If you are interested in participating in any of the activities a - g listed below, please call Erica P. with your contact information or where specified contact the contact person specified for the group:
a) Spiritual Friendships: groups of 2 or 3 people meeting once every 2 – 3 weeks to share about what is going on in their lives, from a spiritual perspective.
b) Poetry and other writing as a spiritual practice: – meeting monthly, sharing briefly from our recent writing and reflecting on its impact in our spiritual journeys
c) Friendly Bible Study: meeting 2 – 3 times per month, reading 4-6 verses together, responding meditatively in writing to 5 questions, then speaking to them in a worship-sharing format. The questions addressed are:
• the author’s main point,
• new light we receive from the passage,
• the relationship of the passage to the truth of our experience,
• the passage’s implications for our lives, and
• questions or problems we have with the passage.
We will be beginning with the Letter of James. First meeting will be on
Sunday, Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m., Stout Meetinghouse
d) Mysticism, Practice, Etc. Group- In the process of being formed and defining its practice:
e) Women’s Spirituality Group- Meets monthly in participants’ homes. There is usually a brief check-in (how are we doing) followed by a discussion or experiential activity on topics such as play, poetry, childhood spiritual experiences, and personal heroines. These are suggested the month before by those attending.
f) Book Discussion Group – Meets monthly, usually on Sunday evening of Monthly Meeting, at Friends Fellowship Community Solarium Room. (Rides available from College Avenue). Participants pick the books for the next few months. Books have been non-fiction (Three Cups of Tea), poetry (Thirst by Mary Oliver), and fiction and science fiction (Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury). Contact Dan or Jan S.
g) Singing after Meeting – Friends gather around the piano in the Meeting Room and sing Friendly hymns from the hymnals stored in the hallway. Those participating suggest favorites they would like to sing that week. Contact Gwen H.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Open Arms Initiative
Below is an article on Open Arms, a faith-based resource sharing cooperative in Richmond. The article appeared in the Friendly Visitor, the newsletter of West Richmond Friends Meeting, and was written by their Pastor. Nancy F. is the Clear Creek representative to the Open Arms resource sharing cooperative.
“Something’s Happening. . .
About 6 or 8 months ago, I (Josh Brown) had a phone call from Wayne Copenhaver over at First Friends Meeting. Often when we get calls from people in the community who need help, Wayne and I work together to try to meet those needs.
Wayne shared a concern which I’ve felt for a long time – so many of the needs we hear about are too big for one congregation, or even for two or three congregations, to handle.
The requests are endless – for food, for emergency housing, for help with utility bills or prescriptions, for car repairs, for rides, for all of the things which everyone needs. As the economy has gotten tighter, churches and service organizations in our area have had record-breaking numbers of requests.
The other thing which we saw, is that poor people often spend dozens of hours trudging from one office to another, making phone calls on borrowed phones, being told at one place or another why they don’t qualify for this program or why the funds are all gone for that program.
Out of these two needs – the limited resources of churches, and the endless, discouraging search for help – something new is being born.
Wayne asked me to meet with representatives from other churches and service organizations, to see if we could set up some kind of a clearinghouse, where resources and needs can be brought together.
Several proposals of this kind have been tried and failed over the years. But we’ve met half a dozen times this summer and fall, and this time it looks as though we might just get things off the ground.
The clearinghouse is going to be called Open Arms – a name which suggests both the open arms of God’s love, and also that we want to welcome people with open arms, rather than turning them away.
The purpose statement of Open Arms says, “Open Arms Ministries is a faith-based coalition which provides a clearinghouse for ministries serving our area in the name of God, with the intent that needs are met and that lives are transformed.”
Open Arms will receive need requests either in person at an office in downtown Richmond or over the phone. Volunteers will check the validity of requests, and refer people to the appropriate place where they can receive help.
Our plan is to work with existing services, and not shut down any services which are meeting a need. We will encourage the formation of new ministries, while not duplicating services already provided by secular service organizations or government programs.
Each church or participating organization will have one representative on the board. Each church must also agree to support Open Arms financially or in kind, and help recruit volunteers to staff the clearinghouse. Volunteers will also come from places like the Earlham Volunteer Exchange, Retired Senior Volunteers Project, service clubs and organizations. Participating churches and organizations will provide and update an inventory of resources and services which it wants to make available through Open Arms.
In a major step, First Friends has agreed to pay the salary for a part-time coordinator for up to 2 years. The coordinator will supervise the recruitment and training of volunteers, oversee grant writing, maintain the database and report to an Executive Committee. We are looking for office space downtown, and the United Way has already donated computers for the office. You can expect to hear more about this exciting new project in months to come. Please pray for our success, and ask how you can help!
“Something’s Happening. . .
About 6 or 8 months ago, I (Josh Brown) had a phone call from Wayne Copenhaver over at First Friends Meeting. Often when we get calls from people in the community who need help, Wayne and I work together to try to meet those needs.
Wayne shared a concern which I’ve felt for a long time – so many of the needs we hear about are too big for one congregation, or even for two or three congregations, to handle.
The requests are endless – for food, for emergency housing, for help with utility bills or prescriptions, for car repairs, for rides, for all of the things which everyone needs. As the economy has gotten tighter, churches and service organizations in our area have had record-breaking numbers of requests.
The other thing which we saw, is that poor people often spend dozens of hours trudging from one office to another, making phone calls on borrowed phones, being told at one place or another why they don’t qualify for this program or why the funds are all gone for that program.
Out of these two needs – the limited resources of churches, and the endless, discouraging search for help – something new is being born.
Wayne asked me to meet with representatives from other churches and service organizations, to see if we could set up some kind of a clearinghouse, where resources and needs can be brought together.
Several proposals of this kind have been tried and failed over the years. But we’ve met half a dozen times this summer and fall, and this time it looks as though we might just get things off the ground.
The clearinghouse is going to be called Open Arms – a name which suggests both the open arms of God’s love, and also that we want to welcome people with open arms, rather than turning them away.
The purpose statement of Open Arms says, “Open Arms Ministries is a faith-based coalition which provides a clearinghouse for ministries serving our area in the name of God, with the intent that needs are met and that lives are transformed.”
Open Arms will receive need requests either in person at an office in downtown Richmond or over the phone. Volunteers will check the validity of requests, and refer people to the appropriate place where they can receive help.
Our plan is to work with existing services, and not shut down any services which are meeting a need. We will encourage the formation of new ministries, while not duplicating services already provided by secular service organizations or government programs.
Each church or participating organization will have one representative on the board. Each church must also agree to support Open Arms financially or in kind, and help recruit volunteers to staff the clearinghouse. Volunteers will also come from places like the Earlham Volunteer Exchange, Retired Senior Volunteers Project, service clubs and organizations. Participating churches and organizations will provide and update an inventory of resources and services which it wants to make available through Open Arms.
In a major step, First Friends has agreed to pay the salary for a part-time coordinator for up to 2 years. The coordinator will supervise the recruitment and training of volunteers, oversee grant writing, maintain the database and report to an Executive Committee. We are looking for office space downtown, and the United Way has already donated computers for the office. You can expect to hear more about this exciting new project in months to come. Please pray for our success, and ask how you can help!
October Business Meeting highlights
1. The meeting opened with a period of silent worship. Nine Friends were present. The clerk read the Queries for the tenth month and Friends reflected on the simplicity of silence.
2. Treasurer’s report: Income for the ninth month was $4000 and expenses were $1642.This income was sufficient for us to meet the budget this fiscal year. However, because the budget was tight, not all the money budgeted for donations to local organizations was sent. Now that we ended the year with a surplus, Meeting approved sending $850 to these organizations. The proposed budget for 2008/2009 was presented and discussed and some changes were made. A revised budget will be brought next month for final approval.
3. M&O report: A membership clearness committee for Joel R. has been appointed and will meet with him later this afternoon. The committee also recommended, and Meeting approved, having Marya B. combine her computer line with the Meeting phone line to save money. We received a letter from Jennie I. saying that she is requesting a membership transfer from Roanoke Monthly Meeting to Clear Creek Monthly Meeting.
4. Report on the joint Quarterly Meeting at Happy Hollow: Business items included subsidies for younger children to attend Joint Quarterly, as is already done for teens. Rex S. is stepping down as clerk of Whitewater Quarter. That position, as well as recording clerk and budget committee, need to be filled. Contact Gwen H. if you are interested in serving. There was also discussion of Irvington Friends Meeting’s request to consider the issue of inclusion of programmed Meetings in OVYM. There was a feeling that proper order was not followed in this process. It was recommended that Monthly Meetings consider this again and respond to Quarterly Meeting by the April gathering. Clear Creek will host Quarterly Meeting again on Oct 17, 2009. There was also discussion of the role of Quarterly Meeting in Friends process and we may want to revisit this issue.
5. Clerk presented a report concerning the Discipline Revision committee. We need to consider issues related to dual membership of Friends in more than one religious organization. This may also relate to the Irvington Friends issue.
6. Clerk reported on a project to revise a pamphlet on Quakers in Wayne County. We are being asked to contribute $200-300 toward the costs of printing and would receive 500 pamphlets. Meeting approved adding this cost to the Newsletter/brochure line in the proposed budget.
7. Newell P. reported on a proposed cabinet for the Wymondham room that could be used to store Meeting stuff. Meeting approved moving ahead with this to determine if it can be funded by the Earlham donor.
8. The minutes were read and approved.
9. Meeting closed with a brief period of waiting worship.
2. Treasurer’s report: Income for the ninth month was $4000 and expenses were $1642.This income was sufficient for us to meet the budget this fiscal year. However, because the budget was tight, not all the money budgeted for donations to local organizations was sent. Now that we ended the year with a surplus, Meeting approved sending $850 to these organizations. The proposed budget for 2008/2009 was presented and discussed and some changes were made. A revised budget will be brought next month for final approval.
3. M&O report: A membership clearness committee for Joel R. has been appointed and will meet with him later this afternoon. The committee also recommended, and Meeting approved, having Marya B. combine her computer line with the Meeting phone line to save money. We received a letter from Jennie I. saying that she is requesting a membership transfer from Roanoke Monthly Meeting to Clear Creek Monthly Meeting.
4. Report on the joint Quarterly Meeting at Happy Hollow: Business items included subsidies for younger children to attend Joint Quarterly, as is already done for teens. Rex S. is stepping down as clerk of Whitewater Quarter. That position, as well as recording clerk and budget committee, need to be filled. Contact Gwen H. if you are interested in serving. There was also discussion of Irvington Friends Meeting’s request to consider the issue of inclusion of programmed Meetings in OVYM. There was a feeling that proper order was not followed in this process. It was recommended that Monthly Meetings consider this again and respond to Quarterly Meeting by the April gathering. Clear Creek will host Quarterly Meeting again on Oct 17, 2009. There was also discussion of the role of Quarterly Meeting in Friends process and we may want to revisit this issue.
5. Clerk presented a report concerning the Discipline Revision committee. We need to consider issues related to dual membership of Friends in more than one religious organization. This may also relate to the Irvington Friends issue.
6. Clerk reported on a project to revise a pamphlet on Quakers in Wayne County. We are being asked to contribute $200-300 toward the costs of printing and would receive 500 pamphlets. Meeting approved adding this cost to the Newsletter/brochure line in the proposed budget.
7. Newell P. reported on a proposed cabinet for the Wymondham room that could be used to store Meeting stuff. Meeting approved moving ahead with this to determine if it can be funded by the Earlham donor.
8. The minutes were read and approved.
9. Meeting closed with a brief period of waiting worship.
September Business Meeting Highlights
1. The meeting opened with a period of silent worship. Fourteen Friends were present. The clerk read the Queries for the ninth month and Friends reflected on how we conduct our Meetings for Business.
2. Treasurer’s report: Income for the eighth month was $941 and expenses were $306. The end of our fiscal year is the end of this month. Donations of about $3000 are needed in order to meet our budget for this year.
3. M&O: We received a membership transfer letter for Jane S. from Adelphi Monthly Meeting to Clear Creek Monthly Meeting. M&O recommended accepting this transfer and Meeting enthusiastically approved it. A welcoming committee was formed. The committee also discussed issues related to remodeling of the Quiet room. The primary issue is creation of a locked storage cabinet in the Wymondham room for Meeting stuff. Ideas were discussed for this design and Meeting approved having M&O move forward with these plans.
4. Rereading of the intentionality proposal that was brought 2 months ago: Since then we have had a large number of student attenders and several new interest groups are forming. We want to maintain this new energy and not become complacent. We will make this a regular agenda item for business meeting each month so we can check in with what is happening.
5. The Clerk read a letter from Joel R. requesting membership in the Meeting. This will be forwarded to M&O for further consideration.
6. Children’s Religious Education committee report: First day school started last week and is off to a good start. A new child care person has been hired. The convener also reported on the FGC Religious Educators conference that she attended last month. It was an enjoyable and educational experience. She learned about a new style of religious education called “Faith and Play” as well as “Quaker Quest” and various other things.
7. Report on the Dayton Peace festival on Sept 21st, 1-6 pm at Courthouse Square in Dayton, as well as other activities through the Dayton Peace Museum.
8. Report presented on a resource sharing coalition that is being developed among local churches. The idea is to share resources such as food pantries, benevolent funds, etc. Meeting approved supporting this effort and their mission statement.
9. We received an offer from a community member to lead workshops or worship sharing on earthcare issues. Peace and Social concerns will contact College Meeting and the Richmond Church of the Brethren concerning scheduling an event.
10. The minutes were read and approved.
11. Meeting closed with a brief period of waiting worship.
2. Treasurer’s report: Income for the eighth month was $941 and expenses were $306. The end of our fiscal year is the end of this month. Donations of about $3000 are needed in order to meet our budget for this year.
3. M&O: We received a membership transfer letter for Jane S. from Adelphi Monthly Meeting to Clear Creek Monthly Meeting. M&O recommended accepting this transfer and Meeting enthusiastically approved it. A welcoming committee was formed. The committee also discussed issues related to remodeling of the Quiet room. The primary issue is creation of a locked storage cabinet in the Wymondham room for Meeting stuff. Ideas were discussed for this design and Meeting approved having M&O move forward with these plans.
4. Rereading of the intentionality proposal that was brought 2 months ago: Since then we have had a large number of student attenders and several new interest groups are forming. We want to maintain this new energy and not become complacent. We will make this a regular agenda item for business meeting each month so we can check in with what is happening.
5. The Clerk read a letter from Joel R. requesting membership in the Meeting. This will be forwarded to M&O for further consideration.
6. Children’s Religious Education committee report: First day school started last week and is off to a good start. A new child care person has been hired. The convener also reported on the FGC Religious Educators conference that she attended last month. It was an enjoyable and educational experience. She learned about a new style of religious education called “Faith and Play” as well as “Quaker Quest” and various other things.
7. Report on the Dayton Peace festival on Sept 21st, 1-6 pm at Courthouse Square in Dayton, as well as other activities through the Dayton Peace Museum.
8. Report presented on a resource sharing coalition that is being developed among local churches. The idea is to share resources such as food pantries, benevolent funds, etc. Meeting approved supporting this effort and their mission statement.
9. We received an offer from a community member to lead workshops or worship sharing on earthcare issues. Peace and Social concerns will contact College Meeting and the Richmond Church of the Brethren concerning scheduling an event.
10. The minutes were read and approved.
11. Meeting closed with a brief period of waiting worship.
Query for October
From the OVYM Book Of Discipline:
Do you endeavor to live in harmony with nature, avoiding pollution and the destruction of our environment? What are you doing about your use of the world’s irreplaceable resources? Are you concerned for family and population planning so that future generations will be able to live on the resources available to them?
Simplicity:
It is urged that Friends be watchful to keep themselves free from self-indulgent habits, luxurious ways of living, and the bondage of fashion. This freedom is the first condition of vigor in all kinds of efforts, whether spiritual, intellectual or physical.
Undue luxury often creates a false sense of security, causes unnecessary burdens upon both ourselves and others, and leads to the neglect of the spiritual life.
By observing and encouraging simple tastes in apparel, furniture, buildings and manner of living, we help to do away with unwholesome rivalry. True simplicity consists not in the use of particular forms, but in foregoing overindulgence, in maintaining humility of spirit, and in keeping the material surroundings of our lives directly serviceable to necessary ends, even though these surroundings may properly be characterized by grace, symmetry and beauty.
Do you endeavor to live in harmony with nature, avoiding pollution and the destruction of our environment? What are you doing about your use of the world’s irreplaceable resources? Are you concerned for family and population planning so that future generations will be able to live on the resources available to them?
Simplicity:
It is urged that Friends be watchful to keep themselves free from self-indulgent habits, luxurious ways of living, and the bondage of fashion. This freedom is the first condition of vigor in all kinds of efforts, whether spiritual, intellectual or physical.
Undue luxury often creates a false sense of security, causes unnecessary burdens upon both ourselves and others, and leads to the neglect of the spiritual life.
By observing and encouraging simple tastes in apparel, furniture, buildings and manner of living, we help to do away with unwholesome rivalry. True simplicity consists not in the use of particular forms, but in foregoing overindulgence, in maintaining humility of spirit, and in keeping the material surroundings of our lives directly serviceable to necessary ends, even though these surroundings may properly be characterized by grace, symmetry and beauty.
Technical glitches
Due to a hard-drive crash last month, the September issue of the newsletter did not get out, so I have been unable to post its contents to this blog. We will post the minutes from Business Meeting for September, and then resume regular posting with October's newsletter. Thanks for your understanding!
Todd Vandenbark
Assistant Newsletter Editor & computer geek
Todd Vandenbark
Assistant Newsletter Editor & computer geek
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