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

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

October 9, 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.)

2022.10.1 Opening Worship

Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends met online via Zoom for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business on October 9, 2022. At 12:40pm 9 Friends settled into Worship.

Clerk reviewed the agenda.

2022.10.2 Treasurer’s Report : Third Quarter of 2022

Pat Sewell, treasurer, reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the Third Quarter of 2022. Highlights include: current donations are on track with last year at this time, spending on utilities is up due to inflation, and there has been very little spending by committees which suggests that IMM has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic level of activity. Other trends Pat noted include: a potential decrease in future donations due to the deaths of several beloved and generous older Friends and an increase in community use of TSMH which is resulting in increased donations along with increased expenses. The treasurer also noted he is reaching out to committee clerks for requests for next years budget.

The treasurer also gave an update on the monetary value of the 3 properties IMM owns in response to questions that arose at MfWwAtB in June. We use the county assessed value of the Burtt House ($750,000). The assessment of the TSMH has not been updated by the county since 2016. Property values in the area have increased 20% since then, which applied here would lead to us valuing TSMH at $440,000. There is no estimated change in the value of the Hector Meetinghouse. Pat noted that we keep track of the monetary value of our property to understand the financial situation of IMM and because we budget maintenance costs on a percentage of their value.

The treasurer will send out to the email list serve the Third Quarter Budget to Actual and Balance Sheet.

Friends expressed gratitude for the work of the treasurer. Friends received the treasurer’s report.@

2022.10.3 Third Street Meetinghouse Committee: Combination Change.

John Lewis reported that the TSMC will change the combination on the kitchen door of the TSMH on Nov. 1. The relevant people will be notified.

Friends received the report.@

2022.10.4 Third Street Meetinghouse Committee: Changes to COVID-19 Policies

The Clerk stated that we would not be making decisions on these items at this meeting. We would hear the report, have opportunities for ministry, questions, and sharing today. We will hear this reports again at the November MfWwAtB and have the opportunity to make a decision on these proposed changes at that time.

John Lewis read the report from the TSMC proposing 3 changes to IMM’s COVID-19 policies. The report notes that we are in another time of transition as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic. There are increasing requests from outside groups to use the TSMH. Very few places except medical facilities require the use of masks. IMM has been enjoying more events such as potlucks that have been taking place outside, but that will be less possible as the weather becomes colder.

The first proposed change is that outside groups be permitted to follow their own COVID policies. In response to questions, it was clarified that this is what is actually happening now. Several Friends expressed support for this change.

The second proposed change is that the kitchen be opened for outside groups and ourselves. Several Friends expressed support for this change.

The third proposed change is that the wearing of masks be made voluntary for Meeting for Worship and other IMM events.

Friends offered ministry, comments, and sharing in response to this proposal which is summarized here. More detailed notes were also recorded.

There was a longing expressed for Friends to feel more connected to each other and recognition of how masks inhibit this for some and make it possible for others. Most of those from whom we heard during this Meeting expressed a reticence to remove the mask requirement, saying it was a way that we ‘protect each other’.

Friends expressed appreciation for the opportunity for this sharing and listening. Friends received the report. @

Closing Worship 2022.10.5

Friends settled into closing worship before adjourning. 

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Chase, serving as Recording Clerk

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

September 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.)

2022.9.1 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 September 11, 2022. Clerk recognized Nancy Gabriel for holding the Meeting in the Light.

At 12:30PM, seven Friends settled into worship with 8 more Friends joining during the introductory section.

Clerk shared the agenda for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

2022.9.2 Worship Sharing: Moving in Community

A key focus for IMM committees and attenders of late has been how to bolster and build our religious community, especially after years of pandemic separation. This, of course, is to be able to better support and connect with each other, but importantly, is also because community is a foundational component of our faith. Learning to do this well is religious practice.

Those in attendance considered the following queries:

1) How do/can we listen to that of God in each other?

2) How do/can we discern the spiritual direction we are being led as a Meeting community?

3) How do/can we build the IMM community?

Out of the silence, Friends shared reflections, hopes & messages about love, communication, vulnerability, showing up, imperfection, as well as looking for that of God in someone else rather than looking for oneself.@

2022.9.3 Nominating Committee: Nominations

Nominating committee members are Carolyn Kenyon, David Horton, Kathleen Gale. On behalf of the committee, Carolyn shared the report as follows:  

The Nominating Committee nominates Miguel Piery to serve on Ministry and Worship, beginning immediately and running through 2025, acting Assistant Clerk Barbara Chase to serve as Clerk, beginning January 2023 through 2025, and Pat Sewell to continue serving as Treasurer, beginning his new term in January 2023, continuing through 2025.

Friends expressed deep gratitude, as well as reflections on their individual journeys to & away from nominated positions.

Friends approved the nominations.@

2022.9.4 Closing Worship

Thirteen Friends settled into silent worship at 1:53 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 October 9, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Blair Jennings

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

August 14, 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.)

2022.8.1 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 August 14, 2022. Assistant Clerk recognized John Lewis for holding the Meeting in the Light & Carole Clark for providing Zoom hosting duties.

At 12:31PM, 10 Friends settled into worship with 5 more Friends joining during the introductory section. 

Assistant Clerk shared the agenda for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

2022.8.2 Burtt House Working Group: Scheduling Community Discussions

Having been minuted/approved at IMM’s November 2021 MfWwAtB, the Burrt House Working Group (BHWG) was created to explore the Meeting’s leadings with respect to the Burtt House property. On behalf of the working group, Steve Mohlke shared the group’s first goal: community-building for IMM. Having been separated from each other for more than two years, the group perceives this charge to mean facilitating ways for everyone in IMM to be included and to be heard on the subject of our relationship to the building which has been part of the life of IMM since the Burtts were active members. They bequeathed their house to the Meeting in 1981.

To do this as equitably as possible, the group acknowledges each person comes from a self-defined starting point and needs a chance to reflect on their present state of awareness about the Burtt House. Therefore, the group has scheduled the following “come as you are with the experiences you’ve had” discussions:

Sunday, Sept 18 @ 12:30PM: In person ONLY at the Third Street Meetinghouse

Wednesday, Sept 21 @ 6PM: Online ONLY via Zoom

Sunday, Sept 25 @ 9AM: Hybrid, e.g. online via Zoom AND in person at the Third Street Meetinghouse

Friends are invited to join in one or as many gatherings as they wish. Contact any member of the BHWG with your requests, comments, thoughts, reactions so far. BHWG Members are Antonia Saxon, Steve Mohlke, Nancy Gabriel, Angela Hopkins & Gina Varrichio.

Friends settled into silent worship to await spirit-led questions & thoughts. Assistant Clerk expressed deep appreciation for the BHWG & invited ministry. Friends shared comments & affirmation.

Friends received the report & approved the committee’s recommendation for discussions.@

2022.8.3 Naming Committee: Progress Report

On behalf of the committee, Bronwyn Mohlke shared the report as follows:  Approved in November 2021, the current Naming Committee members are Gina Varrichio, Pat Sewell, Bronwyn Mohlke, and Kris Altucher. Since November, Naming has met several times to consider possible nominations to the Nominating Committee. In December 2021, Naming Committee brought Kathleen Gale’s name forward, and she was approved to join Nominating. Several other possibilities came out of our discernment, but none of those asked were available to serve at this time.

The Naming Committee agreed that it would be better to share a report of our observations so far rather than fall into slot-filling. Observations:

• Ithaca Monthly Meeting seems to be in a time of reinvigoration right now. After a time of dormancy, committees are beginning to reconvene, new projects are starting up, we’ve managed a few successful potlucks. 
• A portion of this time has been the end-of-semester time or the summer, neither of which is conducive to conducting IMM business, even in the best of times. People may have more energy to direct to committee work in the fall.
• The Naming Committee’s inability to bring other names forward to serve on the Nominating Committee might be a visioning issue. There could be a name that we’ve failed to see. We have been disconnected for the last few months, and there very well could be folks we simply missed. If Naming Committee has not approached you about serving on the Nominating Committee and you think you are led to do so, please contact us.
• Considering the size of the Meeting functionally at this time, our oscillating needs, post-pandemic realities, and where the energy of IMMers seems to be drawn, this may be a time for reinvention. Do our current committees – type, size, structure, etc. – serve our current needs? How are Meeting members and IMM as a whole being led at this time? What work must be done vs. should be done vs. could be done?

The Naming Committee is not yet asking to be laid down. We will continue holding these concerns in the light as well as remaining open to unexpected inspiration. 

 Friends settled into silent worship, then offered ministry out of the silence that included observations, questions, ideas & hope that way will open for a potentially reimagined organizational work paradigm and functional sufficiency of both the Naming/ Nominating Committees & IMM, itself moving forward. The Naming Committee will continue addressing questions; perhaps looping Ministry & Worship into this discernment process. Bronwyn encouraged all to continue sharing their thoughts and ideas with the Naming Committee. Assistant Clerk expressed deep appreciation for the work of the Naming Committee and its willingness to engage IMM’s consideration of the “bigger” issues revealed by its work.

Friends received the report.@

 2022.8.4 Closing Worship

16 Friends settled into silent worship at 1:21P.M. before adjourning. Our next regular Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be held via Zoom at 12:30 P.M. on September 11, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Blair Jennings

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

February 13, 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.)

2022.2.1 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 February 13, 2022. Clerk reviewed the agenda for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and recognized Shirley Way for holding the Meeting in the Light.

At 12:30 PM, Friends present settled into worship & by 12:35 they numbered 14.

2022.2.2 Memorial Minute: Beth Jolles

Steve Mohlke read the memorial minute. Friends listened deeply then settled into worship to reflect on what was shared. Friends shared memories & ministry about Beth’s life, her work, her service to IMM, her spirit-driven practicality, her abundant generosity & love.

Friends received the report @

2022.2.3 Memorial Minute: Martin Jolles

Mike Simkin read the memorial minute. Friends again listened deeply then settled into worship to reflect on what was shared. Friends shared memories & ministry about Martin’s wisdom, his steadfastness, his support for Friends during difficult times at IMM, his willingness to playfully engage both children & elders in demo work at TSMH, as well as his overall ability to make things happen – including an unexpected smile from a Friend just waiting for the school bus.

Friends received the report @

2022.2.4 Annual Reports

Friends presented annual reports and answered questions for committees as follows:

Karen Friedeborn read the report of the Ithaca Monthly Meeting Pastoral Care Coordinating Team (IMMPaCCT), sharing highlights & details about members, initiatives and plans both practical & spiritual the group has made for the year. After a moment of reflection, Friends shared gratitude to the folks building community through pastoral care & connection

Pat Sewell read the report of the Finance Committee, sharing highlights & details related to the financial life of IMM; he recognized the passing of two valued committee members, and the newly assembled group that serves on this committee. Friends reflected silently, then shared their appreciation for the group’s flexibility and continued good work in the face of many changes.

Karen Friedeborn read the report of the Burtt House Committee, sharing the committee’s immense gratitude to long-time member, Tom Brown as well as a list of maintenance tasks – both anticipated and emergency – that have been undertaken by various Friends through the year. After silent reflection, Friends shared their appreciation.

On behalf of the Peace & Social Justice Committee, Garry Thomas, Ruth Yarrow & Margaret McCasland each read a section of the lengthy report. They shared details that illuminated the varied & impactful work of this committee – from peace advocacy & social justice activities to the research for & distribution of 16 IMM Witness Grants, as well as 11 Peace & Social Justice grants. Friends again entered a period of silent reflection, then shared the following:

1. Clarification of specifics related to the Cayuga Share Farm’s eviction risk (not negligence, but consideration of sovereignty) & IMM’s support

2. Clarification of specific years requests

3. Acknowledgment of the wonderful work of women in India that is supported by this committee

4. Recognition of Elizabeth Schneider’s two decades of service on this committee

Friends received these four reports.@

2022.2.5 Closing Worship

At 2:08 PM, 17 Friends settled into worship before adjourning. Our next regularly scheduled Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be March 13, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Blair Jennings

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

January 9, 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.)

2022.1.1 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 January 9, 2022. At 12:35pm, twenty-six Friends settled into worship.

Clerk shared the agenda and reviewed that the annual meeting of the corporation would precede the regular, monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

2022.1.2 Annual Meeting of the IMMRSF Corporation

Present for the annual meeting: Liam Murphy, Chris Dunham, Melissa Travis Dunham, Shirley Way, John Lewis, Bronwyn Mohlke, Steve Mohlke, Gina Varicchio, Mike Simkin, Angela Hopkins, Pat Sewell, Ellie Rosenberg, Judith Knight, Tom Ruscitti, Carolyn Kenyon, Jill Marie, Margaret McCasland, Connie Thomas, Gary Thomas, Barbara Chase, Nancy Riffer, Elizabeth Schneider, Joanne Sturgeon, Marin Clarkberg, Ruth Yarrow, Kris Altucher, and Antonia Saxon.

Liam Murphy, co-Convener of Trustees and co-President of the Corporation convened the Annual Meeting of IMMRSF, Inc., and read the President’s Annual Report to Membership. Liam noted that trustees met by video/phone conference three times in 2021. Given a number of new trustees in 2021, we reviewed and discussed the Meeting’s Corporate by-laws to be familiar with their requirements.

With Meeting’s approval, Trustees signed contracts for the following expenditures in 2021:

Antonia Saxon, Secretary of the Corporation noted that timely and correct notice was given to the membership for the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Corporation (held on January 10, 2021). Thirty-three members attended, and the reports from the Officers of the Corporation were received and approved at that time.

Pat Sewell, Treasurer of the Meeting and of the Corporation, gave the end of the fiscal year budget report. Pat reported that IMM received $144,000 in donations while our total expense was $63,000. As of the end of the year, Ithaca Monthly Meeting held nearly $135,000 in checking, approximately $26,000 in savings and $50,000 in a Friends Fiduciary Account. Pat noted that final numbers for 2021 will be provided in March.

Liam Murphy noted the officers for 2022 would continue to be co-Conveners and co-Presidents Liam Murphy and Marin Clarkberg, with Antonia Saxon continuing to serve as Secretary for the Corporation.  Pat Sewell serves as Treasurer of the Corporation and of the Meeting.

Friends approved the officers for 2022.

Liam Murphy adjourned the Annual Meeting of IMMRSF, Inc.

Clerk reviewed the agenda for Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and recognized Pat Sewell for holding the Meeting in the Light today.

2022.1.3 Annual Reports

Clerk reminded Friends that not all annual reports are to be read in January. For the last few years, we have distributed annual reports across two or three months. Friends presented annual reports and answered questions for committees as follows:

• Ministry & Worship Committee. Friends reflected on the activities related to organizing two memorial meetings for Friends of 2021 and noted that these and other pastoral care activities were done by Friends not serving on M&W. M&W will amend the report to reflect the activities relating to Memorial Meetings. Friends received the report and expressed gratitude for the care that we receive from one another during difficult times. @
• Third Street Meetinghouse Committee. Friends expressed gratitude to the committee for their care of our Meetinghouse, even while opportunities around the Meetinghouse have been limited by the pandemic. Friends received the report.
• Hector Meetinghouse Committee. Friends reflected on the role of the Hector Meetinghouse during the pandemic. Friends received the report.
• COVID Working Group that covered its work for 2020 and 2021; that is, from the creation of the committee through to its laying down. Friends expressed gratitude for the work of this committee in a difficult and rapidly changing environment. Friends received the report.
• NYYM Representative. A Friend noted that it was just announced that NYYM Spring Session’s beginning on April 1^st will be virtual. Friends received the report. @

At 2:10, nineteen Friends settled in worship before adjourning. Our next regularly scheduled Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business will be February 13, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Marin Clarkberg

Worship Sharing

A Friend spoke about the murder of George Floyd, of learning with others—and listening to others—as we strive to fight racism, and of hope for the future.

A Friend reflected on the realities and illusions of American democracy and our troubling history as a nation.

A Friend longed for us to use some of our time together to introduce ourselves and “check-in.”

A Friend wondered if this period of the pandemic might be followed by a period of radical extroversion. How do we reach out to one another? We must go beyond acceptance and actively, lovingly include people of color, gender-nonbinary people, and others. Are we truly welcoming to everybody?

A Friend expressed a concern that Friends may have left the meeting because of they did not feel welcome because of their political views. Are we “othering” those with whom we have a lot in common but not everything in common?

A Friend spoke of including families and children.

A Friend hoped that we might leave behind guilt as a foundation for action, and that guilt is a brick in the wall between us and the spirit.

A Friends spoke of a compelling need to find common ground. This is true in our own meeting as well as in society at large. The starting point for finding common ground is communication: talking with one another with curiosity and not with the assumption that we will always agree.

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

May 3, 2020

Clerk: Gina Varrichio

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.)

2020.5.1 Opening Worship

Ithaca Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends met in Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business on May 3, 2020. At 12:31 P.M., 18 Friends gathered via Zoom and settled into worship.

Clerk recognized Karen Reixach who was holding the meeting in the light.

2020.5.2 Memorial Minute for Carol Kimball

Bronwyn Mohlke read the memorial minute written for Carol Kimball by her daughter, Erica Weiss along withPeggy Walbridge and Carolyn Kenyon.

Clerk invited Friends to share a few minutes of silent worship. Friends shared reflections out of the silence.

Friends approved the minute.@

2020.5.3 Ministry & Worship

Extending Suspension of In-Person Meeting for Worship The Sequel

At April’s Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, IMM approved the following minute:

            Friends approved extending the suspension of in-person Meeting for Worship in the          Third Street Meetinghouse and the continued closure of the Third Street Meetinghouse to         all groups through Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Reporting on behalf of the committee, Nancy Riffer shared the following recommendation:

Ministry & Worship, with the support of the Third Street Meetinghouse Committee, recommends that we extend this same suspension through our next Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, June 7, 2020. The following reasons impact the recommendation:

• NYS Pause extension until May 15^th
• Planning considerations for returning to the Third Street Meetinghouse (fire inspection, cleaning, etc.)
• Lack of clarity among all stakeholders about what exactly the “right time” is.
• Faith that waiting for clearness on all of the above will indeed yield the right decision

Clerk invited Friends to enter into silent worship and share ministry out of this silence as led.

Friends approved the continuation of the current suspension. @

2020.5.4 Ministry & Worship

Meeting for Worship Online in May

On behalf of Ministry & Worship, Asha Sanaker shared the committee’s report and following recommendation:

In order to combat what many are now referring to as “Zoom-fatigue”, Ministry & Worship proposes that we make two changes in our First Day format for the month of May.

1. Shortening our official online worship time to 45 minutes. Meeting for Worship will begin at 10:30 AM and end at 11:15 AM. For Friends who desire a more extended worship time, the Zoom worship space will be available starting at 10:15 AM each

      First Day.

• Eliminating community announcements at the end of worship. Announcements concerning IMM will be made by Gina Varrichio, Clerk in a single, succinct list after worship.

Friends shared appreciation for the various committees that support IMM and participate in ongoing discernment of Meeting for Worship best practices during this pandemic, as well as their takeaways from this morning’s trial run of the newly suggested framework.

Clerk asked all who have suggestions related to matters of start/end time, length of break between Meeting for Worship & Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, etc. discerned during our experience with the new format over the next five weeks be sent directly to the Clerk for consideration by Ministry & Worship.

Friends approved the changes to our Meeting for Worship format for May. @

2020.5.5 Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer, Pat Sewell shared a year-to-date report run on 29^th April 2020. The document presents a different way to “look” at IMM’s financial health by comparing actual expenditures with budgeted amounts and noting the percentage variance between the two. Based on those percentages, treasurer reports that everything looks on track at this time.  

Questions about current costs and potential savings related to the Meetinghouse shut down were asked and answered as treasurer was able.

A Friend suggested the addition of a balance sheet that lists current amounts in IMM’s various funds would be helpful moving forward.

Treasurer will consider all requests and suggestions and report back.

Friends received the report. @

2020.5.6 Ministry & Worship

Mutual Support Fund

A member of meeting approached IMM’s Clerk with a desire to use an unexpected windfall to help meet any emergency needs that arise for other community members due to the pandemic. Clerk brought this request to Ministry & Worship for consideration of how to appropriately move forward with this gift.

On behalf of Ministry & Worship, Nancy Riffer shared that the committee has been led to recommend the establishment of a Mutual Support Fund.

The Mutual Support Fund is specifically for offering support to members of the IMM community, as opposed to the wider community, and therefore is separate from the Special Needs Fund.

In order to keep the activities of the Mutual Support Fund separate, Ministry & Worship will be working with the Finance Committee to set up a discrete line in the Meeting’s Chart of Accounts.

Requests for assistance will be received by the Clerk, and then disbursement decisions will be made by members of Ministry & Worship and Finance Committee. A monthly report on the total money spent and the balance in the Fund, omitting all confidential details of recipients, will be made to Ithaca Monthly Meeting at Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.

Ministry & Worship wishes to keep this fund active as proposed until the end of the calendar year, at which time the Fund may be laid down or the Meeting may decide to include the Mutual Support Fund in its budget for 2021, with any changes to the Fund’s oversight proposed and approved as part of that annual process.

A question about the tax deductibility of these funds will be addressed by a legal professional so IMM can assure it does what is both legal and appropriate.

Friends approved the creation of a Mutual Support Fund. @

2020.5.7 Ministry & Worship

State of the Meeting (Second Draft)

On behalf of Ministry & Worship, Kris Altucher read the State of the Meeting Report.

Clerk invited all to enter into a few minutes of silent worship and share ministry out of the silence as led.

Friends approved this as the final draft of the report to be sent to New York Yearly Meeting. @

2020.5.8 Closing Worship

15 Friends settled into silent worship at 2:05 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 June 7, 2020.

Respectfully submitted,

Blair Jennings