as Approved by 03/12/2006 Meeting for Business
In 2005 we experienced the joy of spiritual fellowship, appreciated the strength of those who faithfully attended First Day meeting for Worship, and participated in activities such as Sunday potluck meals, the annual Fall retreat at Camp Wilmot, some fruits of our appointed committees (especially Youth Religious Education), an Easter weekend youth retreat, occasional Friday night Women’s potluck and a midweek worship sharing in Manchester.
We invested energy and some funds in exploring several opportunities for a new meeting space, none of which came to fruit. Even with no fruit, we continued to be intrigued by the possibility of a new place for worship. Some members of Meeting spent time in the Summer at the Meeting School, Rindge, in service projects and experienced satisfying fellowship.
We took heart at the ministry of individual members, as hopefully nurtured by the Meeting community, for example: the pastoral ministry of a public Friend who serves the hospice needs in the Concord area; Meeting School, Rindge, leadership by one member and coordination of the School’s summer program by an attender; and the service of those involved in Quarterly and Yearly Meeting activities. Our Meeting was enriched by those who continued their involvement with NH Peace Action, helped at a Concord homeless shelter, related to local refugees,and attended to developing world health issues. We note that our social connections are a glue that bind our spiritual community. Our activities show a compassion which must be present for a healthy meeting to thrive.
In 2005, our average adult attendance at Meeting for Worship was 16, with 3 or 4 children. This is fewer than in recent previous years.
Concord Friends first started meeting as a group in 1950. Monthly Meeting was established in 1967. In the 1970s, Concord Monthly Meeting was primarily a group of several families who met in a small room of the day care center (in which we continue to meet). In the 1980s and 1990s many young families joined us. There was a shift as this second generation took major roles of leadership and support. During that period, we developed a thriving First Day School program. We moved from acting as a committee of the whole to having standing committees. We started an annual weekend retreat. We expanded to two potlucks a month (one for business meeting and one for a program). We were active in social concerns. We were vital and sensed our strength as a Meeting.
Even with recognition of our vitality, we recognize that in the last few years our numbers are reduced. A number of our elders have passed away. Many of our youth have graduated and moved away or drifted. The legacy of divorce in several families was with us in that some family members have stopped attending. A few Friends have left the area. Our losses are felt more acutely because we sense our current generation of leaders and support is not being replenished. This seems to be time to discern what is central to the heart of our Meeting and a time to ask “whither now”?
We appointed seven committees in 2005 (Youth Religious Education, Ministry and Counsel, Finance, Peace and Social Concerns, Adult Education and Community Building, Housing and Nominating), some of which struggled to meet their charge. In addition to the presiding and recording clerks, treasurer,and recorder, we appointed or had positions open for eight additional tasks/activities. We may need to pare away some of our administrative structure to allow new and creative ways to emerge to complete what we identify as necessary tasks.
We are clear that we want to cherish each person - fresh or seasoned, young, or old. How do we grow and nourish our beloved community? Will we commit the energy and direction necessary for growth as a spiritual community? We pray that as we face the adversity of shrinkage in numbers and other challenges that we will gain strength.
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Canterbury, New Hampshire 03224-2043 USA