Minneapolis Friends Meeting

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting for Business

July 8, 2018

10:00 – 11:00 am–     Unprogrammed Meeting for Worship

11:00 am   Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

Attendance:   Ranae Hanson—Presiding Clerk,  Stephen Snyder—Recording Clerk and 30 others were in attendance.

1.   Gathering Worship–The Presiding Clerk opened worship with a quote and query from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

2.  Approve Agenda–approved

3.  Approve Minutes—Minutes of the June 10, 2018 Monthly Meeting for Business were approved

4.  Reports

    a.  Ministry and Counsel (M&C) Report  – There was no report as the July M&C meeting was postponed for a week.  Sandy O. announced that there will be a reception after worship on July 22^nd to welcome two new members to Minneapolis Friends Meeting—Juliet N. and Ellen S.  She also reported that the new Meeting directories are now available on the table in front of the elevator.  Please take only one copy per family.  You can request a PDF file copy of the directory by sending an e-mail to: office(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)minneapolisfriends.org

b.   Stewardship (end of 2^nd Quarter) –Marilyn J. reported that for the first quarter of the fiscal year, donations totaled $11,530 and expenses were $12,757.  Donations were only about half the amount Meeting normally receives in the first quarter and about 10% of the $113,699 budgeted for the year. Friends are encouraged to continue their normal pattern of giving so that Meeting can meet its ongoing financial obligations.  This will help the Stewardship Committee determine whether this reduced giving is a temporary fluke, or a problem we need to address.

    c.  Nursery Committee –The committee had no report but Bill H. indicated that they are doing a great job providing child care for children ages 6 and under each Sunday during worship.  Friends expressed appreciation for the care provided by our volunteers in the nursery.

    d.    Nominating Committee –No report.

    e.  Report on hosting the community choir –Allen G. reported that the Linden Hills community choir has asked to continue using the meetinghouse for its rehearsals from September through May.  The Trustees recommended that Meeting charge a $750 fee for use of the meeting room for this period and an additional $75 for each use of the kitchen and lower floor should this be requested.  The choir organizer indicated this arrangement would work well for choir members who have given very positive feedback on their use of this space.  Choir members also appreciate the welcome they have felt from Minneapolis Friends Meeting.  Meeting approved the choir’s use of the meeting room for rehearsals from September 2018 – May 2019 for the recommended  charge.  

5.  Meeting for Business closed with a period of silence at 11:40 am.