Minneapolis Friends Meeting

 Minutes of Monthly Meeting for Business

9.14.2025

[Names and some content were edited for posting on the website]

In Attendance:  Stephen S. – presiding clerk, Tom W. – recording clerk   with 30 attending in person and 15 on Zoom

1. Silent Worship
2. Land Acknowledgement—Clerk
3. Approval of Agenda—Clerk Approved
4. Approval of August 10, 2025 Minutes—Clerk Approved
5. Ministry and Counsel: Annual Report—Lolly L. (Jane F. – presenter)  Ministry and Counsel (M&C) provides care, nurture and support of the Meeting as a whole, including the meetings for worship and the spiritual well-being on the Meeting community. This past year their work included: three mid-morning programs, several clearness committees, the 2024 State of Society for Northern Yearly Meeting, arranging speakers and closers for worship services, offering guidance on settling into worship and discernment on spoken messages – including prompts on Zoom. The prompts will return with the Fall/Winter schedule. Several committee members attended worship with Winona Preparative Meeting and the committee welcomed a visit from Jon W. of “Thee Quaker Project”. Some of their on-going challenges include supporting new attenders in understanding Quaker worship – especially the role of silence and discernment of vocal ministry – and addressing how to manage the demands that arise from holding two meetings for worship each week. They would like Meeting to re-visit the possibility of having only one worship service each week, alternating between unprogrammed and semi-programmed.  They recommend holding a threshing session to address this question. Looking ahead: continue to support programming and flexibility for Children and Families Committee; continue to offer speakers and content for mid-morning programs; and address questions of safety and security at the meeting house in light of recent community events such as ICE activities and the shooting at Annunciation parish. Discussion: Presiding clerk raised the question if Friends were open to a threshing session in the next month or so to re-examine how we conduct Sunday worship, using both semi-programmed and unprogrammed worship services. There may be more willingness to consider this now. Friends asked what has changed to make us want to revisit this, once again, and suggested it keeps coming up because it is too complex to fit all our needs and desires into one proposal. Another asked how many attend the unprogrammed service. It averages between 15 and 20. Lolly stated that resource issues drive the need to reconsider our practice of two separate services each Sunday. It takes a lot to put a service together and it is a struggle to find closers, speakers and Zoom hosts. Members keep bringing the question before M&C, wanting Meeting to revisit the issue. It is often part of our process to keep revisiting issues that are unresolved. Carolyn V emphasized the significance of limited Meeting resources and the ongoing need to scale back our commitments and our hours of involvement. Friend remarked that because the topic keeps coming up for discussion it may indicate our need to re-examine it, suggesting that those who are not satisfied are speaking up while those who are satisfied are not. Another Friend supported having a special session to review the issue and suggested that whatever we decide could be tried for one year. We can always go back.  Clerk said he would work with M&C to decide if and when to have a threshing session.
6. Ministry and Counsel: Safety and ICE Response (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)—Lolly L. Over the last few months M&C has been reviewing the Meeting’s safety needs, especially as it relates to ICE activities.  Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has put together a plan on what to do if ICE were to come to the doors of a meeting house; and with the recent shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, it is time for our Meeting to review our own preparations and needs. M&C wants Meeting to talk about ways to move the discussion forward. What have others done that we could do? Let’s think about safety in the meeting house and how to address our concerns within our meeting structure. We could have a threshing session.  Discussion: Has Mayim Rabin raised similar concerns? In the past we have assisted them by providing someone at the door during their services.  No, this has not been discussed with them, but it is on our list of things to do. Friend, who often volunteers as a greeter, is very interested in knowing what to do if ICE were to come to our door during a service. Presiding Clerk suggested he could work with M&C and the committee clerks to come up with a proposal to bring back to monthly meeting.  Friends were in agreement with this proposal.
7. Nominating Committee Report—Elizabeth S. Nominating is bringing forward two nominations to address some recent resignations.  Jane F. has agreed to be co-clerk with Tom W. on the Death and Memorial Committee until 2026.  Benton R. has agreed to serve on Mid-Morning Program Committee for 3 years.  Friends APPROVED both nominations.
8. Potluck Committee Annual Report—Rick V. and David B.: The committee, formerly known as Social Committee, has been renamed the Potluck Committee, to better reflect its primary function of coordinating monthly potluck meals, including setup and cleanup.  The expectation is that those attending will assist, as able, with the cleanup effort. The committee also purchases necessary kitchen supplies, and performs an annual thorough kitchen clean up. Accomplishments: We hosted twelve first-Sunday potlucks. In March we collaborated with Welcoming and Outreach Committee to host a “stone soup” potluck to raise awareness of the work of the Quaker organization Right Sharing of World Resources. Most of the potlucks were very well-attended, with delicious food, warm fellowship, and stimulating conversation. Because of the small size of this committee, it was agreed that each of the other committees would designate one of their members to assist with one potluck a year. In addition to providing much-needed help, this will increase awareness among the general meeting of the location of kitchen supplies and equipment for other events.  We see the potluck gatherings as a very important opportunity for all, especially newcomers, to develop connection. By warmly including those wanting to help with the potlucks we convey that they are wanted in our community.  Discussion: A reminder: the committee is doing a thorough cleaning of the kitchen, today.  Help would be appreciated. Friends accepted the report with gratitude and thanks.

 

9. Hosting FNVW Holiday Fair Dec. 5^th-6^th at Minneapolis Friends Meeting (MFM)—Clerk This is being discussed today because it still needs to be approved by Meeting. John E., the executive director of Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW), is online to answer any questions. There was considerable discussion about the value of having the Holiday Fair back at MFM. This includes the entire experience of putting on the fair, the expectations on our Meeting when having the fair in our meeting house, and the role of FNVW staff and volunteers to run the fair.  Friends spoke in support of the fair and all the benefits of having it in our building compared to having it at the Friends School – ambiance, quality of music, better setup for food service (which is a major money maker), and less time pressure to set everything up compared to having it at the Friends School. More than just a fund-raising event, the Holiday Fair provides a chance to develop community. One of the benefits of having the fair at the Friends School was the great involvement of the students, and that won’t be the same here at our meeting house.  Concern was expressed about continuing to use the closet by the women’s rest room for long term storage of craft fair materials, as has been the practice in the past; and Friends wanted to know how the used books would be managed with access no longer permitted to the balcony. And what would become of the unsold books? The book sale will be held in the conference room. There was one suggestion to scale back on the food service to reduce the demands on the kitchen and volunteers. But the principal concern was whether our Meeting has the resources and commitment to, once again, take on the Holiday Fair.  When the fair was at the Friends School, there was a noticeable drop in our Meeting’s involvement. Our Meeting is aging, we are getting older and the volunteers who were highly committed to helping with the fair in the past are no longer able to assist in the same way, or at all. Do we have the energy to take this on? And, importantly, there needs to be a point person from MFM to take the lead, not to coordinate the fair but to represent our Meeting when working with FNVW.  If we do not fill that position, we should turn down the request. So far, no one has come forward for this role.  John E. confirmed that the primary request of FNVW is for the meeting house to be available to hold the craft fair. Their staff and volunteers will organize the fair, and they will provide resources to set up and take down the displays, and arrange the clean-up. They are not asking us to run the fair. Pat J. spoke to the demands placed upon the role of the coordinator, that it is a big job for one person. Are they ready for the time commitment, before, during and after the event? What if we cannot provide the level of support we provided, previously, when hosting the Holiday Fair at the meeting house? In the past, we have had individuals take a week off work to prepare and work in the kitchen. Friend spoke of their delight to have the fair return to MFM, but suggested we make just a one-year commitment.  In the end, John K. agreed to be the point person from Meeting in coordinating with FNVW, assisted by Rae Beth, Roger and Kim M., and Lin B.. Friends APPROVED making our meeting house available to host the FNVW Holiday Fair with the understanding that FNVW will have the responsibility for carrying this out.

 

10. Liaison &Review – Office Computer/Software Proposal—Rae Beth Last month, Meeting approved $4,300 to purchase new computer equipment and to update electronics and software of the office.  A survey was sent to all committee clerks asking about their use of the office computer and printer. Only two individuals, besides Ariel, regularly use the computer, and we print about 1,000 copies a month. No one felt a color printer was needed. Trustees have already approved up to $4,300 to purchase the equipment from their capital equipment funds, but Meeting still needs to authorize an increase in the office budget to cover ongoing subscription costs for QuickBooks.

Computer:   Apple Mac mini                                                     $900

Dock                                                                                              $200

Time Machine BU                                                                        $90

Webcam                                                                                       $120

Speakers                                                                                         $70

Monitor                                                                                         $190

Keyboard                                                                                      $119

Mouse                                                                                           $120

Printer:   Brother Business Laser All-in One                        $490

Cable budget                                                                               $300

                               Subtotal                                                              $2,599

Sales tax 8.53%                                                                           $221

                              Subtotal with tax                                              $2,820

30% for 3 yr service                                                                   $846

20% subtotal contingency                                                       $564

                              Total hardware                                                 $4,231

Software Subscriptions : QuickBooks (1 user $38/mo)       $456

Roger M. consulted with Ariel over the best equipment to meet the needs of the office. After the survey went around, everyone seemed comfortable with Apple and not PC. A comparison of computers showed the Apple Mac mini would work well. It is small but powerful. Pricing was done at the Microcenter. Roger has a lot of experience with them. Time Machine BU is an automatic backup system – a separate drive that works all the time in the background. The monitor has a 24” screen and needs a separate web cam. The ergonomic mouse and keyboard are preferred by Ariel. They considered going tax free, but the considerable hassle associated with filing the ST-5 forms did not seem warranted. They are planning for a 3-year service plan and thought it wise to build-in a 30% contingency.  Discussion: Are we getting AppleCare? We get one year of AppleCare up front, but it costs 30% if we want it for another two years and Roger does not see the need for that. It is AI compatible. Clerk indicated this proposal has been thoroughly vetted. Is there an additional expense to get Microsoft Office? It would cost $264 to purchase Microsoft Office, but Apple comes with software that is completely compatible with Microsoft. Microsoft Office could be added in the future to accommodate the needs of different users, since Ariel may not be the only one in the office and it may be good to have a backup.  Friends seemed comfortable not purchasing the extended warranty. Concern was expressed that the MiniMac computer may be easier to take from the meeting house since it is smaller and more portable. We might want to consider placing it in the inner office. This could be referred to Liaison and Review for further consideration.  Friends APPROVED spending up to $4300 for the office computer update. In addition, Friends APPROVED the annual subscription to QuickBooks which is $456.

 

11. Update on Children and Families – Cathy N. Good news! We have young people and families attending regularly. Recently, we flew kites in the park and, while we were there, a family approached and asked about the Meeting. They attended the following week with two children. On October 19 they are holding a breakfast, which may become a monthly occurrence, to explore spirituality with the children. This was requested by the families and children. That is the same day we are hosting a Northern Yearly Meeting youth retreat and some concern was expressed about overlapping the family breakfast and the NYM retreat on the same day – October 19.  In addition, they want to hold another event on Saturday October 25^th – a youth conference with International Friends Church. There is interest in doing a service project, to be followed by pizza making; and they are asking for Meeting to approve this conference. While they need to reimburse some expenses, there is not a request for additional funds.  Friends APPROVED having a children’s conference with the International Friends Church at the meeting house on Saturday October 25.  Lin B suggested trying to involve some Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) fellows in these children’s events. He knows of two fellows who are interested. Cathy reminded us that she has office hours 12-3 PM on Fridays and is available by phone on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
12. Hosting NYM middle school retreat, Oct. 17-19^th—Clerk  Matt S., the coordinator of middle school programs for Northern Yearly Meeting, is asking if MFM can host this retreat. This would be the weekend following our Fall Camp and would require us to provide two adults to be present all the time. Presiding Clerk did not believe we would be able to host the retreat this time since there are other activities we are committed to, but we would consider hosting the retreat another time.
13. Peace and Social Concerns Statement on Antisemitism— Jim L.         Postponed
14. Update on Solar Energy Production—David D.  co-clerk of Property Committee  It has been a year, now, since we had 30 solar panels installed on the roof of the meeting house.  During this past year we used substantially less electricity (more than ½ less) and Xcel burned less fossil fuel because of this.  In addition, we completed several upgrades: doubling the attic insulation, buttoning up air leaks, installing new smart thermostats, and adding LED lights. This has reduced the load on the furnaces and air conditioning. Electricity usage went from 12000 kw hours in 2023-24 to 5600 kw hours in 2024-35.  Because of these upgrades, we saved 4 ½ tons of carbon dioxide, ourselves, which, when added to the 7.3 tons of carbon dioxide that Xcel would have produced had we not generated our own electricity, means a total of 12 tons of carbon dioxide has been saved.  The Meeting’s electricity budget for the current year (2025-26) has been set at $50/month, which is $86/month less than last year. Payments to Xcel for the year 9/2024 to 8/2025 are $1200 less than the previous year. Plus, we had a refund of $440 and are currently growing a credit of $450. Next year, our electricity budget can be set at $20/month or less. There was no discussion since meeting for business was running late.
15. Correspondence and Announcements—Clerk  A reminder – Fall schedule starts next Sunday.
16. Closing Worship