CMM 2016-04-10

Minutes of Meeting for Worship for Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

Fourth Month 10, 2016

In attendance:  8 Friends

4.1  The meeting opened with a reading from John Woolman’s advices on Meeting for Business [1], followed by worship.

4.2  State of Society, 2015:  Friends reviewed a draft of the Meeting’s State of Society Report for 2015 [2] and suggested minor changes. Friends approved the new version.

4.3  Community Safety Statement:  Friends approved the attached Community Safety Statement [3].  The purpose of this policy is to provide our community with guidance regarding child safety and abuse prevention issues, and to facilitate open discussion of this topic.

We at Concord Friends Meeting are committed to recognizing that of God in all of us.  Consistent with our testimonies of equality, integrity, and community, we are clear in our commitment to assure the safety of all members of our community.

No community is immune from the problems and concerns of the larger world.  We seek God’s help in creating an environment where no child is at risk for emotional, physical or sexual abuse and where no adult is at risk for false accusation.

4.4  Finance Report:  Total income is $18,569; total expenses are $18,369; net income is $200.  Total unrestricted cash is $597.  Property expenses are about $1,500 less than last year.  Contributions are only at 74% although we are 83% of the way through the fiscal year.  It was noted that there are ten years remaining on the building loan which costs $3,806 per year.

4.5  Community Loan Funds Loans:  The Budget Committee reported that some of the Meeting’s NH Community Loan Fund [4] loans that had reached maturity were renewed.

4.6  Friends Peace Team Sponsorship:  Friends approved contributing $100 to the travel costs of Elie Nahimana, the Friends Peace Team [5] administrator from Burundi.  He is being sponsored by Concord Meeting and will be speaking with the Burundi community in Concord and also to the general public at the Meetinghouse on May 8.

4.7  “Black Lives Matter” Sign:  A suggestion to place a “Black Lives Matter” sign [6] near the road in front of the Meetinghouse led to a larger discussion of the issue of racism and what other things we can do make sure that black lives matter.  There was concern that we need to act as well just putting up a sign.  We will consider these issues at next month’s meeting for business.

4.8  The meeting closed with worship.

Submitted by

Recording Clerk, Jonie LaBombard

Presiding Co-Clerk, Mark Barker