IOWA CITY FRIENDS MEETING NEWSLETTER
Elevenths Month — November 2002

SPECIAL EVENTS

Worship-Sharing, “What It Means to Be a Friend” – 17 November 2002 following Meeting for Worship

Regular Events

Worship - We gather for worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

First Day School meets 15 minutes after the start of worship in an upstairs room of the meeting house.

Ministry and Oversight normally meets on the fourth Sunday of the month at 9:00 a.m.

Potluck is held the first Sunday of the month following meeting for worship.

Business Meeting is the second Sunday of the month following worship and snacks.

ICFM is scheduled to volunteer for Free Lunch Program - 4th Wed. of the month at Wesley House kitchen (335-6283). Let Jean Cadoret (644-2746) know when you can help prep, serve, clean up. Contact Rebecca Rosenbaum (337-5187) if you can help with clean-up for Free Lunch, or drop in between 12:00 & 1:30.

We are aware that some who attend meeting are allergic to perfume, so we are asking folks not to wear it to meeting.

Meeting for Business

Eleventh Month 2002 (10 November)

Present: Judith Pascoe (Clerk), Perry Howell, Ruth Dawson, Tim Shipe, Ann MacMillan, Kirstin Gast, Geraldine Zuercher, Lori Nelson

Peace and Social Concerns: We affirm our approval of a request that the Meeting act as fiscal agent for a benefit concert for Voices in the Wilderness. We have an opportunity to place some information on a wall at the Iowa City Public Library. We appoint Peace and Social Concerns to choose some materials for display. We approve providing $100 of support from the outreach fund for Flossie Cox to attend the “Friends Peace Witness In a Time of Crisis” conference at Guilford College in January.

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s report was presented and approved.

Respectfully submitted

Timothy Shipe

Ministry and Oversight Report for 10/27/02

(Present: Kara Hartzler, Susan Murty, Judith Pascoe, Elsie Kuhn)

Worship Sharing – We plan to hold a worship-sharing session following meeting for worship on Sunday, 11/17. Everyone is invited to attend. We would like for new comers and old timers, alike, to share what Quakerism is about and why we are attracted to Friends.

A concern was raised that our meeting has a strong program for first day school initiated by parents; however, we have never had a program for teenagers. Children often leave our meeting when they become teenagers because we don’t have anything in place to offer them. Perhaps, if we had a program for teenagers, they would come.

Judith Pascoe read the Home and Family Query during meeting for worship.

Response to Query #7, Home and Family for IYM 10/27/02

Sometimes, expectations of society for our children differ from our own expectations, giving rise to a lack of confidence in the way we raise our children. We recognize the importance of providing meeting support to families who are raising their children with beliefs of Friends. It is important to value the differences that exist among children and to assist them in developing their own potentials as the Spirit leads them. The meeting has a responsibility for building values for families within it. We value simplicity, but are never specific in how to implement it in our lives. A careful setting of priorities is an important first step for individuals and families.

We acknowledge that we need to find space within our own lives to allow spiritual renewal to take place. This can happen, we feel, through meditation, wholesome activities within our families, reading from a variety of inspirational literature. We need to be receptive to other religions and beliefs.

Treasurer’s Summary for October 2002

Income

General contributions 485.00

Caretaker contributions and

reimbursements 450.00

Expenses

Transfer to building fund 0.00

Utilities & fees 203.99

Newsletter 146.05

Ending balance, 10.31.02

Monthly Meeting general fund 3044.73

Building fund 4716.39

Query 11

Social and Economic Justice

For when I was hungry you gave me food, when thirsty you gave me drink, when I was a stranger you took me into your home, when naked you clothed me, when in prison you visited me. --Matthew 25:35-36

Advice

We are part of an economic system characterized by inequality and exploitation. Such a society is defended and perpetuated by entrenched power.

Friends can help remove causes of social and economic oppression and injustice for others by first seeking spiritual guidance in our own lives. We envision a system of social and economic justice that ensures the right of every individual to be loved and cared for; to receive a sound education; to find useful employment; to receive appropriate health care; to secure adequate housing; to obtain redress through the legal system; and to live and die in dignity. Friends maintain historic concern for the fair and humane treatment of persons in penal and mental institutions.

Wide disparities in economic and social conditions exist among groups in our society and among nations of the world. While most of us are able to be responsible for our own economic circumstances, we must not overlook the effects of unequal opportunities among people. Friends' belief in the Divine within everyone leads us to seek change in institutions which fail to meet human needs. We strengthen community when we work with others to help promote justice for all.

Query

How are we beneficiaries of inequity and exploitation? How are we victims of inequity and exploitation? In what ways can we address these problems?

What can we do to improve the conditions in our correctional institutions and to address the mental and social problems of those confined there?

How can we improve our understanding of those who are driven to violence by subjection to racial, economic or political injustice? In what ways do we oppose prejudice and injustice based on gender, sexual orientation, class, race, age, and physical, mental and emotional conditions? How do we deal with prejudice and injustice based on gender, sexual orientation, class, race, age, and physical, mental and emotional conditions? How would individuals benefit from a society that values everyone? How would society benefit?

Iowa City Friends Meeting Committees

Clerks: Judith Pascoe, Kate Cowles

Recording Clerk: Tim Shipe

Ministry & Oversight: Ruth Dawson, Susan Murty, Kara Hartzler, Elsie Kuhn

Building & Grounds: Jeff Cox (convener), Ann MacMillan, Steve Tatum

Treasurer: Perry Howell

Peace & Social Concerns: Monica Sandschafer (convener), Jeff Cox, Lori Nelson, Kate Cowles

Representative to Emergency Housing Project: (open)

Librarian: Quinn Dilkes

Religious Education: Tim Barrett, Jodie Plumert, Perry Howell

Representative to Consultation of Religious Communities (CRC) of Iowa City:. Ruth Dawson