Omaha Friends Meeting
Meeting for Business
17 February 2008
Present: Debbie, Frank, Bob, Denise, Rita, Denny, Carol, Nancy, and Lynda
Minutes from January 20 were approved with a minor change.
Query: Query 2 response from the adults was shared.
Outreach
We encourage intervisitation with other meetings on an individual basis. Yearly and Mid-Year meetings offer opportunities to meet others from other meetings. Religious education recommended visits that are more of a group activity.
Youth retreats have offered opportunities for youth meeting with others. One Friend mentioned that a reporter contracted him to talk about beliefs. Listening is a component to hear truth and is a form of outreach. The meeting missed an opportunity with the spiritual groups meeting.
The testimonies give an opportunity to open up and share with others that are unfamiliar with Friends. That of God in everyone is a powerful testimony and leads to others. One Friend spoke against the death penalty in the legislature. What does reaching out mean?
One problem is keeping new visitors so the meeting can grow. Letting ones life speak for itself. Feeling love at the meeting.
Calendar:
First Day:
February 24 - PSC discussion – Evolution - Bob
March 2 - B&GC discussion to lead to
clearness on Meeting House
March 9 - Earlham School of Religion
speaker on the vitality of a small
meeting
March 16 - Business Meeting
March 23 - Easter – intergenerational; potluck
breakfast – Religious Ed comm.
March 30 - Quakerism 101
April 6 - Queries 4
Other:
March 8 & 9 - JYM retreat at Scattergood –
Debbie
March 29 - YF retreat at Bear Creek - Debbie
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. An honorium for the ESR speaker for $200 was approved.
Peace and Social Concerns:
At next week's Meeting, the level of participation desired by the meeting for this committee will be discussed, as well as Bob leading the discussion «The Almightly created man because he was disappointed in the monkey». At next month's business meeting, we will revisit the committee's recommendation of being listed as a participant in The Clergy Letter Project. Friends are invited to learn more about the project at www.evolutionsunday.org.
Finance Committee:
It was decided to proceed with a budget for the current fiscal year. Lynda will be contacting conveners asking the committees to consider what budgetary needs they will have and report this back to the Finance Committee. She will include what has been budgeted for each committee in the past. This input will be needed so a budget can be submitted at next month's business meeting.
Other:
Bob suggested the best Lenten fish fry in town is at St. Benedict the Moor Church, which is located at 2423 Grant St., from 11 am to 7 pm. Dates are Feb. 22, 29, and March 7and 14. Donations at the door are for $8.00.
(location is east of 24th St and about 2-3 blocks south of Lake St.)
Bob and Beth usually go around 6, if you’d like to join them.