March 2013 Newsletter
(Third Month)
(Third Month)
Meeting for Worship
& First Day School
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Midweek Meeting for Worship, Wednesdays at 6:00
p.m.
Advices:
Come
to Meeting with hearts and minds prepared to be open and faithful to the
leadings of the Spirit. Then the conduct of business will lead to truth, unity,
and love.
When
a matter is before the Meeting for Business, each person present contributes to
the corporate search for a decision that accords with the will of God. Inaction
is a form of action. Silent worship in the Meeting for Business contributes to
the process of achieving unity.
Listen
attentively to others’ words and use the silence between messages to reflect
carefully on what you might contribute. When you are clear, speak simply what
is in your heart, without repeating what has already been offered.While making
your insights clear, lay aside personal opinions and attend to what God requires.
Queries:
Do
I attend Meeting for Business regularly?
Do
I speak in Meeting for Business only when I am led to speak?
Is
the Meeting for Business held as a Meeting for Worship in which we seek divine
guidance for our actions?
Are
we tender and considerate of different views, coming to a decision only when we
have found unity?
Do
we give prayerful support for our clerks that they may be sensitive to the
movement of the Spirit among us?
After a period of worship,
Meeting for Business began at 1:09 pm with 29 people present. Clerk
Stephen Matchett welcomed everyone, in particular teens and others who were in
attendance to hear the previously announced presentation by Pacific Yearly
Meeting Youth Program Coordinator Alyssa Nelson. He read a selection from the PYM Faith &
Practice Advices & Queries on “Spiritual Life.” One Friend shared a spoken response.
Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes
2-01: Meeting approves the minutes of January 13, 2013, as
presented.
Ad Hoc Naming Committee Report
Philip Gerrie, convener of the Naming committee, reported that one
Friend raised a concern regarding the nomination brought last month, that
Philip has committed to address the concern with the nominee
and that on that basis the Friend has agreed not to
stand in the way of approval.
2-02: Meeting approves Daniel Nakamura to co-clerk the
Nominating Committee through 12/31/2013.
Pacific Yearly Meeting Youth Program Coordinator
The
clerk read a series of queries from the PYM Youth Program Coordinator
Supervisory Committee (copy attached to archive copy of these minutes) and
explained that the committee seeks Meetings’ responses in order to inform PYM
Representative Committee’s upcoming proposal whether to continue the paid Youth
Program Coordinator (YPC) position past its initial three-year trial
period. Rep Com meets on March 2,
and its proposal will be considered at the PYM annual session in July. As part of our Meeting’s process of
informing ourselves about the work of the YPC, he introduced Alyssa Nelson, of Davis Meeting,
who currently holds the position, and invited her to make a presentation. Alyssa led the
meeting in an active community building exercise. In pairs
and in the large group we learned new things about
ourselves (commonalities and differences) and our community. She encouraged us
to use “Build It” a book of exercises to help build multi-generational
spiritual community that the Yearly Meeting has distributed to all local
meetings. Alyssa described the work she has
been doing to foster youth activities in the Yearly Meeting, and talked about
ways people can get involved, including an upcoming workshop on being a youth
ally, in Sacramento on Saturday, April 6, and a spring break work camp activity
at Quaker Oaks Farm in Visalia, March 25-31. Three Meeting teens shared about
their time at the PYM annual session last year. One also talked about the
“tight knit community” of Quaker camps as something she enjoyed and won’t
forget later in life. An adult Friend who had
attended a prior youth-ally workshop and gone on to be a Friendly Adult
Presence (FAP) at a yearly meeting session said “If
you want to see Quakers in action in its rawest form, get involved in helping teens.
It’s a way to get inspired and reinvigorate your practice.” Alyssa departed
with our thanks. The
YPC Supervisory Committee’s queries will be circulated on the Meeting
list-serve, and Friends are encouraged to respond to our PYM Representative
Rose Medellin or to Steve Leeds, who serves on the YPC Supervisory Committee. Later in the meeting, following the
treasurer’s report, a Friend observed that Meeting’s PYM assessment, which was
doubled in order to fund the YPC position during the last three years, now consumes
more than a quarter of our individual contributions. Relative to the YPC committee’s query about other things PYM might do with the money currently
spent on the YPC, we should give serious consideration to what other things our Meeting could do with those same
funds.
Ministry & Oversight Committee
Chad Stephenson, co-clerk, reported that additional conversation
occurred with Friends about a possible change of time for Meeting for Worship.
In response, M&O would like us to respond to queries which will be posted.
No change will happen for now but they would like more input. M&O is
firming up how the retreat sub-committee will organize the annual retreat. They
have a volunteer to serve as registrar and more details will be announced soon.
David Matchett will be collecting names of
Friends who plan to attend the “NonViolent Communication” workshop from 9 am – 4 pm on Sat.,
Feb. 23 being led by Dorothy Henderson of Grass Valley Meeting. M&O is
also discussing ways the meeting can better serve our youth so feel free to
share input with them.
Treasurer's 2012 Year-end Financial Report
Philip Gerrie, clerk of Property & Finance, presented the year-end financial report on behalf of Amy Baker,
our treasurer. (Copy of report attached to archive copy of these minutes.)
While our donations were below what was anticipated, this was offset by higher
rental income and other savings on building expenses. We spent some of our
reserves for remodeling of our kitchen, meeting room floor, and offices on the
second floor. Our reserves are sufficient for 2013 at this time.
2:03 Meeting accepts the Treasurer’s 2012 year-end
financial report.
Property & Finance Committee
Philip Gerrie, clerk, reported there was a small flood in our
basement recently. It cost $4,000 to dry out carpeting and drywall. Further
exploration determined the cause of the problem and the meeting is exploring
ways to fix it. We may need to spend an additional $2,000 to clean out our
drain system. We are in conversation with our insurance carrier to see whether
either of these expenses may be coverable. The meeting room floor has been
refinished and the chairs have new scuff proof glides. Our new kitchen has
passed final inspection and the contractor will complete painting soon. The
choice to tile the entire floor saved nearly $2,000.
Rausch Street Working Group Proposal
Stephen
reported that the working group has been meeting since last month but does not
currently have a revised proposal for Meeting’s
consideration. He reread our minute of October
seeking a proposal from such a working group as to “how it might be constituted and
what it would intend to do, including the preliminary work of bringing the
property into a usable state and the determination of possible uses for the
property.” He called for a
period of reflection and invited Friends with reservations about Meeting’s
accepting title to the property to describe the features of a proposal that
would lead them to feel easier about Meeting’s taking such a step. Responses included hopes that a revised
proposal might address the following points: (1) the extent of needed repairs
listed in the inspection report and not addressed in the initial proposal’s
cost estimates; (2) the possibility that any needed repairs or improvements
Meeting might undertake could trigger requirements for extensive additional
work and expense in order to bring earlier non-permitted and non-code-compliant
work into compliance; (3) the practicalities of financing using loans from
individuals versus a single bank loan; (4)
a proposal for
structuring and staffing Meeting’s oversight of the property going forward, and
an indication of the long term commitment of current working group members; and
(5) the implications of renting the upstairs unit at market residential rates
until the entire building becomes available to us, versus putting it to a use
arguably more in keeping with our values.
We look forward to hearing the working group’s revised proposal next
month.
After a period of announcements and sharing
of joys and concerns, Meeting closed with worship at 3:23 pm with 18 people in
attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Blake Arnall, Recording Clerk
Stephen Matchett, Clerk of Meeting
Stephen Matchett, Clerk of Meeting
.
Dear Friends,
It's been an
easier month since I wrote to you last. One very exciting event was getting to
meet Jane Goodall personally. Through her Institute, they have initiated
school-based environmental groups called Roots & Shoots, in over 130
countries. We met Linus who is in charge of the local Roots & Shoots
programs in Kenya. We are thinking of working in partnership with them to
develop AVP in schools.
The country is in
a state of extreme tension as the elections approach. This year there are new
processes such as presidential debates and vice presidential debates. Two of
those vying for leadership were charged with inciting violence which led to
crimes against humanity in the previous election. It is baffling to me that
they are running for office with the threat of the International Criminal Court
trial over their heads - and furthermore that they seem to be winning in the
polls!!!
Anand and I have
decided to spend most of March in England - both for safety reasons and to
attend a family function. When we return I will have moved my psychotherapy
office to a space in our home compound and therefore am looking forward to a
life with significantly less stress as I will no longer have to confront the
chaos of Nairobi's traffic on a daily basis.
Thank you for your prayers and love.
Heidi
Letter from Peterson Toscano
5 February 2013
Dear San Francisco Friends,
Thank you for all the
effort you made into hosting my performance of “Jesus Had Two Daddies” and
sponsoring “Transfigurations” last month at your meeting house and the SF LGBT
Center. In my work I always feel especially happy when fellow Quakers
support my oddball productions and my scholarship. Special thanks to Neil
and Joanne and all their helpers. I hope some who attended the show at
the meeting house will return for worship and other events.
All the best,
Peterson Toscano
All the best,
Peterson Toscano
March 2013 News from Ben Lomond Quaker Center
Looking for spiritual
inspiration? Visit http://www.quakercenter.org/ to read a new quote from a weighty
Friend every week and click on the link that will take you to the original
text. Or, if you want these messages to come to you each week, "like"
Ben Lomond Quaker Center on Facebook where these quotes will also be posted
with their original context.
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. Register at http://www.quakercenter.org/programs/reading-the-bible-with-friends/ by March 11th.
Couples Enrichment will be offered by Kathy and Jeff
Richman from April 19-21. This workshop will offer committed couples the opportunity to celebrate their journey together
and to deepen and improve their
communication in an environment of trust and support.
Spaces are limited. Please
register at http://www.quakercenter.org/programs/couplesenrichment/ by April 15th.
Notes on the Annual Retreat (May 24 – May 27, 2013)
As announced in Meeting for Worship, we are planning on changes in some aspects of the Annual Retreat, held at Quaker Center near Santa Cruz over the Memorial Day Weekend. For many years, Steve Leeds served as on-site coordinator, providing liaison and oversight services to the Retreat. Steve is retiring from the capacity of on-site coordinator and we will be trying some new approaches.
As announced in Meeting for Worship, we are planning on changes in some aspects of the Annual Retreat, held at Quaker Center near Santa Cruz over the Memorial Day Weekend. For many years, Steve Leeds served as on-site coordinator, providing liaison and oversight services to the Retreat. Steve is retiring from the capacity of on-site coordinator and we will be trying some new approaches.
Chiefly, services
that Steve formerly provided will be distributed among participants at the
Retreat. Providing liaison and oversight services to the Retreat will be
part of the retreat experience for experienced adult participants, along with kitchen
duties and clean-up duties.
The added duties
will be neither prolonged nor burdensome. Many hands make light work.
Committees will be formed. Three service committees will oversee
liaison/community, meals and final clean-up; and each service committee will
include three members. In addition, Retreat participants can join a
worship committee, a parents committee or an activities committee.
Committee preferences will be part of registration forms and pre-planning
by committees should start by email before the event.
The Registrar and
Assistant Registrar are excused from committee duties. We continue to
seek an Assistant Registrar, to work with our continuing Registrar, Ann Marie
Snell. The Assistant Registrar should anticipate taking up the Registrar
position in the following year. It will be great if you climb on board
soon.
Please direct any
inquiries to Bob Kovsky (Convenor, Retreats Subcommittee, Ministry &
Oversight Committee)
Public Engagement For Public Schools
Join with people
who care about our public schools!
Public Engagement
for Public Schools (PEPS)
presents: A Community Conversation to Support our
Public Schools
Thursday, March
7th, 6-8PM
African American
Art and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street
Free of charge. Informal. A light supper will be provided!
· LEARN - Develop a common understanding about
SF public schools
· ENVISION - Imagine how we, as a city of
800,000 residents, can best support San Francisco public schools
· GENERATE – Identify common goals for action
· ACT - Contribute to and/or join the PEPS
movement
For more
information about this meeting, please contact: Marian Chatfield-Taylor, 415-290-6348 or
email marian@engagementforschools.org to let us know you’re coming!
Public Engagement
for Public Schools (PEPS) is dedicated to expanding and deepening support for
San Francisco’s public schools. Join our movement to create a world-class
public education system for San Francisco. You
can find out more about us atwww.engagementforschools.org
Pacific
Yearly Meeting
As discussed at our February business meeting, these are the queries circulated by the PYM
Youth Program Coordinator Supervisory Committee for Meetings'
to reflection and response:
Queries for Monthly Meetings:
PYM Youth Program Evaluation 2012-2013
PYM Youth Program Evaluation 2012-2013
1. What
has been your Monthly Meeting / Worship Group’s experience with or awareness of
the PYM Youth Program Coordinator and Committee’s work?
2. Is
your Meeting/Group noticing more connections between and among your teens,
young adults, and older adults? Please give examples.
3. Are
your Meeting’s teens and/or young adults experiencing more connections with the
Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly Meeting, or with our Quaker organizations? Please
give examples.
4. How
does your Meeting/Group’s youth program(s) compare with that of three years
ago?
5. What
unmet needs should the Youth Program Coordinator and Committee focus on?
6. Is
financially supporting the Youth Program Coordinator a burden to your Monthly
Meeting? What higher, lower, or similar level of financial support would be
affordable?
7. If
the per-member assessment were to remain the same, would you want to continue
to spend the money on a Yearly Meeting Youth Program and Coordinator, or would
you choose to spend the money on something else?
8. In
what ways might we support our youth, build intergenerational community, and
enhance the experience of our Quaker faith and community without a youth
program coordinator?
9. Is there anything else you
would like us to know?
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
Hello, Dear Friends!
A little report from Southern California! We are well – Georgia is thriving in kindergarten and remains a joy and delight. I am keeping quite busy: my time has mainly been spent on educational consulting, but as a part of that I’ve been able to support some very worthwhile ongoing projects based in rural China. I actually got to spend the winter holidays in Inner Mongolia; I never expected to celebrate a New Year’s Eve by singing karaoke with shepherds, under the watchful eye of a chain-smoking, juggling (!) Communist Party official, but now I have! I’m currently beginning the process of creating a larger organizational support structure around the current projects, so if anyone has any thoughts about or experience with working in underserved parts of China, I’d love to hear from you!
I remain grateful to be connected to you all through this newsletter. I very much enjoy my work, but regrettably weekend and evening hours are unavoidable, and I have had great difficulty attending meetings in the last few months. It brings me great peace to think of you all gathered in the Meeting House, and my heart is always with you in that Light we are blessed to hold together.
A little report from Southern California! We are well – Georgia is thriving in kindergarten and remains a joy and delight. I am keeping quite busy: my time has mainly been spent on educational consulting, but as a part of that I’ve been able to support some very worthwhile ongoing projects based in rural China. I actually got to spend the winter holidays in Inner Mongolia; I never expected to celebrate a New Year’s Eve by singing karaoke with shepherds, under the watchful eye of a chain-smoking, juggling (!) Communist Party official, but now I have! I’m currently beginning the process of creating a larger organizational support structure around the current projects, so if anyone has any thoughts about or experience with working in underserved parts of China, I’d love to hear from you!
I remain grateful to be connected to you all through this newsletter. I very much enjoy my work, but regrettably weekend and evening hours are unavoidable, and I have had great difficulty attending meetings in the last few months. It brings me great peace to think of you all gathered in the Meeting House, and my heart is always with you in that Light we are blessed to hold together.
Peace,
Kate
Kate
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
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
|
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
|
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
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12
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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
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19
|
20
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
21
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
22
|
23
10:30a-1p
Food Pantry
|
24
11a
Meeting for Worship_______________
31
|
25
|
26
|
27
6p
Meeting for Worship
|
28
12p
Peace Vigil‡
7p
Potluck & Quaker Study
|
29
|
30
10:30a-1p
Food Pantry
|
‡Federal
Building, Golden Gate Ave. and Larkin St. †San Francisco Friends School, 250
Valencia St.
