Saturday, April 26, 2014

May (Fifth Month) 2014 Meeting Newsletter

65 Ninth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-431-7440

May 2014 Newsletter
(Fifth Month)
Meeting for Worship
& First Day School
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Midweek Meeting for Worship, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.


Harmony with Creation

Advices:
It would go a long way to caution and direct people in their use of the world, that they were better studied and knowing in the Creation of it. For how could [they] find the confidence to abuse it, while they should see the Great Creator stare them in the face, in all and every part thereof?

William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693

God is revealed in all Creation. We humans belong to the whole interdependent community of life on earth. Rejoice in the beauty, complexity, and mystery of creation, with gratitude to be part of its unfolding. Take time to learn how this community of life is organized and how it interacts. Live according to principles of right relationship and right action within this larger whole.

Be aware of the influence humans have on the health and viability of life on earth. Call attention to what fosters or harms earth’s exquisite beauty, balances and interdependencies. Guided by Spirit, work to translate this understanding into ways of living that reflect our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.

Queries:
In what ways do I express gratitude for the wondrous expressions of life on Earth?

Do I consider the damage I might do to the Earth’s vulnerable systems in choices I make of what I do, what I buy, and how I spend my time?

In our witness for the global environment, are we careful to consider justice and the well-being of the world’s poorest people?

Does our way of life threaten the viability of life on Earth?


San Francisco Monthly Meeting
April (Fourth Month) Meeting for Business
4/13/2014


Meeting for Business began at 1:00 pm with 18 people present. After a period of worship, the clerk  read a passage from the PYM Advices & Queries for Fourth month on “Stewardship &Vocation.” The reading was followed by silent reflection.
Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes

4-01: Meeting approves the minutes of March 9, 2014 as presented.

Treasurer’s First-Quarter Report
Amy Baker presented her first-quarter 2014 treasurer’s report, consisting of Budget v. Actuals and Balance Sheet (attached to the archived copy of these minutes).  Income/donations are low but this is expected for this time of the year. Anticipated costs of maintaining the meeting house, staff costs, and utilities are on budget with no surprises to date. Amy highlighted the new income and expense lines related to the ownership of the Rausch Street property, including the recent loan obtained by the Rausch Street Committee for renovations and to pay property taxes until the unit under renovation can be rented. The balance sheet also reflects our receipt of most of the Jan and Jack de Beers bequests: Jan’s as cash temporarily being held in Meeting’s money market account; Jack’s as securities which have mostly been liquidated and are being held in a temporary brokerage account.  All these assets and a remaining set of securities about to be liquidated will be transferred to an account with Friends Fiduciary to be held in reserve until the meeting discerns how to allocate these gifts. Friends were reminded of the existence of the Gatherings Fund, Sharing Fund, and Fund for Leadings, and their availability and purposes.  Amy noted that this year’s budgeted general-fund infusions to the Gatherings and Sharing Funds were mistakenly not made in the first quarter, and will show up on the second-quarter report.

Ministry & Oversight Committee
David Matchett, M&O co-clerk, reported that the committee has discussed how some duties of the meeting clerk could be redistributed to others in the meeting in order to lighten the responsibility of serving as meeting clerk, and that one step in this direction has been to set up a rotation among M&O members to close meeting on First Day and handle the welcome and announcements at rise of worship.  M&O continues to encourage Friends to discern a possible leading to serve as meeting clerk. David announced that the Women’s Retreat has been scheduled for the second weekend in October at Quaker Center. Please save the date and speak to members of M&O if you have questions. He also reported that the worship group taken under Meeting’s care at the February business meeting as the San Francisco Worship Group has chosen the name Western Shore Worship Group.  All are welcome to attend; please contact Rolene Walker to find out where the worship group will be meeting for the coming First Day.
David reported that, Sandra and Tim Schwartz’s certificate of transfer having been received from Adelphi Meeting, Meeting could now act on the recommendation of M&O, brought last month, to accept Sandra’s transfer.  He re-read the report from Sandra’s membership clearness committee, heard last month.  Carol Cruickshank read a report from Tim Schwartz’s membership clearness committee, similarly recommending approval of his transfer and endorsed by M&O. The committee appreciated learning about Tim’s spiritual life, discernment of conscientious objector status, participation in AFSC events, and his current service in Meeting.

4-02: Meeting approves the transfer of the memberships of Sandra Gayle Schwartz and Timothy Ryall Schwartz from Adelphi Monthly Meeting (Baltimore YM) to San Francisco.   Carol Cruickshank and Steve Leeds will compose a welcoming committee.

Nominating Committee
Kate Frankel, member of Nominating Committee, reported they are still pursuing names for clerk of meeting, assistant clerk, and clerk of M&O. Krista Barnard (SF Friends School Quaker Life Cmte. representative) and John O’Connor (P&SC Cmte.) request to be released from those positions, Krista due to a scheduling conflict starting in the fall and John because he is pursuing other interests. In light of Krista’s anticipated departure from the Quaker Life position, Nominating Committee has changed Sandra Schwartz’s nomination for reappointment to a single-year term rather than the two-year term listed last month, and brings the nomination of David Matchett for the two-year seat, beginning on 9/1/2014.  The committee also nominates Philip Gerrie for an additional year’s clerkship of Property & Finance Committee.  These latter two nominations will be seasoned for action in a month.

4-03: Meeting approves the release of Krista Barnard as S.F. Friends School Quaker Life Committee representative as of Sep. 1, 2014 and the release of John O’Connor from the Peace & Social Concerns Committee as of Apr. 13, 2014.

4-04: Meeting approves the following appointments, for terms commencing May 1, 2014, through April 30 of the year indicated in parentheses, unless otherwise specified:

Officers & Representatives (* indicates a repeat appointment):
Recording Clerk: Ann Marie Snell ('15); Treasurer: Amy Baker ('15)*; Recorder: Bruce Folsom ('15)*; Historian-Archivist: Bruce Folsom ('15)*; CPQM Representative: Alice Elliott-Sowaal ('15)*; PYM Representative: Rose Medellin (9/30/15)*; AFSC Liaison: Charles Martin ('15)*; FCNL Contact: Paula Stinson ('15)*; FCLCA Representative: Sandra Schwartz ('15)*; SFFS Quaker Life Cmte Rep: Krista Barnard (8/31/15), Sandra Schwartz (8/31/16)

Committees (continuing members shown in regular type, for reference; appointments today shown in bold or bold italics (for clerks); *indicates a repeat appointment):
CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Anne Collins ('15), Chad Stephenson ('15), Ian Singleton ('15), Micheline Matarrese ('15), Kate Frankel ('16, clerk '15)*, Neil Fullagar ('16)*, David Erickson ('16), David Cowen ('16)

HOSPITALITY & COMMUNITY: Lorin Gillin ('15), Catherine Horton ('15), Art Koch ('15), Bob Kovsky ('15), Dawn Moore ('15), Ryan Murphy ('15), John O’Connor (‘15), Anne Brodzky Williams ('15), Tony Williams ('15), Peter Rothaug ('16, clerk '15)*, Rose Medellin ('16), Eric Myers ('16), Anne Collins ('16), Jan Hartsough ('16), David Erickson ('16), Lydia Cohen ('16)

LIBRARY: Krista Barnard ('15), Bruce Folsom (ex. of., clerk '15)*, David Gregory ('16)*, Nancy Lewis ('16)*, Dan Nakamura ('16)*
MINISTRY & OVERSIGHT: Meeting clerk (ex. of.), Marian Chatfield-Taylor ('15), Rolene Walker ('15), Steve Leeds ('16), Anne Brodzky Williams ('16), Larry Pettit ('17), Krista Barnard ('17), Robert Kovsky ('17)* (note, no clerk appointed at present)
NEWS: Eli Bishop (web servant, '15), Catherine Fox ('15), Kate McCarley (editor '16, clerk '15)*
PEACE & SOCIAL CONCERNS: Paula Stinson (ex officio), Larry Pettit ('15), Charles Martin ('16, ex of., clerk '15)*, Sandra Schwartz ('16, ex of.)*, David Breitzman ('16), Dee Takemura ('16), Sherri Maurin ('16), Owain Elliott-Sowaal ('16), Martha Larson ('16)
PROPERTY & FINANCE: Amy Baker (ex of.), Philip Gerrie ('16)*, Tim Schwartz ('16)*, Carol Cruickshank ('16)* (note, no clerk appointed at present,  clerkship nomination brought today to be acted on next month)
RAUSCH ST: Philip Gerrie (co-clerk, '15), Rolene Walker (co-clerk, '15), Amy Baker ('15), Marian Chatfield-Taylor ('15), Tim Schwartz ('15) (no new appointments)
WELCOMING: Cheryl Hendrickson ('15), Philip Gerrie ('15), Ruth Sheldon ('15), Ann Marie Snell ('16, clerk '15)*, Amy Baker ('16), Blake Arnall ('16), Philip Gerrie ('16)*, Leesa Greenlee ('16)*

Property & Finance Committee
Philip Gerrie, clerk of P&F, reported that the storage space in the basement (approx. 500 s.f.) is available to rent out. If you are interested, contact building manager Steve Leeds. P&F is offering training about the process for evacuation in the event of a fire or emergency. Friends are reminded that there is a back stairway if needed to move out of the top floor or basement but remember the exits are in the front of the building. Philip invited conversation about discernment on how best to use the Jan and Jack de Beers bequest. The committee is tending toward a recommendation that 75% of the money would be put towards renovation of the Rausch Street building and 25% to be held in the General Fund for other meeting expenses, but is still seeking Friends’ input before making a proposal. One Friend recommended a ‘called meeting’ to prayerfully discern how we are called to spend our money. 

Rausch St. Committee
Philip Gerrie, Rausch Cmte. co-clerk, reported that the contractor who completed the renovation of our kitchen is bidding on the work needed at Rausch Street. Some of this work is expected to move forward shortly.

Peace & Social Concerns Committee
Charles Martin, acting clerk of P&SC, reported there is an upcoming event on May 1st for faith leaders to meet and work together for peace in Palestine and Israel. Charles encouraged Friends to attend an AFSC event on Apr. 29th titled “Confronting the Holocaust: American Responses.”
Charles brought a proposal from the committee that Meeting take under its care the sandwich program reported on last month, called Friday Food Sharing.  David Breitzman, an organizer of the effort, described it as an outgrowth of the Food Pantry program that started when Pantry volunteers would make sandwiches to distribute in the neighborhood on Saturday during the time between the pantry setup in the morning and the doors opening at noon.  The group now gathers at 5:30 pm on Fridays to make peanut butter sandwiches and then move out into the neighborhood to reach out to those on the street. Their plan is to distribute 100 sandwiches each Friday night to homeless individuals in the neighborhood as they bed down for the night.  The committee’s proposal is that Meeting support the group’s expenses with $1,254 for the remainder of the year, and use of our kitchen space to assemble sandwiches.  The group’s proposed budget projects an eventual monthly cost of $140, for bread, peanut butter and clear wrap, though this amount could go down if donated supplies are obtained.  One Friend expressed reservations that this project might be duplicating the efforts of other existing feeding programs; another that it needed seasoning for another month; while others noted the committee had considered these concerns over the month since the idea was first brought before us and that the proposal was the product of committee discernment.

4-05: Meeting approves taking the Friday Food Sharing program of the Peace & Social Concerns Committee under our care and to make available $1,254 from the General Fund to the program for the remainder of the year.

State of the Meeting Report
Stephen Matchett read a draft of the 2014 State of the Meeting report which will be seasoned until next month. (Copy attached to the archived copy of these minutes.)  He described it as “crowd sourced,” being a compilation of twenty Friends’ responses to different queries.
After a period of announcements and sharing of joys and concerns, Meeting for Business closed with worship at 3:20 pm with 20 people in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,

Blake Arnall, Recording Clerk                                   
Stephen Matchett, Clerk of Meeting


Meeting News

Annual Retreat

Coming Up:  the Annual Memorial Day Retreat

Registration is underway for this year’s Memorial Day Retreat at Quaker Center (near Santa Cruz), to be held on May 23 to May 25, 2014.  Once a year, we come together in actual community for a long weekend.  A cook prepares meals and Friends help reduce the cost by doing the chores.   Kids run free and adults relax, especially if the sun shines.  The Meeting provides financial support so that all can participate regardless of capacity to pay.  Attenders and newcomers are especially welcome.  Please review the registration form attached to the newsletter and send it in soon.  Registration closes on May 18, 2004.  The registrar is Ann Marie Snell at(415) 810-5670 or hovie1700@mac.com.  General questions can be directed to Bob Kovsky at (510) 482-4897 or quadnets@gmail.com.


News from Heidi Pidcoke

Dear Friends,

As always, this month seems like it's been only 2 weeks. Part of this is because I was in the US for the last two weeks of March in order to be with my Mom and my sister while they received treatment. They are both responding well and I feel greatly encouraged by how normally they are still able to function. Anand and I are starting to think about moving to the US for a while in September. We are planning to be in San Antonio with my sister and her husband initially. In July we're planning to be in Ireland for the AVP International Gathering. We'll continue to stay in the UK through August and have two weeks traveling with my parents.

It seems like a good time to get away from Kenya as the political scene here is increasingly ruthless. We are not clear what exactly we'll be doing once we get to the US but trust that God will make the way evident and open all the doors.

AVP Trust will be in a more tenuous financial position when we leave but fortunately there appears to be another psychotherapist who could set up a practice as an income generating project. We are exploring how this can help to fill in the gap in the funds they need to operate.

Emily left us at the end of March after contributing in many ways - getting an article published about our project in the local paper and writing a grant proposal. We had a lovely time having her here for 2 months.

I hope you have each had a very blessed Easter. May your hearts be filled with renewal and hope.

Lots of love,
Heidi


May 2014 News from AFSC
Confronting the Holocaust: American Responses
This year, we commemorate the anniversaries of two seminal events in Holocaust history: the refugee crisis in the spring of 1939 and the deportation of Hungarian Jews five years later. American responses to the persecution and murder of European Jews invite reflection on the role of individuals, organizations, and governments in confronting hatred and mass atrocities.
Please join us for a film showing and discussion of our responses to these two holocausts and the first of the 21st century, Darfur.
The announcement may be downloaded at:
oaklandquakers.org/AFSC/Flyers/ConfrontingTheHolocaust.pdf
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
7:00 PM at 65-9th Street, San Francisco, CA, 1st floor
(between Market and Mission Streets, two blocks from Civic Center MUNI/BART)

Letting Our Lives Speak: What AFSC and Friends Can Learn from Each Other
Join us to hear Shan Cretin, General Secretary of the AFSC speak in Berkeley, California. Shan is a sojourning member of Santa Monica Friends Meeting and former clerk of Pacific Yearly Meeting and of Santa Monica Meeting. Prior to becoming AFSC General Secretary in 2010, Shan served as Director of the AFSCs Pacific Southwest Region for seven years, responsible for programs in Southern California, Hawaii, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Shan will speak on what the American Friends Service Committee and Quaker Meetings can learn from each other.
The announcement may be downloaded at:
oaklandquakers.org/AFSC/Flyers/LettingOurLivesSpeak.pdf
Wednesday, May 7th
7:00 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church 1600 Sacramento Street Berkeley, CA 94702


2014 May News from Ben Lomond Quaker Center
There are some surprises to be found that could make Friends “radicals” in their meeting. Join us from May 30th – June 1st for Quakers: Getting Beyond the What to the Why, with Robert Griswold. Friends can get under the “feel good” level of “Quakerism” if they take a peek into the history, theology and psychology of our faith. What is present or absent in our meetings that keeps us from being a covenant community? Be prepared to look at and question ideas and ideals you have absorbed, and to learn about the process by which beliefs are formed and how they are overcome. Find out more and register online at http://www.quakercenter.org/getting-beyond-what-to-why/
Quaker Center Summer Youth Camps will once again be directed by Stephen Myers, with help from Anna Lisa Chacon for Quaker and Service Camps and from Mary Klein and Jim Summers for Peace Action Camp. For more information visit http://www.quakercenter.org/summer-youth-camps/ or call Bob or Kathy Runyan at Quaker Center at 831-336-8333 with questions.

June 22nd - 29th: Quaker Camp: for rising 4th, 5th, or 6th graders to explore Quaker testimonies experientially. Activities include: community building games, swimming, hiking around Quaker Center, campfires, music, community service, and a field trip to the beach.
June 22nd - 29th: Service Camp: for teens entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade to serve others while building community. We will be of service in Santa Cruz County and go on hikes in the area. We'll also take field trips to a local Friend's pool and to the beach.
July 27th – Aug. 2nd: Peace Action Camp: in Carson City, Nevada at the McCleary Ranch for rising 10th - 12th grade teens to explore Gandhian constructive program, and sustainable, low-impact living as they relate to Friends' testimonies around peace, justice and environmental stewardship with inward and outward nonviolence, community service, and outdoor adventure.
Do you feel like you're missing out on all the fun of summer camp?  All ages are welcome to our annual Family Work Camp from August 3rd-8th.  Join us for a week of putting our hands and hearts to work on improvements to Quaker Center facilities while building community among us. Please register early for all Quaker Center programs online, http://www.quakercenter.org/programs/register.



College Park Quarterly Meeting
The upcoming College Park Quarterly Meeting will be May 16 - 18 (Fri-Sun) at Ben Lomond
Pacific Yearly Meeting

The upcoming Pacific Yearly Meeting session will be July 14-19, 2014 at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma, CA


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), Catherine Fox (production), and Noel Schwerin (distribution)


Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26, 2014
Quaker Center, Ben Lomond, California
The Annual Retreat is a traditional seedbed for our Beloved Community.  We want all members, attenders and newcomers to participate.  The Meeting is committed to maintaining the tradition regardless of cost.  At the same time, those participating in the Retreat are asked to pay as much as they can.  Please Register on this side of the form and decide on your Payment, as requested on the other side.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 18, 2014


Names of persons in your party and ages of any children




Mail address:



email address:

telephone(s):

Housing:   Semi-private rooms are assigned in Orchard Lodge (adjacent to the dining room) and in Redwood Lodge (a short walk away).  Redwood Lodge also has a dormitory.   There is space for campers to put up tents.  Please note if you will be camping or have special needs.
           
Meal Planning:  Friday evening. folks bring dinner and share. Catered meals are vegetarian.  The chef purchases food in advance.  Everyone should feel satisfied and we also want to avoid waste.  Please checkmark your party’s attendance at meals, with notes for dietary needs, etc.  

___ Saturday Breakfast

___ Sunday Breakfast
___ Monday Breakfast
___ Saturday Lunch
___ Sunday Lunch

___ Monday Lunch
___ Saturday Dinner

___ Sunday Dinner

Notes:


Please tell us about any changes in attendance or meals as soon as possible.

Service Requirements:   Participants in the Retreat Community assist the chef, prepare tables for meals and wash the pots, pans, dishes and utensils.  Quaker Center must be as clean when we leave as when we arrived.  We will be asking for additional oversight efforts from “senior Retreat participants,” namely, Friends who are familiar with Quaker ways and who have attended previous Retreats.  


REQUEST FOR PAYMENT

The Meeting pays the following costs for Retreat participants:

Ÿ   Adult:                   Total - $218; Meals - $96; Quaker Center pro rata - $122
Ÿ   Child, 3-11:          Total - $170; Meals - $48; Quaker Center pro rata - $122
Ÿ   Child under 3:          No charge
Ÿ   Day use:                  Quaker Center charge - $8.40

         Our payment to Quaker Center has a Base Fee for up to 40 persons, which stays the same if fewer than 40 participate.  If more than 40 participate, there is a slight reduction per person.  Pro rata costs above are based on 40 participants.

The price appears to be reasonable for a 3-day holiday weekend at a resort in the coastal redwoods with catered meals.  The value to our Meeting and to our Community is beyond measure.
We ask that you pay what you are able to pay.  Please enclose your Payment with your registration.  We are led by Friendly principles of financial stewardship and prefer to avoid pledges or later collections.
We are also asking for donations, in addition to payment for costs, from those who are able to contribute.  Additional donations will be accepted at any time.
Please state the amount of the Payment enclosed and advise us of any other matters or concerns. 
_______         Amount of Payment
Notes:


Registration must be received before May 18, 2014 for assured registration. Exceptions may be possible but they are chancy.

Please send this form and payment check, if any, written to “San Francisco Friends Meeting” to our Registrar:

Ann Marie Snell
303 Ortega St.
San Francisco, CA 94122

Please bring sheets/blankets/pillow or equivalent.  (A few bedding sets are available for rental.)  Please bring all needed toiletries, towels, etc.  Leave valuables at home; there are no locks on rooms.  Please, no pets or alcoholic beverages.  Smoking is permitted outdoors in marked areas.

For inquiries about registration matters, please call or write Ann Marie Snell at (415) 810-5670 or hovie1700@mac.com.  Ride-sharing arrangements will begin in May.  Please direct any other questions to On-site Coordinator, Bob Kovsky at (510) 482-4897 or quadnets@gmail.com.




(all events at 65 9th St., unless noted; *see details elsewhere in newsletter)
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
27
9:15 Non-Violent Comm. Practice Group
11a Meeting for Worship

28
29



30



6p Community Mtg for Worship†
1

12p Peace Vigil

7p Potluck & Quaker Study
2
3

10:30a-1p Food Pantry

4
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship, Community Potluck following

5
6
7p Property & Finance Mtg



7
8:30a SFFS
6 Meeting for Worship
7p Ministry & Oversight Mtg
8

12p Peace Vigil

7p Potluck & Quaker Study
9
10

10:30a-1p Food Pantry
11
11a Meeting for Worship
1p Meeting for Business

12
13
14
6p Meeting for Worship
15
12p Peace Vigil

7p Potluck & Quaker Study
16

17
10:30a-1p Food Pantry

18
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship

19
20
21


6p Meeting for Worship
22
12p Peace Vigil

7p Potluck & Quaker Study
23
24
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
25
9:15 Non-Violent Comm. Practice Group
11a Meeting for Worship

26

27
38


6p Meeting for Worship
29

12p Peace Vigil
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
30
31
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
‡Federal Building, Golden Gate Ave. and Larkin St. †San Francisco Friends School, 250 Valencia St.