Meeting for Worship with attention to business opened with a period of silent worship and a reading of the Land Acknowledgement.

1.      Approval of Agenda—Clerk

The Clerk presented the proposed agenda, which was approved.

2.       Approval of Minutes of April 13, 2025- Clerk

The draft April 13, 2025, Monthly Meeting minutes were circulated in advance of meeting for business. Changes reflecting comments before this meeting have been made.

April 13, 2025, minutes were approved.

3.      Nominating Committee

Three names were brought forward as facilitators and a clerk for the Peace and Social Concerns Committee.

These names were accepted and approved for the terms of service by the Monthly Meeting.

4.      Ministry and Counsel Report

Membership Recommendation

A clearness committee was convened, and Ministry and Counsel enthusiastically recommends Mike Finley for membership in Minneapolis Friends Meeting.

Meeting heartily approved the recommendation of the Ministry and Counsel Committee and welcomes Mike Finley into membership of Minneapolis Friends Meeting.

May 3^rd called Meeting for Workship

Notes from the called worship sharing session will be shared with the Meeting soon. Some suggestions came out of the session that may warrant further discussion. The Wednesday mid-week worship could be a place for this discussion to occur. There would be 20-30 minutes of worship and the remaining time for discussion.

Summer Worship Schedule

Summer schedule begins on May 25, an unprogrammed meeting for worship.

Scheduling a third in a series on Quakerism

Ministry and Counsel would like to offer the third in the series on Quakerism at the rise of Meeting on June 1. Potluck would follow.

Ministry and Counsel proposed that meetings for worship could be shortened to 45 minutes to facilitate the schedule changes/additions. This would mean that meeting for worship would end at 10:45 or 10:50. The session on Quakerism begins at 11:05 and goes until 11:50 and potluck would follow.

A concern was raised about the shortening of meeting for worship. The session will begin after the rise of meeting for worship. After a 45-minute program, the monthly potluck will be held downstairs.

5.      Liaison and Review Committee Report

One of the duties of the Liaison and Review committee is to meet with the Meeting Coordinator. This winter, after her performance review, the meeting coordinator informed the committee of her desire to retire at the end of June. We were greatly saddened by this news.

We consulted with her about what she felt the next person should be proficient in and personal qualities that were important to have in such a job.

We all felt the Meeting Coordinator portion of her job was too much to impose on a new hire. Our first concern was to redefine the position, making it one of an Office Manager rather than Meeting coordinator. The March Monthly Meeting approved this new position description.

A notice of the job opening was posted and distributed. We received many applications by the April 11 deadline. Interviews were scheduled at the Meeting House. A team of meeting members interviewed candidates the week of April 21. The following week the two finalists were interviewed . Both are outstanding candidates, each with strong basic skills in the technical areas. The decision was very difficult to make. However, after thoughtful discussion and meditation, one candidate arose to the top, Asher Edes.

Recommendation

The Liaison and Review Committee recommended Asher Edes (rhymes with “seeds”) for the position of Minneapolis Friends Meeting Office Manager.

In addition to office skills and proficiency in use of a range of software, Asher has coordinated volunteers and budgets, researched and written grants, and assisted in policymaking. The Committee was struck by Asher’s thoughtful and direct communication style, lively problem solving and deep gentleness.

A question was raised about whether the current manager has met Asher. She has not met the candidate.

Liaison and Review recommends Asher Edes for the position of Office Manager with training beginning on June 2, 2025 and asks the Trustees to contract with Asher Edes for an average of 15 hours per week and up to 20 hours per week if needed for special projects.

The meeting approved this recommendation.

6.    Stewardship and Finance Committee Annual Report

The end of year financial report was sent out to Friends. Full information is attached at the end of these minutes.

Income and Expenses

Total Income: $ 144,366.47

Total expenses: $125,246.22

Net income was $19,120.25

Income included contributions to the Winter Envelop Gift, two special contributions, and interest on the checking account.

We did have in-kind contributions which the meeting does recognize to individual contributors but is not tracked. It was noted that in-kind contributions are recognized as tax deductible for material items, but not for services.

Giving pattern for 24/25

This year the meeting had more large donors, which are defined as those who give over $3000. Generally, more people were willing and able to give larger gifts to the meeting during the past fiscal year.

The total expenses reflect the aspirational contributions. We were able to make all contributions.

All were thanked for their financial donations and other contributions to the meeting.

The report was accepted by the meeting.

Trustees and Designated Funds Annual Report

Trustee’s role

The Trustees’ role is to manage the Minneapolis Friends Meeting’s legal and financial obligations. The Trustees review and sign legal contracts on behalf of the Meeting, ensure that use of the meetinghouse aligns with established guidelines, manage the sections of Lakewood Cemetery owned by the Meeting, and oversee several designated funds that are separate from the annual budget. Trustee funds are provided by allocations from the annual budget, donations, and memorials, building use fees, and rent.

Trustee Fund Balances

The current Trustee Funds are as follows. Balances as of April 30 are shown in round numbers.

Overview, as of April 30, 2024:

Checking:                          $4,592

Savings:                            $190,371

Total Funds on Hand:    $194,963

Designated funds

The savings account includes the following designated funds:

Building Fund: $152,567

• Purpose: The Building Fund is maintained for capital expenditures, including contracted maintenance projects and building improvements. This is separate from the Property Committee budget, which covers short-term maintenance and upgrades.
• Funding: The funding stream consists of an allocation of $20,000 from the annual budget, undesignated memorials and contributions, rent, and other building use fees.
• 2024/25 Outlay: There were two major outlays for the year. The first was upgrading our lighting and insulation, at a final cost of $10,660, after we received $6,438 in rebates. The other major outlay was (and continues to be) the solar panels on the roof. Our initial loan was for $33,545. We received $14,500 in rebates and incentives, which we immediately applied to our loan balance. We have made $2,404 in payments through April 30, including the $1000 contribution from the meeting’s annual budget. Our remaining loan balance is $18,768. We may receive another tax rebate of about $10,000, but not if the current administration cancels that provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. Thanks were given to one member for his extraordinary efforts to facilitate that rebate.

Nancy Peterson Advancement, Outreach, & Service Fund: $16,464

• Purpose: The purpose of this fund is to assist meeting groups working on service projects, support community-building efforts on behalf of Minneapolis Friends Meeting, and encourage outreach beyond the Meeting.
• Funding: In addition to individual gifts, there is a discretionary contribution of $1,000 from the annual budget if funds are available at the end of the fiscal year.
• 2024/25 Outlay: In this past year, there were no outlays from this fund. The Trustees encourage Friends to use the fund for new outreach initiatives.

Conference Travel: $6,013

• Purpose: Individual members or frequent attenders can request financial assistance to help facilitate their attendance at Quaker-related conferences, gatherings, or workshops that will benefit the Meeting.
• Funding: This fund receives individual gifts or Meeting contributions, as well as a new annual allocation from the general funds budget.
• 2024/25 Outlay: Individuals may request up to $500 per trip. This year, a member received a grant to attend a conference at Pendle Hill. Friends are encouraged to apply to the trustees for financial assistance when they consider attending a Quaker-related conference or workshop.

History Project: $8,153

• Purpose: The fund was established to publish a history of the Meeting and Minnesota Quakers.
• Funding: There was a one-time original gift to establish this fund.
• 2024/25 Outlay: This past year, funds have been spent on professional editing of the manuscript. There will be some additional editing costs in the coming months. The remaining funds will be used for publication of the final book.

Seed Fund: $3,974

• Purpose: This fund is intended to aid in the development of the Meeting and enhance its life, ministry, and outreach.
• Funding: A one-time gift established this fund. It operates as a matching grant, so that equal amounts must come in from other sources.
• 2024/25 Outlay: In the past, the fund has been drawn down for Winds of Change, Quaker Quest, and the redevelopment of the Meeting web site. This fund has not been used in recent years.

Peace & Social Concerns Workshop & Training Fund: $3,200

• Purpose: This new fund is intended to fund workshops that will provide education and training on non-violence training and workshops on resilience.
• Funding: A one-time gift established this fund this year.
• 2024/25 Outlay: To date, there has been no use of this fund.

 

Notes looking forward

As we look toward the future, we should keep in mind that the current Building Fund balance and the regular allocation from the annual budget may not be adequate to maintain the meetinghouse over the next decade. We have an aging building and there are expensive projects in the long view. Efforts toward increased individual giving for this purpose, and perhaps a building fundraiser directed toward specific projects, will probably be necessary.

Discussion and questions

A Friend noted that Lakewood Cemetery has opened an area for ashes dispersal. He asked if Trustees take on the fee Lakewood charges for dispersal.

The Meeting has owned these plots since the 1870’s. Friends were reminded that while the cost of plots for burial is free to Friends, the Lakewood internment costs are covered by the estate or family of those who choose to be buried there. These costs are significant.

Given that clarification and keeping in line with the practice for internment, the Trustees will not consider covering the costs of ashes dispersal at Lakewood.

A Friend thanked a member for all the work done to submit a request for the additional tax rebate for the solar panels. This saved the meeting quite a bit of money.

The Peace and Social Concerns fund is overseen by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee – not the Trustees. Trustees are holding these funds. There was a suggestion that this fund be used to sponsor some people to attend People Camp where George Lakey is scheduled to be the presenter.

9. Membership and Attendance Report

2024-25 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REPORT

April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025

This report records those who come with some regularity to first day worship and first day school. The majority of those considered active come to meeting on average, at least six times a year.

 Number of active adults 101 (99 last year)

• • Members who regularly attend worship 57 (64 last year)
  • Attenders who regularly attend worship 28 (35 last year)

• New and Released Members
  • new members:               3
  • new associate members: 0
  • released members:              5 – four by death on by resignation

 

Number of Children

• Under age 2:                   1
• Preschool/K (ages 2-5)               2
• Grades 1 through 5:                 6
• Grades 6-8:     1
• High School:                   1

Total Number of Children                    11

Average Attendance

• unprogrammed worship: 22 (18 last year): in-person – 14; zoom – 8
• semi-programmed worship: 54 (53 last year); in-person – 36; zoom – 18
• average summer attendance was: 56 (60 last year): in-person – 36; zoom – 20

 

Discussion and Questions

A concern was raised about the continuance of the membership tracking as the meeting coordinator leaves her position. Liaison and Review Clerk confirmed this was not one of the duties in the job description of the office manager and that the meeting would have to figure out how this record keeping will be done. Oen member offered to record attendance for unprogrammed worship.

A Friend reminded us that this is an important historical record for the meeting.

It was also noted that we have had many visitors. Some have stayed, and some are only with us for a short time. The Meeting does not track separate attendance records for visitors.

There was a moment of silence to remember those who have died in the past year.

10. Solar Panel Ribbon Cutting Report

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Minneapolis Friends Meeting conducted a celebration with our Solar Ribbon Cutting. It was a culmination of a movement that began 2 years ago when the meeting considered putting up solar panels. We choose to do this as a commitment to our Vision for the Future that the Meeting approved on November 8, 2015. Specifically, vision statement numbers 4 – Integrating Faith and Action, 5 – Making an Active Witness Beyond the Meetinghouse Walls, and 6 – Honoring the Holiness of The Earth.

The decision to advance the solar project was approved by Monthly Meeting in November of 2023. The action steps and vendor list were presented and approved on February 11, 2024. Research was done before and after the approval to understand what would be involved, contracting project partners, and securing the available financing.

The Ad Hoc Solar committee worked with Property Committee, Stewardship and Finance Committee, and other committees to get to the point of having thirty solar collectors on the east roof and the related equipment to use this power and send excess back to the grid.

The May 3^rd event was a testimony to what Minneapolis Friends Meeting can accomplish. Presentations began with our Land Acknowledgement was read, followed by a congratulatory letter from Senator Tina Smith, speeches by state representative Jamie Long, city councilperson Linea Palmisano, Stacy Boots Camp from the Center for Energy and Environment, Quaker author George Crocker, and our main consultant, Ralph Jacobson from Twin Cities Friend’s Meeting, Kyle Poston from Cedar Creek Energy, who installed the solar array, and Ingrid Morales from RE-volv, who provided the solar financing,

Nine educational tables were set up and had representatives from neighborhood groups, city representatives, and energy resources for the public to learn about their options to go solar and save, leveraging renewable energy tax incentives. There was also a table with information about the meeting.

Native Harvest catered some food while Friends provided a fantastic spread of homemade treats.

The Presiding Clerk of the meeting cut the ceremonial ribbon on a solar panel provided by Cedar Creek. The day was appropriately sunny and bright as were everyone’s faces.

A few comments stand out from the event: Ingrid Morales from Re-volv wrote afterward:

“I’m still beaming from a wonderful Saturday morning and afternoon getting to know you all, chatting so much about energy (and energy justice!), as well as sharing some tasty treats and delicious snacks. Everyone was so kind and there were some great discussions that were had throughout the day…The event was truly a testament to communities coming together to support one another and celebrate our collective efforts in environmental stewardship and equity.”

Kyle Poston from Cedar Creek mentioned that he has been to numerous community events, but ours was special. He complimented our Meeting, stating that he was very impressed with people’s involvement in making it so smooth and successful.

Friends who were involved in producing the event were named. So many others pitched in and helped with baking, talking to neighbors, and sharing their personal energy for this special weekend!

Discussion and Questions

• Cedar Creek posted information and photos about the event on their Facebook feed.
• Organizers (individuals) put their own money into the event. A Friend asked if they could get reimbursed by the meeting. Individuals are invited to send reimbursement requests with receipts to Trustees. The meeting approved Trustees covering these expenses.
• We often do not celebrate our victories.
• This was a good community building event for the meeting. People enjoyed being there.
• Some of the community organizations were able to converse with each other for the first time.
• The clerk reflected on the spirit filled nature of the celebration.
• It was shared that as a result of attending the celebration, St Paul’s Episcopal Church on Lake of the Isles is looking into getting their own solar panels. They have become extremely interested and are putting forward a proposal to their church counsel. The Meeting is sharing our experience with leaders of this effort.
• The clerk thanked the committee for linking the report to the Care of the Future document.

11. Red Cross Blood Drive

To host a Red Cross blood drive, we would need to have at least 30 donors. A question was put to Monthly Meeting to determine how many might be willing to donate blood. A dozen people indicated willingness to donate blood.

12. Correspondence and Announcements

The meeting has received notes of thanks for its contributions that were distributed at the end of the fiscal year.

Joyful Aging Group Movie Night

The clerk raised an issue related to the use of the meeting house hybrid system for events. This has come up because the Joyful Aging Group is in the process of contacting Mayim Rabim to co-host a movie night which may require the use of the hybrid system.

There is a building use policy that includes a process to determine the use of the hybrid system when there is a need to pay a Zoom host.

A member offered that he is in the process of contacting Mayim Rabim. They do have someone that can host the hybrid system – so it is not clear right now if we need to pay someone to run the hybrid system for this movie event.

There was some discussion about the building use policy. Meeting for business does not have to approve all uses of the meeting house. The real issue is paying someone to run the hybrid system. To some, this seems an overly complicated process for use of paid staff time given our commitment to accessibility.

Everyone should be aware that the meeting has a building use policy that was amended to reflect considerations for use of the hybrid system.

It was noted that the new meeting administrator has the technical skills to be a zoom host. The meeting was reminded that the building use policy requires a meeting member to be responsible for opening and closing the meeting house for special events. A suggestion was made to consider public events as outreach efforts and use the Trustee Funds to cover hybrid system hosting costs. Maybe Care and Council should consider whether all meeting events must be hybrid.

The meeting approved the use of the hybrid system for the Joyful Aging joint project with Mayim Rabim. This may be covered by general or trustee funds.

13. Closing Worship