|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The Meeting assembled at the appointed hour and settled into open worship. The Clerks introduced themselves: Arlene Kelly, Clerk, Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting; Dudley (Sandy) Heath, Alternate Clerk, Moorestown Monthly Meeting; and Kimberly Haas Diliberto, Recording Clerk, Uwchlan Monthly Meeting.
Minute 26: Welcome to Visitors and Appreciations
Members and attenders of PYM who were attending Annual Sessions for the first time were recognized and welcomed.
The Clerk thanked Yearly Meeting staff for the work they have done for the Annual Sessions, and introduced Karen Hallowell, Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, Clerk of the Annual Sessions Planning Group, who gave thanks to Helen Fields and her crew for the excellent meals and spiritual nourishment they have provided during these Annual Sessions. Helen Fields was led to take on the meals and her ministry was enthusiastically appreciated by all. Karen also recognized Anne Twining, clerk of the newly revived Meals Working Group. Helen read the names of her group, and Meeting thanked all. The Clerk and Meeting gave thanks to Karen Hallowell and the Annual Sessions Planning Group.
Minute 27: Nominating Committee Report
The Clerk turned proceedings over to Chris Mahon, Woodstown MM, Clerk of Interim Meeting. Chris called upon Rich Ailes of Middletown MM in Concord Quarter, Clerk of the Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee, who presented outgoing Clerk Arlene Kelly with a gift. Rich read the attached minute of appreciation, which Meeting heartily approved. Our clerks come to us as gifts given through God's grace to offer us leadership and strength. In this light, we wish to acknowledge Arlene Kelly's energetic and spirit-led four terms as clerk of our Yearly Meeting.Rich introduced Sue Makler, Abington MM, incoming Clerk of the Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee, who presented the full roster of names of Friends who have agreed to serve on various Yearly Meeting committees. This list had been posted during these sessions. Sue introduced Gretchen Castle, Doylestown MM in Bucks Quarter, Clerk; Henry Beck, Gwynedd MM in Abington Quarter, Alternate Clerk; Dudley (Sandy) Heath, Moorestown MM in Haddonfield Quarter, re-appointed as Alternate Clerk; and TylaAnn Burger, Green Street MM in Philadelphia Quarter, Assistant Treasurer. It was noted that TylaAnn Burger is the current treasurer of Friends Journal and the former treasurer of Friends General Conference.
During her service our Yearly Meeting has matured into a new structure and Arlene has worked vigorously with that structure to make it more visible and meaningful to Friends, always attempting to make it a living and responsive one for our Monthly Meetings.
We especially hold up that part of the clerk's service which took our Yearly Meeting through the period following the tragic events of Ninth Month 11, 2001. Arlene responded to a leading that ultimately helped bring the whole Yearly Meeting together to comprehend the trauma of those events and react to them in ways that were both spiritual and practical.
We have been blessed by her clerking of Yearly Meeting sessions that have been grounded in worship and discipline.
She has worked enthusiastically with our volunteers to instill a vision for our Yearly Meeting, always challenging us to work harder towards a sense of shared mission and community. Her energy has touched many of our Yearly Meeting committees from the Administrative Group to those Friends called upon to serve as liaisons to outside organizations. Her natural talent to identify problems and find solutions for them has improved countless processes in our structure.
Arlene's service calls to mind the words of Jesus that have been so important to Friends throughout our history, recorded by Luke, chapter 8 verse 16: "Nobody lights a lamp and covers it with a basin or puts it under the bed. No, a person puts their lamp on a lamp-stand so that those who come in can see the light."
We acknowledge Arlene's many gifts which she has shared with us and thank this Friend for her daily decision to let her light shine upon us. We welcome the changes that our Yearly Meeting will continue to go through because of her tireless efforts.
Sue asked for approval of these appointments. Meeting approved.
Minute 28: Outgoing Epistle - Final Reading
Chris Mahon returned the proceedings to Arlene Kelly, who called upon Dana Kester-McCabe, Wicomico River MM, member of the Epistle Committee, who presented a final version of the outgoing epistle. While it spoke of our sadness concerning world conditions and our financial struggles, the epistle also related the highlights of our Annual Sessions, including our inter-generational peace vigil, our Minute of Concern regarding the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and religious activist Jim Wallis's encouraging talk of hope during insecure times. With a few minor changes in wording, the epistle was approved by Meeting.
Minute 29: Four Properties Report
The Clerk introduced Anne Moore, Valley MM, Clerk of General Services Standing Committee, who introduced Walter Evans of Doylestown MM. He presented a multimedia report on the four properties owned by Yearly Meeting, their roles, maintenance activities and projected maintenance needs. A Friend lifted up the concern that the report referred to the Arch Street Meeting House as largely empty, but it in fact receives roughly 43,000 visitors each year.
The report identified the level of annual funding needed for each property for maintenance and improvements. The Committee will identify existing property reserves, will ask the Development Services Working Group and the Financial Oversight Working Group to identify financial resources, and will devise a comprehensive stewardship plan for the properties.
Minute 30: Unfinished Business
The Clerk noted, for the record, that Meeting received the report of Interim Meeting and an interim report of the Structure Evaluation Project Group on Friday afternoon but did not discuss them, because of the constraints of time. It was suggested that each Interim Meeting member present the report to their respective Monthly Meetings.
The Clerk listed the agenda items we have referred to other sessions. We approved a number of disseminations of our Minute of Concern on the U.S. invasion of Iraq, including a delegation of any who might feel led to speak in Washington DC with the elected officials from our four states.
The materials for discussing strengthening relationships between Yearly Meeting and Monthly Meetings will be disseminated to the appropriate groups for further consideration.
Minute 31: Next Yearly Meeting Dates
On Thursday evening, May 22, 2003, at 6 p.m., there will be a Called Session of the Yearly Meeting here at Fourth and Arch to act on the budget for the next fiscal year.
There will also be a Called Session of Yearly Meeting on Saturday, October 11, 2003, at the Arch Street Meetinghouse to receive and act on the report of the Structure Evaluation Project Group.
The 2004 Annual Sessions are scheduled for March 25 to 28, 2004, at Arch Street Meeting House. Friends were reminded that the Annual Sessions Planning Group is seeking input regarding Residential Yearly Meetings toward the end of making a recommendation either to Interim Meeting or Yearly Meeting in Session regarding the right next steps in relation to Residential Yearly Meeting.
The minutes were read and approved.
After a brief break, the Meeting was joined by Young Friends and Middle School Friends and settled into open worship for an extended period of time.
Minute 32: Staff Recognition
The Clerk introduced General Secretary Thomas Jeavons, Swarthmore MM, and George Pickering, Middletown Meeting, Bucks Quarter, a member of Personnel Services Group, who recognized a fourth staff person who has completed 25 years of service to the Yearly Meeting and asked the Meeting to join in minuting appreciation for the service of Ralph (Cookie) Caldwell of Wrightstown MM, Young Friends Program Coordinator. They spoke of Cookie's enormous contribution to the Young Friends Program, and Meeting warmly approved the minute. During our Annual Sessions of 2003, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting wishes to express its deepest appreciation for the work of Cookie Caldwell, who has served faithfully on our staff for a quarter century as Coordinator of the Young Friends Program. He has offered personal support, encouragement, and nurture to several generations of Young Friends now.
Cookie Caldwell has brought organization, creativity, and consistency to the Young Friends Program. He was a force behind the creation of the Youth Center at Burlington. Through his unending faith in young people, he has helped hundreds of them find ways to make positive contributions to their communities. His sense of humor, his ability to listen deeply without judgment, and his skill at promoting youth activities all around our Yearly Meeting have contributed significantly to the success of the Young Friends Program. So we minute today our deepest gratitude for his service among us.A second minute, put forward by the Young Friends in appreciation of Cookie’s service, was also read and warmly approved. Minute 33: Children's PresentationYoung Friends of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends, would like to recognize Cookie Caldwell of Wrightstown Monthly Meeting for 25 years of service to the Young Friends Community.
Cookie has been an authentic and loving presence with qualities that have profoundly changed the lives of many young people. We are grateful for your faithful and conscientious manner. You have patiently supported Young Friends in learning Friends process, not to mention supplying us with chocolate chip soda bread. You have changed us in ways that we cannot begin to voice. You are loved. We thank you.
The Clerk turned the program over to Gretchen Castle, Interim Director of Religious Education, who introduced the respective teachers, staff and other helpers and the children's presentations. With songs, masks and a banner, the children presented a Peaceable Kingdom, which was the theme of their activities at Annual Sessions, as well as the curriculum at many Monthly Meeting First-day Schools this spring.
After a brief period of closing worship, the Meeting adjourned, proposing to meet again on Fifth-day, Fifth Month 22, 2003, God willing.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM