February 2013 Newsletter
(Second Month)
(Second Month)
Meeting for Worship
& First Day School
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Midweek Meeting for Worship, Wednesdays at 6:00
p.m.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Advices:
The
life of the spirit gains depth and vigor through devotional practices, prayer,
study and meditation. Take time regularly for individual and family worship,
discussions, readings from sacred texts, and other spiritual refreshment in
order to live a more centered life and to bring a deeper presence to the
Meeting for Worship.
Friends
believe that the spiritual path is best found in community. Create
opportunities in your Meetings for people of all ages to explore and express
their evolving relationship with the Divine, their spiritual highs and their
doubts. If different metaphors and language interfere with communication,
listen more deeply, honoring the Spirit in which the thought and words have
their beginnings.
Queries:
Do
I live in thankful awareness of God’s constant presence in my life?
Am
I sensitive and obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit?
When
do I take time for contemplation and spiritual refreshment?
What
steps am I taking to center my life and to stay open to continuing revelation?
Do
we share our spiritual lives with others in the Meeting, seeking to know one
another in that which is eternal?
Does
the Meeting provide religious education including study of the Bible and
Friends’ history and practices?
After
a period of worship, Meeting for Business began at 1:07 pm with 21 people
present. Clerk Stephen Matchett opened with a reading from the PYM Faith
& Practice, Advices & Queries for First month on “Meeting for Worship.”
We reflected on the queries in silence and with spoken ministry.
Approval
of Previous Month’s Minutes
1-01:
Meeting approves the minutes of December 9, 2012, as presented.
Ad
Hoc Naming Committee Report
Philip
Gerrie, convener of the Naming Committee, reported that no concerns had been
raised regarding the nomination brought last month.
1-02:
Meeting approves Sandra Schwartz to clerk the Nominating Committee through
12/31/2013.
The Naming Committee brought forward the name of Dan Nakamura as co-clerk of Nominating Committee. Meeting will season this nomination and act on it at our next meeting for business.
Kitchen
Renovations Committee Report
Krista
Barnard, assistant clerk of meeting, clerked this portion of the meeting since
Stephen is bringing this proposal forward with Philip. Stephen Matchett, clerk,
and Philip Gerrie, clerk of P&F, offered a progress report on the current
construction. Current estimated completion will be the end of January 2013.
Final installation of appliances will happen soon. The original renovation
estimate was $44,000. Two months ago, Meeting approved an additional $25,000,
based on current understanding of the increased cost to bring the project to
completion. Following a recent review of the project finances by Stephen,
Philip and treasurer Amy Baker, including the remaining contractor/s bill and
other miscellaneous items, Stephen can now report that the budget increase
requested was too low, and that another $10,000 will be needed to complete the
kitchen renovations for a total cost of $79,000. The plan would be to
draw the additional sum from the General Fund, and to replenish the fund using
surplus amounts in the Roof Repair and Engineering Reserves. Amy confirmed that
this will leave the General Fund with a balance of $15,000 which is within the
acceptable minimum balance for that reserve. One Friend expressed discomfort
with this requested adjustment and cautioned us as a meeting to be more
concerned about living within our financial means moving forward.
1-03:
Meeting approves up to $10,000 in additional funding for the kitchen project
from the General Fund.
Rausch
Street Working Group Proposal
Stephen
Matchett, clerk, reminded Friends of Meeting’s minute of October encouraging
the formation of a group of Friends prepared to take on management of the
Rausch St. property and seeking a proposal from such a group around which
Meeting could unite in order to take title to this bequest. He reported
that one such group had formed, and he called on Rolene Walker to give its
report. Rolene reported on behalf of a working group consistng of herself,
Philip Gerrie, Amy Baker, Tim Schwartz, Marian Chatfield Taylor, Owain Elliot,
David Matchett and Dalton Tedford.
Questions the subcommittee addressed:
Should
we accept the gift?
The recommendation is that the meeting should accept the gift for now. We can leave the possibility open to sell off the building in the future if need be. The current estimated value of the building is approximately $550,000.
The recommendation is that the meeting should accept the gift for now. We can leave the possibility open to sell off the building in the future if need be. The current estimated value of the building is approximately $550,000.
What
is needed to fix up the building?
The recommendation is to make needed repairs to the upper unit at an estimated cost of $67,000 to bring this space up to code. A contractor has provided a detailed outline of needed repairs. It was proposed that acquiring private loans from local Quakers would be possible to cover these costs.
The recommendation is to make needed repairs to the upper unit at an estimated cost of $67,000 to bring this space up to code. A contractor has provided a detailed outline of needed repairs. It was proposed that acquiring private loans from local Quakers would be possible to cover these costs.
Expenses
to the meeting?
Annual income would be between $23,076 to $29,583 for rental income from both flats. Estimated annual residential expenses would be $14,500. It is estimated that the rental income will cover the expenses for taxes, insurance, and management costs.
Annual income would be between $23,076 to $29,583 for rental income from both flats. Estimated annual residential expenses would be $14,500. It is estimated that the rental income will cover the expenses for taxes, insurance, and management costs.
How
the space could be used?
The building is zoned for residential use at this time. The short term recommendation is to rent out the upper flat at market rate until other plans could be made. This space could be used for non-profit office space or Quaker hospitality but this will require further study and potentially a variance to the zoning.
The building is zoned for residential use at this time. The short term recommendation is to rent out the upper flat at market rate until other plans could be made. This space could be used for non-profit office space or Quaker hospitality but this will require further study and potentially a variance to the zoning.
Friends
raised concerns about property tax rates going up, about the potential for
higher renovation costs (considering additional expenses for foundation,
basement, and first floor), and concerns about agreeing to be landlords for
tenants at low rates for a long period of time.
The Clerk encouraged the working group to set a meeting at an early date where Friends could share and explore these and other concerns, and, having considered these, to bring the proposal again with any revisions to the next Meeting for Business.
The Clerk encouraged the working group to set a meeting at an early date where Friends could share and explore these and other concerns, and, having considered these, to bring the proposal again with any revisions to the next Meeting for Business.
Ministry
& Oversight Committee
David
Matchett, co-clerk, shared a report from M&O. David shared more information
about the Meeting Directory which was recently published. He noted that the
listings are now divided into a section showing members and attenders who live
in the area and/or are active in the meeting, and another for members who are
out of the area. He expressed the committee’s appreciation on Meeting’s behalf
for a number of Friends, especially Jan Hartsough, Charles Martin, Adrian Card,
and Jeff Mead who have been offering support for Friends in the meeting with
needs that have required time and expense. David announced a workshop on
February 23 to provide opportunities for Trust Building and Community Building,
led by Dorothy Henderson, a Friend from Grass Valley trained in “Non Violent
Communication.” David said that the M&O Retreat Subcommittee will be
looking over the tasks of organizing the annual retreat and ask people who plan
to attend the retreat to take on these tasks instead of having an on-site
coordinator. M&O is also seeking someone willing to serve as assistant
registrar for the retreat. Requests are being made to M&O to reconsider the
time of First Day meeting for Worship. Some are concerned about the added costs
of parking meters and some would like the time to be earlier so it doesn’t
break up the day so much. The committee would like to hear more from Friends
about their preferences regarding meeting time. Several Friends shared that
having meeting for worship at 10 am would be ideal since it works better for
families, though this was not a uniform response. Others expressed
reservations.
Property
& Finance Committee
Philip
Gerrie reported on the basement. Last week small puddles of water were noticed,
as from the remains of flooding. The building contractors and an engineer examined
the situation and as yet did not find a source of the leak. There was a small
amount of water damage to the downstairs office which will be repaired with
insurance money. The P&F committee will continue looking for the source of
the water. This may be related to rainwater which drains through internal
plumbing.
Peace
& Social Concerns Committee
Dirk
von der Horst, co-clerk, reported for P&SC on three items:
The
committee has reduced its meeting schedule to odd-numbered months only.
8-9
Friends viewed the film “Zero Dark Thirty” and had a discussion about military
involvement in torture. Quakers are encouraged to consider faithful responses
to the issues of tax funded torture through our affiliation with National
Religious Coalition for the Abolition of Torture.
How
do we integrate the Hartsoughs’ witness for peace (related to their role in a
court trial opposing US drone policies) into our witness as a Quaker meeting?
Dirk and the committee would like to hear more from Friends about their
concerns regarding this situation. What should be the meeting’s witness for
peace? What kinds of peace witness should we support in relationship to our
Peace Testimony? (Some Friends suggested that P&SC engage this topic in a
Second Hour discussion.)
After a period of announcements and sharing of joys and concerns, Meeting closed with worship at 3:30 pm with 17 people in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Blake Arnall, Recording Clerk Stephen Matchett, Clerk of Meeting
.
Dear Friends,
This past month has flown by...and
anxieties and tension are increasing as we get closer to March elections.
Although our daily life isn't affected much by the elections we are hearing
more and more disturbing news. Today our house helper John said he was late getting
to work because a woman had been thrown off a matatu (the 14-seat passenger
vans/taxis) as she didn't pay the fare collector the remaining 10
shillings she owed...less than a penny. She died when another matatu ran her
over. The other passengers were so outraged they burned the vehicle and
the police arrested the driver and fare collector. This happened this
morning less than 2 miles from where we live. The price of lives here in
Kenya seem to become incredibly cheap around election time. It's not an easy
time. We're considering going to England during the election period.
Please pray with us that the Holy Spirit
spread a cooling balm across this land.
In peace,
Heidi
February
2013 News from Ben Lomond Quaker Center
Hicksites, Orthodox, schisms – Oh, my! Join us for the weekend of
February 15-17, when author , theologian, and historian Paul Buckley offers us
a close look at Elias Hicks and
the Quaker Separations of the 1820s.
This was a critical time in Quaker
history when Elias Hicks was at the
center of the controversies that resulted in the Quaker schisms of the 1820's.
Hicks' ideas are still challenging today. We'll explore his advice on how
to live a faithful life as we face the world's temptations and consider the
relevance of his views to the Society of Friends both then and now.
Back by popular demand, Come As You Are- Reading the Bible with Friends from March
15-17. Stephen Matchett will lead us in Bible
reading and discussion that creates a spiritual synergy facilitating new
understandings and inspiration of these words about the Word. Even if you have
struggled with biblical text in the past, you are more than welcome to join us
with an open heart to hearing these words in a different light.
For more information and registration visit: http://www.quakercenter.org/programs/register/
Nonviolent Communication Workshop
Saturday February 23 9AM to 4PM.
M&O
is pleased to bring this workshop to the meeting in the interest of
community-building and fostering better relationships and communication among
meeting members and attenders. We especially encourage people involved in
committee work at the meeting to attend.
Nonviolent
Communication is among other things a way to hear the needs that underlie our communications
with each other, such that if we can be in touch with those needs we can
respond to and hear each other better.
The
workshop will be led by Dorothy Henderson, who is a member of Grass Valley
Meeting and has been the Head of School for the Woolman Semester at Sierra
Friends Center. Here's what Dorothy has to say about the workshop:
"Living
at Sierra Friends Center for the past 13 years, I have been learning,
practicing and teaching Nonviolent Communication as taught by Marshall
Rosenberg. Increasingly I have come to value the ways in which NVC illuminates
and facilitates my Quaker faith and practice. In this workshop my objective is
to share the simple tools of NVC and how I see them applicable to our work for
peace and justice in the world, beginning with peace and justice among Friends.
It has been my experience that this deceptively simple tool challenges us to
fully engage with our belief as Quakers that there is that of God in all
beings. I believe our time together has the potential to make the practice of
our faith more real and available.
"We
will have two sessions. In the morning there will be an introduction to NVC as
it helps us to listen deeply to the still voice within. In the afternoon, we
will work with the ways NVC can help us hear that of God in others and speak
our truth in ways that they can hopefully hear. In both sessions there will be
some didactic and much practice. The practice may consist of role plays, dyads,
small groups and/or written exercises.
"This
is just a dipping of our toes into a profound pool. I look forward to a rich
and rewarding experience with all of you."
Please
let David Matchett know by Sunday February 17 if you would like to attend. Also
please let David know if you have a need for child care. Lunch will be brown
bag, or available from the deli next door.
Pacific
Yearly Meeting
The upcoming Pacific Yearly Meeting session will be July 29 - Aug 3, 2013, at Mount Madonna Center,
in Watsonville CA
The
upcoming College Park Quarterly Meeting sessions will be May 17 - 19 at
Ben Lomond Quaker Center and October 18 - 20 at Sierra Friends Center
Google
Groups for SF Quakers
This
is the group 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
|
|
27
11a Meeting for Worship
|
28
|
29
|
30
6p Meeting for Worship
|
31
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
|
1
|
2
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
|
3
9:30a
Bible Study
11a
Meeting for Worship, Community potluck following
|
4
.
|
5
7p
Property & Finance Mtg
|
6
8:30a
SFFS Community Mtg for Worship†
6p
Meeting for Worship
7p
Ministry & Oversight Mtg
|
7
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
8
|
9
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
|
10
11a
Meeting for Worship
1p Meeting for Business
|
11
|
12
|
13
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
14
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
15
|
16
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
|
17
9:30a Bible Study
11a
Meeting for Worship
|
18
|
19
|
20
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
21
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
22
|
23
10:30a-1p
Food Pantry
9a-4p
Non-Violent Communication Workshop
|
|
24
11a
Meeting for Worship
|
25
|
26
|
27
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
28
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
1
|
2
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
|
‡Federal
Building, Golden Gate Ave. and Larkin St. †San Francisco Friends School, 250
Valencia St.
