December (Twelfth Month)
2012 Newsletter
Meeting for Worship
& First Day School
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Midweek Meeting for Worship, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
The Meeting Community
Meetings for
Worship and Business are the center of our spiritual community. There, as we
come to know each other in the Spirit, we build the “beloved community.”
Mutual
respect and care in the Meeting form the foundation from which we can test,
support, and exercise leadings of the Spirit. At its best, the Meeting
community provides a framework for us to learn and practice mutual care, which
strengthens us as we act in the world.
All
members of the Meeting community should share in the care of one another. While
respecting privacy, we must be aware of and sensitive to each other’s needs. We
must also be willing to ask for assistance when we are in need.
Do I strive to
be inclusive in my relationships within the Meeting?
Do I care for
the reputation of others, refraining from gossip or disparaging remarks?
Am I committed
to the difficult work of forgiveness, and affirming God’s love for the whole
community?
How are love
and unity maintained among us?
Do we practice
the art of listening, even beyond words?
How have we
been sensitive to the personal needs and difficulties of members and attenders,
young and old?
Do we visit one
another in our homes and keep in touch with distant members?
Meeting for Business began after a period of worship at 1:00 pm, with
19 people present. Clerk Stephen Matchett opened with a reading from the PYM Faith & Practice Advices
& Queries for Eleventh month, on “Peace.” Friends shared silent and spoken responses.
Approval of
Previous Month’s Minutes
11-01: Meeting approves
the minutes of October 14, 2012, as presented.
Naming
Committee Report
Philip Gerrie, Naming Committee convener,
brought the following nominations to serve on the Nominating Committee: Arthur
Koch, for a one year term of calendar year 2013; and Kate Frankel, Anne
Collins, and David Ackerly, for two-year terms of calendar years 2013 and 2014.
There is no nomination for clerk of the committee yet. These nominations will be held for a
month and acted on at the next meeting for business.
Rausch Street
Property Progress Report
In response to our minute at last month’s
Meeting for Business seeking a proposal from a group of Friends willing to
shoulder the responsibility of managing the Rausch Street property should the
meeting decide to take title, Rolene Walker reported that Tim Schwartz, Amy
Baker, David Matchett, Philip Gerrie, Dawn Moore, and Dalton Tedford have so
far expressed interest. Rolene expressed confidence in getting a group and a
proposal together. Stephen reported that he has been in communication with the
trust administrators to keep them informed about our process. In response to a
question, Stephen reported that the trust administrators had clarified that the
property would likely go to Joe’s family if we do not accept the property, not
to the University of Tennessee as originally thought. (The trust document is ambiguous on this point.)
Quarterly
Meeting Fall Session Report
Alice Sowaal, our College Park Quarterly
Meeting (CPQM) Representative, reported on the recent Fall Session held at
Sierra Friends Center in Grass Valley, California, referring Friends also to
the “Quarterly Quick Notes” which had been previously circulated by
e-mail. The theme of the gathering
was “Being in the world but not of it.” The Center’s recently expanded garden
provided all of the vegetables served at the session, and Friends participated
in a service project in the garden as one of the activities on offer on
Saturday afternoon. There were reports from Friends Committee on Legislation of
California, the Friends International Center in Ramallah and other Quaker
groups. A $1,000 scholarship was granted to help a young Friend in the quarter
attend the Woolman Semester. Alice shared that attending Quarterly Meeting was
“another beautiful experience of being in the beloved community, camping,
sharing meals, and being in nature.” At future Quarterly Meeting gatherings, if
you would like to offer an interest group, please be sure to make your proposal
at least eight weeks in advance, to the planning committee which meets six
weeks prior to the session. The Winter Session of CPQM is the 19th
of January, 2013 at Palo Alto Friends Meeting. It will be a one-day session and
registration is not required but the planners do need information on any
children or teens planning to attend.
Property &
Finance Committee – Proposed 2013 Budget
Amy Baker, treasurer, presented the proposed
budget for 2013. (Copy attached to archive copy of these minutes.) One challenge in planning for next year
was a potential shortfall of $7,500. The needs of our community have grown and
our expenses have grown and expected income is not keeping pace. Amy reported
that the committee made adjustments and is presenting a balanced budget. She
went through the proposal, highlighting various points:
Income:
Donations are budgeted to increase slightly,
however this income is not guaranteed.
Some additional income will come from
basement space rental and a change in tenants in Room 3 with increased rent.
Retreats (Annual and Women’s) are budgeted at
a deficit (compare respective income and expense lines) rather than breaking
even as in the past, reflecting increased scholarship need and Friends’ expressed
desire to support the gatherings in this way; however, we were not able to
budget quite the amount of shortfall the Retreats Subcommittee sought.
An infusion from the General Fund is proposed
to cover a portion of our PYM assessment, this being the first year since
exhausting the three-year self-subsidy we set aside to cover the substantial
increase resulting from the hiring of the PYM Youth Program Coordinator
(YPC). Assuming the YPC position
is continued (to be decided at next annual session), the assessment amount will
remain at the higher level, and we will need to cover the increase as part of
our operating budget. The proposed
infusion will cushion the blow for one year.
Expenses:
Gatherings Fund (assistance to attend wider
Quaker gatherings) and Sharing Fund (hardship needs) contributions reflect a
slightly reduced target balance for next year.
The building repairs line is reduced, and
reflects an annual contribution to the building fund rather than a direct
expense line, restoring Meeting’s past practice.
Costs for bookkeeping and payroll have been
reduced.
The meeting will offer a modest “cost of
living adjustment” for the Building Manager position for the first time in four
years.
The Food Pantry is growing and as a result
the costs have increased about $1,000, which will help us serve more families
in the neighborhood.
Children’s Religious Education has added
another paid person for childcare on Sundays, however some reductions appear
possible.
The budget, with any adjustments made in the
interim, will come before us again in December for approval. A Friend asked whether it might be time
to raise our rates for meeting space use.
Some Friends also expressed a preference for being informed what their
“share” of financial support would be toward the beginning of the year rather
than in a year-end appeal (recognizing of course that Friends are expected to
contribute what they are able, some more and some less according to their
means; nevertheless an average amount spread across the membership is a helpful
guide).
Ministry &
Oversight Committee
David Matchett, co-clerk, reported for
M&O. The committee was in unity to approve Peter Schmidt’s requested
membership transfer.
11-02: Meeting approves
the transfer of Peter Schmidt’s membership to St. Petersburg (FL) Monthly
Meeting.
David shared about several Friends who are
facing medical concerns or need eldercare. Friends are asked to help support
these people, if you can, please contact David or others from M&O. They are
creating a sign up list of a variety of needs and volunteer duties.
Property &
Finance Committee(contd.)
Philip Gerrie, committee clerk, reported that
the American Friends Service Committee will be remodeling its offices upstairs
in December. AFSC is paying for
the new construction, and Meeting for the recarpeting and painting, which were
needed even in the absence of a remodel.
The job will proceed in tandem with the kitchen renovation (see next
item), and Meeting and AFSC are sharing the expense of the architect and
contractor. The Institute for Public Accuracy has vacated Room 3, and our new
tenant, the Center for Lao Studies, is moving in, with, as noted in the
proposed budget, an increased rent.
Philip also reported that we are now part of the city’s composting
program, and will have compost receptacles available in addition to trash and
recycling.
Kitchen
Renovation - Additional Funding Request
Philip, clerk of P&F, and Stephen, clerk
of meeting, made a joint presentation on this issue. In 2011, Meeting authorized the then-ad hoc Kitchen Committee
to move ahead with the kitchen renovation for an amount not to exceed $44,000,
which Meeting set aside for the purpose.
Stephen noted the project’s somewhat fraught history, both leading up to
and since that time, and the fact that the personnel on the committee are now
down to two—Philip and himself—and that they have been attempting to carry out
Meeting’s plans.
As reported at previous meetings, potential requirements for updated ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in other parts of the building necessitated our hiring an architect with expertise in that area. In addition, the question of project management had never been settled, and the most practical, though not the least costly, way forward was to hire a general contractor. In the mean time, the AFSC’s remodeling job came into play, and we jointly hired the architect, who obtained a consolidated permit for both jobs, including a hardship exemption for Meeting from some potentially costly ADA upgrades in other parts of the building. In addition, we have jointly hired the same contractor to perform the work and manage subcontractors. Despite these savings, and concerted efforts working closely with these professionals to bring the cost of the project into line with our available funding, the more realistic estimate of the overall cost of the kitchen renovation has risen by an additional $23,000. The committee proposes that these funds be taken from the General Fund.
Philip circulated copies of the current plans for Friends to review, and answered questions. Stephen reviewed the current state of the General Fund, which stands at just under $50,000, thanks in part to the contribution from the developer of the property next door, in payment of past costs Meeting incurred in connection with that project. Along with charges for the AFSC carpeting and painting discussed earlier ($17,000), the proposed PYM assessment stepdown amount (see budget discussion) and $800 for the Rausch St. inspection (see 9/30/12 threshing session notes), the proposed $23,000 would bring the balance of the fund to about $6,000. This is less than a comfortable operating reserve, for which the target would be closer to $12,000, or 10% of our operating budget. However, Stephen and Philip identified other funds on Meeting’s balance sheet with potential surpluses that are effectively part of that reserve. (These include the Roof Replacement and Engineering reserves, with a combined estimated surplus of about $15,000 above actual expected costs. Meeting also has a separate nearly $7,000 Emergency Reserve.)
Stephen noted his substantial involvement in creating and advocating the proposal before Meeting, and offered to step aside from clerking Meeting’s decision process on the matter. Friends declined the offer. One Friend suggested that a contingency amount would be advisable in addition to the sum sought, and there was general assent. Friends expressed appreciation for everyone who has had a part in the planning and support for this project.
As reported at previous meetings, potential requirements for updated ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in other parts of the building necessitated our hiring an architect with expertise in that area. In addition, the question of project management had never been settled, and the most practical, though not the least costly, way forward was to hire a general contractor. In the mean time, the AFSC’s remodeling job came into play, and we jointly hired the architect, who obtained a consolidated permit for both jobs, including a hardship exemption for Meeting from some potentially costly ADA upgrades in other parts of the building. In addition, we have jointly hired the same contractor to perform the work and manage subcontractors. Despite these savings, and concerted efforts working closely with these professionals to bring the cost of the project into line with our available funding, the more realistic estimate of the overall cost of the kitchen renovation has risen by an additional $23,000. The committee proposes that these funds be taken from the General Fund.
Philip circulated copies of the current plans for Friends to review, and answered questions. Stephen reviewed the current state of the General Fund, which stands at just under $50,000, thanks in part to the contribution from the developer of the property next door, in payment of past costs Meeting incurred in connection with that project. Along with charges for the AFSC carpeting and painting discussed earlier ($17,000), the proposed PYM assessment stepdown amount (see budget discussion) and $800 for the Rausch St. inspection (see 9/30/12 threshing session notes), the proposed $23,000 would bring the balance of the fund to about $6,000. This is less than a comfortable operating reserve, for which the target would be closer to $12,000, or 10% of our operating budget. However, Stephen and Philip identified other funds on Meeting’s balance sheet with potential surpluses that are effectively part of that reserve. (These include the Roof Replacement and Engineering reserves, with a combined estimated surplus of about $15,000 above actual expected costs. Meeting also has a separate nearly $7,000 Emergency Reserve.)
Stephen noted his substantial involvement in creating and advocating the proposal before Meeting, and offered to step aside from clerking Meeting’s decision process on the matter. Friends declined the offer. One Friend suggested that a contingency amount would be advisable in addition to the sum sought, and there was general assent. Friends expressed appreciation for everyone who has had a part in the planning and support for this project.
11-03: Meeting approves
an additional $23,000 for the kitchen project from the General Fund, with an
additional pre-approved contingency amount of $2,000, for a total of $25,000.
Peterson
Toscano Sponsorship
Neil Fullagar made a request that Meeting
sponsor an expected performance by New England Yearly Meeting Friend, teacher
and performance artist, Peterson Toscano, at the San Francisco
Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Community Center in January 2013, and if
possible to sponsor a second performance event at the meetinghouse the same
week. Peterson’s current works are
“Transfigurations” (on gender-nonconforming Bible characters) and “Jesus Had
Two Daddies” (a personal reflection on LGBT and biblical themes). Neil suggested that Peterson could
perform the former at the Community Center and the latter at the meetinghouse. Stephen Matchett reported that Ministry
& Oversight Committee had agreed to Neil’s bringing this proposal to
Meeting, and that Peace & Social Concerns Committee is also united in
supporting sponsorship. Sponsorship
involves no direct expense, however there will be outreach needed to help promote
the events. Neil is offering to do
the majority of needed logistical support. As this is Peterson’s livelihood, there would also need to
be a door donation requested, DVD sales and/or a passing of the hat at the
event. Meeting’s policies on this
question permit all of the above, provided no one is turned away for lack of
funds.
11-04: Meeting agrees to
co-sponsor Peterson Toscano’s performance at the LGBT Community Center in
January 2013, and to host, if practical, another performance at the meetinghouse
in the same period. Neil Fullagar, Charles Martin and other volunteers they
recruit will work together to determine the precise dates and other
arrangements.
After a period of announcements and sharing
of joys and concerns, Meeting closed with worship at 3:30 pm with 14 people in
attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Blake Arnall, Recording Clerk
Stephen Matchett, Clerk of Meeting
Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you are all enjoying
the fulfillment of time with family and friends. I'm not sure whether I'll be
celebrating this year or not. I baked a turkey about a month ago for Canadian
Thanksgiving, so am uninspired to do so again this week.
Anand and I just got back tonight from an
overnight retreat at a Benedictine Monastery that is about a 45 minute drive
away. We're trying to be more intentional in our walk with God and open
ourselves to hear what God's will is for both of us in the next year or two.
Please hold us in the light as we start this process of discernment.
Last week we got to see Obama re-elected while
visiting a friend who works at the American Embassy in Dar es Salaam. It was a
huge relief and gives me hope for America's future. This past week we went to
hear Richard Leakey speak on the fossil finds in Turkana - it is an honor to
see someone that is a living legend in the field of anthropology. It was also
timely to see some positive news from that region as we've been horrified by
the news of close to 50 policemen being killed in the tension between the
cattle rustlers and the local corrupt police force.
On a positive note, we are hearing really
positive news about what is happening in Somalia. The new president is
committed to peace and has attended courses at the Eastern Mennonite College. He
also has a relationship with the AFSC Somalia program that is based here in
Nairobi. When I hear about the changes that Mogadishu is undergoing, I feel as
though I witnessing a modern day miracle!
I ask for your continued prayers for Kenya,
especially as we get closer to our next elections in March of 2013.
Love,
Heidi
Christmas Caroling Party
On Dec. 21st, Friday at 6:00, there will be a potluck and singing at Rolene Walker's 85 Western Shore Lane #2, SF 94115. Main dish provided, bring a side or desert and drinks. RSVP's would be appreciated. (415) 359-9297
A Visit from Lucy
Duncan
Lucy Duncan,
AFSC Friend’s Liaison, will be visiting the
Bay Area
On First Day, December 2, 1 p.m. She will tell two stories about AFSC¹s work in healing and reconciliation around the world. She will tell of the moving stories she heard in Burundi of victims and perpetrators of violence whose lives were changed in trauma healing workshops. She will tell the story of how AFSC staff have been instrumental in the development of the first Truth and Reconciliation commission between a sovereign Indian tribe and a US state, Maine. Lucy will also talk about channels that AFSC has established to work together with Quaker meetings and churches for peace and justice.
On First Day, December 2, 1 p.m. She will tell two stories about AFSC¹s work in healing and reconciliation around the world. She will tell of the moving stories she heard in Burundi of victims and perpetrators of violence whose lives were changed in trauma healing workshops. She will tell the story of how AFSC staff have been instrumental in the development of the first Truth and Reconciliation commission between a sovereign Indian tribe and a US state, Maine. Lucy will also talk about channels that AFSC has established to work together with Quaker meetings and churches for peace and justice.
Laura Magnani will join Lucy and contribute stories of local AFSC work and opportunities
for engagement.
Lucy has been a storyteller for 20 years, is a member of Goshen Monthly Meeting, and lives in a Quaker cemetery in Upper Darby, PA with her husband and 10 year old son.
Lucy has been a storyteller for 20 years, is a member of Goshen Monthly Meeting, and lives in a Quaker cemetery in Upper Darby, PA with her husband and 10 year old son.
Creative Conflict Resolution Workshop
Two Parts: Saturday, December 8 & Saturday, December 15, 2012
9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
In San Francisco near Civic Center BART Station at the
St. Vincent de Paul Society - Ozanam Wellness Center
1175 Howard St., 94103 (between 7th and 8th Sts.)
The workshop is facilitated by the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), www.AVPCalifornia.org.
AVP gives you tools to be a more powerful peacemaker and to build community. Our workshops use the shared experiences of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to see beyond differences, to explore common ground and discover the power within ourselves to transform our lives and our community. AVP is a 35-year-old international non-profit that is working in communities, hundreds of US prisons and in many challenging parts of the world. Leadership opportunities exist in community and prisons. Join us in creating a more peaceful place to live!
Free to people with low-income; $35 - 125 donation requested from those who can afford it.
To register for the workshop contact Amy at:
AVP/Bay Bridge Council,
P.O. Box 20252, Oakland, CA 94610
E-Mail: avpbaybridge@gmail.com, Phone: 510-394-2622
For more information contact Mark Thomas, workshop facilitator team coordinator:mark@transformingpower.com
Two Parts: Saturday, December 8 & Saturday, December 15, 2012
9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
In San Francisco near Civic Center BART Station at the
St. Vincent de Paul Society - Ozanam Wellness Center
1175 Howard St., 94103 (between 7th and 8th Sts.)
The workshop is facilitated by the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), www.AVPCalifornia.org.
AVP gives you tools to be a more powerful peacemaker and to build community. Our workshops use the shared experiences of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to see beyond differences, to explore common ground and discover the power within ourselves to transform our lives and our community. AVP is a 35-year-old international non-profit that is working in communities, hundreds of US prisons and in many challenging parts of the world. Leadership opportunities exist in community and prisons. Join us in creating a more peaceful place to live!
Free to people with low-income; $35 - 125 donation requested from those who can afford it.
To register for the workshop contact Amy at:
AVP/Bay Bridge Council,
P.O. Box 20252, Oakland, CA 94610
E-Mail: avpbaybridge@gmail.com, Phone: 510-394-2622
For more information contact Mark Thomas, workshop facilitator team coordinator:mark@transformingpower.com
December 2012 News from Ben
Lomond Quaker Center
The
long-awaited culvert replacement is complete! After 5 solid weeks of construction and many, many months of
negotiations with our county Resource
Conservation District, the road to Quaker Center is now no longer at risk
of washing away due to a failure of the old culvert. We now have a larger
culvert in place with a more stable roadbed surrounding it. What a relief! –both to have the
disruptions of construction behind us and to feel confidence in the literal
road ahead.
Because
we anticipated a decline in rental bookings during the culvert road
construction, we made a plan to renovate the Orchard Lodge during that time. We
are grateful for the generous response we received to our request for financial
support of the Orchard Lodge Renovation Project, with gifts amounting to five times greater than we typically
receive mid-year. While we have
not yet reached our Project goal, we are taking advantage of the vacant lodge
to utilize the gifts we've received so far. We've prioritized our list of
needed renovations and have
begun by replacing the kitchen range, which was rapidly becoming unusable.
We're also upgrading bathroom windows and fixtures, exchanging old water
heaters with on-demand models, replacing thin bedroom curtains with insulated
curtains, and resurfacing the bedroom walls. We'll pick up with the rest of the
renovation plans as funds become available.
Please come see these
improvements yourself and join us at the Year End Retreat: Whole Mind, Whole Body,
Holy Spirit, lead by Walter and Traci Hjelt Sullivan, which begins on December 27th and ends on January 1, 2013.
This retreat will be an experiential exploration of the relationship between
body, spirit, and the art of living into wholeness. Please register
online by Thursday, December 20th at http://www.quakercenter.org. You will also find the 2013 Program Schedule there.
If
you can’t attend the Year End Retreat but still want a chance to catch up with
Walter, Traci, Rebecca and Grace, we’re giving you another opportunity: Please join us for "Lunch with the Sullivans, A
Benefit for Quaker Center” on December 26th from 11am to 2pm. Help us honor Traci and Walter's 14
years of service to Quaker Center by joining us and making a donation for this
event on a sliding scale from $5 to $500.
If you'd like to join us, RSVP to
mail@quakercenter.org or call our office at 831-336-8333.
The
upcoming Pacific Yearly Meeting session will be July 29 - Aug 3, 2013, at Mount Madonna Center, in Watsonville CA
The
next CPQM Gathering will be a one day meeting on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at
Palo Alto Friends Meeting.
Google
Groups for SF Quakers
This
is the group to which to send your late breaking announcements or share other news with
the meeting community. You can sign up via the web: http://groups.google.com/group/sfquakers. You will need to create a
free Google user ID and password, if you don’t already have one.
Visit
http://groups.google.com/group/sfquakers/about to join or learn more.
A
group for young adult Friends in San Francisco is at http://groups.google.com/group/youngsfmeeting
A
group for parents in the San Francisco Meeting is at http://groups.google.com/group/sf-crec-parents
A
Google Group for Bay Area Quakers is now available at http://groups.google.com/group/bayareaquakers. The group is for Bay Area
Quaker meetings, churches, and organizations, as well as individual Friends, to
share news of events and activities that would be of interest to Quakers and
the general public. Events do not need to be strictly Quaker. For more
information, contact Tom Yamaguchi, tomyamaguchi@mac.com
Help
on using Google Groups is also available at:
Submissions
to the newsletter are due by the next-to-last First Day (Sunday) of each month
in the News Committee mailbox at the meetinghouse, or by e-mail to news@sfquakers.org. This newsletter is also
available for reading or downloading on our website at http://www.sfquakers.org/news.html.
Members
of the News Committee are Kate McCarley (clerk, editor), Eli Bishop (web
servant), Jim Pilliod (production), and Noel Schwerin (distribution)
(all events at 65 9th St., unless noted; *see details
elsewhere in newsletter)
Sunday
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
25
11a Meeting for Worship
|
26
|
27
|
28
6p Meeting for Worship
|
29
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
|
30
|
1
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
2
9:30a
Bible Study
11a
Meeting for Worship, Community potluck following
1p
Storytelling by Lucy Duncan, AFSC
|
3
.
|
4
7p
Property & Finance Mtg
|
5
8:30a
SFFS Community Mtg for Worship†
6p
Meeting for Worship
7p
Ministry & Oversight Mtg
|
6
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
7
|
8
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
9
11a
Meeting for Worship
1p Meeting for Business
|
10
|
11
|
12
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
13
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
14
|
15
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
16
9:30a Bible Study
11a
Meeting for Worship
|
17
|
18
|
19
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
20
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
21
6p Christmas
Caroling at
Rolene
Walker's
|
22
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
23
11a
Meeting for Worship_______________
30
9:30a
Extended Meeting for Worship
|
24
|
25
11a Meeting for Worship, Community Potluck to Follow
|
26
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
27
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
28
|
29
10:30a-1p
Food Pantry
|
‡Federal
Building, Golden Gate Ave. and Larkin St. †San Francisco Friends School, 250
Valencia St.
