Volume 47 No. 5 April 2001

from Faith and Practice, pp. 32,33

The absence from Friendís worship of the outward observance of the Lord's Supper, water baptism, and other sacraments emphasizes the reality of the inward experience. Friends are aware of the power of a true, inward baptism of the Holy Spirit; in the meeting for worship at its best they know direct communion with God and fellowship with one another. These experiences make the outward rites seem unnecessary and, to some Friendís, a hindrance to full attainment of the spiritual experiences which are symbolized.

While fully appreciative of the help that has come through the outward forms to many generations of Christians, Friends symbolize by their very lack of symbols the essentially inward nature of the sacraments. However, just as rituals and forms may become ends in themselves and thus diminished in spiritual power, so doctrinaire repudiation of form and ritual may become an end in itself, devoid of life.

Friend's affirm the sacramental nature of the whole of life when it is under the leading of the Holy Spirit. Any moment, any relationship and object when so touched can serve as a sacrament. Insofar as we are faithful in our testimonies, our very lives may thus serve for others as the outward and visible evidence of inward and invisible communion.

Query 8, from Faith and Practice, individual queries:

Do I live in the power of that Life and Spirit that takes away the occasion of all wars?

How do I maintain Friendsí testimony that military training and all participation in war and its preparation are inconsistent with the teaching and the spirit of Christ?

Do I work for the establishment of alternative ways of settling disputes?

Am I aware that to build a world community requires that we all face our differences honestly, openly, and in trust?

Do I treat conflict as an opportunity for growth, and address it with careful attention? Do I seek to recognize and respect the Divine in those with whom I have a basic disagreement? Do I look for ways to reaffirm in action and attitude my love for the one with whom I am in conflict?

None this month.

Jayne Stokes

As detailed below, there will be a time change for Childrenís First Day School (Pre-K through 6th Grades only) from April 1 to May 20. Family First Day (third First Day) will not change. Meeting for Worship is from 10 to 10:45, then Worship in Song from 10:45 to 11:00, special activity for children from 11:00 to 12, then covered dish lunch. (Please note: There is no First Day School or covered dish in April, since the third First Day is Easter).

This is an experiment to determine if having First Day School during Meeting for Worship would fit better into family schedules and enable more children to attend First Day School. This experiment will be evaluated by the Worship and Ministry and Religious Education Committees in June to assist in

planning classes for next year.

This is our last session of the year. We hope your children have been enjoying First Day School. The teachers for the final six weeks are Ann Miller and Linda Ponter for pre-K and kindergarten, Ty and Helene Drago for 1st through 4th grades, and Rachel Williams for 4th through 6th grades. Please plan on attending First Day School classes this Spring. Regular and consistent attendance will enhance the First Day School experience for both children and teachers.

10:00: Meeting for Worship with parents. (please be on time.)

10:20: Teachers and children go quietly to their classes. (When teachers rise, children follow.) Class is from 10:20 to 11:00.

11:00 to 11:20: Coffee time.

11:20 to 12:20: Supervised activities for children together. Adult Class and

Young Friends classes meet.

April 1, 8, 22: The Sayings of Jesus. A discussion led by Howard McKinney.

Faith & Practice meets in the library.

April 15: Easter. There are no First Day classes.

April 29: A special surprise!

Do you like kids? Being a First Day School teacher is a great way to get to know the kids in our Meeting. Religious Ed is looking for teachers, substitutes and assistants for classes starting in September. No experience needed. First Day School can be a great experience for our kids. After all, it takes a Meeting to raise a Friend. Contact Flora McKinney, Jayne Stokes or Susan Tucker if you are interested.

Flora McKinney

"One of the task of the religious education enterprise is to preserve, to teach and to ensure the continued availability of the gathered wisdom of the spiritual community". Daniel A. Seeger Companions along the Way.

Do hold the MEETING in the light at 12 noon, each day as we try a new time frame for First Day School.

HFS is looking for a part-time Spanish teacher. If interested, send a resume to Haddonfield Friends School, 47 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, 08033.

Priscilla Adams

On February 17th, Bruce Adams sang a post-Valentine concert at the Meeting House. It was a joy to see such a large and diverse crowd of about 100 people. The many smiles and appreciative comments gave testimony to the positive reactions to the concert - and to the yummy refreshments provided by Friendship Committee. Donations didn't cover the expenses, so it didn't result in financial income for the Meeting, but joy filled the Meeting House during that evening. Bruce plans on doing future concerts, and notices will be in the newsletter. Many thanks to Friendship Committee for their

sponsorship and work on the refreshments.

Submitted by Gary Smith, with thanks to Doug and Sue Hall

One: Don't miss the boat.

Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Six: Build your future on high ground.

Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Opportunities of a divided Congress -means turning just a few votes can preserve good legislation and prevent bad. This will be a Congress in which YOUR legislative action, supported by FCNL, can have a large impact. DONATIONS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR can help our Quaker witness in Washington.

Friends can use credit cards through FCNL web site, http/www.fcnl.org/suprt/indz.htm, or phone {800-630-1330) or 245 Second Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002-5795.

Our sleepover started out with lighting the shabbat candles. We said a prayer for them. Six High School Friends, and two chaperones came: Josh Ponter, Kim Drago, Devon Harrison, Sarah Barclay, Nadia Barclay, and Molly Katancik. Our chaperones were Drew Humphries and Dan Tompkins. After Shabbat candles were lit, we had shabbat dinner of lasagna, chicken, carrots, and chollah bread. We said prayers for dinner and washed our hands with the special water. We had Kiddish, the blessing of the "wine" (apple juice). After that, we did various activities until bedtime. In the morning we had latkes, prepared by Josh Ponter and Sarah and Nadia Barclay. After breakfast, we went to Temple Emmanuel, a synagogue. While we were there a b'not mitzvah took place for Victoria Cohn. We said Hebrew prayers and had silent prayer with the piano playing, which everyone agreed was one of the best parts. After the Synagogue, we went back home. It was a good sleepover.

As related by: Molly Katancik, Kim Drago, Josh Ponter, and Drew Humphries

While I have yet to form an opinion on the advisability of the idea of separate incorporation of the Haddonfield Friends School, I think it is important for us, going forward, to ensure that the meeting maintains control of the school. One option in Pat Williamsí suggested implementation is to have the board of the school corporation perpetuate itself without requiring Monthly Meeting to pass on the who the new board members will be.

Patís stated reasons for considering the concept of a separate corporation are "First, to insulate others from liabilities arising from that activity. Second, to be able to attract and utilize board members with special interests and talents in governing that activity." I expect that these goals can be accomplished without self-perpetuation. Instead of a pure self-perpetuation, it would be better, in my opinion, for the school to be constituted as a subsidiary corporation, giving the Monthly Meeting the duty to approve newly nominated members of the board and the right to remove and nominate replacements for current members of the board. Normally, the board could be expected to nominate its replacement members, subject to reasonable requirements (such as requiring 2/3 of board members be members of Haddonfield Meeting, for example). As subsidiaries are frequently constructed with limited liability in mind, we would have to ensure that that is done here if we choose to accept the first stated goal. The second stated goal would not be impaired, as the board could continue to seek replacement board members "with special interests and talents." It would merely have to answer to someone else regarding its choices.

Such a change would help maintain a strong relationship between the meeting and the school beyond physical proximity.

In Cleveland in the 1970s a group of Friends formed a school called "The Friends School in Cleveland." But the board was constituted in such a way that Friends lost control of it. Because of a later change in the schoolís character they struggled to get the word "Friends" removed from the school name. Let us not repeat that mistake.

Shayna Riddleís membership was approved.

A report by Bill Patterson on our meeting web site was presented. A number of useful suggestions were made. Offers of help were accepted.

Property Committee reported that the Fire Marshall noted a number of violations requiring correction in our building. The biggest involves ventilation over the kitchen stove. The Committee is working on these violations, as well as on assisted listening for the Meeting House.

After much discussion it was decided to have a trial period of First-day School meeting during part of Meeting for Worship. See First-Day School schedule.

On a starred night Prince Lucifer uprose.

Tired of his dark dominion swung the fiend

Above the rolling ball in cloud part screened,

Where sinners hugged their spectre of repose.

Poor prey to his hot fit of pride were those.

And now upon his western wing he leaned,

Now his huge bulk o'er Afric's sands careened,

Now the black planet shadowed Arctic snows.

Soaring through wider zones that pricked his scars

With memory of the old revolt from Awe,

He reached a middle height, and at the stars,

Which are the brain of heaven, he looked, and sank.

Around the ancient track marched, rank on rank,

The army of unalterable law.

By ninth grader Aliyah Shanti of Olympia Meeting

The trees speakBut their language is hiddenDeep inside their bark.They must trust us Before they reveal it.The wind speaks But in so many different languagesThat it is hard to pick one out.The stars speakBut their fiery flaresMake us afraid to knowWhat they say.All things in the UniverseHave a language.It is not they who must learn to speakIt is we who must learn to listen.