Contacts 2020-2021

We’re happy you found us!  Please be in touch.  You are welcome any Sunday or contact the Clerk of Meeting by emailing Clerk@ConcordFriendsMeeting.org.

Officers and Committees of Concord Friends Meeting

(1st of 6th Month 2020 — 31st of 5th Month 2021)

Role or Committee 1, 2, 3, 4 Members (alphabetically by first name) C=clerk/convener; eo=ex officio; IC=Initial Convener (term ending year ) Duties

Presiding Clerk of Meeting

  • Richard Kleinschmidt

The clerk conducts all business sessions, sees that business is properly presented to the meeting for consideration, and announces decisions when made. The clerk is responsible for keeping accurate minutes, properly dated and signed, showing all matters discussed and actions taken. These shall be kept in permanent form in a minute book after they have been approved by the meeting.

The clerk carries out the instructions of the meeting on all matters pertaining to the accomplishment of its business and signs necessary documents on behalf of the meeting. The clerk also receives, transmits, and acknowledges communications; the meeting may appoint a correspondent to assist with these matters. In the absence of the clerk, the meeting may appoint another Friend to be clerk for the day.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.  See also “Advices for Clerks”.)

Recording Clerk

  • Heidi Babb

The recording clerk keeps accurate minutes showing all actions taken by the meeting. When appropriate, the recording clerk may assist the presiding clerk in framing a minute.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.  See also “Advices for Recording Clerks”.)

Treasurer

  • Chris Haigh

The treasurer receives and disburses funds as the meeting directs.  The treasurer keeps the account books of the meeting and reports regularly to it.  The accounts should be audited annually.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.)

Recorder

  • Jone LaBombard

The recorder keeps the permanent records of all changes in the status of membership, such as births, deaths, marriages, applications, transfers, and withdrawals. Records should be kept in a form approved by the Yearly Meeting and statistics on membership submitted as called for. It is recommended that recorders issue annually to the membership an up-to-date list of names and addresses of all members. Such a list should be appended to the monthly meeting minutes every ten years, beginning with the first monthly meeting in 1985.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.)

Bookkeeper

  • Greg Heath

Maintains QuickBooks accounting system and all financial records.

Child Care / YRE Assistants

(discernment by YRE & NEYM background checks)

  • Chris Haigh
  • David Woolpert
  • Faith Sillars
  • Greg Heath
  • Heidi Babb
  • James Farquhar
  • JJ Smith
  • Jonah Sutton-Morse
  • Jone LaBombard
  • Kathy Mercer
  • Kathy Urie
  • Laurie Raymond
  • Lucy Nichols
  • Mark Barker
  • Pat Wallace
  • Richard Kleinschmidt
  • Rob Spencer
  • Ruth Heath
  • Sara Smith
  • Sheryl Ingraham
  • Wendy Lapham

Assists First-Day School teachers and helps provide child care during meeting for worship.

Clerk’s Consultation Committee

  • Betsy Meyer
  • Heidi Babb
  • Rob Spencer

Supports the presiding clerk of the Meeting.

Communications Assistant

  • Greg Heath
  • Wendy Lapham

Sends announcements to the e-mail list for the Meeting.

Finance Committee

 

Prepares annual budget proposal; manages approved budget, reports monthly to Meeting.  Ensures efficacy and integrity of Meeting financial practices.

The finance committee is responsible for raising funds and preparing a budget for the consideration of the monthly meeting.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.)

First-Day School Teachers

(discernment by YRE Committee)

  • Heidi Babb
  • Richard Kleinschmidt
  • Ruth Heath
  • Wendy Lapham

 

Fundraising Committee

(to be addressed when needed)

A Spirituality of Fundraising, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Landscape Design Committee (ad hoc)

  • Chris Haigh
  • Greg Heath, IC
  • Faith Sillars
  • Pat Wallace

Designs the landscaping around the meetinghouse.  Manages its budget.

Library Committee

  • Faith Sillars, IC
  • Lynda Dyer
  • Mark Barker

Catalogs new media.  Keeps media filed in order.  Ensures Meeting has access to media and ensures borrowed media is returned.  Makes selections for acquisitions.  Weeds collection. Manages its budget.  See draft Library Policy.

Ministry and Counsel Committee

  • Betsy Meyer
  • Clerk of Meeting
  • Faith Sillars
  • Lucy Nichols
  • Mark Barker
  • Ruth Heath
  • Sara Smith, IC

Ministry and Counsel should be especially attentive to the quality of the meeting for worship. Humility of spirit and confidence that the power of God will work in each person are essential to this service.

Ministry and Counsel should encourage those whose vocal ministry gives evidence of true spiritual insight and offer guidance to those whose messages seem inappropriate to a meeting for worship. The depth and timeliness of the message and its harmony with the spirit of the meeting are more important than the form. The example of one struggling to be faithful in a difficult task may be more helpful than a polished address. Although the vocal ministry serves an important purpose, Friends should be constantly aware that the opportunity for silent communion with God is basic to their religious practice.

Ministry and Counsel initiates the recording of gifts in the ministry.

Where ministry is offered through music, Ministry and Counsel should be sensitive to its contribution to the quality of worship.

Ministry and Counsel should also encourage private prayer, meditation, and devotional reading which promote growth in the spiritual life and prepare each worshipper for the corporate worship of the meeting.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.)

See also Ministry and Counsel webpage on this website.

NEYM Hospitality Helpers & Hosts

  • Faith Sillars
  • Greg Heath
  • Heidi Babb
  • Joanna Evans
  • Jonah Sutton-Morse
  • Kathy Urie (Coordinator)
  • Pat Wallace
  • Penny Petkiewicz
  • Richard Kleinschmidt
  • Sara Smith
  • Thomas Hedberg

 

Nominating Committee

 

  • Faith Sillars (2022)
  • Heidi Babb (2024)
  • Kathy Urie, IC (2021)
  • Mark Barker (2023)

The nominating committee makes nominations throughout the year for officers, committees, representatives, and other positions of responsibility as directed by the monthly meeting.  Members of this committee are chosen with regard to their discernment, seasoned judgment, and general knowledge of the membership of the meeting.  They confer with proposed nominees before presenting their names to the monthly meeting. Any member of the meeting may suggest changes in the nominations.  Members of the nominating committee serve for no more than three consecutive years.

(See Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting.)

Outreach Committee

  • Jonah Sutton-Morse
  • Kathy Urie 
  • Mark Barker
  • Richard Kleinschmidt
  • Ruth Heath, IC
  • Wendy Lapham

Friends are exploring new ways to be present and available in the broader culture, offering the Quaker way for a life lived in the Light and a mode of seeking that together.

Quaker outreach is a broad topic and there is a positive role for every Friend to play. 

  • See with the eyes of a newcomer.
  • Look for the details that speak of cleanliness, safety, proper maintenance.
  • Have pamphlets and books available for the new seeker.
  • Embrace an active role in offering the Quaker way.
  • Enfold your outreach efforts in your prayer practice.

(See http://neym.org/qye/outreach.)

Peace, Social, and Earthcare Concerns Committee (PSECC)

  • Charles Friou
  • Faith Sillars
  • JJ Smith, IC
  • Kathy Urie
  • Lynda Dyer
  • Richard Kleinschmidt
  • Wendy Lapham

Plan Fourth Sundays relative to their concerns; threshing items under their concern prior to business meeting.  Possibly connect with outside groups working on these types of concerns.  Manages its budget.

Property Committee

  • Chris Haigh
  • Greg Heath
  • James Farquhar
  • JJ Smith
  • Lucy Nichols, IC
  • Michael Evans
  • Thomas Hedberg

Keeps building supplies on hand.  Makes minor repairs.  Engages and supervises contractors as needed.  Manages improvements to, maintenance of, cleaning, and rental/use of property and equipment.  Manages its budget lines.

Property Committee Mission Statement

Solar Committee (ad hoc)

  • Greg Heath, convener
  • Jennifer J Smith
  • Ruth Heath

 

Youth Religious Education Committee

  • Heidi Babb, IC
  • Jone LaBombard
  • Ruth Heath
  • Wendy Lapham

Plans curriculum and policies for the First Day School.  Hears and responds to concerns of teachers.  Oversees the First Day School and its budget.  Mission Statement of the Youth Religious Education Committee

Web Clerk

  • Jonah Sutton-Morse (assistant web clerk)
  • Mark Barker

Maintains and enhances web site.

AFSC - NH Support Committee

(discernment by AFSC-NH Program)

Representatives (serve a three-year term from Ninth Month of the first year through Eighth Month of the third year, renewable once)

  • Anne Saunders (2020-2023) 1st term
  • Charles Friou (2017-2020) 2nd term
  • Faith Sillars (2018-2021) 1st term

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the NH Support Committee.  For further information, please see “Orientation for AFSC NH Program Support Committee Members” (a PDF)

AFSC - Northeast Region Executive Committee (NEREC) Member

(discernment by AFSC-NEREC and AFSC Board

  • Mark Barker (2017-2020) 1st term

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the Northeast Region Executive Committee (NEREC).  The Northeast Region includes New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Beacon Hill Friends House Dover Quarter Representative

(discernment by Dover Quarterly Meeting)

  • To Be Discerned

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the Beacon Hill Friends House Corporation Board, which meets once per year in Sixth Month.

Greater Concord Interfaith Council Representatives

  • Mark Barker
  • Rob Spencer
  • Rob Yager

At least one representative to attend monthly meeting.  Assists or leads program planning for a Greater Concord Interfaith Council event.

NEYM Ministry and Counsel Representatives (discerned by CMM M&C)

  • Jennifer J Smith
  • Mark Barker

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the NEYM Ministry and Counsel Committee.

NEYM Permanent Board Representative

(discernment by NEYM Permanent Board)

  • Sara Smith

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the NEYM Permanent Board.

NH State Prison Ministry (discerned by CMM M&C)

  • Elaine Bello [Women’s Prison]
  • James Farquhar [Men’s Prison]
  • Lynda Dyer [Women’s Prison]
  • Rob Spencer [Men’s Prison & Women’s Prison]

 

Woolman Hill Board Members

(discernment by Woolman Hill Board)

  • Heidi Babb

Attends scheduled meetings and participates in the work of the Woolman Hill Board.

  1. Romans 12:3-8 (NRSV)
  2. 1st Corinthians 12:4-31 (NRSV)
  3. Isaac Penington in Quaker Faith & Practice of Britain Yearly Meeting, passage 10.27
  4. Beatrice Saxon Snell in Quaker Faith & Practice of Britain Yearly Meeting, passage 12.08

A tool for scheduling meetings:  http://doodle.com/

Contact Information Form for the Contact List of Contact Friends Meeting. The Contact List, also known as the 'Blue List', is sent to Members and regular Attenders who have asked to be in it.