wyoming ffffriends mmmm · 2011. 8. 2. · 3 wyoming friends meeting ministry and oversight...

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1 W YOMING YOMING YOMING YOMING F RIENDS RIENDS RIENDS RIENDS M EETING EETING EETING EETING N EWSLETTER EWSLETTER EWSLETTER EWSLETTER D ECEMBER ECEMBER ECEMBER ECEMBER 2010 2010 2010 2010 Clerks Corner Clerks Corner Clerks Corner Clerks Corner Minutes of the Meeting Minutes of the Meeting Minutes of the Meeting Minutes of the Meeting SHERIDAN NOVEMBER 6, 2010 Contents: ................................... Begins on Page: Clerk’s Corner.................................................. 1 Minutes of the Meeting .................................... 1 2010 NPYM Impressions ................................. 5 Sample Budget ................................................ 6 Income Statement ............................................ 7 Guidelines for Travel Expenses ......................... 8 Wyoming Association of Churches Report ....... 10 Living the Friendly Life in Wyoming ............... 12 Calendar and Announcements ......................... 13 Directory ....................................................... 14 The next Gathering of Wyoming Monthly Meeting will be in Laramie March 4-6, 2011 “A culture of isolated indi- vidualism produces mass conformity because people who think they must bear life all alone are too fear- ful to take the risks of self- hood. But people who know that they are embedded in an eternal community are both freed and empowered to become who they were born to be.” Parker J. Palmer, 1990 From Plain Living, A Quaker Path to Simplic- ity by Catherine Whitmire We experienced the joy of community in November with several new attenders and renewed relationships with Friends from the Sheridan and Cheyenne com- munity. Their valued participation, as well as the preparation for the gathering with a new venue was greatly appreci- (Continued on page 11) The Meeting for Business of Wyoming Friends Meeting met on November 6 at 3:15 PM in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Meeting was con- vened by the Clerk after a period of silent worship. Those in attendance were: Jean Jorgenson, Liz Hoy, Dale Frincke, Judy Wingerd, Joe Powell, Sharon (Continued on page 2)

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Page 1: WYOMING FFFFRIENDS MMMM · 2011. 8. 2. · 3 WYOMING FRIENDS MEETING MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MINUTES, Conference Call 8 P.M. OCTOBER 11, 2010 Present on Call: Richard Anderson-Sprecher,

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WWWW Y O M I N GY O M I N GY O M I N GY O M I N G FFFF R I E N D SR I E N D SR I E N D SR I E N D S MMMM E E T I N GE E T I N GE E T I N GE E T I N G NNNN E W S L E T T E RE W S L E T T E RE W S L E T T E RE W S L E T T E R

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Clerks CornerClerks CornerClerks CornerClerks Corner Minutes of the MeetingMinutes of the MeetingMinutes of the MeetingMinutes of the Meeting SHERIDAN

NOVEMBER 6, 2010

Contents: ................................... Begins on Page:

Clerk’s Corner .................................................. 1

Minutes of the Meeting .................................... 1

2010 NPYM Impressions ................................. 5

Sample Budget ................................................ 6

Income Statement ............................................ 7

Guidelines for Travel Expenses ......................... 8

Wyoming Association of Churches Report ....... 10

Living the Friendly Life in Wyoming ............... 12

Calendar and Announcements ......................... 13

Directory ....................................................... 14

The next Gathering of Wyoming Monthly Meeting

will be in Laramie March 4-6, 2011

“A culture of isolated indi-vidualism produces mass conformity because people who think they must bear life all alone are too fear-ful to take the risks of self-hood. But people who know that they are embedded in an eternal community are both freed and empowered to become who they were born to be.” Parker J. Palmer, 1990 From Plain Living, A Quaker Path to Simplic-ity by Catherine Whitmire

We experienced the joy of community in November with several new attenders and renewed relationships with Friends from the Sheridan and Cheyenne com-munity. Their valued participation, as well as the preparation for the gathering with a new venue was greatly appreci-

(Continued on page 11)

The Meeting for Business of Wyoming Friends Meeting met on November 6 at 3:15 PM in Sheridan, Wyoming. The Meeting was con-vened by the Clerk after a period of silent worship.

Those in attendance were: Jean Jorgenson, Liz Hoy, Dale Frincke, Judy Wingerd, Joe Powell, Sharon

(Continued on page 2)

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Terhune, Donn Kesselheim, Chelsea Kesselheim, Matilda Hansen, Ted Lapis, Gary Seiner, Georgia Foster, Suzanna Thomas, Bob Michener, Don Boone, Jo Aelfwine, Chris Parr and Maia Rose.

The Minutes of the Meeting for Business held at Laramie, Wyoming, on May 1st, 2010 were approved at that session. The additional Minutes for the action s taken after May 1st and the minutes for May 1st have been published in the June and September newsletters. The Meeting approves the additional minutes taken after May 1st.

The meeting accepts the Task Force on WFM 2011 Calendar report by Donn Kessel-heim regarding the dates and locations for summer 2011 gatherings.

March 4-6, 2011 - Laramie October 7-9, 2011 - Jackson June 17 - 19, 2011 – Lander The proposal to have Jerry Peterson at the Laramie gathering facilitate our participa-

tion in the preconference activities to Friends World Conference is approved. Donn Kes-selheim will contact Jerry to confirm these dates with him.

For locations of the retreat the meeting approves 3 locations; 1st choice – YMCA Camp in the Big Horn Mountains, 2nd choice – UW Rec Camp in the Snowy Range, and 3rd choice – Lander area in Friends homes. The following dates were approved; 1st choice – July 21st -24th, 2nd choice – July 28th -31st and 3rd choice – August 4th – 7th.

The meeting agrees that the following be included in the program for the summer retreat; Meeting for Worship, Worship sharing, time for outdoor activities (late morn-ing), and that Liz Hoy, Jean Jorgenson, Joe Aelfwine, Chelsea Kesselheim and Ted Lapis are approved as the Retreat Program Committee with Liz Hoy and Jean Jorgensen as co-clerks of the Program committee and Georgia and Maia Rose as the site committee. The retreat program committee will give its report at the March Meeting for Business.

The Meeting has decided to let the proposal for Quaker Quest season and to send information regarding Quaker Quest via e-mail separate from the newsletter. The meeting asks Lander Friends to make a specific proposal at the March Meeting regarding Quaker Quest.

If an additional meeting for Business is needed the meeting has approved the Clerk working with a representative from each community to proceed to set up a meeting for business using either video conferencing or phone conference.

The Treasurer, Dale Frincke, reported a 2010 income of $1,200.00, and 2010 expenses of $1,876.03. The report was accepted. The meeting accepts the 2011 proposed budget with necessary adjustments made by the Clerk and Treasurer based on the year end state-ment. Revisions to the Guidelines for WFM travel expense item in the budget are ap-proved by the Meeting. The Treasurer's Report, the 2011 budget and Wyoming Friends travel expense guidelines are included in the newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM and scheduled to reconvene at 10:45 AM Sunday November 7th, 2010 .

The Meeting was reconvened at 10:45 AM on Sunday, November 7th, 2010 by the Clerk after a short period of worship.

The meeting accepts the M&O report By Georgia Foster with the accepted change in italics.

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 3)

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WYOMING FRIENDS MEETING MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

MINUTES, Conference Call

8 P.M. OCTOBER 11, 2010

Present on Call: Richard Anderson-Sprecher, Georgia Foster, Sandy Shuptrine and Maia Rose who joined the call later.

The meeting opened with a few moments of personal ‘check in.’

There was discussion of the drafts addressing M & O roles submitted by Georgia and Richard. Sandy offered to do some blending and editing. The question of changing the com-mittee name to something like, “Ministry & Counsel” was tabled until we have settled on the description of roles and functions.

There was a brief discussion about upcoming terms on the committee that will end. Both Georgia and Richard indicated they wish to relinquish their seats as of January 1, 2011. This will create two vacancies. WFM in Sheridan November 5-7 would be a good time to extend an invitation to others to consider joining.

Maia announced that Elizabeth Hoy is gathering together those in Cheyenne who are interested in Friends’ worship. She plans to participate in the WFM Gathering in Sheridan, Nov. 5 - 7.

Chris Parr is currently updating the WFM directory.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 P.M.

Sandy Shuptrine, Recording Clerk of the Day

The M&O Committee presented a draft stating the purpose and roles of members of that

committee. The Meeting asks that the M&O descriptions of roles and function with the addi-tional suggestions by Liz Hoy be included in the newsletter and put on the agenda for the March Meeting for Worship for Business.

The Meeting approves the recommendations of the Laramie Community to have Jo Aelfwine as their representative to the M&O committee. The Meeting asks the Sheridan community to recommend someone for their representative to the M&O committee to be approved via e-mail by January 1.

Dale Frincke will continue as treasurer until he notifies us that he wants to lay it down as he may not want to complete the full 4 years. Liz Hoy offered to take on the Treasurer position at such time as Dale Frincke notifies us he is ready to lay it down.

The Clerk read the Intermountain Yearly Meeting response to the Welcoming Rela-tionship Minute and the Meeting accepts the response.

Wyoming Minute

(Continued from page 2)

(Continued on page 4)

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Claire Leonard read a minute from Wyoming Friends. IMYM 2010.16 Meeting accepts the Minute from Wyoming Friends. Attachment #30. Wyoming Minute Claire asked those present to return to the Wyoming minute that had been read and ac-

cepted in the Meeting for Worship for Business in Session 3 on Friday June 11, 2010. IMYM 2010.23 It is with great joy and enthusiasm that IMYM welcomes Wyoming

Friends to continuing fellowship with us and encouraged a deepening and enrichment of the relationship between us. The relationship will be with the same terms and conditions agreed upon in the 2007 session except that this relationship will be reviewed in five (5) years rather than the original three (3). These conditions would include an invitation to attend Intermountain Yearly meeting gatherings and to send a Representative to Con-tinuing Committee that meets in January and June.

I hope this helps. We are very happy to have Wyoming Friends continue in fellow-ship with us, and I hope that perhaps someone will be able to join us for Continuing Com-mittee in January. In Peace, Claire Leonard

The Wyoming Association of Churches (WAC) and The North Pacific Yearly Meet-ing (NPYM) reports by Donn Kesselheim were accepted. These reports are included in the newsletter.

The Meeting asks M&O to consider a proposal for a welcoming relationship with NPYM and also asks M&O to consider whether we should have a permanent or tempo-rary nominating committee.

The Colorado Regional Meeting report by Matilda Hansen and Donn Kesselheim was accepted.

Announcements included: Colorado Regional Spring Meeting, April 17, 2011, Boulder, CO Intermountain Yearly Meeting Annual Session, June 5-12, 2011, Ghost Ranch,

NM North Pacific Yearly Meeting, July 13-17, 2011, Pacific Lutheran University, Ta-

coma, WA Friends General Conference Gathering, July 3-9, 2011, Grinnell College, Grinnell,

Iowa...the theme will be “Meeting at the Center”. The Meeting was adjourned at 12 Noon. Additional Minute approved via e-mail December 11, 2010 "The Meeting approves the recommendation of the Sheridan Community for Wendy

Condrat to be their representative to the Ministry and Oversight Committee as of January 1."

Footnote: Minutes in bold are minutes approved by the meeting and minutes not-bold are descriptive comments added later by the clerk and recording clerk. If a Minute is an action item it is underlined and states who will do what by when.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Parr Maia Rose

Recording Clerk of Meeting Clerk of Meeting

(Continued from page 3)

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IMPRESSIONS FROM 2010 NORTH PACIFIC YEARLY MEETING

Donn Kesselheim The experience of participating in the 2010 sessions of North Pacific Yearly Meeting was re-warding. Held on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula for the second year running, the sessions were varied, ranging from plenary sessions and worship groups to do-it-yourself entertainment and interest groups. Slightly more than 250 persons were in attendance. Certainly the highlight of this event was the time spent with the Friend-in-Residence, Bridget Moix, a senior staffer who works primarily on issues of war and peace with the Friends Com-mittee on National Legislation (FCNL). Accompanied by her husband Alberto and son Pablo, Bridget was present for the entire time, interacting both with adults and young friends. Bridget Moix built her deeply moving keynote presentation around a quote from George Fox - "I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death; but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness. In that also I saw the infinite love of God, and I had great openings." - coupled with an ungrammatical exclamation by 2 and 1/2-year-old Pablo - ". . . y un barquito grande, . . . and a big, little boat." Her thesis: We are not called to be suc-cessful; rather, we are called to be faithful. If, with integrity, we simply do what Quakers typi-cally do - sailing along in our big/little boats - the outcome, ultimately, will be positive. Bridget also led an experiential workshop, organized around some of FCNL's answers to the question, "If war is not the answer, what is?" In succession, she shared with us five tools, each time creating an immediate opportunity to practice use of the tool with another of the workshop participants. This design worked very well. Impressive, too, was a late-evening showing of the 2005 movie Joyeux Noel. "When war breaks out in the summer of 1914, it pulls millions of men into eastern France in its wake. The Christ-mas season arrives, with snow and an abundance of family presents for soldiers of three nation-alities. But the surprise won't come from inside the generous parcels that lie in the French, Scottish, and German trenches. On Christmas Eve, a momentous event will turn around the destinies of four characters: an Anglican priest, a French lieutenant, an exceptional German tenor and his fiancée -- a soprano and singing partner. That night, the unthinkable happens: re-sponding to the haunting strains of Stille Nacht, Heil'ge Nacht" soldiers come out of their trenches, leaving their rifles behind, to shake hands with the enemy, and begin to know them as people much like themselves. When their respective headquarters order a tit-for-tat shelling, they share the warning in advance, and take refuge in each other's trenches. . . The experience left all of them quite unfit to continue the killing." During one of the plenary sessions, four minutes on important topics were referred to, but nei-ther read nor discussed. The topics were:

… immigration reform; … climate change; … torture; and … in support of military personnel seeking clearness about war participation.

At the same session, the invitation from Friends World Committee on Consultation to partici-(Continued on page 9)

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Wyoming Friends Meeting 2011 Budget Sample

November 6, 2010

Anticipated Income for 2011Unrestricted 1,200.00$ Outreach (restricted) -$

Funds left at end-of-year 2010General Fund $ 1,450.00 Outreach (restricted) $ 500.00

$ 1,950.00 1,950.00$

Available funds for 2011 3,150.00$ 3,150.00$

Expenses Books 100.00$ Committee Work - WFM 100.00$ Corporate Report 25.00$ News letter 75.00$ Outreach 500.00$ Postage 75.00$ Travel & Contingency 1,325.00$

Subtotal: 2,200.00$ 2,200.00$

Expenses - Organization SupportAFSC - American Friends Service Committee 25.00$ AVP - Wyoming Alternatives to Violence Project -$ FCNL - Friends Committee on National Legislation 150.00$ FGC - Friends General Conference 50.00$ QEW - Quaker Earthcare Witness 200.00$ QUNO - Quaker United Nations Office 25.00$ WAC - Wyoming Association of Churches 500.00$ Subtotal: 950.00$ 950.00$

Total Expenses: 3,150.00$ 3,150.00$

Unbudgeted funds -> -$

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Wyoming Friends Meeting -Income Statement - Year to DateNovember 6, 2010 2010 YTD 85% <- % of the year now past

Budget Actual% of budget

IncomeUnrestricted 3,000.00$ 1,200.00$ 40% AOutreach (restricted) -$ -$ B

3,000.00$ Total: 1,200.00$ C <- contributions thus far

Carry over from 2009 2,325.00$ D

Available Funds 5,325.00$ E

Expenses Books 100.00$ 84.02$ 84% FComttee Work - WFM 100.00$ -$ 0% GCorporate Report 25.00$ 25.00$ 100% HNews letter 150.00$ -$ 0% IOutreach (restricted) 500.00$ -$ 0% JPostage 150.00$ 38.65$ 26% KTravel / Contingency 2,750.00$ 178.36$ 6% L

Expenses - Organization SupportAFSC 25.00$ 25.00$ 100% M AVP 600.00$ 600.00$ 100% N FCNL 150.00$ 150.00$ 100% OFGC 50.00$ 50.00$ 100% PQEW 200.00$ 200.00$ 100% Q QUNO 25.00$ 25.00$ 100% RWAC 500.00$ 500.00$ 100% S

5,325.00$ Total: 1,876.03$ 35% T <- total expenses (sum of lines F through S) yr-to-date

Net Increase: (676.03)$ U <- line C minus line T

Off Budget FundsTravel Reserve Balance 1/1/10 50.00$ V <- Balance from prev yr endTravel Reserve Income -$ W <- Off Budget ContributionsTravel Reserve Expenses (50.00)$ XTravel Reserve Balance -$ Y

ReconciliationJournal Balance (less Off-Budget Bal) 1/1/10 $2,625.61 Z <- Journal Balance prev yr endNet Increase YTD per this Statement (676.03)$ A1 <- same as line U Off-Budget Balance -$ B1 <- same as lineY

1,949.58$ C1 <- sum of Z, A1, B1Available funds (from Journal)

General Fund 1,449.58$ D1 <- Fund Balance from JournalOutreach 500.00$ E1 <- Fund Balance from JournalOff-Budget Funds -$ F1 <- Fund Balance from Journal

1,949.58$ G1 <- Sum of D1, E1, F1

Difference: -$ H1 <- C1 minus G1 (should be 0prepared by: Dale Frincke 11/01/2010 to prove Journal is OK

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GUIDELINES FOR WYOMING FRIENDS MEETING’S SUPPORT OF MEMBERS INCURRING TRAVEL

EXPENSES IN SERVICE TO THE MEETING

November 20, 2009

Revised: November 6, 2010

Wyoming Friends Meeting (WFM) has made a commitment to offer financial support to our

members and attenders as they, consistent with the WFM Mission Statement, seek to

“engage with the broader Society of Friends,” and “seek to show greater spiritual hospital-

ity.” Further, we realize members and attenders who would like to attend WFM gatherings

and functions may sometimes be unable due to financial constraints. To these ends the an-

nual budget for travel has been substantially increased. With the increased budget there

must come increased oversight. These guidelines attempt to achieve fairness and predictabil-

ity in the disbursement of these funds.

It is understood that, even with the increased budget, available funds may often be insuffi-

cient to cover all, or even most, of the expenses of members traveling on WFM business.

Therefore:

Estimates for travel expenses anticipated for a calendar year should be submitted during

January when the annual budget is being prepared. (This does not necessarily pre-

clude reimbursement for unanticipated travel.)

These estimates, the amount budgeted for travel, and the actual state of the general fund

will be considered when apportioning reimbursements. Some of the apportioned re-

imbursement may be withheld until the end of the year to allow for a reserve for

travel contingencies.

End of year reimbursements, if any, will be apportioned as fairly as possible.

Travelers themselves will be part of the process of determining how reimbursements are

apportioned. And, insofar as possible, they will be advised as to the level of support

that may be expected of WFM.

Travelers and the WFM Treasurer should attempt to obtain reimbursement from the

benefiting organizations where appropriate. If such reimbursements are made,

WFM will reimburse no more than the full amount of actual expenses minus such

reimbursements.

The following will be used as guidelines as to what constitutes acceptable expenses and

what levels of support may be anticipated.

A WFM member (or attender in good standing) is asked by a Quaker organization to

substantially participate in their activities (e.g. to be a member of their Board) AND

the WFM Meeting for Business supports the appointment.

WFM may reimburse up to ¼ of the transportation and lodging costs.

A WFM member (or attender in good standing) is asked by WFM to substantially repre-

sent WFM to a Quaker organization (e.g. to be a board or committee member).

WFM may reimburse up to ½ of the transportation and lodging costs.

A WFM member (or attender in good standing) is asked by WFM to substantially repre-

sent WFM to a Wyoming organization that WFM is affiliated with, or otherwise

supports. (Continued on page 9)

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WFM may reimburse actual mileage or a portion of it (at $0.30 per mile).

WFM may reimburse lodging as decided by the Meeting when the request is

made.

A member (or attender in good standing) travels with a Minute from WFM that brings a

concern of our meeting to the attention of another meeting, seeking the other meet-

ing’s participation, support or action:

WFM may reimburse a portion of the transportation costs as decided at the

time the Minute is approved.

People who are invited by WFM to participate in WFM functions for the benefit of

WFM.

WFM may reimburse a portion of expenses and pay honoraria as decided by

WFM Meeting for Business before the invitation is extended.

A WFM member (or attender in good standing) requests financial assistance to attend a

WFM gathering or function.

WFM may reimburse actual mileage or a portion of it (at $0.30 per mile).

WFM may reimburse lodging as decided by the Clerk and Treasurer when

the request is made.

Documentation will be required for reimbursement. Documentation includes:

Receipts (or copies),

Evidence of the amount of reimbursement by the benefiting organization

(Continued from page 8)

pate in the worldwide consultation on global change was discussed. It appeared likely that NPYM would encourage participation.

Another of the interest group sessions brought together twelve persons who shared a lively in-terest in issues related to the stabilization and reduction of human populations, globally. This group resolved to continue to communicate with each other after leaving Missoula. Some of them also agreed to work together with drafting a minute on population to present to a future session of NPYM.

The experience was enhanced by the lush plantings that grace the UM campus, both indoors and outdoors -- initiated, perhaps, by the well-regarded Department of Forestry. For example, the University Commons Building surrounds two, three-storey tropical trees with huge, crinkly leaves, in an atrium with many other plantings. Most of the sessions were held in this building.

In 2011, the location of North Pacific Yearly Meeting will be Salem, Washington.

My wife and I are indeed grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to observe this memo-rable gathering of Quakers from the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Mon-tana).

(Continued from page 5)

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The most recent event sponsored by the Wyoming Association of Churches (WAC) was its annual meeting, held at the Murie Center in Moose. A lot of effort went into preparation and or-ganization for this gathering. The attached news release summarizes the outcomes.

What is not mentioned is the effort by the Catholic Diocese to stop WAC's efforts to build upon the potential coalition between the faith community and the environmental community in Wyoming. Newly-arrived Bishop Etienne is saying that he will only support activities that rein-force the already-existing agenda of his denomination, and has closed off financial contributions to underscore his point.

This decision to ignore the long tradition of ecumenism in Wyoming comes at a particularly difficult time. WAC is currently without staff, and is operating with waning financial resources.

However, it has engaged a fundraiser (Chesie Lee), and has activated three potentially robust initiatives around the themes of:

social justice; earthcare; and (individual and collective) spiritual growth.

Donn Kesselheim, WFM Board Representative to Wyoming Association of Churches REPENT, REJOICE, RECLAIM! The Wyoming Association of Churches demonstrated that it is indeed alive and well at its An-

nual Meeting near Moose, Wyoming, early this September. Members representing nine mainline religious denominations gathered to affirm their commitment to ecumenism at the Murie Center over a three-day period. Panelists were also brought in to add fresh ideas to the presentations. The event’s planners fashioned a conference that celebrated the theme: “On Sacred Ground: Where Faith and Science Meet.” Periods of worship and discussion were punctuated by field trips to talk about glacial melting and to learn about the historic area near Blacktail Butte.

The content of the meeting was built around the outline of a remarkable series of recently pub-lished books, entitled Green Church. The author is Rebekah Simon-Peter, a United Methodist min-ister who directs the non-profit organization called Bridgeworks, and who is also a member of the Association’s Board of Directors.

Phase I of the discussions was labeled REPENT: “ God has delegated divine authority to us. We are co-creators who

may rule over the earth for the good of all creation. Yet the earth is crying out to us through polluted air and water, profuse trash, mass extinctions, extreme weather, and changing landscapes. Meanwhile more than half of the world’s humanity is desperate for the basic stuff of life. What has gone wrong? It seems that we who have been called to care for creation have become sinners against creation.”

Phase II was RECLAIM: “ For many people, the word ‘dominion’ brings to mind the idea of domina-tion and control. The earth is ours to do with as we please. Nature exists solely for our purposes; we may change, manipulate, or destroy whatever we want for the sake of humankind. Who cares about the rest of creation? It is here to serve us. We are more significant than the birds, fish, animals, or vegetation. . . . [On the contrary]. We are to continue God’s creative work of making space for, blessing, and sustaining the fish of the sea, the birds of

(Continued on page 11)

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ated. Friday, Saturday evenings and Sunday morning were spent at the Boone's house, while Saturday went smoothly at the Unitarian Center. On Saturday morning, after a sharing session on expectations for the planned 2011 summer retreat, we chose from either a men's, women's or a mixed worship sharing group. On Saturday evening, Matilda Hansen introduced her new book, THE LEGACY THEY GAVE TO US, Early Quakers in Strand Parish, Norway and read a section on Elias (a fictional character), who had been a prisoner on an English ship visited by Quakers and was sharing what he had learned about Quakerism with fellow Norwegians in Strand Parish. The reading was a beautiful de-scription of Quakerism. Sunday morning we again met at the Boone's for Meeting for Worship followed by Meeting for Business to finish the agenda for the weekend. A major item on the agenda was initial plan-ning for our 2011 summer retreat, decisions for which are in the Minutes included in this Newsletter. The priority location was decided to be the YMCA of the Big Horns on US High-

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 14)

the air, the cattle, all the wild animals of the earth, and every growing thing that grows upon the earth. In other words, we honor the image and likeness of God by maintaining the goodness, wholeness, and integrity of all that God has created, not by destroying it.”

Phase III was REJOICE: “For I am about to create new heavens / and a new earth; / the former things shall not be remembered / or come to mind. / But be glad and rejoice for-ever / in what I am creating.” (Isaiah 65:17-18)

“For those of us who grieve deeply the changing climates, who mourn the silencing of birds and the disappearance of fish, who are horrified by our throwaway attitude toward fellow human beings, and who reject the fouling of our nest, this promise is a cause for rejoicing! Rather than doom and gloom, a bright picture of hope shines on us from the future. To know that all of history is moving toward the renewal of the entire creation with God at the helm, fills us, too, with ‘eager longing.’”

The Wyoming Association of Churches came together 34 years ago, to develop ecumenical community and to promote a more just society in Wyoming. It has a distinguished record of ac-complishment in the fields of:

* human rights; * poverty; * penal reform; * good government; * care for the environment; and * peacemaking, at home and abroad.

(Continued from page 10)

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Wyoming Friends Meeting

Ministry and Oversight Committee - Roles and Functions

November 3, 2010

Purpose: The primary purpose of the Wyoming Friends Meeting Committee of Ministry and

Oversight is to foster and strengthen the spiritual life of the Meeting by nurturing the Meeting

for Worship, including vocal ministry, and the spiritual growth of individuals. Nurturing Friends

throughout Wyoming includes, when requested, Wyoming Friends Meeting as a community, the

local communities of Friends, as well as individuals. Committee members should thus be mind-

ful of their own preparedness for Worship. They are asked to humbly nurture and support meet-

ing members and attendees, with their differences in experience and gifts, recognizing that the

Power of God may work through all persons in the Meeting and beyond. Committee members

have a particular responsibility for fostering a worshipful and faithful Meeting for Business.

All responsibilities of the committee are also responsibilities for all Friends, and the Committee

strives to nurture and counsel Friends as they seek to move under the guidance of the Spirit.

Oversight of the meeting consists of organizing and offering pastoral care for the meeting. In

particular, committee members should offer their assistance in matters of marriages, clearness

and memorials held under the care of the Meeting.

Membership - A clearness committee for an individual seeking membership is appointed by

WFM as a whole, receiving recommendations from the M & O committee in consultation with

the individual. At least one person on the clearness committee should be from a community

other than the locality of the person seeking membership.

MARRIAGE - FOR LEGAL PURPOSES IN THE STATE OF WYOMING, ANY QUAKER MARRIAGE MUST

INVOLVE THE CLERK OF WFM. IF THE COUPLE REQUESTS TO BE MARRIED UNDER THE CARE OF

THE (WFM) MEETING, A CLEARNESS COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED. A COUPLE MAY BE MARRIED IN

THE MANNER OF FRIENDS WITHOUT SUCH A COMMITTEE FROM WFM.

MEMORIALS - A MEMORIAL MAY BE PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY, ACCORD-

ING TO THE WISHES OF THE FAMILY, WITH THE M & O COMMITTEE MEMBER SERVING AS A LINK OF

SUPPORT FROM THE WYOMING FRIENDS MEETING.

OTHER CLEARNESS COMMITTEES - ANY MEMBER/ATTENDER MAY REQUEST A CLEARNESS COMMIT-

TEE FOR SUPPORT AND/OR DISCERNMENT. AN M & O COMMITTEE MEMBER CAN ASSIST IN FORM-

ING SUCH A COMMITTEE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PERSON MAKING THE REQUEST AND UPON AD-

VISING THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

M & O COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE WFM MEETING, REPRESENTING A GEO-

GRAPHIC DISPERSAL OF FRIEND’S COMMUNITIES, IF POSSIBLE. GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION ARE

DELINEATED IN IMYM FAITH AND PRACTICE, P. 62. THE TERM OF SERVICE ON THE COMMITTEE IS

FOUR YEARS, WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS’ TERMS OVERLAPPING TWO YEARS, SO THAT THERE ARE (Continued on page 13)

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ALWAYS EXPERIENCED PERSONS ON THE COMMITTEE. AT THE END OF A MEMBER’S TERM, HE/SHE

MAY ELECT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM. CLERK OF M & O WILL BE SELECTED FROM

AND BY THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERS.

MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ARCHIVES

THE M & O COMMITTEE MAY KEEP ITS OWN CONFIDENTIAL ARCHIVES, INCLUDING A COMPLETE

RECORD OF MINUTES FROM MEETINGS AND A LOG OF CLEARNESS MEETINGS.

(Continued from page 12)

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Living the Friendly Life in Wyoming

way 16 , west of Buffalo, WY. If you are interested in finding out more about this location and their facilities, their website is www. sheridanymca.org . We are not able to confirm any dates until their scheduling is done, probably after January 1. We have given them some dates which are our priorities: July 21 – 24, July 28 – 31, and August 4 -7. We will notify you as soon as any dates are confirmed. Hope you will put them on your calendar and join us for a spiritually re-freshing and rejuvenating time in a lovely natural environment! At our next gathering in Laramie, March 4-6, 2011, it was decided to ask Jerry Peterson, CO rep-resentative to Friends World Committee on Consultation to help facilitate a cluster consultation on global change. In preparation for this discussion, we ask that Friends use in their communities or individually the following queries:

(Continued from page 11)

Friends, I'd like to share this quote sent by Sue Elder. It seems significant to me. . .

"O spiritual soul, when you see your desire obscured, your will arid and constrained, and your facul-ties incapable of any interior act, do not be grieved, but look upon it as a great good, for God is delivering you from yourself, taking the matter out of your hands." St. John of the Cross

Go well, Donn

* * * Unitarian Hymn we sang at the closing of the Sheridan Gathering: Go now in peace. Go now in peace. May the light of love surround you, Everywhere, everywhere you may go.

* * * And for those of you who are new, and those of us who have forgotten:

Chelsea's Song (Sung to ‘Ode to Joy’)

Thank you for this loving circle,

Thank you for the hands of friends Come from far to join in Spirit; Sharing love and fun and bread.

Hold in heart our friends not with us Joy the moment we are in

Bless this life now gifted to us Peace without and peace within

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Contact Us:

Clerk Maia Rose [email protected]

Recording Clerk Chrys Parr [email protected]

Treasurer Dale Frincke 5317 Bill Nye Ave., Laramie, WY 82070

Submissions to the newsletter may be submitted to Maia Rose at the above e-mail or by snail mail

to her at 115 Peaks Rd., Lander, WY 82520. Changes to the directory or corrections should be

directed to Chris Parr and the above e-mail or to her at 945 North Lane, Lander, WY 82520.

Announcements & MiscellanyAnnouncements & MiscellanyAnnouncements & MiscellanyAnnouncements & Miscellany

Subscribe to Western Friend! News and articles written by and about Friends YOU know! WF

is the official publication of Intermountain, Pacific, and North Pacific Yearly Meetings. Eight

issues per year are packed with photos, articles, art and much more. Stay in touch with the

wider world of Friends for as little as $22 a year. Individual subscription: $29; 5-19 subscribers

$25; 20+ for $22 each. More information and lively blog at www.westernfriend.org

Announcements and Calendar

WFM Gatherings: 2011

March 4-6, – Laramie... “How have you been impacted by global change?”

led by Jerry Peterson, CO Regional representative to Friends World Committee on Consulta-

tion (See queries in 'Clerk's Corner')

October 7-9, - Jackson

Lander - June 17-19

WFM Retreat

TBA (Will be between July 27 and August 7, 2011)

Colorado Regional Spring Meeting

April 17, 2011 Boulder, CO

Intermountain Yearly Meeting Annual Session

June 5-12, 2011, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

Friends General Conference Gathering

July 3-9, 2011, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa...the theme will be “Meeting at the Center”

North Pacific Yearly Meeting

July 13-17, 2011, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

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Wyoming Friends Meeting Directory of Communities

CHEYENNE—Cheyenne Quaker

Community of Wyoming Friends

Unprogrammed meeting for Worship

rotates among Friends’ homes at 9:00 AM

on the 2nd and 4th First Days of each

month. Please contact Liz Hoy at 307-632

-1232 or [email protected] in

advance to confirm.

JACKSON—Jackson Quaker Community of

Wyoming Friends Meeting

Teton County Administrative Building,

Simpson St. entrance, Jackson, Y 83001.

Unprogrammed meeting for worship at

9:00 a.m. each First Day at the above

address. Please contact Dick or Jean

Ferguson at 307/734-9113 or

[email protected] in advance to

confirm.

LANDER—Lander Quaker Community of

Wyoming Friends Meeting

Rainbow Center for the Humanities, 177 N.

4th St., Lander, WY 82520.

Unprogrammed meeting for worship at

10:00 a.m. each First Day at the above

address. Children welcomed. Please

contact Maia Rose at 307/345-3262 or

307-332-3501 or Donn/Chelsea Kesselheim

in advance to confirm.

LARAMIE—Laramie Quaker Community

of Wyoming Friends Meeting

Canterbury House, 110 South Ninth,

Laramie, WY 82070.

Unprogrammed meeting for worship at

9:00 a.m. each First Day at the above

address. Please contact: Matilda Hansen at

307/745-7296 or [email protected];

or Richard Anderson-Sprecher at 307/745-

8536 or [email protected], in advance to

confirm.

SHERIDAN—Sheridan Quaker Community of

Wyoming Friends Meeting

Unprogrammed meeting for worship, rotating

among Friends' homes at 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd and

4th First Days of each month. Please contact

Georgia Foster at 307/672-6779 or

[email protected] in advance to confirm.

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No matter how you cele-No matter how you cele-No matter how you cele-No matter how you cele-brate this sacred season brate this sacred season brate this sacred season brate this sacred season may your days be full of may your days be full of may your days be full of may your days be full of love and good cheer, health love and good cheer, health love and good cheer, health love and good cheer, health and happiness and may you and happiness and may you and happiness and may you and happiness and may you share these gifts with others share these gifts with others share these gifts with others share these gifts with others

in the coming year.in the coming year.in the coming year.in the coming year.