Agate Passage Friends Meeting

Bainbridge Island & Kitsap County 

AGATE PASSAGE FRIENDS MEETING

MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH ATTENTION TO BUSINESS
October 17, 2004

Present: Gayle Henry, Kathryn Keeve, Judith Larsen, Paul B. Larsen, Robert Major, Wendy McClure, Betty Petras, Ed Sheridan, Barbara Wolf.

Meeting opened with silence at 11:25 a.m.

The following calendar items were announced:

            7 November:    

potluck lunch & discussion with Suquamish Tribe & AFSC (see attached agenda for details)

            23 November, 7 p.m. :

Interfaith Council Thanksgiving celebration at Grace Episcopal

The Minutes of the September Meeting were approved, following a discussion concerning the sentence, “It was announced that the Peace Camp had faltered.” Ed Sheridan noted his lack of satisfaction with the term faltered, which he defined as meaning to hesitate or speak weakly. He felt the word failed to do justice to the Peace Camp Group’s discernment process. Individual members made links over the summer with Tom Thresher at the Congregational Church in Suquamish, with tribal members and with staff and participants at the Peace Camp in Eugene . The group has concluded that members cannot undertake the planning and organization required in launching such an endeavor, given each of their respective commitments; and instead the group wants to convey to the Meeting that the idea remains alive in the hearts and minds of the members, their focus has narrowed and collaboration with other groups sharing a similar vision and goal is under consideration.  

Peace and Social Concerns met in October and agreed to have a potluck and “Discussion on Agate Pass Friends Meeting and Our Local Tribes “on November 7, following our regular Meeting for Worship at Seabold Hall.  Our guests will be Suquamish tribal members; Jeff Smith, Regional Director of Indian Programs for AFSC; and Sarah Van Gelder of Yes! magazine, co-founder of Suquamish Olalla and a Quaker. The goal of this gathering is to engage in a Quaker dialogue, after the guests offer brief presentations. (See agenda at the end of these minutes.) Gayle Henry, Kathryn Keeve and Barbara Wolf—each of whom have built relationships with the tribe—touched on the importance of this event in terms of building a stronger connection between our Meeting and the tribe. Peace and Social Concerns is also keeping abreast of the expanding nuclear submarine capability at Bangor and will keep the Meeting posted about this ongoing concern.

Interfaith Council Thanksgiving celebration will be at 7 p.m. on November 23 at Grace Episcopal Church, with Kathryn Keeve representing Agate Passage Friends.  Michael Moore observed that five minutes of silence was inadequate and suggested that Kathryn explore incorporating a pattern that includes moments of silence throughout the evening.

Membership Request: Ministry and Counsel brought forward Ed Sheridan’s request for membership.  Ed’s letter of request was reread.  He was asked whether he wished to remain or leave the room, and he opted to stay.  Comments about Ed were very positive, including his gentle hand on the tiller in our passage to monthly meeting status, his modeling of Quaker values and his good sense of humor.  Michael asked Friends for their approval and all agreed.  Michael indicated a welcoming celebration would occur at a later time.

Ministry and Counsel has met in October and discussed the issue of the craft fair, recommending that there should be an in-house outlet for members to sell arts and crafts but not as part of the Christmas celebration. A brief history of what happened last year was provided, followed by an extensive discussion. Highlights of the discussion included: 

(1) the interpersonal connection of a celebration and the commercial aspect of a fair were incompatible for some;  
(2) the aspect of buying from fellow Friends was joyous for others; 
(3) the possibility of a members’ craft fair at a different and less frantic time of year; 
(4) the proposal of pursuing something comparable to the longstanding tradition of the Swarthmore Meeting craft fair as a fundraiser for their Meeting, an event that requires a significant commitment of time and energy, and one that occurs annually in time for the holidays but not as a part of their Christmas celebration, with generated income for both the artists and the Meeting; 
(5) the need for any fundraising possibilities to be compatible with our Meeting’s goals, given our small meeting with members already committed to a breadth of activities; 
(6) the suggestion we list outlets where our artists are selling their works during the holiday season, as well as posting them on our own Web site in order for members to make purchases directly from our artists; 
(7) the concern about reducing the materialism of the holiday season itself.  A decision was made that arts and crafts will not be sold at our December holiday celebration or at any other Meeting time.. Michael Moore will discuss with Bob Royce the posting of our artists on our Web site, and artists will be encouraged to list their art work on this site.

Ministry and Counsel set the holiday celebration for December 19 following Meeting for Worship. Michael Moore will contact those members who have offered suggestions and/or expressed interest in the past in organizing the event.  Ed Sheridan volunteered to tell a Christmas story.  A decision was made to rename the event—a Solstice Celebration.

Michael Moore raised the issue of nominations.  Nancy Brantingham is resigning as co-treasurer, effective January 31.  The meeting has appreciated Nancy ’s contribution, for she has established a new level of professionalism for this position, bringing to it a fresh understanding of financial planning and record keeping.  Betty Petras has also resigned from Ministry and Counsel and her contribution was appreciatively noted, as well. The nominating committee, with Judy Brown as clerk, will meet soon.  The committee welcomes suggestions for both of these positions.

There is a recommendation that the Meeting develop a Building Needs Committee.  This committee will examine the future facility needs of the Meeting in terms of our current limitations such as ramp access, library storage and First Day School space.

Meeting closed with silence at 1:05 p.m.

Diana Sheridan, Substitute Recording Clerk  

AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 7 POTLUCK AND QUAKER DIALOGUE

Discussion on Agate Pass Friends Meeting and Our Local Tribes

Guests

Sarah Van Gelder, Editor of "Yes!" Magazine, co-founder of Suquamish Olalla, and a Quaker.  She will speak about a recent Conference she attended in Colorado on Indian Programs.

Jeff Smith: Regional Director of Indian Programs for AFSC.

Agenda

10-11:15     Regular Meeting for Worship

11:15          Prepare Potluck and begin eating

11:45          Speakers talk briefly while we finish eating.

12:30          Discussion--Questions and some answers.

1:00-1:15      Silent reflection on our role and commitment.

1:15-1:45     Talking circle: Summarize our thoughts

1:45-2:30      Cleanup from potluck

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