Yearly Meeting
#33 of Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association
SAYMA'03_()_.wpd
June 6, 2003 -
Sixth Day (Friday) 9:30 am
1. Opening
After a period of worship,
John Geary, assistant clerk, welcomed Friends. He explained that Clerk Sharon
Annis was recovering from surgery and asked that Friends hold her in the light.
2. Introduction of Visitors
The clerk introduced the
following visitors and asked that Friends welcome them:
Nils Pearson and Barbara
Hirschkowitz, Friends General Conference
Rosa Packard, Friends Peace Teams
Chuck Fager, Quaker House
Amanda Thompson, Friends World
Committee on Consultation
Ruth Seely, American Friends Service
Committee
Errol Hess, William Penn House
Rebekah Rojcewicz, Junior Yearly
Meeting Head Teacher
3. Roll Call and Census Report
Administrative
Assistant Mary Calhoun read the roll of meetings and worship groups. The
following were represented at the beginning of this session:
A
list of yearly meeting attenders is included as Appendix A. Separate lists are
not included for particular yearly meeting sessions. State of the Meeting
reports are included as Appendix B.
Mary
Calhoun presented a report from the 2002 census. The census report is attached
in Appendix C.
4. Epistle Committee
The clerk asked for volunteers
for the epistle committee. Barbara Esther, Peter Buck and Edie Patrick
volunteered.
5. Nominating Committee
Penelope Wright, clerk of
the Nominating Committee, presented the committee's preliminary report. She
began by expressing gratitude to those whose terms of office are completed and
who are stepping down.
She
brought forward the following names of Friends who have agreed to serve in the
positions listed through the year listed:
Clerk, Sharon Annis, 2004
Assistant Clerk and Personnel Committee
Clerk, Kristi Estes, 2005
Ecological Concerns Network
Co-Clerk, Susan Carlyle, 2005
Ecological Concerns Network
Co-Clerk, Kathy Johnson, 2004
Faith and Practice Revision
Committee Member, Nancy Beecher, Indefinite
Finance Committee Clerk, Chris Berg,
2005
Finance Committee Member, Dick
Houghton, 2005
Nominating Committee Clerk, Penelope
Wright, 2004
Nominating Committee Member, Perry
Treadwell, 2004
Nominating Committee Member, Jane
Goldthwait, 2004
SAYF Steering Committee Member,
Chris Duke, 2005
Local Arrangements, Bob Welch, 2004
AFSC Corporation Representative,
Sallie Prugh, 2005
AFSC Corporation Representative,
Carol Lamm, 2005
AFSC-SERO, Debra Johnson, 2005
A
complete list of positions of responsibility, the individuals serving in them
and their terms as of the end of Yearly Meeting 2003 is included in Appendix C.
Penelope
Wright reviewed the question of the position of web manager. Kendall Ivie
originally volunteered to set up the web site and carried the responsibility
for some time but is unable to continue. Tim Lamm has stepped forward to
maintain the site for the coming year. Over the longer term, the question is
whether the web manager might need to be a paid position. If it is a paid
position, the position would come under the purview of the personnel committee;
if it is a gift-filled position, it will come under the nominating committee. A
Friend raised the issue of whether the web site is actually needed. Other
Friends spoke to the importance of the site, but that it is only as useful as
it is up-to-date and accurate. Barbara Esther presented a draft description of
the position developed by the handbook committee, which initially raised the
issue of the need for a web manager position.
Friends
approved Tim Lamm to serve as the web manager through 2004, with Ceal Wutka and
Kendall Ivie (if available) as an ad hoc oversight committee with Chris Berg of
the finance committee as an advisor if needed. The ad hoc oversight committee
will come forward with a recommendation about the continuation of this
position.
Penelope
Wright reported that the nominating committee has been unable to find Friends
to take leadership of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee established by
Yearly Meeting 2002. In the light of this difficulty, the Nominating Committee
presented a proposal that the Peace and Social Concerns Committee be comprised
of SAYMA's representatives to American Friends Service Committee, Friends
Committee on National Legislation, Friends Committee on Unity with Nature, Friends
Peace Teams, Right Sharing of World Resources and Quaker House. This proposal
will be considered further at the Saturday business meeting session.
The
Nominating Committee asked that the yearly meeting reconsider the issue of the
location of yearly meeting. For many years SAYMA has had a goal of alternating
the location of yearly meeting east and west of the mountains. The Nominating
Committee has had the responsibility of identifying a site selection committee
to find sites west of the
Penelope
Wright reviewed the positions still to be filled and asked Friends to bring to
the nominating committee the names of possible candidates.
6. Logo Committee
Carol Lamm reported for the ad
hoc logo committee. The committee hopes to bring forward a recommended design
for consideration at September representative meeting. Friends who wish to help
with the development of the logo were invited to participate in a Saturday
evening meeting with the committee.
7. Ecological Concerns Network
Susan Carlyle presented the
report of the Ecological Concerns Network. The report is attached in Appendix
C.
In
response to a question about the rationale for a second representative to
Friends Committee on Unity with Nature, several points were made. This yearly
meeting has a strong ecological witness and could share this strength with
FCUN. Having a second representative would allow more continuity through
staggered terms. The appointment of a second representative would amplify
SAYMA's strong concerns on these critical issues. The Ecological Concerns
Network has identified a Friend who is willing to serve as a second FCUN
member.
Chris
Berg, clerk of the finance committee, reported that the yearly meeting has
somewhat, though not greatly, overspent this year's budget for wider Quaker
organization representatives. A concern was raised about adding a new position
when we are having difficulty filling positions to which we are already
committed. Other Friends spoke to the non-interchangeability of positions, that
is, that a vacancy in one position cannot necessarily be filled by a Friend
with gifts for another position. Several Friends spoke to the importance of
funding any position to which we appoint a representative.
Friends
did not reach unity on the appointment of a second representative to FCUN at
this time. The matter will be considered at a later time.
A
Friend spoke to the importance of Friends traveling on ecological concerns
receiving the kind of support traditionally given to Friends traveling in the
ministry, such as prayerful oversight.
8. Handbook Committee
Barbara Esther presented the
following report for the ad hoc handbook committee:
The committee has only met, in its entirety, once
this past year. (I was brand new to it in December of 2002.) As a first step,
we undertook to get suggestions for changes in job descriptions from various
Friends who had recent experience in SAYMA. Perhaps half of these Friends have
responded to date. Our thanks go to all who did so. Our goal was to put a more
recently updated version of the job descriptions in the hands of every officer
and committee member or representative this weekend, to make clear information
regarding the yearly meeting's expectations of those who undertake the real
work of SAYMA, both for use while serving and as a tool for recruitment.
Our April meeting was not fully attended. That
combined with the incomplete responses to the job description revision requests
has caused a delay in our work. As we are able, we will send various officers
and representatives descriptions as working drafts. No plan is currently
entertained to print the handbook in full for each officer or representative.
Instead, we would like to have it posted on the yearly meeting web site for any
interested with only a few copies made on paper and requests for sections made
available through the SAYMA office for Friends not using the Internet. The
fluid nature of the handbook (it will change as SAYMA's work changes) and the
fact that each person needs only a small portion of the handbook, led us to
recommend that course of action.
The second half of our work this past year was that
of formulating questions regarding the experience of each officer stepping down
from an appointment. We hope to glean information to check against the existing
descriptions for accuracy. This, too, will depend upon responses. The handbook
will only be of service if it reflects current practices.
At the April Representative Meeting the Ad Hoc Handbook
Committee requested that the yearly meeting appoint or hire a web manager. I
submit the following general description of the position, with details being
left to those actually carrying out the work. We have been very fortunate to
have had Kendall Ivie and Tim Lamm offer to work on the web site without having
been appointed. Their gifts and time have made us aware of the need for a
position within the yearly meeting structure.
The web manager of Southern
Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association will add material approved for
posting during yearly meeting business meetings to the web site and will keep
current postings that are time-sensitive for Friends. Our web site will be
maintained as a source of information for all those interested. A committee
will provide oversight and assistance in carrying out the work of the web
manager.
9. Quaker House
Chuck Fager, director of
Quaker House in
10. Additional Members and Visitors
The clerk asked Friends from
meetings not represented at the opening of the meeting to stand. The following
meetings and worship groups were recognized as being present: Anneewakee Creek,
The
clerk also welcomed several visitors from outside SAYMA who had not yet been
introduced:
Lloyd Lee Wilson,
Mike
Nancy Gideon Clark,
Tom Munk,
The
morning session closed with a period of worship.
June 6, 2003 - Sixth Day (Friday) 2:30 pm
The
afternoon session opened with a period of worship.
11. Budget
Chris Berg, clerk of the
Finance Committee, presented comparative balance sheets for the past several
years. A copy is attached in Appendix C as “SAYMA End of Fiscal Year Account
Balances Report.” He explained that SAYMA has deliberately reduced its cash
balance over the past several years by running a deficit budget. However, the
yearly meeting is getting close to the target cash balance of $10,000.
Chris
Berg presented a budget for expenditures. If the current assessment is
maintained, these expenditures would result in a deficit of about $13,000. The
finance committee has not yet determined whether to recommend an increase in
the assessment to reduce this deficit. Chris invited Friends to address
questions to the committee as they continue their work at this yearly meeting
in preparation for further consideration of the budget.
12. Faith and Practice
Geeta McGahey presented the
report of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee. The report is attached in
Appendix C.
Friends
turned to consideration of the revisions of the Introduction and Part One:
Continuing Quaker History presented by the committee. Several Friends spoke to
the importance of monthly meeting consideration of all changes to SAYMA's Guide
to Our Faith and Our Practice,
with various individuals pointing out the attention required by monthly
meetings and by the revision committee to this process.
Friends
approved the changes as proposed by the committee with one friendly amendment.
The approved version is attached in Appendix C.
13. Newsletter
Kim Carlyle, co-editor with
Susan Carlyle of the Southern Appalachian Friend newsletter, presented the editors' report. The report is attached in
Appendix C.
14.
The clerk read a letter from
Oxford Monthly Meeting requesting membership in SAYMA. The letter is attached
in Appendix C. Kristi Estes of Memphis explained how Oxford Friends worked with
Memphis Friends Meeting, following the process outlined in Faith and Practice to move from being a worship group through
preparative meeting status to becoming a monthly meeting.
A
concern was raised about extending SAYMA's boundaries beyond a workable
geographic area. A suggestion was made that a quarterly meeting system could
address the difficulty of travel and foster ongoing communication about yearly
meeting issues.
Friends
united in welcoming Oxford Monthly Meeting as a member monthly meeting of
SAYMA. We hope to send a delegation to visit and welcome Oxford Friends as
SAYMA members.
15. Ministry and Nurture
Kathy Burke presented a
report for the Ministry and Nurture Committee. The report is attached in
Appendix C.
16. Personnel Committee
As clerk of the Personnel
Committee, John Geary presented the following report:
The Personnel Committee meets during every
representative meeting of SAYMA. Discussion this year centered around SAYMA's
administrative assistant's job description and duties. The committee reviewed
job descriptions from two yearly meetings, Baltimore Yearly Meeting and New
England Yearly Meeting. Drafting of a comprehensive job description by members
of the committee is in progress. Some form of performance evaluation will be
required for merit increases. This would be in addition to cost-of-living
adjustments. The job description of the SAYF administrative assistant is
current but may need revision in the near future. It was noted that the SAYF
administrative assistant has also taken on the responsibility of treasurer of
SAYF. Time sheets for both positions should be consistent and simple. The
problem of health benefits was considered.
Models for pay raises were reviewed but no decision
was made. The committee agreed that the preparation of the payroll should be
outsourced to an accountant to relieve the SAYMA treasurer of this
responsibility.
Since no comprehensive performance evaluation method
exists at this time, the committee decided not to give merit increases. The
committee did submit a cost-of-living adjustment and health benefit increase to
the Finance Committee.
17. SAYF Steering Committee
Dick Houghton presented a
report from the SAYF Steering Committee. The report is attached in Appendix C.
18. Site Selection Committee
Larry Ingle reviewed the
history of SAYMA's attempts to find a site west of the mountains. Eight or ten
years ago SAYMA set the goal of alternating two years on the east of the mountains
and two years on the west. Attempts over these years to find an affordable site
west of the mountains have not been successful. It is possible that
Friends
approved meeting at
19. Friends Peace Teams
Rosa Packard of Friends
Peace Teams expressed her gratitude for the blessings she has received through
visiting among us. Friends Peace Teams encourages participation of Friends in
peace teams, both Quaker-sponsored and others, through small grants and
encouraging monthly meetings to support such work through the traditions of
gospel order.
Friends
Peace Teams is asking monthly meetings to explore the meanings and
possibilities of the challenge of "Every Meeting a Peace Center," a
challenge brought to us by Elise Boulding and Mary Lord, the first co-clerks of
Friends Peace Teams. Rosa Packard referred to a set of queries around
conscientious objection for monthly meetings to consider and invited Friends to
discern whether they are led to work in this area as a peace team project.
20. American Friends Service Committee Southeast Region
Debra Johnson, one of
SAYMA's representatives to the American Friends Service Committee Southeast
Region (AFSC-SERO), presented highlights of her report. The full report is
attached in Appendix D. Three staff members were present at SAYMA, available to
talk with Friends about their work: Samir Moukaddam with the
21. Friends Committee in Unity with Nature
Kim Carlyle, SAYMA
representative to Friends Committee on Unity with Nature, presented highlights
of his report. The full report is attached in Appendix D.
22. Quaker House
Dick Houghton presented a
report from Geoff Pratt of Nashville Monthly Meeting, SAYMA's representative to
Quaker House. The report is attached in Appendix D.
23. Compact Fluorescent Bulb Project
Susan Carlyle reported the following
results from the Ecological Concerns Network's project to encourage SAYMA
Friends to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact
fluorescent bulbs. Friends reported installing 163 new compact fluorescent
bulbs. Conservatively estimated, these light bulbs will result in a reduction
of 475 pounds of sulfur dioxide (which contributes to haze and acid rain); 258
pounds of nitrogen oxides (which depletes the ozone layer and contributes to
acid rain); and 69,989 pounds of carbon dioxide (the leading "greenhouse
gas") in the atmosphere.
The
afternoon session closed with a period of worship.
June 7, 2003 - Seventh Day (Saturday) 9:30 am
The
meeting began with a period of worship.
24. Nominating Committee
Penelope Wright, clerk of
the Nominating Committee, spoke of her joy and gratitude in being able to bring
forward an almost complete slate for the positions that were unfilled
yesterday. The names brought forward and the years in which the terms will end
are:
Treasurer, David Ciscel, 2005
Recording Clerk, Lee Ann Swarm, 2005
Faith and Practice Revision
Committee Member, Errol Hess, indefinite
Nominating Committee Member, Errol
Hess, 2005
Personnel Committee Member, Judy
Prince, 2005
Personnel Committee Member, Lee Ann
Swarm, 2005
SAYF Oversight Committee Member,
Cathi Watkins, 2005
SAYF Steering Committee Member,
Jeremiah Gold-Hopton, 2005
Workshop Coordinator, Ellen Johnson,
2005
Co-Registrar, Beth Myers, 2005
Co-Registrar, Barbara Conant, 2005
AFSC Corporation Alternate, Barbara
Esther, 2005
AFSC Corporation Alternate, Colin
Sukioga, 2005
AFSC-SERO, Hector Black, 2004
Friends
approved these appointments. A complete list of positions of responsibility,
the individuals serving in them and their terms as of the end of Yearly Meeting
2003 is included in Appendix C.
The
committee is awaiting further information on a Friends World Committee for
Consultation position.
Larry
and Becky Ingle offered to serve a two-year term on the Site Selection
Committee. Friends gratefully accepted this offer asked the Site Selection
Committee to work with the Handbook Committee to develop a description of the
criteria needed and the committee's role in site selection. Dick Houghton
offered to assist the Site Selection Committee in exploring a site in
Friends
returned to the question of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee. As
reported yesterday, the Nominating Committee has been unable to identify
Friends led to serve as clerk and assistant clerk for the committee.
Friends
considered factors that may have contributed to the difficulty of finding
leadership for the committee. Friends reconsidered the purpose of the committee
and considered a variety of options for changing the committee's charge and
structure. Friends also considered alternative ways of meeting the needs for
which the committee was formed.
Friends
agreed to relieve the Nominating Committee of the responsibility of continuing
to search for leadership for the Peace and Social Concerns Committee for the
current term. However, if Friends come forward, the Nominating Committee will
consider their offer.
Friends
agreed that over the course of the coming year, the charge of the Peace and
Social Concerns Committee will be revisited by an ad hoc committee. The ad hoc
committee will communicate with monthly meetings in revisiting the charge. The
clerk appointed Steve Livingston, convener, Anne Welsh and Dennis Gregg.
Penelope Wright will serve as a corresponding member.
Penelope
Wright reported that the matter of whether the Junior Yearly Meeting
coordinator should be a paid or gift-filled position in the future is still
under consideration. A recommendation from the Ad Hoc Junior Yearly Meeting
Committee will be forthcoming at September Representative Meeting. Friends who
are under the weight of a concern on this topic are encouraged to contact Clerk
Sharon Annis before the September meeting.
25. Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Kendall Ivie
presented the following report:
SAYMA currently has $12,213 in available funds plus
$8,244 in dedicated funds. See the Account Balances Report for details.
For the fiscal 2003 year to date SAYMA has income of
$63,365 and expenses of $67,717 leaving a net loss of $4,352. Details of income
and expense to date are included in the FY2004 Proposed Budget.
The Treasurer has two requests:
1) that
reimbursement requests be submitted in a timely manner,
2) that
assessments be sent in quarterly.
The
treasurer reviewed the comparative balance sheet showing FY 2000 forward. He
also presented a year-to-date budget report showing actual vs. budgeted
expenses. Copies of both appear in Appendix C.
26. Finance Committee
Chris Berg, clerk, reported
that the Finance Committee has on its ongoing agenda: setting up payroll tasks
with an outside vendor; liability insurance; and gingerly approaching the
possibility of applying for 501(c)3 status with the IRS.
After
consideration, the Finance Committee did not recommend a change in the
assessment for the coming year. A question arose about whether the Finance
Committee had considered an increase in wider Quaker organization contributions
to cover inflation. The committee had not given this issue consideration.
Friends were reminded that requests for budget additions should be submitted
before April Representative Meeting.
A
question was raised about the proposed contribution to Rural Southern Voice for
Peace. Friends asked that the Finance Committee, with the assistance of Celo
Friends, reconsider the contribution to RSVP and recommend to September
Representative Meeting a reallocation of some or all of the RSVP contribution
to a wider Quaker organization if appropriate.
A
Friend asked whether the budget could cover an additional FCUN representative.
The treasurer replied that the line for delegate travel has been increased from
$5350 to $6500, but it is difficult to forecast delegate expenses with
precision.
Friends
approved the budget as proposed by the Finance Committee, with no change in the
assessment of $55 per person.
27. Ad Hoc Committee for Advancement
Kristi Estes reported that
the Ad Hoc Committee for Advancement established by April 2003 Representative
Meeting is still in the process of formation. This committee's charge is
"to draft text that describes rightly ordered process for worship
group/monthly meeting relationships and the process for a monthly meeting
becoming a member of SAYMA." The committee is also charged "to review
the issue of the geographic boundaries of SAYMA."
28. Language
A visiting Friend suggested
that SAYMA Friends consider our use of terms in distinguishing between
positions of responsibility that are paid and unpaid. The use of the term
"gift-filled" may suggest that Friends who are paid are not using
their gifts. He suggested using the term "released Friend" to
describe the situation of Friends who are remunerated by the yearly meeting to
allow them to bring their gifts in service to the yearly meeting. They are
released from the need to support themselves financially by other work.
A
Friend pointed out that SAYMA has a Released Friend Fund for other purposes,
and that as we seek terms that express the truth we need to avoid confusion in
that direction.
29. Visit to
Friends who are led to
travel to
30. Faith and Practice Copies to Young Friends
Chris Berg announced that
the Faith and Practice Revision Committee is working with the Finance Committee
to provide copies of SAYMA's Guide to Our Faith and Our Practice to the participants in the Southern Appalachian
Young Friends group at this yearly meeting.
June 8, 2003 - First Day (Sunday) 9:30 am
The
meeting began with a period of worship.
31. Junior Yearly Meeting
Ron McDonald told how the
parable of the Good Shepherd, the theme of this year's Junior Yearly Meeting,
had been lived out in relationships among JYM participants this weekend.
Rebekah Rocjewicz, JYM lead teacher, led the children in sharing some of the
wisdom drawn from the stories of the Good Shepherd, the pearl of great value
and the mustard seed. The children sang a song full of images of the
32. Southern Appalachian Young Friends
Southern Appalachian Young
Friends presented the following epistle:
To begin the year and plan before the first retreat,
the Oversight, Nurturing and Steering committees met at Nichole Rennie’s house
in
The September retreat was held in
As per tradition, the October retreat was at
To the disappointment of Young Friends and FAPs
alike, the January retreat was snowed out. Although
The theme of the April retreat, which was at the
Friends gathered at
33. Young Adult Friends
Young Adult Friends
introduced themselves as they individually moved to the front of the room and
created a human pyramid. They reported that this yearly meeting has been a time
of building a structure for their group. They had their first meeting for
business ever; got up at 8:30 am; did worship sharing around embers of Quaker
tradition; talked about many, many topics; appointed a clerk and planning
committee; continued the tradition of welcoming new SAYF graduates by
“covertly” kidnaping them and helping them transition into the YAF community
through a game of wink, chatting and hanging out; and decided to build more
bridges between the YAF group and the wider yearly meeting.
34. Registrar's Report
Carol Gray, co-registrar,
presented the following report on numbers of participants:
2003 2002 2001
Total 260 233 248
JYM 23 13 18
SAYF 47 33 45
YAF 10 10 5
All MM & WG 36 36 33
Non-SAYMA MM&WG 8 6
35. Nominating Committee
Penelope Wright, clerk of
the Nominating Committee, expressed her joy in bringing forth the following
names, including two young adult friends, for service:
Nominating Committee Member, Trina Farmer, 2005
Yearly Meeting Planning Committee Member, Jonah McDonald,
2004
Faith and Practice Revision Committee, Barbara Esther,
indefinite
36. FCUN Representative
Friends continued their
consideration of the proposal to appoint a second representative from SAYMA to
the Friends Committee on Unity with Nature.
FCUN has requested two
representatives from each yearly meeting. FCUN has recently affiliated with
Friends Committee on National Legislation, which requires that its member
organizations have 50 percent of their governing bodies appointed by yearly
meetings. Friends spoke to the importance of SAYMA's witness on behalf of the
earth. Concern was expressed about the ongoing budgetary requirement. A Friend
spoke to the importance of monthly meeting work on issues related to the earth,
and that we not take the appointment of a second representative as a way to
avoid the hard work we all need to do.
Friends approved the
appointment of a second representative to FCUN.
Penelope Wright brought
forward the name of Alice Wald to serve as the second SAYMA representative to
FCUN. Friends approved.
37. Appreciation to
Recording Clerk
Friends minuted their
appreciation to Carol Lamm for her service as recording clerk.
38. Concern about Junior
Yearly Meeting
A Friend expressed a concern
about the use of a "hireling minister" in the junior yearly meeting
and asked that Friends seek among us for a Friend with the needed gifts.
39. Friends General
Conference
Penelope Wright, one of
SAYMA's two representatives to Friends General Conference, recognized Nils
Pearson, FGC visitor, and Barbara Hirschkowitz, FGC publications manager, who
have been among us this weekend. In addition to our second representative,
Julia Sibley Jones, Penelope called attention to other SAYMA Friends who also
serve FGC:
Sharon Annis, Central Committee
Mary Ann Downey, Friends Journal board
Priscilla Ewen, invited to Ministry and Nurture Committee
John Geary, Assistant Clerk, Publishing and Distribution
Tom Kenworthy, Development Committee
Perry Treadwell, Clerk, Long-Range Planning Committee
Robin Wells, invited to Religious Education Committee
Penelope Wright encouraged
Friends to support FGC financially as individuals and monthly meetings. She
modeled a hat with banners representing FGC programs and invited Friends to
learn about these many programs.
The report from our Friends
General Conference representatives is attached in Appendix D.
40. FCNL
Joe Taylor reported that at
the end of this month FCNL staff will be moving out of their building for its
renovation. About 75 per cent of the funds needed for this renovation have
already been raised. More money is needed; request letters will be coming to
Friends.
FCNL yard signs with the
message "War is not the answer" have had the effect of almost
doubling the number of people using FCNL as a resource. Joe has handled the
distribution of about 20,000 signs from
41. AFSC
Ruth Seely, AFSC associate
general secretary, spoke of her gratitude for the warm welcome she has experienced
from SAYMA Friends. AFSC appreciates SAYMA's financial contribution and also
the many contributions SAYMA makes through individuals who serve both through
AFSC-SERO and at the national level. An epistle from AFSC is attached in
Appendix C.
42. Friends for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns
Annie Black expressed her
gratitude for the opportunity to attend the FLGBTQC mid-winter gathering and
her willingness to serve SAYMA in any other way she can. She explained that the
group's new name reflects the importance to many Friends of having all the
various groups named. Her report is attached in Appendix D.
43. Right Sharing
of World Resources
Geeta McGahey shared some
excerpts of her full report on the Right Sharing of World Resources program,
which is attached in Appendix D. She is willing to travel to monthly meetings
and worship groups to share her experiences with RSWR. A video is available.
Kay Parke, who has been
involved with RSWR on a personal basis for many years, recalled the history of
the organization, which began as the "One Percent More Project." She
encouraged Friends to return to this vision of contributing one percent of
their income to projects in the developing world.
44. Friends World
Committee for Consultation
Rachel Weir reported that
Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the
45. Epistle
Barbara Esther presented the
epistle prepared by the Epistle Committee. Friends approved the following:
Loving Greetings to Friends
Everywhere,
The Southern Appalachian
Yearly Meeting and Association (SAYMA) returned for its 33rd annual gathering
to the beautifully wooded campus of
In our meetings for business
we wrestled with our yearly meeting's work: who has come forward to do the
work, what committees and support are needed to sustain the work and how do we
allocate the financial resources we are given to assist in that purpose.
Friends responded to the call to serve the yearly meeting positions in a spirit
of carrying forward God's work. As a witness to our concern for the Earth, many
documents were not copied in great number, but instead were posted for review,
saving the use of a great quantity of paper. We paused for times of worship,
food, lining up for ice cream, workshops, fellowship and holding in the Light
of remembrance. We welcomed a new monthly meeting,
Our children were provided
an opportunity to know and express their spirituality through stories and
queries with the guidance of Rebekah Rojcewicz, a leader in the Catechesis of
the Good Shepherd method of instruction. More than twenty children ages 3-12,
and several under three, participated, also hiking, swimming, boomeranging, and
playing together. A favorite spot for the children was an old-fashioned swing
under a spreading oak tree.
Two other age groups:
thirteen Young Adult Friends, or YAFs, and 45 Southern Appalachian Young
Friends (SAYF) switched among joining in adult/youth activities, separating for
their own programs and leading the yearly meeting talent show. Their part in
our annual gathering is always a joy and inspiration to both older and younger
Friends.
We go forth encouraged by
the knowledge that, like the tall redwood, our roots are long and entwined with
Friends who went before us and with our contemporaries. We ask for God's
guidance to strengthen and support us as we spread out across the southeastern
Barbara Esther will
translate the epistle into Spanish.
Friends expressed
appreciation to the epistle committee for its work.
46. Thanks to
Warren Wilson
Friends were reminded that
SAYMA met at
47. Appreciation to
Administrative Assistant.
Friends minuted their
appreciation to Mary Calhoun for her service as administrative assistant.
48. Approval of
minutes
Friends approved these
minutes throughout the course of the Yearly Meeting, subject to final editing
by the clerk and the recording clerk.
John Geary, Assistant Clerk Carol Lamm, Recording Clerk
(archive copy signed) (archive
copy signed)