Meeting for Worship with attention on to business opened with a period of silent worship and a reading of the Land Acknowledgement. Note made that the land acknowledgement has been noted as potentially incorrect but will continue to be used in current form unless a change is proposed.

1. Approval of Agenda

The Clerk presented the proposed agenda, which was approved.

2. Approval of Minutes of October 12, 2025

The draft October 12, 2025, Monthly Meeting minutes were circulated in advance of meeting for business. Changes reflecting comments before this meeting have been made.

October 12, 2025, minutes were approved.

3. Holiday Fair Update

Opportunities for volunteer support for the Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW) Holiday Fair were shared. The Meeting is looking for volunteers to distribute posters and postcards in the neighborhood, for Friends to move chairs on November 30th after meeting, and a few friends are needed to be present during the setup time to answer questions.

A list will be prepared with notes for those serving as a presence to ensure the physical space is protected. Additional volunteer opportunities are available unrelated to the meeting’s hosting role and can be found on the FNVW website.

Friend’s School students will be in attendance on Friday providing music and the Children and Families committee will be providing a presentence on in conjunction to educate on the opportunities within the meeting.

Care and Counsel Annual Report

Care and Counsel’s Charge:

To facilitate pastoral care to, and by, members and attenders, “lifting one another up by a tender hand.”

Accomplishments:

Pastoral care was facilitated for or provided to more than 20 Friends, including the meeting in ministering to each other. Care involved hospital and nursing home visits, pet care, house clean up, one-on-one talks, a clearness committee, respite care for a spouse, and holding many in the Light.

We presented four mid-morning programs on these topics:  Being with Ill or Troubled People, Boundaries, Developmental Stages and Tasks; and Walking in the Light.

We began collaborating with Mayim Rabim to provide more resources for seniors through a new Joyful Aging group under the shared care of Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Mayim Rabim. Activities have included nature walks, films, excursions, and a regular monthly coffee hour. We are glad to see Mayim Rabim members at events like the Ice Cream Social.

Challenges:

We hope to include more younger Friends in both giving and receiving pastoral care. As was the case last year, we noticed many Friends are reluctant to ask for help. We will present a mid-morning program on this topic.

Upcoming points of attention:

We are planning four mid-morning programs. These include:

• “Managing Stress” and “Asking for Help.”
• Two will be discussions with Mayim Rabim on the branches of Judaism and Jewish holidays.

Mayim Rabim will also have one or more adult programs on Quaker traditions. We will continue the committee’s summer retreats.

How the Committee leaves itself open to leadings of the Spirit:

We open and close meetings with silent worship. We share personal stories of caring for others. We appreciate each other’s gifts.

Discussion

There was a request for a personalized invitation for Mayim Rabim, participants in the Joyful Aging group to the FNVW Holiday Fair. This will be discussed at the next steering committee meeting.

Thanks was given to a long-time member for her pastoral care.

Ministry and Counsel Thee Quaker Video Proposal

The committee clerk shared a proposal from Ministry and Counsel to create a video on the meeting in collaboration with Thee Quaker, which arose out of conversation during a visit to the meeting earlier this year. Thee Quaker is creating videos about meetings around the country.

Minneapolis Friends would work with the video team at Thee Quaker Project to create a 5–7-minute video that gives a sense of what the meeting is like through interviews of members and attenders. They would send a project team here to work with us for a couple of days and understand the meeting, help us to create a committee to discern what the video would be like and would produce the video with a draft for review and final product for publication online. The video would be posted on Thee Quaker’s YouTube channel and on our website. This could help address first visit jitters by providing answers to potential questions.

Filming would take place on our grounds. Cost is around $5,000 but is negotiable. The Nancy Peterson Advancement, Outreach, and Service Fund maintained by the Trustees is available for this purpose. Trustees have confirmed this would be an appropriate use of this fund.

The videos would provide an updated version of videos currently available on our website in a professional way. Ministry and Counsel is requesting approval to move forward with Thee Quaker on this effort.

Discussion

The M and C committee proposed to form an ad hoc committee, under the oversight of M and C, to work with Thee Quaker, who would bring  and questions to the meeting as needed.

A Friend noted that should the money become an issue, we might have the option to collaborate with another meeting.

Comments included:

• The $5,000 cost is very reasonable in comparison to other similar video costs.
• A Friend hopes the Meeting gives some thought to what we can offer and how we can incorporate newcomers into the life of the Meeting as many new attenders do not become long term attenders of the Meeting.
• Suggestions were made that those connected with the meeting who have attended film school and a former meeting member could provide valuable insights.

 

The meeting approves collaboration with Thee Quaker Project to produce a video about Minneapolis Friends Meeting.

Zoom security update

The technology committee reacted immediately to a security concern during second meeting for worship on November 2, 2025. The URL for virtual meeting has changed and the URL has been removed from the website for a short period. Under no circumstances will  meeting attenders be allowed to share their screen. Changes will only impact the use of zoom for Sunday morning activities, not committee meetings.

2nd Quarter Financial Report

Report:

The committee clerk presented on behalf of the committee.

• Quarter 1 Income: $26, 391
• Quarter 1 expenses: $20,652
• Quarter 2 income: $14,549
• Quarter 2 expenses: $21,781

Checkbook register balance 2025, 09-30: $104,219

A spreadsheet was distributed. We have a balance with Xcel Energy currently due to a lag in adjusting costs with Xcel following installation of the solar panels.

Each month between 1-5 contributors utilize the donate button on the website, totaling $20-900 per month. A shift has occurred with more Friends contributing electronically on a recurring basis, which impacts the distribution of income throughout the year. Stewardship will review and provide updated information as any changes may related to financial planning. Utilization of a QR code on the donation boxes in the meetinghouse to allow for electronic donations is under exploration.

Discussion

Income for 2nd quarter was low, but finances remained on track.

The committee clarified that the meeting makes the contributions reflected in the budget at the end of each fiscal year.

Tax for Paid Leave Coverage

Report:

A new paid leave program in effect on January 1 in MN for family and medical leave. The program is administered by the state and applies to all employees regardless of full or part time status. The program is financed by a premium paid to the state government. The premium can be split between the employee and employer or paid fully by the employer. It was recommended to the meeting cover the entire premium out of fairness to employees and the administrative burden of managing payroll deductions and separate contributions to the premium.

Discussion:

The meeting was informed of the requirement by the state.

Friends supported the proposal for the meeting to pay the full premium.

Differences between the requirements for use of ESST and paid family medical leave were explained.

The meeting approves payment of the full premium due to the State of Minnesota for the new family and medical leave program, with no portion paid by employees.

Winter Envelope Gift

The Peace and Social Concerns committee recommends an even split between Quaker Direct Action (QDA) and Immigrant Defense Network. Terry Hokenson shared that QDA formed from People Camp and would serve as an umbrella for Quaker Action Teams, following in the steps of George Lakey. FNVW declined to take Quaker Direct Action under their organization, and QDA is therefore forming a new organization.

Immigrant Defense Network ( IDN) is a new organization under direction from several existing organizations delivering trusted information, referrals to legal support, and coordinated educational activities.

Discussion

Quaker Direct Action does not exist currently at a legal organization. Friends raised concerns regarding the lack of a financial agent and party to receive money. Clarification was provided that Copal serves as fiscal agent for IDN.

A friend noted FCNL local committee is very active and collaborated between the local FCNL committee and QDA.

The meeting approves recommendations of gift to the Immigrant Defense Network and refers the potential selection of QDA or another organization back to Peace and Social Concern for further review and potential recommendation in December.

Camp Committee Annual Report

Fall Together was again held at Fish Lake Park in Maple Grove. We gathered Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 to 7:300, sharing two meals and lots of different activities. We had 35 participants that came and went as their schedule allowed, most participants staying the whole day. This was only a little less than last year.

The cost of the day was $550, consisting of $385 for pavilion rent, $100 for pizza, $45 for snacks, $20 for office and other supplies. Some of the costs this year were donated by the Camp Committee members. The cost was just under $16 per person.

The program “Ways to take a Media Break: Gather Strength to do the Important Work” presented by Benton Randolph, was well received and many ideas were generated. We are planning to share the list that was made to the whole Meeting soon.

We, the Camp Committee, are committed to organizing a retreat for whoever comes, and hope it is valuable to all who participated. New connections were made, old friends had time to connect, and the sharing of experiences informed us about how we work together. The committee made the format and worked in the Light to bring us together.

Look for a “hold this date” coming in January for the Fall Together retreat in October 2026.

Peace and Social Concerns Update

Peace and Social Concerns committee provided an update on an opportunity for individual Action against the consolidation of militaristic forces. Written information was distributed including language for use in letters to elected officials regarding the federalization of the national guard.