July 10, 2022
(The @ signifies that the minute has been read and approved during Meeting. Please note that copies of all annual reports provided during this Meeting are on file with and available from the Clerk or Recording Clerk.)
2022.7.1 Opening Worship
Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends met on-line, using Zoom remote conferencing service, for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business on July 10, 2022. At 12:35pm, thirteen Friends settled into worship.
Clerk shared the agenda that includes only two reports. The Clerk shared that she and the Assistant Clerk will stay on Zoom after the end of our Meeting for open discussion.
2022.7.2 Ministry and Worship: Plans for Worship
Barbara Chase read a report from Ministry and Worship Committee that grew out of two gatherings in May where Friends reflected on the experience of hybrid worship. The report described positive and negative aspects of the hybrid worship experience. Overall, Friends have shared that the that the benefit of providing accessibility for Friends who are unable to attend in person outweighs the discomfort of using technology as a part of worship that some Friends experience. That said, we haven’t heard from all Friends, and we are continuing to learn about how this most recent development in our practice of worship will impact our spiritual community.
Ministry and Worship proposes that hybrid worship continue at the Third Street Meetinghouse indefinitely. Friends expressed gratitude for those who make the technology work each week, and for the recent dish-to-pass that gathered us together in person to share food together.
Friends received the report. @
2022.7.3 Treasurer’s Report: Quarterly Summary
Pat Sewell, treasurer, described that last year, the Meeting received a gift of significant size and as a result the Finance Committee is now developing a protocol for managing large gifts that might go beyond the annual budget request.
In reviewing the financial activity, Pat noted that the stock market has not been performing well, but that there were no immediate concerns for our Meeting. He further noted that this time of year is slow in term of financial activity, with few donations coming in and fewer expenses as well.
After Pat described the creation of a fund for “Project Abundance,” the Clerk invited Pat to describe the difference between a “fund” and a “budget line.” In short, a fund accumulates a balance that can be spent down in any year; lines in our annual budget, in contrast, do not roll over balances from year-to-year.
A Friend asked how our property values are assessed. Pat indicated that the properties were valued last year and described some of what went into the assessment.
Friends received the report. @
Friends raised questions about the meanings and implications of property values, monetary and non-monetary. Friends asked that Ministry & Worship consider fostering a broader discussion of our properties.
At 1:45, twelve Friends settled in worship before adjourning. Our next regularly scheduled Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be August , 2022.
Respectfully submitted,
Marin Clarkberg