Meeting News
Monthly Meeting for Business was held Oct 18, 2015. The following are highlights discussed within the business meeting and submissions by other committee clerks and individuals involved in the life of the Meeting:
Ministry and Counsel Committee reported by Melinda Foley-Marsello, clerk: The committee is continuing its work this year within the Emerging Ministries program with Beth Collea, Religious Education and Outreach Coordinator for NEYM. We have been awarded a modest grant to explore new forms of outreach and to raise awareness of what Westport Monthly Meeting has to offer to the wider community. Current plans are to replace the aging sign in front of our property with one that will also list our Meeting’s ongoing activities; create a display board in the Community House detailing the Spirit-lead topics explored by the Seekers Group; create a framed photo display series of “Meeting Life” on the walls around the Community House Hall; and to begin work of having Jennifer Moura establishing a text mural that says, “Let us see what love can do,” a quote by William Penn, high on the wall between the kitchen and hall of the Community House.
M&C recommends that we continue to experiment with repositioning the benches in the meetinghouse which, by their placement, brings us closer together during worship. (Last spring the benches were returned to their original configuration to accommodate a memorial service by an outside group and were never reset to the changed configuration over the summer months.) Friends agreed that the benches would be moved to the “closer” configuration during our Meeting Cleanup Day scheduled for Nov 1, 2015. Friends approved this suggestion.
Additional agenda items presented by Ministry and Counsel are detailed within the official (hard copy) minutes of the Monthly Meeting.
Finance Committee reported by Greg Marsello, clerk: Finances for 2015 remain on track. An end-of-year donation letter will be mailed out by the end of November. All contributions, including in-kind, are appreciated. The Finance Committee will be submitting the FY16 Budget at the November Business Meeting.
Property Coordinator: Because overseeing the Meeting’s calendar is part of her responsibility, Gretchen reminds Friends to be sure to check with her before scheduling committee meetings in our buildings to make sure that the space needed is not already booked. Once a proposed committee meeting date is confirmed, Gretchen places it on the Meeting’s Calendar.
Latest Property Coordinator’s Report is HERE.
Book Fair Steering Committee: Books continue to be dropped off. So far over 150 boxes of books have been completed and stored. A promotion plan for Book Fair 2016 is being developed by Laura LaTour and will include more social media and other surprises.
Religious Education and First Day School: Amy Lee Vieira, clerk reports: Adults within our Meeting community are encouraged to speak with Amy and others on the Religious Ed committee if they would like to lead one or more First Day School classes. A sign-up sheet is posted on the FDS Bulletin Board in the Community House. Please contact Amy if you have questions or suggestion. Email Amy HERE.
Other Items as Requested
The 2015-2016 Nominating Slate, which was modified and approved at our Sept business meeting, is posted to our site and can be read HERE.
The Connecticut Valley Quarterly Meeting’s Minute on Climate Change is posted to our site and can be read HERE.
Sandwich Quarterly Meeting News:
What’s happening in November at various monthly meetings with Sandwich Quarterly Meeting is posted on our site and can be read HERE.
NEYM News and updates:
NEYM Interim Book of Faith and Practice 2014 is posted online. Read it HERE.
NEYM 2015 Sessions Talking Points: (Basically major highlights of decisions made at annual Sessions in August) is posted HERE.
