News

Hartford Monthly Meeting
June 2004 Newsletter

"The Quaker vision of Gospel Order includes an understanding of the monthly meeting as a covenant community, called into being and sustained by God. This understanding has profound implications for the way we live as a faith community . . ." Quaker Vision of Gospel Order, Lloyd Lee Wilson

Calendar
June 3 6 pm Potluck Supper for Worship & Ministry, Pastoral Care and Religious Ed
Committees at Randall/Catlin home
June 6 11:30 Eleventh Hour: Friends' Response to the Culture of War
Discussion with MaryLee Morrison
June 8 5:30 pm Worship at Church of the Good Shepherd Parish House
June 9 7 pm Worship at Martin Wheeler's home, Hartford
June 13 11:30 am Family Picnic at Stratton Brook State Park
June 20 11:30 am Meeting for Worship to Conduct Business
6:30 pm Quaker Vision of Gospel Order Book Discussion at Morrison/Upholt home
July 4-10 Friends General Conference Gathering at UMASS, Amherst, MA.
Aug 7-12 New England Yearly Meeting Sessions at Bryant College, RI

Mid-Week Worship Each Thursday evening at 7 pm, mid-week worship is held in the Williams Room of the Meetinghouse. It is a small gathering to which all are welcome. On the second Tuesday of each month, worship is held at the parish house of Church of the Good Shepherd in Hartford at 5:30 pm. Contact MaryLee Morrision for details.

From Conference Encouragers
This summer offers three great opportunities to meet Friends from around the USA, Canada and New England. Worshiping, learning and playing with other Quakers can be a way to deepen your own spiritual growth and bring fresh energy to our monthly meeting. If you are interested in attending any part of these sessions and need financial assistance or want to learn more about them, please contact Diane Randall or Roz Spier of the Conference Encouragers Committee.

Friends General Conference Gathering, July 4-10
Simple Lives, Radiant Faith is the theme of this year's Gathering of several hundred Quakers from Canada and the USA. The Gathering includes plenary speakers and over 70 workshops, programs for children, young Friends and young adults. The FGC Bookstore has a great selection of books and curriculum materials so save time for browsing if you go up for the day. For more information about the Gathering, go to http://www.fgcquaker.org/gathering/ or look for fliers in the meetinghouse library. Several friends from Hartford Meeting will travel daily to Amherst to participate. If you are interested in carpooling, contact Kiki Eglinton or Cynthia Reik.

New England Yearly Meeting, August 7-10
Friends from around New England gather on the campus of Bryant College in Smithfield, RI for annual business sessions, workshops, children's and Young Friends programs. Often 30-40 Friends from our meeting have attended and find that it is a great opportunity to get to know one another better as well as to meet new Friends. The final program and registration will be mailed in the New England Friend. Additional copies of this newsletter will be available by mid-June in the meetinghouse library.

Friends Camp in China, ME holds four sessions that each last two weeks for kids age 7-17. Several children from Hartford Meeting have attended through the years and others will be attending this year. Look on the internet at: http://www.friendscamp.org/ or look for registration forms in the meetinghouse library.

June 6th Eleventh Hour-Friends' Response to the Current Culture of War, a discussion for all meeting members and attenders, led by Mary Lee Morrison
What is a spiritually based response to the horrors we are seeing in connection with the War on Terrorism? What can we say about the issues of truth, justice, and humanity? How have Friends spoken to these issues in the past? Mary Lee will share responses from the American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation. In addition she
will share her thoughts on the role of peace education. Mary Lee is the founder and director of Pax Educare, a peace education center in Hartford.

Family Picnic Scheduled for June 13

When: Sunday June 13, after Meeting for Worship
Where: Stratton Brook State Park, on Rt 309 in Simsbury
What you'll find: A warm pond for swimming and wading-long shallow stretches and deeper areas, so good for all ages and abilities. Hiking trails, picnic tables, a pavillion, barbeque pits, bathrooms, a handicap accessible wooden walkway to bring all of us close to the water. And, of course, hordes of happy Quakers celebrating the accomplishments of a year of committee work.

What to Bring: Pot luck items including drinks. Swimsuits and towels, sand toys, outdoor games for all ages. Your appreciation for the gifts of others in our Meeting. Be prepared to tell some people just why you think they are wonderful.

Directions from the Meeting House: take a right on Quaker Lane. Left onto Farmington Avenue then Right onto Troutbrook. Follow across Rt 44 (now King Philip Drive). Follow to the end (facing a dead end street), take a left, and then a right onto Main Street. At first light, take left to travel over Talcott Mountain. Right onto Rt 10/202 in Simsbury. Travel through several lights. Left onto Rt 309. Stratton Brook will be on your left after you pass Simsbury High School. Please save the parking near the pond for those who need to do less walking. Most of us will park at the upper level and follow a short trail to the pond. Carpooling would be great idea from the Meeting House to Stratton Brook. Should the state provide a person in the gatehouse there will be a $7.00 fee per car. No one I have contacted at the state has been able to ascertain whether this will happen, so the best I can do is ask you to be prepared to pay $7.00. Contact Anna Moberly if you have questions.

Summer Playtimes-I'm in the process of trying to organize a weekday summer playtime again, and would like to know who would be interested in participating and what your available days and times are. I'll set a time that can accommodate the most people. Anna Moberly

Afghanistan Home Reconstruction Project
The First Day School and Peace and Social Concerns Committee raised $2,500 toward the purchase of materials to reconstruct homes in Afghanistan. At the cost of $935 for each "home kit," this very successful fundraising will allow Hartford Monthly Meeting to purchase nearly three "kits" through the project sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee.

Young Friends and First Day school students made jewelry and then sold it at the pancake brunch on Mother's Day at the meetinghouse. One other fundraising component included a silent auction of contributed items from individuals. Children and adults were asked to contribute something of value to them as a way to give to others and to simplify their lives.

Hartford Monthly Meeting
Meeting for Worship for Business 4/17/04

Nineteen Friends gathered in silence at 11:25 a.m. for the Meeting for Worship for Business

Committees
Worship and Ministry Lynne Johnson reported that discussions on "A Quaker Vision of Gospel Order" will expand to a year-long study group. All are welcome.

Pastoral Care Debbie Humphries asked for help in sending notes to visitors who sign the Guest Book. Bev Stamm will help her.

Religious Education There was no formal report. The need for child-care for the first week in May was underlined. Lynne Johnson asked the Meeting to hold this Committee in the Light as they wrestle with significant issues.

Peace and Social Concerns John Stamm is collecting checks for the Afghanistan Home-Building project. Checks can be made out to the Meeting, or-Phil Will added-on the urbanforum.org website there is a button linking to the Afghan Housing Project where you can make your donation online.

Carol Shilliday, Nursery School Liaison, noted that some tension and communication problems exist between the Meeting and the Nursery School. She asked that her name and phone be placed on the back of the Newsletter, and that she be the link between the two institutions, to avoid misunderstandings where one hand doesn't know what the other is doing, or why. There was the suggestion that a Called Meeting might be helpful, and another that an 11th Hour presentation by the Nursery School staff next Fall might be useful in order to meet the staff, and to learn how they use the spaces we share.

Library/Ad Hoc Design Emily Chasse thanked the Meeting for participation in honoring and celebrating Bea Coward.

Buildings and Grounds Stephen Haynes announced that we have mice. While the Nursery School has been most active in finding them so far, it is time that the Meeting take action. A contractor has been contacted about caring for the trees on the property. Chris Robinson and Brigid Kennedy will coordinate the Work Day on 4/24/04, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A contractor has been hired to divert the flow from the downspouts away from the building to prevent recurrent flooding and possible damage to the foundation. Aesthetics, storage issues, and safety issues, all relating to the possible reconfiguration of the lower floor, are under consideration. The trees on the property are in good shape, but the planting of the succeeding generation must begin soon. Diane Randall suggested that Building Use, Buildings and Grounds, First Day School, Ad Hoc Design, Nursery School, Hospitality, and perhaps others, should meet to consider these issues, and the issue of whether the building is overscheduled. Stephen Haynes will convene such a meeting. Stephen also raised the question of whether we might anticipate Maplewood Properties needs before the Trans move out.

Nominating Roz Spier presented a preliminary draft of committees for next year. There are still a few vacancies. The AVP Committee has been moved from under the Peace and Social Concerns. Roz requested their membership list. HIPP will stand alone as a committee next year. The Telephone Information Committee no longer exists. It was noted that many Meetings ask committees to choose their own Clerks, and the question will be considered at some future time as to whether this is a good idea for our Meeting.

New Business
Cynthia Reik reported on the Winter Quarterly Meeting. The Program featured a look at Food, Health and Sustainability, led by Debbie Humphries. South Berkshire Meeting will host the Spring Quarterly Meeting on 5/2/04. Our representatives will be Bill Upholt and Caroline Boucher. The Fall Quarterly Meeting will be at Woolman Hill. Mary Ann Sniekus will coordinate food.

Thanks go to Mary Lee Morrison and Bill Upholt for their help with the NEYM Committee Day, which our Meeting hosted at the Parish House and Church of the Good Shepherd on 4/3/04.

Woolman Hill announced that Daphne Bye, Program Coordinator,will be leaving that position.

John Humphries is leading the organization of a Youth Peace Camp to take place in Hartford and New Hampshire this June.

Nat Shed, from the Friends Camp in Maine will attend our Meeting on 5/25/04. Friends General conference Applications are on the Library desk. It will be in Amherst this year, and carpooling is recommended.

The death of Tom Duffy, whose Memorial Service was held at the Meetinghouse on 4/10, was noted.

Diane Randall, for the Communications Committee, asked the permission of the Meeting to experiment with the next few Newsletters-Emailing them to all connected Friends, and posting it First Class to those who are not electronically connected. The desire is more timely and more economical communication. It was also suggested that printed copies be available at the Meetinghouse for people not on the mailing lists. Posting on the website is being considered, but concerns about privacy (lists of names and telephone numbers, etc.) were raised. The Meeting approved this request.

Cynthia Reik, Clerk David Holdt, Recording Clerk

Hartford Monthly Meeting
Meeting for Worship for Business
5/16/2004

At 11:30, a.m. nineteen Friends gathered in silent worship an then began the Meeting for Business.

Committees
Worship and Ministry: Lynn Johnson encouraged Friends to study Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order, by Lloyd Lee Wilson. W & M will hold monthly discussion groups on the book, one chapter at a time. The next discussion, on May 16th at 7 p.m., will be of Chapter 3, at Lynn Johnson's home. The following discussion, of Chapter 4, will be June 20 at the home of Mary Lee Morrison and Bill Upholt in West Hartford. Copies of Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order, purchased by Worship and Ministry, will be circulated among Friends who do not wish to purchase the book.

Worship and Ministry is sponsoring a series of "Home Meetings for Worship." These gatherings will take place in different peoples' homes, and will be an opportunity for Friends to strengthen and deepen our worship together. The idea for these home gatherings came from Debbie Humphries' Support Committee. Debbie will be present at each of these meetings to worship with Friends. The first Meeting will be on Sunday May 23, at 7 p.m. at Lynn Johnson's home. The next Meeting will be at Martin Wheeler's home, and the date will be announced.

Sunday May 30 is Family Sunday, and the Junior High Group will have oversight of Worship. At the Rise of Meeting the Committee will present Faith and Practice to Lillie Catlin, Rishona Hines, and Kevin Victoriano, followed by cake and celebration of our three young people.

Pastoral Care: Carolann Boucher reported that the next meeting of the committee will be with Worship and Ministry; a potluck will be held, with old and new members invited to discuss how we can build the community of the Meeting.

Religious Education: No report, but enthusiastic recognition was noted for the efforts of the First Day School and the adults who helped them in their auction and pancake luncheon, which raised over $2700.00. This is expected to total enough for three Afghan housing kits to replace homes bombed by American planes.

Peace and Social Concerns: No report, but appreciation for their support of the First Day School Project was expressed.

Finance: Tim Allen reported that our current checking balance is $73,708.60. he also noted that individual contributions this year stand at $12,000.00. The level of contributions in the last two years at this date: 2002- $21,000, and 2003- $22,000. Friends are encouraged to support the Meeting in the manner to which they are accustomed.

Tim also raised the concern that the meeting obtain a certificate of insurance from any contractor who does work on the Meeting House and properties. This year we were audited, and charged a higher premium on our insurance policy because, by not getting insurance certificates on record we had, in effect, become their employer. This is true even for small jobs. The Clerk of Buildings and Grounds will be informed of this.

Buildings and Grounds: No report, but the Clerk, Stephen Haynes, sent a question that the Meeting will need to address at some point in the near future, namely "How much use do we want of this building?" He noted that with use comes storage needs, as well as wear and tear. It was also noted that we need to anticipate the Trans moving out of the Maplewood house at the end of the year, and consider how to fill that vacancy.

Nominating: Roz Spier presented the nominations for Committees for the coming year (Attached). It represents a glimpse of the tremendous amount of volunteer work done on behalf of the Meeting. She pointed out a few remaining vacancies, including an auditor, a slot on Pastoral Care, a n opening on the Nominating Committee itself and two crucial openings: a Coordinator for child care and nursery, and a Clerk for Religious Education. She also raised the issue of whether to appoint a delegate to the Capital Region Council of Churches, given their decline in social action and their insistence on a Trinitarian definition of Christianity. Roz also noted that Appointed Committees and representatives are rightfully appointed by the Meeting for Business, not the Nominating Committee, and that some of those appointments, such as the Maplewood Properties Committee have specific requirements. She referred the Meeting to a Minute in the period 1999-2000 which ought to be consulted to discover the exact conditions. Cynthia will explore possible participation by former tenants, and the wording of that Minute. Lynn Johnson was appointed by the Meeting to that position. A Minute of Appreciation for the work of Nominating Committee was approved.

An extended discussion follow concerning the urgent need for a Childcare Coordinator, and the possibility of the need to hire someone to fill the care-giving position, which Bill Taylor has filled so generously for two years. Among issues that require resolution if we do hire someone to care for the nursery and youngest children are: job description, hours, wages, legal age requirements (Cynthia will query Diane Warner on this issue), and the relationship/distinction between this service and the First Day School. Lynn Johnson offered to talk with Anna Moberly, and, after silent worship around this concern, it was felt that an in the interim, a committee needed to help with this transition. An Interim Committee on Childcare formed, with Lynn, Carolann Boucher, Bobbie and Bill Taylor, and Anna Moberly, if she is able. Lynn will convene this group.

New Business: The Meeting expressed gratitude to Bill Taylor and Anna Moberly for their service to the youngest Friends among us.

The Meeting accepted the transfer of membership of Caroline Webster, from South Berkshire Meeting to Hartford Meeting. Cynthia Reik, Jim Reik, and, if possible, Eleanor Godway, will welcome her.

Jim Reik read a Memorial Minute for Paul Cullen (attached), composed in consultation with Lucy Townsend, Elsa Cullen and Jeffery Cullen, and Jim. The Meeting accepted the Minute.

Cynthia Reik, Clerk David Holdt, Recording Clerk