Pastoral Care and Concern Committee Minutes, 9/9/07

In Attendance – Peter Lane, Juliet Lane, Margaret Haviland, Mitch Beaver, Marc Dear, Bruce Harrison, Norman Robinson, Nancy and Bob Bernhardt, Alice Long, Lillian Yeh

Mitch Beaver opened the meeting with a moment of silence.

The names of those in need were brought forward and action taken as the committee felt led.

The committee discussed its first day school responsibilities which begins on12-09-2007 and ends after 03-09-2008. Margaret spoke to the decision to use three curriculum to organize under (the last two being testimony led):

• Opening Doors To Quaker Worship
• Growing In The Light
• Truth In Action

The first three classes the committee teaches will be organized around the holidays. Bruce volunteered to teach the first (12-09-2007). Thus, the curriculum will inform classes beginning 01-06-2008. There was a question of whether Ginny would still teach each fourth, first day and remain independent of the committee’s curriculum (note: the answer to both is yes).

There is a need to update the list of those for whom the meeting sends copies of “Friends Journal”. Some work was done in meeting with the rest to be done by Mitch Beaver and forwarded to Branin Boyd.

The meeting between Westtown School facilities and interested members of the monthly meeting which happened in the late spring was discussed. It was thought that prioritizing the needs of the meeting and asking for some rather than all of its suggested repairs each September would be helpful; September is when the facilities dept. creates its next year budget. Kevin left with recommendations from this committee.

Linda McCourt has asked about how to become a member of the monthly meeting. Kevin is to follow up.

Discussed the coffee and greeters list. A hand written notice has been posted which members have begun to fill out.

The question of organizing fellowship dinners was raised. The lake suppers were thought to be successful and there was a desire to keep that spirit alive. The question is to be raised via this committees report at meeting for business along with the suggestion to have one soon (the end of this month) and to incorporate a cleaning of the meeting house with it.

There was a thought to add Westtown School calendar events which affect the meeting to the meeting calendar. Kevin volunteered to do so.

Norman let the clerk know that his son Kevin has requested to have his status changed to a friend of the meeting.

The meeting was closed with a moment of silence.

Respectfully submitted,

Mitch Beaver

Pastoral Care and Concern Committee Minutes, 2/4/07

In Attendance: Margaret Haviland, Juliet and Peter Lane, Mitch Beaver, Marc Dear

Meeting opened with a moment of silent worship.

December minutes were read and accepted.

Old Business:

• Members of concern - names were brought forward for continuing care.
• Mitch informed the committee that he had sent out PCC member lists
• First Day School for February was finalized.

New Business:

• Paul Spiegel sent a letter requesting membership in the Society of Friends, his name will be brought forward in the next Monthly Meeting in February.
• Deb Wood requested transfer of her membership to Westtown Meeting.
• Rose Alken request membership information and possible oversight
  of her marriage which is to take place at Abington Friends.
• Other attending families were brought forward for continued outreach.
• Questions were raised about the appropriate placement for committees
  that no longer exist as stand alone committees.
• Library Committee would be part of Worship and Ministry.
• Clearness for marriage is not a standing committee. Clearness Committees
  would be created as request for marriage are brought forward through the
  PCC to the Westtown Monthly Meeting.
• Newsletter Committee is mostly electronic and in the hands of Tom
  Haviland. Each committee sends news and events to Tom for inclusion in the newsletter.
• Questions for Monthly Meeting - Do these committees need to live separately or can they exist within the 3 or 4 main committees of Westtown Monthly Meeting?
  Do these groups need to be named as committees or can they exist as
  working groups? It was decided that PCC would pass needed information to
  the appropriate committee as need arise.
• Kevin G. needs assistance with clerk duties. The lack of an assistant
  clerk for monthly meeting was raised as a concern.
• Greeters are needed, but people are not signing up. How can we encourage
  people to sign up to be the greeter? It was suggested that some simple
  guidelines be posted so people unfamiliar with the duty know what to expect.

Respectfully submitted by Marc Dear

Pastoral Care and Concern Committee Minutes, 1/7/07

In Attendance: Peter Lane, Juliet Lane, Isabel Harrison, Kevin Gallagher, Alice Long, Nancy Bernhardt, Bob Bernhardt, Mitch Beaver, Marc Dear.

The meeting was opened with a moment of silence by Mitch Beaver.

The minutes for the November meeting were accepted by the committee.

Old Business:

• Members in need were brought forward for help and concern.
• A membership list of this committee with contact information was amended and is to accompany these minutes.
• The committee is still open to a good date to welcome the Baird's into the Meeting.
• The first day school roster and schedule was discussed at length. Both the roster and schedule was finalized and is attached to these minutes.

New Business:

• Kevin was asked for any new correspondence relating to this committee. There was none to date.
• Kevin was asked to add the Hickman cleanup date to the meeting calendar.
• Kevin was asked to encourage members at the next meeting for business to reach out to new comers.
• It was agreed to research a new audio system for the meeting house, and work on it once first day school obligations have passed to the peace and social justice committee, this spring.
• It was agreed to revisit the following agenda items once first day school obligations have passed to the peace and social justice committee, this spring:
  • Generate an annual timeline of meeting events and etc.
  • Find ways to encourage ongoing connection between regular members and new comers.
  • Explore the library needs of this committee.

The meeting was brought to a close with a moment of silence.

Respectfully submitted,
Mitch Beaver

Pastoral Care and Concerns Committee Minutes 12/03/06

In Attendance: Peter Lane, Juliet Lane, Margaret Haviland, Dave Dobbins, Isabel Harrison, Mitch Beaver, Marc Dear, Bruce Harrison

*Minutes for the November meeting were accepted by the committee.

Old Business:

• We are still looking for a date to welcome the Baird’s into the Meeting.
• First Day School Schedule. We must be well prepared for each lesson.
  • It was suggested that the lessons be activity based and not lecture.
  • The committee designated teachers for the Sundays in December and is working on a teacher schedule for January.
    
    
  • Sunday Lesson/ Teacher -
    • 12/03/06 – Margaret Haviland, Peter and Juliet Lane
    • 12/10/06 – Rebecca Mays – Advent activity with student helpers
    • 12/17/06 – Ginny Sutton, Bruce Harrison, Peter and Juliet Lane
    • 12/24/06 – Marc Dear, Bruce Harrison, Isabel Harrison
    • 12/31/06 – Margaret Haviland, Marc Dear, Peter and Juliet Lane
    • 01/07/06 – Bob and Nancy Bernhart were suggested. Mitch
                        will speak  with them. Isabel with younger children.
    • 01/14/06 – Mitch Beaver, Bob and Nancy Bernhart. Students
                        to assist with younger students
    • 01/21/06 – Joe Marchese and Mitch Beaver. Students to assist
                        with younger students
    • 01/28/06 – Ginny Sutton with Isabel Harrison
      
      
  • It was decided that at the January meeting we will work to set the February First Day program.
  • Check the cupboard for supplies before we purchase anything for our Sunday.
• Pastoral Care and Concerns is responsible for the food before the Dec. 17, Westtown Monthly Meeting for Business. If anyone would like to bring a snack, please do.
• Pete will make reminder calls for coffee/greeters.

New Business:

• Christmas cards will be sent to distant members.
• Conversations for the next meeting:
  • Clean up at The Hickman
  • Regular attendee's buddy system
  • what are the needs of the PCC with concern to the library.
  • Baird's welcome cake

Pastoral Care and Concerns Committee Minutes 11/12/2006

You’re Invited!!

Dear Members and Attenders,

It is with a hopeful and open heart that the newly expanded Cares and Concerns committee offers its support to the community. We assume the wellness of the meeting, (as individuals and collectively) to be central to our usefulness. In this spirit, the members of this committee invite all members and attenders to contact any one of us when need arises so that we may be of use, focusing the resources of the meeting to assist those in need, and celebrate those in plenty. It is both a joy and an honor to support the meeting in this way, and we are thankful for your trust.

Mitch Beaver
Co-Clerk of Cares and Concerns

Worship & Ministry Committee Minutes 12/03/2006

Individuals Present: Aminda Baird, Jessie and Branin Boyd, Tom Haviland, Lucille Koenig, Rebecca Mays, Tom Sherwood, Marc Steel, Ginny Sutton, Susan Waterhouse, Anne Wood, Laurie Worth, and Alan Wright.

Advent Garden: Individuals present chose specific children to hold in prayer throughout the advent season and beyond. Laurie, Anne, and Alan volunteered to bring food for the garden builders on 12/10/06.

Adult Religious Education: It was agreed that we will start to study Rex Ambler’s Captured by the light series on the Fourth Sunday of each month beginning in January. Rebecca will serve as the facilitator. Three copies of Ambler’s books Truth of the heart and Light to live by will be made available for members to read. The experiment with the Light progresses through Friends’ understanding of the concepts of clearing, centering, queries, responding, and obeying. There are also several CD’s that outline the development of Light groups using quotations from George Fox.

Other items discussed: It was lifted up and hoped that the meeting might once again close by the traditional shaking of hands rather than first asking for announcments and inviting vistors to introduce themselves. Additionally, the idea of having a period of time for afterthoughts, joys, and sorrow, was suggested. It was also felt that longer spaces between the welcome of newcomers and each announcement should be provided. This might permit all to participate and focus on the matters at hand. A poster telling about meeting near the doors would help visitors to become more familiar with our faith and practice. Large signs outside the meetinghouse and at the opening gates would facilitate families of students and others in the community learning about the meeting for worship. Rotating people to close meeting and identifying a member of the Worship and Ministry committee would permit involvement of more in the life of the meeting and help visitors know to whom they might address questions about Quakerism. Susan Waterhouse will review these matters with the Religious Life Committee of the school and return with their input at our January committee meeting. Rebecca indicated that the phrase “Friends are at liberty” could be used appropriately to let the students know they are excused.