Omaha Friends Meeting

Meeting for Business

18 May 2008

Present: Debbie, Frank, Carol, Marshall, Curtis, and Lynda

Minutes  from April 20 were approved.

Calendar:

                   First Day:

May 25         -      TBA

June 1          -      Query 6

June 8          -      Quakerism 101 – Frank

June 15        -      Business Meeting

June 22        -      TBA

June 29        -      Intergenerational Meeting

                   Other:

                             June 1          -      Ian’s graduation open house, 3-7

                             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

Query:  Query 5 response was approved with minor changes.

Mutual Care

            Providing conducive space and facilities is a type of care giving.  A number of  members and attenders are having life issues that are checked up on periodically by telephone.  Our meeting supports individuals doing non-gender traditional roles.  For example, we have a male teaching First Day School.

As a group we are not very active in outreach.   Having something to work on for new attenders is helpful.   Discussed having meeting in a park as part of public outreach. 

The children are accepted and given a lot of latitude for their part of the meeting.  We maintain some intermittent contact with distant members.

Query 5 youth response was shared with interpretation provided.

          Nominating Committee: 

A nominating committee was named of Frank, Michael and Curtis.  Frank will convene.  Much of the work is planned to be done using email, so please respond when you get such a message.

          It was decided to lie down the Buildings and Grounds and the Finance committees, as well as the role of recording clerk.  Having Peace and Social Concerns committee and Religious Education committee make presentations during Second Hour is welcomed.

Treasurer:

The treasurer's report will be reviewed next month.  The final apportionment of this fiscal year for Yearly Meeting will be sent.

          Ministry and Oversight

          The State of the Meeting report for Yearly Meeting was approved. 

          The clerk asked the committee to write up feedback regarding the directions the Yearly Meeting clerk provided for the writing of this report.

                   Buildings and Grounds:

The last day for meeting at Carol's house is Sunday, May 25.  Frank will call First Central Congregationalist church to further inquire about arrangements for two rooms.  After May 25, and if we do not go to First Central, we will meet on pleasant weather days near the sunken garden at the southeast corner of the playground area of Elmwood Park.  On inclimate days, we will meet at Debbie's and Jules's, which is the home of 2 cats and a dog, as well.  The clerk will contact people to notify them of this change. 

If a possible location comes to the notice of anyone, please contact the clerk or Frank.        

          Religious Education:

       The ESR evaluation was completed.  The clerk will mail it. 

       The committee's report for Yearly Meeting was approved with slight changes.

          Other:

          The June meeting will hear the rest of the reports for committees that will go to Yearly Meeting.  The decisions of representatives and nominating committee will be determined.

          Marshall was quoted in an article entitled “Quakers and Pagans” in Christianity Today.  It can be found at this website: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/aprilweb-only/118-11.0.html