HADDONFIELD MONTHLY MEETING of the RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS NEWSLETTER Volume 56, No. 7 ~ March, 2010 Meeting for worship

10 am Sunday ~ 9:15 am Wednesday

HADDONFIELD MONTHLY

Let all nations hear the sound by word or writing. Spare no place, spare no tongue nor pen, but be obedient to the Lord God; go through the world and be valiant for the truth upon earth; tread and trample all that is contrary under…. Be patterns, be examples in all countries places, islands, nations wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone; whereby in them you may be a blessing, and make the witness of God in them bless you.

George Fox, 1656

FCNL Discussion for March Business Meeting

At our March Meeting for Business, our meeting will be discussing issues and submitting a list of no more than five priorities to the FCNL. It is FCNL's practice to request this list so that their staff can better support policies for which Quakers throughout the country have found spiritual unity. In order to prepare for this part of our business meeting agenda, we should visit the FCNL website (www.fcnl.org) and read the preamble and past policy statements, reflect on what we have read, and be prepared to share our thoughts. The priorities we and other meetings submit will be the focus of FCNL work in the 112th congressional session. This is our opportunity to use the spiritual experience of Friends to influence government policy. The following is a quote from the letter sent to all meetings," Your participation makes a difference. In past years, Friends' responses have led to increased FCNL work on energy and climate change, health care, immigration, poverty, Native American affairs, and Iraq and Afghanistan." Our list of priorities must be submitted by April 10th.

February Meeting for Business

The Clerk read the Minutes for a Called Meeting for Business on Sunday, January 31st: At the rise of Meeting for Worship on Sunday, January 31st, the Clerk stood and announce a Called Meeting for Business for the purpose of asking the Meeting for renewed approval for the sale of 65 Haddon Ave (Boxwood Hall) with the inclusion of the carriage house and the ‘field’ behind the main building. Approval had been granted in 2008 for the sale of Boxwood Hall only, but the transaction had not been completed. Another buyer (Estaugh Commons, LLC) has made an offer and the sale is ready to proceed. To ensure that all details were attended to, Pat Williams, serving as counsel for Haddonfield Friends School, asked that the Meeting officially approve the sale of the entire property and both buildings. The meeting approved. Bill Patterson, Alternate Recording Clerk, made note of this item of business.
Connie Brookes gave the final report for the Ad Hoc Committee on separate incorporation of the school, as attached. The School has applied for its incorporation; all documents and agreements have been completed and signed; and the process is now complete. Now that the separate incorporation process is complete, the School Committee is laid down. The Meeting asked the Nominating Committee to recommend members for the newly formed School Liaison Committee. Connie Brookes recommended that at least one member of the Ad Hoc Committee be included on the first School Liaison Committee. The Meeting offered a Minute of deep gratitude to all involved in this arduous process and acknowledged not only the many years it took to finally realize this goal, but also the toll it has taken on many members of our Meeting community. According to Connie, this was “a monumental task – physically and emotionally draining”.
The Minute was approved. The Meeting also approved the laying down of the School Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee.
The (former) Ad Hoc Committee for the Separation of the Meeting and the School and the Meeting give heartfelt and sincere thanks to the “temporary” School Committee members for their invaluable assistance and support during the last months of the process.
The Clerk suggested that the Meeting have a special Meeting for Worship to celebrate the completion of the multi-year task. Perhaps we would invite the School personnel. Drew will work with Linda Lotz and Sharon Dreese to determine the date and “program”.
Haddonfield Friends Meeting is a corporation which included Haddonfield Friends School and, by extension, Boxwood Hall. Haddonfield Friends School is now a separate entity and Boxwood Hall has been sold. John Donch contacted our insurance company and had the school removed from our policy. Haddonfield Meeting and the School will now have to get new, separate insurance policies. John Donch, Bob Brookes and Bill Patterson will do the research and make a recommendation to Meeting.
Bob Brookes told Friends that he had a “leading” to buy a new phone for the Meeting office, since the present one has ceased to function. His request was enthusiastically approved.

Collingswood Shakespeare’s “Wars of the Roses”

Once again, the Collingswood Shakespeare Company will present a production in the Meeting Auditorium. “Wars of the Roses” is a three part production of the Bard’s “Henry VI Parts I, II & III” and “Richard III”. This production is 2+ years in the making and features 28 actors taking on multiple roles and tells the history of the English Civil War between the Lancaster and York families for control of the Crown. The Henry plays are rarely staged and it is even rarer to see them produced along with Richard III. While there are well rehearsed and choreographed battles and the requisite betrayals and intrigue present in many of Shakespeare’s non-comedy plays, there is a definite anti-war subtext. So far the production has played to sold out audiences in Collingswood. As always, ½ of the proceeds from the HFM weekend are donated to the Education Fund. Tickets are selling briskly and it is recommended advance purchase be made via the web-site: collingswoodshakespeare.org. There is no phone number to call, if you do not have access to a computer, please consider asking a friend to place the order for you. Tickets will be available at the door but seating is set to a maximum of 40 and cannot be expanded. (FYI – did you know the partnership between the Meeting and CSC has added more than $2000.00 to the education fund?) Look for “The Tempest” coming in May!

Notes from Interim Meeting

Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. There will be a gathering with the Lenape Peoples at Arch Street Meeting. We will honor the day on March 5th, 1810 when the Penn Treaty Elm fell. Events will include Native American dancing and singing for all. There will be a ceremonial planting of the "tree child."

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 26-28, 2010 we will come together with Friends at our March Sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. We will hear Vanessa Julye speak about racial healing. We will make music with our PYM community. We will read and share reflections on Prophetic Witness. Register online by contacting Lou Ann Merkle LOUANNM@PYM.ORG, or phone her at 215-241-7238. Schedule and program can be found at www.PYM.org/annualsessions

PYM LIBRARY – SACRED SPACE

Rita Varley, PYM Librarian, extends a warm welcome and invitation to MM members and attenders to visit the newly renovated library at Friends Center. As Rita Varley puts it, “The library is visually beautiful and full of light that makes it easier to find books. The library collection is a multifaceted tool in the hands of Spirit which adds that other dimension of the term “Light.” She went on to observe that the way in which people are so often led to the perfect book at the perfect moment is truly the Spirit at work. A recent visitor stepped into the library and said softly, “this is sacred space!” The ambiance of the library also lends itself to cozy, comfortable hanging out with the books and other book lovers. There are new online features on the PYM Library website. Most notable is the new search catalog software: “Destiny,” where one can log on as a guest and then browse to one’s heart’s content through the many books and other resources available including the “Top 10 books in circulation” and in Destiny Quest, the top 10 most recent additions. If you open an account (you will need to ask for your bar code), you can access even more features such as renewing your borrowed books online, and writing book reviews. Getting the word out about the library value to Monthly Meetings is important. Monthly Meeting members are “owners” of the PYM Library. Without the support of members, it could not exist. There are special resources available to Monthly Meetings that include materials for First Day and Adult Religious Education classes, resources for Quaker teachers in public schools, help with cataloging and one-on-one training for MM Librarians, and providing training at Annual Sessions, to mention a few. Fear of new technology can be daunting, but the library staff is available to help people use the computer software program. Rita offers a gentle “hands-on” instruction in person, over the phone, or via email. Have a meeting idea or questions? Contact: Rita Varley at 215-241-7219 (Tuesday-Friday); email: ritav@pym.org.

0% INTEREST – COLLEGE LOAN PROGRAM FOR QUAKER STUDENTS

The Mary Jeanes Loan Fund and Anne Townsend Grant Fund are now taking applications from members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for post-secondary financial aid for the 2010-2011 school year. Loans average about $1,000 per academic year. May 1, 2010 is the deadline for submission of applications. To download the form, please visit the website at: http://www.pym.org/education and click on Post-Secondary Education Loans/Grants. For more information please contact the Education Programs Office at PYM: elkem@pym.org or call 215-241-7223.

FRIENDS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Children’s Religious Life Coordinator - Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Position Summary: Stimulates and supports the spiritual vitality of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting by supporting meetings in the work of children’s religious education and nurturing the spiritual lives of children. Serves as a resource person for the PYM community. Develops resources and training for religious educators who work with children through Grade 5. Assists Meetings with the overall planning, implementation, and evaluation of First Day School programs and other opportunities for children to participate in the life of the Meeting. Works collaboratively as part of the PYM staff team to nurture the faith, practice and witness of Quakerism in our young people and the adults who work with them.

Qualifications:

An active Friend or extensive experience with Friends’ meetings.
A level of education appropriate to the position; at least 3 years of substantial experience working with children required.
Able to work with children and adults, and to facilitate groups to develop their interests, gifts and skills.
Strong communication skills needed, including the ability to speak clearly, to listen deeply & to write well.
Access to car; able to travel within limits of PYM and occasionally beyond it.
Able to spend many Sundays traveling to monthly meetings.
Pass a criminal background, per PYM requirement for those working with children.

Application Process:

Please provide a letter of interest, resume, and three references to the attention of: Ginny Connolly, Human Resources Coordinator

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

1515 Cherry Street,

Philadelphia, PA 19102

humanresources@pym.org

RE: “Children’s Religious Life Coordinator”

We will begin to review resumes on March 15, 2010 and continue until the position is filled.

Office Manager – Friends Center, Philadelphia, PA

Friends Center, located at 15th & Cherry Streets in Philadelphia, is seeking an Office Manager who will bring our bookkeeping functions in house, be responsible for general office functions, and support to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Applications should be only by email to pmcbee@friendscentercorp.org. Interviews will be in a couple of weeks.

Summary of Responsibilities: Responsible for office operations including: records and communications, administrative support to the Executive Director and board of directors, bookkeeping, upgrading and maintaining paper and electronic filing systems; assists with budget development and monitoring; supervises website maintenance; supports marketing and public relations; works collegially in three person office.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree
5 years increasingly responsible experience in office management
Flexibility, creativity, warmth, and good humor
Skilled in all dimensions of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner, Outlook
Skilled in QuickBooks
Excellent customer relations skills
Clear written and oral communication
Supportive of high standards of environmental sustainability in all dimensions of the operation.
Supervisory experience desirable
Knowledge of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) highly desirable
Friends Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.

Friends Center is a smoke-free workplace.

FRIENDS CONFERENCE ON UNEMPLOYMENT

Are you unemployed and feeling the pinch? You’re not alone! Join us for a day-long conference for unemployed Friends and meeting members who are trying to help. Attenders are also welcome. The conference will be held Saturday, March 6, from 9:00 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. at Burlington Conference Center. You will have a chance to learn skills in resume writing, interviewing, and internet job hunting, and handling your finances. Plus, you will meet lots of other folks who will lift your spirits and offer moral support, friendship, and ideas. Thomas Swain, presiding clerk of PYM, will speak from his own experience of going through a period of unemployment and will give encouragement and perspective. A number of Quakers from related professional fields will contribute their time and skills by leading workshops. Computers and assistance with using the internet and writing resumes will be provided on site. The conference is sponsored by Friends Counseling Service of PYM and financially supported by Friends groups who are concerned about the growing problems of unemployment, with its financial difficulties and resulting to morale. There will be a special workshop for Friends who are working with unemployed people in their meetings. Registration is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. If you are unable to afford this, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you to attend anyway. To find out more information or to register, contact Melissa Elliott, conference coordinator, at puddinriver@sprintmail.com or telephone her at 215-843-4827.

Meeting Calendar:

March 7: Meeting for Worship 10:00am; First Day School 11:00am

March 9: Finance Committee at the Meetinghouse 7:30pm (please confirm time with Bill Patterson)

March 10: Meeting for Worship 9:15am

March 14: Meeting for Worship 10:00am; Meeting for Worship for Business 11:00am

March 16: Worship & Ministry, 7:00pm at Maria Shivers’ home.

March 17: Meeting for Worship 9:15am

March 20: Peace Prayer’s Gathering 1 to 3:30 p.m., Haddonfield Meeting House. Welcome spring and join in a meditation for world peace. We're planting seeds (literally) with prayers for the blossoming of peace on earth. Join us. Sponsored by Faith and Ministry. For more information e-mail PeacePartners@verizon.net or call Judy Barnes at 856.287.9472

March 21: Meeting for Worship 10:00am; First Day School 11:00am; Covered Dish 12:00pm; CSC’s “Wars of the Roses” 3:00pm (benefits Meeting Education Fund).

April 10: Property and Friendship Committees invite you to join in a Day of Service ~ at the Meetinghouse ~ on April 10th (rain date, April 17th). Coffee, juice and bagels will be available at 8:30 a.m. Our goal is to give the Meetinghouse a good cleaning and to start a spring clean-up on the property. Save the date and look for more details in next month's newsletter.