Smithfield Friends Newsletter October 2000 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895 Vol.13________________________________________________________________________ No.121 Parsonage: 762-5726 Internet: http://www.oftedahl.com/SmithfieldFriends Clerk: Bruce Kay Recording Clerk Susan Furry Pastor: Marnie Miller-Gutsel Treasurer:RichardFrechette Ministry&Counsel Rhoda Mowry Newsletter: Randy Oftedahl CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EVERY SUNDAY 10:30 am: MEETING FOR WORSHIP First Day School Child care for infants and toddlers LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH: Unprogrammed Worship and Pot Luck Lunch OTHER WORSHIP UNDER THE CARE OF SMITHFIELD MEETING OR RI/SMITHFIELD QTLY. MTG. SECOND SUNDAY OF MONTH 7:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship at Uxbridge Meetinghouse, Uxbridge, Mass EVERY WEDNESDAY 6:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship and discussion at ACI(Maximum) Other Events: Letter from Marnie Dear Friends, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me! Isaiah 6:8. That verse inspired the theme of the FWCC World Triennial last July in New Hampshire: "Friends: A People Called to Listen, Gathered to Seek, Sent Forth to Serve." The verse is about leadings, and Isaiah certainly got a nice clear one! I wish mine were like that. For me, it's usually a matter of being pushed or pulled in a new direction (manipulated by God?), so I wind up somewhere new, saying "Who, me?" or "What am I doing here?" Sometimes I choose the right thing for the wrong reasons. That's how I got involved in FWCC in the first place. I wanted to go to the Consultation on Identity, Authority, and Community in England back in 1997 mainly because the topic was fascinating to me. Couldn't imagine how I'd get there. Didn't know it was connected with the FWCC Triennial. Had only the vaguest idea what FWCC was, anyway. Didn't know about the YM FWCC Committee. Signed up for FWCC because I was looking to join a YM Committee, and that looked slightly more interesting than the others with open slots. Got appointed a Triennial representative without ever attending a meeting, because someone dropped out at the last minutes and the slot had to be filled quickly. But in less than a year, I was not only on the Committee--I had attended my first Triennial, my first Consultation, and accepted the clerkship (which I took on for all the wrong reasons, which I won't even talk about here.) It was definitely a "Who, me?","What am I doing here?" experience, with a large measure of "I must be nuts to do this" thrown in. But it was a leading. I don't recall ever saying, "Here am I. Send me!" but God sent me anyway. I guess God has figured out that given my personality and my eccentricities, that's how I have to be called--willy-nilly. Now I have laid down the clerkship after three years, and can look back with gratitude on what have been some of the richest experiences I've had since being in New England. I'll be a committee member and a representative for a while longer, but soon I need to step aside and give others a chance to experience the blessings I have had from my committee work. I have gotten to know and work with wonderful people--from New England and around the world--people I might otherwise never have met. I have made friendships that will continue long past my time as committee member and representative to the Section of the Americas. But the greatest blessing has come to me in the form of a far deeper and broader understanding of Quakerism than I could have gotten in any other way. I have met Friends whose theology and practice of Quakerism is so different from my own that I have been forced to ask "What could we possibly have in common?" To answer that question, I had to be face to face with them, talk with them, hear about their deepest spiritual experiences, and above all, worship with them. Invariably, it has been in the depths of worship that we have discovered that common ground, the things that make us all Quakers. I may not have said "Send me!" but I was sent. And I am grateful .-Love,Marnie Don't Forget: Newport Peace Festival October 14-15 You may have missed your chance to get in on the Peacewalk which began on Oct. 5 at Raytheon in Andover, MA., but you can still make it to the Newport Peace Festival, which begins October 14 with a parade, music, and dance, puppets and much more in Touro Park. Or join the peace presence at the War College on the 15th. For more info, see the Peace Talks newsletter on the bulletin board, or call 274-7925. Help! Help! Smithfield Meeting runs on the energy of volunteers! We need a bunch of folks for two jobs which are easy, fun, and don't usually take much time. First, we need Greeters, those nice folks who arrive around 10:15 and extend a welcoming hand to others as they arrive for worship on Sunday. If the last time you signed up was months ago, how about giving it another whirl? Sure it's hard to get out of bed 15 minutes earlier, but what's 15 minutes less sleep every 4 or 5 months? That's all it would take if more folks signed up instead of just the faithful few. New sign up sheets await you on the bulletin board! Our other need is for Hospitality Volunteers. We need folks to set up the tables for potluck once a month, and every once in a while, we need extra help for special events--new member receptions, visiting committee meetings, etc. Mostly that involves set up and clean up, or providing simple refreshments. Occasionally out of town visitors arriving the evening before an event need a bed for the night. It's a wonderful chance to get acquainted with Friends from elsewhere--sometimes even from other parts of the world. Look for the Hospitality Sign Up Sheet on the board. Child Care Person Needed! Smithfield Friends needs someone to watch young children during Monthly Meeting for Business (first Sunday of the month). This is a paid responsibility. Minimum age for the provider is 14 years old. Please contact Randy Oftedahl at 568-3420 if you are interested. Quakers in Moscow?! Yes, there is a tiny band of dedicated Friends in Moscow, struggling with regulations that favor the Russian Orthodox church over other groups, but still worshipping and serving in amazing ways--including Alternatives to Violence Projects (AVP). Copies of their newsletter are available in the foyer. Help yourself-and consider helping them. Interfaith Candidates Forum Meet the candidates! Come to the Candidates Forum, sponsored by the interfaith community of RI, Tuesday, October 24, 7 PM at the Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. Members of the audience will be able to submit questions for the candidates to answer. Charles Bakst, political columnist for the Providence Journal will moderate. Candidate Forum on Civil Rights The RI Civil Rights Roundtable and the RI Chapter of the NAACP are sponsoring an event from 6 pm to 8:15 pm on October 10 at the John Hope Settlement House in Providence to give the Congressional candidates an opportunity to discuss their positions on Civil Rights issues. All are welcome who have a concern for civil rights issues and want to hear and challenge the candidates for US congress. Death Penalty Moratorium 2000 Have you been meaning to sign the petition on the bulletin board requesting a moratorium on the death penalty, but just haven't gotten around to it? It's not too late- --but it soon will be. The petitions must soon be mailed to Sister Helen Prejean's campaign office, so don't wait any longer. Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends Minutes of Meeting for Business, October 1, 2000 2000-73 Opening Minute Smithfield Monthly Meeting gathered in a regular meeting for worship with attention to business at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2000. Seven people attended. Bruce Kay presided and Ron Belliveau served as recording clerk. 2000-74 Approval of previous minutes The clerk read the minutes of September 10th, which were approved by Friends. Friends will consider this meeting's minutes at the next business meeting. 2000-75 Report from Building & Grounds Committee Reporting for Building & Grounds, Bruce Buteau stated that termites were found in the flooring of the Meetinghouse. Extermination contractors have been called for a consultation on the problem. A thorough inspection is needed to determine the full scope of the problem. Friends expressed concern that any chemicals needed to control the termites may affect children and others, and asked that care should be taken to minimize this impact. Friends asked Building & Grounds to have both the Meetinghouse and the Parsonage inspected and present estimates at the next business meeting. Other items needing attention are gutters for the Meetinghouse and a new kitchen floor for the parsonage. Friends asked Marnie Miller-Gutsell, Bruce Buteau, and Harry Bushnell to meet for recommendations on replacing the floor, and asked the committee to present a full list of prioritized recommendations to the next business meeting. 2000-76 Thundermist Health Association Banquet Advertisement Diane O'Hara and Connie Thompson have completed work on the advertisement for the Thundermist Banquet booklet. Friends thanked Diane and Connie for their work on this project. 2000-77 Repair of old membership book and new book The clerk read from a written estimate he received from Karin Sprague about the repair of the our old membership book, at a cost of $100, and the purchase of a new membership book, at a cost of $354. Friends approved having the old book repaired. Noting that the recommended new book includes several options that may be extravagant, Friends felt that keeping the new membership book simple would be more in keeping with Quaker tradition. Friends asked the clerk to contact Karin Sprague on more details and possible alternatives, and asked Marnie Miller-Gutsell to do more research on this matter. 2000-78 Closing Minute No further business arising, Friend closed with a period of open worship, purposing to meet next for business on November 5, God willing. Respectfully submitted, Ronald Belliveau, recording clerk Yearly Meeting Christian Education Program At Yearly Meeting sessions this year, we heard a great report from the youth secretary of YM, Chris Jorgensen, about what a blessing it is to have so many of our youth involved in the life of our Meetings. Of course, it takes work to keep the YM's youth programs going-and so we were asked to come back to our Meetings and find out who among us is called to help out. Anyone who feels led to help out--be it with toddlers, grade-schoolers, or high-schoolers--please contact Chris (her contact information is in the Yearly Meeting minute book in our library--if you can't find it, ask). -Bruce Kay Rhode Island/Smithfield Quarterly Meeting of Friends 2000 Fall Retreat Saturday October 21 - Sunday October 22 (Begins on Sat. at 2 PM; Ends on Sun. at 4 PM) Worship Sunday morning at 10:30 AM Theme: Sharing Opportunities for Ministry Bring your experiences, concerns, and thoughts about how we reach out to each other and the greater community. Special Event: Saturday Night Coffeehouse Location: Aldersgate United Methodist Camp 1043 Snake Hill Rd. North Scituate, RI All ages welcome: Pre-registration strongly encouraged Cost (may be paid with pre-registration, or at camp) • Adult: $25 • Adult Commuters: $15 • Children: 3-11: $15 • Children under 3: No charge Maximum cost per family: $60 Please mail, phone or e-mail the information below to the Registrar, Richard Frechette, 46 Cherry Brook Ave. North Smithfield, RI 02896; 401-769-4433, RFrech@home.com Family Name(s): Adults: (Names): Children (Names and ages): Telephone: Identity, Authority, Community II Pre- Triennial Gathering, Pendle Hill, 18-21 seventh month, 2000 To the Triennial and Friends everywhere Dear Friends, Twelve Friends from four continents and nine yearly meetings have met together at Pendle Hill for a pre-Triennial gathering following up the Identity, Authority and Community consultation of 1996-7. We have looked at some of the influences upon Friends from our varied histories and from the effects of the contemporary world. We have considered how we relate to other faiths and other churches, and how we relate to, and speak of, God. Finally, we have discussed how we as Friends relate to each other in all our diversity. To find unity in the Spirit is difficult, but it is our God-given gift and call. We aspire to and hope for unity, so that we can fulfill our mission as a church to be a witness to the power of God's transforming love at work in our lives and in the world. We have recognized that some of our diversity can be celebrated as Spirit-led responses to the needs of particular groups of Friends at particular times. But how do we distinguish this from the diversity that brings division, risking betrayal of our tradition and experience, or the diversity that springs from our own faults? We can all be seduced by the values of the world. We can all show spiritual pride, ignorance or carelessness, and failure to recognize our own limitations. Because of our diversity, Friends have not sent a clear witness to the world, for which we repent, and ask God's forgiveness. We need to be changed ourselves before we go about to change others. Participants gather at the Friends World Committee for Consultation Triennial at Geneva Point, New Hampshire, July 2000 This has been a precious and joyful time together. As we have told our stories of the experience of God in our lives, we have found a way to learn from each other. We have had the courage to recognize and acknowledge the diversity within our Religious Society and amongst ourselves over our experiences of Christ and the Holy Spirit and our description of our faith. This is not an easy matter and we have no simple solution to offer, but the process we have experienced has enabled us to grow in understanding and love. We are convinced that the ways in which we deal with our diversity must be models of our own testimonies and demonstrate peace, love, integrity, truth-telling, patience, and respect and concern for each other. We have to start by listening to each other, face to face, seeking what we might learn. We need to affirm the gifts that we discern in each other. We need to speak to each other in words that the hearers can understand so that none of us become stumbling blocks to the growth of faith in others. We believe that it might be time for FWCC to facilitate this process by calling a new Faith and Life conference. There is much that we can say together. We have affirmed the centrality of worship in our corporate life. We need to worship together, to take time to hear the still, small voice and to learn from our Inward Teacher in our own hearts and in the voices of others. It is in and through our worship that discipleship is strengthened and commitment renewed, and our community is empowered by the Holy Spirit to do Christ's work in the world. We affirm the importance of our testimonies, our discipline and our gospel order, and regret that we so often fall short in using them and neglect the help and insight they can give us. We may need to consider how we use our membership procedures to encourage serious commitment to discipleship. Our tradition reminds us that our faith is shown in our lives. All of us are challenged to consider what our own lives are showing: Do we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through our regular reading and study of the Bible? Are we prophetic voices against the worldliness of our time? Do we look for and recognize the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of others? How far can others find the humble, loving and serving spirit of Christ in us? We can be comforted by the knowledge of the love of God, whose creative purpose can surprise us. Let us pray for each other that we become more faithful instruments of God's will and channels for God's good news for the world. Hugh Barbour, New England Yearly Meeting Mel Bogard, Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting Margaret Fraser, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Sheila Given, Australia Yearly Meeting Eden Grace, New England Yearly Meeting Modesta Guloba, Uganda Yearly Meeting Peggy Heeks, Britain Yearly Meeting Marie Miller-Gutsell, New England Yearly Meeting Betsy Proechel, Northern Yearly Meeting Arthur Roberts, NorthWest Yearly Meeting Janet Scott, Britain Yearly Meeting Reuben Shibutse, Nairobi Yearly Meeting Twenty-first day, seventh month, 2000. Quaker Youth Pilgrimage 2000 The Pilgrimage was held in England and Northern Ireland this year. There were 29 Young Friends on the trip with ages ranging from 16 to 18. We were a group from all over the world, 14 Friends from the states and 15 other Friends from Europe. There were Friends from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Jamaica, Wales, Germany, and France. Everyone became friends within the first two days. Belfast street scene Overlooking Belfast The first place we stayed was in Newcastle in Northern Ireland, from there we went to Belfast and visited various Quaker sights. We went to Quaker Cottage, Quaker House, and drove through a village called Shankill where the peace wall stands. After about a week and a half we took a ferry over to England. We stayed in Yealand and visited Pendle Hill. We also went to Lancaster Castle where at one time they had imprisoned Quakers. The group, including myself, went into one of the dungeons where the Quakers were kept. It was mind blowing to think that we peaceful people would have been locked up, and in such horrific conditions. After that we took a bus to Barmoore in North Yorkshire, we stayed in a big house and were surrounded by sheep. We took a day trip to Whitby, we visited ruins of an old cathedral. After that we visited Whitby Abby and sung with the nuns in one of their programs. The view from atop Pendle Hill, where George Fox had his vision of "a great people to be gathered" in 1650. We took the ferry back to Northern Ireland to a place called Corrymella. In Corrymella, families who have suffered from the conflicts in Belfast can be protected until it was safe to return to their homes. Leaders from both sides of the conflict have met there and spoken peacefully with each other. We helped out with the garden that they are building. After that, it was time for everyone to go home. Leaving all of my new friends was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It is surprising how attached one can get to a group of people after a month. We created a community as close to perfect as I think is humanly possible. Aside from being the most exciting trip of my life, I also learned more there then I think I could have anywhere else. I will speak about some of the experiences I had in Quaker group sometime soon at Meeting. I want to thank Smithfield Meeting for helping make this trip possible. It was an incredible experience. -Friend Josh Oftedahl Quakerism, in its essence, is not a system; it is a spirit. If we could get back to the living experience of the early days, all that would be needed would be to go out and communicate it, and leave the results to God...the task is not to be measured by the numbers who are in religious fellowship with Friends. Let us rather measure it by the greatness of the truths for which they stand. -Henry T. Hodgkin, Friends Beyond the Seas, 1916 The Smithfield Meeting banner at the Friends World Committee on Consultation Smithfield Friends Meeting 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895