65 Ninth Street
San Francisco, CA
94103
415-431-7440
November 2014
Newsletter
(Eleventh Month)
(Eleventh Month)
Meeting for
Worship
& First Day
School
Sundays at 11:00
a.m.
Midweek Meeting
for Worship, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Peace
Friends oppose all war as inconsistent with God’s
will. As every person is a child of God, we recognize God’s Light also in our
adversaries. Violence and injustice deny this reality and violate the teachings
of Jesus and other prophets.
Friends challenge their governments and take personal
risks in the cause of peace. We urge one another to refuse to participate in
war as soldiers, or as arms manufacturers. We seek ways to support those who
refrain from paying taxes that support war. We work to end violence within our
own borders, our homes, our streets, and our communities. We support
international order, justice, and understanding.
Become an instrument of peace. At every opportunity, be peacemakers
in your homes, workplaces and communities. Steep yourself in the power of the
universal Spirit. Examine your actions for the seeds of violence, degradation
and destructiveness. Overcome the emotions that lie at the root of violence and
nurture instead a spirit of reconciliation and love. Come to know the oneness
of all creation and oppose the destruction of the natural world.
Do I live in the virtue of that life and power that takes
away the occasion of all wars?
How do I nourish peace within myself as I work for peace in
the world?
Do I confront violence wherever it occurs, even when my
personal relationships are involved?
Where there is distrust, injustice, or hatred, how am I an
instrument of reconciliation and love?
What are we doing
to remove the causes of war and destruction of the planet, and to bring about
lasting peace?
Do we reach out to
all parties in a conflict with courage and love?
Meeting for
Business began at approximately 1:03 pm with a period of worship. The clerk
opened with a reading from Pacific Yearly Meeting’s Faith and Practice: the
Advices & Queries on Personal Relationships. In vocal ministry, a Friend
observed that one thing that happens in this
room during meeting
for business and meeting for worship is deep listening. He expressed hope that,
as we consider upcoming financial matters, we deeply listen to one another with
love and compassion. 23 people were present.
10-1 Meeting approves
the minutes of September 14, 2014, with the minutes renumbered. The minute labeled
“91” concerning approval of nominations should be numbered “93”.
10-2 Meeting
approves Krista Barnard as acting recording clerk for today's meeting.
Clerk’s message:
Clerk Chad Stephenson gave a message at the beginning of the first monthly
meeting for business that he has clerked. He may fall down. It’s about how we
pick each other up when we fall, not about not falling. He introduced a yearly
theme: membership. He anticipates spending a sliver of each business meeting on
this topic, including such questions as why we have membership at all and what
a good member is. He noted that he tends to move quickly and decisively, and
asked for feedback about his tempo or other aspects of his clerking.
Nominating
Committee: Arthur Koch reported for the committee. He expressed thanks to Chad
for agreeing to serve as clerk. Nominating proposes releasing Chad from
Nominating Committee, and nominates him as a member of the News Committee,
specifically as Webservant, for a term ending April 30, 2016. Release of Eli
Bishop, who is presently the
Webservant, is also
proposed.
10-3 Meeting
approves release of Chad Stephenson as a member of Nominating Committee.
Naming Committee: This
is an ad hoc committee that meets for approximately one month and nominates
members of the Nominating Committee. This year the task of the Naming Committee
is to propose to monthly meeting three members for Nominating Committee and one
person to
clerk the
committee. After a period of consideration, two names emerged from those who
were present and also willing to serve. Meeting agreed a third person may be
named with help from the Clerk.
10-4 Meeting
approves David Matchett (convenor) and Paula Joyce as members of Naming Committee.
Property and
Finance Committee: Philip Gerrie reported for the committee. For the last month
or so, we have had a new building use by the group 67 Sueños: preparation of a
healthy lunch for and by teen members of the group, a project of the AFSC.
Friends expressed support of this use of the kitchen. The committee is working
with 67 Sueños to resolve issues about sharing the kitchen. Members of
Hospitality and Community Committee voiced concerns about management and use of
the refrigerator; cleanup of the kitchen; and proper sorting of recyclables
and compost. The Friday night food sharing and food pantry programs do make use
of the refrigerator/freezer and are willing to be in touch about this topic
with the Property and Finance Committee.
The initial draft
of a proposed 2015 budget was distributed. This early draft was brought to
assist Meeting in considering implications ahead of the normal budgeting
process. The budget proposal included realistic estimates of projected income.
Two preliminary versions included making no reductions in our expenses, which
would produce a $10,000 deficit or a $7,000 deficit. Committee clerks should
examine their committee budgets and communicate with the Property and Finance
Committee about possible changes. (Copy of this draft is included with original
minutes in meeting archives).
Rausch St.
Committee: Philip Gerrie reported for the committee. Tomorrow the contractor
will begin the process of cleanup. Application for a building permit has begun.
Peace and Social
Concerns: Charles Martin reported for the committee. The food pantry is going
through an exciting time. Friday Food Sharing is going well, with participation
by some families with children. There are some financial contributions being
made specifically for food provision to the poor, so we may need to create a
way to keep track of earmarked donations. He also gave a series of
announcements of upcoming events. David Hartsough will be giving a talk on his
new book, Waging Peace, at the meetinghouse on November 2 after the potluck
lunch.
Casa de los Amigos
in Mexico City is leading a Quaker Social Action in Mexico Learning tour,
January 10 to 18, 2015. Flyers for these and other events were posted after
Meeting for Business on the bulletin board over the toy box.
Ministry &
Oversight Committee: Bob Kovsky reported for the committee, which will move
joys and concerns to occur during the last 5 to 10 meeting for worship. This
will begin in about two weeks, and the committee welcomes Friends’ responses.
Meeting for
Business closed with worship at approximately 3:10 pm with 20 people in
attendance. In vocal ministry, a Friend reflected on the letter of James: all
that is good in humans is from God. We are called to try to be our best selves,
and we will all fall short, and we must forgive one another.
Respectfully
submitted,
Krista Barnard,
Acting Recording Clerk
Chad Stephenson,
Clerk of Meeting
2014 November News from Ben Lomond
Quaker Center
Join us to explore the relevance of early Friends’ experiences
of personal transformation with Diego Navarro as we look at Leadings and Holy Obedience from November 14th – 16th. We will also consider the link between
the inner growth of the Spirit and the external witnessing of Friends, and
comprehending what is meant by turning one’s life over to the Spirit: from “my will” to “thy will”, and
leading what Thomas Kelly calls a “God-intoxicated” life. Find out more and
register at http://www.quakercenter.org/leadings-and-holy-obedience/.
We are once again hosting our Music and Dance Retreat, a low-cost, participant produced
program with a sliding scale of
only $60-$100 per person for a
weekend filled with a variety of singing and playing punctuated by a few
dancing opportunities. Bring your kids and grandkids or just yourselves and
join us from Dec.
5-7th for a few days of
fun making food, music, and song together with a professionally called community
dance on Saturday night. Find out more and register online at
We invite Friends of all branches of
Quakerism to come to the well of our faith, to share the sweet waters of
waiting worship and fellowship. This year end retreat from December 27th to January 1st will call on
us to seek replenishment by opening ourselves to God and the inward Christ,
deepening our connections and enlivening our spirits. Join us for Spring Forth a Well: What Are We
Waiting For? which will be facilitated by Dorothy
Henderson. Learn more and
register before Dec.15th at
November 2014 News from AFSC
For decades studies have shown that the most important contributor to a prisoner successfully transitioning to the outside and establishing a new life for him/herself is maintaining good family ties. Key to this is encouraging families to visit. Unfortunately the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) makes visiting very difficult by placing institutions in isolated locations, many miles from population centers, and by humiliating people when they go to visit. Now a new set of regulations will allow the Department to subject visitors to ION Scanners to search for contraband, particularly drugs. In the past these devices were found so inaccurate that the federal government abandoned similar practices, after purchasing the expensive equipment.
For decades studies have shown that the most important contributor to a prisoner successfully transitioning to the outside and establishing a new life for him/herself is maintaining good family ties. Key to this is encouraging families to visit. Unfortunately the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) makes visiting very difficult by placing institutions in isolated locations, many miles from population centers, and by humiliating people when they go to visit. Now a new set of regulations will allow the Department to subject visitors to ION Scanners to search for contraband, particularly drugs. In the past these devices were found so inaccurate that the federal government abandoned similar practices, after purchasing the expensive equipment.
Please write to Timothy Lockwood,
Chief Regulation and Policy Management Branch, CDCR, P.O. Box 942883, Sacramento
CA 94283 no later than December 9, or come to Sacramento for the hearing
on December 9, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Written responses should refer
to regulations amending Title 15, Division 3, Section 3173.2. We are
particularly concerned about pregnant women and women of child bearing years
being subjected to these searches is they visit loved ones often. Contact Laura
at the SF AFSC office if you need more information, (415) 565-0201 Ext. 11.
College Park Quarterly Meeting
The upcoming College Park Quarterly Meeting will be January
17th, 2015 at Berkeley Meeting House
Pacific Yearly Meeting
The upcoming Pacific Yearly Meeting session will be July
15-19 at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington
The
group named "San Francisco Monthly Meeting" is for sharing announcements
or other news with the meeting community. If you wish to be added to the group,
please send a request to clerk@sfquakers.org . You will also need to create a free
Google user ID and password, if you don’t already have one, you can create one at
https://accounts.google.com/signup?service=mail . The address of the group is sfquakers@googlegroups.com
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: http://groups.google.com/support
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), Chad Stephenson (web servant), and Catherine Fox
(production)
(all events at 65 9th
St., unless noted; *see details elsewhere in newsletter)
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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2
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship, Community Potluck and
talk from David Hartsough on “Waging Peace” following
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3
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4
7p Property & Finance Mtg |
5
8:30a SFFS Meeting for Worship
6p Meeting for Worship 7p Ministry & Oversight Mtg |
6
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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7
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8
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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9
11a Meeting for Worship
1p Meeting for Business
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10
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11
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12
6p Meeting for Worship |
13
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study
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14
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15
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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16
9:30a Bible Study
11a Meeting for Worship
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17
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18
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19
6p Meeting for Worship |
20
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study |
21
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22
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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23
9:15 Non-Violent Comm.
Practice Group
11a Meeting for Worship
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24
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25
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26
6p Meeting for Worship
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27
12p Peace Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study |
28
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29
10:30a-1p Food Pantry
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30
9a Extended Meeting for
Worship
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1
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2
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3
6p Meeting for Worship |
4
12p Peace
Vigil‡
7p Potluck & Quaker Study |
5
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6
10:30a-1p Food
Pantry
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‡Federal Building, Golden Gate Ave. and
Larkin St. †San Francisco Friends School, 250 Valencia St.
