March 3, 2019
In attendance: Isabelle Haines, Alex Haines-Stephan, Elisabeth Prenot, Buffy Curtis, Ami Corleto-Bales, David Corleto-Bales
The meeting started with a gathered silence.
An acknowledgement to the Oneida Indians and their stewardship of the land where the meeting house sits was given
The minutes from the February business meeting were read and approved with some corrections.
Treasurer’s Report by Alex Haines-Stephan:
a) The checking account: 653.46
b) The savings account: 2,819.21
c) Peaceweek: 758.65
d) Expenses for the month: i) 25.86 NYSEG, ii) 90.00 Mirabito, iii) 100.00 Mirabito pre-pay
e) Donations: +860,00
*It was clarified that any shortfalls in the checking account will be covered by the savings account, which kicks in automatically to cover any deficit.
*The treasurer researched different methods by which people could set up automatic donations through services such as PayPal or Venmo. It was found that no service operated without taking some of the money as a fee.
*Automatic bank transfers usually produce a paper check, that while generated automatically, is mailed to the meeting and must then be deposited in the bank.
*It was decided that the treasurer should set up a PayPal, which is free to set up.
**Minute 2019.03.1 – Friends approve creating a Pay Pal account in the Meeting’s name for the receiving of donations.**
Building and Grounds Report
On the subject of the mice in the meeting house, it was decided in an informal meeting that humane traps were not very humane if they could not be checked daily, and so it was decided that kill traps were the best option, and they will be set up.
Undocumented teenager from Clinton;
a) A high school student who is undocumented is living in Clinton with his brothers, and MVFM has been asked on his behalf for some assistance. Friends are invited to discern what support they can give to this family.
Queries to the New York Yearly Meeting;
a) Last year’s query summary was read.
b) There were some corrections and clarifications made in the notes from the query discussions from January and February.
c) It was approved that Buffy Curtis will summarize the notes and submit it to the yearly meeting.
There was a discussion about the wishes for the future and whether one or more wish should be read at every business meeting; also, whether or not some of the wishes require a committee or ad hoc committee, (for example, First Day School.)
Future approved minutes of business meetings will be archived on Google Drive so that a more complete record can be reviewed.
**Minute 2019.03.2 – Friends approved the clerk creating a shared Google Drive for the archival minutes.**
Hamilton College meeting. This meeting at Hamilton College meets the first Tuesday of every month. The question was asked whether or not the MVFM wants to be involved with it. No definitive answer was discerned.
Business meeting minutes; it was agreed that business meeting minutes should be read and approved at the conclusion of the business meeting, and any corrections of clarifications made at that time; Isabelle will talk to the recording clerk to assist in reaching this goal.
The date of the next business meeting will be Sunday, April 7th
Meeting closed with silent worship.
Minutes read and approved 4/07/2019
Mohawk Valley Friends Meeting (MVFM) – State of the Meeting 2018-2019
Following the Advices and Queries of the Yearly Meeting State of Society Committee, over the past year and how MVMM members and attenders met over two months for potluck and conversation of how our meeting has fared over the past year and expressed our hopes and desires for the coming year. Our thoughts are gathered below:
Query #1: “How are we making Friend’s testimonies a part of your meeting?”
Related to simplicity, MVFM has generally tried to keep rules and regulations to a minimum. Our Meeting House is simple and yet welcoming with comfy chairs and a fireplace warming us especially in winter. Our children’s play school and First Day progam in the basement is filled with toys, books and play things to provide an enjoyable space for our increasing youngsters in attendance. Most Friends and attenders try to live their lives in conscious simplicity and awareness, and attenders and seekers are drawn by our principles and practices related to our testimonies.
In other aspects, there has been continuing active outreach to indigenous groups by meeting members lead by that ministry; the Sanctuary Committee has met several times over the past two years in order to formulate strategies to assist people impacted by the current administration’s policies; the Friends Committee on National Legislation advocacy team has been very active in meeting with elected officials and their staffs, here in the Mohawk Valley and in Washington, D.C. and includes Friends from our neighboring Hamilton Quaker Meeting as well. Our Interfaith presence is being carried by one or two members and we successfully hosted the monthly potluck lunch to help introduce ourselves to the group. The MV Friends Meeting has also continued giving out a Peacemaker Award annual scholarship to a local student that best represented their commitment to peace.
The meeting has gotten bigger and more regularly attended in the last year, with many thanks to thoughtful attention to our website and regular social media presence (FB page). The energy and expertise brought to this effort by some of our “younger” members is a great joy! The outreach program on social media has been successful in promoting Sunday worship and our monthly potluck lunch. As a group, the “20 – 30 Somethings” have been meeting monthly for their own community building potlucks, as individuals and families. The friendship bonding is evident in our First Day meetings as well.
The MV Meeting has tried to take into consideration the most ethical and sustainable way to heat and provide hot water to the meeting house.
Query #2: “Where does the meeting want to be in one year?”
The discussion of February 17th had the following statements given as to where we wanted the meeting to be in the next year: 1) we want the meeting house to be used more often, by our meeting as well as by any outside groups that needed the space. 2) We want First Day School and children’s program to have some sort of weekly curriculum; currently it meets once a month. 3) We want to become more financially solvent, with ideas suggested about some type of event, (a movie, dinner, lunch, picnic) that could possibly raise money as well as provide information about Quakers, etc. 4) we want to continue and accelerate community outreach attempts including attracting more families with children. 5) we desire more adult religious education 6) we would like to see more fellowship opportunities in the next year.
In all, MVFM appears to be still seeking the Light both within and without. As we do so, our efforts and energies are rewarded by deeper connections, a greater presence in our wider communities and a true sense of belonging and kinship with each other. It is a definitive “way forward” into the Spirit and the Light!
