Friday morning, March 26, 2004, PYM Minutes

Sixth-day Morning, Third Month 26, 2004

Meeting gathered at the appointed time Sixth-day morning, Third Month 26, 2004, and settled into open worship. Clerk was Gretchen Castle, Alternate Clerk was Dudley Heath, and Recording Clerk Susan White.

In the silence of opening worship, Friends of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in session rose in turn to state the name and Meeting of Friends in our Yearly Meeting who have passed from this life in the last year or so.

Minute 8: Clerk's Welcome

Clerk welcomed Friends to the session, and also welcomed Deborah Fisch (Paullina Monthly Meeting, Iowa Yearly Meeting - Conservative), who was visiting as a representative of the Friends General Conference where she is coordinator of the Traveling Ministries Program. A travel minute for Deborah was read. Clerk acknowledged the presence of Bruce Birchard (Central Philadelphia), General Secretary of Friends General Conference. Friends also welcomed Byron Sandford (Friends Meeting of Washington, Baltimore Yearly Meeting), who is director of William Penn House in Washington. A travel minute for Byron was read. Lamar Matthew, clerk of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and David Castle from Iowa Yearly Meeting were also welcomed.

Stephan de la Veaux (Wilmington Meeting), a member of the Epistle Committee, read an incoming epistle from Netherlands Yearly Meeting. The theme of their Yearly Meeting in 2003 was "Putting Quaker witness into practice in light of European citizenship -- how can we provide the witness with hands and feet?" They considered how Quakers can participate in discussion on the unification of Europe. They further explored the values they as Quakers would like to see realized in a unified Europe.


Minute 9: Yearly Meeting Priorities

Clerk lifted up the importance of seeking God's will in all our work. She then introduced Chris Mahon, clerk of Interim Meeting, who reminded us of the stated purpose we have framed for our Yearly Meeting: "Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's purpose is to serve God by nurturing and supporting the collective spiritual journey of Friends and seekers."

She reminded us that in 1999 at the suggestion of our General Secretary, we began to discuss setting priorities for our Yearly Meeting. Then in May 2002, we began to work on what those priorities might be. In July 2002, there was a special called session of Interim Meeting to further consider priorities. At that time, we set our priorities to be three:
• Creating more visible and more hospitable Meeting communities.
• Enabling community service and witness that expresses what is best in our faith.
• Supporting religious education for children and adults.

Within a month of our July 2002 meeting, fiscal realities began assaulting us. It became clear to many of us that we would need to look carefully at what we were doing and probably make some hard choices. Our priorities then gave us tools to use in discerning God's will for our witness in the world, and they continue to do so.

Chris offered that priorities call each of us to look beyond our immediate and personal leadings -- to see the big picture. Priorities are useful, and there are signs that ours are working within our corporate witness. For example, Standing Committees are laying down working groups and helping to form new ones as way opens. In addition, while our priorities are very broad, they still need discerning. Which Testimonies will be pursued in a given year? Our experience has been that priorities are tools, and not stumbling blocks, in discerning how we can best serve God's purpose with available resources.

In a period of open discussion, Friends lifted up the following:

A Friend offered that priorities are valuable to our Yearly Meeting staff in rightly ordering the work they do on our behalf, especially in terms of how they allocate their time.

A Friend confused by the process raised up questions. Why did Interim Meeting set these priorities rather than Yearly Meeting in session? Why does Interim Meeting review these, rather than Yearly Meeting in session? What are we doing here this morning? How do we relate to the priorities being set and reviewed?

Clerk answered that the purpose of the discussion this morning was to review where we are as a Yearly Meeting. Are we moving in a rightly ordered way? Chris Mahon also answered that Yearly Meeting in session in 1999 began discussing the concept of having priorities. Also, the priorities are valuable for staff, and Interim Meeting supervises our staff.

A Friend pointed out that Interim Meeting is open and welcoming to all Friends within the Yearly Meeting.

Another Friend offered that the wording of the priorities came from various bodies such as the Structure and Workings Committee. The priorities were authored by many Friends across our Yearly Meeting.

A Friend lifted up a concern that we may be moving against a covenant he felt was established by George Fox with God. Why do we find the Light of Christ in other Religions in the world, and what does that mean?

Another Friend offered that we don't all share the same sense of the Divine. We work with a richly diverse range of beliefs among Friends of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

A Friend offered that these stated priorities are useful and seem appropriate for our staff, and for our Yearly Meeting as an administrative structure. However, at a recent Future Search Conference in our Yearly Meeting, two additional and different priorities were lifted up:
• We have a Spiritual hunger which needs to be fed.
• We need to understand and nurture ministry and eldering. Friends traveling in the ministry are precious to us.
Perhaps we need to consider additional priorities such as these to support more effectively our Monthly Meetings and individual Friends.

A Friend reminded us that we are called to be faithful in seeking the Spiritual basis of all our work.

Clerk then offered that we are living in God's presence, and we are increasingly challenged to articulate our calling in Divine Light.

As Friends began to consider the minutes to this point, a Friend challenged us to "Rejoice -- the kingdom of God is at hand. Anything is possible. It doesn't matter how big we are."

The minutes were then read, corrected, and approved, and Friends took a short break before resuming the morning's work.
Susan White, Recording Clerk


Minute 10: Nominating Committee Report

The second portion of our morning session began with the clerk recognizing Susan Makler, Abington MM, clerk of Nominating Committee. She urged Friends to read their handouts showing names of those recommended for service to specific Yearly Meeting work, and she encouraged Friends to fill out the talents and interests survey available in the lobby. She also explained the interactive process necessary to successful identification of individuals who will accept when asked to apply their gifts to the functions discerned to be important for our Yearly Meeting.

Minute 11: Friends Fiduciary Corporation

Lois Forrest, Medford MM, brought us the report of Friends Fiduciary Corporation, which has adapted as conditions and opportunities have changed. For example, the Charitable Gift Annuity program has grown as Friends are able to begin with $5,000 and to-date gifts have been directed to 28 different Friends organizations. Lois cordially invited all to attend the Annual Meeting here on Tuesday, June 8. Members of the Board here today were recognized.
Robert (Bob) Hayden Sr., Swarthmore MM, Treasurer of Friends Fiduciary Corp. and member of its Investment Committee, explained the criteria by which a balanced fund with socially beneficial investments seeks to manage money to provide predictable return and to select investment management firms. Given their benchmark expectations, Friends Fiduciary is pleased to report their funds exceeded the benchmarks.

Minute 12: Treasurer's Report

Treasurer's Report by Dennis O'Brien, Providence MM, Treasurer of Yearly Meeting, noted that he could report cheerfully, once again, our auditors' report is unremarkable. A clean audit is pleasant to announce, and he observed that it is our challenge to give financially so that the work we want to do can go forward. TylaAnn Burger, Green Street MM, has been Assistant Treasurer and will after these sessions become our Treasurer. She and Thom Jeavons, General Secretary, shared with the body of the meeting their enormous appreciation for Denny's 12 years of service as our Treasurer. A basketball signed by the financial team was passed to Denny. TylaAnn requested questions so that her reports can educate each of us to understand and appreciate the ways our Ministry of Administration blesses and binds us together.


Minute 13: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Budget

The clerk acknowledged the Standing Committee clerks on the facing benches as she observed our unity and prepared the meeting to receive the report of Jacqueline Bowers, Falls MM, clerk of Financial Stewardship Committee. Jackie acknowledged the twelve members who serve at-large or appointed by other Standing Committees. She reviewed the survey sent each Spring to Monthly Meetings and the accumulated data which helps the Financial Stewardship Committee shape the financial plan which then is fine-tuned by Standing Committees. Last Fall's budget conference was a joy when it was found that the generous donations of Meetings matched the projected expenses so that a balanced budget was sent out to Meetings this winter. Materials in our hands today were explained by Jackie, emphasizing that investment income is primarily restricted to specific purposes, and donations from Meetings and the Annual Fund support our current Yearly Meeting programs. Questions drew out that the Annual Fund has had fairly receipts in recent years, and to reach this year's expectation we who are here need to return and encourage ourselves and others to contribute. Regarding staff cuts, Thom Jeavons told of eight full- and part-time positions (five full-time equivalents) lost over the past two years, with almost no support staff remaining. If further cuts become necessary, program will be affected. After further questions surrounding our interpretation to visitors here at Arch Street Meeting House, the proposed budget was approved.

These minutes were read, corrected and approved.
After announcements, the meeting was adjourned following a time of worship.
Suzanne Rie Day, recording clerk


Append list of handouts