MINUTES
Minneapolis Friends Meeting
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, July 8, 2012

Attenders:  [Names redacted for online version]

1. Approve June Minutes
June minutes were APPROVED.
2. Monthly Reports
Director of Ministry – Pat Jones reported.
+Mary Jean Port has received a grant from the Elizabeth Ann Bogert Memorial Fund for the Study and Practice of Christian Mysticism. The grant is administered by Friends World Committee for Consultation. Mary Jean’s goal is to deepen her sense of the mystical, and to explore how she can carry that sense over to her work in the world (writing and teaching). She will do two silent retreats in solitude over the next several months and lead a workshop (Nov. 2-4, 2012, at the Christine Center in Wisconsin) called “Writing from the Silence.” All are welcome at the workshop.
+Bruce (Harv) and Julie Busta are going to Woodbrooke in September for two months.  They will be Friends in Residence.  Bruce will do research on sustainability reporting by corporations.
+Annette Smith’s Caring Bridge site is up.  She won’t be able to put weight on her one side until September.  She is able to use a walker.  Arrange to see her by contacting Pat.
+The meeting’s web site now has the weekly bulletin posted.  Names with phone numbers will be removed.
+In addition to the roof being reshingled recently, Property Committee has been busy repairing ceilings, painting the floor of the lift, and more.  Pat invites Friends to thank members of Property Committee.
+Pat thanked the Death and Memorial Committee for its help with Ron Mattson’s memorial service.  Pat named a number of Friends in recognition of their help.  The family brought photographs of meeting from the time of Ron’s service and donated them to the meeting.  Pat offered to talk with Friends about innovations Ron brought to meeting and pointed out Ron’s coming out as a gay man during his service here.  Ron wrote about his decision and started a committee of concern, which became FLGC (Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns).  A Friend asked whether a minute should be composed for Ron.  Pat felt this would not be appropriate, because he was not a member of our meeting for a long time.  Ron had been a member for the past 40 years in Central City, Nebraska.
Ministry & Counsel – reported by Barbara Mohr.  A written report was submitted; see attached.  A Friend suggested that a memorial service be held for parents and other loved ones of Friends who have died recently.
3. Other Reports
Memorial Minute for George Watson – introduced by Pat Jones.  Read by Tom Ward.  The written minute was submitted and is attached.  “His life will continue to bless our community for many years to come,” concludes the minute.  Friends APPROVED the minute.  A Friend asked whether Friends would be interested in starting an ongoing memorial in the form of a discussion group on issues dear to George.
Regarding other memorial minutes yet to be written, Clerk suggested that materials relevant to these outstanding memorial minutes be brought to meeting for business next month and volunteers found to write these minutes.
Auditor’s Report – Annual reports by Harv Busta.  Two written reports were submitted; see attached.  The reports also contained recommendations to the trustees for improvements.  One Friend expressed gratitude that there were people with Harv’s skills and talents in our meeting.
Nursery Program – Annual report by Betsy Souther.  A written report was submitted; see attached.
Religious Education – Annual report by Rae Cornelius.   A written report was submitted; see attached.  There are no pre-school, no high school and almost no primary school attenders.  Most firstday school children are sixth and seventh grade students; sometimes two teachers have one student.  The committee is considering combining the classes and working to develop a sense of community among the students.  Clerk suggested that we could learn from smaller meetings.  Friend stated that nursery is the entry point for many families who are looking for a spiritual home.
Winona Preparative Meeting – Clerk read the state of society report for Winona Preparative Meeting, which is under our meeting’s care.  The written report was submitted and is attached.
Shepherd Scholarship – Annual report by Allen Gibas was held over until next month.
4. Follow up Issues
Cooperative event with Mayim Rabim – reported by Lin Butler.  Lin spoke with Patty Diamond, program director for Mayim Rabim.  They talked about our common experience of low numbers of children and the possibility of future cooperation on activities for them.  Our two communities are now planning to jointly screen the film, “Love Free or Die,” sometime in October.  Friends discussed timing issues.  Fall Camp is the third weekend in October, Oct. 20-21.  Friend commented the Twin Cities Marathon should not be a problem outside of Sunday morning.  This opens up Oct. 14 and 15 as possible dates.  The organizing group hopes to draw an audience from Quaker and Jewish communities as well as the community at large.  A Friend suggested teaming up with a large church such as St. Mark’s, who might be able to promote the film more widely, while showing the film at our respective meetinghouses.

5. Communications and Announcements
Northern Spirit Radio – Report of NYM Committee on Ministry and Nurture.  A written report was submitted regarding the work of Mark Helpsmeet on Northern Spirit Radio; see attached.  With the report were included a study guide and CD recording an interview by Mark of Robert Holmes on the topic, “Philosophy of War and Non-Violence.”

Dr. Judith James will speak on the topic of Alcoholism among the Elderly on Tuesday.

Friends closed meeting for worship with attention to business with a brief period of silent worship.

ATTACHMENTS