Minneapolis Friends Meeting

Monthly Meeting Minutes

June 13, 2021

[Names and some information have been edited for web publication]

John Kraft—Presiding Clerk Stephen Snyder—Recording Clerk Bill Hendricks—Zoom host

1.  Worship

2.  Approve Agenda—Agenda was approved.

3.  Approve Minutes—Minutes of the May 9, 2021 Meeting for Business were approved.

4.  Return to in-person meetings – Clerk Report

There was a lengthy discussion about whether to return to in-person or some other hybrid type of gatherings at the meetinghouse in July.  Rather than include every response in the minutes, the recording clerk tried to summarize the main points as follows.  Most persons present expressed support for reopening the meetinghouse while maintaining the option for attending on Zoom.  Flexibility will be important as there is much uncertainty about how the virus will evolve.  And if someone gets exposed or comes down with the virus, friends may need to close the meetinghouse again and self-quarantine.  Safety during Covid continues to be a concern. Several persons pointed to the need for clear protocols regarding safety such as being vaccinated or wearing masks, spacing of seats, advisability of singing, cleaning, and adequate ventilation.  One friend pointed out that there were no deaths from Covid in March of 2020 when the meetinghouse was closed and wondered why we would want to reopen while people continue to die from Covid.  Another person noted that much more is known about Covid and its risks than a year ago.  There are also vaccines available now to reduce risks. Concern was expressed for children who are not vaccinated returning in person.  Another noted that there are protocols in place in Friends School which have been effective in protecting children and adults from Covid infections.  While the community misses the many benefits of meeting in person, the meetings on Zoom have enabled more friends to attend especially those who find travel difficult.  Furthermore, people have different Covid budgets, ie. amounts of risk they are willing to spend to attend meeting in person balanced against performing other needed activities.  A hybrid meeting allows accommodating the community’s desire to return to the meetinghouse while respecting concerns of individuals around the risks.  Zoom attendance also reduces people’s carbon footprint.  Several persons wanted to have the technology for hybrid meetings installed before reopening. This might not be possible before July.  Clerk indicated he did not sense unity about meeting in person beginning in July and wondered about how to proceed.  Friend suggested people would feel more comfortable if we could be clear about how and when the hybrid system and safety protocols would be in place.  Clerk proposed and meeting approved postponing reopening of the meetinghouse until a safety protocol for reopening and the technology for hybrid meetings are in place.  The Ad Hoc Committee will present a plan for meeting these concerns at a future meeting for business.

5.  Ministry and Counsel Committee (M&C)– Bill H.

Committee members continue to arrange for speakers and closers for Sunday worship and decided to continue mid-week worship on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.  The committee is pleased by the response to its request for volunteers to contact committee members if they feel led to speak during semi-programmed worship.  Suggestions of others who might be drawn to offer a message are also welcomed. M&C members can offer guidance and support on speaking if requested. Quaker Volunteer Service (QVS)  has sought help from Ministry and Counsel in finding Friends who might serve as spiritual mentors to its fellows.  A job description and information on how to apply have been requested and will by shared on the meeting’s google group and included in a future bulletin. As part of its mission of supporting the spiritual life of the meeting and deepening its understanding of Quaker faith and practice, M&C has reached out to the Mid-Morning Program Committee with a request to offer four programs during the coming year.  Finally, Ministry and Counsel wants to encourage more friends to consider serving on the committee.  There are only five active members and not all are able to participate each month.  Many members have been approached about serving but without success so far.  Friends are invited to look into their hearts and contact the clerk of the Nominating Committee, if they find a leading or willingness to serve. Meeting accepted the report of Ministry and Counsel with gratitude for their service. 

6.  Committee Reports:

a.  Trustees Funds Annual Report – [Postponed to a future meeting for business]

b.  Property Committee Annual Report – David D.  The eight members of the Property Committee are charged with the upkeep and maintenance of the meetinghouse and grounds.  Even though the building has not been used for meeting activities for many months, committee members and other friends performed most maintenance tasks as usual.  These included regular cleaning, piano maintenance, replacement of the picnic table with new weather resistant chairs and a side table, garden and lawn care, snow removal, gutter cleaning, repairs, and required official inspections and documents. One committee member monitored temperatures inside and outside to ensure water lines did not freeze.  Going forward, the committee will be following up on repairs or replacement of the pergola, porch and meeting sign and looking into putting additional insulation in the attic. Anyone interested in joining this amazing committee is invited to please let the nominating committee know.  Discussion:  Friend thanked committee members for their loving attention to the meetinghouse over the past year.  Meeting accepted the report of the Annual Property Committee. 

c.  Mid-Morning Program Committee Annual Report  [Postponed to a future meeting for business]

7.  Worship