Minutes of Meeting for Worship for Business 6 May 2004 2004

Present: Dick, Betty P, Ray, Rex, Tamara, Dawn, Mona, Ian, Andy, Don (Clerk), Carol Leigh (Supporting Clerk), Helen (Acting Recording Clerk)

1. The Meeting began with open worship.
2. Minutes of April 7, 2004, Meeting for Worship for Business, were read and accepted as read.
3. Matters Arising
   1. Nominations for 2004-5 were approved as presented.
      • It was noted that the position of treasurer is not yet filled and that First Day School Committee is largely made up of parents who are attenders who perhaps should be freed to be in the Meeting for Worship.
      • The suggestion was brought that we try to have an understudy for jobs such as recording clerk to nurture the skills we need for right ordering of our Monthly Meeting.
      • It was approved that Nominating Committee report be brought forward one month and approved the next. We approve that the document on Nominating Committee procedure be deposited in the library and posted on the website.
   2. Report of the Clearness Committee for Ian Graham on the issue of Chaplaincy (Beverly, Ray, and Dick): The report is attached. Meeting accepted with thanks the report of the Clearness Committee. Ian withdrew during a full discussion of whether Hamilton Monthly Meeting (HMM) should put forward his name to Canadian Yearly Meeting (CYM).

      We support his call to the ministry of chaplaincy and put forward his name to CYM as the next step in the process. A Committee of Care will be offered to support Ian through the yearly meeting process. Although we are aware that Ian, on occasion, has been in conflict with members of the Society, we have seen his personal and spiritual growth and are confident in his ability to deal positively with difficult situations which he will encounter as a chaplain.

4. New Business:
   1. Request for financial assistance to attend CYM: A request for assistance to attend CYM comes from Rick McCutcheon, Clerk of CYM, and Tamara Fleming. After discussion of the total likely needs, both the Ottawa delegation and CYM, for travel subsidy, and of members from our Meeting who are required to be at CYM, we approve a donation of $250 to Rick and Tamara. It is acknowledged that the budgeted amount for travel is likely to be exceeded and we encourage Friends to donate to the travel fund as they are able.

   2. Delegates to CYM and Half-Yearly Meeting: Delegates named to CYM are Mona Callin and Tamara Fleming. Delegates named to Half-Yearly Meeting are Mona Callin and Beverly Shepherd.

   3. Half-Yearly Meeting in June: Planning adult program: We are grateful to Beverly, Mona, and Dawn who have offered to organize the programme for Half-Yearly Meeting and look for help from others in HMM and other Meetings to carry it through. The suggested topic is "What do I believe and how does it affect the way I live my life?

5. Other business laid over to June Meeting for Worship for Business.

6. Meeting ended in silent worship.