Westport Friends Meeting

Monthly Meeting Highlights 3.08

The memorial minute for Frances Bowen Kirkaldy was read and approved with minor changes. The clerk expressed thanks and appreciation for the love and care that went into writing the minute. A copy will be send to Stewart Kirkaldy. Please see the attached copy with this Newsletter.

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.