Contents
June Minutes & Reports Due, Monday, May 27, 2019
June Business Meeting, 1:15pm, June 9, 2019
June Adjourned Business Meeting, June 23, 2019
September Business Meeting, September 8, 2019
September Newsletter Due, Monday, August 19, 2019
Summer Bi-Weekly Announcement Sheet Due, Mondays June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, August 5, and August 19, 2019
Weekly Announcement Sheets resume Monday, September 2, 2019
News from FDS
Last Day of First Day School is June 16
We will celebrate the last day of First Day School until after Labor Day on Sunday, June 16, with cake during coffee hour!
From June 23 through September 1 First Day School classes are replaced with summer playtime and activities. In good weather, we go to the park.
Hygiene Kits for MAAP Made in First Day School
On Sunday, April 28, the First Day School put together hygiene kits for the Material Aid & Advocacy Program, an independent organization housed in the Meetinghouse basement. The hygiene kits are distributed to their clients who live outside.
Thank you to everyone who donated supplies for the kits! We made 42 kits with the supplies.
Gardenng Project
On Sunday, May 19, Lizza Vachon led a First Day School lesson on the Parable of the Sower and the Seed and then led a gardening project, leading the First Day School students and teachers in putting new flowers in the planters. We hope the Meeting enjoys the new flowers!
Thank you!
We are ending out another great year within the Nursery, First Day School, and Teen Worship.
I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has worked with the youth this year:
Nursery: Eliza Myers, Nursery Lead Teacher, Lydia O’Connor, Nursery Assistant (moved in November 2018 to California) Eddy Fleming and Elias Kern are regular teen workers in the nursery. Barbara Cannon, Nancy Cirillo, Debby Colgan, Tyler Dyer, Mary Gilbert, Amy Greene, Jo Ellen Hillyer, Betsy Hewitt, Patty Huff, Jane Jackson, Holly Lapp, Rachel Myers, Gail Rogers, Polly Stevens, and Andrew Szanton also assisted in the nursery.
First Day School: Patti Conty, Paul Dobler, Beth Fuller, and David Smith, were the core teachers. Amy Greene, Nancy Hewitt, Chris Jorgenson, and Lizza Vachon helped out with First Day School with lessons from time to time.
Curriculum Committee: Lorena Boswell, Beth Fuller, Chris Jorgenson, Paul Dobler, Ariel Maddocks, Chris Maddocks, David Smith, and Lizza Vachon. This committee helped to lead a way forward with the First Day School and the curriculum.
Teen Worship: Nancy Bloom, Andrea Condit, and Nora Sullivan were the core Teen Worship leaders this year. Polly Attwood, Elise Springuel, and Maeve Whitty filled in as substitutes.
I am grateful for each one of these community members who worked with the younger members of our community. They have helped more than 60+ youth to feel welcome here over the past year.
Greg Woods, Youth Ministries & Education Coordinator
youthministries@fmcquaker.org or 413-251-6512
New Childcare Volunteers Always Welcome
In my annual report, one of the questions that I asked is: Should the nursery be staffed more by paid people to free up people to be involved in other areas of the meeting life or should the wider community be more active in caring for our youngest members?
In my position as the Youth Ministries & Education Coordinator, my goal is to provide hospitality to families with children 18 & under. One of the ways is to make sure that the nursery is always appropriately staffed with paid workers and/or volunteers. Our youngest community members are a joy to be with. Also, the time commitment to volunteer will be set by you.
Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering by contacting me, Greg Woods, at youthministries@fmcquaker.org or 413-251-6512.
Recent Events
Joyful Noise Coffeehouse, Saturday, May 18, 2019
Miranda Henne Cellist
Nathan Gilbert Morris Dancer
Ruth Canonico Story Teller
Lilia Mundelius Poet
Ann Hurley Story Teller
Nancy Hewitt Singer
Chris Jorgenson Story Teller
Touissaint Liberator and Friends
David Anick Singer and Comic
Work Day, Saturday, May 25, 2019
Weeding
Picking up
Announcements
FMC’s Fisal Year Ends June 30, 2019
Please consider making a donation or an extra financial gift. The end of the FY19 fiscal year is almost upon us (June 30, 2019) and our donations are not showing up as reliably as our expenses. Please consider a donation to the Meeting if you’ve been putting it off, or an additional gift if possible. There are many demands on our charitable giving, but please consider what the FMC community provides to you and make a high priority donation before the year ends.
Thank you from the Fundraising Committee.
Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) Benefit Concert
Join the Local Support Committee of Boston Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) and Friends for an afternoon with classical pianist and former QVS Fellow, Daniel Joseph Parker. Listen to Daniel’s mastery of the piano while supporting young adults who make a difference in the Greater Boston area. Reception to follow.
All proceeds from this event will be donated to Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS). QVS is a non-profit organization that partners young spirit-led adults with social justice and environmental non-profits. Ticket prices are pay as led. Suggested donation is $15-$25. Buy tickets at the door or buy in advance from your Meeting QVS representative. If you cannot make it but would still like to contribute, visit QVS website and click donate.
Contact Margy Carpenter at 781-526-4275 if you have questions
Calling for Summer Potluck Show Art Submissions
Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 30
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 7, 12:15 – 1:30pm
The theme for July/August summer potluck art show is “Everyday Manifestations of Spirit.” Every summer we invite members and attenders to submit visual or written work for our summer potluck show in the Friends Room. The title is meant as a guide only, with great leeway for interpretation. As we go about our daily lives, what might evoke wonder, mystery, gratitude, presence, wellbeing, oneness or spiritual connection? Choice of media is at the artist’s discretion. The show is sponsored by the Exhibits Committee and open to any member of the Meeting community. Please feel free to contact: George Campbell, Mary Coelho, Marion Foster, Sara Sue Pennell, Brian Stevens, or Richard Wood with any questions that you might have or email exhibits@fmcquaker.org.
Trustee Committee Updates
Upcoming Projects. We have received a $50,000 Cambridge Institutional Preservation Grant. We are planning to proceed this year with refurbishment of the Friends Center and Meetinghouse windows. The next priority project is replacing the rear door in the Meetinghouse to provide better egress and to make it more energy efficient. Next on our list is an evaluation of options to improve the parking lot with better drainage. A bottleneck in this process is getting hold of contractors and getting bids given the current construction boom.
NARCAN. In April the Meeting for Business approved having NARCAN for drug overdoses available at FMC. The committee is now working on guidelines and procedures for that. We plan to have a training session in the fall for all who are interested.
Facility Revenue. We are investigating ways of increasing facility income. We encourage you to share information about our facilities with any groups that you have contact with. Please also consider renting our third floor guest room for out-of-town visitors. Information about our spaces is available at our website.
Green Electricity. FMC is now using 100% green electricity through the Cambridge Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program. This is a very economical approach that also supports local solar projects. Many towns in Massachusetts have similar programs and we encourage people to investigate that option for themselves. Some of those communities currently are: Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton, Somerville, Watertown and Winchester. Others may have also implemented such programs, or if not should be encouraged to do so.
New England Yearly Meeting 359th Annual Sessions
AUGUST 3-8, 2019
CASTLETON UNIVERSITY
CASTLETON, VERMONT
SESSIONS REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN EARLY JUNE!
What are the “Annual Sessions” of New England Yearly Meeting?
Each August, more than 600 Friends come together for worship, fellowship and seeking how God will guide us in meeting for business. Having first gathered in 1661, New England Yearly Meeting of Friends is the oldest “yearly meeting” in the Quaker world.
While this gathering is large—among the largest Quaker events in North America—there are many opportunities to connect with Friends old and new: vibrant youth programs, adult small groups, variety shows, topical interest sessions and shared meals. In recent years, Sessions has featured plenary addresses, Bible Half-Hours, a contra-dance, and coffeehouse. This year workshops will take place on weekday evenings instead of on weekday afternoons. This year’s theme: Provoke One Another to Love.
Considering offering a workshop! The deadline to apply to offer a workshop is June 14.
The cost of attending is pay-as-you-are-lead with suggested amounts posted with the registration information.
For more information, visit https://neym.org/sessions
Seeking Database Apprentice
Put your database experience to work in support of a good cause! FMC urgently needs a person to learn our Filemaker Pro database that has been developed and maintained by one person over the last 9 years. David Myers, also known as the simple lunch guru, is a really cool guy. Find him in the kitchen any Sunday and check out this opportunity!
Summer Updates
Continue to enter new summer events in the FMC database. They will be visible in the website calendar and published in the announcement sheet. Be sure to include the event description in the announcement form, sponsoring group, and contact person as well as the event times and resources needed. When published, the contact name and phone will be replaced with their FMC alias@fmcquaker.org. Fact checking will be done on the database output.
Personal News
Palestinian Refugees in Gaza & the West Bank
SECOND PHASE OF SKIP SCHIEL’S PROJECT—UPDATED: APRIL 26, 2019
We must never ignore the injustices that make charity necessary, or the inequalities that make it possible.
—Michael Eric Dyson
For dispatches from the field (Skip is currently in Palestine-Israel until July 10, 2019) please write him thru this GoFundMe site with SUBSCRIBE TO PALESTINIAN REFUGEE PHOTO PROJECT in the subject field. Thanks for your interest.
Ruthanna Kern and her friends Avery Cole and Lily Thompson (all 7th graders at the Healey school) won the Massachusetts History Day competition within their original 10 minute play “Friendship Between the Pages: the story of Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren.” In the play they explore the extensive correspondence between these two important leaders of the American Revolution. They will travel to Washington DC June 9-13 for the national competition.
Severyn Ten Haut Bruyn died peacefully at home on Sunday evening, May 26, 2019.
Notice of his death appeared in the Boston Globe.
William Torbert, Sev’s friend and Boston College colleague wrote this obituary.
And for your enjoyments, here is one of Sev’s musical compositions, “Hamlet A symphonic Poem 4Q”
A Celebration of the Life of Paul Hood.
Please join us Saturday, June 1, at 2:00pm in the meetinghouse for a time of worship and reflection on Paul’s life. The gathering will be followed by a reception. Contributions of finger foods or beverages will be gratefully accepted. For more information, please contact Dinah Starr at memorials@fmcquaker.org.
Greg Williams died on February 14, 2019. He was a member of the Beacon Hill Friends Meeting, but he worshipped and witnessed (especially about race and racism) at FMC often over the years. His memorial is Sunday, June 16, at 2:00pm at Friends Meeting at Cambridge.
Sheila Johnston, former Resident Friend, passed away on April 11, 2019. A memorial will be held at Centre Meeting in the summer. Her daughter Claire Mackin wrote this tribute.
To send notes and condolences to the family, please send to Claire Johnston Mackin at ccmackin@gmail.com
To honor Sheila Johnston, please consider a donation to the Sheila and Gilbert Johnston Scholarship for Study Abroad.
Dear Friends: I am so grateful for our FMC community and all the loving support I have received in this hard time. Here is my partner John’s obituary, which appeared Sunday April 14 in the Boston Globe. A longer version can be found on John’s web page at keefefuneralhome.com. There is also a tribute wall where memories or reflections about John can be posted. There will be a memorial service for John at FMC on Saturday, July 27, at 2:00pm. Diinah Starr.
Contributions may be made in John’s name to the American Civil Liberties Union (888-567-2258) or to the Natural Resources Defense Council (212-727-2700).
FMC member Joan Perkins Austin died April 26, 2019 at age 97. Her obituary appeared in the Boston Globe on May 5, 2019. A memorial is being planned at a later date. Watch your Announcement Sheet for more info.
For her online guestbook, please visit Dee Funeral Home of Concord 978-369-2030 Caring for families since 1868.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, P.O. Box 70567, Dartmouth, MA 02747.
Barbara Wharton Low died on January 10, 2019 at age 98. She was born on March 23, 1920. She joined FMC on October 14, 1948. Her obituary was published in the New York Times on February 25, 2019
She joined the Columbia University faculty as an associate professor in 1956 and retired as a professor in 1990, but continued to lecture there until 2013. Photo Credit: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Carol Stokes Bergeson died at age 93 on September 4, 2018. She joined FMC on October 4, 1997. A memorial to celebrate her life was held on May 4, 2019 in Bedford, MA. Her obituary appeared in The Day newspaper from New London, CT on September 18, 2018.
Donations in Carol’s memory can be made to Groton Open Space Association, or Friends of the Isle au Haut Lighthouse.
Events
Where are the Events?
You will find announcements for all current FMC events on the FMC website, fmcquaker.org on the home page. You can also see a whole page all FMC current events by clicking on the image above, or by clicking this link. These events are free, except as noted, and open to the public. Below the announcements you will find the web calendar that can be viewed by the week or month that has in addition regular meetings for worship and committee meetings. These listings do not include non-FMC sponsored events that take place at FMC.
The FMC Quaker home page also has the current announcement sheet, this month’s forums, Minutes and Reports for the next business meeting, and this newsletter. Bookmark this page and consult it frequently to keep current on FMC happenings. If you explore further you will find pages of interest to the community and to newcomers. You are encouraged to add your voice to the mix. Send comments and suggestions to Cornelia Parkes at cornelia@fmcquaker.org, who is your friendly website master and newsletter editor.
Job Openings
Sessions Office Assistant
Castleton, VT | Part-time
The Sessions Office Assistant supports the Sessions Office Manager, including typing, entering data, printing and collating documents, running errands, answering telephones, and otherwise helping to support the Yearly Meeting Office at Annual Sessions. Office skills, initiative, and adaptability are essential. This position receives a fee waiver and a modest stipend. Click here for description or contact Sara Hubner at office@neym.org.
Summer & Year Round Internships
William Penn House, Washington, DC
Our 10-12 week social justice internship offers college students a unique combination of service and civic engagement, along with structured opportunities for personal, spiritual, and professional development; the WPH Social Justice Residency offers similar opportunities but with sustained support for college graduates committed to building more peaceful, just and inclusive communities. For more information, please visit here
Forums
Our Life is Love
Please join us for forum every fourth Sunday, when we will explore the Quaker Spiritual Journey through Marcelle Martin’s book, Our Life is Love. One Sunday a month, for ten months, we will take up one of the ten elements of this journey we’re on together by sharing our stories with each other and responding to the queries that Marcelle raises up. This is an opportunity to deepen our connections to one another and to our Quaker heritage.
What is the book about? Marcelle Martin uses the words of many early Friends and contemporary Friends to explore each of ten elements of the Quaker Spiritual Journey. Each section ends with a set of queries that we can use to explore our own experiences. She also shares the ways in which she has experienced these elements in her own life.
Do I have to read the book? No! The queries that we’ll be exploring in each forum are evocative on their own, and the lives of our fellow community members are fascinating. All are welcome – whether or not you’ve done your “homework.”
Can I drop in, or do I have to commit to the whole series? Please come to as many forums in this series as you are able to. While we hope that the experience has a cumulative effect, each forum should be able to stand on its own as a time of powerful sharing.
How can I get a book? You have two choices:
- Order a hard cover, paperback, or eBook from Inner Light Books. A paperback is $17.50 plus shipping and handling.
- Borrow a book from the Meeting library. There are at least two to lend.
What are the dates and topics for the whole series so I can mark them on my calendar? I’m so glad you asked!
- 9/30: Longing
- 10/28: Seeking
- 11/25: Turning Within
- 12/23: Openings
- 1/27: The Refiner’s Fire
- 2/24: Community
- 3/24: Leadings
- 4/28: The Cross
- 5/26: Abiding
- 6/23: Perfection
Quaker World
Cambridge Friends School Commencement
Cambridge Friends School is delighted to invite you to Meeting for Worship for Commencement for the Class of 2019!
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Seating begins at 3:30 pm
Meeting for Worship for Commencement begins at 4:00 pm
with reception for the Class of 2019 to follow in the Meeting Hall
As a Quaker school, Commencement takes place differently from other schools as it is conducted as a Meeting for Worship. We ask for your help in explaining Quaker Meeting for Worship to your family and friends who might not be familiar with its structure and form. Here are some quick facts to help guide you (this will also be printed in the programs):
- We will be sitting in a circular arrangement with the eighth-graders in the middle. We will help in seating you so that you have the best view of your student.
- The Meeting for Worship will begin with the Opening Silence. Photos may be taken as the students enter and at the conclusion of the Meeting. Out of respect for others and to honor the sanctity of the Meeting, PHOTOS ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING THE MEETING.
- In Meeting for Worship, especially on this important occasion, there is silence for the first 5 minutes of the Meeting. We also request that people speak only once and that anyone who speaks not prepare their words in advance. Rising to speak in Meeting is a spontaneous and heartfelt sharing of a person’s “truth.” As you may know, in Meeting for Worship, after a person speaks, we observe a period of silence so that all can reflect on what has been shared. Anyone speaking should stand and speak clearly. Microphones will be available to assist in everyone hearing each speaker
- At the end of the Meeting for Worship, the eighth-graders will be called individually to receive their diplomas. We ask that applause be held until all diplomas have been received. Photos are permitted at this point.
- Seating will not begin until 3:30 pm. If you arrive earlier than 3:30 pm, you may wait in the library and the Cadbury Road lobby.
- A parking consideration (for the neighborhood around CFS) has been requested for this event.
This day marks an important milestone in the life of our graduates and our School. The CFS faculty and staff are looking forward to sharing this special day with you.
If you have additional questions about Commencement please contact me at a.penry@cfsmass.org.
Friends Camp has just a few spaces open for summer 2019
Register today!
Friends Camp offers 2-week overnight camp programs for children and teens ages 7-17 in South China, Maine. Campers ages 7-12 can try camp for just one week!
We celebrate community, acceptance, play, and exploring the outdoors. New families register online here and continuing families, register online here.
Nine Month Nurturing Faithfulness Program Returns in 2019
Breaking News!
At the last gathering of Salem Quarterly Meeting those gathered approved a proposal to make funding available to meetings: The funds committee will fund grants of up to $1,000 per Monthly Meeting in Salem Quarter that wish to support participation by their Members in the 2019-2020 Nurturing Faithfulness Program. Meetings that minute a request for these funds to be used this way will forward this request to the clerk of the Quarter and the Funds Committee. The Funds Committee recommends authorizing the Funds Committee to approve any such grant applications by Monthly Meetings on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability of funds.
Requests for funding should come from MEETINGS to the Clerk of the Funds Committee Morgan Wilson dmorganwilson@gmail.com and Kristina Keefe-Perry Salem Quarterly Meeting Clerk salemqm@neym.org.
Nurturing Faithfulness is a program for individuals who have a spiritual nudge to orient one’s heart towards the Divine, be more faithful in discerning gifts and leadings, and nurture one’s home spiritual community. Perhaps you know someone who participated in the first iteration of this program, called Nurturing Worship, Faith, and Faithfulness. Good news is: we’re offering this program again! Take a look at the Woolman Hill website for more information or keep reading.
Nurturing Faithfulness is a 9-month program consisting of three residencies at Woolman Hill in Deerfield, MA (August 2019, December 2019, and May 2020), monthly webinars (that are actually connective and grounding), readings, and small-group opportunities for deepening relationships through local care committees and Faithfulness Groups.
Co-teachers for Nurturing Faithfulness are Hilary Burgin (Beacon Hill Friends Meeting, NEYM) and Marcelle Martin (Swarthmore Monthly Meeting, Philaadelphia Yearly Meeting). This program is co-sponsored by Woolman Hill and New England Yearly Meeting. For more information take a look at our video.
Applications are due in Spring 2019, so we encourage you to start considering if this program might be right for you. If you RSVP to Marcelle Martin (link sends e-mail), we will also send you a reminder about the informational webinar and the application.
Early application deadline, with priority for NEYM Friends: April 1, 2019
Final application deadline: July 22, 2019.
Summer Events on the NEYM calendar
- How We Win: A Workshop on Nonviolent Direct Action June 2 • New Bedford, MA
- Continuing Revolution: Experimenting Beyond Capitalism June 7 to June 12 • Wallingford, PA
- Stoking the Fire June 7 to June 10 • Richmond, IN
- Weed Memorial Lecture: “… and Covenant” with Emily Provance June 9 • Boston, MA
- Forgiveness as Spiritual Practice June 14 to June 16 • Old Chatham, NY
- JHYM 8th Grade Retreat June 14 to June 16 • Jaffrey, NH
- QuakerSpring: Experiencing the Inward Christ Together June 21 to June 26 • Deerfield, MA
- Nonviolent Communication: A Spiritual Practice and Act of Social Change June 21 to June 23 • Old Chatham, NY
- Young Friends Seniors Retreat June 22 • Wellesley, MA
- Tema Okun & Donna Bivens: Teaching For Racial Justice In These Times: June 30 • Boston, MA
- Annual Sessions August 3 to August 8 • Castleton, VT
- Creating Generous Congregations August 16 to August 18 • Old Chatham, NY
- Residency for Nurturing Faithfulness Program August 29 to September 3 • Deerfield, MA
- Art Camp August 30 to September 2 • South China, ME
Friends General Conference 2019 Gathering
“Peace in Our Hearts, Justice in the World”
Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA
June 30-July 6, 2019
Taste the vibrancy and the variety that is available by immersing yourself in this community of Friends for a week. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you — in person — to the 2019 FGC Gathering! And this year there are NO program fees for children and teens!
For more information, visit our website.
Friends General Conference is a North American association of Quaker groups of which New England Yearly Meeting of Friends is a member.
Friends Music Camp
July 7 – August 4, 2019
on the campus of Earlham College
in Richmond, Indiana.
Two, Three and Four week sessions for ages 10-17
Creating a caring, inclusive community through music. Strings Winds Brass Piano Voice Guitar
Enrollment now open!