And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ìBe not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.î And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ìGlory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!î

Luke 2:4-14, Revised Standard Version (RSV)

From Worship and Ministry

The Light is a principle of unity which creates the
fellowship of those who expose themselves to it. More than that, the Light, in proportion to the measure of it which is granted, is a source of Power by which those who follow it may create unity, not only in their own fellowship, but by answering that of God in every one.

Friends for 300 Years ó
Howard H. Brinton

Out of respect and caring for one another, please consider that our faith involves us in corporate worship. Meeting for Worship is 10 am to 11 am on First day, and 9:15 am to 9:45 am on Wednesday.

Upcoming Events

World AIDS Day ó December 1.

Peace and Justice Teach-In ó December 1.

The impact on civil liberties after the events of September 11: Saturday, December 1st, noon to 3pm.
The Newton Friends Meetinghouse, Haddon Ave.
and Cooper St., Camden, New Jersey.
Featured speakers: Andrew Erba of the National Lawyers Guild will discuss the national implications
of the recent anti-terrorist legislation. Debra Jacobs, Executive Director of the NJ ACLU, will discuss the impact on the citizens of New Jersey. For more information, call (856) 854-6183. Food and refreshments will be available.

Christmas Peace Pilgrimage ó December 8th.

The annual Peace Walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will be on December 8th. This ten-mile walk symbolizes the journey of Joseph and Mary and sends a message of peace and the true meaning of Christmas. The speaker this year is Jeff Garis, Director of Pennsylvania Abolitionists United Against the Death Penalty. For more information, look for flyers in the foyer or visit www.peacewalk.org.

Simple Gifts

On December 9, following Meeting for Worship, we will have our traditional ìSimple Giftsî program. Craft tables will be set up for children of all ages to make gifts for their loved ones. Fresh greens, ribbons and wreath forms will be available to make decorations.
We will have music, story telling and the children will be making ìstone soupî (come hear the story to find out what stone soup is). Donations of chicken, broth, celery, onions, potatoes, carrots, etc. would be most appreciated. Come get in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Breakfast

Our annual Christmas breakfast will be held December 23rd. See enclosed flyer for details.

Christmas Eve

There will be Meeting for Worship at 7 pm on December 24th in the Meetinghouse. Worship will
be followed by carol singing and light refreshments. Please bring cookies to share.

Young Friends

The Young Friends Christmas Gathering will be held December 27ñ30 at Burlington Meeting House. For more information, see the religious ed bulletin board or contact Cookie Caldwell at cookiec@pym.org.

Holiday Spirit

Haddonfield Friends School is collecting toys for
New Visionsí Christmas distribution. Please bring unwrapped new (or used, but in excellent condition) toys to contribute. There will be a box in the foyer of the Meeting House for donations until December 16th. New Visions gives toys, books, and clothes to hundreds of children at Christmas. Your toy donations will bring joy to children in need. The school is also doing its traditional hat & mitten tree and welcomes your contributions to this, too. If you have any questions, contact Priscilla Adams, 609-835-4285.

There will be a giving tree in the foyer again this year. Please do what you can to give a gift to a child.

Haddonfield Quarter Friends are collecting non-
perishable food for 100 Christmas bags going to
clients of Senior Care, an adult medical day program in Camden. Please leave food in the foyer of the Meeting House until December 14th. If you have
any questions, contact Priscilla Adams, 609-835-4285.

Blankets for Afghan Refugees

Haddonfield Monthly Meeting is collecting blankets, quilts and sleeping bags in excellent condition and cash to donate to the American Friends Service Committee for Afghan refugees. This project is part of AFSCís ìNo More Victimsî campaign, a national and international program launched in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedies. The cold of winter is a threat to the lives of the Afghan refugees. More than 3.7 million refugees have left Afghanistan in recent years. 500,000 have entered Iran and neighboring countries and approximately 1 million more Afghan refugees are expected to enter Pakistan. There is tremendous humanitarian need and our Meeting community wants to support the efforts of the AFSC.

We will be collecting the blankets at designated times at the Meeting House: Sundays, December 2 and 9 from 12-2 pm, Wednesdays, December 5 and 12 before and after midweek Meeting for Worship
(8:30-10:30 am). and Thursday, December 13 before and after the evening Holiday program.

Cash donations should be earmarked ìAFSC-Afghan Relief.î We will be delivering the blankets to the AFSC in Philadelphia at the end of December. If you need to drop off a blanket at a different time, please call Ann Miller at 616-1428.

Pendle Hill Offerings

Pendle Hill is offering evening classes on the subject of teaching peace. These courses were previously offered only to resident students, but are now open to all. The next course being offered is ìPrayer and Peacemaking.î Classes are held on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00, and run from January 10 to March 7. The cost is $235. For more information, call 610-566-4507 or
e-mail registrar@pendlehill.org.

Pendle Hill also has three offerings for December 29ñJanuary 1: Mozart, Amadeus and the Age of Enlightenment; Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening; and A New Yearís Sojourn. Check out the Pendle Hill web site: pendlehill.org, or call 1-800-742-3150, ext. 137.

HFS School News

Update on 65 N. Haddon

As of this month we have a signed agreement of sale for the property at 65 N. Haddon Ave. And with this agreement in hand, we are proceeding to the next step in securing this site for school expansion ó the Haddonfield Zoning Board. We intend to be on the December 18 agenda and urge all Friends and friends who are Haddonfield residents to attend the meeting in support of our application for a use variance.
We maintain that ownership of this property by Haddonfield Monthly Meeting and the use of the building for a school will be beneficial to the community. The meeting will be held at Borough Hall at
7:30 pm, December 18.

Bill Schmidt & Paul Shallers, for the School Committee

FIRST DAY SCHOOL

ìIt Takes a Meeting to Raise a Friendî
ìNo Time But This Present Timeî

Submitted by Flora McKinney, Jake McGlaughlin and Jayne Stokes

First Day School 11:20ñ12:00, except for the third First Day (Family First Day): Worship 10:00ñ10:45, welcome of visitors, Hymn singing, then classes convene.

December First Days will have a different schedule except for the first First day when classes will meet
as usual. The other First Days will be a celebration
of Christmas (see below). There will be several opportunities for carol singing and we hope all families can
participate!

A Gift for Everyone

Christmas will soon be past but Christianity will not. What we got for Christmas and what we got from Christmas may be as different as gift-wrapping and gifts. Gift-wrapping, whether plain or elaborate, is usually discarded sometime after the gift is given. ìWhatís inside?î Thatís what counts. In a word, the real gift of Christmas is Emmanuel. The word means ìGod with us.î God cared enough to send the very best.

ìThe Word became a human being and lived among us ñ full of grace and truth.î (John 1:14 amplified) This is what we celebrate at Christmas.

This Living Gift not only talked about God, He acted like Him ó by healing the blind, touching lepers, feeding the hungry, visiting the lonely, eating side by side with anyone. Jesus cared.

This Gift is ìfully Godî and ìfully Manî ó He shows us what God is like. ìGod with usî is our greatest present, there arenít enough words or ways to describe this gift ó Light, Truth, Redeemer, Baptizer, Counselor, Comforter, Peace, Hope.

Hope ñ Christmas is ongoing, ìLo I am with you always, to the close of the ageî (Matt. 28-20)

There is only one other gift like God with us.
It is ìGod loves usî ó Remember, God never
forgets anyone, ever, anywhere.

Let us now open this Gift, accept it!!!

(from ìThe Sense of the Meetingî by Jack Wilcutts)

Family Roles

Include worship in family celebrations
Worship with the Meeting community
Participate in other Meeting celebrations
Show love to the larger community

FDS Schedule for December

December 2: Query #8, Peace (Faith & Practice,
p. 211), facilitated by Howard McKinney. Young Friends are welcome to take part in this discussion.

December 9: Simple Gifts. (See article under Upcoming Events.)

An alternative is continued study of the Book of John.
This will take place in the Sewing Room.

December 16: Carol singing and other musical
entertainment. Children are encouraged to bring
musical instruments to play. Please contact Jayne Stokes (856) 310-0559 if you are planning to share your musical gifts with the Meeting.

December 23: A Christmas play starring the children of the Meeting. Come and support our First Day School students.

An alternative is continued study of the Book of John.
This will take place in the Sewing Room.

December 30: An extended coffeetime to get reacquainted with visiting Friends. College students home for the holidays are especially invited.

What you missed in Adult First Day School

Plans for the Arboretum in the Graveyard

On the fourth Sunday of the month, one of our
committees presents a First Day School program.
On October 28, Pam Anderson, representing the Property Committee, gave a report on the developments for the arboretum planned for the graveyard. This development is being funded by a gift of $40,000 from John Nicholson. Pam is organizing this development as a volunteer.

Pam presented a topographic survey of the graveyard with existing and proposed trees represented on it. An important side benefit of this renewed survey is that grave locations are now accurate. Existing trees are being identified in anticipation of their being labeled. Special labels that will grow with the trees without harming them will be used. Eventually, all the trees in the graveyard will be labeled. The audit of the trees turned up some pleasant surprises ñ there are some rare trees in the graveyard. Some of these were planted years ago by Harold Heritage.

The work is being done at a measured pace so that we can see how the trees look throughout the seasons. Trees will be selected for seasonal color, sturdiness and low maintenance.

To provide for irrigation of the new trees and other plantings the Meeting has purchased a tank that can be carried by the tractor. Newly planted trees require frequent watering.

A shade tree had been planned for a site near the entrance to the Meeting House where recently there had been a raised bed. This is the site where a large shade tree had been located. Because the extensive root system left from the old tree resisted removal by experts, the replacement tree cannot be planted there. A site to the right of the entrance has been chosen for the new tree. Four new trees have been permanently placed on the Lake Street side of the Meeting House.

There will be some new plantings of evergreen shrubs along the fence that borders the parking lot behind the fire hall. There will be a space between the shrubs and the fence to allow for storage of wood chips and soil.

There was some discussion of walls and fences. The wall around the graveyard is infested with bees that swarm along the sidewalk in the summer. Pam noted that there are sections of the fence that had surrounded the Hicksite Meeting House stored in our basement. Both the use of the Hicksite fence sections and the bee situation will be referred to the Property Committee for consideration.

Finally, the parking lot next to the Meeting House needs some attention. There is a plan to clean the surface of sand, seal the asphalt and repaint the lines. There was a request that a paved walkway be installed that would directly link the parking lot and the front door of the vestibule. This walkway would both help people avoid areas that collect water when it is raining, and shorten the walking distance from the parking lot. This request will be referred to the Property Committee for consideration.

Exploring The Queries

This Fall, adult FDS has been exploring the Queries found in Faith & Practice. On November 4th, we discussed Query #7, Social Responsibility and Witness. Justin Loughery, co-clerk of Peace & Social Concerns Committee, facilitated. The Query follows:

How does our Meeting work:
ï to overcome social, legal, economic, and political injustices, locally and in the wider world?
ï for the funding of community services that does not rely on gaming income?

Does our Meeting serve the community through action on concerns for civic improvement? What actions are we taking to assure everyone equal access to education, health care, legal services, housing, and employment as well as equal opportunities in business and in the professions?

When a member has lifted up a concern, how does our Meeting respond?

Does our Meeting encourage those seeking clearness for their convictions of conscience to hold up such convictions with prayerful openness to the Light?

After reading the Query, we tried to list all the ways the Meeting is active in our surrounding community. We recognized that many individual members of Meeting have ongoing efforts in many areas. But, while the Meeting has done much (the death penalty, nuclear weapons, Leavenhouse, the school, etc.), there was a sense that we need to do more, especially in light of recent events. We see an opportunity to witness to our Peace Testimony. It was suggested that we make our planned arboretum into a peace center. We could open the front gate to make it a focal point of the town and invite people to share the Quaker Peace Testimony.

Activities that other Meetings were doing were discussed. One is having a covered dish each week, and one is having a meeting before Meeting for Worship each week to discuss recent events.

There is a need for outreach and communication ó
to the Islamic community, both here and abroad, and
to other Americans, including our legislators. Let them know that there are other voices ó voices for peace.
As one Friend in attendance said, ìWe need to be noisy.î

Queries for the individual on Social Responsibility and Witness can be found on page 211 of Faith & Practice.

Novemberís Speaker

Our speaker on November 18th was James Fine,who
has served in the Mideast for AFSC and other Quaker organizations. In 1998-99, he was headmaster of Ramallah Friends School. He gave us his perspective
on current events in the region. This was followed by questions and answers.

Jim had four main points to make.

1. Donít abandon Afghanistan. We need to follow up with humanitarian aid and help in forming a stable, inclusive government.

2. We need to support human rights and discourage
corruption in our Arab allies.

3. We need to lift the sanctions on Iraq. Jim encouraged individuals and the Meeting to join AFSCís Campaign of Conscience. He suggested the Meeting approve a minute on lifting the sanctions.

4. Israel and Palestine. Pressure must be put on all parties to resolve this problem diplomatically.

Jim added that Ramallah Friends School remains open
at nearly full capacity, but students are having problems with tuition and transportation to and from school, due to unemployment and the disruptions caused by the fighting.

LEAVENHOUSE NEIGHBORS

We need parent/child volunteers for the Leavenhouse Neighbors Program. Volunteers will prepare or serve food at Leavenhouse food kitchen in Camden. Preparation time is 12:30 to 1:30 and meal service is from 3:00 to 4:00 on Saturday. If you are interested in helping, or in learning more about what we do, please call Cindy Kolaski at 354-8680. Thank you.

November 2001 Monthly Meeting
for Business

November meeting for business was held November 9, 2001. Bob Brookes acted as alternate clerk. Quarterly Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee presented several ideas for our response to the September 11th attacks. After reviewing and adding more ideas, we approved our Peace and Social Concerns Committee taking the lead in our response.

An agreement of sale for 65 N. Haddon Ave. was signed. The Meeting approved $500 from the Special Concerns Fund for FGC Nurturing Quakerism Campaign and putting in the budget for next year
the remaining $500. Also approved was having an audit done. Finance Committee will report in December how this will be done.

To keep communications open, we approved regular monthly reports from the School and Property Committees on continuing progress and changes in the school area. John Donch and Stephen Berryhill will do this.

The Meeting approved the Marriage Resolution proposed by Lamda Legal Defense and Education Fund. (see Novemberís newsletter)

John and Kathy Donch are now co-clerks of the Memorial and Graveyard Committee. Jake McGlaughlin is now on Finance Committee.

A recurring theme of this meeting was the conspicuous absence of committee representatives. Monthly Meeting encourages ALL committees to ensure
representation at every business meeting.

Poems Old and New

First-Day Thoughts

John Greenleaf Whittier

In calm and cool and silence, once again
I find my old accustomed place among
My brethren, here, perchance, no human tongue
Shall utter words; where never hymn is sung,
Nor deep-toned organ blown, nor censer swung|
Nor dim light falling through the pictured pane!
There, syllabled by silence, let me hear
The still small voice which reached the prophets ear;
Read in my heart a still diviner law
Than Israelís leader on his tables saw!
Here let me strive with each besetting sin,
Recall my wandering fancies, and restrain
The sore disquiet of a restless brain;
And, as the path of duty is made plain,
May grace be given that I may walk therein,
Not like the hireling, for his selfish gain,
With backward glance and reluctant tread,
Making a merit of his coward dread,
But, Cheerful, in the light around me thrown,
Walking as one to pleasant service led;
Doing Godís will as if it were my own,
Yet trusting not in mine, but in His strength alone!

The Journal of George Fox

Continued from November

While I was in prison here, the Baptists and Fifth-monarchy men prophesied that this year Christ should come, and reign upon earth a thousand years. And they looked upon this reign to be outward: when He was come inwardly in the hearts of His people, to reign and rule; where these professors would not receive Him. So they failed in their prophecy and expectation, and had not the possession of Him. But Christ is come, and doth dwell and reign in the hearts of His people. Thousands, at the door of whose hearts He hath been knocking have opened to Him, and He is come in, and doth sup with them, and they with Him; the heavenly supper with the heavenly and spiritual man. So many of these Baptists and Monarchy-people turned the greatest enemies to the followers of Christ; but He reigns in the hearts of His saints over all their envy.

At the assize diverse justices came to us, and were pretty civil, and reasoned of the things of God soberly; expressing a pity to us. Captain Fox, governor of Pendennis Castle, came and looked me in the face, and said never a word; but went to his company and told them he never saw a simpler man in his life. I called after him, and said, ìStay, man; we will see who is the simpler man.î But he went his way. A light, chaffy person.

Thomas Lower also came to visit us, and offered us money, which we refused; accepting nevertheless of his love. He asked us many questions concerning our denying the Scriptures to be the Word of God; concerning the sacraments, and such like: to all which he received satisfaction. I spoke particularly to him; and he afterwards said my words were as a flash of lightning, they ran so through him. He said he had never met with such men in his life, for they knew the thoughts of his heart; and were as the wise master-builders of the assemblies that fastened their words like nails. He came to be convinced of the truth, and remains a Friend to this day.

Among Friends

Mike and Ruth Podolin have returned from Australia and environs.

Nancy Wogan sends word of the birth of a grandson, Aiden Parr Wogan, born October 25, 2001 to her son James and his wife Leslie.

Born 10.01.01, the ìDigital Twins,î Elizabeth Rose and Benjamin George to Mary and William J. Mason, Jr. Bill Mason is the proud grandfather.

Maureen Brookes was named a commended student
in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Maureen attends Haddonfield Memorial High School.

From Lyle Tatumó
A few weeks ago, 40 persons at Haddonfield Meeting for Worship signed a statement urging that Paul Mosley, a member of the Meeting, be freed from Ancora Hospital. On October 26th, Paul was freed from Ancora and all of the irregularities.

It would be nice if some Friends would send a note to Paul. He is now living in Syracuse, NY with relatives and will soon be continuing with his education.
Paulís address is: 5333 Columbus Ave., Syracuse,
New York 13210