We realize that Meeting can be a difficult place to bring children. The quietness of the rooms seems to magnify their noise and movement. Know that it was that way when we brought our children for the first time, too. We find that usually it is the parents who are bothered the most by these sounds.

We want to reassure you that we value the presence of children in Meeting Worship. We believe that the spirit of God is present in everyone, regardless of age. Our community and our faith are broadened when children join us.

All ages of Friends worship together for part of the Meeting hour. Children have First Day (Sunday) School or childcare when they are not in Meeting for Worship. Someone sitting near you will explain how this is organized.

For now, put your mind at rest. We are pleased to have your family with us as we search to know God, ourselves, and each other “in that which is eternal.”

SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS

As a family, talk about why you are coming to Meeting.

Practice having quiet time before meals or at bedtime.

Before you enter the Meeting room, remind your children that people inside are sitting quietly. Prepare for physical comfort and quietness by blowing noses, unzipping coat zippers taking off hot boots, etc. before going in.

Talk with your children about ways to center down so they can enter into the spirit of worship. Sitting on your lap of closing their eyes may help.

Here are some centering suggestions that you may want to try. Listen to the words or music which repeat themselves in your mind. Listen to sounds outside of the Meeting room; inside of it; inside of yourself. Feel yourself breathe and try to give it a gentle rhythm.

“We are Going to Meeting for Worship” by Abby Hadley is a simple story for children ages 4-6. You may want to look for it in the Meeting library.

Remember that for all of us the experience of worship grows with patience and practice.

Prepared by Elizabeth Ferry in conjunction with the Christian Education Committee of New England Yearly Meeting

Our meeting’s First Day School is growing in all ways imaginable! We are truly blessed to have a wonderful group of children, totaling 16, who attend Meeting along with their parents. The average number in our curriculum-based class is 6 and our childcare group has the potential of 10 children all under the age of 3. The classrooms are full of books, toys, busy-ness, noise and the artwork of our children. Take a peek, won’t you?

Considering these numbers, it is good to report that our Religious Education Committee is vibrant, full of educators and committed to meeting the needs of each of our young attenders. This means providing a safe and nurturing place for infants and toddlers as well as offering a quality curriculum-based class for our Kindergarten through second graders. In addition, Gretchen will be email mentoring with our oldest youngster on a regular basis to provide for her religious education learning experience. Everyone on the committee has been using his or her unique gifts to keep us moving in a positive direction.

Sara Mercer Medeiros, our certified childcare teacher, oversees and provides the loving care that the youngsters in our childcare group appear to revel in. The excellent children’s book-based curriculum, which was originally based on the FGC’s “Sparklers”, has now evolved into an incredible collection of “shoe box” curriculum kits that Gretchen Baker-Smith has created for us. Another first, is the attendance of three of our Committee members at a Yearly Meeting Religious Education workshop, “Threshing the Seeds of War and Peace”.

Naturally, the Committee is always trying to keep a few steps ahead of our growing children and their needs. We have appreciated and benefited from the generous support of our Meeting. The need for that support continues as we face the challenges of growth.

Teacher and childcare volunteers are needed on a weekly basis. Because of our numbers, we need one teacher each week, one parent and one Meeting volunteer for childcare.
Physical space issues are a matter of discussion and we need some help in sprucing things up and simplifying the furniture arrangements in order to have breakout space for smaller groups of children.
Financial support for materials, supplies and equipment continues.
As spring arrives, we are looking for physical assistance and carpenter know-how to ready the yard for the little ones. Sara can be contacted about our wish list for good quality, gently used toys that are age appropriate.
We are reviewing and updating our literature for recruitment and informational purposes. In addition, a priority is making our meeting and community buildings child safe. For example, radiator covers, Plexiglas in front of the window on the stage and staples vs. thumbtacks on the bulletin boards. Can you think of anything else?

Our next meeting of the committee is April 27 at 11:45 and you are welcome! This is an exciting and challenging time for the expansion of our spiritual community. Thank you for being part of our First Day School family!

Note from Marion Athearn, Clerk of Meeting: Please be sure to continue to send agenda items for Meeting for Business to her and to Emily Sutton, Recording Clerk, prior to Business Meeting. It is helpful for any action items to be received in advance. Marion’s email is mathearn@lincolnschool.org. Emily’s email is emilyhsutton@gmail.com.

Book Fair Committee: Book sorting is going very well with the exception of the children's books, where help is needed with pricing.

Dates to Save: Annual Book Fair Day, July 13

Regarding historical, archival and memorabilia of interest to Westport Meeting: It was agreed that we need to gather together and make copies of historical materials before we put them somewhere for “so-called” safe-keeping. Monthly Meeting asks Friends to bring memorabilia such as old books, photos, pamphlets, etc., to the meetinghouse for review and safe storage. (Editors note: Friends might also consider creating an archival file on our Web site so that various documents and photos could be viewed by anyone at anytime!)

An AFSC fund-raising breakfast will be held in the Macomber Community House on May 3rd. Dave Sutton volunteered to assist Deana Chase. Announcements will be made at the rise of meeting as volunteer help is needed.

Friends approved that Kevin Lee will serve as the Meeting’s liaison to Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).

Ministry and Counsel reported by June Correia, Clerk: In preparation for our annual State of Society Report, Ministry and Counsel has prepared a set of queries for Westport Friends to consider. The committee suggests presenting the queries in a worship sharing format during meeting for worship on March 30th of this month.
Friends approved this process.

Meeting for worship will begin in the usual manner on the 30th, and switch to a worship sharing format when the children leave for First Day School. Buddy Baker-Smith, Deana Chase and Emily Sutton will serve as recorders. A copy of the queries is attached to this Newsletter and additional copies are available in the foyer of the meetinghouse. All present, members and attenders alike, are encouraged to participate.

Ministry and Counsel will prepare a State of Society draft from what is shared on the 30th and present it for consideration at the April Business meeting. Following approval it will be sent to the NEYM Ministry and Counsel Committee. From there, it will be emailed directly to God.

Finance Committee: Reported by Greg Marsello, Clerk: The Committee presented a 2008 Budget Update Summary which was approved. Please see attached copy to this Newsletter. The complete summary, including Assets and Profit and Loss Statements (6 pages!), is available by contacting Greg at Marsello@lern.org or 401-624-9840.

The Committee will informally report after worship in April and May and explain what Quaker organizations our Meeting is contributing to currently. This will help members to decide which organizations to support in the future. FinCom will also provide a Quarterly report at the April Monthly Meeting.

MEETING NEWS

Russ and Gail Nixdorf are pleased to announce that their son-in-law, Oscar Martinez Cardenas, was recently granted U.S. Citizenship. Congratulations Oscar!

Meeting Spring Cleanup Day, April 13th following worship: We know you’re excited! Please come and help out with various spring related chores such as taking down the meetinghouse storm windows, cleaning and sorting in the Community House and trimming and pruning around the grounds. A pizza lunch will be provided. A list of chores needing attention will be posted. Friends who cannot be present on this day are encouraged to speak with Dave and Emily to see what you could do on your own at other times.

Book Sorting Help is Needed! Please consider helping out with sorting books. Weekly sorting with a number of Friends is held each Thursday, 1-3 PM.

The Proper Quaker
The proper Quaker waits by the door when someone is speaking out of the silence and enters only when the Friend has finished. The Not-So-Proper Quaker seems obtuse to this tradition, rumbles in across the meetinghouse to the farthest seat and makes a racket in the process.

Doris “Granny D” Haddock (right), a widely known 98 year old activist for social justice, will give a presentation at the Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Wybossett Street, Providence, RI, on April 22 at 7 PM. Please see her extraordinary bio attached to this Newsletter.

Dave Sutton has known Granny D for many years and he and Emily will host her at their home following her talk in Providence on the 22nd. The Suttons are hosting an informal breakfast for Granny D in the Community house the following morning, April 23rd at 8:00 AM. Friends interested in joining the Suttons and Granny D should be in touch with Dave and Emily for additional details.

It will happen again on July 12, 2008: The 47th Annual Westport Quaker Meeting Used Book Fair! The Book Fair serves as the main fundraising event of the Westport Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), which began in Westport in 1699.

Table after table of books will be arrayed under a large tent and in the buildings on the grounds of our 190 year-old Quaker Meetinghouse. Last year over 20,000 books across dozens of categories were sorted over the past year. Categories range from local history to travel, from humor to religion and philosophy, from cookbooks to large format art books—and even sci-fi and harlequin romances!

Books are priced individually, from 6-for-a-dollar paperbacks to hardbound first editions and other gems separated out on our “Better Books” table. A number of families have donated entire libraries—so you never know what will turn up on our Better Books table!

Did we tell you about the first edition of Moby Dick that found its way onto our tables in the early years of the Book Fair? That’s a dramatic example, but there have been quite a number of other wonderful finds over our past four decades of bookselling.

The Book Fair opens at 11:00. Traditionally, an opening whistle starts people streaming into the tent and meetinghouse in search of that special book—and they often emerge with more than one unexpected diamond in the rough.

Light lunch and snacks will be available to sustain the browsers. The opening day of the Fair runs until dusk on Saturday, and books may be purchased daily for about two weeks thereafter.

In its more than 40 years, the Book Fair has usually enjoyed fair weather, but it has gone on despite rain, heat, and even Hurricane Beulah. And so it will go on next month!

For more information:

Emily and David Sutton, Friends In Residence
508-636-4963

Deana Chase
508-636-8980

Mark Bauer
401-228-8386

As part of the overall discussion Friends agreed that the following excerpt from NEYM Faith and Practice should be included in this Newsletter:

“… responsibilities implied by membership [include] faithful attendance at meetings for worship and business, service on committees, a willingness to share a just portion of the financial support of the meeting, and participation in larger Friends’ groups.” Faith & Practice of NEYM, p. 236.

Other Monthly Meetings around New England have employed various and creative methods to make it possible for Friends to participate in the life of their meetings while balancing other important demands on their time. One example is an experiment by Fresh Pond Meeting as follows:

“The Meeting has also begun a one-year experimental committee structure. Three umbrella committees –
Administration & Stewardship, Quaker Education & Child Care, and Worship & Care – will each coordinate sub-committees and task groups to carry out the work and mission of the meeting. The restructuring reduces the number of committee slots to fill from 49 to 26, and more accurately reflects the number of people active in the meeting.” From The New England Friend, Winter 2008, p.5

Westport Friends are encouraged to reflect upon the chapter on membership within Faith and Practice. In addition, Friends are asked to ponder ways that our Meeting could make attending Meeting for Business realistically possible for more members and attenders. Please speak with Marion Athearn, Clerk of Meeting with your suggestions and comments. All ideas are welcome.

Meeting agreed to offer an invitation to Sylvia Graves, FUM General Secretary, for a pot-luck and informal discussion on Friday, March 28th at 6 PM in the Macomber Community House.

Betsy Cazden, a well known New England Friend and Quaker historian will be our guest in the near future as part of our Second Sunday series. A pot-luck meal is planned and Betsy will speak on the history of Quakerism. Date to be announced soon!

Ministry and Counsel: June Correia, Clerk, reported that special Valentine greetings and goodies were sent to our young adults and college students who cannot attend meeting very often. Special thanks to Gretchen Baker-Smith who coordinated this effort! We’ve already heard back from several that the notes were appreciated, including too, the chocolates!

Peace and Social Concerns (ad hoc) Committee: The Winter Conversations series will continue with the fourth topic of Israel and Palestine being moderated by Martha Yager on Sunday March 2nd, 3-4:30 PM at the Macomber Community House. All are welcome and encouraged to gather around the fireplace.

The joint Peace & Social Concerns committees of Allen’s Neck, Smith Neck and Westport (ad hoc) invite you to their open meetings on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 PM in the living room of the Macomber Community House. The next meeting is Monday, March 10th.

Property Committee: Dave Sutton reported with an eye on spring and the upcoming season of weddings, that our Meetinghouse is available to be rented for holding wedding ceremonies. The spring cleanup day is scheduled for April 3rd following worship, pizza and beverages provided. Committees normally meeting at that time are encouraged to switch their date so as not to conflict.

Book Fair Committee: Mark your calendars! Our Annual Book Fair will be held on Saturday, July 12th! The Committee reminds Friends that book sorting is ongoing now and your help is needed. Please speak with Mark Bauer, Deana Chase, Barbara Wicks or Emily Sutton for times when working groups of book-sorters are gathering. It is also possible for Friends to come over and sort during a time frame that works for themselves too. Please…… more help is needed!

MEETING NEWS

New Meeting Directories are here! After many months of hard work by Gretchen Baker-Smith, sending and receiving Directory Update Forms, fielding phone calls, deciphering random slips of paper and untangling the web of hyphenated last names, the latest and most up-to-date Meeting Directory has been printed. A second printing will be done in early spring. If you see a typo or omission please let Gretchen know. If you didn’t get your info in on time, you have another chance! But please do so ASAP! And again….good work, Gretchen!

Please see Religious Ed.’s update on the last page.

RETREATS AND WORKSHOPS

Upcoming retreats at Woolman Hill Conference Center:

“Being and Becoming Friends” with Beckey Phipps and Laura Melly, March 28-30, 2008. (Co-sponsored by NEYM Ministry and Counsel. A great retreat for new Friends and attenders.

“Forgiveness As A Spiritual Practice” with Sue Regen, April 4-6, 2008.

“Getting Outdoors: A Place for Folks in the Natural World” with Bonner McAllester, April 4-6, 2008.

“Holy Resistance, Sacred Surrender” with Mary Kay Glazer, April 25-27, 2008.

Exploring our Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Reality: What I Used To Believe, What I Believe Now” a journaling retreat with Molly Duplisea-Palmer, April 25-27, 2008.

Flyers are posted in the Meetinghouse. For additional information contact Woolman Hill at 413-774-3431 or online at www.woolmanhill.org. Speak with June Correia or Deana Chase if scholarship help is needed. Funds are available.

This month’s quote, “Does God keep you up at night?” comes from a 1993 promotional brochure from Andover Newton Theological School. The quote, perhaps more than any other, not only pulled me in as a student into their M. Div. program but draws me still, every day, many years later.

4 Diana Donahue, Janice Reilly
8 Martin Costa
13 Katey Baker-Smith, Blair Tatman
16 Alexandria Josephine Miley, Deana Chase
26 David Frost, Buddy Baker-Smith
28 Luke Ross
30 Nick Bauer