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Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends convened for its 323rd annual sessions at the Fourth and Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia, on Fifth-day Evening, Third Month 27, 2003, at the appointed hour of 7:00 PM and settled into open worship. The presiding clerk was Arlene Kelly, the alternate clerk was Dudley (Sandy) Heath and the recording clerk was John R. McKinstry.
- Minute 1: Clerk's Welcome
At the conclusion of the extended period of worship, the Clerk welcomed all. Visitors from other Yearly Meetings were invited to introduce themselves. Those who rose to be recognized were John Darnell, of Frederick Monthly Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and the Friends General Conference Traveling Ministries Program; and Richard and Elizabeth Shamis, members of Britain Yearly Meeting and active in the life of Sacramento Monthly Meeting, Pacific Yearly Meeting. We also received a letter of introduction on behalf of Richard and Elizabeth Shamis from Pacific Yearly Meeting.
The Clerk introduced Mario Cavallini, Clerk of the Meeting on Worship and Ministry, and asked him to introduce members of Worship and Ministry on the facing bench. The clerk also invited members of the Standing Committee on Worship and Care to introduce themselves.- Minute 2: Keynote Speaker
Mario Cavallini introduced our keynote speaker, Mary Ellen McNish, General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee and a member of Byberry Monthly Meeting. Mary Ellen spoke on the topic: No One is Our Enemy.
In her remarks, she addressed the question of what is the place of Quakers in our present world of turmoil. She first noted that each generation is called upon and is given the opportunity to make the peace testimony its own. This process of having a present understanding of our faith can be painful, but it is necessary as we prepare our hearts by acknowledging our fears.
Second, she noted that we can offer the world ourselves. In the face of the grim vision of the present Administration, we offer a valuable alternative vision to the world, that sees a true axis of evil of pandemic poverty, environmental degradation and a world awash in weapons. We offer the world a mission to beat swords into ploughshares, to take away the occasion for all wars through such things as international cooperation, the securing of fundamental human rights and the commitment to and appreciation of diversity. We can draw great hope and promise from the international peace movement that we have helped to build. The path to peace is arduous, but we will be faithful to our goal to change the human heart, so that all may join us to walk cheerfully over the earth seeing that of God in everyone.
We received her powerful and profound sentiments in the stillness of the presence of the Divine Spirit. Her remarks were followed by many thoughtful questions and remarks.
The minutes were read and approved and announcements given. Then, after a brief period of open worship the Meeting adjourned, to reconvene Sixth-day morning at 9:00 AM
John R. McKinstry, recording clerk
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM