H.M.M. Newsletter, September 2000

7 Butty Place, Hamilton, Ontario. L8S 2R5

Clerk: Roberta McGregor

Sunday mornings

9.30 Discussion group

11.00 Meeting for Worship

Coming Events:

Sept.17 FDS trip to Sweetgrass Gardens.Leave from Meetinghouse at 10.30. Bring lunch. All welcome.

Sept. 22 Potluck supper - theme: our Jubilee pledge and the Culture of Peace. Coordinated by Peace and Social Action. contact Dick Preston. Time 6 for 6.30.

Sept. 30/Oct. 1 Camp Neekaunis Committee and Closing Weekend. Note: if you feel able to lend a hand with the closing of camp for the season, it will be much appreciated, and you will have an enjoyable weekend of companionship in beautiful surroundings.

Oct. 2 Meeting for Worship for Business

Oct. 9 Thanksgiving Potluck

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BREATH AND BREAD II

Our engine runs on bread and breath, in silent fire entwining. Both plant-derived, and Sun-contrived, our life process defining.

Oh, sing the praise of breath and bread, as night and day we greet ahead; as green plants grow in soil's warm bed, and glorious sun keeps shining.

(Submitted by Hanna Newcombe)

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YONGE ST. HALF YEARLY MEETING,

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 2000 FRIENDS HOUSE , SIMCOE-MUSKOKA MONTHLY MEETING

All Welcome! Contact Mona Callin for more details.

MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR BUSINESS

Hamilton Month Meeting for Worship for Business 6 September, 2000

Present: Roberta McGregor (clerk), Don Woodside, Jean Johnson, Larry Pogue, Ian Graham, Mona Callin, Helen Brink, Denise Barron, John Milton, Harriet Woodside (recording clerk), Betty Preston, Dick Preston, Beverly Shepard

1. Meeting began with silent worship.

2. The minutes of 7 June, 2000, were corrected as follows:

3.1 Replace "Visiting" for Clearness Committee.

4.2 Replace "Bequest" for Request (line 4).

5.1 Replace "June" for July.

3. Matters arising

3.1 Jubilee Pledge (Robbie): Those present reviewed the Jubilee Pledge and Jubilee Statement (See minutes of 7 June, 2000) as this is the ninth month. The Peace and Social Action Committee will coordinate a fall pot luck to consider our involvement with Jubilee activities as well as with the Culture for Peace.

3.2 Nominating Committee List (Helen): See the attached updated list of Committee members.

3.3 Robbie has left messages at the Elizabeth Fry Society regarding our suggestion that Ray Cunnington be nominated for their Board.

3.4 Time of M4W: It was the sense of the meeting that we resume beginning M4W at 11am through June 2001, and that we begin M4W at 10am for July and August 2001. We will reconsider this issue before this information is needed for the CYM Directory; April may be a good time.

Friends may want to consider changing the starting time from 11 to 10:30am beginning in Sept 2001.

3.5 Jean submitted the article by Beverly on the F/friendly use of email to The Canadian Friend; she apologized for forgetting to credit Beverly as the author.

4. REPORTS

4.1 Robbie will ask Robbie Shepard if he needs any assistance with HMM's archives.

4.2 FWCC Review (Mona): Mona is happy to talk with anyone after M4W who is interested in her experience at FWCC. There is an excellent report on FWCC in The Friend. The CYM representatives to FWCC were involved, together with AFSC and the Australian Service Committee, in supporting the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples which was passed at FWCC.

4.3 First Day School (FDS) Report: Portions of the State of Society report which deal with FDS will be used for the 1999-2000 FDS report.

Robbie will suggest to Shirley Schellenberg, FDS convenor, that she keep notes as the year proceeds for next year's report

4.4 Auditor's Report: See attached report.

5. New business

5.1 Garden project: See attached "Report to Meeting for Worship for Business: September 6, 2000." Minute: We are in unity that we want to complete HMM's ecologically sound garden (called Phase 2 in the "Report").

We also support the minute contained in the "Report:" HMM approved the application to CYM Meetinghouse Fund for $6,200 as described in the attached report prepared by the Landscape Committee dated August 25, 2000.

We will know by 20 October whether we will receive the amount requested. If we de not receive $6,200, we will consider what to do at that time. It was felt that the first priority is to purchase the native plantings/shrubs ($800- 900) and then to install a bathroom tub.

5.3 Request from Gary Peters for support to attend a Pendle Hill course:

Minute: We agree to support Gary for $200 to enable him to attend a Pendle Hill course. We agree to lend Gary the amount he is requesting from HMAC which is the cost of the course.

5.4 Larry Pogue asked if HMM would like to make a donation to the Parkinson's Society Walkathon. We agreed that instead individuals would be encouraged to make donations.

5.5 Mona suggested that at the October M4W4B we consider moving the day of M4W4B from Wednesday because the SRF group uses the meeting room on Wednesdays. We might hold M4W4B regularly on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.

5.6 Schedule of potlucks and brown bags for fall: Robbie circulated a list of topic ideas. We confirmed: 22 September: Pot Luck to consider HMM's involvement in the Jubilee Pledge and the Culture of Peace. (Peace and Social Action Committee to coordinate)

2 October: M4W4B

9 October: Thanksgiving potluck. Beverly will ask Bethany Shepard if she could talk about her Quaker Pilgrimage experience at this potluck. At M4W, Robbie will ask for a volunteer to coordinate the Thanksgiving potluck.

6. Meeting closed with silent worship.

Hamilton Monthly Meeting Called Meeting for Worship for Business 29 July, 2000

Minute: We are in unity in supporting Ian Graham's participation in "Why Can't They Find Us?" a Quaker outreach weekend at Powell House, 22-24 September, 2000. We request that our Clerk write a letter in support of his application to HMAC for financial support.

Final Application for CYM MH Fund grant From: Ian Graham

To: Treasurer, Canadian Yearly Meeting

From: Landscape Committee, Religious Society of Friends, Hamilton

Contact; Jean Johnson (905) 628-6654

Date: Sept. 6, 2000

Re: Request for Grant from CYM Meetinghouse Fund for Eco- Friendly MeetingHouse Improvements

Overview:

This is a three stage project for the grounds at 7 Butty Place, site of the Hamilton Quaker Meeting House in West Hamilton to make the property a demonstration project of eco-friendly landscaping and outdoor use for worship/reflection.

Our goals are: A. To increase the usability and enjoyment of the property in our spiritual and communal activities.

B. To reduce the maintenance required to keep the property in reasonable condition. We are located in a residential neighborhood, and need to maintain some standards of neatness.

C. To develop an ecologically sound garden, (no pesticides, low water requirement, low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing. We shall use it as community demonstration project; as part of our First Day School environmental program, and also to provide more wildlife habitat in our area. We plan to use native species and drought resistant species, to attract butterflies and birds.

Phase One

Hamilton Meeting approved on May 1st 2000 a request to the Samuel Rogers Trust for exterior building and property maintenance and landscape renewal. The projected cost of Phase 1 was $13,000, of which building repairs was $3300 and property/landscaping was $9700.

Hamilton Meeting has undertaken to raise at least $2000 of the $13,000 in 2000 and requested $11,000 from the S. Rogers Fund.

Phase Two This request is for preparation of beds for the native plant garden which was done while the larger landscaping of stage one was undertaken, in the interests of efficiency and saving money. We had hoped that the budget of $13000 for stage one would include this work, but a) we received only $9000 of the $11000 we requested from the Rogers Trust, and b) we ran significantly over budget for the excavating portion of the landscaping, due to including work that should have waited for phase 2. Therefore, we are separating the costs of the landscaping costs attributable to the native garden and asking for separate financial support for it. These include:

1) an estimated $2500 for preparation of the beds (landscaping, topsoil, mulch)

2) $2000 towards uncompleted work in the stage one landscaping project(benches, toolshed, plantings) and

3) $1700 for the plant material and some contracted services associated with the planting. The cost of Phase 2 for the native plants demonstration garden and unfunded portion of phase 1 is therefore about $6,200.

Phase Three is conceptual only at this point, but includes additional plant species, signage, publicity and print material to support the demonstration of environmental benefits.

We are asking the Meeting House Fund for $6,200 in this application. This is made up of the $2000 shortfall from the application from Samuel Rogers Trust and $4200 for the demonstration project landscaping.

We are hopeful we can proceed with planting this fall, as this is most favourable to successful rooting and placement of plant material.

The benefits we see are

- the tidying up of our MH property

- the opportunity to showcase FCUN priorities

- the fellowship within our meeting

- the exposure of Quakers in nature-loving circles

- the contact with YFs and YAFs in Toronto, London, etc (retreats, work weekends)

- the challenge of a demonstration project on a leading trend (native plant landscaping is gaining awareness according to Director of Royal Botanical Gardens)

- the contacts it will create for Quakers' touching peoples' lives who live nearby

- the opportunity to share our learnings with other churches and community groups in the area.

Background Information

Phase 1: Landscape renewal Our landscape committee has spent the last year and a half developing a plan to improve the Meetinghouse grounds. The property has had virtually nothing spent on it for over 20 years, and it is now looking neglected.

For reasons that have most to do with the small number of active members and attenders, we find it difficult to do what is required to keep the area tidy, without being able to attempt any remedial work.

We have proceeded with Stage 1 of the plan, (install a cedar hedge on two sides of the property to provide privacy for open air Meetings, and hardscaping (patios and paths, resurfacing of parking lot etc), for which we have obtained partial funding from the Sam Rogers Trust.

The Meeting paid for the shrubs which were planted by Young Friends at their October 1998 gathering at Hamilton.

Stage 2: Demonstration Native Plants garden

This property consists of 1600 sq. M. Much of it is weed infested lawn. Our plan is to reduce considerably the amount of lawn and replace with:

1. native Carolinean trees and shrubs in mulched beds to attract birds;

2. an environment to attract butterflies.

We plan to use native species, drought resistant low maintenance plantings to conserve water and energy, and avoid pesticide use. These plants will probably be bought from Sweetgrass Gardens, a native species nursery located on the Six Nations Reserve.

We will do the planting ourselves. One of our members is a Landscape Architect and has donated the drawings. Other members are familiar with the use of native species and attracting wildlife. We plan to involve our Sunday School children in these projects, and use it as a teaching tool for our environmental awareness classes.

We intend to network with other churches in West Hamilton, and to invite them and our neighbours to an open house when finished. We will use metal markers to show the names of the plants, and make brochures so it can be an educational resource. Signage will be provided to inform visitors, inviting them to learn from the demonstration gardens, hedges, trees and herbs.

Breakdown of anticipated expenses for Phase 2:

Native garden bed preparation $2500

Native shrubs $900

Perennial, grasses, signs, and incidentals $800

Total: $4200

Plus shortfall from S. Rogers application $2000

Total request: $6200

In closing, we thank you for your prayerful consideration of financial support for this project.

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An Ethical Opportunity

If you receive a $200 Ontario Tax Dividend DON'T ENDORSE IT! DONATE IT! Many Ontarians are not comfortable about getting this tax gift from the government, knowing that the most vulnerable people in our province get none of it. Join us in choosing to donate this money to charitable organizations that support home- less families and social housing initiatives. You can also challenge the government to match your generous donation and do what we depend on governments to do: keep track and take care of the vulnerable people who can't always take care of themselves. When you hold that cheque in your hands, please stop and reflect. Express your values.

DON'T ENDORSE IT! DONATE IT!

This response is respectfully suggested by the Social Justice Network of Ontario Conferences (United Church of Canada) Sample letter:

Premier Mike Harris Legislative Building, Room 281 Queen's Park, Toronto M7A 1A1 Fax: 416 325-3745

Dear Premier Harris,

Thank you for the $200 "Tax Dividend" you sent me. I have chosen to donate it to: ______________________________ Rather than send me money, I would prefer that your government responsibly do what only government is equipped to do: keep track and take care of Ontario's vulnerable people, who need tax-supported help to sur- vive with dignity and sustain their families. I would ask you to match my donation with tax-generated funds. I am willing to help the vulnerable people in Ontario. I want to trust the government I vote for to do that too.

Sincerely,

(forwarded by Caroline Parry, Ottawa M.M.)

TEA AND COFFEE ROTA

Sept. 10 Louise Trepanier 521 0789

Sept. 17 Lynda Archer 540 1081

Sept. 24 Helen Brink 628 8307

Oct. 1 Mona Callin 335 9865

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EMBODIED SPIRITUALITY...

A Retreat Day for University Students and Young Adults Saturday Sept.30, 2000 St. Paul's Anglican Church, Westdale

Theme:

If the Spirit lives in us, what does this mean? Several workshops will be offered including yoga, dance, labyrinth walking, journalling. Registration $15 which includes lunch. For more information contact Rev. Carol Wood, woodcar@mcmaster.ca 905-525-9140x24127 or the Ecumenical Chaplains at Waterloo, Wilfred Laurier, Guelph or Brock.

(submitted by Dawn Lepard)

********** Corrections for the Directory

Rex Barger: (905) 522 6298

Julia Hitchcock 154 Paradise Rd North, hitchch@muss.cis.mcmaster.ca

David and Janet King 6 John St., Apt. 1105 Oakville, ON L6K 3T1 Tel. # (905) 338-0454

Helen Paulin paulinhm@netinc.ca

Sarah Woodside 10a Croft St.

Nature nurturing at the Hamilton HarbourWaterfront trail, October 7, 2000

All are welcome to tend the 13,000 plants our volunteers planted this spring!

Out and about on the new paved recreational Waterfront Trail. Take a morning wake-up treat - I did and I appreciate Larry taking me to the new Waterfront trail. It is a long wide roadway where you can walk a while, then rest a while on the lovely new benches about 200M apart.

Larry pushed me in his cart sometimes and I walked other times. As you sit on the bench you can watch the ducks, geese and all sorts of birds who love to glide on the water. The sky was a lovely blue, the water calm and lined with big rocks all along the side - a lovely edging all around the bay. The air was fresh and invigorating. I felt alive, alert, awake, joyous, happy and free. A lovely place for an early morning wake-up stroll. Try it!

There were various trees and berry bushes planted all along the wide paved walk on both sides. Bicycles, roller blades, little dogs and Darts brought disabled and retired people to enjoy the lovely walk and fresh air! Bea Fletcher (90 years young)

*********** Quakerism 101?

University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies is offering (for a fee) two courses on Quakerism, as described below. These are being taught by Elizabeth Kamphausen, an Americal Friend who has been teaching at Pendle Hill, and who is moving to Toronto this summer. She will be attending Toronto Monthly Meeting. Elizabeth is also teaching six other theology or spiritual inquiry courses. Some of these courses are being taught at Friends House. Arrangements can be made for one or two Friends with limited means to audit the courses. This follows the TMM guidelines for the use of Friends House. Call Raymond King for more information about this.

Quakers and the Peaceable Kingdom. Since the 17th century, Quakers have sought a "Peaceable Kingdom" by "speaking truth to power" as pacifists, abolitionists and social activists. We explore the continuing evolution (and revelation) of Quaker faith and practice from a radical Christian sect to a socially and theologically liberal community. This is a discussion course with required readings. Mondays, 10-noon, April 30 to June 25, 2001.

Passionate Mystics: George Fox and John Woolman Mysticism is not exclusive to monasteries or medieval times. George Fox and John Woolman were ordinary men living in extraordinary times (the English Civil War and pre-American Revolution respectively). As Quakers, they were also modern mystics, called to change their worlds to bring about justice and peace. Is it possible to realize lasting change through a spiritual revolution? Woolman's witness helped end slavery. What might be possible in our world today?

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On Sunday August 27th, Helen Paulin and Mona Callin emptied the fridge of mouldy cheese, sour cream, margarine and out of date soy milk as well as juice which had gone off. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE FOOD IN THE FRIDGE FOR HELEN TO DISPOSE OF A MONTH LATER! Thank you.

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Composting

The thing is, I'm composting now and I don't know if or when or even what

and you keep asking me all these questions wanting answers, now

and all I can find to say is that

I'm composting now and I just don't know don't know don't know.....

by Michael S. Glaser published in the Aug 2000 Friends Journal

(submitted by Mona Callin)

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Some things, like sunsets & people & flowers are so beautiful, they should never be picked nor ever put in your purse or the pocket of your pants.

Celebrate life in spectacular ways! Singing & dancing can brighten our days

(from Rex B.)

Hamilton Monthly Meeting Committee Members August 2000-2001

Clerk - Roberta McGregor

Assistant Clerk - Lynda Archer

Recording Clerk - Susan Wortman

Treasurer - Ian Graham

Assistant Treasurer - Bea Fletcher

Auditor - Kris Wilson-Yang

Trustees - Betty Preston, Tony Butler, Helen Brink, Don Woodside

Finance Committee - Andy Muller, Kris Wilson-Yang, Reuven Kitai, Ian Graham (convenor)

Ministry and Counsel - Don Woodside (year 3), Helen Brink (year 2) Andy Muller, (year 1)

Visiting Friends - Betty Preston, Darlene James, Helen Paulin, Mona Callin, Helen Brink

First Day School - Shirley Schellenberg (convenor), Betty Preston, Jean Johnson, Carol Leigh Wehking, Ian Graham, Andy Muller

Coffee & Housekeeping - Mona Callin (convenor), Susan Wortman, Helen Paulin, Rex Barger

Maintenance - John Milton (convenor), Reuven Kitai, Dick Preston, Larry Pogue

Peace and Social Action - Dick Preston (convenor)

Sustainability: Ray Cunnington,Larry Pogue Peace: Hanna Newcombe, Suzanne Goshko, Bruce Smith,

Child Poverty: Harriet Woodside, Larry Pogue

Nominating committee - Helen Brink (convenor), Denise Barron, Sian Baker

Newsletter - Jean Johnson, John Milton

Library - Ruth Kitai (convenor), Louise Trepanier

Statistics - Betty Preston

Archives - Robbie Shepard

Telephone Tree - Susan Wortman (convenor), Denise Barron, Betty Preston, Ian Graham, Mona Callin

Canadian Friend Contact - Jean Johnson

Representative Meeting - Beverly Shepard (2003)

Friends in Unity with Nature - Helen Brink (2001)

Ecumenical Committee - Mona Callin (2001)