Minneapolis Friends Meeting

Minutes of Monthly Meeting for Business

January 13, 2019

Those in attendance:  John Kraft—Presiding Clerk,  Stephen Snyder—Recording Clerk  [Some information and names have been edited for publication on the web.

1.  Silent Worship: In our meetings for worship we seek through the stillness to know God’s will for ourselves and for the gathered group. Our meetings for church affairs, in which we conduct our business, are also meetings for worship based on silence, and they carry the same expectation that God’s guidance can be discerned if we are truly listening together and to each other, and are not blinkered by preconceived opinions. It is this belief that God’s will can be recognised through the discipline of silent waiting which distinguishes our decision-making process from the secular idea of consensus. We have a common purpose in seeking God’s will through waiting and listening, believing that every activity of life should be subject to divine guidance.    –Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, paragraph 3.02, 5^th edition.

2.  Requests:–Clerk    Leave time in between each speaker. Take time to let emotions settle and the Light’s message form before speaking. Speak from the Light instead of simply responding to another’s’ message, unless you want to clarify what’s been said. We are seeking a common understanding of what the Light is telling us as a community, not just trying to get our individual point across. Wait for the microphone.

3.  Approve Agenda:  Agenda was approved as presented. 

4.  Approve Minutes: Minutes were approved. 

5.  Ministry and Counsel (M&C) Report Ministry and Counsel oversees and cares for the worship, spiritual life, and membership of the meeting.  M&C is grateful for all the Friends who organized and participated in the service of remembrance to thank and honor Nancy Lichtenstein for her years of service and her gift of music to the Meeting.  M&C gives attention to pastoral care each month, and members were grateful for the words of one Friend who wrote:   “I had never experienced how significant, powerful and connecting community could be as I did from August until now. I know it helped my healing…I received much in the way of people holding me in the Light, sending cards, calling, visiting, bringing flowers and food (often homemade), walking the dog and feeding the cats and giving rides as I needed them…A special thanks to Nettie Smith who helped coordinate around my needs. A deep heart-felt THANK YOU to all—my blessed community.”   M&C reports often stress the need for all members and attenders to be involved in pastoral care.  These thoughtful words affirm that process and remind us of the many ways that we can all play a role in offering care for each other.

6.  Updates on Memorial Minutes for Nancy Lichtenstein and Vici Oshiro  Clerk reported that the minute for Nancy Lichtenstein is still being prepared.  Friend read a lengthy memorial minute sharing ways in which the life of Vici Oshiro enriched the Minneapolis Meeting community.  Her service as clerk and her work on many Meeting committees were a gift to Meeting.   Vici witnessed Friends testimonies as a life-long advocate for peace and justice working both within and outside government.  She died on October 18, 2018.  Meeting accepted the memorial minute with thanks to those who prepared it. 

7.  Reports 

a.  Holiday Fair and FNVW  FNVW’s Executive Director thanked meeting for hosting the holiday fair which is FNVW’s largest fundraiser. The net income from this year’s holiday fair exceeded expectations.  Over 70 volunteers contributed over 200 hours to make the magic happen.  FNVW staff put some additional work into advertising getting new signs, paying to advertise on Facebook, and handing out more flyers in the neighborhood which attracted many new shoppers.  This year there was an information table where people could ask questions about FNVW. Minneapolis Friends may want to consider sharing information about Meeting at this table next year as a way of outreach to the community.  Dates for the 2019 fair are December 6th and 7^th.  The money raised at the fair helps to support FNVW’s mission and the work.  During 2019 FNVW will continue to focus on the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), People Camp, and Bridging the Divides: Policing that Works for Everyone.  Staff will be reaching out to Minneapolis Friends for some help on a new program focused on educating people on the tools and principles of nonviolence. This process will include organizing focus groups with several different audiences to further define nonviolence and to brainstorm programming in this area.   Discussion:  Meeting has a practice of having two people to host an event, open and close the building, clean up, etc.  This year much of the burden seemed to fall on two persons.  FNVW and Meeting need to give attention to this problem in future years.  Friend asked how Quaker faith and practice is reflected in the work of FNVW. The Director indicated she has a pretty good knowledge of Quaker ways and the staff also get help from Quaker volunteers and Friends on the board to guide their work.  This past year staff explored the Quaker testimonies and values and discussed how they relate to the work of FNVW.  Friend suggested that members of Welcome and Outreach help staff the information table at next year’s fair.  Friends gave a heart-felt thank you to the Director for her leadership at FNVW.     

b.  Stewardship and Finance Quarterly Report  Contributions were up during the third quarter so Meeting has received 64% of the income it budgeted for the fiscal year ending March 31^st.  An additional $10,000 income during the fourth quarter should be adequate to meet the budgeted expenses.  However, a number of issues being discussed by Meeting may result in additional future expenses.  These include the possibilities of hiring staff for the nursery and first day school, training for religious education facilitators, hiring a director of ministry, and maintenance of the building including the sound system. Friends were encouraged to continue to give generously to cover these possible expenses.  While most expenses are within the budgeted range costs for sewer and water, electricity, fire extinguisher maintenance and office supplies have exceeded the amounts budgeted.  The bank balance at end of December was significant.  The Trustees may want to examine whether some of these funds should be invested rather than kept in the checking account.  Discussion:  Friend noted that the work around budgeting and finance is sometimes seen as tedious number crunching, but it is an important ministry to the Meeting.  Much of the work of the Meeting is supported through the budget. Friends expressed appreciation for the ministry of members of the Stewardship Committee.

c.  Nominating Committee Report The committee nominated one Friend to serve on the Ministry and Counsel through March 2019  and three Friends to serve on the Religious Education Committee through March 2021.  Meeting approved these nominations. 

8.  Transition Next Step(s)  Ministry and Counsel has scheduled a special meeting to evaluate how Meeting is implementing the vision statement and what, if any, structural changes might facilitate Meeting’s  responses to the vision statement.  Discussion:  The Assistant Clerk, indicated that he is really impressed with how committees are working together and how they have shown empathy and willingness to deal with differences as they arise.  Friend suggested Meeting close with 10 minutes of worship focused on the transition.  Out of the silence several friends expressed gratitude for the learning and growth that has occurred as the Meeting community has gone through the transition

9.  Correspondence

a.  Request to transfer membership  Two Friends requested that their membership in Minneapolis Friends Meeting be transferred to the Cannon Valley Friends Meeting in Northfield.  Meeting approved the transfer request.   

b.  Clerk read thank you letters from the following organizations for contributions made by Meeting.  Cycles for Change for the contribution to help create and empower a community of bicyclists.  MN350 for a the contribution to support their work addressing transition from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy.  Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) for Meeting’s support of the  holiday fair.  Mayim Rabim for the letter of support in the aftermath of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.  Thank you from the head of Friends School for the opportunity to introduce himself and become better acquainted with the depth of relationship between Minneapolis Friends and Friends School.

10.  Meeting for Business transitioned to semi-programmed worship at 11:15