A Publication of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends	May 2000

From the Clerk

"In the 2^nd month, 1672, I appointed a meeting at West River in Maryland, for all the Friends in the Province, that I might see them together... and when the time appointed came and Friends from all parts began to come, George Fox, with several brethren, came from Jamaica... and we had a very large meeting, which did continue for several days... and George Fox did wonderfully open the service thereof unto Friends, and they with gladness of heart received advice in such necessary things, as were opened unto them... and all were comforted and edified." And so it is from this account by John Burnyeat that we claim 1672 as the first gathering of what was later to be known as Baltimore Yearly Meeting.

In 1677 this annual gathering was formally recognized as Maryland Yearly Meeting. In 1673, one year after the first West River Meeting, Virginia Yearly Meeting was settled. Friends met in those early times to see how Truth prospered among them. And it did and Friends flourished and their numbers grew. In time, patterns of settlement and concentrations of Quaker populations changed, and in 1780 Baltimore Yearly Meeting was formed from what had been Maryland Yearly Meeting. Within its virge were "all the Maryland Meetings west of the Chesapeake and a few meetings along the southern border of Pennsylvania and in western Virginia." The later meetings were part of a territory shift and were "traded" with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the Meetings on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

After Yearly Meeting sessions in 1828 the complexion of Baltimore Yearly Meeting changed again. The Orthodox-Hicksite schism caused the Yearly Meeting to fracture. The Orthodox faction defined themselves as "the Yearly Meeting of Friends held in Baltimore for the Western shore of Maryland and the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia in unity with the ancient Yearly Meeting of Friends." To this (Orthodox) Meeting, in 1845, were added the remaining meetings of Virginia Yearly Meeting when it was laid down.

By 1914 differences were beginning to fade and Young Friends, Orthodox and Hicksite, began meeting together. It took better than a half century more until the two Yearly Meetings would find clearness to reunite as a consolidated Meeting. 1967 saw The Yearly Meeting office move from Baltimore to Sandy Spring and the following year marked the beginning of the present Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Twenty years later, after much consideration, we were able to approve our common Faith and Practice that we use today. Bliss Forbush noted this milestone by saying, "Thus, the schism of 140 years was ended in a unique and gratifying manner, acceptable to all, and without offending the religious convictions of any."

This account is merely dates and names that mark our lineage. Most important are the Friends, past and present, whose lives speak to our Quaker faith. Every member of every meeting is a Baltimore Yearly Meeting Friend and welcome at sessions. We will meet this year for the 328^th gathering of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. We have had an incredible history and we have the potential for an amazing future. We meet once a year "to see one another's faces, and open our hearts one to another in the Truth of God..." See you at Chambersburg.

In Peace and Love, Lamar Matthew

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
What it Means to Your Monthly Meeting

Baltimore Yearly Meeting is one part of the structure of Friends. It is made up of every individual within each Monthly Meeting that is a part of the Yearly Meeting. Geographically it is not the largest Yearly Meeting, nor is it the largest in number of members and attenders. Each individual can share his or her gifts with other individuals. Each person is part of the process used to reach discernment on decisions within our Monthly and Yearly Meeting.

Geographically Baltimore Yearly Meeting has member monthly meetings as far north as West Branch Meeting in Grampian, Pa., to Floyd Meeting in Floyd, Va., in the south and including all of Maryland, except the Eastern Shore, and the District of Columbia in the middle.

Numerically Baltimore Yearly Meeting has approximately 4500 members. There are many committees on which members and attenders may share their gifts. Participation in committee work is one way to get to know other Friends. It is an opportunity to work in developing a program that will benefit others in social justice, education, ministry, and finance. All committees, except Nominating and Search, are open to individuals who have a leading to participate.

What does the Yearly Meeting do for me as an individual?

Inspirational Programs: The Spiritual Formation program, sponsored by the Committee for the Nurture and Recognition of Ministry, has reached into almost every Meeting in some way. Ministry and Counsel Committee's annual retreat is an inspirational event. And BYM's annual session is another occassion for inspirition.

Publications: The Publications Committee oversees all material that the Yearly Meeting prints: the Yearbook, that includes the minutes of Representative and Yearly Meeting sessions; the Manual of Procedure; the Faith and Practice; and the website to mention the major publications.

Camping Programs: The four camping programs run by the Yearly Meeting are the biggest investment in time, energy and money that the Yearly Meeting makes. The three residential wilderness programs are: Catoctin Quaker Camp, located in the Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Md.; Shiloh Quaker Camp, located near Madison, Va., purchased a few years ago to accomodate a growing program; and the newest program, the Quaker Arts Camp, which in 2000 will be based at the old Opequon camp site, near Winchester, Va. The fourth program, Teen Adventure, is a trail camp based out of Lexington, Va. Teen Adventure campers spend three weeks canoeing and hiking in various places and providing leadership training for these wonderful young Friends.

Annual Session: To many, the annual session held each year during the first week of August, is Yearly Meeting. As you can see by the other programs listed here, it is only one part of Yearly Meeting, although a very important part. This is the time when those gathered seek discernment on issues before the Yearly Meeting. There is time in the week to get to know others from around the Yearly Meeting, to worship together as a corporate body, to participate in worship-sharing, to learn in workshops and interest groups, to hear inspiritial speakers, to attend an all-age celebration, and to enjoy the time spent with other Friends.

Junior Yearly Meeting: The program for those Friends from birth through eighth grade is a highlight for many of our younger Friends. Many children have insisted that their families return each year to the annual session because they enjoy it so much. Just ask a young person in your Meeting who has attended!

Young Friends: This group of high schoolers is very active throughout the year. Young Friends plan six weekend conferences, shop for and cook food, plan and carry out a program, seek a host Monthly Meeting, holds one or more business sessions, and cares for one another. They are integrated into the annual session, conduct a coffeehouse each year that is eagerly anticipated by all who attend the session of all ages, are a part of the evening programs, have representatives at the regular business sessions, and also hold their own business sessions.

Young Adult Friends: This group is made up of those who have left the Young Friends group and are either in college or out working. Young Adult Friends generally have a good group present at the annual session and try to meet at other times during the year.

Representative Meeting: The Representative Meeting is held three times a year for conducting business that needs to be done before the annual session. It is combined with committee meetings on a Saturday in late March, June, and October.

Sandy Spring Friends School: This School is the only one of twelve schools within the Yearly Meeting area that is directly tied to the Yearly Meeting and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting.

Friends House & Friends Nursing Home: This facility is in Sandy Spring and has space for individuals in efficiency or one bedroom apartments, and several cottages for individuals or couples. There is a wing for assisted living, a full nursing facility, and an Alzheimer's unit.

Educational Funding: There are several funds under the care of the Yearly Meeting from which loans are made to individuals to help them attend either private secondary schools, or public or private colleges. These loans are small considering the cost of education and are given to those who are in great need. Each Monthly Meeting has a correspondent to the Educational Funding Resources Committee who is responsible for making a recommendation to the committee concerning someone applying for a loan.

Yes, it takes time and money to keep the Yearly Meeting functioning. Each Monthly Meeting is assessed an amount to pay to the Yearly Meeting each year. The amount is based on three factors: number of people in the Meeting - both members and attenders - who contribute $50 or more during the year, total contributions, and the investment income within each Meeting. These monies are used primarily to fund staff salaries, office administration, committee work, and memberships in Friends General Conference, Friends United Meeting, and Friends World Committee for Consultation. The camping programs and the annual session are self sustaining.

Time is one of the most important factors in how the Yearly Meeting does its work, your time and the time of many others. There are approximately 281 people appointed to serve on BYM committees and as representatives to Friends organizations. This number does not include the officers and staff (80 plus camping program directors, staff, and counselors).

Quakerism is not a spectator (sport) religion. Participants at the Monthly and Yearly Meeting need to spend time and energy doing the work corporately choosen. It is a hands-on religion. Writing a check periodically is not all that is needed. Brain power and physical work are also needed to make it all work. The more we work with others the more it means to each of us to be part of this process. Getting to know Friends from your own Meeting and from other Meetings is an important part of what is done.

Sheila Bach

Ministry and Counsel

The Committee is sponsoring a retreat for all Friends concerned with encouraging and nurturing vocal ministry. The retreat will be held May 13^th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Meeting House. Ron Mattson will provide leadership on the topic, "The Message and the Messenger: Vocal Ministry in A Friends Meeting." Please contact the Yearly Meeting office for additional information and to register for the retreat.

Report from the F.U.T.U.R.E.

Dear Friends, The F.U.T.U.R.E. Committee will, God willing, have completed its appointed assignment by the end of the August 2000 session in Chambersburg. Our work on behalf of camping in Baltimore Yearly Meeting has coincided with and supported a period of growth and improvements in BYM camp properties. We believe our efforts have remained in line with the faith that leads all of us in choosing where our resources will reap the greatest harvest. BYM tradition has been that children and young friends (of all ages) deserve special times and places to nurture the spirit. Your gifts have nearly brought to fruition the assignment of raising $600,000 for the future benefit of BYM camp programs and properties.

We ask all of you, whether young or old, camper or not, to consider making a final gift to the F.U.T.U.R.E. Let's make tangible our appreciation for the importance of the opportunities for spiritual growth and centeredness that are nurtured at our BYM camps.

We thank you for the opportunity to be of service as co-clerks of this committee.

In faith, Howard Zuses and Christina Connell

Web Publishing Subcommittee: New on the BYM Web Site

The BYM web site (http://www.bym-rsf.org/quaker/) has some new features, including:

1. The Interchange is now available, starting with the March 2000 issue. (Click on "Interchange" in the main menu.)
2. Minutes of Representative Meeting are now available, starting with the October 23, 1999 meeting. (Click on "Minutes" in the main menu.)
3. The BYM Young Adult Friends now have a web site. (Access this through either "Programs for Adults" or "Youth Groups" in the main menu.)
4. The BYM Young Friends have a totally rewritten web site. (Access this through "Youth Groups" in the main menu.)

The Web Subcommittee of the Publications Committee is available to help meetings, committees, schools, and other groups in the Yearly Meeting create web pages. You can either create the pages yourself and send them to us, or you can send us the information you want in your pages, and we can create them for you. More information is available on the BYM Web site (through the "Monthly Meeting web pages" item in the main menu), or contact Tom Ryan (BYM webmaster) <tar@psu.edu> or Howard Fullerton (Clerk of the Web Subcommittee) <fullerth@ari.net>.

Yearly Meeting Session

Opening Retreat for Annual Session

Walking with God in the Light, in the Dark

"All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

A spiritual journey follows many paths. At times, we experience the joyful wonder of God's presence and creation, and are filled with a light that transforms us through love and hopeful expectation. There are other, more difficult times when our understanding of God comes from our enduring periods of doubt, spiritual aridity and emptiness. Such times of spiritual darkness and stripping away can lead to peace and harmony, and to greater intimacy with God and our loved ones. During the retreat we will share with each other our experiences during these times of light and darkness. We will seek meaning in our experiences and explore ways to be present for one another, individually and corporately.

The retreat will include worship, worship sharing, vocal and silent prayer, and journaling. The retreat will be led by Rich Liversidge, a member of Sandy Spring Meeting and Yearly Meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee.

Tuesday Night Lecture

Jan Hoffman lives on a farm with her husband in Amherst, MA, where she has been active in Mt. Toby Meeting for 30 years. She has experienced walking with God in light and darkness both in her personal life and while serving as clerk in many settings, among them New England Yearly Meeting. She has been active in Friends General Conference (Religious Education and Christian and Interfaith Relations), and Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. God has felt especially near, encouraging and challenging her, in her speaking and leading workshops, in her encouragement of the ministry of others (eldering), and in her service for six months as Friend in Residence at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre. Through responding to these calls to serve, she has learned much about engaging God and those around her to make God's light more visible in the world.

YEARLY MEETING WORKSHOPS

Our workshop leaders have worked hard to prepare a meaningful experience for the participants and they count on our attendance. If you find you cannot go to the workshop you signed up for, please tell your workshop leader either directly or through a Program Committee Member (with the red dots).

WEDNESDAY WORKSHOPS

W1 Christ the Interpreter of the Old Testament Although there are many differences between the Old Testament and the Gospels, there are also continuing threads and reinterpretations of the Old in the New. Join us in looking for these and exploring how Jesus reinterpreted the Hebrew Scriptures. Leader: Paul E. Luckenbaugh, a member of Bethesda Meeting, enjoys walking, nature & reading. He also enjoys exploring the Scriptures and early Friends writings. Limit 20

W2 Sharing Our Faith A safe place where we can speak from our hearts about our personal experience of the Divine: doubts or fears, `simple' trust, spiritual and physical healing, numinous openings. We respect the confidentiality of what is shared, trusting Isaac Penington's wisdom that "the end of words is to bring [us] to the knowledge of things beyond what words can utter." Leaders: Margery Larrabee and Laura Nell Morris. Margery, a member of Friends Meeting of Washington, sojourns at Mt. Holly Meeting (Philadelphia YM). Laura Nell, a member of Hopewell Centre Meeting, sojourns at Cotteridge Meeting in Birmingham (Britain YM). Both are concerned about deeper sharing, communication and acceptance among Friends.

W3 Leadership Among Friends Earlham School of Religion recently completed a National Consultation in which they asked Friends across the country to address questions pertaining to the current condition and future challenges of Friends. Many concerns, strengths and hopes were shared over the course of this consultation process. This workshop will offer an opportunity to discuss the data collected during ESR's Consultation and the issues it raises regarding leadership among Friends. Leader: Jay Marshall, a member of New Castle Meeting (Indiana YM), is the Dean of Earlham School of Religion.

W4 The Elders Gathered at Balby, 1656 - Then & Now "Dearly beloved friends, these things we lay upon you..." These things - defined our first attempts at faith community. What were they? Can we update them? Leader: Katherine Smith, member of Maury River Meeting, is a longtime clerk, former Baltimore Yearly Meeting clerk, and is also a master gardener, a market gardener, and an exploring Friend. Limit 12

W5 Healing as a Quaker Ministry We will explore the historic and Spirit-led roots of hands-on healing in Quakerism, and how healing can be an example of faith and practice today. The healing traditions of George Fox and other early Quakers will be considered. We will practice some basic healing that anyone can do. (For more practice see the Spiritual Healing Using Touch workshop on Saturday). Leader: Rosalind Zuses, a member of Sandy Spring Meeting has a Healing Touch Therapy practice and sees her work as a ministry which extends the healing work of George Fox and other Quaker healers. Limit 20-24

W6 A Safe Place for Kids How to create a safe, healthy environment for children in your meeting. A must for meetings in the process of implementing a child protection policy. Leader: Phil Baisley, pastor of Williamsburg Friends Meeting (Indiana YM), is assistant professor of pastoral studies at Earlham School of Religion and has worked with Northwest YM on writing and implementing child protection policies.

W7 Global Warming as a Religious Issue We will discuss these questions: What do scientists know and project about global warming and its effects? Why is this a religious issue? How is public policy related to global warming as a religious issue? Leader: Ed Dreby, member of Mt. Holly (NJ) Meeting, a former Friends school teacher and administrator, is project leader of Philadelphia YM's Environmental Working Group, a member of the National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Working Group, and Interfaith Climate Campaign coordinator for the PA Council of Churches.

W8 Community Building As a Way to Peace We will focus on how to develop community through the use of the tools and methods of nonviolence. Dominque and Gary are working to build a local peace movement in Baltimore to create a culture of peace and eliminate the availability of weapons. Leaders: Dominque Robinson and Gary Gillespie are staff members for the Baltimore Program of AFSC-MAR. Gary is a member of Homewood Monthly Meeting.

W9 Prayerful Optimism & Opportunities for Volunteers & Supporters & Messengers An exploration of the lessons and teachings available to us when we consider both the response of BYM Friends in supporting the service by Released Friends, and in our own volunteering in a variety of settings. We give money, we give time, we help facilitate and lead, we are messengers, story tellers and caregivers. Sometimes we are listeners, quietly present and available. This experiential workshop will provide an opportunity to reflect and share what these responses may mean, and where this may be leading us as Friends here during our annual sessions, and back in our home meetings. Leaders: Bob Fetter and Peter Schenck with others from the Ad Hoc Committee for Continuation of Oversight for Released Friend, Pat Kutzner Limit 18

W10 Quaker Parenting and Positive Discipline Since the earliest days of the Religious Society of Friends, Quaker advisers have stressed the importance of parenting children to both nourish their inner spirit as well as instill self-discipline. We will discuss how traditional Quaker values emphasize compassionate love, self-discipline, and responsibility in family life today. We will also be teaching proven techniques used to redirect misbehavior, without pain, blame or shame. Leaders: Emory Luce Baldwin, assisted by Sherri Morgan. Emory, a member of Adelphi Monthly Meeting, has been a Parent Educator with the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP) in Kensington, Maryland for over three years. Sherri, a member of Patapsco Preparative Meeting, is a clinical social worker, a former child and family therapist, and has participated in parent education training at PEP. The workshop will be repeated on Saturday and participants can attend one or both workshops.

W11 Conflict Resolution in Our Families, at Home & at Meeting Learn some of the ways conflict resolution can transform and build community in our First Day Schools & Meetings, at home, and in our daily lives. Experiential exercises and games will help us explore our views of conflict, bias and spirituality. Leaders: Maggie Allen Morris and Linda Heacock. Maggie is currently a member of Charlottesville Meeting, having transferred from Adelphi. She has 15 years experience with Children's Creative Response to Conflict. Linda is a member of Richmond Meeting where she is on the Peace & Social Order Committee. She works with the Conflict Resolution Committee and is on the board of FAVAN, a project for Families out of the Peace & Justice Center.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

S1 Friends and the Holy Spirit How does the Holy Spirit pertain to Friends? By researching Biblical passages and early Friends' accounts, we will consider how Jesus and the early Christians experienced this Spirit, and how continually seeking it has been an integral part of Friends' experience - helping to guide our worship, ministry and actions. Please bring your Bible. Leader: Evangeline (Vonnie) Calland, a member of Charlottesville Meeting, is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School.

S2 The Apostle Paul's Mysticism of the Cross We will read and discuss several passages from the letters that address Paul's experience of the resurrected Jesus. The workshop is a forum structured with time for prayerful thought and worship sharing. Please bring your Bible. Leader: Tricia Robinson, a member of Annapolis Meeting, is on the program committee of The Quaker Institute of Servant Leadership and studying theology at the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary's Seminary. Limit 12

S3 Holy Expectancy -- Deepening Our Worship Experience What did "worship" mean to early Friends? What does it mean to us today? Working with quotations from Barclay's Apology, we will explore the meaning of worship and seek a deeper worship experience for ourselves. Leader: Betsy Meyer, a member of Sandy Spring Meeting, is active in the BYM Spiritual Formation Program. Limit 15

S4 The Challenge of Forgiveness We will examine the spiritual importance of forgiveness in creating peace within ourselves and in the wider world, misconceptions about forgiveness, and challenges of the forgiveness process. The workshop will include the words of Jesus and others on forgiveness, worship, personal sharing, and resources. Leader: Jane Stowe, a member of Adelphi Meeting, has been active with Children's Creative Response to Conflict.

S5 The Soul Knows No Bars: Inmates Reflect on Life, Death, and Hope This workshop is based on the book of the same title by Drew Leder. He will present and discuss his work with violent offenders in a maximum security setting. In the book the prisoners are allowed to speak for themselves, as they reflect on the role of violence in their lives and the struggle to turn destructive energies into a force for creativity and healing. Leader: Drew Leder, a member of Baltimore MM Stony Run is a Professor of Philosophy at Loyola College, an author of several books, and has taught in the Maryland Penitentiary.

S6 Spiritual Healing Using Touch We will practice giving and receiving healing energy based on Healing Touch techniques. This is a gentle touch therapy with a focus on healing as an extension of God's love to us, and through us to others. Anyone can do this. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a pillow. (For history and background see Wednesday workshop Healing as a Quaker Ministry.) Leader: Rosalind Zuses, a member of Sandy Spring Meeting, is a practitioner of Healing Touch Therapy, whose healing ministry is an outgrowth of her spiritual journey as a life-long Quaker. Limit 20

S7 Friends Witness on Sexuality Worship-sharing on the queries and other material in a draft pamphlet of the same title by the Friends Committee on Unity with Nature. For example "What are our beliefs about the connection between sexuality and spirituality?" and "How can love and sexuality help deepen our spiritual lives as a couple?" Leader: Stan Becker, member of Baltimore Monthly Meeting Homewood, is professor of population studies at Johns Hopkins University and travels among Friends with a concern about rapid population growth.

S8 The Quaker Committee Meeting: Pitfalls, Pratfalls and Cloud 9 Review of characteristic Quaker principles and practices in committee meetings; responsibilities of clerks and members; problem of "the Quaker impasse." Workshop participants will be invited to submit written specific questions early in the week. Leader: Winifred Walker-Jones, a member of Friends Meeting of Washington, is a former clerk of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, former co-clerk of Friends Meeting of Washington and former clerk of various Yearly and Monthly Meeting committees.

S9 "How Shall I Serve?" Using the book, Mothers of Feminism, The Story of Quaker Women in America, by Margaret Hope Bacon as a beginning, we will discuss and explore the issue of balance between self and family versus witnessing to the world at large. The discussion will not be limited to women or women's issues nor is this a workshop for women only. Is it possible to speak to the needs of everyone - self, family, community, the world? How can we balance seemingly conflicting needs and leadings? Leader: Ramona Buck is a member of Patapsco Preparative Meeting (under the care of Sandy Spring Meeting).

S10 Evoking Our Gifts in Community Evoking and exercising our gifts and others' gifts is part of claiming our creativity and realizing the fullness of who we are in community. "When each person is exercising their gift they become an initiating center of life," says Gordon Cosby. Participants are encouraged to bring another person from their meeting with them. Advance reading: Eighth Day of Creation by Elizabeth O'Conner. Leader: Margery Larrabee, member of Friends Meeting of Washington, sojourns at Mt. Holly Meeting (Philadelphia YM), is an author, a graduate of Shalem and School of the Spirit, and a workshop and retreat leader.

S11 Planning for Our Bricks & Mortar Needs When we realize that we should be considering new, expanded or renovated meetinghouse facilities, how do we plan for the project, how do we manage it, and how do we make it happen? This workshop will explore ways for meeting communities to meet their need for physical facilities. Leader: Bruce Manger, AIA, a member of Baltimore Stony Run, is a principal with Cochran, Stephenson & Donkervoet, Inc. Bruce has designed and master-planned elementary schools and colleges, retirement communities, religious buildings, housing, offices, health care, corporate and other building types.

S12 Quaker Parenting and Positive Discipline Repeat of Wednesday's workshop. Participants can attend one or both workshops.

S13 Conflict Resolution in Our Families, at Home & at Meeting Repeat of Wednesday's workshop. Participants can attend one or both workshops.

INTEREST GROUPS are scheduled (Thursday evening or Friday afternoon) to take care of items of concern to the Yearly Meeting. Committees or individuals have requested these Interest Groups. Interest Groups may be scheduled after our arrival at Annual Sessions; if so they will be listed in the Daily Minute (the on-site newsletter).

Thursday Evening

Right Sharing Activities for Religious Education The workshop will demonstrate the use of several activities, many of them successfully tried by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, to teach Right Sharing. Leader: Edith Ballard, member of Homewood Meeting, is clerk of BYM Right Sharing of World Resources.

What Does Indian Affairs Committee Do and Why We will have a panel of committee members who will tell about their particular interests and work with Native Americans. This will be an interactive experience with plenty of dialogue with the audience. The work of Pat Kutzner will be included. Leader: Indian Affairs Committee

The Book Exchange: Turning Rural & Immigrant Children into Book Lovers: We will discuss how to turn children and their families on to reading, in particular, how we work with isolated rural and non English speaking children here in Western Pennsylvania. We will also discuss a new approach to reading especially meant for parents to use with their own children and how Friends can contribute to this effort. Leader: Peggy Reimann has taught in east Africa and south America, home schooled her own daughter, and develops curriculum and runs programs for Pennsylvania migrant education.

You Get More Visitors With a Website: Let the world know about you Meeting, committee, or project. Visit the BYM website, sites of Monthly Meetings and projects. Learn how your Meeting can attract visitors with easily prepared sites. Leaders: Jason Eaby and Howard Fullerton Jason is a computer professional and Howard is responsible for a website that receives up to 1.5 million visits a month.

Friday Afternoon

Identifying, Collecting and Organizing Records: Offered to help Monthly Meetings and their Recorders exchange information on identifying, collecting and organizing the records of their Meetings. Leaders will share tips on how to keep records manually as well as recommend software and database setup for maintaining records on the computer. Leader: Records Committee

Seeking Clearness on "What is marriage?" What are the essentials of marriage that have remained the same over the centuries? How has marriage changed? Would marriage for same-sex couples be a revolution or evolution? Leaders: Aron Teel participates in a travel ministry concerning equal rights to marriage for same-sex couples and Catherine Sherman is a graduate student in Religious Studies (ethics) at the University of Virginia, former pastor of Valley Mills Friends Meeting in Indianapolis. Both attend Charlottesville Monthly Meeting.

Where are we going? The Future of the BYM Camping Program What are your concerns, joys, and fantasies about the Camping Program? Too big? Not big enough? Come share your thoughts and ask questions at this interest group/brainstorming session. Josh Riley, Camp Administrator, will listen, discuss and record. ALL are encouraged to take part (skeptics as well as the convinced). Leader: Josh Riley, Camp Administrator, has been involved with the camping program as camper and staff person for 17 years.

What are Young Friends? Why do they act so crazy? What is Executive Committee? What are FAPS? When do they gather? What do they do? Would my teenager fit in? What does all of this have to do with Quakerism? What do parents have to do with Young Friends? Are you wondering about Young Friends? Do you have a rising 9^th or 10^th grader, and are maybe wondering if this is for your child? Has your teen been attending conferences, and you'd like to know more about them? Or are you just plain wondering what all the fuss is about?? We can answer questions, listen to your concerns and ideas, and give us parents and adults a chance to look at our Baltimore Yearly Meeting Young Friends. All are welcome to attend this Interest Session. Leaders: Michele Levasseur, Youth Secretary and Abby Gaffron, Co-Clerk of Young Adult Friends.

Junior Yearly Meeting

Junior Yearly Meeting is excitedly preparing for another dynamite program. Junior Yearly meeting provides the programming for our youth ages birth to rising 8th Grade. This year, rising 9th graders will be included in with Young Friends on most activities, since they become Young Friends at the close of sessions.

While the Yearly Meeting has chosen not to have a theme, JYM cannot exist without one. Our theme is DANCING WITH GOD. But if you were still a kid (and perhaps you are!) the premier kid dance is the Hokey-Pokey: Put your right foot in, put your right foot out... Turn yourself about. That's what its all about! If our kids can understand that true living is really a dance with God: then THAT'S WHAT IT ALL ABOUT!!

We provide classes and programs in the morning 9-12, in the afternoon, and in the evening. Nursery runs most the same times, and the Junior Young Friends design much of their own program.

The all age celebration is on Friday. Its in line with our dancing theme. We will be making our own rhythm instruments, and using them to highlight various dances. We look forward to seeing all our Friends, new and old, everyone at Yearly Meeting in August.

Eric Uberseder

Carey Memorial Lecture

Jay Marshall, Dean of Earlham School of Religion, is graduate of Guilford College and earned a PhD from Duke University. Jay's dissertation is titled The Book of the Covenant: An Anthropological Approach to Biblical Law. He has served the Religious Society of Friends in many capacities. Recorded as a Friends minister by North Carolina Yearly Meeting, he has fifteen years of pastoral experience. Jay's ministry includes teaching, as well as authoring books and occasional articles. He has clerked committees such as Yearly Meeting Ministry and Oversight. At the center of his ministry lies a passion for leading, nurturing, and training others who are exploring and answering their own calls to ministry.

Attention Rising Ninth Graders

On March 25th at Spring Yearly Meeting Day the Youth Programs Committee approved the following minute: "The Youth Programs Committee recommends that rising 9th graders be given the option of joining the Young Friends community at Yearly Meeting instead of the Fall conference. This decision should be made by the rising 9th grader and his or her parents/guardians when they send in their registration forms for the Yearly Meeting session."

At the Young Friends Conference held at the Clearing in Amelia, VA in April the Young Friends at a business meeting also approved this minute. Please note that this decision to attend Yearly Meeting as a Young Friend or as a member of the Junior Young Friends should be noted on your registration form so that both communities can make appropriate staffing and rooming adjustments in advance.

What this means is you can choose to be either a Young Friend or a Junior Young Friend. You should think about what you are ready for, and what you are looking to get out of your week (and talk to your parents!). However, it is important to realize that you can be either, but not both. Whichever you choose you must stick with the entire week (JYFs will be spending some time with the YFs over the weekend).

An All-Ages Quiz??

1. What Yearly Meeting Multi-Age event is sponsored by Young Friends?
    a.) Sun rise breakfast
    b.) Produce department
    c.) Daily hair coloring
    d.) Ultimate frisbee
2. What is the Produce Department?
    a.) An evening gathering of Junior Young Friends, Young Friends, and adults
    b.) A section of the cafeteria
    c.) A section of the zoo
    d.) An early morning gathering by the stream, where revelers consume lotsa fruit
3. What do people do at the Produce Department?
    a.) They scream and holler, and bang pots and pans
    b.) They laugh and get to know one another
    c.) They play games led by Young Friends
    d.) They have multi age discussions about really cool sounding topics
4.) How do you sign up for Produce Department?
    a.) You look for the place on the Yearly Meeting form and check off where indicated
    b.) You sign up on one of the display boards in the main lobby in Mac/Davis
    c.) You find a Young Friend and ask them
    d.) You write to Lamar Matthew, YM Clerk
5.) Why would I want to hang out at the Produce Department on Wed., Thurs., and Fri. night?
    a.) Because it is the most fun I will have at YM
    b.) Because I will love it
    c.) Because I just have to
    d.) Because it is where all the cool people are each of these evenings
    e.) Because I want to find out how to get 5 shades of color into my hair

Answer Key: 1; (b) of course! 2; (a). 3; all, but (a) hasn't been done yet! 4; all but (d)..the best way is (a), though! 5; all of them might work...I can't decide for you, but (e) is the secret reason for 4 out 5 Quakers!

So now you know! What are you waiting for? Sign up before you send in your registration!! Call Michele at the Yearly Meeting Office for more info!!

Friends House

Friends House Retrirement Community is located in the country atmosphere of Sandy Spring, Maryland. It is under the care of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting. The retirement community consists of, studio and one-bedroom apartments, cottages, and a nursing home. Most apartments are administered under the Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines and are for those of moderate income. The publication of a quarterly newsletter is only one of the many volunteer activities engaged in by the residents. The following article is reprinted from a recent edition of "The Friends House Letter".

If you would like further information about Friends House, please contact the Resident Director at 301-924-5100.

HELP NEEDED! HELP GIVEN! The coveted awards of Friends House volunteers in our Haviland Hall intermediate care facility and Stabler Hall nursing home are the smiles from the residents and patients. (Of course to get a smile you have to give one.)

From a humble experimental beginning about six years ago, our volunteer program has grown to be an important part of the lives of those in Haviland and Stabler. Currently there is a roster of approximately fifty volunteers. This number includes those who work regularly or part-time as substitutes, emergency replacements, spouses, and other relatives, according to Mary Moulton. Mary, who is now coordinator, and another resident, Betty Hutchinson, originated the concept.

The professional Activities Staff, headed by Bobbee Kolb, provides guidance and support to these efforts. The volunteers operate in two major areas: "visiting," which includes reading, assisting with a writer's project, playing Bingo, and simply conversing about personal interests and life experiences. Recruitment, advice, and scheduling for these is handled by resident Betty Tenney. Betty says that volunteers who like dealing with people enjoy this work; she tells them to "just go with the flow."

Approximately half of the patients in Stabler cannot feed themselves. Eating is essential to their well-being, but hand feeding requires much patience. It can take up to an hour per patient. Even if the staff assistants who do this on a regular basis had as many arms as an octopus, they would hardly have time for other necessary tasks.

For the last several months our Friends House Administrative staff have also been assisting in feeding at the dinnertime meal. There are currently 17 resident volunteers helping to feed patients on a regular basis, up to two meals per week. Six additional volunteers are on stand-by.

Marjorie Ramphal is responsible for recruiting and scheduling volunteers for feeding. All our volunteers receive the brief, intensive training as state law requires. This is given by Maria Locraft, Assistant Director of Nursing. The spirit of volunteer service has been a tradition at Friends House since its inception. It is alive and well at present, but the need for new volunteers is ongoing. Remember, you too will probably need some help in the future!

Don McCandless, Friends House Resident

Washington Quaker Workcamps

Are you looking for meaningful and fun activities for your Young Friends? Look for the 2000-2001 Washington Quaker Workcamps Brochure coming out this summer! We have several opportunities for Quaker youth and their friends to do service work in the DC metro area. We sponsor weekend events throughout the school year, and will be happy to include your monthly or quarterly youth group in our program. Need info now? Call Michele Levasseur at the Yearly Meeting Office.

AFSC/DC Bumps into the Local Police

"The World Bank and the IMF have been quietly writing the rules that keep the world safe for multinational corporations while economically depriving billions around the world. A range of forces that value human and ecological dignity over corporate profits and trickle-down economics came together in Seattle. As the co-director of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers Lucas Benitez says, `Consciousness + Commitment = Change!' Here we are in Washington DC, the very heart of political and institutional control over the global economy - where the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are located" So begins the "Action Guide" written by our training working group for the April 16th action to protest the unjust power of the two organizations most responsible for global oppression.

For the American Friends Service Committee's DC office, April 16th, 2000, will long be remembered as the day after the police raid. About seventy-five metropolitan police along with three fire marshals entered the planning headquarters on Saturday morning for the surprise raid. Miraculously, on Monday evening (17^th) all the charges of fire code violations were dropped. People working in our office building were denied entrance for three days.

The convergence site on Florida Ave. was the welcome center for the mobilization. As activists came to town, they checked in, enrolled in workshops (ranging from nonviolence training, to issue forums, to meditation and yoga). Before our eyes a vibrant community took root. As the activist community spilled out onto Florida Avenue, local residents enjoyed the food, dance, and helped make puppets and milled with the crowds.

We at AFSC worked all week to bridge any gaps between the activist community and "business-as-usual" in our building and the neighborhood. It soon became apparent that we were needed to act as mediators/peacekeepers between the activists and the community and between the activists and the building owner. On Friday the 14th our peacekeeping role expanded to include the DC Metropolitan Police.

I agreed to meet - independent of the Mobilization - with two high-ranking officers of the DC Metropolitan Police. I took with me a monk who teaches yoga in Brazil, a young man sent by his Monthly Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a local EMT who volunteered with the independent media center. We soon all agreed our goals for the week were the same: a nonviolent protest exercising first amendment rights with no one getting hurt. After 2 hours, the meeting came to an end without any concrete gains but a deeper understanding of each other's viewpoints.

Why all the fuss? Our "global south" neighbors tell us they understand. They, too, are surveyed and suppressed when they start to organize. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have for years claimed to champion the poor- with little or no input from those they "serve". Structural adjustment doesn't trickle down.

Building solidarity for a people-centered economy was the goal of the week of Mobilization for Global Justice. A decentralized movement with no leaders proved that everyone has the responsibility of leadership. As I negotiated with the Assistant Police Chief to release the puppets from behind the police line, others secured churches to continue the nonviolence trainings.

The renewed peace movement is taking seriously its responsibility to confront the many hubs of power and oppression in the world of the 21st Century. Perhaps Margaret Mead was right when she said, "It only takes a few committed people to change the world."

Bette Hoover, Director, DC Peace and Economic Justice Program/AFSC

Meeting News

Adelphi
Births: Noah Jose Jusino, 11/17/99 to Chris and Diana Jusino

Alexandria
Marriages: Darcie Hammer and Rich Engler 2/20/00; Deaths: Alice Evelyn Winder Smith 2/10/00

Annapolis
Annapolis recently held its annual Spring Quaker Market. Around twenty Friends spent the day working the Market and building fellowship with people from all over our community.

Adult religious education included a Saturday workshop in March, "What I Believe" led by Pat Schenck, an opportunity to explore and inventory the range of beliefs held by Friends. On April 30, Marcia Ornsby, a surgeon practicing in Annapolis, led a workshop on "Spirituality and Healing."

We are donating a tree for the grounds of the new Roman Catholic Church, St. John Neumann, to welcome them to our block. We are invited to the consecration on May 5. We hope to work with them and with the Universalist Unitarian Church midway between us to develop a meditative walking path in the ravine that joins us.

Our First Day School is preparing boxes of school supplies to be sent to school children in Iraq.

Midweek meeting has resumed at the Meeting House and at other locations every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Baltimore, Stony Run
Births: Alice Olivia Carnell, 4/17/00 to Jon Kevin Carnell and Teresa Burt-Carnell; William Robert Kimberly, 3/8/00 to Polly Breyer Kimberly and Christopher Kimberly; Death: Mildred Tyson, 2/17/00

Bethesda
In February, the Meeting held its first-ever blood drive, which brought out many donors.

On March 26 we saluted Ted and Ria Hawkins as they move to Collington retirement community in Mitchellville, MD. A minute of appreciation was read, recalling their 36 years with the Meeting and highlighting their many contributions to both Bethesda and the Yearly Meeting. A number of "old-timers" returned for the salute, making it a festive and joyful occasion.

Two weeks later, the Meeting hosted a dialogue on the Living Wage for both the meeting and the broader community, offering a a variety of perspectives on the problems of poverty within Montgomery County.

Our Peace and Social Justice committee has just concluded a series of well-attended, before-Meeting forums on The Peace Testimony today. The committee has also proposed a minute opposing the death penalty, "Moratorium 2000" which the Meeting plans to bring to the Yearly Meeting. Births: Emma Karin Warnick, 5/23/99 to Christina & Harvey Warnick; Julia Noelle Henderson, 3/24/00 to Laura Henderson Deaths: Jane Gronewald, 2/14/00; Lois Perry Meng, 2/17/00

Deer Creek
Besides regular First Day School responsibilities, the Religious Education Committee has coordinated intergenerational activities, including a fun-filled song and game night, and a Sunday morning program on "Music as Ministry." Also, the children are working with a local needy family on various projects, and the children are assembling school kits for children in Iraq. Recently, Friends enjoyed a very informative session on Indian concerns, led by Ned Gignoux from FCNL. Deer Creek was the host to about 100 Darlington Elementary School students and parents during their study of the underground railroad.

Floyd
At the end of October Floyd Friends held a Southwestern Virginia weekend gathering at the Meeting House. Under the leadership of Georgia Fuller of Alexandria Meeting, we considered the genre of apocalyptic literature and the religious, social, and political implications of the book of Revelations. The millennial expectations during George Fox's time, the impact of Revelations on Fox and the openings he received on the book made it particularly relevant to Quakers today in terms of continuing revelation and the importance of community. Our weekend included worship, song, shared meals and a contra dance.

Throughout the succeeding months we have met once a month midweek for a shared meal and adult discussion on the gospels of Mark and Luke and twice a month for singing.

Gettysburg
Saturday, March 19, Gettysburg Friends held a rice dinner to consider the vast differences between "haves" and "have nots" in our world. On arrival, we randomly assigned each Friend a country. Those Friends assigned to third-world countries received only a small cup of rice and weak tea while Friends assigned to richer countries were able to browse a loaded buffet of potluck offerings. After an appropriate pause, all Friends were then invited to the buffet.

In addition to the Meeting adults, five children from the First Day School attended the dinner. The kids' responses were wonderful -- especially the expression on the 5-year-old randomly assigned to be a "has-not." Mary Gemmill, First Day teacher, did a fantastic job of explaining the reasons and also a great job of preparing the rice and assembling information packets for each country.

Goose Creek
Deaths: Alice Myers Perry, 12/15/99; Ethel Smythe, 12/27/99; Howard T. Brown, 4/12/00

Marriages: Polly Pierpoint Graham to Byran Wedemeyer, 12/10/99; John Janney to Jo Anne Winterble, 1/1/00

Gunpowder
A silent retreat is held at the Meeting House on the third Seventh Day (Saturday) of each month. The schedule, running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., includes corporate worship and personal time which can be used for reading, meditating, writing, browsing the library or walking the scenic countryside. Marshall and Virginia Sutton facilitate the retreats. Deaths: Virginia Taylor, 2/18/00

Harrisonburg
We held the first meeting for worship in the former church, purchased last October, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. It was followed by the April meeting for business. An open house for the community is planned for late May and a visit by representatives of all Friends Meetings is planned for June.

Little Britain
Pendle Hill students will again come to work on Ballance Meeting House and grounds. They will spend the weekend of June 30-July 2 at Eastland with a workday on July 1 at Ballance. These young Friends from around the country are wonderful people to know.

Little Falls
One of the most delightful children's First Day programs we have enjoyed was a Chinese New Year celebration complete with dragon and fire crackers. A noisy procession, with drums beating and cymbals clashing, led Friends to the schoolhouse for a Chinese meal. Maureen and Bill Clark want their daughter, Eliza, to remember her Chinese heritage, and this was their way of sharing it with us on February 27.

Friends continue to collect food on the first Sunday of the month. April and May will be clothing collection time for AFSC. Our speaker on April 9^th was Peter Vermilye, head of Friends School, lower school. He gave an account of the effects of sanctions against Iraq. These are especially devastating to children.

The Overseers Committee met to consider the Quaker decision making process and same-gender unions.

On April 16^th Mary Ellen Saterlie gave a comprehensive presentation on the Quaker process, explaining the difference between the sense of the meeting and the concept of consensus.

On April 30^th we had a presentation of our new signature quilt. We had Friends from near and far. Following a photo session of Friends and quilt, we held a reception in the schoolhouse.

Midlothian
This year's nominating committee found many Friends willing to serve. The Thrifty Quaker thrift store has provided monetary proceeds to nonprofit agencies for individuals in crisis in the community. As an outgrowth of the Thrifty Quaker, Friends Share was developed under the guidance of Peace and Social Concerns. Friends Share allows Thrifty Quaker proceeds to be used for individuals, referred by members and attenders, who need an immediate financial resolution to a crisis situation.

Midlothian Meeting continues to seek spiritual guidance about proceeding with plans to acquire a building of its own. The Midlothian newsletter has created a column for reflections regarding future building plans. Two families were a part of last summer's Friends General Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan and this year even more will attend Friends General Conference in New York. Young Friends continue to participate in Young Friends Conferences and the last one was held at the Clearing with FAPs from Midlothian and Richmond Meeting being some of the participants.

Patuxent

After several years of consideration and loving discussion, Patuxent Friends recently reached unity on accepting the offer from Adelphi Monthly Meeting of transferring ownership of the Patuxent Quaker cemetery in Hughesville, MD. Acceptance was in the spirit of thankfulness, joy and excitement for this generous gift. Our goal will be to complete the transfer of ownership by the end of the millennium (2000). We are actively pursuing incorporation of our Meeting to facilitate the process.

Young Friends recently enjoyed the opportunity to participate in exchange visits with the Lexington Park Unitarian Universalists youth. This was a highly informative program, and we hope to nurture our continuing relationship with the Unitarian Universalists.

Patuxent Friends enjoyed hosting Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting at Solomon Island, MD, on March 12th. Business meeting and meeting for worship were followed by a program, "Celebrating the Creation of the Chesapeake." This program of songs and story marked our passage into the new millennium, calling attention to the larger story of our participation in the evolution and ongoing life of this wonder-full place called Chesapeake. Tom Wisner, Chesapeake environmental educator, musical and graphic artist, led us in song and story. Sara Ebenreck, member of Patuxent Meeting and coordinator of Environmental Studies area at St. Mary's College of Maryland, facilitated our discussion of how we envision the future of the Chesapeake. Many Friends commented on how deeply they were moved by the program.

Richmond
Plans are underway for the Memorial Day weekend Spring Retreat, an annual event that this year will focus on sharing our talents with each other. Most activities will be intergenerational and there will be opportunities for sacred dance, learning about centering prayer, nature walks and noncompetitive games, plus a talent show and our own Friendly Bluegrass Band.

On March 26 at Rise of Meeting, John Calvi led about thirty members and attenders in a forum entitled "When there is trouble in Meeting — conflict, reconciliation and the meaning of membership." He spoke of the importance of working past fear and fully appreciating one's own worth as steps on the road to healing for both individuals and groups.

The youth of Meeting sponsored a book and bake sale on April 9 to raise money for protection of the rain forests. Proceeds will go to The Nature Conservancy Adopt-An-Acre program. Junior Young Friends are planning a Spring Teen Quake, scheduled for May 20.

Sandy Spring
In March, approximately fifty women and attenders of Sandy Spring Meeting gathered in our Community House for a day-long women's retreat. We explored in small groups and shared in the large gathering the many things we had in common. We offered morning and afternoon workshops on a wide range of topics. The day ended with time for socializing and a potluck supper. The retreat participants appreciated the opportunity to make connections with other women in our large Meeting. We hope to make this a regular event.

State College
We have been struggling with our (large) First Day School. In the fall, we moved First Day School to 10:00 (leaving Meeting for Worship at 11:00). The goal was to allow the First Day School teachers to attend Meeting for Worship, and to encourage our children to do so. Some Friends like the changes, including some who were originally doubtful. The increase in the number of parents around at the ten o'clock hour has enabled us to run two adult programs at that time our Adult Discussion continues, and we have added an Adult Bible Study. However, many Friends do not like the new schedule. The dissatisfaction comes from many sources, such as difficulty in providing child care during Meeting for Worship, and difficulty getting up an hour earlier on Sunday. However, the biggest factor seems to be the busyness of Friends, who find it hard to devote two hours to meeting on Sunday a factor also noticed by our Nominating Committee. It has been suggested that we hold a "Meeting for Busy-ness" but we have not had time yet.

Deaths: Mary Wilson, 11/23/99; Mae Smith Bixby, 1/20/00; Bob Peck, 3/2/00

Washington
Monthly Meeting for Business approved at its April meeting official sponsorship of the Million Mom March scheduled for May 14 to draw attention to the life-threatening danger of guns and to ask Congress to enact restrictions on handguns.

The Meeting's Book and Crafts Sale was set for May 6 with the proceeds to be divided equally among AFSC-DC, the Hunger-Homelessness Taskforce, Baltimore Yearly Meeting support of Pat Kutzner and the Mary Jane Simpson college scholarship fund.

The Meeting has begun considering how to address problems with the heating system. Longer term solutions tend to be in the $50,000 range.

Friends have instituted a Spiritual Journey Meeting for Learning series that features one Friend each month sharing his or her spiritual journey with the group.

Concern for how the Meeting responds to visitors, attenders and members who suffer from thought and mood disorders have led to the establishment of a task group on the issue. The group is planning a Mental Health Fair Day for the Meeting what would involve speakers, workshops and representatives form various mental health service organizations.

Friendship Preparative Meeting reports that it has grown lately to a regular presence of about fifteen at each Meeting for Worship and a core group of about twenty-five.

Deaths: Jane Rouse Gronewald, 2/14/00; Bonnie M. Ogram, 4/19/00

Shepherdstown Worship Group
A worship group has begun meeting in Shepherdstown, WV. They are currently meeting at 10:30 a.m. on each First Day in the homes of friends. Please call Sheila Bach at 304/728-4820 or e-mail: sbach@tidalwave.net for location. All are welcome.

Staff News

Michele Levasseur, Youth Secretary, is to increase her responsibilities July 1 to include developing programs for Junior Young Friends. For a couple of years the members of the Youth Programs Committee have had a concern for Junior Young Friends. Michele, in consultation with adults already working with Junior Young Friends, will develop programs and retreats. She is available to support, or help develop, youth work in Quarters. This expands the work she is currently undertaking in supporting the work of Young Friends. Michele will also spend some of her time developing a stronger work camp environment, through providing administrative support for Washington Quaker Workcamps.

The Interchange is published by Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends • 301 774-7663 • Fax: 301 774-7087 • bymrsf@igc.org

Baltimore Yearly Meeting
17100 Quaker Lane
Sandy Spring, MD 20860