Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

April 9, 2023 

Clerk: Barbara Chase

Assistant Clerk: Marin Clarkberg

Recording Clerks: Marin Clarkberg, Antonia Saxon

(The @ signifies that the minute has been read and approved during Meeting. Reports shared during this meeting were emailed before the Meeting, and can be viewed on Google Drive.)

2023.4.1 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 April 9, 2023. This was also Easter Sunday. At 12:35pm, fourteen Friends settled into worship.

Clerk recognized Margaret McCasland as holding our gathering in the Light today and Gina Varrichio for providing technical support for Zoom. Clerk reviewed the agenda.

2023.4.2 Clerk’s report

Barbara Chase, Clerk, reminded friends that last month we approved taking the marriage of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk under the care of Ithaca Monthly Meeting. We did not, however, approve the full minute documenting the discussion leading up to that approval. Since that time, Clerk worked with the Recording Clerk, the Assistant Clerk, and the Clerk’s support committee on refining the minute. The Clerk now asks for approval of the following minute:

Minute 2023.3.3 Clearness Committee for the Marriage of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk Under the Care of Ithaca Monthly Meeting.

Gina Varrichio presented the report of a Clearness Committee for Marriage convened at the request of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk. The committee met with the couple by Zoom on February 10th. Cai and Joshua are gender-fluid, queer, and polyamorous. The committee understands their request for marriage invites the meeting to consider aspects of relationship the Meeting hasn’t considered before.

Friends expressed an enduring love and support for Cai who has been a part of our community since their earliest days. We welcome Joshua to our Meeting and celebrate the love and commitment that Cai and Joshua bring to their relationship. Friends raised questions and concerns about polyamory, including and how different relationship structures relate to power, and whether and how other Meetings have addressed this.

For many Friends, a polyamorous marriage is a new concept, and perhaps an uncomfortable one. We are being asked to expand our definition of marriage, perhaps as we did when our Meeting began to marry same-sex couples. A Friend noted that agreeing to take this marriage under the care of our meeting is not the same as saying polyamory is good for everyone, just as taking any marriage under the care of the meeting doesn’t suggest that marriage is good for everyone. Our feelings around polyamory in general do not have to affect the support we offer to Cai and Joshua as a couple.

Cai and Joshua experience the Spirit in this relationship, and they are committed to following Spirit even into places which are uncomfortable. Polyamory is not the relationship’s central truth. The central truth is that this relationship is Spirit-led, and that it is a relationship that they intend will last the length of their lives.

Friends see integrity in Cai and Joshua’s relationship. Love is the heart of all things, and we seek to honor love where we find it. With joy, Friends approved taking the marriage of Cai and Joshua under our care.

Friends approved the minute for March. @

2023.4.3 Nominating Committee.

Nancy Riffer, a member Nominating Committee, shared that several people have stepped off of committees. Friends who have stepped off: Nancy Riffer off of Communications Committee, Miguel Piery off of Ministry and Worship; Drew Varrichio off of TSMH Committee, and Antonia Saxon off of the Pastoral Care Team. In addition, Barbra Bleeker has rotated off being Representative to NYYM Meeting for Discernment (that role remains vacant) and Steve Phelan has replaced Simon St. Laurent as Historian. Friends received the report.

The Nominating Committee brought forth the following names to serve on the Hospitality Committee. Bronwyn Mohlke, Miguel Piery, and Pat Sewell. All three were appointed for terms that run through 2025. Friends approved the nominations. @

2023.4.4 Treasurer’s Report

Pat Sewell, Treasurer, provided a summary of the first three months of 2023. In short, Ithaca Monthly Meeting’s overall fiscal health remains strong. Over the last year few years, our income has either met or slightly exceeded our expenses. It appears that this holds true for 2022 as well.

The 2022 budget request was for $73,400 in donations. We received about 5% less than that, but we also spent signficantly less than we budgeted. Accordingly, we ended 2022 with a net surplus of approximately $3000.

The Finance Committee notes that annual donations have slightly declined, possibly due to the passing of a few key donors. Finance Committee shared that just three donors were responsible for more than 50% of our overall donations in 2022. Our reliance on a handful of individuals may not be sustainable for the long run. Finance Committee has begun the work of long-term financial planning and plans to continue thinking about this issue in 2023.

After three years, Asha Sanaker will be stepping down as the bookkeeper and we are transitioning to LAP accounting services. Pat noted that checks will be deposited later than usual as result.

A Friend with experience in nonprofits relayed that this pattern of giving—where many give a little and a few give a lot—is typical among nonprofits. Another Friend indicated that our pattern of donations used to be more evenly distributed across our community.

In response to Friend’s question, the Treasurer noted that donations stemming from use of the Third Street Meetinghouse in 2022 were higher than 2021. Friends received the report. @

2023.4.5 Ministry and Worship: State of the Meeting Report

Ellie Rosenberg read the second draft of the State of the Meeting Report for 2022. (The first draft was read in March.) This report is shared with our region, Farmington-Scipio Regional Meeting, and with New York Yearly Meeting.

A Friend reflected how different the State of the Meeting Report for 2022 is from the reports from 2020 and 2021 when the Meeting was actively managing its response to the pandemic. A Friend offered to provide a little copy-editing. Friends accepted the offer of editorial support and approved the State of the Meeting Report for 2022. @

2023.4.6 Ministry and Worship: Naming Committee

Nominating Committee needs additional members. Naming Committee serves the Meeting in proposing members for the Nominating Committee. Ministry and Worship brings the names of Marin Clarkberg and Bronwyn Mohlke to serve on Naming with the Clerk and Treasurer.

Friends discussed our historical practice and referenced an IMM Minute of February 12, 1996 which stated that Naming Committee will comprise the Clerk, the Assistant Clerk, the Treasurer, a member of the “Ministry & Oversight Committee” and a representative from Trustees. This practice, however, was not used in the last several years. A Friend observed that a five-member Naming Committee would be larger than many of our standing committees.

A Friend asked whether this issue should be referred to someone for further consideration. The Clerk of Ministry and Worship offered that M&W will discuss.

Friends approved Ministry and Worship’s nominations for this Naming Committee. @

2023.4.7 Ministry and Worship: Return to Pre-pandemic seating plan

Carol Clarke from Ministry and Worship shared a proposal to return to the pre-pandemic chair arrangement in the Meetingroom, effectively increasing the number of chairs and decreasing the space between chairs over our current arrangement. Ministry and Worship has drafted placards that Friends can place on chairs directly adjacent to themselves to create social distance if they so desire. Friends noted that the camera (used for Zoom) may be a consideration in how chairs are placed. Friends expressed appreciation for this creative accommodation of difference. Friends wondered when we might return to the shaking of hands to close worship in a way that is similarly accommodating of different comfort levels. Ministry and Worship will discuss the closing of worship.

Friends received this report. @

At 2:05, fifteen Friends settled in worship before adjourning. Our next regularly scheduled Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be May 14, 2023.

Respectfully submitted,

Marin Clarkberg

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Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

March 12, 2023 

Clerk: Barbara Chase

Assistant Clerk: Marin Clarkberg

Recording Clerks: Marin Clarkberg, Antonia Saxon

(The @ signifies that the minute has been read and approved during Meeting. Copies of all written reports are on file with and available from the Clerk or Recording Clerk.)

2023.3.1 Opening Worship

Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends met online, using Zoom remote conferencing service, for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business on March 12, 2023. At 12:36pm, 18 Friends settled into worship.

Clerk recognized Nancy Gabriel, who was holding the meeting in the Light, and Gina Varrichio, who was helping with tech.

Clerk shared ministry about Quaker process and practice during Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

2023.3.2 State of the Meeting Report, First Reading

Carol Clarke presented the first reading of Ithaca Monthly Meeting’s State of the Meeting report prepared by the Ministry and Worship Committee. The query from New York Yearly Meeting this year is, How are Friends living their faith?

The report speaks of the way the meeting is mending, rekindling, stirring, and reweaving itself together in the presence of Spirit.

Gratitude was expressed to the committee for the detail and thoroughness of the report. A Friend recommended changes to the text that better reflect Friends’ differing views and abilities. A concern was voiced about the scarcity of children and adolescents in the meeting. Wider Quaker bodies offer support and resources to our families. Another Friend noted that Ithaca Friends are working together with other meetings on how to bring children back to our meetings. A request was made for the meeting’s new assistive listening system be included. Concern was expressed about the use of the word “broken” when so many helped to carry the Meeting through the pandemic. It may be that sundered ties and relationships are now being renewed.

The State of the Meeting Report will go back to Ministry and Worship for changes. The report will come before the body again in April.

2023.3.3 Clearness Committee for the Marriage of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk under the care of Ithaca Monthly Meeting

Gina Varrichio presented the report of a Clearness Committee for Marriage convened at the request of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk.

[NOTE: The final text of this minute was not approved in the March MfWwAtB. See April 2023 MfWwAtB Minutes for full text of this Minute.]

 With joy, the meeting is clear to take the marriage of Cai Quirk and Joshua Quirk under its care.

2023.3.4 Ministry and Worship: Recommendation to move the date of April MfWwAtB

Ministry and Worship recommends that, in light of the date of Easter this year, April Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business be moved one week later, to the third Sunday, April 16.

A conflict was noted: that is the weekend of New York Yearly Meeting’s Spring Sessions.

The decision is referred to Ministry and Worship.

The remaining items on the agenda – the Treasurer’s Report, and the report from Nominating Committee were laid over until April.

The clerk announced that the Hector Meetinghouse would open for the season with a sunrise Meeting for Worship on Easter Sunday, April 9.

At 3:06, 15 Friends settled in worship before adjourning. No date has been set yet for April’s Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

Antonia Saxon, Recording Clerk

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Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

December 11, 2022 

Clerk: Gina Varrichio

Assistant Clerk: Barbara Chase

Recording Clerks: Marin Clarkberg, Blair Jennings

(The @ signifies that the minute has been read and approved during Meeting. Copies of all written reports are on file with and available from the Clerk or Recording Clerk.)

2022.12.1 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 December 11, 2022. At 12:35pm, nineteen Friends settled into worship.

Clerk for a volunteer to hold the Meeting in the Light. Nancy Riffer agreed to do. Clerk shared the agenda. (The agenda and accompanying reports were also shared on the listserve.)

2022.12.2 Ministry and Worship: Lifting the Mask Requirement

Barbara Chase read a report from Ministry and Worship Committee. This report was developed after two gatherings, on 11/16/22 and on 11/20/22, where Friends were invited to share their experiences and leadings about mask wearing. The report proposed that mask wearing result from “individual discernment” rather than a global policy for the Meeting, and recognized that whatever our policy, there will always be people discomfited to some degree.

Friends spoke about the continuing risk of COVID as well as RSV, flu, and other illnesses. Some suggested a more prescriptive approach of “recommending” or “encouraging” mask use.

Friends approved sending the minute back to Ministry and Worship for further seasoning and invited M&W to bring a minute on this issue in the future. Friends who have additional thoughts are invited to share them with members of M&W. @

2022.12.3 Naming Committee

On behalf of Naming Committee, Bronwyn Mohlke brought the name of Nancy Riffer to serve on Nominating Committee beginning in January 2023 and ending in December 2025. Friends approved the nomination.

In addition, the Naming Committee asks to be laid down as it currently constituted. Friends approved. @

2022.12.4 Nominating Committee

On behalf of Nominating Committee, Carolyn Kenyon brought the following names to fill vacancies in committees and positions:

• Greeter: Liam Murphy
• Trustees: Gina Varrichio
• Historian: Steve Phelan
• Third Street Meeting House: Chris Dunham

Carolyn further noted that Nominating Committee has been unable to fill all the slots for several of IMM’s committees. These committees include:

• Nominating Committee (will have three members)
• Finance Committee (will have three members plus the Treasurer)
• Burtt House Committee (will have three members)
• Third Street Meetinghouse Committee (will have four members)

After a decade of faithful service, Blair Jennings is stepping back at the end of this year from serving as one of IMM’s Recording Clerks. Nominating Committee is searching for a Friend to serve as Recording Clerk, or to share the responsibilities of Recording Clerk. We encourage Friends to continue discerning how they are led.

Friends approved the nominations. Friends appreciated Nominating’s diligent efforts to fill the vacancies and recognized that our Meeting’s needs and abilities change over time. Friends released Nominating from continuing to search for additional members for the four committees listed above. @

2022.12.5 Trustees: MOU with FCRJ

Steve Mohlke read a report from the Trustees. Trustees met to discuss the status of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ithaca Monthly Meeting and the Friends Center for Racial Justice that is currently in effect through December of 2023. At Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business in October of 2021, Friends noted a desire to give FCRJ a year’s notice to extend, modify, or discontinue the MOU. We are now one year away from the end of the current MOU.

Recognizing that recent worship sharing events concerning the Burtt House were deep and community building, Trustees see that Meeting is moving forward in discernment.

Trustees support the idea of giving FCRJ at least a year’s notice before altering or discontinuing the MOU but propose that we do not establish a new end date for the MOU this month. Trustees expects to be able to propose the next steps with respect to the MOU no later than June 2023, as we observe spirit moving within the Meeting.

Friends received the report. @

2022.12.6 Earthcare: Recommended Donations

Jim Grant reminded Friends that half of the Earthcare’s donation budget of $1,500 is “non-discretionary”, and thus requires Meeting approval. Accordingly, Earthcare brings the following donations to the Meeting for approval:

• $100 to Gayogo̱hónǫʼ Sovereignty and Rematriation, a traditional segment of Gayogo̱hónǫʼ that is suffering while it struggles with another less-traditional faction for recognition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
• $150 to Indigenous Environmental Network, a country-wide alliance of indigenous peoples whose mission is to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth and who have been active in protesting the Keystone Pipeline
• $150 to Girl Child Education, which supports secondary education for girls who have attended Quaker schools in Africa
• $150 to Our Children’s Trust, a group seeking to change the United States constitution to make a clean environment a constitutional right
• $200 to Amazon Watch, a group working to protect the rainforest by partnering with indigenous peoples

Friends expressed gratitude for the discernment that Earthcare brings to this decision. @

2022.12.7 Finance Committee: IMM 2023 Budget

Pat Sewell, Treasurer, reviewed the proposed budget, noting that the 2023 budget is quite similar to last year’s with two notable exceptions. First, reflecting inflation, property costs and especially utility expenses have increased, driving a 10% increase in that budget line. Second, we have included $1,000 in the Young Friends budget line; this budget line has been $0 in recent years. This is an exciting change, and indicative of vitality in our Meeting.

The Treasurer touched on a few other points of interest in the budget, including the fact that we paid for our Powell House subscription last year even though the subscription program was suspended due to the pandemic. With our subscription essentially pre-paid, the proposed budget eliminated the Powell House subscription cost for this year. Friends suggested that we might instead donate last year’s expense and pay our Powell House subscription this year. Similarly, Meeting erroneously gave twice it’s expected contribution to the Paul Schreur’s Dinner last year. The proposed budget removed this year’s contribution, but Friends suggested we restore our annual $250 donation.

Friends approved the 2023 budget with the two revisions: restoring our Powell House contribution and continuing our annual $250 donation to the Paul Schreur’s Dinner. @

At 2:40, thirteen Friends settled in worship before adjourning. Our next regularly scheduled Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business—also the annual Meeting of the IMMRSF Corporation—will be January 8, 2023.

Respectfully submitted,

Marin Clarkberg

Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

November 13, 2022 

Clerk: Gina Varrichio

Assistant Clerk: Barbara Chase

Recording Clerks: Marin Clarkberg, Blair Jennings

(The @ signifies that the minute has been read and approved during Meeting. Copies of all written reports are on file with and available from the Clerk or Recording Clerk.)

2022.11.1 Opening Worship

Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends met on-line, via Zoom remote for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business on November 13, 2021.

At 12:45 PM, 19 Friends settled into worship with 3 more Friend joining during the introductory section.

Clerk reviewed the agenda for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and recognized Carol Clarke for holding the Meeting in the Light.

2022.11.2 Third Street Meetinghouse Committee: Changes to COVID-19 Policies

On behalf of the committee, John Lewis read the submitted report which notes that requests to use our meetinghouse have started to increase dramatically in the last few weeks & reviews past and current policies, procedures and public attitudes toward both COVID and use of TSM. Based on the reported information and their discernment, the committee proposed the following significant changes to IMM’s COVID protocol at this time:

1. Outside groups be permitted to follow their own COVID policies. Friends are reminded to put your committee and other gatherings on the calendar so that everyone is aware of who is in the building.

2. The kitchen be opened for cooking and other appropriate uses to outside groups and us.

Friends shared current masking information/recommendations with regard to multiple groups using the space concurrently, as well as reflections and suggestions about how to manage the practical realities of sharing our space – kitchen readiness, etc. Clerk noted that TSMC has confirmed the good working order of all building amenities. Significant discussion swirled around the idea of requiring outside groups to follow our mask-wearing policies if there is more than one group in the building and the sense of the meeting was to remove the language around required mask-wearing altogether.

Friends approved the proposed changes.@

Additional note: due to ministry that arose in October’s Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, the third proposal from TSMC is being held over until December. In the interim, the Ministry & Worship Committee would like to create opportunities to share our experiences in a way that is inspired by the recent gatherings held by the Burtt House Working Group. The committee plans to hold two gatherings: a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, November 16th at 7pm, and a hybrid gathering at 12:15 on November 20. At both of these TSMC invites Friends to share about their experience with, and feelings about, wearing (or not wearing) masks in public or in groups and current COVID.

The hope is that a sense of community is created by sharing with each other our direct experience with these things and that this will help IMM move toward a gathered leading on this. Making a decision about the question of changing our mask requirement during Worship will not be considered at these gatherings. We ask only for Friends to speak from their own experience about this – their experience of wearing or not wearing masks in public or in groups.

2022.11.3 Nominating Committee: Nominations

On behalf of the committee, Carolyn Kenyon placed the following names before Ithaca Monthly Meeting to be considered to fill vacancies in committees and positions at the end of 2022.

• Assistant Clerk – Marin Clarkberg;
• Burtt House Committee – Mike Simkin;
• Communications Committee – Carol Clarke

The following will serve another term in their position/committee:

• Liaison to Hospital – Bronwyn Mohlke; 
• Greeter – Bronwyn Mohlke, David Horton; 
• Library Committee – Margaret McCasland, Simon St. Laurent; 
• Third Street Meetinghouse Committee – Pat Pingel

NOTE: The Nominating Committee will be down to two people at the end of the year and needs at least two more people.

Friends expressed gratitude for those who’ve agreed to serve, as well as concern about ongoing vacancies/needs on specific committees – TSMC, Finance, etc.

Friends approved the nominations.@

2022.11.4 Burtt House Working Group: Burtt House Sharing

On behalf of the committee, Nancy Gabriel shared the flavor and outcome of three community discussions to explore Ithaca Monthly Meeting’s leadings with respect to the Burtt House held at the end of September.

The invitation to the discussions read, “A metaphor that seems apt is that of a river, with many streams springing from different sources and gradually converging into a single flow.”

The metaphor of the river helped frame Friends’ expectations; all three meetings were characterized by quiet, warm reflection and deep listening. Friends shared stories, memories, wishes for documentation of Friends’ Burtt House experiences as part of the meeting’s history. Concern was expressed about responsible stewardship. There was a sense that the house’s importance in the life of the meeting has diminished over the years, particularly after the move to the Third Street meetinghouse. All in all there was appreciation for sharing, listening and being heard and a sense that the discussions felt grounded. Also, it was agreed that a sense of community did emerge – a community with a history. 

The Working Group felt that the way these discussions went would guide the meeting toward its next steps, including discerning what exactly the next question in the process is/will be. The group continues to meet and is planning for a second round of community discussions.

Friends received the report.@

2022.11.5 Peace and Social Justice: Nondiscretionary Donations

On behalf of the committee, each member present (Garry Thomas, Ruth Yarrow, Margaret McCasland & Jill Marie) read a portion of the report, sharing information and anecdotes about the organizations (national, international, local) represented on the list of recommended 2022 non-discretionary donations. The following donations require meeting approval:

• $200    National Religious Campaign Against Torture
• $200    Council of Chiefs – Tiny Seeds
• $300    Afghan Women’s Fund
• $200    Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources / OAR of Tompkins County (General Fund)
• $200    No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes    
• $250    Village at Ithaca

Total: $1,350 (includes $100 donated to Peace & Social Justice in Barbara Barry’s name). Friends have access to the organizations’ contact/donation information in the report in the event they feel called to further support these organizations individually.

Friends approved the donations.@

2022.11.6 Closing Worship

16 Friends settled into shared worship at 2:17 P.M. before adjourning. Our next regular Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be held via Zoom at 12:30 P.M. on December 11, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Blair Jennings