Smithfield Friends Newsletter October 2002 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02895 Vol.15________________________________________________________________________ No.142 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 October/November 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 Wednesday, October 23 Ministry and Counsel at Eunice Strobel's home. Sat., Oct 19-Sun., Oct 20 RI/Smithfield Quarterly Meeting Retreat at Clara Barton Camp near Worcester, MA. Sun., Oct. 20 Moses Brown open house Fri., Nov. 1-Sun., Nov. 3 YM Jr. High Retreat at Mt. Toby (MA) Meeting Sun., Nov. 10 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE NOTE: Meeting for Business date to be announced Letter from Marnie Dear Friends, Two very different things have come together in my mind just lately: the November election, and our current effort to revise the New England Yearly Meeting Book of Faith and Practice. Let me try to explain why I think of them together. When I was a young woman, elections were a very big deal. When I lived in North Carolina, I was very active in local and state politics, as were many of my friends. We managed to take over the County Democratic party, and dumped the hacks that had been running things for years. Determined, well organized people can truly make a difference. I knocked on doors, telephoned voters, and served as the chairman in my precinct organization. And in those days, when election day rolled around, people had to stand in line to vote--But we didn't mind. We saw our friends and neighbors there, and it was exciting. I can't remember the last time I had to wait in line to vote. And isn't that sad. Voter turnout in many places has sunk below--sometimes well below--50%. I always vote, even in the primaries, but let me tell you a tale from the last primary election. Because the voting districts changed, two incumbents were running against each other. As usual, my mailbox overflowed with campaign literature, and I studied it carefully. One candidate talked about more than the usual fluff, so I inclined to him, but the clincher was this: some campaign worker--a live human being, somebody who cared enough about this candidate to actually pound the pavement for him, stuffed a flier in my door--signed "sorry I missed you"--in real ink, not printed. That tipped the scales for me. (By the way, he won.) This tiny incident underlined for me one of the things I think has gone wrong in contemporary politics. The excessive influence of money on politics these days is both a symptom and a cause of a much bigger problem--the connection between people and their elected officials has been severely disrupted. It isn't just big money, Friends. That's been around forever. But we have gotten too preoccupied with our own affairs to bother to maintain the connection with our elected officials, and special interests have moved into the vacuum. So what's the Faith and Practice connection? Just this--we may not have been elected, but the committee members have been chosen to represent YOU! We have been hearing from a number individual Friends all along. Some have sent us thoughtful, well seasoned observations and suggestions. But others have clearly been writing from a private agenda--the equivalent of political special interests. But with others, it's hard to tell--we wonder: "Is this an individual's special interest, or a wide spread concern?" We won't know unless a lot of individuals and especially Meetings pull themselves away from their private interests long enough to write and let us know. Every Meeting has now been sent a questionnaire soliciting input. How do you think Smithfield should deal with this? Our Faith & Practice Revision has a long, challenging task. You may not have voted for us, but we are your representatives in a vital corporate process. As we struggle to discern where God is leading this Yearly Meeting, we need both your prayers and your input. Love, Marnie PS: Vote on November 5th! Quarterly Retreat! October 19-20, 2002 at the Clara Barton Camp in North Oxford, MA. Please Note: We have received word that some of the cabins may not be heated, so if you are planning to stay overnight, bring extra blankets and warm PJ's. A fascinating program is planned, so send your reservations in NOW! Reservation forms are in the September newsletter. Moses Brown Open House October 20, 2-4 Kids and parents who have thought about how great it might be to go to a Quaker School--here's your chance to find out if Moses Brown is the place for you. Zip right home from the Retreat, and down to Moses Brown. Directions can be found on the back of the Moses Brown notice on the Bulletin Board. Meet the Sheep at the Jr. High Retreat Coming Up Soon! The November 1-3 Jr. High retreat will explore nature and our connection to it through working with sheep and wool at Mt. Toby Meeting in Leverett, MA. Jr. High retreats are open to all 6th through 8th graders--you can bring a friend! See notice on the bulletin board for more details. Registration Deadline: Oct 25 How Do We Inhabit Our Time? Spend the weekend of Nov. 15-17 at Woolman Hill, exploring the questions of how Friends use their time, keeping in mind the query, "Do you take care that your spiritual growth is not sacrificed to busyness but instead integrates your life's activities? Co-sponsored by Woolman Hill and NEYM Ministry and Counsel, the weekend facilitators will be Brian Drayton (Weare MM) and Bill How (Fresh Pond MM), both gifted and seasoned Friends. Contact: info@woolmanhill.org or phone 413-774-3431. Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, October 6, 2002 2002-61 Opening Minute Smithfield Monthly Meeting met for a regularly scheduled meeting for worship with attention to business at noon on October 6, 2002. Richard Frechette was presiding clerk; Connie Bair-Thompson was recording clerk; and six other Friends were present. We began with a period of waiting worship. 2002-62 Uxbridge Meeting House - Request for Support We have received a request from the Quaker Meeting House Association for dues/contribution to support the Uxbridge meeting house. Friends agreed to give $50 for this purpose. 2002-63 Family Resources/Community Action - Request for Support for the Shelter Walk 2002 Family Resources/Community Action in Woonsocket has asked us to support the Shelter Walk 2002, which is a fundraising effort to support the capital needs of the Woonsocket Homeless Shelter. After some discussion, Friends do not see clear to support this effort as a corporate body. However, we will encourage Friends to do so as individuals. 2002-64 On the President's call for military action against Iraq The clerk read minutes from the New England Yearly Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee and Wellesley Friends Meeting on the President's call for military action against Iraq. He asked if we feel called to make any kind of corporate response to this minutes or the issue of military action against Iraq. Friends felt that these minutes lacked any reference to our faith being the foundation of our concerns. Friends recognized that we have an active Peace and Social Concerns committee, members of which are already actively speaking out against military action. Because we feel an urgent need to respond before the Congress votes on a resolution authorizing military action against Iraq, Friends approved the following minute of our own, which incorporates some of the language of the Wellesley minute, and asked the clerk to forward our minute to the RI congressional delegation: As Quakers, we believe that God calls on us to resolve conflicts by the most peaceful means. Therefore: * We oppose any preemptive military actions against Iraq or against any other government; * We urge Congress to reject the President's request to take military actions against Iraq; * We urge the support of United Nations' resolutions and inspections as a path to peace and security, not as a pretext to war; * We urge our Government to implement multilateral diplomatic and other peaceful responses to perceived threats posed by the Government of Iraq, and to develop positive, non-violent approaches to resolving this and any other international conflict. 2002-65 Letter from Yearly Meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee on Racism The clerk read a letter on racism from the New England Yearly Meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee. The letter urged Friends to begin to look at how racism may impact the life of our meeting. The clerk asked Friends, in our various roles within the meeting, to think about how we can respond to the concerns expressed in the letter. Friends talked about our own first-hand experiences of racism and also of being in the minority in a gathering of people of color. We don't need to feel personal guilt about the fact that we all benefit from white privelege, which we acknowledge that we do. Instead, we should try to bring about true equality by changing our institutions which perpetuate racism, rather than by putting ourselves down for being hidden racists. We would like to think and talk more about the issues raised by this letter in the coming months. 2002-66 Report from Building and Grounds Committee For Building and Grounds, Bruce Buteau reported that we received two bids of around $5000 to repair the parsonage roof. As previously approved, Building and Grounds will select a contractor to do this work. 2002-67 Next Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business The next Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business would normally be on November 3, 2002. Because of scheduling complications with this date, the next meeting will be at the call of the clerk. 2002-68 Closing Minute No further business arising, Friends closed with a period of waiting worship, intending to meet again for business at the call of the clerk, God willing. Respectfully Submitted, Connie Bair-Thompson Recording Clerk Dear Friends: Yearly Meeting has created a committee to revise it's Faith & Practice book (the last edition was published in 1985). Having spent a year to date on this major endeavor, that committee is now ready to solicit input from the yearly meeting at large. They are looking to you for suggestions on what additions or revisions might make our Faith and Practice more helpful to us as we seek to lead a more faithful corporate life. We have decided to publish their questionnaire in our meeting's newsletter for all Friends to consider. Later in the fall, Ministry & Counsel Committee will sponsor a gathering for corporate discernment relating to the questions raised. But individuals can also respond directly. Don't have a copy of Faith and Practice? Additional copies are available in the Meeting's library. Questions about the process? Marnie Miller-Gutsel serves on the Revision Committee, and would be pleased to answer them. Ministry and Counsel Committee Faith and Practice Revision Committee Questionnaire for Meetings and Individuals Part I 1. What parts of Faith and Practice work well for you? What heartens you? 2. What parts of Faith and Practice don't work well for you? What disheartens you? 3. Based on experience in your own meeting, what ideas do you have about how Faith and Practice could be better? Part II 1. What do you open Faith and Practice to find? 2. What have you been unable to find in Faith and Practice? 3. How and when do you use Faith and Practice? 4. What issues are or have been a source of tension in your meeting? What insights have you gained in your explorations? Which of these issues should be addressed within our book of Faith and Practice? 5. Does Faith and Practice help meet the needs of individuals in your meeting in their spiritual development? 6. Is it helpful for Faith and Practice to hold up standards of behavior or should it only reflect the reality of current practice? 7. Are there instances where your meeting does not follow or augments practices and procedures outlined in Faith and Practice? a. Why? b. Do you have these practices and procedures written down? c. Does your meeting have a minute regarding its decision to change these practices and procedures? (A copy of such minutes or descriptions of practices or procedures would be helpful to us) d. Have you considered bringing your policy forward as a proposed change to Faith and Practice? e. Do you believe that your meeting's policy should be adopted generally or does it reflect circumstances unique to your meeting? 8. Do you sometimes use another Faith and Practice or Book of Discipline in addition to or instead of the 1985 NEYM one? a. If so, which one(s)? b. Why? c. What other resources (written, oral, living examples) does your meeting use for guidance in Quaker process or "how Friends live"? 9. Would it help your meeting to have more detail in Faith and Practice on given topics such as memorial meetings? Which topics need more detail? Part III 1. Does the meeting give new members a copy of Faith and Practice when they join or apply for membership? 2. Are copies of Faith and Practice available to attenders? 3. Are portions of Faith and Practice (such as Advices and Queries) read or used on a regular basis in your meeting? 4. Have quotes from or portions of Faith and Practice been the occasion for vocal ministry in your meeting? Part IV 1. On whose behalf are you responding to this questionnaire? (monthly meeting in session, committee, informal small group, yourself) 2. what is your role in the monthly meeting? (e.g. clerk, pastor, clerk of ministry and counsel, clerk of other committee, individual) 3. If you are answering on behalf of a group, we would appreciate your sending us any minutes or notes that may have been taken in your meeting(s). These will prove useful in our deliberations. Thank you. Corporate or individual responses are to be returned by December 15, 2002 to clerk of the Faith and Practice Revision Committee: Jan Hoffman , 343 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, or email janhoff@earthlink.net. Epistle of the 2002 New England Yearly Meeting of Friends Greetings to All Friends Everywhere: Friends of New England Yearly Meeting gathered from August 4-9, 2001, on the campus of Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island for our 341st annual sessions with the theme "Coming 'Round Right: Our Witness to These Times." In our opening session, keynote speaker, Stan Thornburg of Northwest Yearly Meeting told us the story of his first verbal ministry, when as a 4th grader, he rose in meeting and asked, "If Christianity is so exciting, why is everyone asleep?" We ask, if Quakerism is everything we say it is, why isn't the joy and power of our faith spilling out of us and our Meetings? Stan spoke about his struggle of waiting on the Lord, and the discovery that that in itself was a transforming experience. He called us to an heroic faith that risks everything, without prejudice or pride, in search of a life of pure obedience. On First Day, young people ministered to us with a dramatic retelling of the story of Jonah, complete with an inflatable leviathan, which swallowed Jonah before our eyes. They challenged us to ask ourselves, "How have I disobeyed God?" and, "How can I obey God better?" Many of these themes were repeated in the report of the Long Range Planning Committee, and our State of Society Report. The LRPC noted that our needs are not primarily structural, but members need to answer the call to greater faithfulness, to give life to our structures. The committee identified an urgent need for Friends to give more attention to our inner lives and our use of time. This year, we changed our schedule to allow more time for faithful attention to Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business. We were faithful to our discipline, we waited on God, and God was present. Last year, we were unable to minute support for the Campaign of Conscience for the Iraqi People, as some Friends were concerned about the propriety of undertaking civil disobedience as a corporate entity, and the authenticity of such a witness when the consequences fall only upon officers, not upon individual members of the Yearly Meeting. This year some Friends still felt reservations; however, with God's assistance we were able to unite on a minute. A true witness extends far beyond our minutes; it must be evident in our daily lives. New England Friend Marian Baker's Bible Half Hours began with an emphasis on love as the start and origin of any witness. Through gospel and music, she reminded us that truth is spoken in many tongues, and we can listen for the truth beneath the words. Marian called us to a prophetic witness to the world; she herself is answering a call to serve Friends in East Africa for the next three years. The depth and strength of our worship gave us sustenance throughout the week. We see that the good news for all of us is that God is alive and working among us. We see how God heals, teaches, comforts, and confronts us with the Truth. It is the life of the spirit flowing through us that yields a diversity of gifts. When we grasp the world tightly with one hand and reach out to God with the other, we cannot hold both. We are called to the inner work which allows us to come 'round right to an authentic witness. If we let go of what we hold dear, God will take it over and return it to us for our joy, transformed. God poured love and laughter upon us this week. We pray for continued faithfulness to the Holy Spirit as we return to our homes. We pray that you, too, go forth in the joy and power of God's love. Ongoing actions for Peace As our nation seems to be rushing toward an unprovoked war against Iraq, many concerned Rhode Islanders have been active in making their voices heard against this action. Over 700 attended a rally at the State House on September 25, sizable delegations have met with the staff at Senator Chafee and Reed's offices, and many in Rhode Island have joined the tens of thousands who have called, emailed, faxed and sent letters to our representatives in Congress. Hundreds of thousands are expected at a march in Washington DC on October 26 (see Randy if you are interested in going). This message, from Carol Bragg of the RI Nonviolent Initiatives, includes some of the local ongoing actions against this foolhardy war. TO: RI Peace Mission contacts FR: Carol Bragg DT: October 8, 2002 On Monday, PAX Christi RI held a prayer vigil in front of the Federal Building and Courthouse on Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence. Twenty-five people participated. This witness for peace occurred just prior to President Bush's speech soliciting the support of the nation for military action against Iraq and as the House and Senate begin deliberations on a Congressional resolution authorizing military action. Many of us feel a need to be a visible presence for peace during the critical hours and days leading up to the Congressional votes. We are working to schedule daily actions that will provide an opportunity for our individual and collective voices to be heard. To date, the following actions have been scheduled. You are welcome to participate in any or all. Wednesday, October 9th, from 4:30-5:30 pm, the American Friends Service Committee of Southeastern New England is convening a silent vigil outside the Federal Building in downtown Providence (on Kennedy Plaza, across from City Hall). Friday, October 11, from 4:30-5:30 pm, ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) demonstration (not a vigil) outside the Federal Building on Kennedy Plaza in Providence. Call 726-2922. Monday, October 14, noon to 2 pm, Rhode Island Peace Action will be leafletting on Columbus Day outside the Providence Place Mall, corner of Memorial Boulevard and Francis Street. Call 276-0377 or e-mail kwood@igc.org Tuesday, October 15th, from 4:30-5:30 pm, Rhode Island Peace and Justice is convening a silent vigil outside the Federal Building in downtown Providence. Call 724-0997. Wednesday, October 16, from 4:30-5:30 pm, Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ Division of Church in Society is convening a silent vigil outside the Federal Building in downtown Providence. Call 789-7467 or e-mail uncms@aol.com. NOTE: We are still need "lead" organizations to convene silent vigils or prayer vigils on Thursday, October 10 and Thursday, October 17. Our assumption is that signs can be passed from one vigil to the next. Call Carol at 724-7700 to volunteer. Ongoing vigils for peace Providence: Daily Monday through Friday, noon to one, at Memorial Park across from the Supreme Court (College and South Main Streets) Westerly, RI: Every Friday, 5:30-6:30pm, in front of the Westerly Post Office. Speaker on Iraq -- "Bearing Witness: Reflections on Iraq" Thursday, October 17th, 7pm, Manning Chapel at Brown University (corner of Prospect and Waterman Streets), Providence. Jo Comerford, field staff for Western Massachusetts AFSC, traveled to Iraq in June of this year with a delegation of Quakers. She will speak about her trip; the devastating effect of economic sanctions; and the implications of any U.S. military actions there. Following her presentation, there will be a community discussion. Refreshments will be available. ALL ARE WELCOME! We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing that we know about living. -General Omar Bradley Rally for Peace, RI Statehouse, September 25, 2002 Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends 108 Smithfield Road Woonsocket, RI 02905