Westport Friends Meeting

May 2006 Newsletter

Sara, Infant Toddler Teacher, with children

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.

- Hodding Carter

• 5-7 JHYM Retreat at Portland Mtg.


• Young Friends Seniors Retreat at


• Monadnock Mtg.


• 6 NEYM Christian Ed Curriculum workshop


• at Hartford Mtg.


• 7 Religious Ed Committee, 11:45


• Ministry and Counsel Committee, 11:45


• 13 NEYM Permanent Board, Location TBA


• 14 Finance Committee, 8:30 AM


• 15 Special Program: Meeting sponsored potluck


• and program with Sister Anna Kupin. See details


• 19-21 JYM Retreat at Woolman Hill


• 21 Monthly Meeting for Business, 11:45


• 20 NEYM Ministry and Counsel, location TBA


• 28 Peace and Social Concerns Committee, 11:45

Dates to Save:

• Memorial Service for Eva Kelly, Saturday, June 3rd, 2:30-4:00PM


• Annual Booksale, July 8th!

• 1 Kathy Wypych-Minnehan
• 5 Kevin Lee
• 6 Cynthia Brenner
• 10 Rebecca Lee
• 14 Genevieve Hess
• 16 Aliza Correia
• 17 Penny Bossom
• 22 Brenda Stone
• 23 Keith Rinier
• 31 Mark Miley
• 31 Kevin Russell Moura (1st birthday!)
• 31 Madison Rose Moura (1st birthday!)

Clerk Buddy Baker-Smith presided over the following business on April 23rd:

Friends received a letter from Langley Hills Friends Meeting in Mclean, VA, of which Tom Fox, the Friend who was killed in Iraq while witnessing for peace last month, was a member. Friends in attendance were particularly moved by the example of Grace, love, and witness by Friends of Langley Hills Meeting. Friends, after a period of silent waiting, created a minute that our clerk will send to Friends of Langley Hills Monthly Meeting expressing our unity with their minute. A copy of their text and our Meeting’s reply are attached.

As many Friends know, one of Jean Kennison’s granddaughters, Anna Kupin, has been following a leading in recent years to join the Sister Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bolivia. She said her first vows this past winter and has kept in touch with some Westport Friends and the JYM Elementary Retreats (whose service project has been sending girls clothing to one of the hogars that the sisters run). Anna spent a winter in Westport living with Jean and worshipping with us just before moving to Bolivia. Friends are deeply touched by the moving of the Spirit in Anna. Westport Friends would like to support the sisters’ ministry amongst Bolivian children.

Please join us for a potluck supper on May 15 at 6pm, after which we’ll hear from Anna and Sister Claira, the Project Director.

Construction of a much needed day care center, technical institute and multipurpose auditorium in the town of Montero has already started, but they need significant capital fundraising in order to complete it.
Contact Gretchen Baker-Smith with questions or offers to help with meal prep or hospitality for our guests. Copies of the mission and project outline are available in the meetinghouse.

The Friends in Residence Search Committee reported on their progress. Applications are due by May 1. After a period of discussion, Friends decided to create a personnel committee that would interview candidates and make a hiring recommendation at a called business meeting. Betty Ann Lee was named convener
Ministry and Counsel: Steven Correia, Clerk, reported that the memorial service for Eva Kelly will be held in our meetinghouse on Saturday, June 3rd, from 2:30-4:00 PM. Kevin Lee is to be the liaison with the family and will officiate at the memorial service.

Need help with setting up email or overcoming minor computer glitches? Does setting up a new computer system seem overwhelming? Occasionally we all have hassles dealing with these issues, and we (sometimes!) can help one another. Friends should know that a few of our meeting members will make themselves available to help out as needed. Speak with Kevin for details.

Treasurer’s Report: Deana Chase, Treasurer, presented a balance sheet as of March 31, 2006. A copy will be posted in the Community House.

Property Committee: Barbara Wicks reported that the Community House will not be available for renting by outside groups between June 1 and August 1, due to book sorting, Booksale setup and cleanup, etc.

Recently the committee conducted a “walk-about” to determine what routine repairs and maintenance is needed to our buildings and grounds.

A replacement tent (used) has been purchased and the old, badly worn main tent used for many years will be retired. The committee will decide what to do with the old tent.

Book Fair Committee: Book sorting continues on a weekly basis. Please speak with Deana Chase, Barbara Wicks or Mark Bauer on how you can help. Finding space to store priced and sorted books continues to be challenging. Please reserve (at least) July 8th, the day of the Booksale, for helping out. Extra help in the days preceding the sale is also appreciated.

Religious Ed Committee: Betty Ann Lee, clerk, presented the Infant and Toddler Teacher job description for review. The proposal calls for two paid hours per week at $15.00 per hour. Occasionally the committee may approve more than two hours per week if required. Friends approved the job description and hourly compensation.

The Sparklers curriculum will be used by the preschool and kindergarteners starting in the fall. Religious Ed will begin meeting on the 1st Sunday of the month. The committee is also preparing a pamphlet of what they offer to young people who attend our First Day School.

The committee expressed a need to purchase additional equipment and supplies in order to be fully prepared. However, such purchases would take them beyond their allocated budget. Meeting agreed that additional expenses could be drawn from funds bequeathed by the estate of Jean Kennison.

The committee reported that due to low participation the Junior/Senior High mid week gatherings have been laid-down for the time being. The committee thanked leader Gretchen Baker-Smith for her Herculean efforts and commitment to keep this program going. However, conflicting schedules and distances made it difficult for many teens to attend.

Peace and Social Concerns Committee: Deana Chase, clerk, reported that their committee meets infrequently and that attendance is usually low. They would like to explore meeting jointly with the Peace and Social Concerns Committee members of Allen’s Neck Friends Meeting. Friends approved for our Peace and Social Concerns Committee to explore this idea further.

Greg Williams, Friends Outreach Coordinator for
New Bedford Monthly Meeting announced that the New Bedford Friends Meetinghouse will be open on Wednesdays in May from 12-1:00 PM for a program called “Silent Worship for Peace.” (Twenty minutes for worship followed by time for sharing.)

On Wednesday evenings in May from 7:30 – 9:00 PM the following is offered: May 3; Quakers and our Spiritual Path. May10; Quakers and Peace. May 17; Quakers and Equality. May 24; Quakers and Simplicity. May 31; Quakers Finding Faith in our Practice. Contact Greg Williams at 617-501-6258 for additional information.

Penny’s fingers practicing at Meeting

Jeremy Baker-Smith is hoping to raise money in order to attend the Quaker Peacebuilder Camp in Hartford, CT this summer. The camp helps teens to "develop the skills, understanding and relationships that will help them become better organizers of nonviolent action." Jeremy is available for any work that would help him to raise money for this worthy program. Reach him at 508-997-0940 or je.dors@gmail.com.

Please send items for Newsletter to Kevin Lee. kevin@jymretreats.org. 508-994-1638

Posted by Greg Stone at May 15, 2006 02:42 PM