Smithfield Friends Newsletter March 2003 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895 Vol.15________________________________________________________________________ No.147 Parsonage: 762-5726 Internet: www.smithfieldfriends.org Clerk: Richard Frechette Recording Clerk Connie Bair-Thompson Pastor: Marnie Miller-Gutsel Treasurer:Bruce Buteau Ministry&Counsel Rhoda Mowry Newsletter: Randy Oftedahl CALENDAR FOR March/April EVERY SUNDAY 10:30 am: MEETING FOR WORSHIP Child Care Available LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH: Unprogrammed Worship and Pot Luck Lunch Children's First Day School during worship OTHER WORSHIP UNDER THE CARE OF SMITHFIELD MEETING OR RI/SMITHFIELD QTLY. MTG. SECOND SUNDAY OF MONTH 4:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship at Uxbridge Meetinghouse, Uxbridge, Mass EVERY WEDNESDAY 4:00 PM: Unprogrammed Worship and discussion at ACI(Maximum) Other events Sunday, March 9 Peace and Social Concerns Meeting following Worship First Day School Meeting following Worship (tentative) regular Meeting For Worship at Uxbridge, 4 PM Monday, March 10 M&C at Ron and Diane's, 6:45 PM Sunday, March 16 9:30-10 AM, Meeting for Worship for Healing-special series--"Exploring the Realms of Healing," led by Ron Belliveau Saturday, March 22 2 PM: Finance Committee at the Meetinghouse Sunday, March 23 9:15 Discussion group--Mary Lord Essay Thursday, March 27 7:30 PM Smithfield hosts Ecumenical Lenten Vespers Sunday, April 6 Monthly Meeting for Business NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Upcoming events * Next Quarterly Meeting will be held at Providence on April 22 (this is a change from the normal 3rd Sunday of April date, which would conflict with Easter Sunday) * April 26: Smithfield Friends' Spring Breakfast! (see details inside) * Smithfield Meeting's scheduled date for the FUM Chain of Prayer is May 11 from noon to midnight. The theme of this year's chain of prayer is "Prayer for Peace." March for Peace: Bring Our Troops Home Safely SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 3pm, Rhode Island State House (mall side), Providence. We will march to Memorial Park at about 3:45pm. This gathering will honor the experiences of anti-war veterans and family members of servicepeople, and raise a clear voice for peace. Organized by 26 organizations, including AFSC. More info: (401) 521-3584. Letter from Marnie Dear Friends, I don't usually use this space to memorialize anyone, but this month I'm making an exception: In Memoriam Fred Rogers 1928-2003 There was a remarkable outpouring of media attention when Fred Rogers died on February 27. Editorials, front page articles, and many television pieces celebrated his work as host on the award winning "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood." I found this very interesting in an industry that so often follows a path in direct opposition to what Fred Rogers tried to promote in his gentle and loving way. When my daughters were young, all the public chatter was about Sesame Street, but I much preferred that they watch Mr. Rogers. There was something just too frenetic, too rushed, too over-excited about Sesame Street. Then and now, writers of children's programs apparently feel they must maintain a frantic pace to attract and keep the attention of young viewers. Mr. Rogers proved they didn't, though sadly few other programmers followed his example in the nearly four decades that he was on. Yes, children are lively and active--thank heaven--but far too many children's programs cross over the border from "lively" into hyper-stimulating. Of course children's attention spans are shorter than adult's. But one part of growing up is learning to pay attention for longer periods of time without requiring a constant hyped up level of stimulation. Children in Ghana, for instance, are able at quite a young age to pay attention and remember at a much higher level than any American children I know. It's a learned skill, and one we need in order to discover that "interesting" isn't necessary a synonym for constant, rapid noise and motion. Over the years, I've become convinced that such constant, high levels of stimulation can even become addictive, so that it becomes a "need" rather than just "entertainment." Mr. Rogers' neighborhood was a blessed oasis of calm in a hyperventilating world. When he first started in television, he once remarked, "I believe that television is going to be the test of the of the modern world. It could be a saving radiance." Well, with a few exceptions, it has failed that test. Nevertheless, Fred Rogers didn't give up, and he went on unfailingly presenting what one young commentator called "the essential tenets of what it is to be a good human being." Mr. Rogers himself said, "The greatest thing we can do is let people know they are loved and capable of loving." On his acceptance into the television hall of fame, he observed that "We have the choice to demean this life or to cherish it." In its obituary editorial, the Providence Journal expressed the hope "that the lessons in kindliness, self-confidence, respect, community spirit, quiet fun and--perhaps above all--calm" would be retained by his fans. They concluded that "Mr. Rogers seemed an emissary from another, better civilization." Like, perhaps, the Kingdom of God? Love, Marnie Ecumenical Lenten Vespers Service Once again various churches around the community are joining to sponsor weekly Thursday night ecumenical vesper services during Lent. Smithfield will be host on Thursday, March 27, at 7:30 PM. Volunteers are needed, some to greet attenders as they arrive and some to provide refreshments for after the service (start the coffee, provide goodies, etc.) To volunteer, let Marnie know. Discussion Group ...will be held on 1st day, March 30 at 9:15 AM (Note change in date; it was previously scheduled for March 23). The group will discuss a speech presented last year by Mary Lord, Interim Director, Peacebuilding Unit, AFSC, at the Annual Meeting of Friends World Committee for Consultation: "CAN LOVE REALLY OVERCOME VIOLENCE AND HATE? Reflections on Friends Peace Testimony." Copies of the speech are available at the meetinghouse, or you can receive a copy via e-mail from Richard Frechette (RFrech@cox.net). Smithfield Friends Spring Breakfast - Mark your calendars! The men of Smithfield Meeting are re-invigorating our traditional Spring Breakfast! Saturday, April 26 - volunteers are needed! See Harry Bushnell. March Jr. High Retreat The next Jr High Retreat (open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders) will take place at Wellesley MM, March 28-30. The topic is "Me and My Culture." Bring a friend! Registration is first come, first serve--to avoid the waiting list, send in your registration soon! See the Bulletin Board for details. If you need a registration form, ask Marnie. Call for Volunteers--Care of Worship at Uxbridge Remember the gathering for unprogrammed worship in the old Uxbridge Meeting every second Sunday at 4 PM. We were snowed out in January and February--hopefully March will be better. We need volunteers to open the building, start the fire, close worship, and return the key afterwards. A simple but very rewarding ministry--sign up sheet is on the bulletin board. Summer Will Come--Really! If you have ever been a camper or staff person at China Camp, mark your calendar now for the Grand 50th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion on Saturday, June 21 (the first day of summer!). A full day of "fun stuff" is planned. The flier/registration form is posted on the bulletin board. Registration deadline, June 1. * Performance of peace medleys from around the world * Bringing adversaries together through the dances * Folk dancing taught and led for all ages Saylesville Friends Meetinghouse Sunday, March 23, 2003 * The festivities will begin following 10:30 AM meeting for worship. * There will also be a potluck lunch. * Smithfield Friends are encouraged to join Saylesville Meeting for worship and fun on this day* * Smithfield meetinghouse will be open for worship on that morning for those who cannot attend the activity at Saylesville Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business: March 2, 2003 2003-9 Opening Minute Smithfield Monthly Meeting met for a regularly scheduled meeting for worship with attention to business at 12:15PM on March 2, 2003. Richard Frechette was presiding clerk, Connie Bair-Thompson was recording clerk, and 7 other Friends were present. We began with a period of waiting worship. 2003-10 Memorial Minute - Meredith Taber We had a first reading of a memorial minute for Meredith Taber. Before we approve a final minute, Friends feel it should be reviewed by other Friends who may remember more about Meredith's involvement with our meeting in earlier years. 2003-11 RI Peace Mission Delegation to Washington, DC to meet with RI Congressmen and Senators As part of the RI Peace Mission, several Friends from our meeting will be traveling to Washington, DC to meet with the RI Congressional Delegation on March 12, 2003. Friends asked our representatives to counter any argument for war that centers on the fact that we have already spent the money and deployed the troops and therefore war is inevitable. We also ask the representatives to thank Senator Chafee for his courage of conviction in speaking out against the war. 2003-12 Transfer of Membership: Liberty Goodwin and Paul Klinkman With an explanation of the procedure of how membership is transferred from one meeting to another, the clerk reported that Liberty Goodwin and Paul Klinkman's membership had been formally transferred from Providence Meeting to Smithfield on June 12, 2002. Welcome Friends! 2003-13 Nominating Committee - Follow-Up Report For nominating committee, the clerk announced the following terms of office for members of Ministry and Counsel committee: * Class of 2003: Rhoda Mowry and Martha Smith * Class of 2004: Diane Gauthier and Ron Belliveau * Class of 2005: Diane O'Hara and Bruce Buteau 2003-14 Statistical Report for 2002 The clerk reviewed the following Statistical Report from 2002 on our members and attenders that will be passed on to New England Yearly Meeting. With one change, Friends approved the report. 1 Number of Members last year 12/31/2001 (see 2002 Minute Book) 45 A Gains (Members) 2 Additions due to omissions in last year's report - 3 Additions by application (including from another denomination) - 4 Additions by Certificate of Transfer from another Friends Meeting 2 5 Total Additions (fill out update form for each household) 2 B Losses (Members) 6 Loss due to removal of persons included by error in last year's report -6 7 Loss by death (list name and date on back of form) -2 8 Loss by discontinuance, resignation, or disownment - 9 Loss by Certificate of Transfer to another Friends Meeting - 10 Loss by letter to another denomination - 11 Total losses (list all households on reverse) -8 C Totals (Membership) 12 Number of Members this year 12/31/2002 39 13 Net gain - 14 or, Net loss -6 15 Number of males 12 16 Number of females 27 17 Number of Resident Members 26 18 Number of Non-Resident Members 13 D Membership by Age Category (Members) 19 Number of Members birth through 14 0 20 Number of Members 15 through 18 0 21 Number of Members 19 through 24 3 22 Number of Junior Members becoming adult Members 0 23 Number of Members 65 and over 9 E Attendance Estimates (Attenders and Members) 24 Average attendance at Sunday Meeting for Worship 30 25 Average number birth through 18 in classes 5 26 Average number 19 and over in study classes and discussions 6 27 Average number attending Meeting for Business 10 28 Average number of weekday Meetings for Worship - 29 Average number of active Attenders (Non-Members) 20 2003-15 Children in our Meeting Following on a request from Ministry and Counsel committee, the clerk asked for our thoughts on our relationship with the children in our meeting. In particular, the subject of junior membership was discussed. Friends recognize that there is no specified age in which someone can become a convinced Friend, apply for full membership and ask for a clearness committee. However, we also recognize our children's need to feel that they belong to our religious community and can publicly identify themselves as part of it. We feel that membership, and the level of commitment associated with it, is an evolving concept for all of us. Although we still struggle with how best to do it, we feel the need to formally recognize our children's relationship to our meeting in some way. Beyond the issue of membership, we fear we are not adequately meeting the needs of our children and youth who may not be prepared to make the commitment involved in full membership. There are more ways we can do this other than to offer some form of youth membership. We will re-visit this topic in the future. 2003-16 Thank you - Contribution to Kakamega fund Our Young Friends had decided to earmark $200 of the proceeds of their successful flee market last fall to the "Friends of Kakamega" - a project of the NEYM branch of the United Society of Friends Women. The project addresses needs of families of AIDS victims in Kakamega, Kenya. We have received a letter of thanks from the organization, along with a description of the recent work of the project. We wish to express our joy at the thoughtful use of these funds by our young Friends. 2003-17 Breakfast in April At last week's discussion about the state of our society, we expressed our desire to do more outreach to our local community. Although we had many ideas on how best to accomplish this, there seemed to be a lot of interest in doing a public breakfast some time in April. Harry Bushnell has agreed to coordinate this event. 2003-18 Closing Minute No further business arising, Friends closed with a period of waiting worship, intending to meet again for business on April 6, 2003, God willing. Respectfully Submitted, Constance Bair-Thompson, Recording Clerk 2003 Meeting Duties Clerk: Richard Frechette* Recording Clerk: Connie Bair-Thompson* Treasurer: Bruce Buteau* Pastor: Marnie Miller-Gutsell** Building and Grounds Committee: Ron Belliveau Harry Bushnell Suzanne Frechette Meghan Keene Barbara Landi Alex Malin Diane O'Hara Marcel St. Germain Finance Committee: Harry Bushnell Bruce Buteau (ex-officio) Kathy Malin Rhoda Mowry Randy Thompson Library Committee: Peter Byhouwer Suzanne Frechette Karin Sprague Ministry and Counsel Committee: Ron Belliveau Bruce Buteau Richard Frechette (ex-officio) Diane Gauthier Marnie Miller-Gutsell (ex-officio) Rhoda Mowry Diane O'Hara Martha Smith Peace and Social Concerns Committee: Ralph Barlow Yvonne Barlow Paul Klinkman Kathy Malin Randy Oftedahl Marcel St. Germain Nathan St. Germain Bob Sumner-Mack Religious Education/Youth Committee: Debbie Chick Helen Ducharme Liberty Goodwin Anna Hidalgo Cindy Keene Jeanne Kinney (tentative) Rocky Malin Randy Oftedahl Child Care Coordinator: Nigel King Newsletter:** Randy Oftedahl Marcel St. Germain Music Minister: ** Ron Belliveau * Presented and approved on 12/1/02 ** Not subject to meeting approval at this time All others, presented and approved on 2/2/2003 "EXPRESSIONS" A Gathering of Friends March 22, 2003 @ 4:00 PM This is a night of sharing our gifts. A time to gather to experience and explore the many unique and varied talents we have learned through the years. All of our community is welcome, as well as invited guests. Our hope is to give people an opportunity to enjoy all of our gifts, from story telling to cooking creatively in the kitchen. A very special night of "Expressions" This is a Pot Luck gathering / this could be a creative gift ! Please bring your copies of your favorite recipes to share. Please respond by March 16,2003 to: Ron Belliveau and Diane O'hara Phone: 401-769-1755 - E-Mail: rbelliveau@cox.net or dyanohara@cox.net Your Name: ___________________________________ What would you like to share. ____________________________________ Glory, and patriotism, and bravery, and conquest, are bright and glittering things. Who, when he is looking delighted upon these things, is armed against the mischiefs which they may veil? -Jonathan Dymond (1798-1828) , "War and Christianity are Opposite Ends of a Balance" Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02905