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"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. "If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday." Isa. 58:6-10.

FROM WORSHIP AND MINISTRY Entering & Centering Worship begins upon entering the Meeting House door. "The first that enters into the place of your Meeting . . . turn in thy mind to the light, and wait upon God singly, as if none were present but the Lord; and here thou art strong. Then the next that comes in, let them in simplicity of heart sit down and turn in to the same light, and wait in the spirit. . . ." Alexander Parker 1660, quoted in Faith and Practice, extract 45, p. 100. A Friends Meeting requires each worshiper to give loving focused attention to the transition from one level of consciousness to another. Friends develop their own special way to help them center into worship. Whatever method used three important realities are included: a desire to be in the Presence; a relaxed alert attentiveness; and trust. These opening and centering minutes are very important for corporate worship. They help to draw those present together into the enlightening and empowering presence of God.

Meeting for Worship Queries: Are our Meetings for Worship held in stilled, expectant waiting upon God? As we worship is there a living silence in which we are drawn together by the power of God in our midst? Is the spirit of worship together one that nurtures all worshipers?

UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, February 13, at 7:00 PM: Religious education committee meets in the library. Sunday, February 20, at 11:15 AM: Open Finance Committee meeting to consider proposal to add 7th and 89th grade. Details below. Sunday, February 13, at 7:00 PM:FIRST DAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE Religious Education February is the shortest month, yet often seems the longest. Cure your winter blahs by checking out the mid-winter offerings from religious ed: The religious education committee is sponsoring Quakerism 201, a follow-up to our Quakerism 101 class from last winter. Bill Probsting from Westfield Friends Meeting is the teacher. The theme of the course is Quaker testimonies and concerns. The six-week course begins January 30th and continues on consecutive Sundays from 11:20 to 12:20 through March 13 (except for Feb. 20, Family Sunday). Suggested donation is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Sign up continues up to and including January 30th. February 6: Second week of a six-week course on Quakerism. Faith & Practice meets in the library. First Day School for the children. February 13: Third week of a six- week course on Quakerism. Faith & Practice meets in the library. First Day School for the children. February 20: Family Sunday. Intergenerational project of assembling hygiene kits for AFSC. They need toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand towels, wash clothes, soap, and/or combs. No Faith & Practice. February 27: Fourth week of a six-week course on Quakerism. Faith & Practice meets in the library. First Day School for the children.

OPEN FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TO CONSIDER 7TH AND 8TH GRADE PROPOSAL The Finance Committee will meet to review and discuss the proposal to expand Haddonfield Friends School to include 7th and 8th grades, on Sunday, February 20th, after the rise of Meeting for worship (approximately 11:15 A.M.) at the Meetinghouse. Though directed primarily toward Meeting members and attenders, all are welcome and encouraged to attend (financial- and non- financial-types alike), to discuss, among other things, the financial aspects of this plan and its effects on the finances of the Meeting and the School.

FAMILY CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS OFFERED Flora McKinney These workshops include five two and one half hour sessions. Topics include affirmation, communication, cooperation and creative conflict resolution. Times and places would be arranged with those who sign up.OPEN HOUSE Members and attenders of Haddonfield Monthly Meeting are cordially invited to an Open House at the School on Sunday, February 6, 2000 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Visit classrooms and tour the school, speak with teachers and talk with parents.

LEADINGS AND DREAMS Brad Sheeks SUPPORTING EACH OTHER'S LEADINGS AND DREAMS is a Tuesday night series for couples in March and April, at Friends Center, Philadelphia. Issues for deeper sharing include what do we dream for ourselves and our world? How do we feel led to live our faith? How does our couple relationship support us, and how can we support our partners more fully, and be supported more fully? The series will be led by Patricia McBee and Brad Sheeks, who have a minute of service from their meeting recognizing their many years of service leading couples workshops. For more information call them at 215-349-6959 or e- mail at BSHEEKS@JUNO.COM.

INQUIRERS' WEEKEND: BASIC QUAKERISM Pendle Hill and PYM are offering a course in Basic Quakerism the weekend of February 11-13, 2000 at Pendle Hill. For more information, see the posted flyer or call Pendle Hill at (610) 566-4507, ext. 127 or 142, or (800) 742-3150. Leaders will be Mickey Edgerton and Wade Wright.

NEW IN THE LIBRARY Among Friends: A Consultation with Friends about the Condition of Quakers in the U.S. Today (289.6/Amo). A report from the Earlham School of Religion, looking at the strengths and challenges among Friends today, at our leadership and how adequate preparation is for it, and at what potential contribution ESR can make. The New Military Humanism: Lessons from Kosovo, by Noam Chomsky (949.71/Cho). In analyzing the NATO bombing, Chomsky challenges the new humanism. Is it guided by power interests or by humanitarian concern? Is the resort to force undertaken in the name of principles and values, or are we witnessing something more crass and familiar? Fire in the Valley; Quaker Ghost Stories, by Charles Fager (J/F/Fag). Contains six ghost tales, each built around a kernel of historical facts, actual places and real people. Minutiae of the Meeting: Essays on Quaker Connections, by Max Carter (289.6/Car). These generally light-hearted essays connect Quakers to society---in all kinds of enterprises and companies, in science and the arts, in sports, and in government. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, by Anne Lamott (B/Lam). In a narrative spiced with stories and scripture, with diatribes, laughter, and tears, the author tells how she came to believe in God and then in herself; she shows us the myriad ways in which this sustains and guides her, shining the light of faith on the darkest part of ordinary life and exposing surprising pockets of meaning and hope. Virtuous Lives: Four Quaker Sisters Remember Family Life, Abolitionism, and Women's Suffrage (947/Vir). This fascinating account of four Quaker sisters' political and domestic lives in New England in the middle years of the 19th century includes accounts of their work on the Underground Railroad and of a visit to John Brown in prison. New Pendle Hill Pamphlets: More than Equals: Spiritual Friendships, by Trish Roberts (#345). Advocates for this growing form of spiritual nurture among Friends and gives good guidelines for seeking and sustaining a spiritual friendship. Treasure in Clay Jars, by Elizabeth Sutton (#346). The author rediscovered a powerful sense of God calling her to a more real spiritual life through her artistic work with clay in the Pendle Hill studio. Photographs and devotions record that experience.

HFS SUMMER CAMP Bernadette Hunter (Tr. Bernadette) Haddonfield Friends Summer Camp is in the planning stages for the summer of 2000. We are looking for Meeting members and attenders who are interested in being counselors, counselors-in- training or in just attending a few sessions to share a hobby or interest with the children (ages 5-12). The camp will extend from June 12 through August 4 but even if you can only make some of those weeks we'd love to have you! If you are interested please let me know by leaving me a message at the school at 429-6786. Thanks!!

MT. MISERY 1999 Bernadette Hunter Bright and early on Monday morning, November 22nd, 10 very excited fifth graders along with one very excited teacher, set out for Mt. Misery. The day had finally arrived when what the children have heard for years in Frolic speeches would become a reality. At our first stop, the instructor asked why we had come there, expecting an answer along the lines of "to learn about the cranberry industry". Several children answered, "Our teacher said we are here to come together". This pretty much set the tone for the next three days. "Come together" we did! We had a wonderful time, had great weather, learned a lot about each other, as well as the Pine Barrens, and came away with memories to last a lifetime. We would like to thank Tr. Paul, Tr. Bonnie, with her famous Cork Game', Michael Mackintosh ( Tr. Anne Dean's son and a 1986 graduate), and Dorothy Shallers (Tr. Paul's Mom who helped with the clean-up) for helping to make these memories. Two of the children would like to share some of theirs. Mt. Misery Kyle Heritage Before we went to Mt. Misery we went to Whites Bog, Buckingham, and Pasadena Clay Works. Whites Bog was a company town at the beginning of the cranberry industry in New Jersey. We did jobs that the people did long ago. We also saw a slide show about the history of Whites Bog and did house chores that were done and played games. Next we ate lunch and had a scavenger hunt. When we were done at Whitesbog we went to Buckingham, which was a saw mill town in the 1880s. There we dug up artifacts and tried to figure out the history of them. After that we went to Pasadena Clay Works and went through tunnels. Then we finally went to Mt. Misery. At Mt. Misery we unpacked at our lodge. We stayed in Larch Lodge. After that we played some games and had free time. When it got dark we went on a night hike. After the night hike we played the cork game and wrote in our journals. The cork game was made up by Tr. Bonnie. We also had a bonfire and told stories. On the second day we ate breakfast and had free time for a little while before Tr. Mike came. He taught us how to make a debris hut and also how to identify animal tracks. We learned how to tell what kind of animal it was, if it was running or walking, and what direction it was going in and how old or young it was. After Tr. Mike left, we made cranberry bread and cranberry sauce. After lunch we learned about fire ecology. We also went to see the pygmy pines and a fire tower. Pygmy pines are small pine trees. After dinner and a walk without flashlights, we took an aptitude test, which was a lot of fun, and did Paper Bag skits, which were great! Before bed we played the cork game again, and then wrote in our journals. On the last morning after breakfast, we packed up our things, cleaned up the lodge and then went to Meeting in the Green Cathedral. We took a long walk around Mt. Misery after Meeting and found a lot of really neat tire swings. Before long our parents were there. We had lunch and then it was time to go. Mt. Misery was very fun. Mount Misery By Sarah Turrin Mount Misery was the most exciting and educational field trip I have ever been on. Here is a brief idea of the things we did. At Whites Bog we did chores and jobs that a cranberry farmer would do on a daily basis. At Buckingham (an old town that was burnt down in a forest fire) we dug up artifacts from the remains of foundations. We went to Pasadina Clay works and went through old tunnels. We made cranberry bread and sauce. In the evenings we did fun indoor activities like an aptitude test (mainly trick questions) and paper bag skits. Paper bag skits were fun but they were also trust building and made us cooperate with our group. I loved doing the skits they were very funny! The best thing that happened at Mt. Misery was the class came together and learned how to work together. I will never ever forget it.

THE FEATHER OF PEACE: AN INCIDENT IN QUAKER HISTORY (Submitted by Gary Smith) This little story, here retold for children, is a favorite of Quaker historians. It narrates an actual happening in the Friends Meeting in Easton Township, Saratoga County, New York. It was a summer morning in the year 1775, and the sun shone brightly on the little cabin which served as a Meeting House for the Friends of Easton, in New York. It was a warm, sunny day, but the hearts of many were troubled. It was a time of strife, and reports came that bands of roving Indians were on the warpath. Even the children knew that something unusual was in the air and sensed that the older and weightier Friends of the Meeting were ill at ease. Zebulon Hoxie, the patriarch of the Meeting, sat on the facing bench, and beside him sat Robert Nisbet, a visiting Friend, who had walked through the forests for several days to meet with them. The children were restless, and the silence of the Meeting weighed heavily upon them, so that it came as a relief when the visiting Friend rose to speak. Robert Nisbet was a kindly man, and he knew well the fear which lay heavily on the hearts of the Easton Friends. They had stayed in their peaceful homes even though their neighbors had all fled to the larger settlements where they hoped for safety from the Indian raids. The visitor spoke: "The Beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long." His voice faltered and then went on, calmly and tenderly: "And how shall the Beloved of the Lord be thus safely covered? Even as the psalmist says: 'He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.' You have done well, dear Friends, to stay on in your homes, even though all your neighbors have fled, and therefore are these messages sent to you by me. These promises of covering and of shelter are truly meant for you. Make then your own, and remember the words of the Scriptures, 'Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day.'" Now the children knew why the stranger had come. Now they knew why their parents were troubled. It was the Indians! Would they really come, and, if they did, were they as terrible as people said? All was quiet in the Meeting House. Here and there, a child managed to steal a look through the windows or through the chinks between the logs. Outside, there seemed to be a faint rustling in the bushes, though there was no breeze. Suddenly, above the window sill, appeared the tips of several moving feathers. Then an Indian chief appeared in the doorway, looking with piercing eyes at each Friend in turn to see if there was any weapon present; but the Friends were entirely unarmed. Neither gun nor sword was to be found in any of their dwelling houses, so there could not be any in this peaceful Meeting. A moment later, other Indians stood beside their chief. Yet the Friends sat on, without stirring, in complete silence. At last, Zebulon Hoxie lifted his head and met the full gaze of the chief. No word was spoken. Steady friendliness to the strange visitors was written in every line of Zebulon Hoxie's face. Minutes passed, and then the Indian's eyes slowly fell. He signalled to his followers, and each slipped silently into a nearby bench. Then began one of the strangest meetings ever held in the Society of Friends. Not a Quaker stirred, and the silent Indians sat peacefully with them. At last the Friends on the facing bench shook hands solemnly. The meeting was over, and the Friends greeted their visitors. Then the chief spoke: "Indian come to kill white man. Indian come, see white men all sit quiet: no gun, no arrow, no knife; all quiet, all still, worshipping Great Spirit. Great Spirit is Indian, too. Then Great Spirit say to Indian: 'You must not kill these white men!'" Then the chief took a white feather from one of his arrows and stuck it firmly over the doorway, saying, "Indians all friends when see this feather." Then he turned and, with a sign to the others, led the way into the forest while the Friends watched in silence - except for Robert Nisbet's quiet words: "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust."

TAKE ACTION ON YOUR CONCERNS: THE PYM INDIAN COMMITTEE INVITES YOUR INVOLVEMENT Established in 1795, the Indian Committee is the oldest PYM committee in continuous operation. In financially supporting the many projects that come before it for review, the Committee places high priority on those that directly support Native American communities and the development of leadership and self-sufficiency in those communities. But, as important as our financial support can be in helping grass-roots projects get off the ground, we are much more than just a grant-making committee. The Indian Committee has worked with the AFSC Native American/Native Peoples Task force and FCNL to learn about and help Friends understand and address complex national issues such as Native American sovereignty, repatriation, and land claims. And we are also working to better understand Indian communities in our own part of the country, and to find new ways to support projects they present to us that will help them lay the groundwork for building cultural and economic strength and unity. The Indian Committee is currently seeking new members, and we invite Friends (young and less young) who would like to explore work with us to contact us. You would be very welcome to attend a few of our meetings to get introduced to our work, and we would be pleased to send anyone interested a copy of our Annual Report. And please consider inviting us to visit your Meeting to speak about current issues of concern to Native Americans and about how your Meeting can address them. Contact: Lois Kuter by e-mail at kuter@cynet.net

LET YOUR LIVES SPEAK Kay Tatum For some time the message: "Let your lives speak" has seemed important to me, followed by "whatsoever you sow. that shall you also reap". Do we examine our priorities to understand what is happening and what is uppermost in our thoughts and behavior? In this context I often think of how children are influenced by what they perceive to be important in their parents' behavior to the exclusion of the "do"s and don'ts" daily expressed. Is there a tension between what we want to be and how our lives reflect these ideals? At the time I was thinking this way, along comes Mercer Street Friends Center Report for the Year 2000. It is surely an example of a Friends group that carries out its "sense of divine mission " to care lovingly for the needs of children, the ill, the aging and the disenfranchised thru its Village Charter School. Inc., Visiting Nurse, Parent Support Services, 2lst Century Cities Demonstrations Project, Opportunity Center, Food Cooperative, Child Development Day Care, Home Health Aides, and Adult Day Services. I'm sure we can think of people in our own Meeting whose lives follow this precept.

SUPREME COURT TURNS AWAY PRISCILLA ADAMS' APPEAL (adapted from the Associated Press) The Supreme Court turned away appeals by Quakers - including that of Priscilla Adams who say the IRS violates their religious freedom by charging fees and interest for delays in paying the portion of their federal tax that funds the military. In the Quakers' case, the court turned away arguments by three Religious Society of Friends members in the cases of Browne v. U.S. and Adams v. Commissioner, IRS. The action let the IRS continue charging late fees and interest, in addition to their back taxes. The appeals filed on behalf of Gordon and Edith Browne, who have homes in New Hampshire and Vermont, and Priscilla Lippincott Adams of Burlington, N.J., did not contest having to pay 100 percent of their tax bill when the tax agency forces their hand. Instead, the Quakers cited a "religious hardship" and argued that they should be able to pay the back taxes without penalties or interest. They said that as a result of religious faith and study, they could not voluntarily pay the portion of their federal income taxes that they determine is dedicated to war and war-related activities. In rejecting those arguments, lower courts relied on a 1982 Supreme Court decision that said, "The tax system could not function if denominations were allowed to challenge [it] because tax payments were spent in a manner that violates their religious belief." Adams withheld a portion of her federal income taxes for five years in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and later was assessed late fees and interest - adding about 10 percent to the back taxes she owed. Adams said yesterday that she would not pay the taxes, even if her beliefs land her in prison. "I'm deeply saddened that they aren't going to hear the case, but they needed to look at other ways that I could pay taxes without contributing to war efforts," she said. "They could create a peaceful tax pool, that would collect taxes that would only go to non-war activities, but they chose to not listen to reason. I will continue to refuse to pay until the government stops using my money for the purpose of killing people." FROM PRISCILLA Priscilla Adams Dear Friends, On Tuesday, January 18th the Supreme Court announced that it would not hear either the Browne's or my case, both on the issues of conscientious objection, war tax resistance, and religious freedom. This marks the end of both cases in the court system. Several newspapers are writing articles. Peter Goldberger, my attorney, will be speaking at Yearly Meeting sessions in March. Peter has an extraordinary ability to put Quaker beliefs into words and to explain where the issues of conscience are in today's society. This timely session will be moving and valuable to all who attend. I am planning next steps with the War Tax Concerns Support group and will be sending more information soon. I send my deep and sincere thanks to everyone who supported this effort. Your support has been both a precious gift to me personally and has helped the movement to achieve greater recognition for these issues. Thank you. Please contact me if you would like to talk more, and please forward this note to others who are interested.

POEMS OLD AND NEW (No new poem by a meeting member was submitted this month. The poem by Camilla Hewson Flinterman is from a Friends' web site and seemed to the editor to reflect the spirit of our meeting for worship very well. Please don't be shy, send us in a poem, the feedback on poetry of members and attenders is very positive). Thoughts in Meeting for Worship Camilla Hewson Flinterman We come to this place by many different paths, bearing our burdens, bringing our gifts. Here, where our paths intersect, where our journeys of the Spirit come together, We become as spokes of a great wheel-centered and united by the hub-- by the Spirit, which lightens our burdens, and uses our gifts in the service of Love. nobody loses all the time e. e. cummings nobody loses all the time I had an uncle named Sol who was a born failure and nearly everybody said he should have gone into vaudeville perhaps because my Uncle Sol could sing McCann He Was A Diver on Xmas Eve like Hell Itself which may or may not account for the fact that my Uncle Sol indulged in that possibly most inexcusable of all to use a highfalootin phrase luxuries that is or to wit farming and be it needlessly added my Uncle Sol's farm failed because the chickens ate the vegetables so my Uncle Sol had a chicken farm till the skunks ate the chickens when my Uncle Sol had a skunk farm but the skunks caught cold and died and so my Uncle Sol imitated the skunks in a subtle manner or by drowning himself in the watertank but somebody who'd given my Uncle Sol a Victor Victrola and records while he lived presented to him upon the auspicious occasion of his decease a scruptious not to mention splendiferous funeral with tall boys in black gloves and flowers and everything and I remember we all cried like the Missouri when my Uncle Sol's coffin lurched because somebody pressed a button (and down went my Uncle Sol and started a worm farm)

LAST WORDS OF JAMES NAYLER His Last Testimony, said to be delivered by him about two Hours before his Departure out of this Life; several Friends being present. There is a spirit which I feel, that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. It sees to the end of all temptations: as it bears no evil in itself, so it conceives none in thoughts to any other. If it be betrayed it bears it, for its ground and spring is the mercies and forgiveness of God. Its crown is meekness, its life is everlasting love unfeigned, and takes its kingdom with entreaty, and not with contention, and keeps it by lowliness of mind. In God alone it can rejoice, though none else regard it, or can own its life. It's conceived in sorrow, and brought forth without any to pity it; nor doth it murmur at grief and oppression. It never rejoiceth, but through sufferings, for with the world's joy it is murthered. I found it alone, being forsaken; I have fellowship therein, with them who lived in dens, and desolate places in the earth, who through death obtained this resurrection and eternal holy life. JN