CMM 2025-01-12
Minutes of Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of
the Religious Society of Friends
12th of First Month 2025
01.01 Twenty Friends gathered for meeting for worship to attend to business in person and over Zoom. We opened with a period of quiet worship.
01.02 The Minutes of Twelfth Month 2024 were approved as posted on our website.
01.03 Open Letter to Kelly Ayotte. The Presiding Clerk informed us that in accordance with our policy on Time-Sensitive Public Statements she, on behalf of Concord Friends Meeting (along with 170 other organizations and individuals), signed an Open Letter issued by Immigrant Rights Coalitions to Kelly Ayotte calling on her to be the governor of all residents of New Hampshire in response to her expressed willingness to support “mass deportations” in the state. The letter will be appended to the Minutes and included (again) in the newsletter. Friends accepted this action with gratitude.
01.04 Finance Reports: Chris H., Treasurer, reported on Operations from June through December 2024. Year To Date Income was $23,888 and Expenses were $17,849 for a net gain of $6,039. Cash on Hand is $11,174. We were reminded that contributions often come in near the end of the calendar year, so contributions tracking above the budget for this time in the year is not a reason to be complacent.
A question was raised about the building valuation since we have recently completed a transaction to acquire the solar array. The Treasurer and Bookkeeper will work with the Finance Committee to clarify how those transactions are reflected on the statement of operations and balance sheet next month.
We were reminded that we are still anticipating approximately $15,000 dollars from the IRS as a reimbursement for our geothermal installation. The Bookkeeper is in regular communication with the IRS to work on this.
| Total Income: | $23,888 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Expenses: | $17,849 | |
| Net Income: | $6,039 |
01.05 Ministry and Counsel. Ruth H, Clerk of M&C, reported on M&C’s recent meeting.
- They will be organizing “Friendly Eights” gatherings - look for an email.
- Wednesday Evening Midweek worship will be laid down due to lack of attendance. The Monday evening meeting at Lucy N’s house is ongoing. If there is interest in other Midweek Worship opportunities, please contact Jennifer S.
- 4th Sunday of January will be thoughtful reflections on the prior year in preparation for our State of Society Report - Greg H will lead.
- February’s program will be on inward and outward aspects of the Peace Testimony.
- We are contacting Dover Quarter about hosting the March Quarterly Meeting and a Listening Session on the New England Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions changes.
01.06 Beverages in Meeting Room. M&C informed us that that the restriction on beverages in the Worship Room will be loosened. During Meeting for Worship, beverages should be restricted to water only, and during other programs we will be more flexible. Beverages should be kept in closed containers if possible. Friends accepted this policy change.
01.07 COVID Policy Changes. M&C proposed amending our COVID policy. The proposed wording, with updates, was approved, and is appended below.
We noted that the revised policy does not have any mechanism for making changes faster than a called Meeting For Worship with Attention to Business in the event of a sudden uptick in COVID rates. Ministry and Counsel was asked to bring back a recommendation to address this in a future Business Meeting.
01.08 Barclay Press, a Quaker Publisher, recently put out a fundraising appeal. Friends were asked to consider a donation to the press. Mark B gave an overview of Barclay Press’ history and recent publication trends. The Meeting was reminded that in the past, we have elected to address contribution items as part of the annual budget process, and that we decided many years ago to give fewer line items in support as a Meeting, and encouraged individuals to support organizations as led, rather that institutionalize a large number of small contributions to worthy causes.
Finance Committee is asked to report back to the Meeting as part of the annual budget process what our current policies (written and unwritten) are for the “Support” line items, whether it’s financially feasible to increase or change these, and any support that Finance Committee would recommend to discern how to choose what groups should receive support.
Following our closing worship Friends adjourned purposing to meet again on Second Month 9, 2025 as way opens.
| Respectfully submitted by, | Accepted as the Approved Record, | |
| /s/ Jonah Sutton-Morse, Recording Clerk pro tem | /s/ Heidi Babb, Presiding Clerk |
| Concord Monthly Meeting Statement of Operations* | 2024-06-01 – 2024-12-31 | Budget – FY 2024-25 | Budget Remaining | % of Budget Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | ||||
| Contributions | $19,032 | $24,600 | $5,558 | 77% |
| Interest Income | $1 | $1,090 | $1,089 | 0% |
| Rental Income – Child Care | $4,245 | $7,440 | $3,195 | 57% |
| Rental Income – Others | $610 | $1,300 | $690 | 47% |
| Total Income | $23,888 | $34,430 | $10,542 | 69% |
| Expenses | % of Budget Spent | |||
| 1 Program | ||||
| Finance Committee | $37 | $100 | $63 | 37% |
| Hospitality | $136 | $100 | -$36 | 136% |
| Library | $0 | $140 | $140 | 0% |
| Ministry & Counsel | $196 | $400 | $204 | 49% |
| Outreach Committee | $0 | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Peace, Social & Earthcare Concerns | $0 | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| PSECCC - Peace Pole | $841 | $610 | -$231 | 138% |
| Website Committee | $282 | $1,000 | $718 | 28% |
| Youth & Religious Education | $0 | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Total Program | $1,492 | $2,975 | $1,483 | 50% |
| 2 Property | ||||
| Data Usage | $826 | $1,236 | $410 | 67% |
| Debt Service – Mortgage, P&I | $1,903 | $2,855 | $952 | 67% |
| Depreciation | $2,630 | $4,508 | $1,878 | 58% |
| Electricity | $684 | $1,000 | $316 | 68% |
| Furnishings | $0 | $1,000 | $1,000 | 0% |
| Grounds | $14 | $1,000 | $986 | 1% |
| Insurance | $1,998 | $3,498 | $1,500 | 57% |
| Maintenance | $2,631 | $3,000 | $369 | 88% |
| Snow Removal | $0 | $1,600 | $1,600 | 0% |
| Supplies - Bldg. & Maintenance | $139 | $3000 | $161 | 16% |
| Total Property | $10,824 | $19,997 | $9,173 | 54% |
| 3 Support | ||||
| AFSC | $973 | $1,946 | $973 | 50% |
| Dover Quarterly Meeting | $0 | $10 | $10 | 0% |
| FCNL | $0 | $167 | $167 | 0% |
| Friends Camp | $0 | $333 | $333 | 0% |
| Friends General Conference (FGC) | $0 | $164 | $164 | 0% |
| Friends United Meeting | $0 | $164 | $164 | 0% |
| FWCC | $0 | $234 | $234 | 0% |
| Interfaith Council | $0 | $50 | $50 | 0% |
| NEYM - Equalization Fund | $0 | $372 | $372 | 0% |
| NEYM - General Fund | $4,485 | $7,689 | $3,204 | 58% |
| NH Council of Churches | $75 | $75 | $0 | 100% |
| Woolman Hill | $0 | $255 | $255 | 00% |
| Total Support | $5,533 | $11,459 | $5,926 | 48% |
| Total Expense | $17,849 | $34,431 | $16,582 | 52% |
| Net Income | $6,039 |
* “A budget is a moral document” ~ often attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929 – 1968)
NB. The Income & Expenses Sheet was created with two decimal points, which were removed for readability, the cents being unimportant to the overall understanding. This can have the effect of throwing off any given sum by a dollar due to compounded rounding. — Prepared by Greg Heath and Chris Haigh.
| Concord Monthly Meeting Balance Sheet | 12th Month 31, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | |||
| Current Assets | |||
| Checking/Savings | |||
| Checking MCSB | $10,998 | ||
| Money Market MCSB | $114 | ||
| Savings Granite State Cr Union | $10 | ||
| Schwab Cash Account | $51 | ||
| Total Checking/Savings | $11,174 | ||
| Other Current Assets | |||
| Prepaid Insurance | $3,922 | ||
| Total Other Current Assets | $3,922 | ||
| Total Current Assets | $15,096 | ||
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Building/Furnishings/Fixtures | $531,695 | ||
| Less Accumulated Depreciation | ($39,513) | ||
| Land (including new lot) | $144,400 | ||
| Total Fixed Assets | $636,582 | ||
| Other Assets | |||
| Total NH Community Loan Fund | $23,361 | ||
| Total Other Assets | $23,361 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $675,039 | ||
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | |||
| Liabilities | |||
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Other Current Liabilities | |||
| Loan - Heating - Fire Safety | $8,988 | ||
| Prepaid Contributions | $100 | ||
| Total Other Current Liabilities | $9,088 | ||
| Long-term Liabilities | |||
| Mortgage Loan | $2,785 | ||
| Total Long-term Liabilities | $2,785 | ||
| Total Liabilities | $11,873 | ||
| Equity | |||
| General Fund Balance | |||
| Fire Safety Improvements | $33,635 | ||
| Land & Building Fund - Other | $610,855 | ||
| General Fund Balance – Other | $561 | ||
| Total General Fund Balance | $611,416 | ||
| Temp. Restricted Net Assets | |||
| Donor Restricted Funds | |||
| Asylum Seekers Support Fund (ASSF) | $247 | ||
| Kakamega Family Support Fund | $18 | ||
| Mindful Mortality | $425 | ||
| Solar Grant Fund | $1,209 | ||
| Total Donor Restricted Funds | $1,899 | ||
| Meeting Temp. Restricted Funds | |||
| Friendly Assistance Fund | $950 | ||
| Total Meeting Temp. Restricted Funds | $950 | ||
| Total Temp. Restricted Net Assets | $2,849 | ||
| Unrestricted Net Assets | $42,863 | ||
| Net Income | $6,039 | ||
| Total Equity | $663,166 | ||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $675,039 |
M&C Report for January 2025
- Organizing Friendly Eights
- Wednesday evening Midweek worship will be laid down
- Fourth Sundays
- January – Greg is leading State of Society
- February – The Inward and Outward Aspects of the Peace Testimony
- We are reaching out to the Dover Quarter clerk to offer to host the March 30 quarterly meeting and lead the program on the NEYM Listening Session.
- We recommend that we loosen the current restriction on beverages in the Worship Room, by allowing beverages (closed containers if possible) there during 4th Sunday and other program. We recommend that Meeting for Worship is limited to water only, as needed for hydration.
- We discussed the fact that the COVID policy relies on a link to a website (on COVID activity) that no longer exists. We recommend that the meeting change this policy to simplify it and include other dangerous respiratory diseases. The committee asked that Heidi and Ruth revise it (based on the M&C meeting discussion). We submit this for your consideration:
In-Person Meeting Policy (formerly ‘COVID Policy’)
CFM Policy Regarding Contagious Respiratory Illnesses
We strive to create a beloved community which shows loving concern and actions toward all attenders of the Meeting and all with whom we interact in the wider world. We demonstrate this care and love by protecting each other from contagious respiratory illness that we have or to which we have been exposed. We hope attenders will be vaccinated according to CDC guidelines. We request that you attend via Zoom if you have a fever, cough or other viral symptoms. Masks are available in the lobby for anyone who feels vulnerable.
We believe this will make our Meetinghouse a safer space for attenders whose network may include people who are at greater risk for serious respiratory illnesses. Please contact Clerk [at] ConcordFriendsMeeting [dot] org with any questions or concerns.
How to make changes in case of uptick in serious illness.
OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR-ELECT KELLY AYOTTE
NEW HAMPSHIRE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS NETWORK
NEW HAMPSHIRE IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY NETWORK
Via Email to https://ayottetransition.com/contact/
OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR-ELECT KELLY AYOTTE
December 18, 2024
Governor-Elect Kelly Ayotte
P.O. Box 4723
Manchester, NH 03108
Re: Commitment to Governing New Hampshire on Behalf of ALL New Hampshire Residents
Dear Governor-Elect Ayotte:
We are submitting this letter on behalf of the NH Immigrant Rights Network and the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network. We are coalitions of New Hampshire organizations and individuals working with and within immigrant communities to improve lives and ensure just treatment. We are writing to ask you to commit to being the Governor for all New Hampshire residents.
We are prompted to communicate with you based on remarks you made during a December 13, 2024 interview with WMUR’s Adam Sexton referencing your position on New Hampshire’s potential involvement with President-Elect Trump’s cruel threats to embark on mass deportations. During that interview you indicated that you will “support efforts to conduct a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.”[1]
We are deeply opposed to New Hampshire involving state and local law enforcement officers in any enforcement of federal immigration law violations which are largely civil in nature. There is no need for New Hampshire law enforcement entities to step outside of their primary obligations to protect the people of New Hampshire, regardless of citizenship status. There is most certainly no “good government” rationale for engaging in law enforcement operations designed to harm New Hampshire families.
Over the past many years, members of our groups have worked diligently to connect with New Hampshire’s law enforcement community and we have forged strong connections with local departments as well as the Department of Safety. As a result, those departments have developed tools and mechanisms to better connect with and serve immigrant communities. One of the outcomes was the Department of Safety’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy which has been incorporated into the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Manual and the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council’s training materials. New Hampshire law enforcement involvement with immigration law enforcement would erode the strides that our state has made to encourage immigrant community trust in law enforcement.
The incoming President’s threats to engage in mass deportations is an inhumane response to a federal problem caused by the U.S. Congress’s decades-long failure to fix the immigration system. Historically, mass deportation efforts in our country have been rooted in racial, ethnic and religious animus and this current threat will disproportionately focus on people of color.[2]
We expect that as Governor you will focus your efforts on protecting all New Hampshire residents from federal government overreach. The vast majority of our population are U.S. citizens or lawfully present residents; others have struggled for years to put their status in order while Congress has failed them.[3] Our state has little need for aggressive federal law immigration enforcement initiatives, much less state and local law enforcement entanglement in such efforts. If mass deportation operations take place in New Hampshire, there is a strong likelihood that lawfully present New Hampshire residents and U.S. citizens, and longtime community members will be wrongfully detained and even removed from the country.[4] And most tragically, New Hampshire children will be irreparably harmed.
For these reasons, we ask that you put the interests and well-being of all New Hampshire residents first and decline to participate in any federal mass deportation efforts.
We would also welcome the opportunity to meet with you or members of your staff to further discuss this very concerning federal initiative.
Sincerely,
[1] Ayotte Says New Hampshire Would be Ready to Support Mass Deportation of Undocumented Immigrants, WMUR, Dec. 13, 2024 at https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-kelly-ayotte-mass-deportation/63188270.
[2] Mel Wilson, Near Certain Cataclysmic Consequences of a Mass Deportation System, National Association of Social Workers (Fall 2024) at https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Social-Justice/Social-Justice-Briefs/Near-Certain-Cataclysmic-Consequences-of-a-Mass-Deportation-Program#:~:text=However%2C%20it%20was%20In%20the%201880s%20when,Chinese%20laborers%20immigrating%20to%20the%20United%20States.
[3] 2.9% of the New Hampshire population is foreign-born (which includes people who are now U.S. citizens) and undocumented immigrants account for .07% of the New Hampshire population. American Immigration Council (2024) at https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/new-hampshire/#:~:text=New%20Hampshire%20has%20a%20small,at%20least%20one%20immigrant%20parent.
[4] US Citizens Caught in Dragnet as Immigration Enforcement Gets More Aggressive, Immigration Impact (Aug. 1, 2019) at https://immigrationimpact.com/2019/08/01/us-citizens-detained-by-ice/.
