The Farmington Friend

Transcription

1 The Farmington Friend Darleen Farley, Acting Pastor VOLUME 72 NUMBER 1 FARMINGTON, NY January 2017 S Happy New Year!!! It s time to reflect on events of and lessons learned in We also look ahead to where we may go in In 2016 Darleen led a study class based on a book written by Marcus Borg, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. This was enlightening and interesting. When reading scripture the history, location culture, people, who is the writer, who are they talking to all are necessary to understand the meaning. The 1816 Meeting House celebration was a great time to remember and honor historic people who changed lives. These people touched many through the 1816 Meeting House speaking out opposing slavery, supporting women s right to vote, advocating peace, prison reform, and rights of Native Americans. We also had the privilege of meeting and hearing Mona Polacca, one of thirteen indigenous grandmothers, bring her message of protecting the environment: our air, water, and our earth for our children. Arun Gandhi shared memories and stories of his grandfather s life testimony of peace. Pastor Darleen has given our meeting many inspiring messages: messages on peace, acceptance, faith, sharing and integrity. Each message left me with a Wow moment. I m inspired to act, to change, to examine, to think and to care. We enjoyed some social events too. A family picnic was organized at our meeting house in July. Many attended and enjoyed great conversation, laughter, food and games. In October a Fall celebration was held at the Soule s with a hayride, ghost stories, fortune telling, a campfire, and a moonlight walk to the pond and, of course, delicious food. As 2017 begins our adult Sunday class continues reading and discussing Plain Living: A Quaker Path to Simplicity by Catherine Whitmire. I m hoping to put some of the advice or suggestions to use in my life. Finding a simple, calm, clear sense of how to live a more meaningful life is a goal I have. My world centers around this community of Friends. I am blessed to have the many moments of loving fellowship to learn, to be nurtured, to be peaceful and hopeful. How can I pay my blessings forward? Live simply, be thankful, love my neighbors and fear not. Susan Pettig

2 The Pastor s Corner Sometimes my plans just do not go the way I think they will. Earlier today I thought all I had left to do for The Pastor s Corner, was the final rewrite and proofreading. Then I heard the choir sing Love Grows Here at the 11:00 o clock, and I knew I was going to put those earlier remarks aside and begin again! If we were to adopt a motto for the Meeting, I cannot think of a better one than Love grows here! for truly love does grow here at Farmington Friends. I have put the lyrics into paragraph form, so they read as a statement about a place where love grows: Take a look around you. Tell me what you see: people here to worship the Lord just like you and me. Some have come in gladness. Some have come with fear, but all have come because they know that love grows here. Yes, love grows here and all of us can share the wonder and joy that it can bring. For God is near teaching us to care and showing our hearts how to sing. Some of us are lonely. Some have many friends. Some lives are just beginning; some are near the end. Yet we come together knowing He is near once again reminding us that love grows here. Yes, love grows here and all of us can share the wonder and joy that it can bring. For God is near teaching us to care and showing our hearts how to sing. Yes, love grows here. Yes, love grows here. This is how I see Farmington Friends as a place where love grows, as a people who are willing to be taught how to care by the Inward Teacher, as a community in which our hearts sing. This is the Farmington Friends that can confidently go into 2017 knowing that as love grows here, so also do the fruits of the Spirit: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galations 5:22 Jerusalem Bible translation) May it be so. Blessings, Darleen Happy Birthday! FEBRUARY 3 Julia Koberlein 3 Susan Pettig 3 John Walton 5 Brian Koberlein 6 Douglas Koberlein 6 Jason Kipp 7 Donna Herendeen 8 Kristin A. Baker 9 Kevin Herendeen 14 Jason Walton 14 John Zabliski 17 Ted Perry 18 Elizabeth Ellingham 20 Harry Lloyd 21 Joyce DeJaeger 23 Claire Baker 25 Raya Herendeen 28 Sabra Goveia FARMINGTON FRIEND STAFF Editor: Anne Gilson Co-editor Annie Bontrager Front Page: Sue Ford Society Editors: Margaret Baker Treasurer: Scott Parker Address Labels: Susan Pettig Mailing Staff: Anne Gilson, Clerk; Pat Ford, Copying, Evelyn Sadler, Margaret Hartsough, Margaret Baker, Linda Doyen. Leave articles in Meetinghouse folders or mail to the editor by the 2nd Sunday of the month. Mail: 2238 Rt. 350, Macedon, NY agilson@rochester.rr.com

3 33 Society Thank you!!! I would like to thank everyone in the Meeting for all the cards and prayers during this time of healing for my back. I can't begin to tell you how very touched I am at the outpouring of love and care both for me and your suport for Darleen and me at this difficult time. I am healing well and quickly and I am convinced it is because of all of you. (and also Dr. Wensel's skill with tools & hardware) Upcoming Events Saturday, January 21 Farmington-Scipio Regional Meeting at Rochester Meeting Saturday, January 21 Bridges out of Poverty-St. Bridget s Church, Bloomfield (9:00-4:00p.m.) As part of our church becoming a Host Church with the Family Promise Program of Ontario County, there is a workshop that addresses some of the issues that faith-based communities face in dealing with individuals from poverty. The session is also intended to continue the conversation about how congregations can better serve the poor. Meeting Minutes Summary Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business December 18, 2016 Attendance: Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business met at the rise of Worship on December 18, Thirteen (13) persons were in attendance: Sue Ford, Mareike Larsen, Barbara Popenhausen, Marion Cole, Norm Cole, Linda Doyen, Jennifer Perry, Jim Hendrix, Anne Gilson, Dianne Aldrich, Darleen Farley, Carol Nicholson, and Kristina Braell. Opening: Settling silence. 3 Health of the Meeting: Cyndi Marvin is doing well following surgery. Hannah Sharp is in a cast but is currently recovering. Jonathan Parker remains in our prayers. Approval of November s Minutes: Approved. Search Committee: The Meeting approved Linda Doyen s verbal report. Linda requested clarification re: how to pay for reservations for our prospective pastor. Consensus is that we will secure the reservations on a credit card if required, and pay by check for that weekend at the hotel. Jen Perry will type up an itinerary and send it to Trish Eckert (and her family) to see if it accommodates their needs as well as the needs of the Meeting. Carol will send the itinerary out to clerks to ask for their participation in the Saturday interviews. Follow up from the other candidate (Ashley) happened last weekend with Jen Perry. Search Committee will keep her up to date. During the interview process, please be conscious of legality with regards to hiring practices. If personal information (marital status, family info etc.) is offered, that s fine. If personal information is asked as a question, that is against hiring practices. (Please take that into consideration when formulating questions.) Thank you for understanding. Report from Nominating: [A list of 2017 s officers and committees was handed out.] (included in this issue of the Friend) General discussion in regards to the 2017 list of officers and committees: Marion will be clerk for Ministry and Counsel again in Corrections: Cyndi Marvin is off Missions Committee. Jen Perry is Co-Clerk, along with Carol Nicolson. David Vail is off Religious Ed. One position we are not clear on is Treasury. Sue Ford will check up on Gardie Soule but Jim Hendrix may be willing to take over role of Treasurer s position. It is suggested that that we will need to redefine roles if we re going to adjust what responsibilities belong to which position. With that in mind, a Finance Committee meeting is needed. (continued on page 4)

4 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse A Royal Connection Life seems to be manifesting in so many ways around me that it sometimes seems difficult to put on paper the honor of being a long-time part of the Church Women United movement. I know that at many, many levels we are making a difference-and I understand that it is our multi-variable source rooted in the Oneness of Christ that has made all the difference in the world. Many years ago Church Women United in New York State decided to support the very beginnings of the restoration of the 1816 Quaker Farmington Meeting House as a Museum. A bastion of hope for many expansive movements, it seemed fitting that we would discern this as a major project in New York State. We have continued to do the same. Not only has this helped to make a difference, but the security of having so many strong hands and hearts around this project has made it secure in the Oneness of its ever-increasing Vision. In October, the Museum celebrated its Bi-Centennial as the founding Order of the Quaker Hicksite Movement. The basic remnant of these valiant people continues to resonate throughout the many areas of importance which have evolved throughout this ongoing movement. A woman s right to vote stemmed from Susan B. Anthony s early Quaker heritage. The Temperance Movement passed through here. The involvement of the Underground Railroad, the trust expanded to and by the Seneca Nation through the value of the Quaker s commitment to natural order were all transitional through the work and established reunion of principles which occurred in this early Hicksite Meeting House. The 200 Year Bi-Centennial celebrated this wonderful reunion of the Principled Way, and many dignitaries and deeply rooted friends were there to share our joy. Rather than name them all, I encourage you to check out the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse at farmingtonmeetinghouse.org site. To name only a few, some of our many exciting guests were Mona Polacca, one of the thirteen indigenous grandmothers, and Frieda Jacques, an Onondaga Clan Mother. What a privilege it was to hear them both speak! They greatly touched our hearts. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was also one of our esteemed guests. She currently serves as one who truly cares about the social concerns of New York State. We are blessed to have her represent us all and are hopeful 4 that she has the courage to continue her efforts at many levels of discernment. Let there be Light in all that we, as a peoples of hope, choose to accomplish. I, for one, am doing all I can to expand upon the Promises, and it has been and continues to be my privilege to stay in touch with all of you. May God continue to bless you and have a Merry, Blessed Christmas, Dear Friends. Carol Elaine Deys Past President CWU in NY State Trustee of the 1816 Farmington Meetinghouse Museum Some Children See Him By Wihla Hutson & Alfred S. Burt 1951 Some children see Him lily white, The baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, With tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of heav n to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, With dark and heavy hair. Some children see Him almond-eyed, This Savior whom we kneel beside. Some children see Him almond-eyed, With skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, Sweet Mary s Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, And, ah! They love Him, too! The children in each different place Will see the baby Jesus face Like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, And filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing And with thy heart as offering, Come worship now the infant King. Tis love that s born tonight! (shared by Carol Deys from the Church Woman News)

5 Farmington Friends Meeting Officers and Committees 2017 Co-Clerk Jen Perry 2017 Co-Clerk Carol Nicholson 2018 Treasurer Jim Hendrix Recording Clerk Mareike Larsen 2017 Assistant Treasurer Scott Parker Ministry and Counsel Cradle Roll Marion Cole - Clerk 2018 Diana VanderVelden Ann Ledgerwood 2017 Linda Doyen 2017 Records Susan Sharp 2017 Susan Pettig Gardie Soule 2017 Ed Golem 2018 House and Grounds. Dianne Aldrich 2018 Norm Cole Clerk 2017 Anne Gilson 2018 Scott Parker 2017 Jen Perry 2018 Willie Bontrager 2017 Terry Moore 2017 Dick Deyes 2018 Missions Committee Tim Sharp 2018 Diana Vander Velden-Co Clerk 2017 Ann Ledgerwood -Co-Clerk 2017 Finance Committee Barbara Popenhusen 2017 Scott Parker 2017 Karen Parker 2018 Ed Golem 2017 Gardie Soule 2017 Bulletin Board for Missions Jim Hendrix 2017 Sue Ford Dianne Aldrich 2017 Sue Ford 2018 Farmington Friends Staff Anne Gilson Editor NYYM Rep Annie Bontrager Co-Editor Darleen Farley 2017/2018 Society Margaret Baker Cyndi Marvin 2017/2018 Front Page Anne Gilson/Sue Ford Labels Susan Pettig Sunday Bulletin Sue Ford September July 1 Annie Bontrager July & August Friends Mailing Staff Anne Gilson Clerk Auditors Pat Ford Copying Penn Sheldon Evelyn Sadler Dick Deyes Margaret Hartsough Margaret Baker Nominating Committee Linda Doyen Sue Ford Clerk 2017 Theresa Zabliski Sub. As needed Pat Ford 2017 John Zabliski 2017 Farmington Scipio Reps. Linda Doyen 2017 Helen Kirker 2017 Melissa Moore 2018 Dianne Aldrich 2018 Website Committee Memorial Book Diana VanderVelden Gardie Soule Ellie Ellingham David Vail Music Committee Investment Committee Jean Parker Clerk 2017 Scott Parker Asst. Treasurer Ellie Ellingham 2017 Gardie Soule Marion Cole 2017 Susan Pettig Annaliese Parker 2017 Scott Parker 2017 Melissa Moore 2018

6 Peace & Social Concerns Willie Bontrager 2017 Judy Bovet-Egnor 2017 Polly Nicholson 2017 Sally Soule 2017 Gardie Soule 2017 Annie Bontrager 2017 John Zabliski 2017 Theresa Zabliski 2017 Jim Hendrix 2017 Marion Milne Mareike Larsen Religious Education (July to July) Melissa Moore 2017 Ellie Ellingham - helping Library Committee John Zabliski Clerk 2017 Helen Kirker 2017 Natalie Santy 2017 Rosemarie Brehm 2017 Pat Ford 2018 David Zabliski It s suggested that the new pastor (along with Ministry & Counsel) will probably work to re-establish RE, but we will need to wait and see before we address this issue. Missions Committee has received a thank you from the Hartsough family, for their poinsettia. Nominating Committee s report was approved. Other Concerns: n/a Next Meeting: January 22, 2017 (Darleen Farley will not be able to attend due to a prior commitment.) Conclusion: Settling silence. Submitted by Kristina Braell Hospitality Committee Pat Ford Clerk 2019 Sue Ford 2019 Marion Cole 2017 Jenni Welch 2018 Trustees Scott Parker Asst. Treasurer Norm Cole Clerk of House and Grounds

7 Farmington Friend February :00 choir :00 unprogrammed worship 10:00 Sunday School 11:00 worship Noon AA 7:00 choir 12 8:00 unprogrammed worship 9:00 handbells 11:00 worship Friend notes due Noon AA 15 7:00 choir :00 unprogrammed worship 10:00 Sunday School 11:00 worship Noon AA 22 7:00 choir :00 unprogrammed worship 11:00 worship Monthly meeting 27 28

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9 Table of Contents Front Page Page 2 Birthdays/Pastor s Corner Page 3 Society/Upcoming Events Page 3 Meeting Minutes Summary Page 5/6 Officers and committees 2017 Page 7 Calendar FARMINGTON FRIENDS CHURCH P.O. Box Farmington, NY 14425