Minneapolis Friend Meeting

Minutes of Monthly Meeting for Business

January 8, 2023

In Attendance:  John K– presiding clerk, Tom W – recording clerk,  (46 others in attendance)

1. Silent Worship  
2.  Agenda APPROVED
3. Minutes were APPROVED. Recording clerk will add Alice Bell’s memorial minute prior to publishing them online. The Loaves and Fishes report will be recorded in January’s minutes.
4. Ministry and Counsel (M&C) Report – presented by Keitha H. Ministry and Counsel continues to gather feedback and information about proposing a trial period to change the Sunday schedule to something resembling the summer schedule. They will present a proposal at February’s meeting for business. Please contact committee members with your thoughts.   M&C is asking us to prepare in advance for their next mid-morning session, occurring in February, by considering: 1) What threads from your previous faith history do you bring to Meeting? and 2) How does this impact your experience or interaction with Meeting?  M&C is continuing to look for ways to reach out to new people who come to Meeting.  They appreciate the guidance of Welcome and Outreach committee and want to compliment their great work.
   1. Kate W-J has requested membership in Meeting.  A clearness committee has met with Kate and they recommend her for membership.  Friends enthusiastically APPROVED Kate W-J for membership in Minneapolis Friends Meeting. Welcoming and Outreach committee will set-up a welcoming for Kate and for the other members who have recently joined.
   2. Discussion: There were a number of questions regarding the proposed change to the Sunday schedule. Presiding Clerk indicated that more time would be devoted to the discussion when the proposal is actually made. He indicated that there have been differing opinions on the impact of going to one meeting for worship on Sunday. That is why M&C has requested additional input before they make their formal proposal.  Some of the questions raised during the discussion included: How would the change impact First Day School? Potlucks? How do we address those in our community who want unprogrammed services all the time and those who prefer semi-programmed worship services, exclusively? How do we best accommodate new attenders? Friend reported that the summer schedule was a result of changes we implemented following Quaker Quest. Another suggestion was to put more emphasis on the mid-week meeting. Our attention is to honor both styles of worship. Friend remarked that Meeting has a long history of the current practice, yet it requires a considerable number of resources to provide technical support for three hours of programming each Sunday.  Another Friend indicated his preference for the unprogrammed service, since he finds the messages shared during semi-programmed service sometimes appear less disciplined or accepting.  It was emphasized that the proposed change will be for a trial period. Friends accepted the report from M&C.
5. Request for a volunteer for Mary J P’s Memorial Minute – Clerk   A number of people stepped forward to write the minute. Lin B, Mary S, Barbara Z. and Tom W.
6. FNVW Holiday Fair – Rae B C.  Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) is meeting today to discuss where to hold the holiday fair in December 2023.  Our Meeting needs to decide if we want the fair to be held back at MFM, at our meeting house.  It is a major commitment and involves a lot of work.  If it remains at the Friends School, there will be no on-line sales in 2023. Also, when it has been held at the Friends School not as many people from our Meeting get involved and we miss out on our local neighborhood participating. If the holiday fair returns to the meeting house, do we trust that FNVW can respond to our concerns regarding COVID and be open to any requirements we have regarding community health risks – masking, etc.?
   1. Discussion: Friend asked if there is much local participation from the neighborhood around the Friends School.  We don’t know.  At the school this year we made $12,000. *  The atmosphere is so different there in the gymnasium.  The vendors prefer the atmosphere in the meeting house.  * The decision is up to FNVW, but Friend wants our Meeting to reach out and to request that the Holiday Fair return to our meeting house, where it feels more welcoming and the music is better. It is different, here. He wants MFM to have a vital role reaching out to our local community and to the Quaker community throughout the twin cities.  * Question was raised about the need for volunteers when the Holiday Fair is held at our meeting house. Our Meeting is already tapped out.  Where do most of the volunteers for the fair come from?  Rae  – most of the volunteers come from older people like us.  This year there was a significant impact when the volunteer coordinator quit just before the fair took place. Recently, Quaker Volunteer Service fellows have been very involved in the fair. Without a volunteer coordinator, it fell to the old timers to pull it off.  * Another Friend provided some history.  The Holiday Fair originated as a project between the meetings in the Twin Cities, not with FNVW. The meetings chose FNVW to be the recipient of the proceeds from the fair. FNVW was not as directly involved in the process.  Her only reservation about holding the fair in the meeting house is the demand on volunteers.  Where do we get the volunteers? Our Meeting is getting older. COVID continues. The volunteer shifts are long. Otherwise, we are the ideal location. * Presiding Clerk – FNVW may be able to generate the same volunteer support for the meeting house as it would for the school. *  Friend, who works at the school, said there is a warm feeling about re-establishing links with FNVW and with the Meetings in the twin cities; however, it is a big challenge at the school to hold the fair in the auditorium.  * Other thoughts expressed: Is the welcoming atmosphere, here, due to our kitchen? If we don’t have the café, is the atmosphere still as welcoming?  Could we simplify the café to make it less demanding on volunteers? Use more compostable products.  * Who do we trust to make the right decisions?  Organizations? Individuals? Do we trust FNVW to be as sensitive to decisions regarding COVID, i.e., mask wearing?  *  The difference this year at Friends School seemed greater than previously – not so cozy, not so much interaction.  * In the past, Twin Cities Friends Meeting has always had a number of volunteers helping in the kitchen. * It is a challenge getting volunteers, but Friend is confident that having the fair at our meeting house would make it much easier to get volunteers from our Meeting.   This year, when the volunteer coordinator left at the last minute it had a huge impact. FNVW did not have much control over that. We could look to our local neighborhood for volunteers to help with the fair. *  Friends School has been so wonderful and accommodating. Many special connections have been made with the school and it would be wonderful to continue to strengthen those connections. Student groups have performed during the Holiday Fair and it would be great to replicate that if the fair is held at MFM. A proposal could be made to the school to have the 8^th grade do a work project to help with the fair. *  Is there a third alternative for putting on the Holiday Fair, such as alternating between locations, etc.?  * Friend wondered if the café was, indeed, what added to the welcoming atmosphere and what would the cafe look like if the fair were to be held at our meeting house this year; and, secondly, who at FNVW would be making the decision regarding COVID restrictions, if any?  Presiding Clerk indicated that this is what needs clarification – what protocols will guide us and FNVW in returning the Holiday Fair to our meeting house, and who will be making the decisions? * Rae said the holiday fair committee will be making the decision.  One change they made this year, to double the book prices, brought in as much money as they received from all the vendors. * Friend hopes that we would trust FNVW to make the right decision.  There was no masking at Friends School this year, and holiday fairs in her area were charging admission to all who attended.  * Another Friend is not so concerned about masking protocols as he is with FNVW being able to count on us.  * Other concerns expressed included the fair is just about a year from now and a lot can happen before then, and we need to be consistent with our protocols.  The clerk summarized the sense of the Meeting and Friends APPROVED the following: Minneapolis Friends Meeting would like to have the holiday fair in our meeting house with two caveats: 1) Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) would take full accountability for the volunteers, and 2) there needs to be a partnership between FNVW and Minneapolis Friends Meeting regarding COVID protocols.
7. Peace and Social Concerns – Winter Gift    Deborah J.    After much discussion, the committee is recommending that 100% of the Winter Gift goes to Minnesota Council of Churches refugee services.  Friends APPROVED that all of the Winter Gift be designated to the refugee services at Minnesota Council of Churches.       Friend thanked the Meeting for hearing the concern he had raised previously about one of the proposed recipients of the Winter Gift and apologized if his response had been too emotional. He suggested that committees would benefit by talking to impacted minority groups before action is taken    Another Friend spoke in support and added that we all do better when checking-in with the impacted groups before taking action. Sensitivity to the word “Queer” is real. It is good we revisited the decision. A phrase she has found helpful – “nothing about us, without us”.
8. Committee Reports
   1. No Reports Scheduled
   2. Clerk read the Loaves and Fishes report that had been carried over from last month. The entire report will be included with the January Minutes.   A number of people from MFM have participated over time.  We are being asked to increase our budget for Loaves and Fishes from $800 to $1200. MFM has been involved with Loave and Fishes since it began. Friends expressed appreciation for the coordination provided by Sue K and Anne L.  Friends Accepted the annual report from Loaves and Fishes.
9. Closing Worship

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

Loaves and Fishes 5th Monday Annual Report 2022

Greg L, Ann L, Sue K

2023 Budget Request-Due to a projected increase in food distribution and material costs related to Loaves and Fishes we are asking to increase the budgeted amount from $800 per event to $1200 per event. This amount does not take in account the estimated $250 fruit donations per event we have been consistently receiving from our community. With each event the food cost is invoiced from the food vendor directly to Minneapolis Friends Meeting. This cost is shared between Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Twin Cities Friends Meeting. TCFM then reimburses Minneapolis Friends Meeting for this cost. I anticipate food costs and the COVID 19 packaging costs to continue to rise to $1200/ event in 2023. There are four 5th Mondays in 2023, however May 30 is Memorial Day and the program is closed for the holiday. We will be serving on 3 dates in 2023;  Due to our cost sharing, I anticipate the total cost to be $1200×3 =$3600.  Each Meeting will be responsible for half of the cost  $3600/2= $1800.

The 2023 Loaves and Fishes events will be the fifth Mondays: January 30, July 31, October 30

Thank you for your consideration.

Greg L, Ann L, Sue K

 

 

 

 

LOAVES AND FISHES Totals 2022
	volunteers	meals served	meals cooked	Cost (Saints)	cash donation	fruit donation
January 31	20	196	300	832.36	300	250
August 29	22	370	300	909.97	25	250
October 31	19	222	400	1206.51	50	250
Totals	61	788	1000	$2,948.84	$375.00	$750.00

 

 

A short review of our 5th Monday Loaves and Fishes activity over the past year.

History -For the past 40+ years the Metro Area Friends Meetings Community have been supporting meals in our community through Loaves and Fishes at the Holy Rosary site. In its infancy we were involved when Loaves and Fishes had only one site in Minneapolis at Holy Rosary and another site in St Paul at the Dorothy Day Center. At one time we were serving 600 people with each meal. Loaves and Fishes has grown and now serves many more meals at 56 sites in the metro area. The Holy Rosary site provides meals Monday through Thursday and has been serving about 80-120 meals/day for the past few years. For the past few years we have been joined in collaboration with the Ismalli Community of Minnesota and the Mayim Rabim Congregation in preparation and serving our meals of Chili with cheese, fruit, green salad, dinner rolls and milk. In 2019 in addition to our work with meals we purchased a new refrigerator to allow them to store more meals, fresh fruits and vegetables. We serve meals each 5th Monday. In 2022 like 2023 there are four 5th Mondays, but one of these is Memorial Day. The kitchen is closed for holidays and we will have only 3 meal dates. On average we produce 333 meals with 20 volunteers with each meal date. In October 2022 we were asked to prepare meals for an estimated 400 guests. It is unclear if this high level of hunger will continue into 2023 but we must prepare for this need. All food that we prepare is used in subsequent days on site or elsewhere and none is wasted.

COVID-19 Changes.- Due to many COVID health requirements and concerns we have seen a reduction in our usual dedicated volunteers. Many of the volunteers are older or concerned about their own health with potential COVID exposure working with others that is required with production kitchen work. We have adapted by requiring all volunteers to wear masks as well as gloves and hair coverings. Meals are served Take-out style which requires us to adapt our nutritious recipe of Chili and transform this to be a Chili Burrito. This increased our serving and production time as well as increased our costs. We now need to purchase take out containers and milk in paper cartons. Because of the reduction of fruit individual small donations, we are purchasing several crates of fruit which has been arranged by a separate donor

Meals are picked up in the lobby or outside the building, limiting guests in Holy Rosary. This also allows families to send someone to get multiple meals for their family rather than to have the entire family come to the church basement to eat. We have been able to prepare and serve this meal with a smaller group of volunteers. We have increased the amount of food that we are cooking. We are currently cooking for approximately 300 people while serving less than 200. This provides extra food at the dining site to be served at a later meal.

House of Charity provides noon meals in downtown Minneapolis. In January 2022 their kitchen was destroyed by fire. Subsequently, Holy Rosary and other meal sites saw an increase in guests over 2022 following the loss of the House of Charity program which is in the process of rebuilding.

In the recent several years there have been several homeless encampments that have been created and removed in the community close to the Holy Rosary site. This has increased the number of meals needed at our site and also increased the variability in the number of meals served each night depending on weather conditions and variable services available in the community.

Coordination Process. There is a wonderful Loaves and Fishes 5th Monday manual created and refined over the past 30 years by previous coordinators. The coordinator places announcements in newsletters in advance of a meal date, orders food based on the recipe for the number of meals we intend to serve and solicits fruit donations. Time for the coordinator is a few hours prior to the meal date and 12-7pm the day we cook and clean up.

Cost -Meal cost has increased with the number of meals we are serving, as well as new unforeseen costs of the take-out meals. This was not budgeted for with our 2022 request, but generously approved by our community earlier this year. Meals have been costing approximately $800 per meal date at the beginning of the year but increasing steadily. In addition, there have been generous fruit donations totaling approximately $250.

The $800 food cost is invoiced from the food vendor directly to Minneapolis Friends Meeting. This cost is shared between Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Twin Cities Friends Meetings. Volunteers come from TCFM, MFM, Ismaili Community of Minnesota, Mayim Rabim Synagogue as well as friends and family of participants. TCFM reimburses Minneapolis Friends Meeting for the food costs that are purchased from Saints Foods who deliver directly to the Loaves and Fishes Kitchen. We anticipate food costs to continue to rise to $1200/ event in 2023. There was a reduction from 4 events in 2021 to 3 in 2022. There will again be 3 events in 2023.  This next year, because of the cost sharing we anticipate the combined cost of food to be $1200×3 =$3600.  Each Meeting will be responsible for half of the cost invoiced $3600/2= $1800.  These costs do not include the significant fruit donations that have been generously provided by our community nor packaging and miscellaneous expenses borne by the Loaves and Fishes organization and the Holy Rosary Church community.

Volunteers- We have been averaging about 20 volunteers between 2pm and 7pm each meal. Volunteers report they feel valued, and leave with a feeling of meeting others from diverse communities while sharing in useful work and learning or perfecting skills. We have many returning volunteers but are always looking to attract new people who would be interested in helping out!

Loaves and Fishes Site Coordinator– Loaves and Fishes has a Site Coordinator who most days is cooking and coordinating a meal and planning the next day’s food needs. Many Loaves and Fishes meals are accomplished by less than 5 volunteers. Our group is very well regarded by the coordinator. We are self-sufficient and know our way around the kitchen and work to leave the kitchen clean and tidy with another meal ready in the refrigerator when we leave. This allows the coordinator a well-deserved break from their usual busy day.

We provide a vital service to our community, done with joy and love. Thank you for your generous support of this important work in support of our community.

Respectfully submitted,

Greg L, Ann L and Sue K