Meeting for Business Minutes, October 13, 2019
Minneapolis Friends Meeting (MFM)
Minutes of Monthly Meeting for Business
October 13, 2019
[Names and some content have been edited for publication on the web]
- In Attendance: John Kraft – Presiding Clerk, Tom Ward – recording secretary, 34 attendees
- Silent Worship
- Requests – 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.
- Approve Agenda with additions – APPROVED
- September Minutes – APPROVED
- Ministry and Counsel (M&C) Report – K Herron: In their October meeting M&C responded to concerns regarding the transition from un-programmed meeting for worship to mid-morning program and from the mid-morning program to semi-programmed meeting for worship. The mid-morning program often needs time to set up before their scheduled 10:15 AM start (especially if there are outside speakers), and Friends often find it hard to clear the meeting room promptly so semi-programmed meeting can start on time at 11:15 AM. Those who attend un-programmed worship are exploring options. M&C also gave consideration to a thoughtful proposal to maintain the summer schedule of worship services throughout the entire year. Unity was not achieved to bring this proposal forward to meeting for business at this time. In the October meeting M&C formed a clearness committee for membership and responded to a request for a support group. They also began to consider ways to facilitate communication to resolve conflicts and they facilitated responses to pastoral care needs. They completed a proposal about the formation of a Care and Counsel Committee, which is being brought to meeting for business, for consideration, today. There is ongoing discussion of a possible re-structuring of Ministry and Counsel that will be addressed in subsequent M&C meetings. There was no Discussion.
- Proposal to establish a Care and Counsel Committee – K Herron: [See Attachments for complete copy] The proposal was read. Discussion: What is the definition of pastoral care? Presiding Clerk: it is a long list that includes addressing the spiritual care of individuals, coordinating visits, arranging for food when needed, providing clearness committees for decision making or for determining an individual’s need for care, hearing individual’s concerns and suggesting professional help. Friend expressed concern that this list seems to focus more on personal problems and health issues than on individuals in spiritual crisis. Clerk agreed, saying M&C spends much of its time facilitating the work of committees addressing personal needs and does not focus as much on the spiritual care of the Meeting. Friend thought Meeting could do a better job supporting members who are doing these things already. Another asked if the Care and Counsel Committee was a separate committee or a sub-committee of M&C. It is a new committee and not a sub-committee of M&C. Once Meeting approves this new committee, there will be additional recommendations brought forward for consideration. While there has been some discussion about renaming M&C, for the time being, Ministry and Counsel Committee is still being called Ministry and Counsel. Any possible adjustments to the name and function of M&C will be brought forward at a later time. Friend suggested that the clerk of Care and Counsel Committee be an ex-officio member of Ministry and Counsel. Another Friend remarked that they had facilitated their own clearness committee for themselves. Clerk: In a perfect world we would all care for each other without needing a facilitating committee, but having a Care and Counsel Committee in place would not preclude individuals from doing this, anyway. There is a need for an official group for people to go to when they are unable or reluctant to make arrangements for assistance by themselves. Friend suggested that the committee name be changed to “Care and Clearness”. Clerk: there are clearness committees that would not fall under the purview of this committee – membership, marriage, etc. Clerk asked if we could move forward in approving this proposal, making the structural change of having the committee clerk be an ex-officio member of M&C and knowing that the Care and Counsel Committee will work closely with M&C to define its’ role and to address the spiritual needs of the meeting and the membership. Nominating Committee will nominate the members of the Care and Counsel Committee and present them to Monthly Meeting for Business, and the committee would begin its’ work on April 1, 2020. Friend asked for a wording change. It was agreed to change “Loving care for one another is not something that those sound in mind and body ‘do’ for others” to read “Loving care for one another is not just something we do for others but a process that binds our community together”. Friend wondered when Ministry and Counsel would change its’ name. Ministry and Counsel would continue with its’ present name until a new name is decided that better reflects the emphasis on spiritual support. Friends APPROVED the establishment of the Care and Counsel Committee.
- Reports
- Loaves and Fishes – A Luce or S Kearns: On every fifth Monday Quakers from all the local meetings cook and serve at Loaves and Fishes at Holy Rosary Church. This year we have 5 opportunities rather than the usual 4. Twin Cities Meeting and Minneapolis Meeting split the cost of serving dinner. We have spent $826 between October 1, 2018 and the present, though we have not yet been billed for September 30. On September 30 we had strong representation from our Minneapolis Friends Meeting with at least 12 volunteers. While it is sometimes a struggle to enlist friends, there is a core group that are committed to this service – both adults and children- and enjoy the fellowship with other meeting members. We also have volunteers from Mayim Rabin (sometimes) and a group from a Mosque in Edina (Ismaili Jamatkhana). Ann and Sue take on the responsibility for this service for our Meeting and Greg Leierwood from Twin Cities Meeting is the coordinator. Discussion: There was a request to identify and thank those who regularly attend. Presiding Clerk: This is an important outreach of the meeting even though it occurs irregularly. Friend reported that this is something Quakers in the Twin Cities have been doing for years – since she was in high school. Appreciation was given to those who have participated in Loaves and Fishes and special mention was made about the number of younger children who have helped serve food.
- Stewardship Committee 2nd Quarter Financial Report – M Johnson:
In general, offerings are being collected, recorded and deposited. Bills are being paid – most of them by the Meeting Coordinator. Payroll is being calculated and paid. Taxes are being calculated and paid. We have enough income to cover our expenses. Bank statements are being reconciled. Income: In the first two quarter of our FY 2019-2020 our donations were $ 41,379. This is about 36% of our $113,485 annual budget. That percentage is a little less than what we normally get in the first two quarters. Our expenses for this quarter are $23,307, about 21% of our budget. On track, except: In the second quarter we paid the city of Minneapolis $1947 for the repair of the sidewalk. Expect this about every 15 years. On Hold: Bank balance is about $100,000. Stewardship Committee has not met again to determine whether to recommend that we give some of that away, keep it in checking, or invest it. The committee would appreciate receiving written comments on how to best manage the $100,000 in the checking account. Discussion: Friend asked for more info about the sidewalk assessment. The $1947 came out of our cash flow surplus and, since the expense would occur every 15 years or so, the committee does not believe we need to budget for it. - Nominating Committee Update – D Jones: This summer there have been some committee resignations. Nominating met and is recommending the following individuals for committee assignments. J N – Care of Semi-programmed Meeting for Worship until 2020; R V – Property Committee until 2020; MDC – Welcoming and Outreach Committee (finish this year and then serve until 2023). Friends APPROVED the nominations.
- Child Welfare Report and Procedures Approval – has been postponed to a later meeting for business.
- Update on Religious Education Schedule – C VandenDolder: Over the years, we have had discussions on how best to incorporate children into Meeting and to include them in our worship services. Currently, youth get little sense of worship due to the scheduling of First Day classes during the 11:15 worship service. There is a divide between youth and adult programming that impacts our youth’s sense of belonging to Meeting. Additionally, there are conflicts with sporting activities. Religious Ed Committee is not making a formal proposal for consideration today, but it does want us to reflect upon changes they are considering: move First Day classes to start at 10:15 AM; youth could stay for part or all of the 2nd worship service (semi-programmed worship); if they leave early from the 11:15 AM worship (after the planned speaker) there would be scheduled activities they could attend downstairs; for those 6 years old and younger there would need to be child care for the entire time. The committee asks us to consider these ideas as they craft a proposal.
- Visioning Session (Update) – J James: The Meeting has agreed to explore a vision of what we would like the Meeting to become. How can we attract new attenders and youth? What would make the Meeting come alive for you? What would excite you – make you feel more alive? What would this look like? What will we look like in 10 or 20 years? Let your imagination go. There will be a Visioning Session on November 9, 10A-1P that includes lunch. Next Sunday (October 20) at mid-morning program we will practice with short visioning exercises. Clerk: this is meant to be an artistic process – multi-dimensional, song, creative, pictures. Let your mind go. Discussion: Friend acknowledged two recent exciting developments reflecting this new vision: unprogrammed worship at the Federal Office Building and the knitting project at the Shakopee Women’s prison. Friend provided an update on the prison knitting project: the project has started and 3 individuals so far (out of 8 volunteers) have received their clearance to enter the prison. Please attend the visioning sessions.
- Correspondence: there was no correspondence this month
- Clerk: reminder that Northern Yearly Interim Session will occur here, at Minneapolis Friends Meeting, on November 1-2. (Friday 6P-9P, Saturday 9A-4P) Quakers from all over the region will be here. Everyone is welcome to attend the interim session which is a business session that goes for two days. It is a truly awesome experience that deepens our understanding of Quakerism and expands our relationships with regional Friends. We are hosting the interim session and need help with the food (JL), with overnight hospitality (SS), and with facilitating the session. 30-40 people will be attending. More information will be in the weekly bulletin.
- Business meeting adjourned
- 11:15 Semi-programmed Worship
ATTACHMENTS:
[Revised] Proposal to Create a Care and Counsel Committee
Ministry and Counsel requests meeting for business consider forming a Care and Counsel Committee which would assume responsibility for facilitating the pastoral care needs of the meeting currently housed in Ministry and Counsel. The following is a statement of our faith underlying this proposal followed by a summary description of its responsibilities and structure.
“Our life is love, and peace and tenderness; and bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations against another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a tender hand.” –Isaac Pennington (1667)
Right use of our gifts for pastoral care is a shared responsibility of all members of the meeting community. Loving care for one another is not just something we do for others but a process that binds our community together. [Rev]
- Responsibilities (i)
- The Care and Counsel Committee provides oversight of the pastoral care needs of individuals and families in the meeting community. It facilitates pastoral care for persons facing challenging life situations within the limits of its resources, recognizing some situations may require intervention by professionals and extended family members.
- The Care and Counsel Committee serves as a primary contact point for members and attenders seeking pastoral care from the meeting.
- Recognizing that pastoral care is a shared responsibility of all members of the community, Care and Counsel will facilitate a process that connects the gifts of persons in the community with specific pastoral care needs as they emerge.
- Structure of Care and Counsel
- Nominating Committee nominates a minimum of four members of the meeting for staggered three-year terms to form the core of the committee with one of the four persons nominated as clerk.
- Care and Counsel will invite other members or attenders who are drawn to facilitating or offering pastoral care to work with the committee.
- All committee members agree to maintain confidentiality regarding the work of the committee around pastoral care giving.
- The clerk of Care and Counsel along with the Presiding Clerk of Meeting serve as the primary contacts for persons requesting pastoral care.
(i) Ministry and Counsel has developed a long list of pastoral care needs and services based on its experience over the past several years which will be made available to the Care and Counsel Committee.