Calvi’s Call to Conference, see
http://www.johncalvi.com/Pages/ClvWebTraCnf.html
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15. Third Query: Social Relations & Universal Love
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Are love and unity fostered among you? Do you manifest a forgiving
spirit and a care for the reputation of others? If differences threaten
harmony among your members, is prompt action taken in a spirit of
meekness and love? Do you visit one another frequently? Do you keep in
touch with inactive and distant members?
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