SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting Poughkeepsiequakers.org Try to make at least one person happy every day. If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word. If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought -- L.G. Lovasik Advice 9 Care should be taken that all of our members avoid participation in lotteries, gambling, and betting, including such schemes of chance that appeal as benevolences. Friends should refrain from hazardous speculation and are cautioned against engaging in business that may be questionable. They are responsible for the manner of acquiring, using, and disposing of their possessions.

Query 5 Do we keep to moderation and simplicity in our daily lives? Have we allowed the acquisition of possessions to interfere with God’s purpose for us? Are our homes places where the presence of God is felt by those who live there and those who visit there? Do we choose such recreations as are wholesome and consistent with Christian character? Are we careful in our choice of ways to use our time and energy?

Yearly Meeting at Silver Bay

Letter from the yearly meeting clerk:

Dear Friends, 476 of us gathered on the shores of Lake George for the 321st Session of New York Yearly Meeting. We held in our hearts all those who were not with us this week – those still at home and those members of prison worship groups for whom attendance is impossible. We celebrated our blessed community in many ways. Each morning we joined in community worship.

Our new Children and Youth Field Secretary, Melinda Wenner Bradley, told stories of our worship together, surrounded on the stage by children. We sang familiar and new songs. We had a period of waiting worship and went out into our busy days grounded and as one. We celebrated Helen Garay Toppins’ 25 years and counting as our Associate Secretary. We celebrated the contributions of our Communications Director, Steve Davison, as he moves into retirement. We welcomed our new Powell House Directors, Regina Baird Haag and Dennis Haag. We danced! We ate s’mores around the campfire and lots of ice cream. We heard a report from the White Privilege Conference Task Group, who having accomplished their goal of 100 New York Yearly Meeting attendees at the conference, laid themselves down. They point out that the work of ending racism goes on in standing committees and groups of NYYM: Black Concerns, Prisons, and Indian Affairs committees, the Task Group on Racism in NYYM, and the European American Quakers Working to End Racism Working Group. Our General Secretary, Christopher Sammond, spoke of his leading to resign as General Secretary at the end of summer sessions 2017. His testimony was moving, and is can be downloaded here. The Yearly Meeting is entering a period of prayerful consideration of our staffing structure as we prepare for this change. We heard our State of Society report, a more comprehensive report than we remember ever receiving. Although the written report can’t replicate the striking visuals that accompanied the report, you can read it here. We approved a minute of support for Sara Niccoli, who has come under attack for her refusal, based on Quaker faith, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in her role as Palatine, New York Town Supervisor. You can read the minute here, and the press release that went out about the minute here. We had a moving period of worship on the life of William Sims, a member of Poplar Ridge MM who spent the last 43 years of his life in prison. Again, we can’t replicate the quality of that worship, which was deep and full of grief not just for the passing of Bill but also for the inequities and tragedies of our prison system. But please spend some time in reflection, if you are called to, as you read the memorial minute here. There is so much more. Take a look at the minutes and attachments—you will see who has been called to service on committees, see continued movement toward transparency in our finances, see newly approved revisions to Faith and Practice, and much more. Those of us gathered thought of you as we worked and played.

- Lucinda Antrim Clerk, NYYM

Observations from two Poughhkeepsie Friends

From Fred Doneit: This summer, Jean and I went to Silver Bay for the first half only, to coincide with the stay of son Fred and family, including our two lovely granddaughters. With the perfect weather, the time went quickly with several beach afternoons, and time together on the Inn porch, at the ice cream shop, and at meals. From Poughkeepsie, l counted ten members and nine additional families at yearly meeting this year. Jean and I went to two business sessions at which the work of our Yearly Meeting staff was recognized, and appreciation expressed for the service of retiring Communications director, Steven Davison. With his departure, and the announced stepping down at next year's summer session of General Secretary Christopher Sammond, the Yearly Meeting will be challenged to replace two such

valuable people. I personally enjoyed the daily worship-sharing meetings which gave me the opportunity to reconnect with folks of the Earthcare Working Group. Our queries focused on two related topics: How we see ourselves as human-centered vs. Earth-centered in our personal lives; and what does it mean (to you) to be "in this world but not of it?" I met at one lunch meal with the Oakwood Friends School head of school, Chad Cianfrani, and other Oakwood supporters and interested parents. Chad responded to questions about the school, after he gave a short account of recent changes and progress in advancing the school's master plan. It was encouraging to me to see the broad support from around the Yearly Meeting for the school. From Dare Thompson : I only attend Sessions at Silver Bay for half a week every year, which is a little frustrating because I have to either leave just as things are getting exciting or come mid-week and try to figure out what everyone’s been up to. But three days are also plenty because I attend meetings from morning into the evening and the beautiful site is pretty much wasted on me. Much is accomplished and I love to connect with people throughout the NYYM, but it’s pretty exhausting!

Because the ARCH program was asking for $10,000 in financial support from the NYYM to make up for some projected donations that hadn’t been forthcoming - and so we could continue to have the needed services of a full time director - I (as clerk of its oversight body, the Committee on Aging Concerns), was especially busy. It was very helpful and lovely that the executive director of ARCH’s main funder, Friends Foundation for the Aging, was also there from Philadelphia for the third year in a row. After our request was discussed and approved by both Nurture and General Services Coordinating Committees, it was presented to the body in Meeting for Business, and after quite a bit of discussion, it was approved and the program was guaranteed a healthy future through the remainder of 2016.

That was a relief, and it was wonderful to observe how important ARCH has become throughout the YM. And shortly thereafter a truly remarkable thing happened. A former member of NYYM who was re-visiting Silver Bay after several years away offered to ask his family foundation for $10,000 (which has since been sent to NYYM) and another member turned in a check for $25,000 anonymously! The program is now guaranteed a healthy future through 2017. This is important because we are trying to develop a network of seven “local coordinators” who will spread the ARCH resources within their own parts of the NYYM, and until that network is firmly in place, we still need the full-time services of our wonderful director, Callie Janoff.

I also was delighted to observe this year at Silver Bay a greater than ever effort to become truly multi-generational in our worship, thanks in part to the recent addition of a field secretary whose primary focus is children and their families, Melinda Wenner Bradley. Melinda, Callie, Gabi Savory Bailey (young adult field secretary), and Christopher Sammond (general secretary) made a plenury session presentation that was both rich and entertaining about what each of them does to nurture the life of NYYM, and Melinda led a Community Worship at least twice where children were on stage with her. The youngsters in our midst actually seemed to elevate the worship and certainly in no way compromised it.

Young adult Marissa Badgley also gave a lively and powerful State of the Society report, complete with a PowerPoint presentation (goodness!) and the refrain, “We are here.” The crowd went as wild as

Quaker crowds get.

I hesitate to end on a sad note, but on Thursday, Gabi, who is in her 40s with two small children, had a mild but serious heart attack. Gabi’s husband, Jon, and Callie accompanied her to the hospital while others tended to the children, and she is now recovering at home. Calls and emails are discouraged but cards are welcome at 17 Maple Lane, Denville, NJ 07834. We hold her and her family in the Light.

Friends Meeting News

The Parsonage:

Negotiations with the Pirandello Institute have progressed smoothly, and they have applied to the City of Poughkeepsie for an Operating Permit in our newly renovated parsonage building. A city inspector has given us a "to do" list of items required for final approval, and the work is now in progress and should be completed this month.

We have been preparing a formal lease agreement, which will be reviewed by their board of directors. We are hoping that Pirandello can take occupancy by October 1. We are expecting that the initial lease will be for a five-year term, and will be renewable. Pirandello is an Italian cultural membership organization. They have applied for 501-c3 status, as a not-for-profit educational organization.

They have been functioning at several different locations, and now wish to bring all their programs together at one center. They teach several aspects of Italian culture: language, cooking, and performance arts. They love the kitchen and main rooms of our meeting house and plan to use those spaces several times each month. The parsonage will be used for their offices, meeting rooms, and classes.

- Fred Doneit

Recent Additions to the Library :

“Our Life Is Love: The Quaker Spiritual Journey” by Marcelle Martin

Our Life is Love describes the transformational spiritual journey of the first Quakers, who turned to the Light of Christ within and allowed it to be their guide. Many Friends today use different language, but are still called to make the same journey. In our time people seeking deeper access to the profound teachings of Christianity want more than just beliefs, they want direct experience.

Focusing on ten elements of the spiritual journey, this book is a guide to a Spirit-filled life that affects this world. Quakers in the seventeenth century and today provide examples of people and communities living in the midst of the world whose radical understanding of Christ's teachings led them to become powerful agents of social change. The book offers a simple, clear explanation of the spiritual journey that is suitable not only for Quakers, but for all Christians, and for seekers wanting to better understand our spiritual experience and the fullness of God's call to us. The book would make an

excellent focus for study groups.

Marcelle Martin has led workshops at retreat centers and Quaker meetings across the United States. She served for four years as the resident Quaker Studies teacher at Pendle Hill and was a core teacher in the School of the Spirit program, The Way of Ministry. She is the author of the Pendle Hill pamphlets Invitation to a Deeper Communion and Holding One Another in the Light. In 2013 she was the Mullen Writing Fellow at Earlham School of Religion while working on this book.

“The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day” a paperback by Dorothy Day

For almost fifty years, through her tireless service to the poor and her courageous witness for peace, Dorothy Day offered an example of the gospel in action. Now the publication of her diaries, previously sealed for twenty-five years after her death, offers a uniquely intimate portrait of her struggles and concerns. Beginning in 1934 and ending in 1980, these diaries reflect her response to the vast changes in America, the Church, and the wider world. Day experienced most of the great social movements of her time but, as these diaries reveal, even while she labored for a transformed world, she simultaneously remained grounded in everyday human life: the demands of her extended Catholic worker family; her struggles to be more patient and charitable; the discipline of prayer and worship that structured her days; her efforts to find God in all the tasks and encounters of daily life. In her story of faithful striving for holiness and the radical transformation of the world, Day’s life challenges readers to imagine what it would be like to live as if the gospels were true.

--Diane-Ellen McCarron

Ice Cream Social :

On August 6th from 6-9 pm, Advancement/Peace and Service sponsored the 2016 Ice Cream Social at the newly renovated parsonage. It was a festive occasion with many from our Meeting working together to make it a success. It was a beautiful evening and many people from the surrounding neighborhood joined in the festivities. We wanted to show off the parsonage and make the event more visible to the public. We had some outdoor tables as well as those inside.

Children were playing outside and everyone enjoyed each others company. This was the first Ice Cream Social in a couple of years. We wanted to show people that our Meeting is still alive and well and to bring together people from the neighborhood as well as to help a local non-profit organization that needs support. We had donations of beautiful cakes and cookies and a large variety of homemade ice creams. Balloons, flowers and music added to the atmosphere. Our members and attenders were so generous in their help. It was truly a Meeting effort that showed how togetherness could make for success! We made $361 and still have ice cream for sale that will go to the overall amount collected.

The proceeds from the event will go to Exodus Transitional Community, Inc. The mission of this organization is to provide supportive services to formerly incarcerated men and women in order to help them reintegrate into their communities, thereby achieving social and economic well-being and breaking the cycle of recidivism. Exodus has locations in East Harlem, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, NY and over

the last 17 years has served over 8000 women, men and youth believing in the transformational power that exists in each person

--Jean Doneit

Solitary Confinement:

Every Thursday from 5.30 to 6.30, a group (3 to 6) of demonstrators display two posters expressing Quakers' opposition to solitary confinement of prisoners. The location is the corner of Raymond and College Avenues in Poughkeepsie, next to the farmers' market. Jeanne Woods designed the posters and organized the demonstrations.

Demonstrations will continue into the fall. Come and join us: no application form required!

--Frank de Leeuw

From Green Haven:

Some Day It Will Get Better It will be easier to smile.

I know you're sad today, and I wish I could help you get past your hurt.

Sometimes it seems we just have to hurt a while and no one can show us the way out.

We have to find it for ourselves when the time is right.

For now just know that it's all right to hurt because it will.

Help us with our hurt. It's all right to cry; we will share your tears.

It's only through crying that we learn what it's really like

to laugh, so we must allow ourselves to feel what comes naturally.

But we know someday life will be easier and it will be easier to "Smile".

- Alvin Brown

My Friendship with Friends

In all of my days (12,750+ and counting) of imprisonment my Friendship with Friends has been most rewarding. Friends have helped me to understand a few important things in life, including the following:

Sunrise is the time when everything begins anew. Every day is a chance to start over, to do things right and help to make things better – one step at a time.

Power is not inherently good or bad. What matters is how it is used. It helps little to allow anger and frustration to fester until you hurt yourself or someone else. No one owes you a thing. What matters is who you are, the kind of person you will be, and the mark you leave behind in this world. Life may not

be fair but you must work to balance the scales yourself.

So I begin each day asking for the compassion to be given the knowledge and wisdom to show me how to walk a peaceful path. And I work to make each day better than the last. That is an improvement no one but you can make. Be it a person or an event, your contribution makes it that much more meaningful than it was before you rendered your service.

Most important of all, Friends' Friendship has taught me: There can be no us without you.

- Knowledge

Other News:

From Tim and Silvana

Dear Friends,

Since Silvana and I are presently in process of acquiring a piece of land and building a home in the Monteverde area and since New York Yearly Meeting does not allow dual membership status, I feel this is the appropriate time to request that my membership in Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting be transferred to Monteverde Friends Meeting. I value greatly the friendships gained at PFM and will continue to hold you in my heart and in the Light. I hope, too, to visit in person from time to time and we will welcome visits from those who may have occasion to come to Monteverde

While living here we have made many friendships, both among Monteverde Friends and in the larger community. We expect, little by little, to deepen the work begun, following a simple way of life that fosters peace, human rights, food security, and care of the earth and its many life forms.

Blessings to you all. In the Spirit,

Tim Lietzke

Crop Walk:

The annual CROP WALK will be on Sunday, October 16. Dare Thompson will be collecting names and pledges of walkers and donors.

-- Dare Thompson

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