Minneapolis Friends Meeting

Monthly Meeting for Business

July 14, 2019

Those in attendance: John Kraft– Presiding Clerk, Stephen Snyder—Recording Clerk

[ names and some content have been edited for publishing on the web]

1.   Meeting began with silent worship

2.   Approval of Agenda– Agenda was approved with one addition.

3.   Approval of Minutes—Minutes of the June 9, 2019 Meeting for Business were approved.

4.  Ministry and Counsel Committee (M&C) Report—Sandy

Ministry and Counsel members continue their focus on the pastoral care needs of Friends. A care committee was formed and special attention was given to two valued Friends who are going through major life transitions and changing residences. There is an update to the friends 2018 Directory available on the table in front of the elevator. Friends are encouraged to keep their contact information up to date so that we can continue to reach out to one another. M&C is humbled by the many hands sometimes needed to provide pastoral care and is considering forming a pastoral care committee for this purpose. It is facilitating a special meeting at the meetinghouse on July 31 at 7:00 pm to consider the following questions: How do we identify and reach out to others in meeting who might want to help provide pastoral care? How do we let each other know that we need assistance? How will we address aging issues in meeting? Is a pastoral care committee the best way to proceed? Are there other ways to address these questions?   Friends are encouraged to attend and offer their thoughts and experience on these matters. Finally, M&C continues to plan several mid-morning programs which it will facilitate in the coming year. Discussion: Friend wondered why a pastoral care committee might be needed. Sandy explained that pastoral care has taken more and more of the committee’s time making it difficult to address other aspects of M&C’s charge.

5.  Committee Reports

a. Religious Education (RE) Committee – Julia

Julia reported she and Lara are co-clerks for the RE committee. This past year there were 21 children registered with approximately 10-15 of those participating regularly in the elementary and high school groups. Twelve adults served as volunteer teachers and helpers. Sessions have focused on Quaker stories and testimonies and comparative religions. The youth also enjoyed an overnight at the meetinghouse and visits to other communities of faith. A well-attended listening session in April resulted in the following suggestions for the RE program going forward:  The religious education program should help develop a sense of belonging and integration across generations in meeting, adopt curriculum focusing on Bible stories and Quaker history, stories, identity and testimonies and be more accessible for those attending unprogrammed meeting for worship. In response to this input, the RE Committee is asking meeting to consider three scenarios for the RE program going forward. (1)   Offer First Day School from 10:15-11:00 am and encourage the youth to participate in meetings for worship for the first half hour with supervised activities downstairs during the second half hour of worship. Youth might also choose to attend mid-morning programs as an educational opportunity. This option would allow families to attend either the unprogrammed or semi-programmed worship and allow youth to participate in the First Day School program in between the two worship services. (2) Offer First Day School from 10:15-11:00 am but only offer supervised activities during one of the meetings for worship.   (3) Keep the status quo but make more effort to integrate youth in mid-morning programming or alternative mid-morning activities. Discussion: In response to a question about the challenges faced by the RE program Julia mentioned sporadic attendance, getting families and children involved and sometimes finding teachers. Friend wondered if there are parents who want programming for children during unprogrammed worship. Yes there are parents who have requested this and also having the nursery available for that entire hour, but the main goal of the RE committee is better integration of families and children into the life of the meeting. One friend wondered if children might find attending a half hour of worship too long. Several friends expressed support for the goal of children being more a part of worship and mid-morning programs. One noted that the spiritual life of children and adults is inherently linked, with worship being central to this life. Friend noted that most mid-morning programs for this calendar year have already been scheduled. Friends noted that implementing these goals may take time and perhaps a trial period will be needed. Clerk thanked the RE Committee for its excellent work and asked friends to hold the proposals for consideration at a future meeting for business.

b. Property Committee Annual Report – Linda

Linda reported on the following accomplishments this year. The annual cleanup went well. The carpet has been replaced with carpet tiles, an AED defibrillator has been installed next to the door of the meeting room, two dollies were purchased to store and move the folding chairs and old chairs were recycled. Water infiltration and mold issues were addressed and work is underway to improve the sound system and pergola. Parking in front of the entrance to the meetinghouse is prohibited and the city has installed a sign to that effect. The committee is very appreciative of all who help the committee with its tasks. Discussion: Friend said the new carpet is fantastic. Friend wondered about the condition of the elevator and Linda noted that it had just passed city inspection and is good for another year. Friend expressed gratitude for the work of the gardeners. Clerk thanked the committee for its report and work on behalf of the meeting.

c. Stewardship and Finance Committee Quarterly Report– Marilyn

Marilyn reported that contributions for the first quarter of the fiscal year were $23,245 or 20% of the budgeted amount which is about normal. Expenses were $10,275 or about 9% of the budgeted amount. The current checking account balance is about $95,000. Given the large balance in the checking account and the low interest rate being paid, three members of the Stewardship and Finance Committee are suggesting that meeting invest about 25% of this balance in the Quaker Index Fund of the Friends Fiduciary Corporation in Philadelphia. This index mutual fund invests in stocks on the S&P 500 which are screened to be compatible with Quaker values. The hope is that this fund would provide a significantly higher return than the current bank checking account, although actual returns would depend on the performance of the stock market going forward. Discussion: Friend wondered if there was unity on the committee for this proposal. Response—three members have not voiced their thoughts on this proposal. Friend wondered about access to the funds should they be needed. While the funds can be withdrawn at any time, there is no guarantee the full amount invested will be available if the market turns down. Friend wondered about the pros and cons of this type of investment. Another friend said the Friends Fiduciary fund performs about the same as other similar funds but has a social advocacy program to address corporate behavior inconsistent with Quaker values. Clerk thanked the committee for its report and indicated that the investment proposal would be considered again at a future meeting for business.

d. Nursery Committee Annual Report – Stefanie

The nursery provides care for infants and children ages 0-6 with about 10 children attending regularly this summer. Summer attendance is higher as there is no First Day School program available and this has been challenging at times. The committee hopes to be able to use the twin rooms during the summer as this would provide easier access to the bathroom. Nursery care will also be available as children arrive so parents can choose whether to take infants to worship or leave them in the nursery at the start of meeting. The committee will soon start looking for a paid child care provider to serve in the nursery. The committee plans to reach out to first to friends in Minneapolis Meeting and then the Twin Cities Friends Meeting and Northern Yearly Meeting for applicants before advertising more widely to fill this position. Stefanie extended heartfelt thanks to the several friends who have offered care in the nursery this summer. Discussion: Friend asked if a job description will come to meeting for business for approval or can the committee act on its own. Clerk wondered if friends want to review the job description before it is advertised.   Another friend thought it would go to Liaison and Review. No action was taken regarding these questions.   Clerk and other friends thanked Nursery committee for its good work.

e. Trustee and Funds Annual Report – Jane

The Trustees review and sign legal contracts on behalf of the Meeting, act as a checkpoint that use of the Meeting House aligns with Meeting guidelines, keep track of the sections of Lakewood Cemetery that belong to the Meeting, and manage a set of funds that are separate from the Annual Budget. Trustees maintain regular communication with the Mayim Rabim Congregation and have worked with them on issues of security and safety, as well as conversation around a potential for shared service and social justice work. Trustees currently manage the following funds which are not part of the general budget of meeting.  Building Fund: Balance is $33,800 and is funded by a $6,000 allocation from the Annual Budget, undesignated memorials and contributions, Mayim Rabim rent of $400 per month, and building use fees. Major recent outlays from the Building Fund were for replacement of carpet ($31,335) and purchase of a defibrillator ($1,053). The Trustees continue to work with other committees to make sure funds are available for building maintenance and improvements. Among the potential projects that may become necessary in the near future are replacement/repair of the porch, new kitchen arrangements and the lift. (As noted in the Property Committee report above, the lift just passed inspection and hopefully will be good for the coming year.)   Mission, Service and    Fellowship : Balance is $15,500. No activity was reported for this fund.  Conference Travel: Balance is $3,200. No activity was reported for this fund but individuals are allowed up to $250 per trip to help fund attendance at Quaker gatherings.   History Project: Balance is $9,500 being held to pay for publication of the book on the history of the meeting and Quakers in Minnesota.  Seed Fund: Balance is $4,000 and is used to develop and enhance the life, ministry and outreach of the meeting.   Nancy Peterson Memorial Fund: Balance is $2,900. Future uses of this fund are yet to be determined.  Sabbatical Fund:  Balance is $28,600 with a portion of this balance designated for transition of the former Director of Ministry. Friends were reminded that the annual budget allocation of $6,000 may not be sufficient to maintain the meetinghouse over the next decade. Any shortfalls might be addressed by increased individual gifts, fundraisers for specific needs, or reallocation of money from other Trustee’s funds with approval from meeting for business.  Discussion: Friend asked if Trustees considered upgrading sound system. Trustees understood the issue was in hand for the current time. Clerk thanked Trustees for their report and work.

6.       Correspondence Clerk read a letter from the Sarasota Friends Monthly Meeting indicating their approval of Carol B.’s request to transfer of her longtime membership with Sarasota Friends to Minneapolis Friends Meeting. Clerk noted that this does not require action as the transfer is automatic once it is received. Friends expressed delight in this news.

7. Request from Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) and Quaker Volunteer Service (QVS).

FNVW and QVS asked to use meetinghouse July 28, 2019 from 1-3 pm for a fund raiser.   Friends approved their request. 

8.  Meeting closed with a short period of silent worship at 12:30 pm