Friendly Notes - fgcquaker.org you feeling led ... Cuza, Shayne Lightner, Sarah Rose House-Lightner, Nadia Zorin, Celia Carroll, Laurel Gord, Beth Anderson, Michael Loeser, Cath-

COMMUNITY EQUALITY S IMPL ICITY UNITY PEACE INTEGRITY

Advice

“If we as Quakers want our Quaker ap-proach to faith to be vibrant, cohesive, coherent and socially useful, we need to be clear about what we are and what we are not.”

- Ben Pink Dandelion

Advice & Queries: The Quaker Way

Friendly Notes Santa Moni ca Mont h ly M eet i ng o f t he Re l ig io us So c i ety o f Fr i ends

Inside this issue:

Advice & Queries:

The Quaker Way

1

Minutes 11/13/2016 2

Worship & Ministry

Attachments

5-

9

Events 9

Holiday Party 1

Special Intergenerational Event

Join us for a Holiday Party!

Saturday, December 17th At the Meetinghouse!

5 p.m. Cookie making

6:15 p.m. Potluck dinner begins Followed by caroling and games!

Arrive with your dough mixed and

ready to roll. Don’t forget your rolling pins and baking sheets! (No time to

make your own dough? No problem - the premade kind works just as well!)

Queries

Why do I come to meeting for worship?

What do I celebrate about

Quakerism? What is ‘the Quaker Way?’

Agenda: December 11, 2016

1. Advices and Queries 2. Ad Hoc Committee Report 3. Worship and Ministry 4. Peace and Social Action 5. Alice Herman Committee 6. Nominating Committee 7. House Committee 8. Minutes: November and October 9. Closing Worship

December 2016

Statue of Mary Dyer in front

of the Stout Meetinghouse,

Earlham College, Richmond,

IN.


Minutes - November 13, 2016

Page 2 December 2016

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to share?

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to Friendly Notes.

Send to [email protected]

Meeting for Worship on the Occasion of Business Attending: Kate Watkins-Shaw, Rachel Fretz, Cindy Waite, Judith Searle, Tim Vreeland, Bob Tajima, Elizabeth Lutz, Jan Bartholomew, Henry Yang, Wendy Christensen, Shelley Blank, Brian Johnston, Curtis Raynor, Cynthia Cuza, Shayne Lightner, Sarah Rose House-Lightner, Nadia Zorin, Celia Carroll, Laurel Gord, Beth Anderson, Michael Loeser, Cath-leen Loeser, Kathy Forsman, Gail Thomas, Grant Ramey, Mitch Moosavi, Kristy Moosa-

vi, Ann Fuller, Kim O'Brien, Joanna Clinton

Meeting began in worship on queries on Supporting and Nurturing our Children, Youth and Families. Some Friends spoke from their experiences growing up in a Quaker meeting, some as parents, and some as ob-serving and being a part of the Santa Mon-ica Meeting community. Our task is to nurture the ability that children are born with-to seek and know that of God in everyone, to give children time to observe and practice centering in worship and deep listening for discernment. Friends spoke to the importance in their childhood of community events such as holiday celebrations and service projects. A Friend who has been a FAP (Friendly Adult Presence) described how children at PYM and SCQM are expected to take on respon-sibility for their own leadings rather than being “fed” a program. The Clerk read the agenda and asked for changes and addi-

tions.

Children's Education Committee and Wor-ship and Ministry Minute – Members of Worship and Ministry have been meeting with Children's Education to support them and discern with them how the committee is functioning. Although the presence of youth is essential to the spiritual health of the Meet-ing, the Children’s Education committee did not feel supported or effective. B. Anderson read a Minute approved by the joint com-mittee and brought to meeting for business

for further discernment and approval.

In worship, a Friend remembered that one of the paramount reasons for building the meetinghouse was to provide classroom space for up to 30 children who were part of the Meeting at the time. Later, when Meeting had only a dozen active members, hiring a child care provider brought life to the Meeting. Friends brought up in Quaker

education and a parent of a 5 year old asked what our process is for bringing children into the life of the Meeting, and educating them in Quak-er process. A Friend asked how committees could involve youth in their work. Friends recalled the importance of working together on service pro-jects and enjoying holiday celebrations together; doing things with kids adds another level of joy. The respect and loving presence of adult Friends – not what we say, but who we are – are our sacraments. The Clerk asked whether we were ready to take on the involvement of youth in committee work. The Library Committee is work-ing on organizing the children's books with the children, planning better display of children's books, and doing reviews. Pastoral Care asks children to write notes to Friends in ill health or in

need.

11-16-01 We seek a way forward that includes all ages of our community, and ask the Meeting as a whole to know and embrace the importance of our children, youth, and their families to the vibrancy and future health of our Meeting. We ask that each one of us reflects on how the Meet-ing can hold them all in the Light with love and care as individuals and as a vital part of our community. We ask the community to consider activities such as all-ages service projects, holi-day celebrations, and other intergenerational

events.

We ask that each committee examine how it can lift up and hold young people and their families in the Light and bring a report back at the January meeting for business. How does each committee address the needs of our chil-dren and youth, and their families? How does each committee involve children and youth in their work? We invite us all to bring a sense of joy to our activities. We also note the importance of building bridges with Quaker educational

institutions.

Finance Committee – W. Christensen distributed

a report comparing our finances with and without rental by My First Place. (Report attached.) Friends expressed appreciation for the clarity of the report. It was noted that the meetinghouse needs maintenance in any case, and that setting aside our customary amount to capital reserves might be modified in favor of using funds to tide

us over until another source of income is found.

Worship and Ministry – C. Cuza asked for

Friends' concerns in regard to renting to My First


Friendly Notes Page 3

Minutes - November 13, 2016 (cont’d)

Stewardship for meeting is essential – in both a practical and sacred sense. She noted that Sean and Maria are aware that we have not made a decision to move forward, and that the appeal filed with the Planning Commission will not be consid-ered until 2017. The listening session with neighbors has made this a problem for the meeting as a whole; Worship and Minis-try is gathering factual information, the first step before coming to discernment, open to the spirit. Friends said that we have been invited by neighbors to observe what they experience, and some are willing to help us with referrals or professional services. A report from House Committee to Worship and Minis-try was requested on what repairs are needed. The sense of the meeting was that we do not need a sound engineer report at this time, before the Planning Commission decision. G. Ramey, Friend in Residence, described the present low level of noise and his communications with neighbors and evening tenants.

Sound is only one aspect of the issue.

Nominating Committee – J. Searle brought one Friend for-ward for final approval and five Friends for the first time. All

are to be held over until the next meeting for business.

11-16-02 Cristine Reynaert is approved as a member of the

Alice Herman Fund Committee.

Any concerns about the following proposals can be brought to

the Nominating Committee:

Ruth Gooley on Alice Herman Fund Committee; Joann Taylor to

AVP; and Kristy Moosavi on the Library Committee.

Peace and Social Action – C. Raynor brought the committee's decisions on Friends to act as liaisons with local interfaith organ-

izations, in response to a request from business meeting.

ICUJP – Maggie Hutchinson and Donna Buell

IRDC – Simon Simonian and Jan Bartholomew

UDC – Simon Simonian and Shelley Blank

CLUE – Ann Fuller and Curtis Raynor

Curtis also brought forward the committee's recommendations to Finance Committee to donate $50 to IRC, $50 to UDC, and

$100 to CLUE, noting that $300 was already disbursed to

ICUJP.

Fellowship Committee – W. Christensen and J. Bartholomew brought the following proposal forward to create a new Out-reach Committee, in response to waning attendance and a de-mographic shift at Quaker meetings, and the need for outward

as well as inward focus.

Purpose of the Outreach Committee

To increase the visibility of Quakers within the community, in the spirit of sharing the Light. To look for innovative and creative

methods for communicating with the community, respecting all

people of good faith.

Proposed actions of the Outreach Committee (include but not

limited to):

UCLA Quaker Student Group – Establish an officially

registered Quaker student group at UCLA. Hold silent meetings, worship sharing, and informational presenta-

tions. Do volunteer work on campus.

Literature – Locate and/or create handouts for the public

concerning various aspects of Quakers. Have handouts

available at monthly meetings.

Introduction to Quakers – Put on meetings for the public

that introduce Quakers. There could be a speaker and literature available. Hold quarterly at the meetinghouse

or within the community.

General Volunteer Group (Coordinated Volunteerism) –

Each month this group would have a place to show up

and volunteer within the community.

Possible supportive roles of the Outreach Committee with oth-

er committees, including but not limited to:

Social Causes – Have a presence at various social causes

within the community, such as anti-war groups and CLUE.

Quaker Organizations – Participate in the work of AFSC,

FCNL and FCLCA.

Interfaith Organizations – Have a presence and visibility

within interfaith organizations.

Letters in Support of Other Groups – Have letter writing,

where we write to one group or other in support of their

work.

R. Fretz reported that she is willing to provide the necessary faculty signature to register a Quaker Student Group at UCLA. Friends noted the meeting website and T. Vreeland's blog as existing outreach that could be a resource. A Friend urged that the goal be to share our experience and concerns, not to proselytize. Is this a personal or meeting leading? For-

mation of an Outreach Committee, possibly starting as a sub-committee of Fellowship, was held over for the next meeting. Wendy, S. Blank, and J. Bartholomew are led to be on the

committee. Concerns can be brought to Wendy or Jan.

11-16-03 Meeting approves proceeding with the creation of a UCLA Quaker Student Group, and will continue to work on

its specific relationship to Santa Monica Meeting.

(Continued on page 4.)


Minutes - November 13, 2016 (cont’d.)


We look forward

to hearing from

you.

Kindly contribute

to Friendly Notes.

Send to [email protected]

Reading of the Minutes from the October 9, 2016 was held over. A copy is in the No-

vember issue of Friendly Notes.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Watkins-Shaw, Clerk

Ann Fuller, Recording Clerk

Attachments

Advices and Queries on Supporting and Nur-

turing our Children, Youth and Families

Rejoice in the presence of children and young people in your meeting and recognize the gifts they bring. Remember that the meeting as a whole shares a responsibility for every child in its care. (Quaker Faith and

Practice, Britain)

We know that the spiritual growth of the meeting is inextricably linked to the growth of its life as a community, and that spiritual development is a continuous process for both older as well as the younger members of a meeting.... Younger Friends can strengthen our corporate life with a fresh perspective (and) with energy and enthusiasm.... (Combined text from the British and Canadian

Yearly Meetings’ Faith and Practice).

Meetings should invite and integrate children and young peop0le into as many of their activities as possible and cultivate their gifts. They should recognize that children and young adults can often do jobs and share insights within the meeting that are usually reserved for the greater maturity and expe-rience of their elders. (Canadian Yearly

Meeting Faith and Practice)

Home-making is a Quaker service in its own right. It should be recognized as such and a proper balance preserved, so that other

activities – even the claims of Quaker service in other fields – should not be allowed to hinder its growth. (Quaker Faith and Practice,

Britain)

In our meetings for worship we seek through the stillness to know God's will for ourselves and for the gathered group. Our meetings for church affairs, in which we conduct our business, are also meetings for worship based on silence, and they carry the same expectation that God's guidance can be

discerned if we are truly listening together and to each other, and are not blinkered by precon-

ceived opinions.

Queries:

How have our children and youth influenced our spiritual growth, both as individuals and as a

Meeting?

Do we acknowledge, in our hearts and with our words, the contribution that those who are active-ly engaged in the work of raising children, with is

tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual demands and rewards, make to our corporate

well-being?

How do we support families with children? Do we invite and integrate families into all Meeting-related activities? Are we ready both to learn from them and to accept our responsibilities to-

wards them?

Do we encourage our children, youth and parents to participate actively in meetings for worship

and meetings for business?

Do we cultivate the spiritual gifts of our children and youth? How do we share our deepest beliefs with our children and youth, while l leaving them free to develop as the spirit of God may lead

them?

Do we recognize the value of play for people of

all ages?

All Queries excerpted from Quaker Faith and Practice (Britain), Intermountain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, and our own combined Wor-ship and Ministry and Children's Education com-

mittees.



Worship & Ministry Attachments

Dear Friends: W&M Committee submits these documents in

preparation for Business Meeting. We hope you will review and

read as much as possible to prepare yourself for open listening

and Spiritual discernment of the report and minute from the Ad

Hoc Lease Committee and a minute from Worship and Ministry.

Our concern is that we devote our time in Worship on the Occa-

sion of Business with Spiritual discernment and that each Friend

prepares before the Meeting to obtain the information needed

for informed discernment. With love and light, Cynthia (Clerk of

W&M)

October 9, 2016 Meeting for Worship on the Occasion of Business This Meeting included discussion of our meeting with

neighbors. The following was recorded: "The process of prepar-ing the letter and distributing to neighbors was discussed, and the clerk clarified the history: after a report from the Ad Hoc Lease committee at meeting for business last month, meeting approved a listening session and charged several Friends to organize it; there was communication with W&M. However, we do not have a plan with regards to how to proceed now that the listening session has occurred; this is not the charge of the Ad Hoc Lease committee. The sense of the meeting was the W&M should have oversight on

how we proceed now that we have heard from our neighbors."

October 21, 2016 Meeting of Worship and Ministry Commit-tee. Meeting with the Neighbors. We were asked to discern next steps with the proposed rental, and to send a thank you note to the neighbors. Is our role is to help business meeting figure out what business meeting wants to do; what the process should be? Or, is it the role of committees to season issues and bring recommendations to business meeting? While the issues are clear (noise/traffic) in the minutes, what is hard to relate is the passion and depth of speaking from the neighbors. They were expressing how much we matter as a member of the com-munity and how upset/offended/surprised they were that we would proceed with this without their input. Another member did not hear most of the neighbors express how much we mat-ter. One member thought that unless we have a real leading to work with MFP and childcare, we should not move forward. Sean and Maria are still hoping to move forward, but there is an appeal before the city which could change things. Many of the neighbors don’t feel ‘heard’ and valued by the larger socie-ty, and their feelings/passion towards us may be impacted by this. We don’t want our decision and process to be reactive, ‘we don’t want to do this because we are upset with the neighbors’

or ‘we need to do this because of the money’. We need to pro-ceed on the basis of a leading. The people who show up at meetings like this are those that would be bothered. A condi-tion of the CUP is that Sean and Maria have an evaluation by a sound engineer. We need more information about the financial impact of not renting to them and how we might make up the shortfall. Let’s not reify this small group of neighbors. We must remind ourselves that we started this process with a concern for stewardship. We think this is an opportunity for us to grow as a Meeting. We think that business meeting needs to discern the following questions. What is this combination of circumstances inviting us a community to do? What is our spiritual calling as a

Meeting with regards to our neighbors? How are we led to proceed, both in specific to MFP, and more generally with any renter? In order to do this we need the following factual information: the budget implications of the decision; if we do not rent to MFP how we will either raise the money we need or decrease our spending; the implications related to sound and sound mitigation; what kind of organization is MFP, what is the difference between for profit and non-profit? We rec-ognize that this will take time. We will ask the ad hoc commit-tee to obtain a sound engineering report. We will also ask the ad hoc committee to prepare a report describing MFP—their educational philosophy, their financial status, the type of children they serve. If they are only able to serve fewer kids, how will this affect their ability to provide scholarships? Kate has already asked finance committee for a report on the

budget implications.

We approve sending the draft thank you note to the neighbors, it

will come from Grant’s email.

December 13, 2015 Meeting for Worship on the Occasion

of Business

Ad Hoc Lease Committee – R. Shaw read and distributed two minutes. In response to a Friend's question about the rela-tionship of MFP’s proposed rental and Quaker testimonies, Rick noted that our meeting finances would be simplified, and the building would be maintained for future Quakers, and that their philosophy respects the integrity of the children, and is peaceful, and that the local community and our values would be served by providing space for a needed education-al facility. Several Friends found the last sentence, referring to a “long and fruitful relationship” to be premature, and Rick clarified that it had been written several months ago, when it seemed that Maria and Sean might need some reassurance of our serious interest in their proposal. Friends expressed ap-preciation for the work of the ad hoc committee, and for tak-

ing the time for us to work together.

12-15-02 Meeting approves the following statement:

1. In September of 2015, Santa Monica Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends approved a minute to sign a Letter of Intent with My First Place to develop a Lease Agreement under which My First Place would operate a pre-school and/or daycare center on the premises during weekdays. This is an opportunity for partnership in which we would be the host site, and My First Place would oper-

ate the school.

Meeting wishes to affirm both the aspirations and roots of our decision. This project is compatible with the Quaker Testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, and Equality. The Meeting’s decision to be the host site is root-ed in its spiritual beliefs and a desire for good stewardship of our facility. Quakers have historically valued service as part of their practice. Quakers have also valued education, as evidenced in the many places of learning initiated by

Friends.



2. Meeting affirms that the Ad Hoc Committee will work co-

operatively and attentively with My First Place.

September 13, 2015 Meeting for Worship on the Occasion of

Business

The Clerk opened the meeting with a reminder to maintain the

spirit of worship.

Worship and Ministry – C. Cuza asked for silent worship, and reminded Friends that we are gathered to listen for Spirit's

leading.

Worship and Ministry has discerned that the essence of the issue of renting to MFP is stewardship. A report from the committee was read and distributed (attached). The following queries were read and reflected on in silent worship: Are we ready to em-brace the spiritual foundation of stewardship? How does this lead us to care for our sacred space? How can we become good stewards, so that our Meetinghouse will be a spiritual and physical resource for future generations of Quakers? How can we use this resource in a spirit of love to strengthen the communi-

ty in which we are located?

A Friend recalled how our Minute on earth care 6 years ago was taken to Quarterly and Yearly Meetings and has led to changes in our space and use of resources, for example, in-stalling solar panels; the Friend sees MFP as a resource to ex-tend this commitment. A Friend noted that the current Faith & Practice does not have much on stewardship, maybe it is time. Friends linked stewardship to service; we are gifted in our cor-porate lives with a building, a resource to be used and shared; faith and action feed each other. A Friend spoke to spaces in their experience that feel alive with love and community, for example, Homeboys; filling our space with children being loved and cared for can do that for our meetinghouse, if we see be-yond the landlord/tenant relationship. A Friend spoke to the need to consider community – local and the larger Quaker com-munity – in making this decision. A Friend spoke to a spirit of joy, creativity and abundance, and felt a shift today from fear and concern about our financial situation. Friends spoke about the meetinghouse as a physical resource and as our spiritual home, which we are responsible to care for, and reminded Friends of Quakers' history of embracing sound, wholesome,

responsible business practices based in our spiritual practice. A Friend noted that it is what we do here that is essential, remem-bering that George Fox worshiped in fields, and Victor Frankel in a death camp; we make the room sacred by being here, and that is part of our stewardship. A Friend noted that sacred space feels full even when it is empty. A Friend recalled how other Pacific Yearly Meetings serve their communities through

their meetinghouses. The Clerk sensed a rich period of worship.

Finance Committee – R. Chamberlain distributed a forecast for 2015 without a fulltime renter (attached). Compared with the 2015 budget, we will experience a $10,700 shortfall in income

and a $1250 shortfall overall. He noted a new expense to House Committee for legal consultation, and asked Clerks to contact him with corrections before the October meeting for business. After silent worship, Friends asked about reserve funds, regular House expenses, dues and contributions. The lat-ter includes required quarterly and yearly meeting dues based on membership, and other contributions to AFSC, Western Friend, AVP, etc. If there is a shortfall, how it is addressed will be discerned at the time. Richard clarified that leasing to MFP would bring an additional $1500 rent per month in 2015. Fi-nance Committee was asked to prepare a forecast including rental income, if we decide to sign the Letter of Intent. Clerk

called for silent worship.

House Committee – Copies of the LOI were distributed (attached). K. Shaw reviewed the work of House Committee, in working with the real estate agent, and several experienced Friends, and in retaining and consulting a real estate lawyer, one of several recommended by Friends, to incorporate our concerns in the Letter of Intent. Jeffrey Graham has had exten-sive local experience with real estate transactions related to schools and preschools. C. Reynaert described the proposed LOI, summarizing it as a good faith agreement to go forward, and that the parties agree on basic elements. The Clerk asked Friends for specific factual questions. Friends asked about insur-ance, which would be covered in the Lease Agreement and emergencies during the week, which the tenant would be re-sponsible for, and whether MFP would be responsible for all maintenance or only on the improvements they make. A Friend made a distinction between necessary maintenance and other improvements, which may be more negotiable. It was noted that evening renters will stay during the LOI period, but not if we sign a Lease. A Friend suggested adding patio and parking spaces to shared space description; a Friend suggested that if the front space is made into play space that we be able to use it as well. A Friend suggested that we ask that Christmas and Easter be made available if they fall on a weekday. The ques-tion of whether signing a Lease is mandated if the renters check out the property's fitness was referred to House Committee. Rick described some changes that might have to be made in order for the permit process to proceed. T. Vreeland will work with MFP architect to include our needs and ideas for improve-ments we would like to see when the architect brings him a pro-posed plan. Rick clarified the tax situation: our income tax is not affected and rental income will not be taxable; property tax will increase because we will lose a welfare exemption if and as long as we rent to a for-profit tenant. This increase will be

covered by the rent. The Clerk asked that Friends hold further details for later, in trust that this is a good document, and called for worship to discern whether Spirit is moving us for-

ward to signing the LOI.

Friends spoke to the need for unity and clarity, although the LOI does not bind us to a Lease Agreement, and that this is a com-plex situation and new to us as a community. What do we envi-sion as a Meeting? How do we meet that of God in Sean and Maria? A Friend noted that our focus has been on the building, not the use, and asked about the number and ages of the chil-

dren to be served. Friends reflected on the good order being

Worship & Ministry Attachments (cont’d.)



followed, and asked that Friends hold the Clerk and the Friends who have worked hard in guiding us in the Light. Some ex-pressed concern that commercial matters not become intrusive to the Meeting as a place of worship. A Friend spoke to distin-guishing between money issues, since our existence is not in dan-ger, and the changes from our present use. Spirit can lead us by giving us opportunities, and this is a wonderful one to explore, led by Friends' support for education. Another Friend said that Spirit can train us to attain things that Spirit does not provide directly. With reference to the Bible story, a Friend noted that the owner was more pleased with the servant who used the tal-ents entrusted to him than the one who hid them away, and asked how our monetary gifts responsibly earned could be used

for a greater good. A Friend asked whether we are personally willing to contribute more if needed for the financial security of the meeting. A Friend acknowledged the negative aspects of losing our FIR, evening renters who have used the space for dec-ades, and taking on more tasks to replace the FIR duties, but found this an exciting opportunity to improve the meetinghouse, and remembered the excitement and accomplishment involved in building the meetinghouse after many struggles. A Friend who is an educator and advocate for children spoke to their trust, de-veloped over the meeting today, that this is an opening for us. The Clerk reminded Friends that the role of those present in-cludes refraining from repeating what has been said already, and asked Friends to clerk themselves. The Clerk tested her sense of the meeting that losses and our discomfort with uncer-tainty about details need to be acknowledged. We are not left off the hook about how to continue to contribute to meeting by agreeing to the LOI with new tenants. We trust that way is opening for us, in ways that we may not be able to anticipate. This is an opportunity to express our love for each other, for the community and for the earth, and for outreach to a new commu-nity. Additional income can let our lives speak. We have moved forward from a concern for paying our bills to a deeper discus-sion. Friends asked about background checks on the Kirchen-steins, and Kate reminded Friends that they currently run a per-mitted local preschool. The FIR responded to a concern by say-ing that he still feels that this is an opportunity and feels com-pletely supported by the community. A Friend spoke to Inland Valley's experience of meeting in a school not owned by the meeting, and asked whether we would feel differently if our own children were involved, and evening tenants were contin-

ued.

09-15-01 Meeting is in unity and approves signing the Letter

of Intent with MFP. Four Friends stood aside from this Minute.

09-15-02 Meeting asks Nominating Committee to nominate an ad hoc committee to work on a Lease Agreement. (Note:

would this be their charge? Would it be broader?)

09-15-03 Meeting approves $2750 to hire legal consultant.

S. & M. Kirschenstein spoke about renting our meetinghouse for an expansion of their day care facility. They have met with House Committee members S. Blank and R. Shaw and have met

with House Committee members S. Blank and R. Shaw and have heard our concerns. Sean spoke about Maria's warm, calm presence in the school which she runs from their home, and invit-ed Friends to visit. Their current facility is approved, but is not ideal for their plans to expand. They feel some time constraint because of city permit process, but can be flexible to work with our process. They spoke to several concerns that have been discussed: retaining building character as a place of worship, noise, neighborhood relationships, use of the upstairs, status of FIR. Santa Monica Meeting would need to approve any chang-es to the building; they are working with an architect familiar with church/school collaborations. There have been no com-plaints about noise at their current school, in a residential area; a CUP requires a neighborhood liaison, and contact numbers to be given out to neighbors. They give priority to families within

half a mile which facilitates relationships with the community; they work with Connections for Children for scholarship aid. They prefer to use the entire upstairs space for offices, a quiet space, and a shower (required), but will check with the fire in-spector about the feasibility of retaining a FIR. The present school has 14 children and 5 teachers. Their desire is to expand to 35-45 children, depending on available space. The hours would be 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays, with occasional Satur-days for events; they prefer exclusive access during those times, for security, cleaning, shifting and securing staff and materials, but will consider allowing evening use of the space. Maria spoke about her history and philosophy. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught for 12 years in her na-tive Brazil, and has been teaching in the US for five years. She described the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which emphasizes working with the whole family, creating student initiated pro-jects with no time limits, working with the feelings that the chil-dren have, and use of the environment through gardening and use of natural materials. Friends brought concerns about our FIR, use of the meetinghouse as commercial space, why they are leaving their community, the possibility of priority given to Friends' families, and preserving our spiritual home in a shared space. Sean and Maria responded that they will need to check with licensing agencies about commercial use of a space which is a residence, although they have applied for conversion of their home. They intend to share the space by utilizing modular storage. A Friend noted that details of space usage and floor-ing are to be discussed in the next stage. Today is only for LOI.

The meeting settled into worship after Sean and Maria left.

R. Shaw, for House Committee, distributed four items: 1) Two proposed Minutes; 2) LOI 3) Revised Committee report; 4) List

of FIR duties. Also distributed was a statement of philosophy from Maria. House Committee, in consultation with Finance Com-mittee, has approved and brings forward the following two

Minutes:

Santa Monica Meeting will agree to and sign the LOI from MFP for rental of the meeting grounds and building and con-

tinue negotiation of a Lease Agreement.

Santa Monica Meeting will form an ad hoc committee to as-sist House & Finance Committees in reviewing and negotiat-ing a Lease Agreement, including selection and monitoring




of outside professionals (lawyers, accountants, et al.).

House Committee feels that proceeding with negotiations with MFP is in the best interests of the Meeting, although there are specifics to work out in crafting and negotiation of a Lease Agreement. House Committee believes that the tasks now per-formed by the FIR can be accomplished by people who do not live on the property, since MFP will cover routine maintenance, security, gardening, and the improvements they require. While this offer is by far the best we have received (and one of the only serious offers), House Committee may do further investiga-tion of comparable preschool rentals in Santa Monica. Note that

the LOI is not binding on either party, but is a recognition that we are on common ground and agree to have a conversation about a Lease Agreement. Approval of these minutes will be held over for the next meeting for business in September. The Clerk called for worship. The Clerk of Worship and Ministry was called on to remind Friends of good process; to set aside per-sonal opinions, inviting a message from the Spirit, to speak the message when recognized by the Clerk, then release it. Our task is to see how the Spirit is moving. R. Shaw shared House Commit-tee's difficulties in finding a rental, and spoke to several con-cerns. There will be no adverse tax consequences or changes to our non-profit status if we rent to a profit-based organization; our property tax would rise, but would be covered by the pro-posed rental income. Our current financial situation was de-scribed; only $40,000 of our $60,000 budget is covered by contributions and evening rentals. After fixed expenses are paid, cuts would have to come from other areas, such as out-reach, children's program, fellowship. The proposed rent would cover the budget, and in addition MFP would cover some ex-penses that meeting currently has to cover. Friends spoke to a feeling of being rushed, and being on a different timeline than MFP, to the importance of process to reach unity, to the benefit of strong financial base with which to carry out our purposes, and of a concern for other community groups, memorials, and other events that we can accommodate. Friends asked if we are open to meeting that of God in Sean and Maria. A Friend re-called the difficult discernment when SMFM set up the Alice Her-man Fund. Friends spoke to the quality of space in the meeting-house being sacred and asked how the curriculum of MFP during the week would support that. A Friend recalled the wonderful presence of young people in the All Ages worship in the morning and said that they saw a nurturing spirit in Maria that would enrich the space. A member spoke to a personal feeling of ex-citement and the opportunity to be better stewards of this space, and noted that the meetinghouse has undergone many changes over its 53 years. Another Friend described their com-ing to meeting from a group that met here (and was asked to leave because of noise). A Friend noted that self-sufficiency was reached in the past through the generous contributions of a few members, who have passed on, and that we have come to ac-cept a certain level of shabbiness. A Friend said that what we do here is what makes this space sacred, and expressed appre-ciation for the accumulated wisdom in the room this morning. A Friend asked whether our larger purpose might be to facilitate a child care program in the neighborhood; financial security is a

priority but not as high as keeping our integrity and purpose pure. Friends suggested including our need to retain the meet-inghouse as sacred space explicitly in our agreements, and that we need expert advice. Our present FIR described his shift from initial feelings of loss and threat, to hearing that of God as Sean spoke, and now seeing a change that might represent an

opportunity for himself and his family.

The Alice Herman Committee

The Alice Herman Committee (AHC) recommends approval of language clarifying its approach to honoraria for traveling ministers/visitors to Meeting under Meeting Enrichment Grants.

In discerning its approach to honoraria, the AHC felt led to reach the following conclusion: where a requesting Committee has itself discerned that a specific honorarium is appropriate in connection with a Meeting Enrichment request, the AHC will con-sider funding up to two thirds of the honorarium (other travel expenses will be considered in full, depending on available funds). The AHC decided against a policy prohibiting honorari-um for fear that such a policy would limit the type of program-ming available to our Meeting under a Meeting Enrichment Grant (for instance, if we only received visitors without need for honorarium, that policy could unintentionally discriminate against presenters of more modest means). However, the AHC also felt it was appropriate for the underlying Committee bringing forth the request to (1) discern the amount for the hon-orarium, and (2) bear responsibility for some portion of the honorarium. The AHC proposes a two thirds/one third split as this mirrors the approach used by the AHC in considering So-journing Fellowship applications from Members and Attenders

of the Meeting.

Alice Herman Committee Meeting Enrichment Grants

The Alice Herman Committee (AHC) welcomes written proposals from Committees of Santa Monica Monthly Meeting to bring speakers/presentations/workshops to our Meeting that will help us deepen or refresh our Quaker practice as a community. In general, the request should be submitted by the clerk of the committee, and/or should include a minute by the committee approving the request. Individuals who are interested in bring-ing a speaker should work with the relevant committee to sea-son and approve the request. Please submit your application well in advance of the desired date for the Meeting Enrichment activity. Quaker process takes time. Our budget is determined early in the calendar year. Though applications are considered at any time, worthy projects submitted towards the end of the

year may not be approved due to a dwindling budget.

Please keep in mind the following guidelines in determining whether a proposal might be appropriate for AHC funding (though all guidelines may not apply to every proposal). Your written application should address the following questions, in addition to a complete description of the costs involved in the Meeting Enrichment activity and the specific funds requested

from AHC:




Pacific Yearly Meeting 2017 Annual Session

July 14, 2017 - July 19, 2017

Information will be available in March.

1. Is the proposed Meeting Enrichment activity firmly rooted in

Quaker principles and practice?

2. Why do you think the Meeting Enrichment activity will be of

interest to others at SMFM?

3. How do you hope that the Meeting will benefit as a result of

the proposed activity?

4. What will you do to notify and encourage a broad cross-section of members and attenders to participate in the Meeting

Enrichment activity?

Please note that AHC provides funding only (for approved Meeting Enrichment activities) and will not bear responsibility for any planning, calendaring, logistics, or promotion related to the event. FUNDING REQUESTS SHOULD SPECIFY THE COSTS AS-SOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTATION, ETC., AS APPLICABLE, SEPARATE AND APART FROM ANY REQUESTED HONORARI-UM. IF THE REQUESTING COMMITTEE HAS DISCERNED AND AGREED THAT A SPECIFIC HONORARIUM IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROVIDER OF THE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY IN QUESTION, THE ALICE HERMAN COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER FUNDING TWO THIRDS OF THE REQUESTED HONORARIUM AND WILL ASK THE REQUESTING COMMITTEE TO COMMIT TO THE RE-

MAINING ONE THIRD OF THE HONORARIUM COST.

Proposals should be emailed to Alice Burston, AHC, at

[email protected].


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www.quakercenter.org

Upcoming Retreats Include:

January 27-29 Couples Enrichment

April 28-30 Silent Retreat

August 1-6 Family Work Camp


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Phone: (310) 828-4069

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friends-meeting

WALK CHEERFULLY OVER THE EARTH ANSWERING THAT OF

GOD IN EVERYONE. -George Fox

Santa Moni ca Mont h ly M eet i ng

It’s the end of the year again! Our Meeting is grateful

for your contributions of time and energy, and we also

depends upon financial donations. Please give what

you can.

Please make sure your name and street address are on

your check, and mark it as ‘Donation.’

You may also drop checks in the contributions box in the

library area. If you wish to contribute by automatic

deposit, please contact the Clerk of Finance Committee.

Thank you.

Contributions to the Meeting

Documents

Friendly Notes - fgcquaker.org you feeling led ... Cuza, Shayne Lightner, Sarah Rose House-Lightner, Nadia Zorin, Celia Carroll, Laurel Gord, Beth Anderson, Michael Loeser, Cath-