CMM 2021-09-12
Minutes of Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of
the Religious Society of Friends
Ninth Month 12th, 2021
Seventeen Friends gathered both in person and by Zoom connection and entered into quiet worship. We accepted the minutes of Seventh Month as posted on the website.
We opened with a brief period of Worship.
09.01 Oxbow Solar: We heard a request from Oxbow Solar, the corporation that owns the solar panels on our roof, to install a battery to store energy from the solar collectors. They are considering a lithium iron phosphate battery [LiFePO4], which is extremely stable, does not contain cobalt, and has a 10-year warranty. A battery would provide stored energy to run our heating system for about 3 days in the event of an extended power outage. The battery is about 27 x 11 x 73 inches and would be easily accommodated in the mechanical room if we reorganized the space. There is no cost to the meeting for this battery. We heard a concern about liability for potential damage to the meetinghouse and if there are any special storage needs, such as spacing from the wall or floor coverings. We refer this issue to the Property Committee to work out the technical details and report back to the meeting.
09.02 River Dave: We heard a report from co-clerk Rich about the situation with our neighbor, “River Dave” Lidstone. Friends shared thoughts, ideas, and concerns as we struggled with a lengthy process of spiritual discernment. We are not able to offer Dave the opportunity to build on our land for a number of reasons, including zoning obstacles and the purposes for which our land was given to us. We feel the need to make a statement now so that our co-clerks can answer the pressing questions from journalists who are waiting for answers from us. We purpose to reach out directly to River Dave so that he learns of our discernment from us rather than in the press.
We approve this draft of a press release; we encourage the clerks to respond to further questions with “no comment.”
As a people of faith, Concord Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is concerned about its neighbors. David Lidstone was our neighbor, living gently on land near our property. We rejoice in the outpouring of support that Dave has received in the past months after he was removed from the place he had lived for many years. After prayerful consideration, we have discerned that we cannot offer Dave a place to build on our property. If Dave or others would find spiritual solace in visiting our property during daylight hours, we welcome them. All are welcome to worship with us. More information about Concord Friends Meeting and worship in the manner of Friends is available at our website www.concordfriendsmeeting.org
After a brief time of quiet worship, Meeting adjourned, purposing to meet again on the Second Sunday of the Tenth month.
| Submitted by, | Accepted as the Approved Record, | |
| /s/ Heidi Babb, Recording Clerk | /s/ Richard Kleinschmidt & Mark Barker, Presiding Co-Clerks |
| Concord Monthly Meeting Budget vs. Actual | 2021-06-01 – 2021-08-31 | Budget – FY 2021-22 | Budget $ Remaining | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | ||||
| Contributions | $9,590 | $25,672 | $16,082 | 37% |
| Interest Income | – | $810 | $810 | 0% |
| Prior Year Funds | – | $723 | $723 | 0% |
| Rental Income | $170 | $300 | $130 | 57% |
| Solar Roof Lease | – | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Total Income | $9,760 | $27,745 | $17,985 | 35% |
| Expenses | ||||
| Program | ||||
| Finance Committee | – | $30 | $30 | 0% |
| Hospitality | $7 | $100 | $93 | 7% |
| Library | – | $140 | $140 | 0% |
| Ministry & Counsel | – | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Outreach Committee | – | $475 | $475 | 0% |
| Peace, Social & Earthcare Concerns | – | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Right Relations | – | $500 | $500 | 0% |
| Website Expense | – | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Youth & Religious Education | – | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Total Program | – | $2,395 | $2,388 | 0% |
| Property | ||||
| Data Usage | $340 | $1,000 | $660 | 34% |
| Debt Service | $952 | $3,805 | $2,853 | 25% |
| Donation in Lieu of Taxes | – | $500 | $500 | 0% |
| Electricity | $250 | $1,000 | $750 | 25% |
| Grounds | – | $100 | $100 | 0% |
| Insurance | $571 | $2,200 | $1,629 | 26% |
| Maintenance | $800 | $500 | ($300) | 160% |
| Replacement Reserve Expense | $953 | $3,810 | $2,858 | 25% |
| Snow Removal | – | $1,700 | $1,700 | 0% |
| Supplies - Bldg. & Maintenance | $20 | $300 | $280 | 7% |
| Wood Pellets | – | $1,300 | $1,300 | 0% |
| Total Property | $3,884 | $16,215 | $12,331 | 24% |
| Support | ||||
| AFSC | $400 | $1,600 | $1,200 | 25% |
| Dover Quarterly Meeting | – | $10 | $10 | 0% |
| FCNL | – | $153 | $153 | 0% |
| Friends Camp | – | $306 | $306 | 0% |
| FWCC | – | $66 | $66 | 0% |
| Interfaith Council | – | $50 | $50 | 0% |
| NEYM - Equalization Fund | – | $306 | $306 | 0% |
| NEYM - General Fund | $1,152 | $6,334 | $5,182 | 18% |
| NH Council of Churches | – | $75 | $75 | 0% |
| Woolman Hill | – | $235 | $235 | 0% |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | – | – | – | – |
| Total Support | $1,552 | $9,135 | $7,853 | 17% |
| Total Expense | $5,443 | $27,745 | $22,302 | 20% |
| Net Income | $4,317 |
NB. The Income & Expenses Sheet was created with two decimal points, which were removed for readability, the cents being unimportant to the overall understanding. This can have the effect of throwing off any given sum by a dollar due to compounded rounding. — Prepared by Greg Heath and Chris Haigh.
| Concord Monthly Meeting Balance Sheet | 8th Month 31, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | |||
| Current Assets | |||
| Checking/Savings | |||
| Checking 123410166 | $21,499 | ||
| Money Market 101049498 | $6,604 | ||
| Total Checking/Savings | $28,103 | ||
| Accounts Receivable | |||
| Accounts Receivable | $0 | ||
| Total Accounts Receivable | $0 | ||
| Other Current Assets | |||
| Prepaid Electricity | $6,750 | ||
| Prepaid Insurance | $761 | ||
| Total Other Current Assets | $7,511 | ||
| Total Current Assets | $35,614 | ||
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Building | $466,455 | ||
| Land (including new lot) | $144,400 | ||
| Total Fixed Assets | $610,855 | ||
| Total Other Assets - NH Community Loan Fund | $23,123 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $669,592 | ||
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | |||
| Liabilities | |||
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Accounts Payable | |||
| Accounts Payable | $0 | ||
| Total Accounts Payable | $0 | ||
| Other Current Liabilities | |||
| Building & Grounds Fund | $485 | ||
| Friendly Assistance Fund | $1,000 | ||
| Operating Reserve | $2,000 | ||
| Solar Grant Funds | $1,209 | ||
| Special Projects | |||
| Asylum Seekers Support Fund | $1,210 | ||
| Blended Meeting Technology | $756 | ||
| Christine / Kakamega Care Centre | $915 | ||
| Mindful Mortality | $200 | ||
| Social Justice Fund | $603 | ||
| Woolman Hill | $500 | ||
| Total Special Projects | $4,184 | ||
| Total Other Current Liabilities | $0 | ||
| Total Current Liabilities | $8,879 | ||
| Long-term Liabilities | |||
| Mortgage Loan 1 | $12,942 | ||
| Replacement Reserve | $46,231 | ||
| Total Long-term Liabilities | $59,173 | ||
| Total Liabilities | $68,052 | ||
| Total Equity | $601,539 | ||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $669,592 |
NB. The Balance Sheet was created with two decimal points, which were removed for readability, the cents being unimportant to the overall understanding. This can have the effect of throwing off any given sum by a dollar due to compounded rounding.
Do we have the resources to support our obligations? No
Variable Assets Less Current Liabilities and Replacement Reserve = $690
| + Total Current Assets | $35,614 | |
| + Total NHCLF Loans | $23,123 | |
| Total Available Assets | $58,737 | |
| - Total Current Liabilities | ($8,879) | |
| - Replacement Reserve | ($46,231) | |
| - YTD Net Income | ($4,317) | |
| ($59,427) | ||
|
= Net Unrestricted Funds: (if projected budget is achieved) |
($690) |
Report and Announcements from Ministry & Counsel
M&C Report to Meeting for Business September 2021
Looking for more or different opportunities for sharing and fellowship? We will be sending around a questionnaire so you can indicate what kinds of small groups are of interest. Possibilities include fellowship and caring support, books or topics to discuss, short courses and whatever ideas you can imagine.
Care of worship: As we make this massive transition to hybrid worship, we wanted to remind Friends that some aspects of Quaker worship remain constant. All people are welcome and affirmed, whether they are in person or online, your presence is precious to us. Other thoughts on how we share in worship came to mind.
A thought from Ministry and Counsel about vocal ministry:
All present, are invited to give vocal ministry out of the silence as led by the Divine. It is an awesome experience to feel the call to speak for the Holy. Of course, the Divine message is filtered through the lens of the speaker’s human vocabulary, thoughts, and experiences. Yet, we hope that something of the Spirit that is too deep for words comes through in the messages we give and receive. Once a speaker has finished, the message no longer belongs to the speaker; it belongs to the beloved community. Each hearer receives the message and lets it work within. The message may be understood in ways that the speaker never intended. That is okay, it no longer belongs to the speaker.
For this reason, we ask that Friends refrain from mentioning the name of any particular speaker in later messages in worship or in afterthoughts. Hearing one’s name in this way tends to make the speaker feel self-conscious, tying them back to a message they have released. Sometimes a message will cause a stirring in a hearer who will feel the awesome power of the Spirit compelling vocal ministry, building on an earlier message. This can be given without reference to the name of the previous speaker. After worship, we may want to share what resonated for us from the messages in meeting; this also can be done without naming the speakers. Observing a silence of at least two minutes gives us all time to absorb that message before the next message is given.
We would like to offer the Fourth Sunday in September (the 26th) as a time for those Friends who attended New England Yearly Meeting to share what they have learned, new insights, or other thoughts they experienced. Of course, this is meant for all of our attenders to listen to and draw inspiration from, not just those who attended the sessions. You can, in fact, listen to recordings of Bible Half Hours and Plenary presentations here, https://neym.org/sessions/recordings-annual-sessions-0 Other Fourth Sundays are in the works - stay tuned!
We add a special thanks to the technology committee for all their care in making hybrid worship a reality! We love how they keep thinking of ways to make it better. Please let them or us know if you think of ways to make it better too! Life is an experiment right now.
Outreach Committee Report for 2021-09-07
The Outreach Committee has met 3 times since August.
We are developing a mission statement and some broad goals and have some very specific ideas on how to spread our Light into the wider community. We are aware of the opportunities that our website and Facebook page, as well as others social media like Twitter, Instagram, and Meet Ups, offer in reaching a wider and more age-diverse audience. We are learning more about the ways we can use them.
We want the committees of Meeting to be aware that we are preparing ourselves to offer support in marketing any events they plan that are open to the public – this includes on our website, in printed media, and in other social media.
We are compiling a list of tabling opportunities at community events and inventorying our ‘go box’ where we keep materials to give out at those events. We are especially interested in reaching out to younger folks and families. We will also be focusing on how we welcome the newcomer, both the first time and on successive Sundays (and in between).
