Omaha Friends Meeting
Meeting for Business
20 January 2008
Present: Debbie, Frank, Bob, Denise, Curtis, Denny, Carol, and Lynda
Minutes from December 16 were approved with a minor change.
Query: Queries 12 and 1 responses from the adults were shared as was query 1 response from the youth.
Query 12: Peace and Nonviolence Dec 30 2007
The beginning quote is a very appropriate quote. The quote puts the emphasis on what we can do in our own lives.
Friends are accountable to one another rather than an authority figure. Authority transfers responsibility away from oneself.
The real issue is to move forward and not give energy to negative interactions. Some situations can be defused by calm and non-threatening counter actions.
Some Friends are thinking of ways to more helpfully react to violence in the community though the news media guidelines on how to report violence events.
A Friend noted that violent events can be God’s mechanism for sending messages that are not being heard by other means.
Greed is one of the root causes of violence as described by James in the Bible.
Query 1: Meeting for Worship January 08
Meeting for Worship is the primary attraction and focus of Quakerism. The practices of expectant waiting and settling in are enriching, and we appreciate the time given in this Quaker form of worship for silence. Central to Meeting for Worship is the being in the present, of being in the frame of the now.
One of the ways found most effective in preparing us for Meeting for Worship is to practice giving attention to God throughout the week. This includes studying written spiritual-based works, including the Bible, and praying. When a responsibility is held within Meeting, such as leading a discussion or planning for First Day School, there is extra incentive for this study.
For some of us, when we have been worshipping more conscientiously during the week, it creates a stronger division between ourselves and our work colleagues because it seems we have less in common.
There is a general lack of guidance and understanding of how vocal ministry works for some, and because of that we are grateful for the comments in the advice of this query. It seems that some have a gift for vocal ministry, but we wonder if people are always aware if the Divine is prompting that ministry or if ego sometimes drives what is spoken. Our own experiences leading to vocal ministry include the sense of being “pushed off the bench”, or of a physical filling or changes. Sometimes we may analyze the nature and message of what we are feeling led to share and thereby pass on the opportunity to share a message. It has been recognized that vocal ministry provides a Meeting with a vitality that may otherwise be missing, and perhaps this is why larger gatherings, such as Yearly Meeting or FGC’s Gathering, appear to be so full of energy. Sometimes vocal ministry is jolting because of the deepness of the silence, but we welcome any vocal ministry that occurs and return to the silence afterwards.
As with all our gifts, we have a responsibility to develop the gift of vocal ministry. We wonder if recording ministries, as discussed within Yearly Meeting, would encourage this development or become inhibiting either by egos or by intimidation, thereby losing some of its spiritual effectiveness. Thanking someone for their ministry may be all we need to do to encourage someone’s development of such gifts. Eldering can strengthen our ministry leadings and faith.
The issue of gender of the Divine does not seem to complicate our worship. Naming the Divine is a cultural reference and fills a need for communication, but we feel strongly that the Divine is above name and gender, being an encompassing spirit and not a physical being. Language limits our expression of the Light and, therefore, challenges our ability to accurately communicate what we are experiencing.
Youth Query 1 2008
Sometimes our daily lives seem linked to Meeting for Worship, but we can’t think of how right now.
We value potlucks as a way to strengthen the life of the Meeting. Breakfast works well.
Studying and praying during the week doesn’t necessarily deepen Meeting. We don’t prepare for Meeting for Worship because if it is going to be a covered Meeting, it will just happen. To us, worship at Yearly Meeting seems more in the Spirit. Our Meeting for Worship is calm but it doesn’t feel spiritual.
God does not have a gender. It doesn’t matter what gender God is. We think of God as Over Squirrel, the presence of God in life and nature.
To the queries about vocal ministry during our Meeting for worship, we say, “What vocal ministry?”
We recognize Curtis’ (first day school teacher) ministry. His ministry really helps and we are glad he continues. Ministry is not important unless someone talks about their own specific knowledge and experience, which Curtis does.
We recognize vocal ministry, when it fits or is interesting, by listening or giving a nod.
We don’t nurture spiritual gifts. Some of us believe there are spiritual gifts but can’t put it into words. For some of us, spiritual gifts don’t fit with our experience of God treating everyone equally. You do what you are good at. Talents and personality are not spiritual gifts.
Calendar:
First Day:
January 27 - M&O discussion – sharing spiritual
practices
February 3 - Query 2 – Frank leads
February 10 - Quakerism 101
February 17 - Business Meeting
February 24 - PSC discussion
March 2 - B&GC discussion to lead to
clearness on Meeting House
Other:
January 25 - “My Name is Rachel Corrie” at 1st
Unitarian at 7. Sponsored by NFP
and Denver’s AFSC office. Film
about young protester killed in Israel
last year. Suggested $5 donation.
February 2 - potluck at 6, family bowling following;
at Debbie’s and Jules’s 553.2211
4922 Chicago
February 16 - Meadowlarks – Ames – contact
Carol
April 12 – 13 - Midyear Meeting
April 26 - ’08 Peace and Justice Expo, 10-5
June 5-8 - Great Plains YM (formerly NE YM)
In Central City. Speakers: Paul
Lacey (FCNL), Sylvia Graves
(FUM), Mary Ellen McNish
(AFSC), and Margaret Fraser
(FWCC)
July 29 – August 3 – Yearly Meeting
Treasurer:
The treasurer's report was approved. Because of year-end donations, we have a healthy balance at this time in our accounts.
Ministry and Oversight Committee:
The committee report shared several suggestions on how the Meeting's spiritual life can be nurtured and supported. All of us are encouraged to arrive to Meeting on time , and to be open and honest with each other, following leadings of the Spirit.
Requests for $50 for literature and $30 for new member gifts were approved.
Finance Committee:
This committee will meet after each of the other committees share their findings for financial needs.
Religious Education:
The committee report provided several ideas for our religious education. These included intervisitations by individuals with other Meetings, gatherings with other regional Quakers, having more fun together, structured religious study, guest workshop leaders, and young Friend and adult retreats. These suggestions were greeted enthusiastically.
Meeting approved up to $200 as needed to begin the Quakerism 101 study for Second Hour.
Peace and Social Concerns:
Curtis, Frank, Lynda, and Carol are willing to attend and watch the table at the '08 Peace and Justice Expo on April 26th from 10-5. Curtis agreed to be the contact person for Meeting. Meeting approved the registration fee of $25.
Other:
Meeting approved $100 for Debbie to attend a workshop on eldering at the End of Winter retreat by Illinois YM. It is not certain whether she can work out the remaining details to attend.