Hartford Monthly Meeting Newsletter
June, 2006

"Community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grow from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not of ourselves, but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own. The question, therefore, is not "how can we make community?" but "How can we nurture giving hearts?" - Henri Nouwen

Calendar
June 4 Is the Meeting Budget Spiritual? Development Committee 11th Hour
June 6 Finance Committee, 7pm
June 11 Meeting Picnic, Elizabeth Park
June 18 Meeting for Business
Aug5-10 New England Yearly Meeting Sessions, Bryant University, Rhode Island

Meeting for Worship is held every First Day at 10 am. First Day School for children begins at 9:50 am.
Prayer Vigil for Peace Every Thursday at 7 pm

ALL ARE WELCOME

Is the Meeting Budget Spiritual?
On Sunday, June 4th, the Development Committee is hosting an 11th Hour to share with you the results of the survey that was conducted and that had such a great response, and to answer questions you may still have about the financial workings and responsibilities of our Meeting. Your suggestions as to how we might best continue to invite participation about this subject as it relates to our spiritual life as a community will be encouraged.

In preparation for this meeting, Friends are strongly encouraged to consult the Meeting Handbook and read the following sections:Conference Encouragers Finance Committee (for explanation of some of the special funds); Maplewood Properties (for history and procedures); Pastoral Care (for explanation of the Cleaver Fund); Stewardship (for the spiritual basis of our commitment to the Meeting); The 2005 Budget: Appendix 14

JUNE 11 MEETING PICNIC
We hope everyone in the meeting will join our annual picnic and wrap-up to First Day School on June 11 at noon in Elizabeth Park. Bring a potluck lunch to share (this is our June fellowship lunch), chairs, blankets to sit on and outdoor games. Park on Elizabeth Street or Oxford Street in Hartford; we'll meet by the picnic tables in that section of the park.

SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR CHILDREN
Beginning on Sunday, June 18 and continuing through Sunday, September 3, the children who don't plan to participate in the full hour of worship gather informally with adults downstairs. Weather permitting, the children and adults spend 45 minutes outdoors and then return for the last 20 minutes of worship. This relaxed time, when there are usually fewer children, offers a great opportunity to know one another better through play. If you are an adult who can volunteer for one or more Sundays during the summer to spend time with children, please sign up on the poster in the library annex or contact Lynn Johnson.

COPIES OF THE HMM HANDBOOK ARE AVAILABLE.
See Kiki Eglinton or Dianne Warner for the notebook version at $5. It is also available on line through Diane Randall. Every home should have a copy, every committee member should read of their specific responsibilities. Lots of facts are readily available.

LOST?

When Bobbie removed some glass flower containers for discard at work day, there was among them an 11-inch tall, slender ceramic vase, by a well-known Colorado pottery company. If you've been looking all over for it, let us know. --Bill and Bobbie

Hartford Monthly Meeting Meeting for Business 5/21/2006

At 11:35 p.m. Twenty-six Friends gathered in silent worship to begin the Meeting for the conduct of Business.

Committees: Many Committees presented annual reports, copies of which will be available in a notebook at the Meetinghouse.

Worship and Ministry Roger Catlin presented the Annual Report, which included activities of the Committee, such as the reading of monthly queries, eleventh hours on the revision of NEYM Faith and Practice, bulletin boards in the library Annex to shorten announcements after Meeting, Thursday vigils for Peace, Quakerism 101 sessions after the rise of Meeting, the Retreat, support committees, and Creative Listening groups.

Pastoral Care Eric Stamm presented the Annual Report, which included mention of the newcomers dinner, Christmas cards, outreach activities, the birthday list, the phone tree, the Holiday party, Good Samaritan list, Membership support, social networking and Creative Listening groups.

Nominating Ginny Allen presented the nominations for the next year, noting that openings for Assistant Clerk and Auditor remain to be filled. A question was raised as to whether it was policy or practice that those who had served as Clerks in the past were not eligible to serve again. There was support for not repeating Clerks so as to encourage the Meeting to search for gifts in a broad circle of membership, as opposed to the limiting effect this had on potential nominees. It was also noted that individuals continue to grow throughout their membership, and might serve in a different light in later years. It was clarified that it was a practice of the Meeting, not known to be minuted and that the possibility of Clerks serving more than one term does exist. Open positions as NEYM Ministry and Council representative and NEYM Nominating committee representative were also noted, and the position of Ray Boucher as Assistant Treasurer to Treasurer Robert Batson was clarified. The Nominations were accepted, noting the slots remaining to be filled. A complete list will appear in the Newsletter.

Ad Hoc Development Mary Lee Morrison reported that at an 11th hour panel on 6/4 an update will be given on survey results and Meeting finances and budgeting, including the Maplewood Properties. John Humphries reported on a Woolman Hill workshop on Development, which provided information on services available for planned giving,

Religious Education Lynn Johnson reported that on 6/11 Bible presentations would be made, and the Meeting Picnic will be held in Elizabeth Park. 6/18 begins the summer schedule, and volunteers are needed to sign up to take the children to the park during Meeting for Worship. Three adults per First Day are needed.

Library Committee Lillie Catlin reported for the Committee, noting in the Annual Report the donation of books, DVD's and videos. A reminder that the Library only accepts books and electronics having to do with Quaker issues or by Quaker authors was also included. The addition of the drawers and of a typewriter have made the functioning of the Library much more efficient. The Committee promises that its reputation as the "party committee" will be upheld.

Building Use LouAnne Mcdonald, in her Annual Report for the Committee, noted that the business of the committee, formerly conducted by phone, is now almost entirely conducted by E-mail. (690 e-mail and phone messages were logged last year) This has resulted in easier logging and searching of communications. The priceless contributions of Kathy Zager to the committee were noted with appreciation. Kathy will be leaving for college in the Fall. Replacing her will be difficult, and may require more than one person. Investigation into the events of vandalism indicate that no breaking and entering was involved. The vandalism and theft of checks was likely done be a regular user of the building or during times when the building was in use. A detailed calendar of use is attached to the Annual Report.

Buildings and Grounds Ginny Allen reported in the Annual Report on the repairs and renovations to the Maplewood Properties and to the Meeting House Work on the Meetinghouse included a new boiler, renovation of the downstairs kitchen, bluestone repair, Fire Department required renovations, doors, tree work, and more. Much of this was funded from the money allocated from the Virginia Hicks bequest and the kitchen renovation was part o0f the bequest of Pat Ritter. Further needs, including painting the trip on 143 Maplewood and replacing flooring in the rainy day room and nursery will be priced, and funded if the latter does not exceed $5000, as required by Minute. Appreciation to Ginny and the entire committee was expressed for their especially hard work this year. The need to be able to forecast repairs and renovation needs was underlined.

Finance Jim Reik noted that Chris Robinson and Ray Boucher have set up the reception of gifts of common stock and securities. No Report from the Treasurer .

Quarterly Meeting Bill Upholt reported that two travel minutes for the same person had been approved for travel in New England and in the Mid-West regarding the FUM policy on gays and lesbians. The new Clerk of Quarterly Meeting will be Susan Bainbridge of New London Meeting. A schedule of shared responsibility for more regular Meetings at Woolman Hill has been published, and the Clerk has a copy. Quarterly Meetings will occur there every 18 months.

Debbie Humphries reported on her Travel Minute and asked for support for the ministry she and Eleanor Godway will undertake to the Northwest. Debbie will be conducting a Workshop at Friends General Council, and she and Eleanor will be visiting Meetings in Washington, Oregon and Utah. Support for car rental expenses was specifically needed, and it was noted that future expense is also anticipated under this Travel Minute. It was suggested that a Traveling Ministries fund be establish, and that funding could come from the Meeting or from the gifts of individual Friends. A report from Debbie's support committee next Fall should clarify these needs, and that the request should come from this committee, not from the person holding the travel minute. It was stated that we believe in this and want to go forward with it. A line item should go into the budget next Fall. In the meantime checks, payable to the meeting, with Debbie's name in the memo line will be accepted.

John Humphries reported briefly on the issue of torture and offered actions that the Meeting and individual Friends could take. Northampton Meeting has written a minute on torture which Quarterly Meeting has referred to monthly meetings for action. Posssible consideration of this and other issues will be discussed at the June Meeting for Business.

After silent worship the meeting concluded at 1:45 p.m.

Eleanor Godway, clerk David Holdt, Recording Clerk

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Faith into Action
Donn Weinholtz: Why a Vigil?

Since the first week of February 2006, I have been maintaining a weekly peace vigil at the University of Hartford. From noon until 1:00 PM on Wednesdays, I stand mid-way between the administration building and the student union with a simple sign - stuck in the ground- stating the times of the vigil and welcoming others to participate. Each week, I start out alone; but typically, three to four other people (students, staff and/or faculty) join by the vigil's end with a few others briefly stopping to chat. The most to ever be there at one time was eight. What started out as a silent activity gave way to a talking format, as those who have joined have been uncomfortable with silence.

Here are my reasons for initiating this vigil.
1) I've always been impressed by vigils.
2) My previous vigil experiences were particularly meaningful to me, especially witnessing for peace in Johnson City, TN before and during the first Gulf War.
3) I wanted to publicly witness against the Iraq war for some time, but found the times and locations of other vigils very difficult, given my schedule.
4) The Meeting's decision to hold a weekly vigil on Thursday evenings caused me to ponder how and where I might conduct a personal witness.
5) Serving on John Humphries' support committee further reinforced my appreciation of taking personal action.
6) One day, I became acutely aware that the University of Hartford is my primary community. Even though our family lives in Windsor, the vast majority of my social contacts occur on campus. Even though my spiritual home is among Hartford Friends, I spend far more time with the students and colleagues with whom I work than with Friends.
7) I also became aware of my frustration with the complacency regarding the war that I saw on campus every day.
8) I decided that, as a Quaker, I must make a clear statement for peace within my community.
9) I looked at my calendar and saw that the Wednesday noon-till-one block was open right through December.

The first week I was stood alone in the cold. Nobody joined me, but a few people read the sign. Later that day, I sent an email announcing the vigil to Jay Stewart, a sociology professor and the coordinator of the Campus Alliance for Progressive Politics and Action (CAPPA). The following week Jay showed up. The week after that, he brought a thoughtfully designed poster illustrating some of the war's casualties. Ever since, along with Jay, there has been a small, but steady stream of like-minded people with whom I enjoy visiting each week. Others have indicated their intentions to someday participate.

Conducting the vigil has made me aware of my need to do more on behalf of the peace effort. One off-shoot was my participation in the recent petitioning drive on behalf of Ned Lamont's senatorial campaign.

I have no plans to halt the vigil. Although I might have to miss a Wednesday now and then (for example, Yearly Meeting week), I hope to always find someone to keep the vigil going. If you'd like to help out, let me know, so I can start a list of people to call.

John Humphries: Opposing Torture
At the 21 May Meeting for Business, John offered ideas that our Meeting might consider as a witness against torture; some explanations and ideas are printed below. This issue will be considered at the June 18 Meeting for Business.

Acronyms
" Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice (RTPV) is a CT-based interfaith network of clergy and people of faith, established in 2002, that organizes public witness in opposition to the war in Iraq and the related issue of torture.
" The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is an interfaith initiative launched in January 2006 that now has about 50 member organizations: national religious denominations and organizations (including FCNL), regional religious organizations (including Quaker House in NC and RTPV) and local religious institutions (including Baltimore Monthly Meeting). For more info, see www.nrcat.org.
" The Quaker Initiative to End Torture (QUIT) was launched last year by John Calvi and other Friends and will have its inaugural conference at Guilford College in June 2006.

Steps/Actions the Hartford Meeting could take collectively
a. Approve/endorse/revise Northampton Monthly Meeting's minute on torture (below).
b. Join NRCAT by endorsing their statement ("Participating Members" make a financial contribution and appoint a representative to the Coordinating Committee; "Endorsing Members" do not)
c. Help to organize/sponsor (along with RTPV) a gathering for interfaith dialogue on the issue of torture in West Hartford
d. Participate in the Rabbis for Human Rights event being organized by Charter Oak Cultural Center at Emanuel Synagogue in W. Hartford on Weds, June 7 at 7:30 pm
e. Have visible participation in and explicit endorsement of a planned RTPV press conference (early September) announcing the launch of a campaign to have people of faith raise torture-related issues (full congressional investigation, shut down Guantanamo Bay, etc.) at congressional campaign events in the fall
f. Letters from the Clerk to congressional candidates asking them to address these issues in their campaigns and provide written response
g. There will hopefully be additional possibilities coming out of the QUIT conference

Steps/Actions individuals can take
a. Endorse the NRCAT statement (go to www.nrcat.org)
b. Promote and attend the Rabbis for Human Rights event
c. Letters to the editor and calls/letters to congresspeople
d. Sign up for FCNL alerts
e. Help organize and/or participate in an interfaith dialogue
f. Volunteer to participate in RTPV's fall campaign to raise torture-related issues in congressional races (participate in training and planning)

Northampton Minute on Torture
Approved April 9, 2006 and sent to Connecticut Valley Quarterly Meeting

We, the Northampton Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), unite in a call for an end to all torture of any person anywhere for any reason.
Quakers believe that there is the Light of God in each person. For this reason, we reject torture because it does great violence to that Light in all who are in any way involved. Torture causes great suffering to its victims. At the same time, those who inflict torture are spiritually injured by doing so.
Torture is defined with detail and clarity in the Geneva Convention Relative to the
Treatment of Prisoners of War (pages 1 - 58). We grieve that the United States (a signatory and prime mover in creating this Convention) has acted repeatedly in breach of the Geneva Convention by allowing, and even encouraging torture. As Quakers and citizens of the U.S., we are alarmed that the current administration has violated our trust - and the trust of the world - by allowing the US military to practice torture and then by withholding the truth about their activities.
We call upon our lawmakers and leaders to bring the truth to light, to reaffirm our country's commitment to fairness, justice and the rejection of 'cruel and unusual
punishment'. Our country must uphold the sacredness of human life by eliminating the use of torture.

Debbie Humphries and Eleanor Godway: Traveling in the Ministry
Debbie Humphries and Eleanor Godway will travel to Washington State for Friends General Conference Gathering where Debbie and Peter Crysdale, pastor of Allen's Neck Monthly Meeting, will offer a workshop "Deepening the Silence and Inviting Vital Ministry." Following the FGC Gathering, Debbie and Eleanor will spend 10 days traveling in the ministry, visiting monthly meetings in Washington, Oregon and Utah, where Debbie's travel minute from Hartford Monthly Meeting will be their introduction. Financial contributions to offset travel expenses can be donated through Hartford Meeting, with an indication in the memo for 'Debbie Humphries travel.'

Yes, the sneaker drive is on again. Bring your old sneakers (no cleats) to Meeting, and I will bring them to the town of Granby who works with Nike to convert the soles to NikeGrind, a soft surface material used in playgrounds. So clean out your closets, let all your running friends and gym buddies know, and bring me those smelly sneaks! This collection runs through June, but don't wait too long, or you'll be stuck with a garbage bag full. ---Anna Moberly

Financial Gifts to Hartford Meeting
Regular financial contributions, payable to Hartford Monthly Meeting, which support the general operations of the meeting-such as: building expenses, contributions to other organizations and support for our committees-should be mailed to Ruth Alexander, 22 Carpenter Lane, Bloomfield, CT 06022.

We are pleased to announce that the Meeting now has the ability to accept donations of securities to it treasury. Gifts of common stock are a convenient way to contribute to meeting finances, and have the benefit to the giver of being valued at full market price for the purpose of charitable contributions, and being exempt from capital gains taxes at the same time. Friends considering such a contribution may contact the Development Committee, the Finance Committee, or Ray Boucher or Chris Robinson, who can explain the process and facilitate the transaction.

Committees of Hartford Monthly Meeting
June 2006-May 2007

Clerk: Donn Weinholtz Co-Treasurer: Robert Batson
Assistant Clerk: Co-Treasurer: Ray Boucher(until 12/06)
Recording Clerk: David Holdt Assistant Treasurer: Ruth Alexander
Tim Allen
Recorder: Dianne Warner Auditor:

Worship and Ministry:
'07 Diane Weinholtz (co-clerk) '08 Jamie Taylor
'07 John Stamm '09 Nancy Mason
'08 Caroline Webster '09 Debbie Humphries
'08 Martin Wheeler
Pastoral Care:
'07 Eric Stamm, co-clerk '08 Elizabeth Saria
'07 Eleanor Godway '09 Bonnie Jean Dibelius
'08 Beth Morrill '09 Brigid Kennedy
'08 Tia Thornton '09 Roger Catlin
Adjuncts to PC with Concerns for the elderly: Laurel Swan, Lucy Townsend
Correspondence: Dianne Warner

Buildings and Grounds
Ginny Allen, clerk
Chris Watts
Chris Robinson
Bruce Baldwin
David Brown
John Humphries
Carolyn Flint
Shawn Lang
Work days: Stephen Haynes
QLNS Liaison: Carol Shilliday Finance
Phil Will David Thompson
John Flint Tim Allen
Diane Randall
Ruth Alexander
Jim Reik
Robert Batson
Mary LaPorte
Carol Savery-Frederick

Buildings and Grounds Liaison: Ginny Allen
Religious Ed
Lynn Johnson, co-clerk
Anna Moberly, co-clerk
Robert Wolff
Janelle Mantie
Chris Baldwin
Sue Chipman
Eileen McCarthy
Childcare:
Young Friends: Debbie Humphries Peace and Social Concerns
Bill Upholt, convener
Wayne Boulton
Brigid Kennedy
John Stamm
Mary Lee Morrison
Valentine Doyle
Ray Boucher
Carolann Boucher
LouAnne McDonald
AVP
Marla Ludwig, clerk Jamie Taylor
Carolann Boucher Eleanor Godway
Valentine Doyle Matt DiMichele
Ray Boucher Emily Chasse Archives
Cynthia Reik, co-clerk
Beth Morrill
Eric Stamm

Building Use
LouAnne McDonald
Canned Food Collection
Steve Warner
Communications

E-mail list: Wayne Boulton
Handbook: Kiki Eglinton, Chris Watts, Bobbie Taylor
Mailing list and Directory: Phil Will
Web site: Chris Watts
Newsletter: Shawn Lang, Linda Smith
Conference Encouragers
Diane Randall
Debbie Humphries
Kiki Eglinton
Eleventh Hour
John Humphries, clerk
Frances Duthie
Cynthia Reik
Peterson Toscano
Carolann Boucher HIP
Mary Lee Morrison
Greeters
Brad Noel, clerk Shelly Perron
Michael Taylor Ron Todd
Hugh Ogden Cynthia Reik
LouAnne McDonald Otis Brown
Eleta Jones Marshall Valier
Sally Morrison
Bill Nelson Hospitality
Gretchen Stein
Mary Ann Snieckus
Roger Catlin
Mary Jane Todd
Rishona Hines
Shani Hines
Kevin Victoriano
Lillie Catlin
Library
Emily Chasse, clerk
Dianne Warner
Lillie Catlin
Mary Lee Morrison
Beverly Stamm
Ad hoc design: Carol Savery-Frederick Mantel Arrangements
Don Noel, clerk Bill Nelson
Dianne Warner Shelly Perron
Gretchen Stein Meila Gruber
Kiki Eglinton Cynthia Reik
Amy Watts
Ruth Alexander

Memorial
Bobbie and Bill Taylor, co-clerks
Donn and Diane Weinholtz, co-clerks
Carol Savery-Frederick
Laurel Swan Photo Board
Frances Duthie
Lillie Catlin
Rishona Hines
Social Hour
Kiki Eglinton, clerk
Amy Watts
Bob Cooley Maplewood Properties Tenant Relations
Michael Taylor, clerk
Phil Will

Nominating Committee
Ginny Allen, Donn Weinholtz (ex officio), Debbie Humphries, Chris Robinson

Representative to NEYM Nominating Committee:
Worship and Ministry Pastoral Care
Diane Weinholtz, clerk, 687-1236 Eric Stamm, clerk, 523-4283
John Stamm, 523-4823 Bonnie Jean Dibelius, 688-9025
Caroline Webster, 824-5285 Eleanor Godway, 225-7554
Jamie Taylor, 673-4185 Tia Thornton, 231-0145
Nancy Mason Beth Morrill, 833-0099
Debbie Humphries, 236-5175 Brigid Kennedy, 257-0362
Martin Wheeler, 233-4789 Roger Catlin, 521-4380

Newsletter: Linda Smith, 408-1383; Shawn Lang, shawnzo@comcast.net

Building Use: LouAnne McDonald. wannym@comcast.net
Quaker Lane Cooperative Nursery Liaison: Carol Shilliday, 233-4745

Clerk: Donn Weinholtz, 687-1236
Meetinghouse Phone: 860/232-8631 www.hartfordquakers.org

HARTFORD MONTHLY MEETING
Of the Religious Society of Friends
144 South Quaker Lane
West Hartford, CT 06119

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