CMM 2025-04-13

Minutes of Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of

the Religious Society of Friends

13^th of Fourth Month 2025 [1]

04.01  Seventeen Friends gathered in person and online for Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, Fourth Month 13, 2025.

04.02  Minutes from Third Month 2025 [2] were approved as presented on the website.

04.03  Finance Committee. Greg H reported on the status of our anticipated direct-pay funding from the US Treasury of about $15,000 to help pay for the geothermal system.  The IRS has acknowledged that they erred in the processing of our Form 990-T and they are in the process of making the necessary corrections.

Income Year-to-Date was $31,567 and expenses were $27,815 with Year-to-Date net income $3,752.

Dave W, Clerk of Finance Committee, presented the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, June 2025 through May 2026.  Proposed changes and questions are requested so that the budget can be approved in May.  There was a lively discussion regarding the balance of our own needs and those external to the Meeting.  There is a projected surplus that is recommended for the purpose of being able to deal with a potential circumstance of losing our rental income (not expected), an uncertain economic future regarding expenses and impact on income, and the need to replace our reduced savings.  

04.04  Youth and Religious Education.  Ruth H reported that the committee is planning a spring party after Meeting for Worship for first Sunday in June, June 1, at the home of Heidi in Webster.  

04.05  Ministry and Counsel.  Ruth H reported

• the 4^th Sunday program in April is being arranged by the PSECC Committee with a visit from the NH office of AFSC.
• Chris H is arranging for some snacks on first and third Sundays and expects to offer a sign up.
• The third Sunday program before meeting at 9:15 will be a worship sharing on how to remain hopeful in a time of darkness.
• The committee is planning to begin Meeting for Worship by reading an advice or a query once a month.

04.06  Report on the State of Society 2024 [3].  The draft report on the State of Society in 2024, heard last month, has been edited to rephrase mention of “surrogate” parenting to “foster” parenting and to remove an incorrect reference to increased attendance at Meeting for Worship.   Meeting approved the statement as revised. 

04.07  Gaza Vigil.  Last month we determined to hold our participation in this vigil up to the Light.  We have been de facto sponsors though our minutes did not reflect formally taking on this role.  The public seems more supportive of the action and it appears that the vigil will continue with or without our sponsorship. We note that the vigil is not a silent vigil. Participation has not been widely in evidence by Meeting members and this has prompted PSECC Committee to draw the vigil and the tragedy it seeks to address to our attention.  Many heartfelt expressions of support for the vigil were made and the Meeting unites with this support and formally acknowledges its sponsorship of the vigil. 

Following our closing worship Friends adjourned purposing to meet again on Fifth Month 18, 2025 as way opens.  Take note this is out of our usual second Sunday practice in recognition of Mother’s Day.

Ministry & Counsel Report to Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business [5]

1. We incorporated two small changes to the draft State of Society which was read last month and bring it for final approval today.
2. Advices and Queries:  One will be read on first Sunday soon after 10:15, once singers are settled.  We are reminded to enter worship as soon as possible after singing ends.
3. Hospitality during Coffee Hour:  We will be arranging for small snack to be brought by someone each non-potluck Sunday. Chris H will be coordinating this.
4. Meeting for Healing 3^rd Sunday changing to 9:15am.  This month's theme will be how we can remain hopeful in the midst of darkness.
5. First Sunday Meeting for Learning:  Heidi is continuing to lead this and will determine interest for summer months by asking new attendees about their preferences.
6. Fourth Sunday April will be AFSC NH bringing us information on their current work.  Fourth Sunday in May is being determined.