7 Butty Place, Hamilton, Ontario. L8S 2R5
Clerk: Roberta McGregor
Sunday mornings
9.30 Discussion group
11.00 Meeting for Worship
Coming Events:
Thursday November 23 - Potluck, with Lyn Adamson, trainer for Peace Brigades International
Sunday, November 26- Called Meeting after M4W to discuss the house at 114 Lower Horning.
Saturday Dec 2 - FDS trip to Westfield Village for Christmas in the Country. All welcome!
Friday Dec 8 - Potluck to discuss minute on Education and Good Governance
***********
An Autumn Song
by Bliss Carman (1861-1929)
There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood,
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
and my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.
The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like smoke upon the hills.
There is something in October sets the gipsy blood astir:
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill aflame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name.
(submitted by Larry Pogue)
MEETING FOR WORSHIP FOR BUSINESS - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000
Present: Roberta McGregor (clerk), Mona Callin, Dick Preston, Shirley Schellenberg, Helen Brink, John Milton, Rex Barger, Helen Paulin, Ian Graham, Kris Wilson-Yang, Beverly Shepard, Susan Wortman (recording clerk)
Regrets: Larry Pogue
1. Meeting began with silent worship.
2. The minutes of October 2, 2000 were accepted with no corrections or additions.
3. Matters arising
3.1 Elizabeth Simms from the Elizabeth Fry Society left the message that they are highly interested in the prospective board member from HMM. She will be speaking with the chair of their board, Florette Osborne about this.
3.2 Upcoming Potlucks
Thursday, November 23 - Lyn Adamson, trainer for Peace Brigades International
Friday, December 8 - Minute on Education and Good Governance tentative, to be confirmed:
January - Jenn Preston, Canadian Friends Service Committee, presenting on Native Issues, legal struggles
February - Video, A Force More Powerful, on non-violent resistance
3.3 John Milton will ensure that the painting by Jane Davies, former attender at HMM, will be hung, and that an appropriate plaque will be made. Robbie McGregor will write the copy for the plaque after consulting with Jean Johnson, Margaret Vallins and Margaret Ford. This same information will also be attached to the back of the painting itself.
3.4 We supported a previous minute that HMM will purchase Fair Trade coffee for Sunday coffee times. The Sustainability Committee is asked to generate a list of other ways that HMM can support environmentally friendly practices.
3.5 Chanda Chevannes, a media studies student at Sheridan College, is making a documentary on Quakers, with a jails and justice focus. She has requested the opportunity to film a M4W at HMM, in addition to other meetings. Toronto MM has called a special M4W for this purpose. There was general agreement that we want to support this endeavour. Exactly how is to be determined. We agreed that a short 10 minute additional meeting after regular M4W would be possible. Other options were discussed, with special attention to how they might affect a regular M4W. Robbie McGregor will discuss this further with Chanda.
4 Reports
4.1 Archives: The archives report from Robbie Shepard was accepted with thanks, see attached. Mona has initiated the process of contacting other HMM members concerning archival activities and will write an item for the newsletter about this.
4.2 Nominations: Nominations have been made and accepted for the following committees:
Ministry and Counsel - Betty Preston
Website Oversight - Tom Edge
Finance - Beverly Shepard
4.3 Half Yearly Meeting: Mona Callin, Beverly and Emily Shepard attended. Mona will submit a written report for the newsletter.
4.4 Peace and Social Action: Dick Preston reported on the PSAC meeting on October 24, (see attached). In addition to the activities of the Sustainability committee, the Peace Discussion Group and the Child Poverty group, other activities were proposed. One of these under consideration is an All-Candidates Meeting tentatively for Monday, November 27.
4.5 Maintenance: John Milton reported that in the New Year an interior painting bee will be organized. In addition, the maintenance committee is looking for new members, in particular, women, in order to redress the gender imbalance on this committee.
4.6 Gardening: John Milton reported that the full amount of $6,200 has been granted to HMM from CYM Finance committee for the Eco Friendly Meeting House Improvement Project.
4.7 First Day School: Shirley Schellenberg reported on the FDS's progress and plans. See attached report, which will be published in the newsletter as well.
5 New Business
5.1 Meeting approves the use of the Meeting House for Don and Harriet Woodside's 30th wedding anniversary on December 27, 2000.
5.2 Beverly Shepard will be attending Representational Meeting on November 17-19. Meeting made additions to her list of items to be shared with Representative Meeting.
5.3 Ian Graham provided Meeting with a document concerning a house he is planning to purchase in the neighbourhood and some ideas that Meeting might consider for its future use. Information will be sent out concerning this proposal, and there will be a called meeting on November 26, after M4W to discuss this in more detail.
Meeting ended with silent worship.
**********
First Day School Progress Report: September 2000 - April 2001
Presented at M4W4B on November 1, 2000
1) Convenor:
Fall of 2000 - Shirley Schellenberg
Winter of 2001 - Kris Wilson-Yang
Shirley will be stepping down as convenor at the end of December because with her expected new baby, she does not expect to be able to continue attending to FDS matters in a timely manner. Kris will take over at that time.
2) The Structure of First Day School:
First Day School is divided into two groups this year: Junior (3-9 years) and Senior (10-14 years). The age ranges are flexible and the group that a child chooses to join depends on the interests and needs of each child.
Betty Preston and Jean Johnson are running the Junior program.
Ian Graham and Andy Muller are running the Senior program
Official classes are to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, although someone will be available each week to look after the young
children.
A Christmas Play will be presented by the FDS children to the Meeting shortly before Christmas.
Monthly field trips are held usually on the First Sunday of the month, but may be scheduled for the 3rd or 5th Sunday.
3) Field Trip Schedule:
September 17th: Visit to the Sweetgrass Garden at Six Nations and Picnic.
October 29th : Planting of the Native Plants at the Meetinghouse followed by Bobbing for apples.
December 2: Visit to the Westfield Historic Village's Christmas in the Country.
Winter: Outdoor Skating
4) First Day School Topics and Themes:
Junior Group:
The two main themes of this year's junior program will be "Nature and the Environment" and "First Nations".
The "Nature and the Environment" theme will focus on the new Native Plants Garden, which has so far involved both a field trip to the Sweetgrass Garden at Six Nations and a day of planting the new shrubs in the Meeting House garden.
This theme will be incorporated into the regular FDS classes with the children planting seeds and looking after the seedlings until they can be transferred to the garden.
The "First Nations" theme also ties into the visit to the Six Nations Sweet Grass Garden. First Day classes will continue to explore the "First Nations" theme through crafts, songs, and story telling.
Senior Group:
The program is intended to allow for children not being present each session. Newcomers will be readily included at any point in the term.
The two main themes of this year's senior program are "What is consensus" and "Earthcare for Children". These themes will be addressed during the second and fourth Sundays' classes. As this group of children is likely in the age range of 10 to 14, the 40 minutes we have together will include hands-on activities and will produce some tangible 'treasures' for sharing with the adults. The senior group is also involved with the Native Plant Garden. Usually there is a Christmas theme in December exploring the birth of Jesus.
The fall program is adapted for children from the "Friendly Consensus" curriculum from the Earlham Quaker Foundations of Leadership Program. Topics will be selected from the six modules:
- Expressing beliefs and values
- Encouraging ideas with active listening
- Practicing consensus
- Win-Win negotiation
- Teamwork and team roles
- Making good decisions together
The winter term will use the program from Friends Committee on Unity with Nature called "Earthcare for Children". Selected chapters will tie in with the Native Plants Garden project.
***********
The Love Principles
Opening the way to Unconditional Love
Receive all persons as beautiful exactly as they are.
Be the change you want to see, instead of trying to change anyone else.
Create your own reality consciously.
Provide others with opportunities to give.
Have no expectations but rather abundant expectancy.
Problems are opportunities.
Arlene Lorrance, 1970 (submitted by Helen Paulin)
Choice is the life process. In every new moment of awareness you can make a new choice.
*********
The Silent Song
I was just nineteen, a keen
If often tired, student nurse.
He was a retired policeman,
His poor feet blackened by gangrene
With the smell of dying flesh.
He was always the last dressing
On the list, when behind green screens
His serene eyes would listen
As we chattered to distract him.
But there was no need to talk,
For he was at peace
With himself and everyone else.
One day, alone with him,
I asked him to tell me
The secret of his tranquillity
And he smiled before he replied:
'I try not to be disappointed
In others, dear child.'
Just ten words to explain
What could be if we were
Totally accepted
You and me.
He died a long time ago now,
But I still hear his silent song
When I am at peace
With myself and everyone else.
Margery Ruhrmund,
The Friend,
29 September, 2000
(submitted by Mona Callin)
************
"To create a garden is to search for a better world. In our effort to improve on nature, we are guided by a vision of paradise. Whether the result is a horticultural masterpiece or only a modest vegetable patch, it is based on the expectation of a glorious future. This hope for the future is at the heart of all gardening."
Marina Schinz, photographer
(submitted by Denise Barron)
***********
A new Canadian Quaker Initiative in Ottawa
The Quaker International Office recently established in Ottawa will complement and expand the existing work of Canadian Friends Service Committee and link with Quaker agencies worldwide. The Office will seek opportunities to open the way for those presently or potentially involved in or affected by violence to communicate more effectively and to influence, where possible, policies that support more sustainable, peaceful and just societies. Those interested should pick up a brochure from the shelf below the bulletin board in the foyer.
*************
NOTICE OF "CALLED MEETING",
Hamilton Monthly Meeting, Religious
Society of Friends.
At the November Meeting for Worship for Business it was decided that there will be a Called Meeting on Sunday November 26 immediately
following Meeting for Worship to discuss an item brought to Business Meeting by Ian Graham.
The substance of the matter is explained in the following letter which Ian has written.
This notice will also appear in the next issue of the newsletter.
Ian's Letter:
Quaker Cottage Available
Some time ago, the Meeting was told that the bungalow at 114 Lower Horning at the corner of Butty Place was for sale. It is a two bedroom home in good condition, recently renovated, equipped with appliances, a/c, garage and a nice garden. The current owners had lived there a long time and were hopeful that they could arrange a sale privately, perhaps to someone in the Meeting, who would want to live there. Several people in Meeting were approached but none were interested in the immediate future.
It occurred to me that this might be a unique opportunity for our Meeting. However we will need much time to consider the financial
implications, pro and con, as well as our vision of the future. How to hold the door open long enough to allow us to come to unity? To do
this I have decided to commit to buy the property. I am not proposing here to give the house to the meeting but rather felt by acquiring it temporarily, I could open up the space to explore whether and how it could add to the vitality and strength of Hamilton Meeting.
Personally, I feel very positive that we will open up new options to be a visible, active faith community in Hamilton if we can provide
accommodation for a Friendly presence with skills and enthusiasm. On the other hand, even securing a dwelling for someone in our midst who is in transition in their lifestyle, is a worthy goal.
Perhaps a young family or single person with Quaker sympathies, if not membership, wants to live close to the Meetinghouse? Could
Hamilton Meeting see a Resident Friend in its future ? What if we had a Quaker educator or activist or social worker or retired Friend who
wanted to devote much time to the life of the meeting or our community activism? What if we had a home where a member could retire? What if we could offer a starter home for a young person who grew up in the meeting and now starting a new family?
I wrote to Ministry and Counsel in late September to ask them to consider how to bring this possibility to the Meeting for discussion.
Meeting for Worship for Business considered how to proceed at its November 1st meeting. They agreed I should write this open letter to
you in the newsletter.
At this time there are several options if Meeting feels there is merit in eventually acquiring this bungalow. In the short term I could retain ownership and together with Meeting could: - Rent the house to a member or attender of the Meeting for a year to give us time to discern our way more fully. - Seek a resident Friend to be
available for program, groundskeeping, etc and charge rent. - rent to someone in the community. Longer term Meeting could consider buying
the bungalow and making it available to a Quaker resident for rent or in return for services.
If none of these options comes to pass, I will put the house on the market again. I have no intent to gain financially from this, but would like to not lose too much. I am not interested in being a
landlord, except as it may prove helpful to the Meeting.
Is this a constructive way to make the Quaker presence more active in Hamilton? If you have comments I would certainly appreciate hearing from you. There will be a special meeting after worship on Nov 26th to explore the possibilities. I hope you will be there.
"Walk cheerfully,..."
Ian Graham
336-0163
*************
Coffee, Tea and You!!
Nov. 12 Darlene James 627-3914
Nov. 19 Jean Johnson 628-6654
Nov. 26 Ruth Kitai 648-5919
Dec 3 Janice Lemmond 525-7554
Dec. 10 Janis Muller 523-7265
Dec. 17 Don Woodside 522-8048
|
Back to Hamilton Quaker Home Page last updated: November, 2000 |
this page created and maintained by John Milton |