Minutes
of
Ohio Yearly Meeting
of Friends
held near Barnesville, Ohio
Eighth Month 2-6, 2016
Clerk: Seth Hinshaw
Assistant Clerk: Robert Wilber
Treasurer: Dennis Rockwell
Correspondent: Anne Marie Taber
Yearly Meeting mail may be sent care of
Olney Friends School
61830 Sandy Ridge Road, Barnesville, Ohio 43713
Phone Numbers:
Stillwater Meeting House - (740) 425-9080
The Morlan (Friends Center) - (740) 425-2853
Olney Friends School - (740) 425-3655
The Walton Home - (740) 425-2344
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Contents
Administrative Queries…………………………………………………………..59
Agenda Committee……………………………………………………………....63
Audit and Budget Committee………………………………………………….7,79
Book and Children’s Literature Committee……………………………………..39
Christian Education Camp……………………………………………….………37
Closing Minute,,,,,……………………………………………………….………83
Committee to Consider 2nd Query Revision……………………………….…….82
Committee to Coordinate and Support Outreach…………………………..…….62
Committees of Ohio Yearly Meeting……………………………………………84
Document Committee……………………………………………………………12
Epistle Committee……………………………………………………………….74
Epistles Received………………………………………...33,34,36,44,45,66,67,71
Farm Properties Committee………………………………………………..…….81
Fiduciary Trustees………………………………………………………….……24
Financing Educational Concerns……………………………………………..….27
Friends Center…………………………………………………………………....64
FWCC Representatives…………………………………………………………..14
General Queries………………………………………………….…..4,10,20,23,32
Historical Committee…………………………………………………..………..18
Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends……………………………..………68
Membership…………………………………………………………….……….46
Memorial Committee……………………………………………………...……..43
Nominating Committee………………………………………………………….77
Olney Farm Report…………………………………………………………..…..29
Olney Hostess Fund and Monteverde School………………………………..….30
Peace and Human Relations Committee…………………………………………12
Plummer House………………………………………………………………….30
OYM Property Trustees…………………………………………………………...7
Quarterly Meeting Reports……………………………………………….……….3
Quarterly Meeting Representatives…………………………………….………..83
Representative Meeting…………………………………………………………...9
Travel Fund Committee………………………………………………………….27
Treasurer’s Report……………………………………………………….………..5
Walton Home……………………………………………………………...……..21
Welcome Visitors…………………………………………………………...…….4
Wider Fellowship of Christian Friends…………………………………………..41
William Penn House……………………………………………………………..82
Yearly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight……………………………………..61
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At Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, held in the Stillwater Meeting
House by adjournments from the second through the sixth of Eighth
Month inclusive, 2016.
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In
whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us
in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of
his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in
one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;
even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after
the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory,
who first trusted in Christ. – Ephesians 1: 2-12
Due to the change in dates for Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016, Seth
Hinshaw, Clerk, has experienced a scheduling conflict for today. The
Agenda Committee has requested Philip W. Helms, Clerk of
Representative Meeting, to substitute for this session.
Quarterly Meeting Reports
Reports were received and read from our three Quarterly
Meetings. The following Friends were appointed as Representatives to this
body, of whom nine are present at this time. The other named Friends plan
to arrive in the coming days.
Salem Quarterly Meeting: Nancy A. Hawkins, Kimberly A. Newlin,
Winifred E. Stratton, Robert W. Stratton, Sharon A. Helms, Conrad
Lindes.
Stillwater Quarterly Meeting: Kathy Kovalick, Evelyn Groves, Larry
Muller, Elvina Krekler, Earl Smith
Rockingham Quarterly Meeting: John C. Smith, Charles Thomas, Jr.,
Michael Kinch
The following Friends were appointed to the Nominating
Committee: Rebecca J. Hawkins, Middleton Monthly Meeting, Salem
Quarterly Meeting; Carolyn McGinnis, Chestnut Ridge Monthly Meeting,
Janet Hammer, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Sara Kirk, Short Creek
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Monthly Meeting, Earl Smith, Stillwater Monthly Meeting, Stillwater
Quarterly Meeting.
Welcome Visitors
We welcome two visitors among us today: Nancy Craft, North Carolina
Yearly Meeting (Conservative), Mary Comfort Ferrell, Friends Committee
on National Legislation
General Queries
The First and Second Queries were read, along with the answers from the
Quarterly Meetings. The following Yearly Meeting summaries were
approved.
First Query: Are meetings for worship well and punctually attended? Is
our behavior therein conducive to meditation and communion with God?
Do we maintain a waiting spiritual worship and a free gospel ministry? Do
we welcome others to share this fellowship with us?
YM Summary: Our meetings are well attended by our active members, and
most of us are punctual. Some Friends attend as faithfully as work and
travel permit; others worship alone, with a small group, in our own or
another established meeting for worship, or by Skype. Meetings report
their behavior is conducive to meditation and communion with God, and
one reports a blessing of deep inner peace during and after worship. One
meeting opens Meeting for Worship with inspirational and/or Bible
reading. One member practices silent prayer for each individual in
meeting. Meetings maintain a waiting spiritual worship and a free gospel
ministry. One meeting feels the majority of its vocal ministry is led of God,
saying they are generally free of urges to speak just to fill the silence. Some
find it is sometimes difficult to completely empty our minds to make a
place for that still small voice and wonder if that may be the cause of a lack
of vocal ministry. We can have deep worship that is outwardly silent, but
at the same time be sensitive to promptings and faithfully share what is
given. One meeting encourages attenders to be faithful in delivering
ministry or prayer when received from the Holy Spirit, and another
experiences good ministry during Afterthoughts. Our meetings welcome
others to share in our fellowship, but several Friends feel we are called to
do more and wish to discuss options. One meeting welcomes others by
responding to their visits and by reaching out to the community through
participation in activities such as World Quaker Day.
Second Query: Do we cherish a forgiving spirit, and strive to “walk in love,
as Christ also hath loved us”? Is each one of us careful for the reputation
of others? Are we ever mindful to love our neighbor as ourselves? If
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differences threaten to disrupt the Christian harmony between the
members, is prompt action taken?
YM Summary: We cherish a forgiving spirit, but acknowledge that
living in that spirit to which Jesus calls us is challenging. We have
encouraged one another to use Christ’s example when we fall short. We
have found it sometimes difficult to maintain thoughts charitable toward
all. Walking in love requires us to love in both thought and deed, and
requires discernment of the form our love should take. We have fallen
short of the free forgiveness and love to which Jesus calls us, but many of
us have worked on nourishing a spirit of love and daily forgiveness, finding
deliverance through confession to move forward in life. We are generally
careful of the reputation of others. Most Friends consider what is said
about others and avoid gossip and careless discussion, at times failing to
share pertinent information in an effort to avoid the appearance of gossip.
A person’s reputation is a precious thing, and some Friends have found the
value of a discerning pause before sharing information. We have been
challenged to love our neighbors as ourselves. Some find it easier to love
others at a distance rather than those to whom we are closest. One meeting
notes that to truly love our neighbors as ourselves, we need divine
assistance to let past hurts fall into God’s care, as He also loves those who
we feel have harmed us. The Lord has opened opportunities to share
blessings and love without prejudice. We feel a strong sense of community
in our meetings which allows us to love one another in spite of a diversity
of opinions. Friends have undertaken some action recently to restore
Christian harmony in meetings, trusting in God to guide us. “He has made
us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the
Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” – 2 Corinthians 3: 6
Treasurer’s Report
2015-2016 Ohio Yearly Meeting Report of Revenue and Disbursements
2016 Actual
2016 Budget
Income
Book sales
Monthly Meeting Donations
Other Donations
Total:
$72.00
$22,883.00
$1,300.00
$24,255.00
Expenses
Agenda Committee
Books and Children's Literature
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$50.00
$50.00
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Christian Education Camp
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
Clerk's expenses
$200.00
$200.00
Copy machine supplies
$200.00
$200.00
Correspondent's expenses
$150.00
$150.00
FCNL
$500.00
$500.00
$1,252.92
$1,000.00
Friends Disaster Service
$500.00
$500.00
FWCC
$500.00
$500.00
$25.00
$25.00
$100.00
$100.00
Friends Center
Historical committee
Hominy Center
Insurance
$4,369.81
$4,000.00
Junior Yearly Meeting
$50.00
$100.00
Outreach Committee
$25.00
$25.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$25.00
$25.00
Printing
$950.23
$1,000.00
RSWR
$500.00
$500.00
$3,000.00
$3,000.00
OYM property trustees
Peace and Human Relations
Travel fund
Walton Home
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
Water
$117.98
$250.00
WFCF
$250.00
$250.00
Total:
$26,265.94
$25,875.00
Expenses over revenue
($2,010.94)
Check balance 7/31/2016
$7,705.96
(Property trustees $2,660.91, OYM General funds $5,045.05)
With most meetings making contributions this year, we are $26 over last
year’s total.
Funds Invested w/ Fiduciary
Trustees:
1 Sale of Property to OFS
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7-1-15 Bal
$ 97,760.59
Chester E. Hartley
Maintenance
3 General Funds
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Changes to Funds:
Reimburse Fid. Trustees R.E.Taxes
Brick work on Meeting
House
Annual Distribution
Annual Distribution
Lease Pmts. (OFS &
Walton)
AEP Right Of Way
Annual Distribution
11,018.70
11,514.54
23,462.18
$ 132,241.47
40,320.16
$ 114,854.87
Details
Net
$ (9,779.10)
$ (28,000.00)
$ 3,038.68
$ 495.84
$ (34,740.42)
$ 495.84
$ 4,003.00
$ 11,338.00
$ 1,516.98
$ 16,857.98
Audit and Budget Committee Names
As a committee to (1) audit the Treasurer’s records, (2) propose a
budget for next year, and (3) recommend the name of a Friend to serve as
Treasurer for the next year, we appoint Burton Doudna and Charles
Thomas, Jr., who will serve this year and next. They will join with David
Eley and Beverly Shull, who continue from last year.
OYM Property Trustees
Robert Rockwell presented the following report of the OYM
Property Trustees. We appreciate the careful work and energy of the
Property Trustees and approve the report. Friends approve Stillwater
Monthly Meeting’s request for reimbursement of $12,860.00 as we are able
to raise funds and budget for this expense; and refer this matter to the Audit
and Budget Committee, to recommend source and schedule of payment(s).
Friends also refer to the Audit and Budget Committee the question of funds
required for ‘Future Projects.’
OYM Property Trustees Report
From the 10/18/2015 minutes of Stillwater Monthly Meeting:
Over the last two years, the Yearly Meeting approved a total of
$28,000 to have the south and west walls of the Meetinghouse restored,
with plans to do the north and east walls as funds were found. (Total cost
7-1-16 Bal
$ 63,020.17
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would have been $55,060.) During negotiations for contracting the work,
a highly recommended contractor was found who would do the entire
building for $40,860. Stillwater trustees felt it reasonable to suggest that
Stillwater make up the $12,860 difference, at least temporarily, thus
permitting the restorations to proceed in a timely manner.
The Monthly Meeting approved and the information was shared
with Representative Meeting. There is some hope that at least a portion of
this $12,860 will be considered by OYM as an advance rather than a direct
donation.
The work was done by Coon Restoration and Sealants, Inc. of Louisville,
Ohio. It was completed 12/30/2015. Work included:
● Caulking with 2-part polyurethane sealant around all windows,
doors and joints where restrooms adjoined the main building.
● Tuck-pointing with type-N mortar to match existing conditions,
in all areas where brick mortar was missing or severely
deteriorated, some broken bricks were replaced.
● Ground out sandstone joints and put in new mortar.
● Applied water repellant on all walls after other work was done.
In July, 2015, Dennis Rockwell received a check for $500 from
E. Saunders of Weston Massachusetts. She had seen an article in
Conservative Friend and felt led to help us with our project. Dennis has
earmarked the $500 to be part of the 2016 $1,000 maintenance allocation.
The concrete block gas meter house has been removed without
any damage to the interior gas meters and valves. Cost: $3,500: Olney 50%
$1,750, Stillwater 25% $875, OYM 25% $875. An attractive cedar board
wall has been built around the gas meter installation. The cost was shared
by Olney and Stillwater.
storage of their records. The Committee welcomes ideas
and input from the membership.
The Committee suggested a $1,000 allocation for this year, but perhaps it
should be more in order to cover proposed.
For the Committee,
Robert Rockwell
Property Trustees Financial Report 2016
Starting Balance
8/1/2015
$2,535.91
Income
OYM Allocations
$1,000.00
Proceeds from sale of property
$28,000.00
Loan from Stillwater MM
$12,856.00
Total
$41,856.00
Expenses
Brick work
Share of Gas House removal
Total
Ending Balance
$40,856.00
$875.00
$41,731.00
7/31/2016
$2,660.91
(These funds are currently held with OYM Treasurer, Dennis
Rockwell.)
Representative Meeting Report
Philip Helms provided a summary of the actions of the
Representative Meeting over the past year. We thank Phil for his service
as Clerk of that body and for the summary. The Yearly Meeting approves
the actions of the Representative Meeting.
Future projects:
● Paint exterior woodwork. Some windows need re-glazing. This
work was last done in 2007 at a cost of $3,890. Leonard Guindon
would be available next summer for this work. The committee
recommends proceeding.
● Northwest shower rooms
○ Roof needs to be redone
○ Door and shower stall in ladies shower room needs to be
replaced.
○ Question: Does anyone use the women’s shower room?
Is the space better used for something else? Possibly a
vault for OYM records with rental space for others, such
as Captina Conservancy and Walton Home for off-site
Representative Meeting held regularly scheduled sessions on 1121-2015 at Chestnut Ridge Monthly Meeting and on 04-16-2016 at SalemUpper Springfield Monthly Meeting.
The 11-21-2015 meeting received a proposal from the Walton
Home Board, which has been circulated to Monthly Meetings and is to be
considered by Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016. In addition, we received a report
on the brickwork and related matters on the Meetinghouse.
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The 04-16-2016 meeting considered the draft memorial for
William P. Taber, Jr. and approved it for publication, appointing a
committee to deal with necessary matters, including number of copies and
expenses (2016-2017 Budget). We received informational reports on the
Walton Home and Friends Center projects.
The minutes of the two meetings follow these Yearly Meeting Minutes.
General Queries
The third and fourth Queries were read, with the Quarterly
Meeting responses. The Yearly Meeting proposed summaries were read
and approved. Friends spoke of the distinction between ‘dependence’ and
‘addiction,’ between ‘temperance’ and ‘abstinence,’ and strategies to
reduce overeating, and urged Friends to consider the balance between their
own understanding of ‘temperance’ and the rightness of yielding to the
traditions, wisdom and leadings of the Yearly Meeting as expressed in our
Discipline.
Third Query: Are our homes places of peace, joy, and contentment? Are
they an influence for good in the neighborhood, community, and country?
Do we set a good Christian example for our children to follow? Are
Friends careful that their children realize that our loving Savior will
faithfully guide them through life, as they are willing to accept and obey
Him? Do we help our children to read and appreciate the Bible?
YM Summary: We experience peace, joy, and contentment in our homes,
largely through God’s grace and to a lesser extent through our conscious
choices about how we live. Some of us feel we have fallen short in this
matter as a result of such things as grief, stress, or familial contention.
Those who don’t live alone have exercised consistent and regular vigilance
to address disagreements so that with God’s help we can experience
periods of deep peace and contentment at home, rooted in shared
commitment and faith in God. We are not sure about the extent of the
positive influence of our Christian witness in our communities and
workplaces, but it is probably more than we think. Members who have
grown children report that even though they often felt they had fallen short
of these goals, their children express appreciation for the homes they were
raised in, especially when compared to some of their peers. Visitors
sometimes comment on the peace they find among us. Most meetings have
few if any regular attending children, but try to set a good Christian
example to family and young visitors. The best way to help our children
realize that our loving Savior will guide them through life is by living that
relationship ourselves so our children will want to develop their own
relationship with God. Members help ensure that children in their families
have their own Bibles, and many of us read the Scriptures with children.
We have also assisted with the awakening to the love of our Lord, Jesus
Christ, and His guidance in the faith through Christian Education Camp.
Fourth Query: Believing our bodies to be the temple of God, are we
concerned to attain a high level of physical and mental health? To this end
are our lives examples of temperance in all things? Do we avoid and
discourage the use and handling of intoxicants, tobacco, and improper use
of drugs?
YM Summary: We share the concern to attain a high level of physical and
mental health although none are Olympic level persons. We are aware of
the links among physical, mental, and spiritual health: problems in one
often lead to problems in the others, while positive gains in one help with
the others. Truly accepting the concept of our bodies being “the temple of
God” would help keep unwholesome desires in check. This concept should
be taught early to children so that young people would have more respect
for their own bodies and those of their peers. Some members make healthy
choices and abstain from things that will cause damage to the body, but
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Following a period of announcements and worship, the meeting adjourned
until tomorrow at 10:00 AM.
Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, Eighth Month 3,
Morning Session
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide
under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge
and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall
cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth
shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by
night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see
the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my
refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a
stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the
dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon
me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath
known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be
with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will
I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. - Psalm 91
Seth Hinshaw, OYM Clerk, has not yet arrived, and Philip Helms will
again fill in as Clerk for this session.
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many experience overeating tendencies. Some Friends have worked to
improve their health through weight loss, better eating habits and activities
that improve muscle tone and flexibility. One meeting notes that they also
control what things they watch and read and do for entertainment so as to
honor and glorify the Lord, thus living lives as examples of temperance in
all things. We desire to be good stewards of our physical, mental, and
spiritual gifts for God’s work and glory. Members strive to maintain a right
balance even with chronic/lifestyle health problems, and are careful to use
prescription drugs appropriately and to not become dependent on them.
We are clear of the use of tobacco. A small number of our members are
not in unity with Ohio Yearly Meeting’s long-standing culture of
abstinence regarding alcohol that directly counters the larger culture in
which we live. A few of us partake of alcohol, one at a physician’s
suggestion and others with an understanding that they are practicing
moderation.
Document Committee Report
Document Committee met and recommends readings from the
following epistles as way opens: From Arthur Berk, Intermountain YM,
Aotearoa/New Zealand YM, Pacific YM, Ireland YM, North Carolina
(Conservative) YM, Iowa (Conservative) YM, Britain YM.
For Epistle Committee, we bring forth the names of Earl Smith, Bridget
Casterline, and Terry Wallace.
Michael Kinch, Philip Helms, Robert Wilber (the committee)
Membership Report
The draft Membership Report was read aloud. We appreciate the
diligence and careful work of Conrad Lindes, OYM Recorder, and the
Monthly Meeting Recorders. The final Membership Report will be
reviewed later during these sessions.
Peace and Human Relations Committee Report
Sylvia Thomas reported for the Peace and Human Relations
Committee. The committee has invited Mary Comfort Ferrell of FCNL to
visit OYM and has helped with her expenses. The report is approved, with
sincere appreciation for the important work of this committee.
Peace Committee Report
Peace Committee met 7-18-2016 in the comfortable conference
room at the Walton Home. We learned that an FCNL staff person, Mary
Comfort Ferrell, will visit OYM, and we agreed that Peace Committee will
pay for meals for Mary Comfort and Earl Smith. We appreciate Martha
Giffen’s gracious hospitality to provide boarding for Mary Comfort, and
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Earl’s assistance with her visit. Sylvia Thomas agreed to be the
committee’s convenor for the coming year (with Mary Alice’s assistance).
When considering what the Peace Committee is called to do, we
discussed the idea of visiting OYM monthly meetings. The concern for
encouraging meetings in their local situations continues to arise for us.
How might Peace Committee support the peace work of our monthly
meetings? We wonder if there is a way for monthly meetings in other states
than Ohio to have a voice in our yearly meeting level Peace Committee.
Peace Committee also met on 8-2-16 after the opening session of
OYM. We continued to develop the concerns raised in Seventh Month,
with the helpful additional presence of our visiting FCNL friends, Mary
Comfort. Friends feel that we could make the first motion of visiting the
monthly meetings that are at a distance, perhaps at quarterly meeting time,
with as many committee members as are able. One Friend felt a drawing
to visit Keystone Meeting. We envision an informal gathering to share
together and hear the meetings’ concerns, leadings, activities and
difficulties; upholding each other by listening; and sharing a period of
prayer and worship. We hope to work with monthly meeting clerks to work
out the details.
Mary Comfort spoke to us of the longing to hear from spiritually
grounded Friends at FCNL. She told us of some FCNL opportunities that
might fit well with our proposal. Right now, FCNL is working on their
priorities process. They would strongly welcome hearing leadings and
concerns from monthly meetings in OYM to include in their discernment.
Letters or emails from monthly meetings could be given to Earl Smith to
forward to FCNL.
Another opportunity is to be prayerful supporters: holding
Congress in the Light, praying for individual Congresspersons, and praying
for FCNL staff. Mary Comfort also offered to inform Peace Committee
when legislation is being debated which could be held in prayer. We could
forward prayer requests to any OYM members who feel called to help hold
Congress in the Light.
Friends have a great gift, a gift God calls us to use more than ever.
In the midst of the storm of human suffering and the disintegration of
worldly systems, Friends are called to center deeply in the Presence of God,
and hold all in His Light; to anchor the Light and extend it to all, and feel
for the will, and bring every concern into prayer. God waits for us to make
bold calls for the healing of the world. When we offer ourselves to be used
by the power of Love; what might we do then? We feel we need to begin
the first motion of willingness, in obedient trust that the way will be
opened.
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Peace and H.R. Committee Treasurer's Report 2016
Starting Balance 8/1/2015
$459.89
Income
Book Sales
$12.00
OYM allocation
$25.00
Total
$37.00
Expenses
Meals
$68.00
Total
Ending Balance 6/30/2016
$68.00
$428.89
Deciding the best use of these funds is waiting on our working out details
of meeting visits, and learning about the needs of monthly meetings. The
fund will continue to support Earl Smith’s representation at FCNL; we are
reminded that OYM may have up to six FCNL representatives, so perhaps
there are Friends with a leading to be encouraged. FCNL also has financial
help for representatives.
On behalf of OYM Peace Committee,
Mary Alice Pino, Sylvia Thomas
FWCC Representatives Report
A report from Grant and Neva Kaufmann, OYM Representatives
to FWCC, regarding the plenary FWCC meeting in Peru this year was read
and approved.
We appreciate the Kaufmanns’ commitment and
dedication, as well as the high quality of their reportage.
As a member of the Finance Committee for FWCC Section of the
Americas, Beverly K. Shull met with the committee four times by skype
this past year. There were no plenary meetings this year for the FWCC
Section of the Americas. However our section did host the World Plenary
Meeting of FWCC. It was held in Pisac, Peru on First Month 19-26, 2016.
Ohio Yearly Meeting asked Grant and Neva Kaufmann (affiliate members
of Rockingham Monthly Meeting and who live in Bolivia) to attend that
gathering as our representatives. Also in attendance were Kathryn
Whittaker (an affiliate member of Chestnut Ridge Monthly Meeting and
who also lives in Bolivia) and her second oldest daughter Rachel. The
following is a report from Grant and Neva of their experience there:
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Greetings Friends in the name of Jesus,
We have been richly blessed by the opportunity to attend, as your
representatives, the FWCC world gathering held in Pisac, Peru, 19-27 of
1st month, 2016. After a 2 day trip by bus, air and then minibus, we arrived
in the stunningly beautiful valley of the Rio Urubamba east of Cuzco, its
steep slopes covered for miles with the ancient terrace-work of the Inca
civilization, for whom this was a major food producing area. Today their
remaining descendants support themselves mainly by catering to the many
tourists who visit the area to learn about the Inca culture, crafts and
(unfortunately) shamanistic religious practices.
After a day wandering about the sizeable market and accustoming
ourselves to the altitude, we headed to the Royal Inca Hotel, where the
conference was to be held and joined the other 300 or so participants,
representing 38 countries and 77 yearly meetings and the wide diversity of
languages, cultures and worship practices encompassed by modern
Quakerism.
We were pleased to find, despite the outward diversity, substantial
unity in the goodwill, openness and honesty that characterize Friends. A
conscious effort was made in the planning process to include young
Friends, who were very much in evidence, making up 35% of the attenders.
Also present were our friend Kathryn Whittaker and daughter Rachel,
fellow travelers in OYM and Bolivia.
Having attended 2 world Gatherings some 20 years ago, it was
interesting to observe the continuity, as well as the changes that have
occurred over the years.
WORSHIP:
Large worship meetings were held daily, each under the care of a
different Section and reflecting the distinctive styles common to each area.
The spiritual quality of these meetings, both programmed and
unprogrammed, was, surprisingly, quite good on the whole with mostly
helpful ministry and a comfortable sense of God's presence.
Unprogrammed worship was also offered as an early-morning
option, and was well attended (20-50 people). Characterized by a real
expectant waiting with some ministry, it was a good start for the rather
busy days which followed.
BUSINESS:
In addition to the usual reports and so forth, 3 major concerns
occupied the business sessions:
1. A proposal to substantially reorganize the administration of FWCC,
placing virtually all decision making power in the hands of the Central
Executive Committee and placing the plenary sessions of the World
Gatherings in an advisory role. It was believed that this would streamline
the functions of FWCC, leading to less "scatter-shot" administration and
(hopefully) lower costs.
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After considerable (mostly helpful) discussion, first outside and
then within the business session it was felt that this would remove FWCC
too far from Friends' understanding of discernment within a gathered body,
and more moderate changes to the Constitution were approved allowing
more flexibility to the CEC and placing more responsibility within the
Sections, while maintaining the overall policy authority of the assembled
representatives at World Gatherings.
2. Concurrent with the previous proposal, it was also suggested to extend
the interval between World Gatherings from the present 5 years to 12 years,
the idea being to reduce the substantial costs of these gatherings and free
staff time for other projects. Since the World Gatherings are viewed by
most of the attenders (and I think, Friends as a whole) as the single most
important function of FWCC, this proposal met with considerable
discussion.
The final outcome was to set the goal at 6-8 years, with a strong
recommendation to aim for the shorter interval when financially possible
and to encourage to an even greater extent traveling ministry within and
among Sections.
3. Underlying both of these concerns is the reality, eloquently explained by
the Treasurer, that FWCC does not cover its expenses on a regular basis,
especially relating to World Gatherings and must continually draw down
the financial reserve it is required to maintain as a registered charity in the
UK. It is necessary to recognize that the Society of Friends and the world
as a whole have changed, and it is unlikely that the policy of simply urging
Friends to larger contributions will continue to suffice. The proposed
budgets for the coming years show an annual shortfall reaching over
$40,000 by 2018. It is believed that the liquidating of a substantial family
donation and the funds held for a future Young Friends Conference (neither
of which were yet approved when the budget was prepared) combined with
the efforts of professional fundraisers contracted by FWCC will suffice to
cover expenses through this period, but these are stop-gaps and, over the
long term, changes must be made or they will be forced upon us.
I might add, as an aside to these gloomy sounding prospects, that
the cause is not bad. The Society of Friends today is no longer a small club
of rich white men in England and America. The majority of Friends, and
by far the greatest growth, are in Africa, Latin America and, increasingly
East Asia, largely among people of very limited earthly resources. The
Spirit of God is moving, and if we must change our ways to accommodate
that movement, this is not a bad thing!
Perhaps here would be the place to mention the Special Travel
Appeal: Due to visa problems, the Kenyan Friends did not arrive at the
conference until midweek, having endured bureaucracy, missed flights,
unexpected lodging costs, etc. All of this resulting in a budget overrun of
some $27,000. As a result, the gathering has issued a special request to
Friends to contribute to cover these unforeseen costs. African Friends are
a large and increasingly important part of our Society and FWCC, but the
financial resources which they can contribute are almost nil. If any Friends
would like to contribute, they can do so through the FWCC web site
//www.FWCC.world//, or if a US tax deduction is desired, //
www.FWCC.Americas.org//.
In addition to the above, the week was dedicated to workshops,
focus groups and personal visiting and sharing. Some highlights:
The group on Sustainability brought forth a minute proposing
actions by FWCC, Yearly Meetings and individual Friends to give
practical application to the "Call for Peace and Ecojustice" issued by the
gathering in Kabaruk, Kenya in 2012.
From Young Friends, there were ideas for a future world
gathering, an international young Friends' group, and an ongoing network
of young Friends via internet (communication technologies have become
very much a part of their lives, and they seem completely comfortable
interacting in this way).
SUMMARY
It was a very interesting, and in many ways uplifting, week. It was
good to feel a part of the wider world of Friends again after 20 years of
rather limited contact.
Our impression is that the tide of unbelief among unprogrammed
Friends is receding, especially among the young who, though often devoid
of Christian teaching, are seekers, not opponents of the Gospel. There is a
refreshing openness. A young Dutch Friend shared with us his sense of
amazement at experiencing a real "leading of God" in European YF's
decision to hold a meeting in the Georgia Republic. We tend to take such
things for granted but, for those who have never experienced it before, it
can be life-changing.
The world of Quakerism increasingly includes small and scattered
groups, some even of a Christian unprogrammed nature. The representative
of Southern Africa YM (a very diverse group of isolated meetings spread
over 9 nations) said her YM could best be described by that term. We also
met a man from a tiny meeting on one of the islands of the Philippines
whose father had come to Christian/Quaker belief through private study.
They are the only unprogrammed Friends in that country, although
Evangelical Friends have a vigorous work in the capital.
We would urge you, dear Friends, to keep all of God's dear ones
in your prayers. We know something of feeling few and scattered, but our
God is everywhere. Times change; ideas ebb and flow; groups rise and
decline with demography, but THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS
FOREVER!
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Your Friends in Christ, Grant and Neva Kaufmann
A Message From Arthur Berk
The following message from Arthur Berk was read and appreciated:
To be read at Yearly Meeting
May we wait on the Lord so that we can receive his goodness and care, and
extend that care to our fellow worshippers wherever they are. May Christ
prevail at our yearly meeting, showing us the love we can and should
present.
May we receive Him in the love of God.
In Christ, Arthur Berk, Affiliate member of Rockingham Monthly Meeting
Following a period of announcements and worship, the meeting adjourned
until 2:00 PM.
Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, Eighth Month 3,
Afternoon Session.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen. – Galatians 1:3-5
Seth Hinshaw resumed the clerking of the business meeting.
Mary Comfort Ferrell expressed her gratitude for her time with
Ohio Friends this week and for the communion she has experienced with
God here.
Historical Committee
The Meeting heard the report of the Historical Committee. It is
always a blessing to learn of the work of the committee managing the
Heritage Room, which is open throughout the week. The committee would
appreciate suggestions about repointing and repainting the Heritage Room.
We appreciate the report and ask the Audit and Budget Committee to
consider how to make funds available.
Historical Committee Report
After talking for several years about painting the Heritage Rooms,
the historical committee has finally done something. We paid Mary Alice
Pino, a member of the committee, $50.00 to paint the wooden shutters on
which tools have been displayed. We received some very good help from
young people attending the gathering known as Quaker Spring in removing
the tools before painting. Young members of Stillwater helped replace the
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tools and lift the shutter back in place against the wall. Marie Bundy made
new labels for some of the tools. We have an estimate from Larry Giffen
for painting the walls and repairing and painting the ceiling in the first room
in the amount of $2,716.51. This is more than the $1,000.00 previously
allocated by the Yearly Meeting for this project. Of course the $394.60
currently in our treasury would be available for this project. We are unsure
how to proceed.
We’ve stapled a new sign to the outside door to the Heritage
Rooms listing the names of local committee members who could be
available on short notice to host visitors.
Since last yearly meeting we have had visitors from several
groups: guests from a Mennonite wedding in November, Olney
Commencement in May, Gathering of Conservative Friends and Quaker
Spring in June, and the summer picnic of a group of three genealogical
societies (that may return again next year) in July.
We will open the Heritage Rooms before and after most of the
business sessions. There are scrapbooks, photo albums, quilts and other
items on tables and benches in the north meeting room that can be seen
anytime you are in the building. Pamphlets and books in the racks at the
back of the room are free for the taking. In the Heritage Rooms we have
for sale several books of Quaker and OYM History, Christmas ornaments
featuring this building originally sold by the local Chamber of Commerce,
and also prints of well-known Quaker paintings “Presence in the Midst”
and “Fierce Feathers.” We are also giving away notepaper featuring
interior and exterior pictures of this meetinghouse.
It has come to our attention that the minutes do not indicate who
is convener of the Historical Committee. Loisanne Rockwell has agreed to
be convener and Earl Smith will be treasurer.
Please sign the guest book when you visit the Heritage Room.
Historical Committee Treasurer's Report
Starting Balance
2016
8/1/2015
$398.76
Income
Heritage Room Sales and Donations
Yearly Meeting 2015
$95.00
Mennonite wedding
$40.20
Olney commencement
$61.00
Conservative Friends
Gathering, Quaker Spring,
Genealogical Society
$70.00
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Additional sales and donations
$7.40
Bank interest
$0.24
OYM Appropriation
Total
along by worldly cares or our own needs and do not feel adequate to help
others.
Meetings report we are faithful to consider how we can share
burdens when the need arises. We were reminded again that we are
reluctant to share our own burdens, showing our vulnerability and allowing
others to help us – even when the need is only a prayer request. We find it
a challenge to discern when it is appropriate to intervene to help people,
when we should stay prayerfully quiet, and when a request for physical
help is more deeply a plea for the warmth of Christ’s love. Asking for
guidance from above is important; we have each, in various ways, been
exercised and sometimes overwhelmed by the reality of other people’s
difficulties.
We as Friends sometimes find it difficult to give or even to receive
prayerful counsel. Some Friends report they do not engage in counseling
or eldering unless asked directly for fear of appearing to be judgmental.
Some loving and prayerful counsel has taken place during the past year,
and some Friends have found that accepting the help and healing for
ourselves is a way to experience Christ’s love shining through us more
brightly, enabling us to be more sensitive and truly helpful to others.
$25.00
$298.84
Expenses
Painting wooden shutters
$50.00
Christmas tree ornaments
$35.00
Utilities (Stillwater MM)
$150.00
Stillwater brochures
$67.00
Laminating door sign
$1.00
Total
Ending Balance
$303.00
6/30/2016
$394.60
In Wesbanco, $353.60. In Heritage room, $41.00
General Queries
The Meeting read the fifth Query with the answers from the
Quarterly Meetings. The following yearly meeting summary was
approved.
Query 5: Are we sensitive to the needs of those around us who may be in
less fortunate circumstances? Do we prayerfully consider how we can
share one another’s burdens when the need arises? Do we counsel lovingly
and prayerfully with those members whose actions in any phase of life give
us grounds for concern?
YM Summary: Our meetings feel that we are sensitive to the needs of those
around us who may be in less fortunate circumstances, though some sense
that we are more sensitive as individuals than as meetings. Members are
active in direct assistance such as distributing food at a food pantry, hiring
local people for odd jobs whenever possible, or providing financial
assistance. Several Friends contribute to yearly meeting outreach efforts or
local charities, and some Friends volunteer their time. Many Friends have
a gift in listening to the concerns and challenges of others but can find it
difficult to discern appropriate words for guidance or counsel, particularly
if the behavior of the person being counseled contributes to that person’s
difficulties in life. Telling the recipient outside the context of giving that
their friendship is important and cherished often allows the recipient to
maintain their dignity and sense of self-worth. Sometimes we are swept
Walton Home
The Meeting heard the annual report of the Walton Home. The
staff’s care for residents, including improvements in activities, contributes
to the very low turnover of residents. The decision to bring the South
Annex back online appears to be a wise step during fundraising for the
South Wing project. The important work nurturing the residents benefits
from ongoing bequests, and Friends are reminded to keep the Walton in
prayer and continue to donate towards its success. Jamie Helmick reported
on fundraising thus far, which has not been sufficient for moving into
groundbreaking. He reports that fundraising thus far has been about
$350,000 which has gone towards “soft costs” needed during the planning
stages. Jamie explained that the proposal to file a new deed transferring
Walton ownership from the Fiduciary Trustees to the Walton Home
Corporation will be easier for funding sources to understand during
fundraising. Some Friends raised concerns regarding transferring
ownership of the Walton properties, but we support a healthy Walton
Home with a strong tie with the yearly meeting.
Friends are not ready to make a decision regarding transferring
property today. The Yearly Meeting agrees to more fully consider the issue
of transferring title during the evening session on Fifth Day. We have been
reminded while seeking the guidance of Christ Jesus in this matter that we
not caucus in small groups but open our hearts and minds for direction. The
Meeting accepts the Walton report with thanks for the labors and
faithfulness of the board, administration, and staff.
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Walton Home Report
Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: and I was thirsty , and
ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger and ye took me not in : Naked, and
ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall
they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or
athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister
unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you.
Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. “
Matthew 25: 42-45.
Recently it seems that we have somehow forgotten the importance
of these passages of Scripture. Part of our Mission at Walton Retirement
Home is to care for those among us in need. Our continuing efforts are to
make enough space in our community to support a greater
number of those among us.
Over the past nine years, many things have taken place. After
nearly twenty-two years Nirmal and Diana Kaul retired. They made
wonderful advancements in the care and housing of Friends as well as
others in the area, working untold numbers of hours while raising a young
family. We very much appreciate all that their vision for Walton Home
represented. They had the ideas for enlarging the existing building which
came to fruition.
Now with Jamie Helmick as Executive Director, the vision
continues, but way has not opened for the funds to become available to
proceed. We look to our Lord for guidance while remembering not to
“Outrun our Guide.”
The Board of Walton Home has become a vibrant and
enthusiastic living organization! Committees meet regularly and are of
important impact on the happenings there.
It is with comfort and trust that I leave the work, having Richard
Simon taking on the responsibilities of President. Please support him and
all of the new officers of Walton Retirement Home, as well as the rest of
the Board, as they continue the work given us by our Lord.
Please continue to give of both funds and time to help continue
the work. Being a volunteer is a very important part of making this truly a
Mission of Ohio Yearly Meeting.
Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, Eighth Month 4,
Afternoon Session, held in the Stillwater Science Center of Olney
Friends School.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in
darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent
from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear
witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not
that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true
Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world – John 1:1-9.
We are glad to welcome Tom Roberts and Rachel Whittaker, Lori
Huffman, Jamie Helmick, and Ken Hinshaw.
Yours in Christ,
Sharon A. Helms
President, Walton Retirement Home
Following a time of worship, this business session concludes. Friends are
encouraged to attend the Walton Home Corporation meeting at the Walton
in a few minutes.
General Queries
The Meeting read the sixth Query with the answers from the
Quarterly Meetings. The following yearly meeting summary was
approved.
Query 6: Do we live in the life and power which takes away the occasion
of all wars? Do we, on Christian principles, refuse to participate in or to
cooperate with the military effort? Do we work actively for peace and the
removal of the causes of war? Do we endeavor to cultivate good will,
mutual understanding, and equal opportunities for all people?
YM Summary: Some meetings report that they live in the life and power
of the Holy Spirit, which takes away the occasion of all wars. We aspire to
so live to the extent possible in our modern society, with an open mind
about how to live out the specifics of the Lord’s requirement that we “do
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with [our] God” (Micah 6:8). Some
meetings are clear of direct participation in the ongoing armed conflicts of
the United States and consider themselves Christian pacifists, but in other
cases members are not comfortable with non-cooperation with the military
effort. We continue to love family and friends who serve in the military or
have jobs related to the military effort. While direct participation in the
military is not part of our daily lives, most of us have indirectly sustained
it by paying war taxes and perhaps even by voting for politicians who
support war. Contentious language from public officials, the anger of
supporters and protesters, and armed conflicts in the Middle East to which
there is no apparent resolution all feed rampant resentment and hate in our
country. Christian principles from the scriptures teach us that we should
“walk in peace, as much as lies within us,” everyone with his neighbor.
One member actively supports veteran’s programs that deal with the results
of war. Another member reported that her son was required to register for
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the Selective Service to be able to receive financial aid and reduced tuition
at a state university. Some of us feel that we are not doing anything active
to work for peace and bringing the healing hand of Christ Jesus to our
community and nation. Finding inner peace and forgiveness is an important
starting point, but perhaps the Creator is ready to prompt us to greater
action. The power not to respond aggressively to aggression comes to us
from God and is supported by fellowship with others committed to nonresistance. Some meetings support FCNL financially, and one member
represents Ohio Yearly Meeting at FCNL gatherings, thus seeking to
influence national legislation in accordance with our principles.
Individually, each of us has daily opportunities to cultivate goodwill and
mutual understanding with our neighbors, showing by example how we
can hope for peace in the world. Finding opportunities to connect with
others of unlike mind, discovering peaceful resolutions to disagreements,
and spreading goodwill and understanding with people of dissimilar
cultures and backgrounds are all valuable avenues for common growth in
experiencing the Prince of Peace. One meeting encourages Friends to
record their peace convictions and to support peace fund tax bills.
Fiduciary Trustees
The Fiduciary Trustees reported on their work over the past year
managing the investments and properties held on our behalf. The Meeting
continues to be thankful that the Fiduciaries are able to pay a good return
on investments. Their care regarding the conscientious investing
encourages the rest of us to be similarly concerned. David Warrington
explained the Fiduciary Trustees receive returns from Friends Fiduciary
Corporation twice a year. The Meeting was reminded about difficulties in
interpreting the intent of bequests. We appreciate the work of the Fiduciary
Trustees and approve the report.
Fiduciary Trustees of Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends
Report for the Year Ending Sixth Month 30th, 2016
For the year ending 6/30/2016 the Fiduciary Trustees have managed the
following trust funds:
Education Funds
Walton Retirement Home
Ohio Yearly Meeting
Monthly Meetings
Reserve Fund
591,119
Total Assets
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$560,358
746,826
109,803
433,032
$2,441,138
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Our income and expenses for the 2015-2016 fiscal year were:
Total Income
Operating Expenses
$8,361
-5,331
Net Income
$13,692
Distribution of Earnings:
Return to Trust Funds
Added to Reserve Fund
$78,063
-64,371
Same as Net Income
$13,692
OYM Physical Assets
Walton Retirement Home
248 acres of farmland
Friends Center and garage
Plummer House
1 freestall barn and 1 hay storage
building
Machinery shop and shed
2,000 bushel corn crib
1 non-producing gas well
40 tree orchard
Taber house
We are thankful to be able to pay 4.5% return on the trust funds
in our care for the fiscal year ending Sixth Month 30th, 2016. The
investments held by the Fiduciary Trustees have continued to grow, and
we agreed to pass along a higher percentage distribution this year than in
recent years.
We want to note that the negative operating expenses shown
above are the result of $4,448 in actual operating expenses and
reimbursement of $9,779 as authorized by Ohio Yearly Meeting, for
accumulated property taxes paid by the Fiduciary Trustees for the Friends
Center / Morlan House.
We currently have one (1) home loan outstanding with Ohio
Yearly Meeting members.
As directed by the Committee on Financing Educational
Concerns, the Fiduciary Trustees distributed $3,000 during the past year to
the families of two (2) Ohio Yearly Meeting children attending Olney. Also
as directed, $13,711 was sent to Olney Friends School from the income of
the Education Trust Funds we hold in support of scholarships, a Christian
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Quaker presence at Olney, the library, repairs and improvements, and
athletics.
The Ohio Yearly Meeting fund containing the proceeds from the
sale of the Main Campus to Olney Friends School in 2004 is valued at
$63,020 as of Seventh Month 31st, 2016. As requested by the Yearly
Meeting in Eighth Month 2015, the Fiduciary Trustees transferred $28,000
from this fund to the Trustees of Ohio YM Property Committee for use in
repairs to Stillwater Meeting House, and transferred $9,779 to the
Fiduciary Trustees in reimbursement for accumulated property taxes paid
for the Friends Center / Morlan House. We will continue to hold the
balance of this fund and allow it to accrue interest until we receive
instruction from the Yearly Meeting to take other action.
As approved by the Yearly Meeting during Eighth Month 2015
annual meeting, we completed the easement agreement with American
Electric Power (AEP) for an expanded right-of-way for their power line
crossing Ohio YM property south of Stillwater Meeting House in Eleventh
Month 2015. The language in the easement documents is identical to that
found in the easement agreement between AEP and Olney Friends School.
It was felt that, given the leasing arrangement between Ohio YM and Olney
for use of OYM farmland, this would simplify future oversight and
stewardship of these lands. The AEP lease payment was credited to the
OYM General Fund held by the Fiduciaries.
Also as approved by the Yearly Meeting, the Fiduciaries
completed the transfer of title for the property known as the Towe Ranch
to Olney Friends School in Twelfth Month 2015.
At the end of Sixth Month 2016 the Fiduciary Trustees closed our
investment accounts with Wells Fargo Advisors and are in the process of
transferring these investments to our account with Friends Fiduciary
Corporation in Philadelphia. We began investing with Friends Fiduciary in
2008 and had reached a level of nearly 70% of our investments with them
by this spring.
We have felt unease for a number of years that we have not had
control over, or participation in, the selection of our investments as we have
moved away from owning individual stocks to owning shares in managed
funds. This has made it impossible for us to assure ourselves that we were
avoiding investments that might be inconsistent with Friends testimonies.
We have concluded that the most straightforward way to invest in a manner
that is attentive to the testimonies of Friends is to increase our investment
with Friends Fiduciary Corporation.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Fiduciary Trustees,
David E. Warrington,
President, Fiduciary Trustees of Ohio Yearly Meeting
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Travel Fund
The Meeting heard the report of the Travel Fund Committee. We
are glad to see that the fund balance is higher than usual. Friends note that
the Yearly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight may be requesting funds
for some upcoming potential travel. We appreciate the work of the
committee.
Travel Fund Committee Report
This past year we provided support for 2 members to attend the FWCC
meeting in Peru and 1 member to William Penn House and FCNL
meetings in Washington, D.C.
Balance 8-01-15 $ 2,014.97
Income
OYM Funding
Interest (12
Months)
Total Income
Expenses
(Representatives)
$ 3,000.00
$ 2.64
$ 3,002.64
FWCC Reps
FCNL & Wm Penn
House
Total Expenses
Fund Balance 8-01-16
$780.00
445.00
$ 1,225.00
$ 3,792.61
Respectfully
Submitted,
Dennis Rockwell
Treasurer
Financing Educational Concerns Committee
The Financing Education Concerns Committee reported on the
distribution of educational funds held by the Fiduciary Trustees. We were
glad to hear of the transfer of the Thomas Kafes Scholarship Fund to Olney.
We thank the committee for its work and approve the report.
Financing Educational Concerns Committee Report
Members of the Financing Educational Concerns Committee met
to consider the distribution of funds this year. The funds are intended for
high school age members of the yearly meeting who are attending Friends
schools, other private schools or who are homeschooled. This year, we are
aware of three members of high school age attending Olney Friends School
and one attending East Richland Christian School.
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As has been the practice most years, the net income from the
Scholarships for OYM Children Trust Fund has been reduced by the
Inflation Accumulation rate set by the Fiduciary Trustees. We are thankful
that the income this year gives us the ability to provide scholarship monies
to families as well as to maintain the value of the trust fund. There was
again a significant improvement in the trust fund’s net income over the
previous year. We also had reserved $1,711.17 accumulated last year
knowing that we would likely award funds to additional students this year
which is indeed the case. We are united in recommending that each of these
four students be supported by a grant of $1,500.00 for the 2016-2017
school year. This leaves $1,404.03 to return to the fund for next year’s use.
As always, we ask that meetings with members who meet the criteria for
Ohio Yearly Meeting scholarship funds make the committee aware of their
names.
The
committee
concurs
with
David
Warrington’s
recommendation concerning the distribution from the Education Trust
Funds for Olney Friends School. The school will receive $16,433.76,
reflecting a low rate of inflation and a higher net income than recent years.
The Undesignated General Funds continue to accumulate, and we welcome
yearly meeting members’ suggestions as to their allocation and the timing.
This year, the committee also was tasked with providing guidance
to the Fiduciary Trustees concerning a gift sent from Towanda (PA)
Monthly Meeting to be used for scholarships at Olney Friends School. The
$10,000 deposited with the Fiduciary Trustees was a portion of the Thomas
Kafes Scholarship Fund from the now closed Barclay Friends School that
had been held by Towanda Monthly Meeting since 2006. The letter
accompanying the check states in part, “because Olney is located in a
similar socio-cultural region (Appalachia) and because farms and gardens
were dear to Tom Kafes, we have decided to donate the fund to you to help
bring students to Olney.” The letter goes on to say that “it is our hope that
you will be able to find promising, curious, deserving young people eager
to experience Quakerism at Olney.” Because Towanda Monthly Meeting
wishes to see the money used rather than just added to a trust fund to
accumulate interest, the Financing Educational Concerns Committee is
comfortable recommending that these funds and associated documentation
be turned over to Olney Friends School at this time. We encourage David
Warrington to stipulate that Olney Friends School should inform Towanda
Monthly Meeting how the gift has been used.
The Committee,
Rebecca Hawkins, Marie Kirk Hawkins, Beverly Kirk Shull, Debora Taber
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Olney Farm
The following report of farming activities on Yearly Meetingowned land was read. We have been glad to hear of the interesting reports
these past years by Sandy Sterrett and Don Guindon and look forward to
future reports by Don and Mark Hibbert. Marie Bundy brought a map of
the farm properties with information about the donors. Ken Hinshaw
pointed out that Olney students can participate in agricultural activities
through “farm teams.”
Olney Farm Report
The Olney farm is now providing a large percentage of the
school’s food needs. In addition, 157 tons of hay, 40 tons of compost and
2,800 lbs. of chicken feed were raised for the school farm use.
The following are highlights of the past farm year.
● USDA Organic Certification: The school was able to acquire this
certification on the first application request. Normally it takes 3
years for applicants to acquire certification.
● Taber Barn: A 40x72 foot structure for storing organic hay was
recently completed with insurance money. The construction site
was graded and landscaped to direct the flow of rainfall away
from the compost pit, a significant problem before now.
● Kirk Barn: In the spring the farm completed a chicken coop for
growing organic laying hens and organic broiler chickens. The
structure holds 400 chickens at a time.
● Broiler Chicken Program: The farm took a new approach to
raising poultry for the school year. Over a 6-month period the
farm will raise 800 chickens from peeps to adults, 200 at a time.
● Towe Barn: The addition of a cattle chute was constructed and
completed over the winter months to contain cattle singularly to
assist in individualized herd health. Currently there are 48 head of
beef cattle. The water line from the Taber House across the road
has been replaced and the electric lines have been buried,
providing both water and electric to the farm buildings.
● The Wellingdon: Many volunteers and alumni shared in building
the vegetable washing room located on the bottom level of the
“Music Box”. The name of this room is a collaboration of the last
names of the major workers on this project.
● The Marshburn: The greenhouse has upgraded its heating system
from the original furnace to a more efficient system that now can
heat either the working area or the growing area. Previously the
growing area did not have furnace access.
● Hoophouse: In the past year the use of the Hoophouse has
increased the productivity of grown foods. A system has been put
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in place that will allow the farm to extend its growing season and
introduce new variety of crops.
“Farmers at Phipps”: Once a week Olney Farm is hosting a spot
at the world renowned and award-winning Phipps Conservatory
and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA. The farm promotes the
school as well as selling free-range eggs and organic products
such as corn meal and garlic.
Farm Office: The farm office is now in the Main Building on the
bottom floor next to the apple cooler.
Sandy Sterrett retired at the end of the school year in June and
former farm intern Mark Hibbert is taking her place as Assistant
Farmer. Sandy is responsible for the success of the crop program
and for much of the work toward receiving Organic certification.
Her contribution to the success of the Olney Farm has been great
and she will be missed.
The residents of Raven Rocks have donated a 2006 Chevy pickup
for farm use by the school. A 1949 Farmall Offset tractor has been
purchased to replace some of Sandy’s personal equipment.
Olney Hostess Fund and Monteverde School Fund
The following table documents funds raised in Salem and
Stillwater Quarterly Meetings for the benefit of Monteverde Friends
School and the Olney Hostess Fund.
Olney Hostess Fund
Salem QM
Stillwater QM
$90
$111
Monteverde Friends
School
$70
$230
Plummer House Report 2016
Plummer House Report
The Friends who have been renovating the Plummer House
reported on their recent work. They have made a great deal of progress over
the years, which has been a labor of faith in divine providence. Marie
Bundy reported on how the property tax is usually covered and mentioned
that they ask for donations by renters. We are glad for the impressive work
of the committee.
Much of the work this year has been on the interior of the
building. The northwest bedroom had the ceiling and one wall replaced
with drywall, the new window framed out, the walls painted and now has
curtains at the windows, a double bed and dresser. The end wall of the hall
has been covered with a textured wall covering and the entire hall has been
painted white, getting rid of the “Pepto-Bismol” pink trim. So we now have
three bedrooms furnished with double beds and all linens ready for
occupancy. The upstairs bathroom sink had the faucets replaced and a leak
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repaired. A new water heater was installed. The house is now fully
furnished including a fully furnished kitchen and a washing machine for
laundry. Outside, the yard has been cleaned up and several stumps removed
for easier mowing. We have acquired a good push mower but are still in
need of a lawn tractor or riding mower.
This year we applied for a grant to help renovate the front of the
house. We received $3000 for purchase of supplies to include nine
windows, insulation and vinyl siding. The new shed has been cleared out
for storage of these supplies until we are able to do the work.
Olney teacher Chris Basler stayed part time last winter in the
house but since she left at the end of the school year the house has been
vacated. We hope to have some Olney staff living here next winter. Several
alumni from Olney have stayed at the house during the year and an Olney
graduated class held their reunion there at commencement time. We are
looking into other options for heating the building. Currently it is heated
by a wood burning stove in the center downstairs room. It would be much
easier to get people to stay there during the winter if we had a better heating
system. There is a furnace in the basement but the cost of running it in the
winter was prohibitive. We are checking into some new zone heating
systems that would be more economical and efficient.
Our income this year was very limited and we will need to do
some more fundraising and hopefully have an occupant to bring in rent
money. The tax bill and insurance bill have not yet been received. Most of
the utility bills were paid by residents.
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Starting Balance
8/1/2015
$3,774.44
Income
Rent
$200.00
Donations
$450.00
Belmont Co. Tourism Grant
$3,000.00
Total
$3,650.00
Expenses
water
$58.50
electric
$24.64
new water heater
miscellaneous
Total
$405.87
$64.33
$553.34
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Ending Balance
7/31/2016
$6,871.10
General Queries
The seventh Query was read along with the answers from the
Quarterly Meetings. The following yearly meeting summary was
approved.
Seventh Query: Do we observe simplicity in our manner of living, sincerity
in speech, and modesty in apparel? Do we guard against involving
ourselves in temporal affairs to the hindrance of spiritual growth? Are we
just in our dealings and careful to fulfill our promises? Do we seek to make
our Christian faith a part of our daily work?
YM Summary: In the context of our culture, we maintain relative
simplicity and modest dress. We limit our belongings, activities, and
manner of living to what is useful and good, although our understanding of
these qualities varies. Modest dress is a reminder of being present to who
we are in Christ. Our focus on modesty is dependent in part on the desire
to remain free from vanity, boastfulness, and the temptation to judge the
faithfulness of others. What seems simple to us would be considered great
riches to others. We must also be careful to keep our spiritual lives
constantly focused on Jesus and following His examples. Friends carry the
desire to guard ourselves against allowing temporal affairs to be a
hindrance to our spiritual growth, but still some report being overextended. Practicing mindfulness as we move through our busy lives helps
bring the spiritual into the temporal. We feel it is especially important
during this political season to be thoughtful and careful as we speak. Times
for scripture reading, prayer and the reading of daily devotionals all
stimulate spiritual growth. We all try to be just in our dealings and careful
to fulfill our promises. Most of us were raised with an emphasis on honesty,
knowing folks we cannot imagine being dishonest with. Making our
Christian faith a part of our daily work challenges us. Do we listen
carefully enough to remain open to the work of Christ within us? We may
not discuss our faith much with others, but often people sense that we are
in some way different, which we take as evidence that our faith does impact
other people in positive ways. We strive to be patient, loving and kind
every day and set good examples in uprightness for our fellow workers and
associates.
Following a time of announcements and worship, the meeting adjourned.
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Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, Eighth Month 4,
Evening Session
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of
the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the
Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry
with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed
because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not
because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that
this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world – John 4:39-42
The following excerpt from the epistle from Pacific Yearly
Meeting was read.
Pacific Yearly Meeting Epistle 2016
To Friends Everywhere:
Lift the veils that obscure the Light within you. Sink down to the
Seed that God sows in your hearts.
From June 17 through June 22, 2016, three hundred and eight
Friends gathered at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma, California, for the
70th Annual Session of Pacific Yearly Meeting. The theme of our
gathering was "Lifting the Veil," and during our time together, we sought
the tenderness that comes from lifting the veils of everyday life. We felt
the kindness that comes with the presence of Spirit...
At the start of each [business session], our clerk reminded us of
the sacred purpose of our Quaker practices. He reminded us to lift the veils
of our egos, to "speak only when spoken _through_, to drop our
preconceptions, and to open ourselves to Mystery...
Brylie Christopher Oxley
Pacific Yearly Meeting
This session was held to consider requests made in the Walton
Home report. The Yearly Meeting has had a strong relationship with the
Walton, partially because the Walton Corporation has the same
composition as the Yearly Meeting. The good work of the Walton Home
is enhanced through the faithfulness of the Board, management, and staff.
Many members believed that the Yearly Meeting should walk in
faith and trust in the Lord and accept the leadings and requests of the
Walton Board. Other members have hesitations about the proposal. The
presentation included some conclusions that have sown doubt among us
regarding the financial stability of the Walton. Most Friends
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enthusiastically support the proposed construction project, which has been
placed on hold while the financing is being brought together.
The meeting not being in unity, we conclude to hold the proposal
for consideration later by the Representative Meeting. A pause in the
proposal should not be viewed as a rejection of the Board or the
management. We want the Walton to continue being a dynamic outreach
of Ohio Yearly Meeting, with our full support. We encourage Friends to
open our inner ears and be open for direction to support the leadings of the
Walton Board.
The way forward is not inertia. Some of us can contribute by
serving on the Board or by volunteering. Others may find themselves able
to donate funds directly to the Walton. We all desire to be faithful to follow
our individual call or leading and support the calls and leadings of others.
The following communication from Robert Rothwell was read.
The following epistle from Ireland Yearly Meeting was read.
And now I have to tell you all a true story.
Coming out of the anesthesia after my second operation was the
most frightening, nightmarish thing I can remember in my life. All through
the night following the surgery, I drifted in and out of the most terrifying
places imaginable and by the following morning I was all used up. My
body had no more reserve, and my mind and spirit were empty. While I
was lying there totally depleted, a young patient care associate came into
the room and said “Good Morning, Mr. Rothwell. Let’s get you cleaned
up.” And he proceeded to minister to my body. He wiped the dried sweat
from my face, removed the damp hospital gown, wiped down my arms,
chest, and abdomen and put a clean, fresh gown on me. Sometime while
he was doing this, I began to feel a healing enter my being. This healing
grew over the next two or three days until it became a real, palpable thing
that I could not see but I felt as if I could at any time reach out and touch it
like a semi-solid ray or beam flowing into me like a stream.
Sometime after the healing began, I realized that I was feeling the
healing Love of God; later I came to understand that it was not all coming
directly from God but from hundreds of people, each reflecting a portion
of their own love of God to me, each in their own way. Some reflected this
love of God through simple acts of kindness like tending my garden while
I was laid up, many through faithful prayer even though to some I was just
a name on a prayer list in their church and some by providing skilled
nursing care and medication.
I have concluded that I have been privileged to experience first
hand the work of the Body of Christ here on earth. As Paul said, we are all
members of one body, each with a different function. This is the essence
of what it means to be a Christian, a follower of Christ, to ‘feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, and comfort the afflicted,’ to love one another by
Ireland Yearly Meeting Epistle 2016
To Friends Everywhere:
... We also considered the serious and increasing incidence of
homelessness in our country, and decided to express our concern publicly
in a statement addressed to the authorities in both jurisdictions of Ireland,
urging them to take urgent action to tackle the underlying causes of
homelessness.
Reflecting on our theme, we are mindful of the story of the Good
Samaritan, and Jesus’ challenge to us to "go and do likewise." We
encourage Friends everywhere to work for social justice and to take action,
both individually and collectively, to assist those on the margins of our
society and address the causes of inequality in our communities.
Signed on behalf of Ireland Yearly Meeting,
Daniel H. Sinton, Clerk
We now adjourn until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.
Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends, Eighth Month 5,
Morning Session.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and
hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of
your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust – Matthew
5:43-45.
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Dear Friends, Family, and Neighbors,
Thank you all for your prayers, support, and kindness over the
past two months.
My doctor says that the cancer has been removed and the chance
of it returning is less than 10%. I have started to put back some of the
weight I lost and my strength and stamina are improving every day.
Doctors do their doctoring but it is really people like you that have
sustained both me and Kathleen through this ordeal. Just knowing that
there were so many people praying and wishing us well has been a blessing
beyond our wildest dreams and we are eternally grateful. God bless you
all!
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reflecting the love of God onto one another using whatever God-given
talents we possess.
Robert Rothwell
General Queries
The Eighth and Ninth Queries were read, along with the answers
from the Quarterly Meetings. The following yearly meeting summaries
were approved.
Eighth Query. Are we faithful to Christ’s command to avoid swearing
oaths? Are we watchful for and faithful to Christ’s promptings to share
with others our testimony against the use of oaths? Do we avoid gambling
and speculation based on the principles of chance?
YM Answer. We continue to follow Jesus Christ’s command to not swear,
to be truthful, and to use the affirmation. We appreciate having the option
of affirming, which was not available to one member in the past year. Our
belief in a single standard of truth continues to be challenged by language
on government forms and electronic filings stressing “under penalty of
perjury” or similar language. We have been watchful and faithful to
Christ’s promptings to share our testimony against using oaths, referring
others to Matthew 5:33-37. Almost all of us do not gamble and take care
not to become unwittingly the recipients of gambling revenue through
programs or tax breaks funded by lotteries. Some are careful in their choice
of investments, to avoid speculation based on chance. Some advocate for
silent auction or private donations in place of purchasing raffle tickets. We
regret that our testimony in this regard is so difficult for others to grasp.
Ninth Query. Are we sensitive to the problems of family living? Do we
offer counseling to couples both before and after marriage? How are we
helping individuals, married couples and family units to strengthen and
enrich their lives?
YM Answer. We have been generally sensitive to the challenges of family
living, though we recognize the need to make ourselves available and to
maintain connections so that we are aware of needs and can better help
each other. We have faced changes in the family unit, children moving
away, and the passing or aging of our elders, as well as difficulties of
members and neighbors. When needs have been shared, we have taken the
matter to the Lord in prayer for appropriate direction. Some Friends have
offered care and counsel to individuals and families when the need was
evident or shared. Some Friends have felt a hesitancy to appear to intrude
into members’ lives, even when we recognize that our Meetings represent
an important family. Some counsel has taken place during the past year as
part of our concern to support healthy relationships between couples. Most
of our meetings have not had marriages in the past year. One meeting
recommended that clearness committees meet with the couple again after
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a year or so. Prayer is used when there is difficulty finding the words to
counsel others, and that the Holy Spirit will guide us to provide sage advice
when called. Some meetings sponsor activities to strengthen families,
including First Day School and Bible study. Other informal activities
include sharing our beliefs and practices, being good listeners, and offering
to support others in their own spiritual journeys. Sharing different
perspectives broadens our own understanding of the world around us. We
have tried to teach our families to be truthful, to live their lives helping
others and to keep God as the center of their lives.
Christian Education Camp
The report of the Christian Education Camp was read. This report
has been one of the more interesting items on the Yearly Meeting schedule
for several years, and this year was no exception. We appreciate the time
invested by the adult leaders in organizing the camp. Evidence for their
faithfulness is that all teen and young adult counselors this year were
former campers. The spiritual emphasis of the planning provides important
nurture for young people drawn from families of Ohio Yearly Meeting and
from the Barnesville community. Marie Bundy shared some vignettes
about the Camp this year and pointed out some ways this outreach effort
particularly touched the campers.
Christian Education Camp Committee Report
" ... but they that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they
shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40: 31
"They that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength" was the
theme for the 2016 Christian Education Camp that was held on the campus
of Olney Friends School from June 19-22. We had 36 campers, grades 1st8th, 5 teenage counselors, 6 full time adult counselors and 3 adult part time
helpers attending camp this year. Twenty-two of our campers and teen
counselors had a Quaker connection.
Following breakfast, the camp day began with T.A.G., Time
Alone with God time. Campers look up scripture related to the theme and
answer questions about the verse. We then join together for praise singing
before dividing into groups for Bible study or craft time. Older campers
were led in their Bible lessons by Jean Cooper, with assistance from Elaine
Thompson; while the younger campers were led by Lily Rockwell with
assistance from Marie Bundy. Johanna Rockwell led craft activities with
assistance from Janet Hammer, Marie Bundy, Kathy Kovalick and teen
counselors. Crafts made this year were bleached camp theme T-shirts,
bookmarks, sun catchers made with pressed flowers, origami cranes,
beaded necklaces, lizards, race cars, and flying eagles. Following lunch and
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rest time, we spent one afternoon hiking around the lake at the Barnesville
Park and played water balloon games. The second afternoon we met on top
campus to hold our own Summer Olympics. We cooled off by ending with
several water games. A new daily activity this year was Marie's "What's
it?" game where children tried to identify a plant using plant identification
guides. Morning, afternoon, and evening snacks were set up by Kathy
Kovalick. Our first evening was spent with a get to know you game and
swimming at the Barnesville pool. The second evening we were joined in
the Locust Grove with members of Stillwater Meeting for a cookout,
roasting hot dogs and s'mores, and singing. Our third night included folk
dancing, taught by Jamie Zavitz, skits, and singing around a campfire in
the Locust Grove. Bob Rockwell, Don Guindon, and Fred Cooper assisted
with campfire preparation. Each evening ended with quadrant quiet talks,
a time for small group devotions led by counselors.
The Olney cooks provided nourishing and delicious meals.
Sharing a meal with the Stillwater Meeting community allows them to join
in our activities and is a nice time of fellowship. We are appreciative of the
many prayers and assistance from Ohio Yearly Meeting members
providing transportation, craft supplies and snacks. Our teenage counselors
were all here as campers for many years prior to graduating to counselor
status. They provide much assistance in camp set up, clean up, organizing
and overseeing campers, and acting as positive role models.
Camp would not run smoothly without their help and we are
grateful. Adult counselors take time off from their jobs to attend camp and
we are most appreciative of their dedication and service. Jean Cooper
brought 12 campers with her from the local churches that she pastors. This
year we had no male counselors and we were grateful for having Fred
Cooper volunteer his time to help us. We thank Dennis Rockwell, Robert
Becerra, Micah Brownstein, and Richard Simon who also helped with an
evening activity with the older boys. Camp is a nice time for children to
make new friends, learn to get along with others, and participate in fun
activities while learning about God. We hope that we provide a time of
stability and positive attention to campers that may be lacking it at home.
Teen counselors develop leadership skills. Adult counselors find this to be
a spiritually nourishing time as well, as we focus on our Bible theme and
sharing God's love.
As we look ahead, we find a need for an adult male counselor. We
have a large group of boys that would benefit from an increased adult male
presence. Please consider whether this is a ministry that you feel called to.
CEC treasurer’s Report
8/1/2015 Beginning Fund Balance
$ 1,546.12
Camp Revenue
Bank Interest
Yearly Meeting Funding
Camper fees
Donations
Total
2.50
1,500.00
2,893.00
305.00
$ 4,700.50
Camp Expenses
Paid to Olney Friends School for Board and
Lodging.
Public Pool
Gifts & Folders
Snacks
Crafts
Postage
Copies
Total Expenses for 2016 Christian Education
Camp
Net Gain/(Loss)
Cash on hand
Belmont Savings Account Balance
7/31/2016 Camp Fund Balance
(4,014.50)
(30.00)
(18.91)
(69.38)
(72.66)
(19.60)
(34.75)
($4,259.80)
$ 440.70
$ 39.45
$1,947.37
$ 1,986.82
Book and Children’s Literature Committee
The Book and Children’s Literature Committee reported on its
activities. Their work donating materials to Olney staff and students is one
of a few official ways the Yearly Meeting and Olney remain in touch. We
thank the committee for their work, and we are glad these materials are
being made available.
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Book and Children’s Literature Committee Report
The OYM Book and Children’s Literature Committee met with
the Olney School family for Meeting for Worship on 4-27-2016. We
presented Mind the Heavenly Treasure to 13 Seniors, although only 3
were in attendance, the other 10 having gone to a special activity with a
teacher. To the 22 new students we gave the pamphlet, “Welcome to Our
Meeting”. Three of these were also Seniors. The new faculty/staff
members, including Ken Hinshaw, the new Head of School this year,
received “Living A-Top of the World” by Charles Morlan, and “Advices
and Queries of Ohio Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends”
in addition to Mind the Heavenly Treasure, and “Welcome to our
Meeting”.
We have purchased a box of 92 copies of Mind the Heavenly
Treasure this year from The Tract Association of Friends so we have
plenty on hand. We have not decided on which version of the Bible to
order for the eight-year-old children, and others to whom we may give the
Bibles.
We continue to sell a few pieces of literature each year.
We appreciate the allocation from Ohio Yearly Meeting. We are asking
for $25.00 for the coming year.
For the Committee
Elvina Krekler
Book and Children's Literature Committee financial report for 2016
Starting Balance 7/31/2015
$592.60
Income
Allocation from OYM
$50.00
Books sold
$10.25
Bank interest
Total
$0.24
$60.49
Expenses
92 copies Mind the Heavenly Treasure purchased
Copies
Postage to send book
$184.00
$10.00
$2.20
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Total
Ending Balance 7/30/2016
$196.20
$456.89
Wider Fellowship of Conservative Friends
The following report of the Wider Fellowship of Conservative
Friends was read. The Yearly Meeting thanks the committee for organizing
the Gathering this summer, attracting Friends from as far away as England
and Australia. We thank Raye Hodgson for editing The Conservative
Friend the past years and are glad that Phil Helms has agreed to serve as
the new editor. We are reminded of the appreciation of the Gathering by
attenders, as we often do not receive feedback about how Christ Jesus
influences the gathering through worship and fellowship.
Committee for the Wider Fellowship of Conservative Friends Report
“Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion
has light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14
Our Gathering of Conservative Friends seemed to be an oasis of
peace for the 34 in attendance. We were thrilled to greet returning Friends
Mary and Eddie Meeks from England, & new Friends from Australia,
David & Trish Johnson, who felt called to join us this year, stating they
had long wanted to be present with us. Our hearts were deeply blessed,
throughout the weekend, in the worship and fellowship with brothers and
sisters in the faith. Thanks to Sharon Helms’ careful attention to the details
of registration the event ran smoothly. We anticipate another gathering in
2018, Lord willing.
The Conservative Friend Report for 8/2015 – 7/2016
One issue of The Conservative Friend was published this year,
Number 47, and was distributed in 4/2016.
U.S. mailings: 203 recipients
Foreign mailings: 17 recipients
Electronic mailings: 19 recipients
I notified Nancy Hawkins, Phil Helms and Elvina Krekler in Fourth Month
2016 that I am no longer able to do a reasonable job with The Conservative
Friend and someone else needs to take over the job of editor. Currently,
that simply involves:
● keeping up with the recipient list - this involves adding
information received from the treasurer and others, updating
addresses when items are returned due to change of address;
● returned items arrive postage due, so that must be paid and can be
reimbursed by the treasurer;
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●
sending the foreign and U.S. print copy mailing lists to the mailing
service;
● sending out electronic copies via e-mail;
● proofreading the document;
● sending it as a PDF file to the printer;
● forwarding invoices to the treasurer (invoicing is electronic).
Raye Hodgson, Editor
Philip Helms has agreed to edit The Conservative Friend with
administrative assistance from Sharon Helms.
We would like to encourage folks to post comments on the
Facebook Ohio Yearly Meeting page. There is also a Facebook page edited
by our Greek member Themis Papaioannou, Ohio Yearly Meeting
(Conservative). The one without (Conservative) is the one set up after
consulting with the Outreach committee.
We would appreciate $25 this year as an allocation between
gatherings.
For the committee,
Nancy Hawkins
WFCF Committee Treasurer's Report for 2016
8/1/2015 Balance forward, Account #1
$1,014.38
Income
Subscriptions and donations for The Conservative
Friend
Bank interest
Total
$270.00
$0.54
$270.54
Expenses
Printing/postage for The Conservative Friend #47
Other postage
Total
$255.39
$36.31
$291.70
Balance 7/31/2016 Account #1
$993.22
8/1/2015 Balance Forward Account #2
$446.32
$250.00
Meals and Lodging 2016 Gathering
$2,328.00
Total
$2,578.00
Expenses
Olney deposit for 2016 gathering
Olney meals and lodging for 2016 gathering
$215.00
$1,782.00
Stillwater MM camping for 2016 gathering
$64.00
Friends Center lodging for 2016 gathering
$70.00
Transportation for 2016 gathering
$90.00
Total
Balance forward 6/30/2016 for Account #2*
$2,221.00
$803.32
*Account #2 only 11 months due to change of OYM dates for
2016Elvina Krekler and Philip Helms, Treasurers
Memorial Committee
The Memorial Committee and the committee appointed by the
Representative Meeting for publishing the Bill Taber memorial forwarded
a joint report. The Meeting approves the publication of 500 copies of the
memorial, to be distributed at no stated cost but with an invitation for
contributions towards packaging and postage. The memorial will be
available on the Yearly Meeting website as well.
Joint Report of the Memorial Committee and the Representative
Meeting Committee on Publishing the Memorial for Bill Taber
During the past year the Memorial Committee completed the
Memorial for Bill Taber. The text was forwarded to the Representative
Meeting. That body approved the text with amendments and appointed a
committee to bring a proposed budget and recommendations to Ohio
Yearly Meeting.
We have an estimate from a publisher of $550 for 500 copies. We
recommend moving forward with that estimate. The printed memorials
would be provided free to members and attenders. We recommend $2.50
for non-members.
The Memorial Committee would like to move forward with other
publications once the Bill Taber memorial is in hand.
On behalf of the committee, Seth Hinshaw, convenor
Income
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OYM Allocation
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Epistle from North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
The Meeting heard the epistle from North Carolina Yearly
Meeting. Nancy Craft’s faithfulness in visiting us is an ongoing blessing,
and we thank her for being here this week. We are glad to hear about the
nearly published journal and encourage Friends to look for it online.
North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Seventh month 17, 2016
Dear Friends Everywhere We gathered at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. on Seventh
Month 14-17, 2016 for our 319th annual Sessions. As we gather we
remember our distant Friends with great fondness and love. This year we
are gathered under the theme "I love to Feel Where Words Come From",
a translated quote from Papunehang, a member of the Delaware tribe in
response to John Woolman's ministry on Sixth Month 18,1763.
We have been so excited this year as participation in yearly
meeting has increased and our Young Friends number over 20. Our young
Friends have participated in annual sessions as Reading Clerk and by
reading State of Society Reports for a monthly meeting. They have also
helped illustrate stories during our morning Bible study and showed the
Adult Friends how to dance. It has truly been a joy to be with and
participate side by side with our Young Friends.
We were also blessed to have a young adult Friend, Elizabeth
Rolfe, represent us in Peru at the Friends World Committee for
Consultation (FWCC) World Plenary. Her report to the meeting of the
event included queries that made.us think about our role as citizens of
Earth and how we plan to live out our Quaker testimonies of peace and
equality in relation to young adult Friends in our meetings. She is now the
clerk of the Young Adult Friends Committee for FWCC and has started
traveling internationally to build connections all over the world among
young adult Friends.
For the past four years we have been supporting a Bolivian young
Friend who has recently graduated with a degree in engineering. We have
decided as a yearly meeting to continue our support for Bolivian young
Friends and commit ourselves to supporting another student for the next
four years. We were also given the opportunity to support a Cuban young
adult Friend who hopes to attend Guilford College.
The Journal Committee completed our yearly meeting's seventh Journal
this year entitled, "Keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace".
There were 250 copies printed and they are almost gone! The Journal will
be available on our website in the near future. By reading
Yearly Meeting's Journals some Friends were convinced that this was
44
44
their spiritual home. The Journal Committee is now working on the theme
for the next issue. The Book of Disciple revision is in its third year. The
committee has been faithful in its work and the Body is grateful for all it
has done. The revision process is giving us opportunity to share and
discuss everything from important concepts to historical events to word
choices. Even though this work can be slow and tiring, we are learning
from each other and learning more about ourselves as a body. We are
richly blessed to have undertaken this work and to have people who are
gifted by God to do this work.
On our final evening together we had a grand time with a singalong led by talented musicians on guitars and piano along with percussion
instruments for all who wanted them. Young and old sang their hearts out
and laughed out loud. We hold you in our hearts and pray that you are able
to feel the Love that we have for you. May you experience the Love of
God with which we have been so richly blessed. Please know that it would
warm our hearts if you were able to visit with us next year. We will meet
for our 320th session in Wilmington, NC, Seventh Month 12-16, 2017 if
in accordance with Divine Will.
On behalf of North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative),
Nancy Craft, clerk
The meeting adjourned until two o’clock this afternoon.
Ohio Yearly Meeting Eighth Month 5,
Afternoon Session
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye
be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves – Philippians 2:1-3.
The following excerpt from the epistle from Aotearoa / New Zealand was
read.
Aotearoa / New Zealand YM epistle 2016
Greetings to Friends Everywhere...
"Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with
another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against
another; but praying one for another, and helping one another up with a
tender hand." These words of Isaac Pennington (1667), quoted in advance
documents and shared in song and spoken in session, set the tone for our
gathering where the presence of the Spirit has been strongly with us.
45
We are reminded by our co-clerks that in mechanically clinging
to our structures in detail "they become a box to imprison us, rather than a
trellis on which we can grow, flower and fruit." As we looked at respectful
relationships, Treaty commitments and constitutional reform, and meeting
our educational and spiritual needs, that sense of reaping the harvest of
earlier struggles and hard work, sometimes over many years, was indeed
blossoming and fruitful. We look forward to future positive developments
with a sense of excitement and anticipation.
The importance of inclusion, drawing on the roots of our manylayered communities, recognising our interdependence, and the need for
respectful participation, has been a recurring theme...
How can we each be more effectively a 'publisher of the Truth'?
We recognise the need to let our light shine as Quakers, and not hide it
under a bushel. To avoid growth simply for growth's sake we have to
support and nurture those we have, as well as look for and welcome
newcomers. We need to enrich our worshipping communities by getting to
know one another in that which is trivial as well as the eternal. Our worship
underpins and supports our communities' spiritual and educational
development...
Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting,
Elizabeth Duke & Elizabeth Thompson, Co-clerks
57
Losses:
Deaths
3
Certificates transferred
35
by request
29
discontinued
4
Total losses
71
Net gain for year -14
Total Membership as of Seventh Month First 2016
500
Affiliate Members
71
Affiliate Associate Members
12
Associate Members
30
Sojourning Members
8
Waiting
15
136
Membership Summary (Including Associate Members)
Membership Report
A revised membership report was received. We thank the Recorders for
their detailed work maintaining this information and reporting to us
annually. The meeting is glad to hear the names of new Friends who have
come into Ohio Yearly Meeting including several who joined through our
new meeting Marlborough. The Meeting approves the report with some
additional corrections.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT FOR Ohio Yearly Meeting
Total membership as of Seventh Month First, 2015
2016
514
Membership under 5 years
1
Membership 5 to 18 years
19
Membership 18 and older
480
Total (same as above)
500
Resident Status of Members
Resident Members
137
Non-Resident Members*
363
Total (same as above)
500
*Members shall be considered non-resident when they live at least 30 miles from the
meeting house and attend less than one First Day Meeting per month.
School Report (Members attending schools)
Gains:
46
Total gains
Births or adoptions
0
Certificates received
31
Requests
26
46
Attending Pre-school
0
Attending Olney Friends
School
2
Attending Public Schools
13
47
47
Attending Private Schools
4
Attending Home School
2
Attending College
12
Total
33
Weddings
1 Number of weddings under the care of this Monthly
Meeting
0
2 Number of Members married this year under the care of
Friends
0
3 Number of Members married this year NOT under the
care of Friends
6
Total Friends married
6
Names of those married :
Date
Eileen R Kinch to Joel H. Nofziger
5/25/2016
Samantha Beard to Emerson Lowell
5/24/2015
Deborah Reed to Andrew Burneson
5/26/2015
Randall Henderson to Lindsey Smith
11/8/2015
Hubert Karreman to Suzanne Nelson
5/13/2016
Names of ministers recorded this year:
none
Names of elders appointed this year:
none
Names of overseers appointed this year:
Chattahoochee
Members received by birth, certificate, or request:
Date
48
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
7/12/2015 Silas N. Tritico
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
7/19/2015 Richard W Barnard
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Diana Bausman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Barbara Gilpin Beddall
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 George Cauffman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Jan Cauffman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 William Cauffman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Jean Schmitt Etter
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Robert T Garrett
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Sandra F Harrisson
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Alta Hoffman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Harold Hoffman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Hubert Karreman
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Andrew Stamm
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Deborah Stamm
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Sarah Stamm
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
7/19/2015 Catherine Wit
from PYM
Marlborough
Request
10/17/2015
Lee Bradley to Becca Graham
11/28/2015 Taylor Trussell
7/12/2015 Sadie L. Tritico
Name
Reason
7/12/2015 Hans M.Tritico
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
7/12/2015 Laura M. Kumler
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
48
49
9/19/2015 Charles C Thomas Jr
9/19/2015 Charles C Thomas III
9/19/2015 Christopher M Thomas
9/19/2015 Penny L Thomas
50
from PYM
Marlborough
and from
Keystone to
Marlborough
Request and
certificate*
from PYM
Marlborough
and from
Middleton to
Marlborough
Request and
certificate*
from PYM
Marlborough
and from
Middleton to
Marlborough
Request and
certificate*
from PYM
Marlborough
and from
Keystone to
Marlborough
Request and
certificate*
12/6/2015 Bridget K. Casterline
from
Certificate
Rockingham to
Marlborough
4/10/2016 Ellen R. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Erling Edward Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Giles Y. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Ian Arthur Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Kitty Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Lynden M. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Paul H. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 John Richard Hill
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Margaret Lou (Ward) Hill from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Edith A. Huntley
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Christina Ann (Riley)
Miner
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Amelia Grace Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Cynthia Alden (Gamble)
Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Jacob Alden Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Thomas Andrew Nordskog from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
50
4/10/2016 Joann Kay (Ward) Riley
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Richard R. Riley
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Patricia Jean (Gamble)
Scales
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Kenneth L. Schroeder
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
51
4/10/2016 Elizabeth A. Sidwell,
affiliate
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Lawrence W. Sidwell
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Carolyn V. Sipes
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Paul E. Sidwell
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Christopher David
Warrington
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 James A. Warrington, Jr.
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 James A. Warrington, Sr.
4/10/2016 Sharon K. Warrington
date
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Reason
2/14/2015 Shirley M. Stoffer
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
4/10/2016 Diane Padella
Winona
Discontinued
9/19/2015 Penny L Thomas
from Keystone Certificate
to Marlborough
9/19/2015 Charles C. Thomas, Jr.
from Keystone Certificate
to Marlborough
9/19/2015 Charles C Thomas III
from Middleton Certificate
to Marlborough
9/19/2015 Christopher M Thomas
from Middleton Certificate
to Marlborough
10/18/2015 Scott King
Chattahoochee
12/6/2015 Bridget K. Casterline
from
Certificate
Rockingham to
Marlborough
1/23/2016 John Michael Keba
Winona
Death
1/29/2016 Barbara Gilpin Beddall
Marlborough
Death
2/7/2016
Nigel Ruggles
Request
Rockingham
Request
4/10/2016 Earl J. Althouse
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Lydia Beth Althouse
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Nicholas Ward Althouse
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Susan Elizabeth
Warrington
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Ryder M. Wellman
Salem-Upper
Springfield
request
4/10/2016 Rebecca Lynn Althouse
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Shane M. Wellman
Salem-Upper
Springfield
request
4/10/2016 Robin Fae (Ward)
Althouse
Winona
Request
5/22/2016 Lily Rockwell
from Stillwater Certificate
to Rockingham
4/10/2016 Phyllis (Sidwell) Austin
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Samuel Eric Courtney
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Charles Leland Gamble
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Ellen R. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Erling Edward Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Gerald A. Gamble
Winona
6/15/2016 Wendell Satterthwait
from Winona to Certificate
Middleton
*These Friends were members of Marlborough while it was in PYM and were also members
of OYM monthly meetings. When Marlborough joined OYM, they came into that “new”
meeting’s membership by request, also transferring their OYM membership to Marlborough
by certificate. To avoid counting them as having joined Marlborough twice, they have only
been tabulated in the “request” row.
Members lost by death, certificate of removal, or request to be
released:
52
Name
52
Request
53
4/10/2016 Giles Y. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Cynthia Alden (Gamble)
Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Ian Arthur Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Amelia Grace Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Kitty Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Jacob Alden Nordskog
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Lynden M. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Thomas Andrew Nordskog from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Paul H. Gamble
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Joann Kay (Ward) Riley
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Janice M. (Edgerton)
Griffin
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Richard R. Riley
4/10/2016 Catherine Lucille
(Althouse) Hartman
Winona
Request
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Request
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Julie Lynn (Gamble)
Richter
Winona
4/10/2016 Jonathan Robert Hill
4/10/2016 John Richard Hill
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Michelle (Sidwell) Sams
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Wendell W. Satterthwait
from Winona to Certificate
Middleton
4/10/2016 Margaret Lou (Ward) Hill from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Patricia Jean (Gamble)
Scales
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Steven Richard Hill
Winona
4/10/2016 Kenneth L. Schroeder
4/10/2016 Edith A. Huntley
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Alecia (Gamble) Johnson
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Elizabeth A. Sidwell
4/10/2016 Martha M. (Satterthwait)
Latshaw
Winona
Request
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Evelyn (Snow) Sidwell
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Elizabeth Marie (Sidwell)
Lewis
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Keith L. Sidwell
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Kevin Sidwell
Winona
Request
4/10/2016 Christina Ann (Riley)
Miner
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Lawrence W. Sidwell
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
54
Request
54
55
4/10/2016 Paul E. Sidwell
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
A. Marie Kirk Hawkins
Middleton
Verna H. Cope
Middleton
Kimberly A. Newlin
Salem-Upper Springfield
Eunice M. Burkey
Salem-Upper Springfield
4/10/2016 Carolyn V. Sipes
from Winona to Certificate
Stillwater
4/10/2016 Sara Emily (Sidwell)
Stryfeller
Winona
Request
Mildred S. Henderson
Salem-Upper Springfield
Rose Sidwell
Winona
4/10/2016 Gladys L. (Satterthwait)
Trzcinski
Winona
Request
Dean Sidwell
Winona
4/10/2016 Mary Ann (Hinshaw)
Walton
Winona
Request
Sara L. Kirk
Short Creek
Elvina M. Krekler
Short Creek
4/10/2016 Christopher David
Warrington
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
D. Raye Hodgson
Short Creek
Seth Hinshaw
Keystone Fellowship
4/10/2016 James A. Warrington, Jr.
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
Terry Wallace
Keystone Fellowship
Marie Bundy
Stillwater
Victor Peacock
Stillwater
Diane Reynolds
Stillwater
Karen Walsh
Stillwater
4/10/2016 James A. Warrington, Sr.
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 John G. Warrington
Winona
4/10/2016 Sharon K. Warrington
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
4/10/2016 Susan Elizabeth
Warrington
from Winona to Certificate
Salem-Upper
Springfield
5/1/2016
Rockingham
Malcolm Winch
Names of elders
Request
Request
Sarah Parsons
Chattahoochee
Michael R Kinch
Keystone Fellowship
David Eley
Keystone Fellowship
Susan S. Smith
Rockingham
Philip W Helms
Crossroads
Lois G. Edgerton
Middleton
5/27/2016 Lily Rockwell
from Stillwater Certificate
to Rockingham
Rebecca J. Hawkins
Middleton
6/3/2016
Short Creek
Death
Mary Alice Pino
Middleton
4/10/2016 Stanley Ray Pennington
Winona
Discontinued
Robert W. Stratton
Salem-Upper Springfield
4/10/2016 Donna Arian Smith
Winona
Discontinued
Winifred E. Stratton
Salem-Upper Springfield
4/10/2016 David Lee Dudley
Winona
Discontinued
Conrad Lindes
Winona
Robert Rothwell
Chesterfield
Richard Wetzel
Chesterfield
Kathleen M. Kovalick
Chestnut Ridge
John Lewis Hanson
Names of overseers:
56
Taylor Trussell
Chattahoochee
Sharon A Helms
Crossroads
56
57
Stillwater
Rose Sidwell
Winona
Earl Smith
Stillwater
Dean Sidwell
Winona
Richard Simon
Stillwater
Robert Rothwell
Chesterfield
Frances Taber
Stillwater
Burton M. Doudna
Chestnut Ridge
Carolyn McGinnis
Chestnut Ridge
Katherine Jacobsen
Names of Ministers:
Sarah Parsons
Chattahoochee
Elvina Krekler
Short Creek
David Eley
Keystone Fellowship
Thomas Rockwell
Stillwater
Seth Hinshaw
Keystone Fellowship
Terry Wallace
Keystone Fellowship
Leonard Guindon (reading Stillwater
clerk)
Charles C Thomas Jr
Marlborough
Sarah Parsons
Chattahoochee
John C. Smith
Rockingham
Michael R. Kinch
Keystone Fellowship
Nancy A. Hawkins
Middleton
Alta Hoffman
Marlborough
Winifred E. Stratton
Salem-Upper Springfield
David W. Casterline
Rockingham
Conrad Lindes
Winona
Sharon A Helms
Crossroads
Burton M. Doudna
Chestnut Ridge
Rebecca J. Hawkins
Middleton
Martha Giffen
Stillwater
Nancy A. Hawkins
Middleton
John Benson
Stillwater
Kimberly A. Newlin
Salem-Upper Springfield
Robert Wilber
Stillwater
Conrad Lindes
Winona
Robert Rothwell
Chesterfield
Recorders:
Monthly Meeting Clerks:
Taylor Trussell
Chattahoochee
Kathleen M. Kovalick
Chestnut Ridge
Rebecca Trussell
Chattahoochee
Elvina Krekler
Short Creek
Eileen R Kinch
Keystone Fellowship
Bridget Casterline
Marlborough
Marie Bundy
Stillwater
Susan S. Smith
Rockingham
Philip W Helms
Crossroads
James H Drummond,
Asst. Clerk
Crossroads
Lois G. Edgerton
Middleton
E. Marlene Cooper
Middleton
Carey L. Newlin
Salem-Upper Springfield
Nelda J. Hawkins, reading Salem-Upper Springfield
clerk
58
58
Administrative Queries
1st Adm. Query. What new meetings have been established? Have any
meetings been discontinued?
YM Summary. No meetings have been discontinued. As reported in our
answer to this Query last year, on 4-11-2015 Rockingham Quarterly
Meeting approved the admission of Marlborough Monthly Meeting into
that quarterly meeting contingent upon the release of Marlborough
Meeting from Western Quarterly Meeting of Philadelphia Yearly
Meeting. That release was granted on 7-19-2015, although notice of that
action was not received by Rockingham QM until after Ohio Yearly
Meeting met last year.
59
59
2nd Adm. Query. Are schools encouraged for the education of our youth
under the instruction of teachers in sympathy with us? Do parents take an
active interest in the administration and quality of teaching of the schools
which their children attend? Do they send their children of high school age
to Friends’ schools whenever possible? Is each Meeting making effective
efforts to aid parents in the suitable religious instruction of their children?
YM Summary. Most meetings report they have no school-age children
attending Friends schools but that parents, grandparents, and Friends take
active interest in the school’s administration and quality of the education.
One meeting reports they have 3 high-school age students attending
Friends schools, 2 at Olney and 1 at East Richland Christian School. The
yearly meeting provides some religious instruction through worship, the
Christian Education Camp, and First Day Schools.
3rd Adm. Query. Have the General Queries been read and deliberately
pondered and answered in all our meetings? Have the Advices been
regularly read? Is the best possible time chosen for their reading, suitable
for deliberate consideration of them by all Friends and attenders for their
individual, spiritual refreshment?
YM Summary. All Meetings report that they read the General Queries and
give proper consideration while preparing an answer. In one meeting, small
groups present draft answers that may be amended by the meeting prior to
approval. All meetings read the Advices, with the timing left to each
meeting to facilitate their deliberate consideration for our individual,
spiritual refreshment.
4th Adm. Query. Are former minute books, all interment charts and all
records of similar importance, stored in a suitable fireproof safe or vault?
YM Summary. Most interment charts, former minute books and records of
similar importance are stored in a vault or fireproof safe (primarily Salem
and Olney) and on microfilm. Materials not stored in safes include the
current minute books (usually stored in the homes of clerks) and interment
charts. Several Meetings record their minutes electronically, with paper
versions in clerks’ or other members’ homes.
5th Adm. Query. Are our meetings for business regularly held; fully and
promptly attended? Are they conducted in a loving and solemn concern to
make concerted effort toward unity of spirit?
YM Summary. Meetings for business are regularly held by our monthly
meetings, although not fully attended in some cases. Our meetings are
conducted in a loving and solemn concern to achieve unity of spirit through
the Holy Spirit.
60
60
Meeting for Ministry and Oversight
Ohio Yearly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight forwarded the following
report on its sessions this week. We are encouraged by the proposal to send
three Friends to visit FCNL as a listening and prayer community following
a request by a Friend who believed FCNL could benefit from some ballast.
We thank M&O for the report.
Report to Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016
From OYM Ministry & Oversight
In consideration of this report, a partial answer to our first query
seemed fitting to share with the larger body and seemed to resonate with
our various experiences.
"Over the past year, spiritual joys came from knowing Christ
Jesus, and that He continues to use, protect, and love us. Many joys were
found in family and friends, and the beauty and miracles of God's creation.
Joy continued when believing in and trusting each other, sharing spiritual
gifts, living up to the challenge of God's Truths, and being used in His
service. Even when we come together as a gathered body, there are joys
and challenges in the process of discernment in Meeting.
"Friends faced challenges with new responsibilities, with our
meetings, families, and jobs. Health issues caused some Friends to examine
their spiritual lives more closely. Some are challenged with finding unity
and needing prayer.
"Friends did seek help and guidance from the Holy Spirit, for our
lives and for our place in the world. By lifting up temporal worries for
spiritual labor and waiting on the Lord, Friends have found this to be deep
and spiritual. Some have been brought to a 'leading,' some practice
attentive prayer, and some found daily walking with the Lord brought
consolation and the exercising of mercy."
During our Fifth Day morning session we were exercised in
responding to an FCNL representative request that OYM share their gift of
discernment and prayer with FCNL. In our spirit-led discussion a concern
was voiced to send a committee of three with a minute for travelling in the
Ministry of Listening. The body felt that the committee should come from
the M&O body with the Peace & Human Relations Committee as a liaison.
We appointed Nancy A. Hawkins, Susan Smith, and Sharon A. Helms.
Part of the committee's tasks are to seek how we can teach or help,
and what information they have to teach or help us. The committee is to
report back to our various Quarterly Meeting M&O meetings. The
planning details are still in the working. With this task comes expenses,
and we ask the budget committee to consider sharing the cost. We would
appreciate any financial help in this endeavor.
61
We are given challenges so we can grow, so we can hear the heart
of God in each other and respond in love. May we see our way forward in
the bond of unity and peace through Christ our Lord.
On behalf of OYM M&O,
Mary Alice Pino and Burton Doudna, Clerks.
Committee to Coordinate and Support Outreach
We heard the report of the Committee to Coordinate and Support
Outreach. The committee continues to work among groups of Friends
outside of Ohio YM with similar approaches to worship. The YM is also
thankful for our website as a means of disseminating information.
Committee to Coordinate and Support Outreach Report
There are groups of Conservative Friends in various locations that
meet together for worship, discussions, and fellowship at various intervals.
In California there are two such groups. In northern California, there is a
group that meets quarterly at Palo Alto Friends Meeting and Berkeley
Friends Church. In southern California there is a group that meets every
other month at Granada Heights Friends Church. Attendance at these
meetings during the past year has averaged between 3 and 20 present. Both
report that they have felt the Lord's presence at their meetings that has been
meaningful and uplifting for them.
In England there are two groups of Conservative Friends. Bunhill
Fields Friends Meeting is located near London and meets weekly. They
send regular query answers to Rockingham Monthly Meeting. Midlands
Friends Meeting meets weekly, including the use of Skype, for Friends in
Scotland, Finland, and Poland. The Friend in Finland has translated the
OYM Discipline into Finnish. These two groups are in contact with each
other and hold Quarterly Gatherings at various locations in England. On
the last weekend of last month they held a weekend gathering at Yealand
Conyers. They report that their "gathering has brought home the value of
gathering together under Christ, and a realization of the responsibility of
the care we have for each other. We have recognised that we have grown
and matured into a state where we can function as a distinct body of
Friends."
We continue to have responsibility for the yearly meeting website
and have been asked to adjust the format to bring forward the sites for the
Friends Center and the Walton Home. We are exploring ways to make
available for Friends other electronic means to communicate in groups.
We are also exploring other means for outreach in our local
communities.
For the committee, Jack Smith, convenor
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Agenda Committee
The Agenda Committee reported on its work. We appreciate this
report. The Agenda Committee has not traditionally reported but also
reported to us in 2015. The Committee welcomes ideas for improving the
agenda or for speakers or topics for 2017.
Agenda Committee Report
The Agenda committee has a great responsibility to serve the
entire Yearly Meeting. It takes much thought and prayer to arrive at a
cohesive usable document that all find acceptable. We welcome
suggestions for appropriate evening programs of interest to a broad
audience to strengthen and elevate our Spiritual growth.
If you have something that needs to be on the agenda, please
notify one of the Agenda Committee members, in person or by phone, mail,
text or email. We are happy to help but we need to know what is required.
Letting us know your thoughts about what is presented this year or have
any suggestions about how the agenda might be improved is appreciated.
We would appreciate $1,000.00 to continue the work for next
year. This allocation allows registration without fee and covers the cost of
the Campus Use Fee.
Thank you for this opportunity to serve,
Arthur Berk, Nancy Hawkins, Elvina Krekler, Terry Wallace, Earl Smith,
Philip Helms, Sarah Parsons, Robert Rockwell, Loisanne Rockwell,
Sharon Helms, Seth Hinshaw ( ex officio )
Agenda Committee Treasurer's Report
Starting Balance 8/1/2015
2016
$2,055.11
Income
2015 OYM meals & lodging
Bank interest
$4,771.00
$0.66
OYM Appropriation
$1,000.00
Total
$5,771.66
Expenses
Friends Center (OYM 2015)
$203.00
Stillwater MM (OYM 2015)
$184.00
OYM 2015 meals & lodging (Olney)
$5,444.00
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Child care (2015)
$20.00
Deposit campus use fee 2016 (Olney)
$1,000.00
Total
$6,851.00
Ending Balance 6/30/2016
$975.77
Please note: this report must appear incomplete, as we are in the midst of
OYM 2016. In addition, this report ends at 06-30-2016 rather than 07-312016 due to the change in dates for OYM 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Philip W. Helms
Treasurer, Agenda Committee
Friends Center Committee
The meeting read the report of the Friends Center. Previous programs have
nurtured many Friends drawn from our yearly meeting and beyond. We
note the evidence of the success of prior years; with attendance drawn
extensively from around the country. We are encouraged the committee is
looking to expand its facilities to better serve participants in events. Fran
Taber gave some more information on scheduled events and encouraged
Friends to participate. We approve the report and value the ministry of the
Friends Center.
Friends Center Committee Report
In addition to our usual planning and hosting of spiritual retreats
at The Morlan, this year the Friends Center Committee has been busy
discerning and attending to new avenues of outreach in service to our
vision of “a place where we can explore, articulate and share a faith which
is both unprogrammed and Christian” in a way that is relevant in the world
today. It is a blessing and a delight to report our conviction that this vision
is growing in life and power as Friends from within and beyond Ohio
Yearly Meeting experience the Divine Presence in our midst and are fed
by it. It seems clear to us that this work has become central to the religious
mission of Ohio Yearly Meeting; as we focus on this vision we find that
problems yield to opportunities to serve under the Lord’s guidance.
After offering two weekend retreats last year, we held four this
year on spiritual journaling, faithfulness, traveling in ministry and
communal discernment, each ably led by facilitators from beyond our
borders with support from our committee members. These times of
learning and fellowship in the Spirit were shared by OYM members and
others who yearn for a deeper experience of the Living Word in our
personal and corporate lives.
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A strong feeling of community developed during each of those
events, with many participants expressing a desire to maintain these
personal and communal bonds. This is an area of service that our
committee hopes to develop. We are exploring how we might make better
use of our Internet resources to attract newcomers to this vital ministry and
maintain relationships with one another once these connections have been
established. The results so far suggest a thirst for what we offer and a
means of satisfying those who can be reached.
For the coming year we are delighted to be planning four weekend
retreats again, two of them building on themes from previous events. First,
Susan Yanos offers a follow-up to her successful introduction to spiritual
writing with “Listening to God’s Word in our Lives: The Personal Journal
as a Tool for the Journey.” Then, as Brian Drayton takes a break from
leading our annual event on ministry, Marge Abbott and Honor Woodrow
step in to present, “Living our Ministry in a Secular World.” In between,
Ken and Katharine Jacobsen will lead us in “A Weekend of Worship and
Inward Searching” around Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”
Finally, and in response to his work at last yearly meeting which was so
meaningful for us and pertinent to the vision of the relevance of our faith
today, we have asked Henry Jason to offer, “Moving Beyond ‘It’s All
Greek to Me!’: Deepening our Insights into Key Words used by New
Testament Writers and Early Friends.”
Meanwhile, our work of providing hospitality for yearly meeting
and other visitors, in addition to our regular retreatants, has tested the limits
of our current facilities. We have begun to explore the feasibility of
building a hospitality center adjacent to The Morlan providing additional
bedrooms and bathrooms as well as a large common area useful for FC
weekends and other OYM and monthly meeting functions. We are
committed to feeling divine guidance for each step we take.
Loud voices in our culture have distorted the Great Good News
of Jesus Christ in order to promote their own divisive agendas, leading
others seemingly to abandon the Gospel altogether. There has never been
a more important time to call attention to the still, small Voice that speaks
hope and reconciliation to all God’s children, that Life and Power that takes
away the occasion of all wars, the Infinite Ocean of Light and Love that
flows out over the ocean of darkness. We find new life growing in the
hunger beyond our traditional borders for the rich spiritual heritage
bequeathed to us by our Ohio Yearly Meeting forebears. As we embrace
the challenge to feed this multitude, we gather up baskets full of blessings
for one another, which may revitalize our local meetings as well.
Friends Center Financial Report 2016
Starting Balance
7/1/2015
$4,402.53
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Even our brokenness and burdens, which may change our lives in
deep and challenging ways, can become gifts. how does the Light push us
into action? Quakers have a long tradition of testing concerns in local, area,
and yearly meetings. Testing a concern may challenge not just the leading
of one Friend, but the commitment of the whole Meeting and lead to
growth for everyone. Through the right use of this process, we can support
our Friends in their callings...
Income
Donations
$
135.00
Gift in kind
$
184.24
Events
$ 7,870.00
Use of Morlan
$ 2,630.00
OYM appropriation
$ 1,252.92
Bank interest
$
Total
$12,072.00
Signed in and on behalf of Britain Yearly Meeting,
Deborah Rowlands
0.24
Expenses
Event food and supplies
$ 1,864.62
Event lodging
$ 1,790.00
Facility improvements*
$ 1,813.91
Maintenance Supplies & Cleaning
$
893.78
Promotion
$
107.87
Speaker Expenses
$ 2,331.27
Administrative
$
Utilities
$ 2,407.10
Property taxes
$ 1,252.92
Total
$12,524.26
Ending Balance
6/30/2016
The meeting now adjourns until ten o’clock tomorrow morning.
Ohio Yearly Meeting Eighth Month 6,
Morning Session
The following excerpt from the epistle from Intermountain Yearly
Meeting was read.
Intermountain YM Epistle 2016
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$3,950.67
*Facilities improvements: parking
lot $1,750.00; furniture $63.91.
Epistle from Britain Yearly Meeting
The following excerpt from the epistle from Britain Yearly
Meeting was read.
Britain Yearly Meeting Epistle 2016
... Taking so much time to consider the concept of Spirit-given
gifts has brought us to a point of deeper understanding. What makes
something a gift of the Spirit is not the gift itself in the way in which it is
used.
As written in Corinthians: "There are varieties of gifts, but the
same Spirit. There are varieties of service, but the same Lord. There are
varieties of activity, but in all of them and in everyone the same God is
active. In each of us the Spirit is seen to be at work for some useful
purpose" (I Corinthians 12"4-7 Revised English Bible).
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To Friends Everywhere:
The vast geographic scope of IMYM means that connections and
fellowship among Friends of the intermountain west has enormous
significance. One Friend observed that when Young Friends arrive and see
each other for the first time in a year, they literally leap into one another's
arms. Most adult Friends are somewhat less demonstrative but that does
not mean they are less enthusiastic about renewing bonds with one another.
As part of our business, we considered several Minutes, one
supporting a U.N. resolution proposing a Humanitarian Pledge for the
Prohibition and Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The economies of the
four states that compose IMYM - Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and
Arizona - are dependent to an alarming extent on the nuclear weapons
industry. Another Minute was proposed on supporting continued federal
funding for Planned Parenthood health care services. We heard an inspiring
report on Mountain Friends Camp, presented by several of the young
Friends who have experienced the camp. Mountain Friends Camp is a
Yearly Meeting initiative with growing significance to our youth and future
growth. We had some heavy decisions to undertake for future yearly
meetings, that we addressed as part of "our committed relationship with
one another and to witness in the world" ...
Sarah Keeney, Presiding Clerk
Intermountain Yearly Meeting
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Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends
Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends reported together. The
younger Friends bring a degree of joy and enthusiasm that warms our
hearts, and we look forward to the presentation this evening. The meeting
thanks the adult leaders for their preparation and leadership. Their work
takes them away from our business sessions, but we witness their gifts were
well used. We are glad to hear the report and to hear of the places they have
gone.
Junior Yearly Meeting and Young Friends Leaders Report
This year’s Junior Yearly Meeting (ages 6 to 11) began with two
children the first session and ended up with a total of 5. The Young Friends
group were numbered a 9 (ages 12 to 17).
The younger group memorized the scripture verse Luke 10:27. A
trip to the Underground Railroad museum helped us understand one of the
two songs we learned. Several stories were read about helping others and
understanding that God lives within us. A skit is being prepared for tonight
based on a parable in the Bible. Several crafts were created and they will
be on display.
The young friends used Bill Taber’s and Brian Drayton’s new
book, The Language for the Inward Landscape, to explore transformations.
They did several transformation projects, involving growing seeds and
vinegar/baking soda reactions. A play about inward transformation
bringing outward transformation was developed. It was a very rewarding
time filled with fun and love. We feel blessed by them.
We invite all to come tonight and enjoy the wonderful
performance of our kids and join us in song.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Wilber, Shawna Roberts, David Male, Rebecca Hawkins
In their own words – Junior Yearly Meeting Report
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Epistle from Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
The epistle from Iowa Yearly Meeting was read.
Seventh Month 30, 2016
To Ohio Yearly Meeting,
“Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands,
nations wherever you come; that your carriage and life may
preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will
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come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God
in everyone; whereby in them you may be a blessing, and make
the witness of God in them to bless you.”
~George Fox
Alive and fresh, we are children of this yearly meeting and we
traveled home from places as far away as Montana, South Dakota,
Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and Germany to be
together during this blessed gathering in Iowa. It is striking that
geographically we have become a diffuse group but our heartstrings are as
strong as they are long. Visiting Friends joined us from Pennsylvania,
Washington D.C., Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina and New
Zealand. The warmth of the weather matched the warmth in our hearts as
we converged at Scattergood Friends School and Farm on Seventh Month
26-31, 2016 at the 139th annual session of our yearly meeting.
We enjoyed reading your Epistle and hearing of the many ways
you are bringing Light into the world. We share your joy of the
establishment of your new monthly meeting. Your practice of online
Christ-centered waiting worship inspires us to stretch our own ministries,
and we wonder what we might learn from offering time for sharing of
prayers and convincement stories. As way opens, we hope visitations
between our yearly meetings will continue and keep us close.
We searched for Truth this year through our theme “Be not afraid,
for I am with you.” In one evening Collection we practiced active-listening
in pairs formed by rotating concentric circles of Friends. Imagine "speeddating" for God. The following evening Greg Elliot, Friends Relations
Associate with AFSC, and Jeff Kisling from Indianapolis, described how
the Quaker Social Change Ministry helps Friends share stories and spiritual
exercises, and then work with people closest to problems we hope to solve.
Greg reminded us, "Really simple things, right now, really matter." He
encouraged us to overcome fear in accepting God's call for us to co-create
the Beloved Community. Robin Mohr, Executive Secretary for FWCC
Section of the Americas helped us understand that we are not separate from
any other person or concern on Earth; we share one story; and there are
things for each one of us to do that are good and important. "God needs us
to know about a lot, and work on a few." But how can we trust that we are
not avoiding work that is meant for us? A Friend shared, “The practice of
staying awake to God in myself is how I know I’m not running away.”
Stephen Donahoe, Major Gifts Officer at FCNL was a joyful presence with
us this week; he offered a report on exciting changes made possible at
FCNL through the financial support from Friends. In our last Collection,
Aaron Fowler and Laura Dungan led us in an evening of joyful, thoughtful,
spirit-filled song.
We cannot create the Beloved Community unless we know one
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another. Are we willing to listen deeply and truly know each other? Can
we open ourselves to the transformation available to us through small acts
of connection? Are we willing to be changed? The Spirit present in our
midst challenged us with these questions, and our hearts were made tender
as we took greater risks to connect. Often, it is not apparent how ready we
are to reach out, to respond joyfully to the shedding of our masks and the
sharing of our true selves. We rediscovered that in sharing the tasks of our
faith community our connections are renewed and we are blessed.
We continue our shift from an assumed to a chosen relationship
with our beloved Scattergood School and Farm. Miracles happen at the
school every day and every school year. We look for ways to bring in
youth from around the world and the U.S. who seek a rigorous education
in an emotionally supportive, ecologically minded, and spiritually
grounded boarding school.
During our State of the Meeting and Query reports we sit together
and listen to the voices of our monthly meetings and know our corporate
whole a little better; these small meetings express our discernment of
Truth. Our Bible study sessions helped us lean into God's Love in order to
know that sometimes the things of which we are afraid are much smaller
than our fear of them. In our seeking we sometimes forget that God is
always with us, just waiting for us to turn and open our hearts. Another
moving program was led by our Ministry and Counsel Committee, which
built our awareness for tending to the physical and emotional safety of our
children and youth.
It is holy to be heard.
Our Junior Yearly Meeting Friends were a joy to us all week.
JYM built and displayed a beautiful birdseed mandala which lifted our
spirits. They brought adults into the ceremony of dismantling it in the
manner of Tibetan Buddhists. In tossing the birdseed we experience the
poignancy of lost beauty and we send out a blessing to all of Creation. May
our epistle to you, our Friends, be such a blessing as we sadly close our
annual sessions. Know the joy that we know - we are not separate; there
is no "away". We shall live in one another still.
In Friendship,
Deborah Dakin, clerk
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
Our yearly meeting next year will be held 7th month 25 to Seventh month
30, 2017 at Scattergood School and Farm near West Branch Iowa. We
warmly welcome you to join us.
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Epistle Committee
Our epistle committee presented draft epistles to Iowa Yearly
Meeting, to North Carolina Yearly Meeting, and to Friends Everywhere.
The meeting feels the committee was favored in writing the epistles. They
give a good flavor of our Yearly Meeting this year.
to North Carolina Yearly Meeting, Conservative
It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Hebrews 13:9
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through
Jesus Christ. John 1:17
Dear brothers and sisters of North Carolina Yearly Meeting,
We send loving greetings in the name of Jesus, our Messiah, as
we have met the first week of 8th Month 2016 for our 204th annual session
in the rolling hills of southeast Ohio, near Barnesville. The Scripture from
Hebrews is on our Agenda booklet cover this year.
We give thanks to God that Friend Nancy Craft could again
worship with us. We cherish the bonds that connect us together in Jesus
and desire that those ties will remain strong. We have also been blessed by
a short visit from Mary Comfort Ferrell, staff person at Friends Committee
on National Legislation.
In addition to our morning Bible reading, Terry Wallace led
Friends in morning sharing on the topic “What Do We Bring From Our
LORD to Declare?”
Our evening sessions included a panel discussion on “A Language
for the Inward Landscape” by Brian Drayton and William Taber and
presentations by Junior Yearly Meeting.
Throughout the week we worshiped, praying that we would
conduct our business in our Lord's will. We have been called to truly listen
and seek our Lord's wisdom. Matthew 7:8 tells us, “For everyone who asks
receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks,
the door will be opened.”
As the week progressed we saw a theme developing, that of the
Love of God.
We are reminded there is a reservoir of forgiveness and
faithfulness.
Are we drawing on that reservoir? Are our relationships centered
on standing before our Lord and being faithful to our Lord?
On Fourth Day afternoon some members of the Peace and Human
Relations Committee, along with Mary Comfort Ferrell from FCNL,
visited the Junior Yearly Meeting to listen to their concerns regarding
peace and human relations issues.
A mission of our yearly meeting is the Walton Home here in
Barnesville. The care provided continues to be excellent, as noted by state
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reviews. In the current day financial environment, we are waiting to move
forward on the new south wing.
We learned that significant progress has been made on restoration
of the Plummer House, an early Quaker house built in this township.
We pray that the Truth will prosper among both you and us as we
progress through the coming months.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not
forget to do good and to share, for with sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:15--16
On behalf of Ohio Yearly Meeting,
Seth Hinshaw, clerk
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative),
It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Hebrews 13:9
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through
Jesus Christ. John 1:17
We greet you in the name of Christ Jesus, who offers us the hope
of salvation.
We have gathered this year during the first week of 8 th Month
2016 in Stillwater meetinghouse and on the grounds of Olney Friends
School to conduct the business of our 204 th Yearly Meeting and to refresh
ourselves in the fellowship of Friends and the moving presence of Christ
among us.
In the relative cool of the early morning, we have gathered for
Bible reading under the direction of the Lord.
Our morning sharing time has been devoted to the theme of “What
Do We Bring From Our Lord to Declare?: Living as Conservative Quaker
Christians in the 21st Century.” In these sessions, we have searched our
hearts and our relationships with our Lord, noting that what we have to
declare to the world, to each other and ourselves is not in fact ours, but is
given to us by God. We are at our best when acting as instruments of the
Lord, who guides us and who is nearer to us than our very breath.
We have joined together in worship and been favored with
ministry in spoken words and in song, revealing to us God's grace, forever
renewed and renewing us. Jesus commanded us to love each other as He
has loved us, and we are reminded that this is possible through His strength
if we will die to ourselves to become his instruments.
During some business sessions, Friends worked through concerns
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together, emerging with a reaffirmed sense of our love and the reservoirs
of forgiveness and faithfulness which we can draw on. We have also been
pleased to know that significant progress has now been made on several
projects begun by the Yearly Meeting years ago, including the continuing
restoration of the Plummer House, one of the earliest Quaker structures in
our area.
From the simple, spacious setting of Stillwater meetinghouse, we
moved to the Olney Friends School's Stillwater Science Center for one
business session. After business, we heard from the Head of School, Ken
Hinshaw, who has brought to Olney a wealth of experience from his years
at Scattergood Friends School. We were pleased to hear about the school's
new competency-based curriculum that allows students to progress at their
own rates, mastering skills and applying them to real-life problems and
projects on the Olney campus and beyond.
An evening panel discussion of several chapters of Friends Brian
Drayton and William P. Taber's book, A Language for the Inward
Landscape, was fruitful. This rich work, best read in small chunks to allow
reflection, quietly takes Friends to surprising places in their search for
deeper faith. Listening to the convincement stories of several Friends has
also helped us strengthen our bonds and examine our faith.
We look forward to presentations prepared for us by Junior Yearly
Meeting and Young Friends at the end of these sessions.
We have been blessed by deep and welcome fellowship during
our time together. We pray that you may experience Christ's love through
each other as we have, and that we and you may together walk in that
strength which allows us to live truly as the body of Christ.
On behalf of Ohio Yearly Meeting,
Seth Hinshaw, clerk
historical Plummer House, one of the earliest Quaker structures in our area.
Expansion of the Walton Retirement Home is about to launch once bank
loans are finalized, and various upgrades to the Morlan House (Friends
Center) and grounds are underway.
However, brick and stone are only a minor part of our concern.
Serving our Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are our
foremost concern. After beginning each day of Yearly Meeting with Bible
Reading, we moved to the agenda of each day, an agenda which the
planning committee structures to ensure a balance of work and worship.
We recognize that Yearly Meeting business can at times be so dominant as
to begin to squeeze out time for worship and prayer. Our primary work was
to seek to know and do our Lord’s will.
With this in mind, our hour of morning sharing each day focused
on seeking what our Lord is calling upon us to declare: His presence and
power in our world to lead, teach, and save us. Each morning we sought
what Christ has called us to declare. We sought His direction on living in
community in spite of our scatteredness. The need to open ourselves to our
Lord’s love and power received much emphasis for as weak humanity, we
are plagued by fear too often, allowing it to block our Lord’s will. Yet we
recognize his power, so what is the source of our fear?
Our evenings concluded with programs that brought us close
together, like our series of convincement stories, Friends told their stories
of finding faith and direction among Friends. These sessions gave us a
deeper understanding of one another and the Lord’s work in us
individually, as well as corporately.
While our sessions saw a somewhat smaller number of visitors
than in immediate prior years, we still had cause for great joy as old
Friends, such as Nancy Craft of North Carolina Yearly Meeting
(Conservative) joined with us in our worship and celebration.
We feel connected through the Lord to Friends everywhere,
praying that He may strengthen us all to know and do His will in the year
ahead.
On behalf of Ohio Yearly Meeting,
Seth Hinshaw, clerk
To Friends Everywhere
Dear Friends in Jesus Christ,
We approve the epistles with some minor amendments. The epistles will
be posted on the Yearly Meeting website.
We greet you with joy from our 204th Yearly Meeting, the
sessions of which we found both encouraging and strengthening.
We received reports on the good progress being made on several
projects which the Yearly Meeting began as acts of faith a number of
years ago. Significant progress has now been made on restoring the
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee brought a printout of the
composition of all current committees and a list of names proposed for
appointment. Both lists were verified and amended. This information will
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Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget
to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13: 15-16.
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be published at the end of the printed minutes. The Meeting appreciates
the hard work of the committee and approves the new list.
Nominating Committee Report
names submitted:
ADULT LEADERS for JUNIOR YEARLY MEETING and YOUNG
FRIENDS
2018 Sylvia Thomas
AGENDA COMMITTEE
ex officio Registrar: Sharon Helms. Assistants Connie Bair-Thompson,
Bridget Casterline
2017 Earl Smith (not Carl Smith), Robert Rockwell, Loisanne Rockwell
(correction)
2019 Arthur Berk
AUDIT and BUDGET COMMITTEE (Serving until the end of the
session in that year)
2017 Burton Doudna, Charles C. Thomas, Jr.
BOOK and CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COMMITTEE
2019 Nancy Hawkins
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CAMP COMMITTEE
2019 Earl Smith
COMMITTEE to COORDINATE and SUPPORT OUTREACH
2019 Conrad Lindes, Connie Bair-Thompson, Arthur Berk, Lily
Rockwell, Allistair Lomax
DOCUMENT COMMITTEE
2018 Arthur Berk, Earl Smith
FIDUCIARY TRUSTEES ex officio: Walton Home Manager (Jamie
Helmick)
2017 Beverly Shull, Robert Becerra (correction)
2019 Carey Newlin
FINANCING EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS
2018 Rebecca Hawkins, Debora Taber
FRIENDS CENTER COMMITTEE
2019 Burton Doudna, Diane Reynolds, Katharine Jacobsen, Ken
Jacobsen, Richard Simon
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
2019 Earl Smith, Marie Bundy, Mary Alice Pino, Verna Cope
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
2018 Marie Bundy, Bernard Naylor, Seth Hinshaw, Lois Edgerton
PEACE and HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
2019 Bernard Naylor, Lois Edgerton, Earl Smith, Martha Giffen
PRINTING COMMITTEE
2018 Earl Smith, Elvina Krekler, Connie Bair-Thompson, Penny Thomas
TRAVEL FUND COMMITTEE
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2019 Janet Hammer, Dennis Rockwell (treasurer)
TRUSTEES of OHIO YEARLY MEETING PROPERTY
2019 Carl Smith, Mary Alice Pino
WIDER FELLOWSHIP of CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS
2018 John C. Smith, Elvina Krekler, Nancy Hawkins*, Michael Kinch,
Sharon Helms
WALTON HOME BOARD 2019 No names at this time. To be
submitted to Representative Meeting in the fall
OTHER APPOINTMENTS
REPRESENTATIVE MEETING
2017 Seth Hinshaw
2019 Phil Helms, Sharon Helms, Michael Kinch, Charles C. Thomas, Jr.,
Kim Newlin, Conrad Lindes, Loisanne Rockwell
YEARLY MEETING RECORDER
2017 Conrad Lindes, Assistant Michael Kinch
REPRESENTATIVES to FRIENDS COMMITTEE on NATIONAL
LEGISLATION and WILLIAM PENN HOUSE
2017 Earl Smith, Bernard Naylor
REPRESENTATIVES to FRIENDS WORLD COMMITTEE for
CONSULTATION
2017 Grant Kaufmann, Neva Kaufmann
2019 Rebecca Hawkins, Martha Giffin
Audit and Budget Committee
The Audit and Budget Committee reported on its work this week.
The committee proposed the following budget for the coming year and
recommends that Dennis Rockwell continue to serve as Yearly Meeting
treasurer. The committee report that it is satisfied that the treasurer’s
accounts are in good order. We thank Dennis Rockwell and Marie Bundy
(assistant treasurer) for their ongoing work and also thank the committee
for its work. We approve the recommended budget.
Audit and Budget Committee Report
2016 Actual
Proposed 2017
Income
Book sales
Monthly Meeting Donations
Other Donations
Total:
$72.00
$22,883.00
$1,300.00
$24,255.00
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Expenses
Agenda Committee
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$50.00
$25.00
$1,500.00
$1,500.00
Clerk's expenses
$200.00
$200.00
Copy machine supplies
$200.00
$200.00
Correspondent's expenses
$150.00
$150.00
FCNL
$500.00
$500.00
$1,252.92
$1,500.00
Friends Disaster Service
$500.00
$500.00
FWCC
$500.00
$500.00
$25.00
$25.00
$100.00
$100.00
$4,369.81
$4,000.00
Junior Yearly Meeting
$50.00
$50.00
Outreach Committee
$25.00
$25.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$25.00
$25.00
Printing
$950.23
$1,500.00
RSWR
$500.00
$500.00
$3,000.00
$2,000.00
Books and Children's Literature
Christian Education Camp
Friends Center
Historical committee
Hominy Center
Insurance
OYM property trustees
Peace and Human Relations
Travel fund
Supplemental Travel Fund
appropriate
Walton Home
$2500.00
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
Water
$117.98
$200.00
WFCF
$250.00
$250.00
Total:
$26,265.94
$28,250.00
Expenses over revenue
Notes:
($2,010.94)
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1 Authorize Property Trustees to draw up to $6,000 for exterior
woodwork painting and roof on northwest restrooms, from Chester E
Hartley Maintenance Fund.
2 Authorize Historical Committee to draw up to $2,500 for Historical room
painting, from Hartley Maintenance Fund.
3 We recognize that a fundraising effort will be needed to help repay
Stillwater Monthly Meeting for covering additional $12,856 of brickwork on the Yearly Meeting house. We suggest the Property Trustees and
OYM Treasurer work together on this.
4 $2,500 supplemental appropriation to cover FCNL M&O travel,
to be
transferred to Travel Fund as needed.
We now adjourn until two o’clock this afternoon.
Ohio Yearly Meeting Eighth Month 6,
Afternoon Session
Farm Properties Committee
The committee appointed in 2015 to make recommendations
regarding farm properties held by the Fiduciary Trustees reported on its
activities. The committee raised several important questions for Friends to
consider that would establish a basis for future decisions. Due to the
important nature of the issues, Friends generally believed that further
discernment is warranted.
The Meeting discussed several possible uses or dispositions for
the properties, including sale of some properties, renting properties, or
altering the leasing of the properties. We ask the committee to pursue these
items, asking Monthly Meetings for input, and bringing a proposal to a
future Representative Meeting or next Yearly Meeting.
Committee regarding Farm land leased to Olney Friends School
The Fiduciary Trustees in their report last year reported a proposal
from Olney regarding the Taber Farm property and buildings. They
requested the Taber Farm House and adjacent outbuildings and barn be
transferred to Olney in such a manner that OYM would continue to own
the land surrounding these buildings but Olney would actually own the
buildings. This arrangement would provide Olney with the ability to repair,
maintain, improve, and/or demolish these buildings as they feel would best
meet the needs of the school. OYM appointed a committee to consider the
Yearly Meeting’s role in managing lands currently under our care, taking
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into consideration the recommendations of the Fiduciary trustees and the
long-term needs of the Yearly Meeting.
Information was gathered to inform the committee about farm
operation, the use of the various parcels of land, the farm buildings and
their use. A map was distributed identifying the various parcels of farmland
belonging to OYM along with information sheets describing each parcel,
the acreage, buildings, current use, original donor, developed springs and
feet of fencing that is maintained. Total acreage 266.25 acres. Also
distributed were copies of the OYM Olney Lease, Plummer house
sublease, L.J. Taber donor letter for the Taber Farm, Charles Morlan letter
regarding the gift of the Plummer property, 1940 Plummer Deed and 1961
OYM properties deed.
The committee was not able to all get together for a meeting, but
exchanged some emails and this year at OYM took a tour of the buildings
with Don Guindon. A concern was expressed that there isn’t a mission or
goal statement regarding OYM property to guide us in determining what
decision we should recommend for any or all the property owned by OYM
and leased to Olney. What is our future? What direction should OYM be
headed? What are our priorities? If we had clear answers to these questions
it would be a simple process to make recommendations.
All members expressed appreciation for the stewardship of the
land and the Olney Farm operation. We recognize the concern for our
lessee (OFS) regarding building maintenance/improvement, however we
do not have a recommendation in this regard at this time. We ask the Yearly
Meeting for further direction for this committee.
Committee members: Marie Bundy, Melissa Hinshaw, Richard Simon,
Jack Smith, and Robert Rockwell
William Penn House Report
Earl Smith shared the following information on the William Penn
House that might be of interest to Friends.
William Penn House has a new Executive Director: Andrei Israel.
William Penn House is challenging a change of tax status by the District
of Columbia from church to hotel.
Committee to Consider Revision of 2nd Administrative Query
The committee appointed at Ohio Yearly Meeting in 2015
regarding amending the Second Administrative Query was not ready to
report. The Clerk agreed to meet with the committee and help prepare a
report for an upcoming Representative Meeting.
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Quarterly Meeting Representatives
The Quarterly Meeting representatives produced the following
recommendations. The meeting approves the report and is glad to appoint
Philip Helms to serve as Clerk with Robert Wilber as Assistant Clerk.
Quarterly Meeting Representatives Report
Representatives to the 2016 Ohio Yearly Meeting met. We agreed
to ask Robert Wilber to continue as assistant clerk for the coming year.
Robert agreed to serve in that capacity.
We understood that Seth Hinshaw has asked that we definitely
find another person to clerk the Yearly Meeting in the coming year. We are
thankful for the gift of his service these many years. His knowledge of
Friends history, as well as his sense of humor and love for our members
blesses us.
We were given the name of another Friend whose patience and
abilities we feel will be an asset to the Yearly Meeting as well. Philip W.
Helms has agreed to serve in the capacity of Ohio Yearly Meeting Clerk
for the coming year.
For the committee, Nancy A. Hawkins
Closing Minute
Over the past week we have sought to find the mind of God. We have
examined our lives through the Queries and we have heard the reports of
our various means of outreach, including the Walton Home, the Gathering,
and our committees. We have had some difficulties among ourselves as we
seek the direction of Christ Jesus. Though we as individuals may
sometimes interpret the information differently, we were reminded that we
continue to love each other and can support the gifts and callings of each
other. We have been blessed by our evening programs, morning gatherings,
and our cherished visitors.
We were reminded of the parable of the farmer and the gardener
who worked to enhance the roots of the tree in order to bear fruit. If we
think of our yearly meeting as a spiritual tree, we need spiritual nutrients
from Christ Jesus to strengthen our roots. As we are faithful, others will
benefit from fruit Christ produces through us, and the divine seed in that
fruit will germinate for others. This seed is a precious jewel with which we
rejoice to see that we love each other as Christ has loved us. We are joined
to each other through the power of the Lord is over us all.
We now conclude, purposing to meet again on Eighth Month 1st, 2017.
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Committees and Officers of Ohio Yearly Meeting
(Years indicate expiration of term, asterisk* indicates clerk or convener)
ADULT LEADERS for JUNIOR YEARLY MEETING
and YOUNG FRIENDS
2017 Shawna Roberts, David Male, Dulcie Rockwell
2018 Sylvia Thomas
FINANCING EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS
2017 Marie Kirk Hawkins, Beverly Shull*
2018 Rebecca Hawkins, Debora Taber
AGENDA COMMITTEE
ex officio: Philip Helms, OYM Clerk
ex officio: Sharon Helms Registrar
Assistants Constance Bair-Thompson, Bridget Casterline
2017 Nancy Hawkins, Earl Smith, Terry Wallace, Robert Rockwell,
Loisanne Rockwell
2018 Sharon Helms*, Sarah Parsons
2019 Arthur Berk
FRIENDS CENTER COMMITTEE
2017 John C. Smith, Susan Smith*, Denise Troy, David Male
2018 Robert Rockwell, John Benson, Frances Taber
2019 Burton Doudna, Diane Reynolds, Katharine Jacobsen, Kenneth
Jacobsen, Richard Simon
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE
2017 Loisanne Rockwell*, Gwen Giffen
2018 Seth Hinshaw, Bernard Naylor
2019 Earl Smith, Marie Bundy, Mary Alice Pino, Verna Cope
AUDIT and BUDGET COMMITTEE
(serving until the end of the session in that year)D
2016 David Eley*, Beverly Shull
2017 Burton Doudna, Charles C. Thomas, Jr.
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
2017 Eileen Kinch
2018 Marie Bundy, Bernard Naylor, Seth Hinshaw*, Lois Edgerton
BOOK and CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COMMITTEE
2017 Anne Marie Taber
2018 Elvina Krekler*, Henry Jason
2019 Nancy Hawkins
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
2017 James Covert, Carolyn McGinnis, Conrad Lindes*, Kimberly
Newlin, Philip Helms, Michael Kinch, Marie Kirk Hawkins
2018 Bridget Casterline, David Eley, Janet Hammer, Rebecca Hawkins,
Sara Kirk, Earl Smith, John C. Smith
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CAMP COMMITTEE
2017 Janet Hammer, Marie Bundy, Johanna Mae Rockwell*
2018 Lily Rockwell, Loisanne Rockwell, Kathy Kovalick
2019 Earl Smith
PEACE and HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
2017 Sylvia Thomas*
2018 Richard Simon, Verna Cope, Mary Alice Pino, Richard Wetzel
2019 Bernard Naylor, Lois Edgerton, Earl Smith, Martha Giffen
COMMITTEE to COORDINATE and SUPPORT OUTREACH
2017 Micah Bales, Nancy Hawkins, John C. Smith*, John Benson
2018 Henry Jason, Larry Muller, Kim Palmer, Raye Hodgson
2019 Conrad Lindes, Constance Bair-Thompson, Arthur Berk, Lily
Rockwell, Allistair Lomax
PRINTING COMMITTEE
ex officio: OYM Clerk - Philip Helms
ex officio: OYM Recorder - Conrad Lindes*
ex officio: OYM Nominating Committee Clerk - Conrad Lindes
2017 Michael Kinch, Eileen Kinch
2018 Earl Smith, Elvina Krekler, Constance Bair-Thompson, Penny
Thomas
DOCUMENT COMMITTEE
2017 Michael Kinch, Robert Wilber*
2018 Arthur Berk, Earl Smith
EPISTLE COMMITTEE
2016 Earl Smith, Bridget Casterline, Terry Wallace
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FIDUCIARY TRUSTEES
ex officio Walton Home Manager (Jamie Helmick)
2017 Beverly Shull, Robert Becerra
2018 David Warrington*, Dennis Rockwell
2019 Carey Newlin
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TRAVEL FUND COMMITTEE
2017 Penny Thomas*
2018 David Eley
2019 Janet Hammer, Dennis Rockwell
YEARLY MEETING RECORDER
2017 Conrad Lindes, Assistant Michael Kinch
YEARLY MEETING CORRESPONDENT
Anne Marie Taber
TRUSTEES of OHIO YEARLY MEETING PROPERTY
2017 Richard Sidwell
2018 Robert Rockwell*, Kevin Roberts
2019 Carl Smith, Mary Alice Pino
WALTON HOME BOARD
2017 Rebecca Hawkins, Bill Ray (community)
2018 Beverly Shull, Leonard Guindon, Robert Rockwell, Marie Bundy,
Richard Simon*, Andy Woods (community)
2019 No names at this time. To be submitted to Representative Meeting
in the fall
WIDER FELLOWSHIP of CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS
ex officio: Sharon Helms Registrar
2017 Arthur Berk, Philip Helms, Raye Hodgson, Terry Wallace,
Constance Bair-Thompson
2018 John C. Smith, Elvina Krekler, Nancy Hawkins*, Michael Kinch,
Sharon Helms
REPRESENTATIVES to FRIENDS WORLD COMMITTEE on
CONSULTATION
2017 Beverly Shull, David Eley, Grant Kaufman, Neva Kaufman
2019 Rebecca Hawkins, Martha Giffen
REPRESENTATIVES to WILLIAM PENN HOUSE and FRIENDS
COMMITTEE on NATIONAL LEGISLATION
2018 Earl Smith, Bernard Naylor
YEARLY MEETING CLERK
2017 Philip Helms, Reading Clerk Robert Wilber
Other Appointments
CUSTODIANS OF RECORDS
Appointed 1990 - Loisanne Rockwell
Appointed 2009 - Seth Hinshaw
Appointed 2010 - Beverly Kirk Shull, Kimberly Newlin
REPRESENTATIVE MEETING
ex officio: Clerk of OYM - Philip Helms
2017 Sarah Parsons, Verna H. Cope, Debora Taber, Melissa Hinshaw,
Kathy Kovalick, David Casterline, Seth Hinshaw
2018 Burton Doudna, Nancy Hawkins, Rose Sidwell, Robert Rothwell,
Mary Alice Pino, Elvina Krekler, Bridget Casterline
2019 Philip Helms, Sharon Helms, Michael Kinch, Charles C. Thomas,
Jr., Kimberly Newlin, Conrad Lindes, Loisanne Rockwell
TREASURER of OHIO YEARLY MEETING
2017 Dennis Rockwell, Assistant Marie Bundy
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Minutes of Representative Meeting of Ohio Yearly Meeting
(Conservative), 2015-2016
At a Regular Session of the Representative Meeting of Ohio Yearly
Meeting of Friends (Conservative) held at Chestnut Ridge Monthly
Meeting on 11-21-2015
The regular meeting opened with a period of silent, waiting
worship and the reading of Luke 12: 23-34.
We are favored to have 15 members and three visitors with us
today. These members represent eight Monthly Meetings, all three
quarterly meetings, and three-quarters of our membership, satisfying the
requirements of the Discipline to do business.
● Sharon Helms, on behalf of the Walton Home Board presented
the following proposal:
Proposal to Ohio Yearly Meeting to be presented to representative
Meeting, Eleven Month 2015. The Walton Home Board has identified
a need essential to any future development of the Walton properties:
lending institutions need to be certain that Walton Retirement Home,
Inc.
holds
title
to
its
buildings
and
land.
Background:
At the time of Walton’s incorporation in 1994, it was determined that
Ohio Yearly Meeting and its members would be best protected from
liability if the Fiduciary Trustees rather than the yearly meeting held
title to Walton’s acreage and buildings. The Fiduciary Trustees were
incorporated to manage the yearly meeting’s financial assets and to
hold title to the yearly meeting’s properties on behalf of the yearly
meeting. This creates a very confusing picture for banks and other
lenders who do not understand the relationship between Ohio Yearly
Meeting, the Fiduciary Trustees and Walton Retirement Home.
Proposal:
The Walton Retirement Home Board of Trustees recommends that
title to the Walton Retirement Home properties be transferred from the
Fiduciary Trustees to the Walton Home Corporation. The membership
of the Corporation would continue as now to include all members of
Ohio Yearly Meeting. The reasoning is to make future development
proposals from Walton Retirement Home more transparent to lenders
and donors.
Benefits:
▪ Walton continues to operate as an important outreach program of
the yearly meeting
▪ Clarifies ownership of the property to lending institutions
▪ Emphasizes the responsibilities of the Corporation members
▪ Continues to limit the financial and legal liability of the yearly
meeting
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▪
▪
▪
▪
Insurance claim payments would go to the Walton Retirement
Home, rather than to the Fiduciary Trustees
Implications:
New deeds will be required. The property, now 8 separate parcels,
will be re-surveyed and consolidated into one parcel.
The bylaws of the Corporation may require amending.
The Corporation and Board must verify that Walton holds
sufficient liability insurance on its property and operations,
including coverage for Officers and Directors.
Legal services will be required along with surveying and deed
filing fees.
The Walton Retirement Home Board of Trustees recognizes that
this proposal will require approval of the yearly meeting in Eighth Month
2016. We appreciate that representatives will wish to share this proposal
with their monthly meetings. Please do not hesitate to bring any questions
or concerns to your local Walton Retirement Home trustee.
Sharon Helms, President
Board of Trustees
Walton Retirement Home
Friends are requested to share this proposal with their Monthly Meetings,
to prepare for consideration at Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016 in Eighth Month.
● As Marlborough Monthly Meeting was added to Rockingham
Quarterly Meeting and Ohio Yearly Meeting in 2015, the
membership of Representative Meeting was left at 19, allowing
two vacancies to permit addition of member(s) from Marlborough
Monthly Meeting.
Chip Thomas is now a member of
Marlborough and not of Keystone, and certain other Friends may
become members of Marlborough. This has the potential to
produce a series of changes in Monthly Meeting representation
within Representative Meeting. We note that all 12 Monthly
Meetings are now represented, and we will defer filling the two
vacancies until greater clarity develops.
● Representative Meeting’s Nominating Committee needs to select
clerks for the coming year.
● Robert Rockwell offered the following report on the brickwork
on the Meetinghouse: Over the last two years the Yearly Meeting
approved a total of $28,000 to have the south and west walls of
the Meetinghouse restored, with plans to do the north and east
walls as funds were found. During negotiations for contracting the
work, a highly recommended contractor was found who would do
the entire building for $40,860. The Trustees felt it reasonable to
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suggest that Stillwater make up the $12,860 difference, at least
temporarily. This will permit the restoration to proceed in a timely
manner.
The Meeting approves this expenditure and asks that a copy of
this minute be shared with Representative Meeting. There is some
hope that at least a portion of this will be considered by OYM as
an advance rather than a direct donation. (Minute from Stillwater
Monthly
Meeting,
Thomas
F.
Rockwell,
Clerk)
Coon Restoration and Sealants, Inc., the highly
recommended contractor, will caulk around all windows. This
had not been done before. They will Repoint brick where mortar
is missing or severely deteriorated. They will redo mortar in the
sandstone foundation. They will also apply water repellant on all
walls
after
the
other
work
is
done.
The price for Durable Slate was $55,060.00 and did not
include some of the work that Coon is going to do.
The concrete block gas meter house has been removed at
a cost of $3,500.00. Olney will pay 50 percent ($1,750.00);
Stillwater Monthly Meeting will pay 25 percent ($875.00); and
Ohio Yearly Meeting will pay the remaining 25 percent
($875.00). Some sort of protective fence will probably need to be
built.
We appreciate Robert’s informative and knowledgeable report.
Sharon Helms shared a message from Dennis Rockwell, Ohio
Yearly Meeting Treasurer.
● Nancy Hawkins announced the 2016 Gathering, which will occur
Sixth Month 24-26, 2016: The Conservative Friends Gathering is
coming soon! Please mark your 2016 calendars! Reserve the
weekend of Sixth Month 24-26. Ohio Yearly Meeting Wider
Fellowship Committee will host a time of spiritual refreshment in
worship and fellowship with like minded Friends, including all
who feel drawn to our original beliefs and worship in the Name
of Jesus. The event will be held at the Stillwater Friends
Meetinghouse in Barnesville, Ohio. For reservations, please
contact Sharon Helms at [email protected] or
phone (248) 360-2074.
There being no further business, the meeting closed with a period of silent,
waiting worship. The next meeting will be held in Salem Meetinghouse
on 04-16-2016 at 1:00 PM, if so permitted.
At a Regular Session of the Representative Meeting of Ohio Yearly
Meeting of Friends (Conservative) held at Salem Monthly Meeting on
04-16-2016
The regular meeting opened with a period of silent, waiting
worship and the reading of Matthew 6: 5-15.
We are favored to have 17 members and seven visitors with us
today. These members represent 10 Monthly Meetings, all three quarterly
meetings. Under the Discipline, we have sufficient representation to
conduct business.
● We have been contacted by Olney Friends School with a
request to move the dates for Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016 up
one week. Committee meetings would begin on 08-01-2016
and Ministry and Oversight and business sessions would
begin on 08-02-2016. Friends unite in approving this change.
● Friends have reviewed the draft memorial for William P.
Taber, Jr. and unite in approving this memorial for
publication. Friends express thanks and admiration for the
quality of the memorial and the writing thereof. As the
committee to prepare the final, publication draft, we appoint:
Seth Hinshaw, Anne Marie Taber, Nancy Hawkins, and
Dennis Rockwell.
Friends ask that the committee
recommend numbers of copies, appropriation to cover
printing expenses, and price per copy for distribution outside
●
Philip W. Helms, Elvina Krekler, Clerks
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●
●
Ohio Yearly Meeting, to the Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016
budget process.
Richard Simon reported on the Walton Retirement Home’s
progress on its current expansion project. The Walton Home
Board has formed a Fundraising Committee, and has hired a
professional fundraiser. A Capital Campaign Committee is
now being formed to do the actual fundraising. The “yellow
house” or “Hoyle House” has now been demolished in
preparation for new construction, and will be used for
parking. Richard distributed copies of literature prepared by
the Walton Home. Friends appreciated this update.
The Friends Center Committee has identified a need to
expand the MorlanQ House / Friends Center to accommodate
larger groups, providing more sleeping rooms, an additional
bathroom, a larger meeting room, and a larger dining room.
This would be most desirable for Friends Center programs
and for Ohio Yearly Meeting use under current and recent
circumstances. Friends appreciated the careful thought and
planning involved in this letter. A copy of the letter is
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appended for each Monthly Meeting, where we urge Friends
to share the plans and information at Monthly Meetings for
business.
● There being two vacancies on Representative Meeting,
Friends appointed David and Bridget Casterline to fill these
vacancies, representing Rockingham and Marlborough
Monthly Meetings respectively. The expiration of their terms
will be determined by the Ohio Yearly Meeting 2016
Nominating Committee in Eighth Month, to comply with the
requirements of the Discipline.
● Kimberly Newlin reported for the Representative Meeting
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee has
been a standing committee. The Committee recommends the
Clerk’s and Reading Clerk’s terms be set at three years and
the standing committee be replaced by a committee which
would be discharged after each cycle. Friends approved these
recommendations. The new Nominating Committee will
consist of: Debora Taber, Burton Doudna and Sharon Helms.
The standing Nominating Committee is discharged with our
gratitude for long service.
There being no further business, the meeting closed with a period of silent,
waiting worship. The next meeting will be held in Chestnut Ridge
Meetinghouse on 11-19-2016 at 1:00 PM, if so permitted.
Philip W. Helms, Elvina Krekler, Clerks
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Yearly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight
Clerk: Mary Alice Pino
ROCKINGHAM QUARTER
Chattahoochee: Taylor Trussell (O); Sarah Parsons (O,E)
Keystone Fellowship: Seth Hinshaw (O,M); David Eley, (E,M); Michael
Kinch (E); Charles Thomas, Jr. (M); Terry Wallace (O,M)
Marlborough: Charles C. Thomas, Jr. (M)
Rockingham: Susan S. Smith (E); John C. Smith (M)
SALEM QUARTER
Crossroads: Philip Helms (E); Sharon Helms (O)
Middleton: Verna H. Cope (O); Marie Hawkins (O); Lois G. Edgerton (E);
Rebecca J. Hawkins (E); Mary Alice Pino (E); Nancy A. Hawkins (M)
Salem: Eunice M. Burkey (O); Mildred S. Henderson (O); Kimberly A.
Newlin (O); Robert W. Stratton (E); Winifred E. Stratton (E,M)
Winona: Dean A. Sidwell (O); Rose M. Sidwell (O); Conrad Lindes (E,M)
STILLWATER QUARTER
Chesterfield: Robert Rothwell (E); Richard D. Wetzel (E)
Chestnut Ridge: Kathleen Kovalick (E); Burton M. Doudna (M)
Short Creek: D. Raye Hodgson (O); Sara L. Kirk (O); Elvina Krekler (O)
Stillwater: Marie Bundy (O); Victor G. Peacock (O); Karen L. Walsh (O);
Diane Reynolds (O); Frances I. Taber (E); Katherine S. Jacobsen (E); Earl
Smith (E); Richard A. Simon (E); Diana L. Kaul (E); John C. Benson (M);
Martha S. Giffin (M); Robert A. Wilber (M)
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MONTHLY MEETINGS
Calendar of Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends
and its subordinate Meetings
Ohio Yearly Meeting (opened 1813) is held in Stillwater
Meeting House, near Barnesville, Ohio and will commence in 2017 with
a meeting for Ministry and Oversight on Eighth Month 1 at 10:00 a.m.
Yearly Meeting in 2016-2017 is scheduled to be held as follows:
REPRESENTATIVE MEETING
Meets the third Seventh Day in 11th Month at Chestnut Ridge. Meeting at
1:00 p.m.; and The Third Seventh Day in 4th Month at Salem at 1:00 p.m.
Clerks: Philip W. Helms, 2485 Bogie Lake Rd., White Lake, MI 48386,
Elvina M. Krekler, assistant.
ROCKINGHAM QUARTERLY MEETING
The second 7th Day of 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th Months, with varying
locations. First Month to be at Marlborough; 4th Month at Chattahoochee;
7th Month at Keystone Fellowship; 10th Month at Rockingham. Please
phone the clerk (Bridget Casterline at 908-510-0527 with any questions.
SALEM QUARTERLY MEETING
Held at Salem on the second Seventh-day in Second, Fifth, Seventh and
Eleventh Months, at 10:30 a.m.
Clerks: Mary Alice Pino, 44550 SR
NeldaM.
Hawkins,
517, Columbiana, OH 44408; Rose
Sidwell,assistant
assistant.
In Rockingham Quarter
Chattahoochee: the third First Day of each month. Clerk: Taylor Trussell
and Rebecca Trussell (470) 255-1228 or (770) 344-9138
Keystone Fellowship: Contact Clerk Eileen Kinch (717) 721-1764 for time
and place.
Marlborough: Usually the third First Day of each month at rise of meeting
for worship. Clerk: Bridget Casterline 908-510-0527
Rockingham: The first First-day of each month, at 1:00 p.m. Clerk:
Susan S. Smith (540) 867-5788
In Salem Quarter
Crossroads: The second First-day of each month, following rise of meeting
for worship. Clerk: Philip Helms (248) 360-2074
Middleton: 11:30 a.m. on the second First-day, following worship.. Clerk:
Lois G. Edgerton (330) 482-2939, Marlene Cooper, assistant. Preparative
Meeting for Ministry and Oversight: called as needed.
Salem-Upper Springfield: The second First Day of each month, after
worship. Clerk: Carey L. Newlin (330) 332-0565; Nelda J. Hawkins,
assistant. Preparative Meeting for Ministry and Oversight held as needed.
Winona: the second First-day of each month, following public worship.
Clerk: Rose M. Sidwell (330) 222-1060, Dean A. Sidwell, assistant.
Preparative Meeting for Ministry and Oversight held the third First-day in
First, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Months, following worship.
STILLWATER QUARTERLY MEETING
Meetings in the Salem Quarter plan to meet jointly on the fourth First Day
of each month as follows:
At Middleton: Second, Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth
At Salem: First, Third, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, Eleventh
Held at Chestnut Ridge Meeting near Barnesville, Eleventh Mo. 5, at
Stillwater Meeting Second Mo. 4th, at Chesterfield Meeting in Chesterhill,
Ohio Fifth Mo. 6th and at Short Creek Meeting near Harrisville, Ohio
Seventh Mo. 8th The part about Checking with Elvina refers to the Short
Creek meeting in Seventh Mo. (Check with Elvina Krekler at
[email protected] or 740-546-3814 for exact location. For Short
Creek.)
Quarterly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight at 9:30 a.m.,
Burton Doudna, Clerk, (740)-679-2245. Regular Quarterly Meeting
Business Meeting at 1 p.m., following provided lunch. Clerk: Evelyn
Groves, (740)-679-2084.
In Stillwater Quarter
Chesterfield: The third First-day of each month following meeting for
worship. Clerk: Robert Rothwell (740) 551-9121
Chestnut Ridge: The second Seventh-day at 7:00 p.m. at various homes.
This may change, so if you wish to attend, please call. Clerk: Burton M.
Doudna (740) 679-2245
Short Creek: Usually on a weekday at Elvina Krekler’s home.
Contact clerk for details. Clerk: Elvina M. Krekler (740)-546-3814.
Stillwater: First-day following the third Seventh-day of each month,
after worship. Clerk: Thomas F. Rockwell (609) 610-7759; Leonard D.
Guindon, assistant.
Quarterly Meeting for Ministry and Oversight, same day at 9 a.m., Clerk
Nancy Hawkins
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MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP
At Chattahoochee, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Chesterfield, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Chestnut Ridge, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Crossroads: 11:00 a.m., First Day.
At Keystone Fellowship, usually on 7th Day or 1st Day (either in
member’s homes or in local meetinghouses). Contact the clerk
for time and place.
At Marlborough 11:00 a.m. on First Day.
At Middleton, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Rockingham, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Salem, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Seekers’ Haven, 3:00 p.m. on the first First Day of each month and
10:30 a.m. on the third First Day of each month..
Contact Conrad Lindes (440) 884-0338, as there may be changes
some months.
At Short Creek, 10:30 a.m. on First Day. Please call Sara Kirk,
740-546-3580 or Elvina Krekler, 740-546-3814 to make sure
Meeting will be held that day, and where, if planning to visit.
At Stillwater, 10:30 a.m., First Day
At Winona:, 10:30 a.m. First Day.
Marlborough: 361 Marlboro Spring Rd, Kennett Square, PA 193481309
Middleton: 44866 Crestview Rd., Columbiana, OH. 3 miles south of Rte.
14 on Rte. 7, west ¼ mile on Crestview Rd
Rockingham: near Harrisonburg, VA. From I-81 take Rte. 33W through
Hinton, go right on Rte 613 (Whitmore Shop Rd.) about 4 miles to
the
‘T’; go straight across Rte 763 (Hopkins Gap Road) up long,
treelined lane to brown house. #3500 on mailbox and white post.
Salem: Sixth Street, east of North Ellsworth Ave., Salem, OH
Seeker's’ Haven: At the home of Conrad Lindes and Joan Kuczek, 13375
Old Pleasant Valley Rd., Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 (440) 884-0338
(under the care of Winona Meeting).
Short Creek: Short Creek Meeting : 1/4 mile north of Harrisville, OH,
on Adena Road. (Jefferson Co. Rd. 10). Please call Sara Kirk, 740-5463580, or Elvina Krekler, 740-546-3814 to make sure Meeting will be held
there that day.
Stillwater: 61830 Sandy Ridge Rd., Barnesville, OH From Barnesville,
OH, 1 mile east on E. Main St., take right onto Shamrock Dr. opposite
Save-A-Lot, turn into Olney Friends School at top of hill.
Winona: 32114 Winona Rd., Winona, OH
First-day School: Stillwater, 9:30 a.m.
Crossroads: 11:15 a.m.;
Bible Study: First-day; Chesterfield, 11:30 a.m.
Crossroads, 10:00 a.m., Middleton, 9:30 a.m.
Midweek Meetings for Worship
Middleton, Fifth-day, 3:00 p.m.; Stillwater, Fourth-day, 6:30 p.m.
Locations of Meeting Places
Chattahoochee: 3980 Florida Ave., Atlanta, GA 30360. For information,
go to peachtree.quaker.org/Chattahoochee_Friends/Welcome.html.
Chesterfield: Chesterhill, OH, on Rte 555 east from Rte. 377
Chestnut Ridge: From the center of Barnesville, OH, 1.9 miles south on
Rte 800; turn left near top of hill, then ½ mile to meetinghouse (go right
at 1st fork, left at 2nd fork).
Crossroads: 4108 Menton, Flint, MI 48507. For additional information,
contact Phil and Sharon Helms, (248) 360-2074
Keystone Fellowship: Meetings for worship on Seventh Day or First Day
either in members’ homes or in local meetinghouses. For information
contact Eileen Kinch (717) 721-1764.
96
96
97
OHIO YEARLY MEETING MEMBERSHIP STASTISTICS
2016
Members Gaines
Meeting
By
Reques
ts
Births
Total membership
as of Sixth Month
30
Members Lost
Certifi
- cate
in
Certificate out
Request
Deaths Release
Net
Gain or
Loss
Discontinued
2015
2016
Chattahoochee MM
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
-1
13
Keystone MM
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
-2
7
5
Marlborough MM
0
20
1
0
1
0
0
20
0
20
Rockingham MM
0
0
1
1
0
2
0
-2
44
42
Rockingham QM
0
20
2
3
1
3
0
15
64
79
Crossroads MM
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
Middleton MM
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
-1
72
71
Salem-Upper Springfield MM
0
6
23
0
0
1
0
28
54
82
Winona MM
0
0
0
29
1
25
4
-59
67
8
Salem QM
0
6
24
31
1
26
4
-32
197
165
Chesterfield MM
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
17
Chestnut Ridge MM
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
27
Short Creek MM
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
-1
59
58
Stillwater MM
0
0
5
1
0
0
0
4
150
154
Stillwater QM
0
0
5
1
1
0
0
3
253
256
12