Fifth Month, 2003

QUERIES for the Fifth Month: EDUCATION

• Do your children receive the loving care of the meeting?
• Does the influence of the meeting promote their religious life and encourage their desire for service to others?
• What efforts are you making to educate all your members in the knowledge of the Bible, especially the teachings of Jesus and their relevance to the principles and practices of Friends?
• Do those of you who are parents seek to share your deepest beliefs with your children, while leaving them free to develop as the Spirit of God may lead them?
• Do you encourage members to consider the advantages of education in Friends' schools and colleges for their children and do you give such financial aid as may be necessary?

CALENDAR NOTES

1. Spring Planting: We are looking for some donations of annuals to brighten up the front yard and willing hands to plant them. We also need some window washers and yard rakers (with rakes if you have them) for spring clean up.
2. Nurture body and soul among Friends: Jean Larsen is leading us in part two of Faithful Deeds, Building Peace. Together we will explore the meaning of this topic in a relaxed and Friendly setting after dinner. We will be meeting as usual at the Buskirks.
3. Bible Seminar: Please read Paul's Letter to the Galatians in preparation for this study.

Meeting News

• Please hold Judy Shea in the LIGHT as she faces a new health challenge.
• The Meeting joyfully accepted Maria Victoria Ayarza into membership. Welcome, Maria Victoria!
• Please hold Jeannie Buskirk in the LIGHT as she recovers from her illness.
• We were well represented at Southeastern Yearly Meeting by Maria Victoria Ayarza, Jean Larson, Annie McPherson and David Cook, George Newkirk, Connie Ray, Morris and Lucy Trimmer, and Laura Winefordner.
• Knowing the Other: Gainesville Interfaith Committee, in their ongoing effort to promote interfaith dialogue, is sponsoring two events this month. Basic tenets of the Ba'hai faith will be presented May 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Ba'hai Center on 19th Street. The following Sunday, May 25, at 4:30 at a site to be announced (probably on campus), a Muslim woman will be speaking about her experience of Sufism.
• GI Hotline in Gainesville: Judy Shea and Don Smith have been participating in a CCAWT committee that includes Vets for Peace and Mennonites as well as Quakers. This hotline will offer counseling to men and women in the armed forces who have suffered misrepresentation from officials. Counselors will be needed to man the phones. Talk to Judy or Don if you are interested in helping.
• Fill a Bucket! FOR Iraqi Relief Pack these items in a box:
  • 1 plastic bottle of shampoo (450-830ml/13-24oz in plastic bag);
  • 4 bars bath soap;
  • 10 cups powdered laundry detergent, (double bag in 4 litre/1 gal resealable bags)
  • 1 squeeze tube toothpaste (minimum 130 milliliters/6 oz);
  • 4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)
  • 4 NEW bath towels (medium weight, NOT white);
  • 1 box of adhesive bandages, (minimum 40, assorted)
  • 1 each, hairbrush, wide-tooth comb and fingernail clipper
  • 1 package of sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi or ultra thin)
  Deliver the box to Emmanuel Mennonite Church by May 14. It will be transported to the collection point where it will be packed in a bucket. Please mark your contribution: "Iraq Crisis Response" and deliver to Emmanuel Mennonite Church, 1320 West University Avenue, Gainesville, for sending to the MCC collection site.

  AFSC is also taking part in this effort, but does not have a local collection point.

From MINISTRY AND OVERSIGHT

• Pastoral care of Meeting
• Concerns with Meeting membership: Provides oversight and selection of clearness committees for membership; Maintains contacts with members who have not been in contact with the Meeting.
• Adult religious education. Meeting retreats and community-building.
• Provides oversight and support for the clerk and the business sessions.
• Carries the concern for the spiritual health of the Meeting.
• Ministry concerns.
• Provides leadership in the Meeting.
• May provide or help with conflict resolution within the Meeting.
• May be legal representatives for the Meeting. (Clerk is named an officer on state incorporation documents.)
• Tenders requests for personal financial assistant.