HAMILTON MONTHLY MEETING
of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
7 Butty Place, Hamilton, ON L8S 2R5
www.quaker.ca/hamilton
www.communityzero.com/hquakers
quakers@hwcn.org
9055238383


NEWSLETTER December 2002

>From Advices and Queries
3. Do you try to set aside times of quiet for openness to the Holy Spirit?
All of us need to find a way into silence which allows us to deepen our
awareness of the divine and to find the inward source of our strength.
Seek to know an inward stillness, even amid the activities of daily life.
Do you encourage in yourself and in others a habit of dependence on God's
guidance for each day? Hold yourself and others in the Light, knowing that
all are cherished by God.


DATES TO REMEMBER

January 5: First Day School outing to Gravity Indoor Climbing Gym, 10-12am.
January 6: Meeting for Worship for Business, 7:00pm.
January 17-20: FWCC Conference, "Friends' Peace Witness in a Time of Crisis"


COFFEE LIST
(submitted by Dawn Lepard)

Jan 5 Helen Paulin
Jan 12 Betty Preston
Jan 19 John Milton
Jan 26 Beverly Shepard

I will be drawing up a new coffee schedule in the New Year. Anyone who is
currently on it but no longer wishes to be, or who would like to be added
to the rota should talk to me or email me by midJanuary.


FIRST DAY SCHOOL OUTING
(submitted by Ian Graham)

One of our biggest turnouts to the monthly outing last year was to Gravity
Indoor Climbing Gym. Many adults enjoyed the challenge of climbing as much
as the kids did. We have booked a return visit for Jan 5th, 10 to 12 am.
Cost is about $15 per person. Call Janis Muller to confirm your place.
5237265.


"BORING GRAY? NO WAY!"
(submitted by Carol Leigh Wehking)

On February 17, 2003, at Friends House in Toronto, Carol Leigh Wehking and
Laurel Gugler will be telling stories in a performance called: "Boring
Gray? No Way!" This will be a set of stories about Quakers, open to the
public, as part of Festival Week of the Toronto Storytelling Festival.


CYM HOME MISSION AND ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE (HMAC) POSITION
(submitted by Ian Graham)

This standing committee of Yearly Meeting has a large scope of interesting
work. HMAC consists of 11 members, including a representative from Young
Friends. HMAC meets three times a year: spring, summer (during Yearly
Meeting in session) and fall. The activities of HMAC are grouped into three
areas.
Communications
The Canadian Friend
Canadian Quaker Pamphlet Series
Quaker Book Service
Electronic communications (Internet Resources Subcommittee)

Education grants and loans
Quaker Education Fund
Pendle Hill Scholarship Fund
Longterm Education
Quaker Youth Pilgrimage
NonQuaker Education fund
Referrals to other funds

Inreach (caring for Friends within the Yearly Meeting)
Isolated Friends
Isolated Worship GroupsDispersing funds to support and promote visitation,
travelling in the Ministry, and other projects.
Outreach (to the nonQuaker community)
Handling public enquiries
Oversight of CYM website
Outreach support (financial and otherwise) for Monthly Meetings and Worship
Groups

Current members are Bernard SchulmannVernon BC MM, Daphne DaveyPEI
Worship Group, and coclerk, Rachael MaxcyVernon MM, Keith Macgowan
Victoria MM, Linda FoyNew Brunswick MM, Bert HorwoodThousand Islands MM
(coclerk), Carolyn VaughanHalifax MM, Paul HopkinsVictoria MM, Marilyn
ChurchYonge St MM. Send information requests to hmac clerk@quaker.ca. This
is a good way to get in some area of the support of Quakers in Canada and
make new friends from across the country. Forward your name and interest to
HMM Nominations Committee (Sian Baker, Andy Muller, Harriet Woodside) or by
email to quakers@hwcn.org and put attention: Sian Baker.


HMM OUTREACH COMMITTEE
(submitted by Ian Graham)

The attached report is a summary of progress and plans that we have
accomplished this year. Outreach is about making ourselves visible,
accessible, helpful and spiritually hospitable to all who come through our
doors. Do you have ideas about outreach? What would you suggest for HMM?
Are you a regular visitor or inquirer? We would really like to hear from
you what your experiences have been, both good and bad. Send email to
quakers@hwcn.org or see Ian. For ideas on outreach, see the Friends General
Conference online community at
www.yahoogroups.com/group/Quaker_Outreach_Forum and www.fgcquaker.org/ao

Outreach Committee Status Report October 2002

Our selected areas of activity since Feb 2001 have been a) campus presence,
b) visible support of public events and c) a new attenders program. Our
activity year traditionally starts with the rise of Yearly Meeting session
in August, sending attenders back to their local meeting or worship group
with a boost of energy and renewed sense of community. Outreach has become
much more common across Canada among Quakers. There is even a special fund
for Outreach and Spiritual Nurture that Meetings can apply to when they
have a project that excites them.

Since May we have hosted two Sacred Sites tour open houses (June 23 and
Sept 1). The historical character of Alexander Ross, underground railroad
conductor and ornithologist of the 1860s was popular, and is recorded on
videotape (IG has copy). Also popular was the Taize chanting, which was
shown on Cable 14 as well. These did bring a handful of visitors to see our
building but the real benefit was to be listed in the attractive brochure
designed by the Art Gallery of Hamilton. We hope they plan to learn from
this first year and offer their Tour of Sacred Sites next year.
The City of Hamilton agreed to make and mount three street signs directing
visitors to HMM from Main Street, for a cost of about $190 (cheque not
cashed as of Aug 30}.

Seven Friends helped with the Hamilton Quaker table at McMaster's
Clubsfest. Thanks to Richard, Rex, Bev, Dawn, Julia, Harriet and Ian. We
met a lot of campus students, had fun explaining what Quakers means to us,
and gave out a lot of buttons and welcome cards. Quakerisms were inscribed
on our graffiti board (now on display in the meetinghouse) and we had a
draw for Westdale theatre tickets. Some students signed up for a
homecooked meal and for Quakerism 101. The display needs a more clear
focus, and new signage for next year, but we all agreed, it was a
worthwhile effort.

The website has been enjoying steady visitor traffic which reached a peak
of 65 unique visitors in March, and is averaging about 45 visitors per
month. It needs regular additions of fresh content to be able to meet the
objectives that were approved for it in April 2000. The Meeting's intranet
is now out of service due to the new feeforuse policy of
Communityzero.com. We are discussing whether to replace it with something
else for a private, internal online forum for sharing information and
discussions.

The committee supported the Peace Vigil with publicity on local events
websites. Two portable signs for events were made for use at such times as
we are having public events at the Meetinghouse.

Pending projects:
revise the HMM brochure and reprint
develop a brochure for campus and community use
finish the Names and Faces Board
consider uses for the website and online community site
guests for dinner: students with an interest in spiritual topics, Quakerism
etc.

The committee has prepared a plan for 2002/3. Anyone is welcome to talk to
us and participate in the work of making Hamilton Quaker Meeting visible,
accessible, helpful and spiritually hospitable.

Ian Graham
For the cttee (Harriet Woodside, John Milton, David King)


QUAKERLITE
(submitted by Ian Graham)
Light and lively discussion of Quaker ways for newcomers and inquirers.
This program resumes in January on the third Sunday each month. Each
session is standalone, though anyone is welcome to come each month. Some
topics include Quaker beliefs (the testimonies), relationship to
christianity, how we organize, resources and reading materials, and famous
Quakers in history. Pendle Hill Room, 12:30 to 2pm. Handouts are provided.


FOR PARENTS WITH KIDS IN FIRST DAY SCHOOL
(submitted by Ian Graham)

The FDS committee is planning a potluck for all and any parents with
interest in the 'sunday school' program at our Meeting. We will get to know
each other, talk about our interests and creative ideas for different ages.
Spouses are particularly welcome! Bring your young ones if that is your
preference, babysitting will be provided. At the home of Janis and Andy
Muller, 200 Dromore Cres. Westdale, Hamilton. Date: Friday, January 10th,
6pm for 6:30 supper, till about 9. Please call or email to Ian Graham at
ian.graham@hwcn.org or 905 336 0163.
We are working our way through the five core Quaker testimonies:
simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality. The next term runs
from January to March and will explore integrity (age specific content of
course). The younger group (pre school to age 9) will be taught by Harriet
Woodside. A helper is needed. The older group is getting a special treat
from Helen Brink: Journeys of Abraham and the archaeology of the Fertile
Crescent (ancient holy land of the middle east from Euphrates to the
Mediterannean). This age group is from 10 to 13, since that is the natural
split of the current attendees.

I have recently become a member of the Religious Education committee of
Friends General Conference. A whole new vista of materials and resources is
now within view! Some of this will be the subject of my Potluck
presentation in March on Quaker Approaches to Religious Education. Hope to
see you there.

Children are encouraged to bring their friends to FDS. Parents, why not
speak to neighbours about what Quakers might offer them? A widely expressed
sentiment in the meeting is that we want MORE youth! Teens are especially
welcome and we will work with them in designing a program that relates to
their interests.

Mentoring project: The idea is that the older kids choose an adult in the
meeting who they feel comfortable with and make time to 'hang out' and talk
about lifestyle, social and spiritual topics. One suggestion is to explore
a book or pamphlet together. If you are willing to be one of the mentors,
please contact ian.graham@hwcn.org or 905 336 0163.


THE FRIENDLY FUNNIES...
(submitted by Sian Baker)

A five year old friend of Rhiannon & Ben came over for supper a few weeks
ago. The three children sat down to eat. Before they could begin Rhiannon
pointed out that they should say grace. The little boy's family is not
religious, but he was happy to go along with this. Rhiannon folded her
hands and said the day care grace "we fold our hands and softly say, thank
you for our food today." Ben was next, closing his eyes and holding the
other kids' hands, he said "thank you God for the food, Amen." Not to be
outdone, their little guest insisted that he have a turn and asked Rhiannon
and Ben to close their eyes. They did so, and after a moment of silence he
yelled "peekaboo!!"


ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EDITING THE NEWSLETTER?

Dear folks of HMM,

With this issue, I am finishing up my stint as newsletter editor. Anyone
who would be interested in taking on this job is encouraged to express
their interest to the members of the Nominating Committee: Andy Muller,
Sian Baker, or Harriet Woodside.

thanks for a good year, everyone!
peace and blessings in 2003,
tamara