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7 Butty Place
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 2R5
www.quaker.ca/hamilton
quakers@hwcn.org
Telephone: 905.523.8383
March 20 Dick
March 27 Andy
April 3 Ruth
April 10 Don
April 17 Darlene
April 24 Betty P
There are still about 4 open residential spots for the retreat. As well, people are invited to consider attending by day only, which would be much less expensive. If there is a need, we will endeavour to supply transportation.
Meeting for Worship continues to be vital to us, though it has not been quite as well attended as in the past. Ministry has generally been helpful.
We continue to strive to maintain and enhance our corporate health, within our Society and in our relationships to the larger society to which we belong. We find some similar problems both within and outside our Meeting.
When tensions have arisen among individuals in the Meeting, our Meetings for Worship for Business (and even Meeting for Worship) have been difficult at times, and have proven to be challenges for the clerk, some members and attenders, and Meeting committees.
Finding where we best fit in order to feel useful but not overburdened is a continuing need for each of us. Since we are all caregivers (ministers), we need to remember that even caregivers themselves need care. We continue to work at creating and maintaining an atmosphere so safe that we will feel free to ask for needed help for any problem we may be experiencing.
Three regulars moved away, but we had no formal requests for membership this year, no marriages or births and one death: Mary Rutty. It is of some concern to us that our business decisions are made without the full participation of all our members, but we assume that those who can participate do so.
First Day School continues to be a challenge with only 5 families and 9 children. They have enjoyed many outings and we still have leaders who keep up spiritual nourishment for the youngsters on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month. Older Young Friends, though not often participating in their home Meeting, are connected to other Young Friends around Ontario through retreats and other events, which are vital times for a lively and caring group.
In January, Roy Adams shared his human rights experiences in the labour movement at a potluck. We combined a Meeting for Worship for Business with a potluck and talk about the new Faith and Practice draft in February. Our peace delegation to Ottawa reported at a potluck in April. An experimental "show and tell" potluck was held in May. Our usual Thanksgiving feast was held in October, and this year we held two special celebrations as well: in June for a 50th wedding anniversary and in December we honoured the good work of the Peace Research Institute of Dundas and its founder, Hanna Newcombe.
Our Peace and Social Action Committee meets for supper regularly. We're still struggling with how best to relate to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Consensus statements are often difficult.
Attempting to build community in our Meeting, we have again held a very successful Òcookies and Christmas carols eventÓ, reaching out to those unable to attend Meeting very often any more. Some Friends participate in supper groups which rotate around to each otherÕs homes on a regular basis, sharing meals and much more. Many cheerful volunteers participated in a painting bee. So we gradually grow toward oneness in spirit!
Minutes of the Meeting for Worship for Business on 6 March 2005.
Present: Dick, Betty, Christina, Glenna, Dawn, Carol Leigh, Wafula, Beverly, Helen, Don, John, Jean
Friends present discussed the Canadian Yearly Meeting 2003 Minute of Record (within minute #56) regarding same-sex marriage and Hamilton Monthly Meeting's relationship to the issue and to the Minute.
Friends present are in unity and offer the following draft minute for consideration by Meeting for Worship for Business April 7, 2005:
Friends of Hamilton Monthly Meeting are in unity that any application for marriage under the care of the Meeting, whether from a couple of opposite sex or of the same sex, will be treated with respect and accorded the consideration and process which are Friends' practice.
We support the Yearly Meeting Minute respecting both same-sex couples and individual Meetings' right to individual discernment. Hamilton Monthly Meeting records itself as open to applications for marriage under the care of the Meeting from opposite sex and same sex couples.
Friends who wish to express their thoughts but do not anticipate attending the April Meeting for Worship for Business may telephone or otherwise contact the clerk, Beverly, prior to business meeting.
World Gathering Planners are looking for volunteers to fill a number of key roles at the World Gathering of Young Friends in Lancaster, England, from the 16th-24th August 2005. If you are a young adult Quaker, and have skills in translation, practical organisation, or spiritual nurture, this could be you! Application forms are available from Don W. Please send completed forms, or questions to: volunteers@wgyf.org or by post to: 70 Goodhall Street, Willesden, London, NW10 6TU, UNITED KINGDOM
Find out more from: www.wgyf.org. Closing date for applications is March 25.
Toronto Monthly Meeting is sponsoring a Couple Enrichment Workshop at Friends House on April 8-10. Fran and Tony McQuail, Friends from the Lucknow Worship Group, will be leading the workshop. They have led several workshops in Canada and are trained by Friends General Conference and the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment.
What is it? "Couple Enrichment is not therapy, not marriage counseling, and not an encounter group. It is designed for couples with a strong commitment to each other and who want to enhance their relationships." 6-8 couples will meet together from Friday night supper till Sunday afternoon, creating a relaxed and supportive community among themselves. Couples share some of their communication and dialogue process with the group on topics of their own choosing. Worship, discussion, rest and recreation are also important parts of a retreat.
Couple Enrichment can help you and your partner improve your communication skills, celebrate the strengths and joys of your relationship and learn how to use conflict creatively. The workshop is open to all couples who view themselves as committed partners, regardless of their marital status or gender orientation.
Couples are asked to stay at Friends House, if possible, to help focus attention on the retreat rather than the myriad of everyday details at home. Please book rooms by contacting Friends House yourself. TMM will be paying for the workshop but couples will be asked to contribute for food; those details will be sorted out later. Please contact Leigh Turina or Dan Cooperstock at dcoops@sympatico.ca to confirm your registration. We would be happy to answer questions.
Dan Cooperstock and Leigh Turina 416-423-9064 dcoops@sympatico.ca / lturina@sympatico.ca
If I am very aware that I do not love much
The way is not to try to love more,
So much as to spend more time
In trying to open myself
To receive the love of God
Damaris Parker-Rhodes 1985
From Plain Living - a Quaker Path to Simplicity. Ed Catherine Whitmire, Sorin Books, Notre Dame 2001
Last updated: 22 Mar 05
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