CMM 2020-03-22

Minutes of Called Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of

the Religious Society of Friends

Third Month 22^nd, 2020

Seven Friends gathered at the Meetinghouse and twelve more by Zoom.

03.7  COVID-19 Response So Far:  At the request of Jennifer S for the ad hoc group to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we opened up to hear from the wider Meeting what concerns or questions they may have.

• Suggestion was received to remind people that we don't record Meeting for Worship.  We probably don't need to do much on this front as long as the person running the Zoom does not give permission to do so.
• We heard that some people are uneasy with keeping the Meetinghouse open at all.  There was also feedback received that it is important to have a presence at the Meetinghouse even if it is only one person (perhaps just in a car in the parking lot).
• Adding more ability in the restrooms to keep from touching surfaces that could have been contaminated was also mentioned.

For now, we will leave authority with the ad hoc committee to continue to monitor the situation and make the decision as to when and whether to stop all activity at the Meetinghouse.

03.8  Opening to Zoom Worship:  Sara S asked whether we wanted to open our Zoom worship up to public participation.  It was suggested that the issue be threshed by Outreach committee.  Some intermediate step that allows access without making our Zoom worship freely publicly available was agreed to by Friends.  Outreach committee is authorized to make a decision about this.

Friends were reminded that M&C is available to facilitate Friends getting together remotely in small groups or pairs. Meeting closed with a brief period of quiet worship.