Compiled as of April
Alexandria Friends Meeting has struggled over the past several months with the
question of Baltimore Yearly Meeting's relationship with Friends United
Meeting. After much prayerful conversation, we find we are not in
unity about whether the Yearly Meeting
should retain its membership in FUM.
We are in unity around certain basic principles. We are committed to
inclusion. We have passed a minute expressing our willingness to marry
same-sex couples. We welcome unmarried couples into our fellowship.
We are deeply uncomfortable with the exclusionary policies of FUM.
Nevertheless, we are divided about what course to take.
Some of us feel strongly led to witness to our precious heritage of silent
worship, inclusive community, and decision-making dependent on a gathered
community of equals, not an imposed hierarchy. We are concerned that
holding membership in FUM defines us as being something other than what we are
called to be. We respect the work being done by FUM around the world, but
would like to see the Yearly Meeting find some way other than membership to
support such good works.
Others among us feel deeply called to witness to our commitment to inclusiveness by opening our hearts and
expanding the circle of our love. We are
mindful of the teaching of Jesus: "whosoever shall compel thee to go a
mile, go with him twain." (Matthew 5:41) We feel led to be present
within FUM, in joyful affirmation of the life and power we experience in our
loving, inclusive meeting communities. A group of us plans to attend the
FUM Triennial in July, and report to the meeting on our experiences
there. We do not want to see more schism among Friends. We feel as
though
separating from FUM would be walking away from the work and witness to which we
are called.
Although we have been unable to reach unity on the question of membership in
FUM, we are united in our love for each other. We are committed to supporting
each other in the different forms of witness to which we feel led.
Approved at Meeting for Worship With a Concern for Business
Sixth Day, Fourth Month, 2008
Annapolis Friends Meeting
One comment by email on materials sent out prior to our Mtg. for Business
discussion:
* I think it is clear that BYM has not been able to come to unity. That
being so, why not leave individual Meetings to decide whether they want to
contribute to FUM? BYM could maintain representation, and forward the sum
of contributions made by individual Meetings, documenting the source of funding
for FUM. BYM should also explore ways of getting
financial support to FUM supported African Quakers without using the FUM
(discriminatory) administrative mechanism.
Oral Statements at February Meeting for Business after report but before
Committee of Four report
*FUM serves as a bridge between Evangelical Friends and FGC and FGC will be
present at FUM's summer Triennial.
*Three Friends emphasized: We need to provide funds from our Emerging Social
Concerns fund to lessen the suffering in
*We need a larger, not smaller, presence at FUM. How can we support
causes FUM works with without giving money directly to FUM?
* BYM's approach has been good and I commend its efforts. To change
someone, you need to speak their language, e.g., use language from Jesus'
teachings to make points on tolerance and equality. We should determine the %
of money that FUM puts towards actions that BYM can't unite with and
withhold only that % of funds from our financial commitment.
* Intervisitation has been extensive, going to both large gatherings and
monthly meetings. The goal has been simply to get to know one another
better. 40 years ago, FGC also found homosexuality unacceptable. It takes
time to change. Give FUM space while we continue with a steady and constant
message.
Comments by email after Committee of Four report was sent:
*I wish (the Committee of Four report) had spelled out the ministries of FUM
that are hurt if we don't pay. And the fact that 35 years ago, Friends in
FGC were no further along than those in FUM today. But I think it's the
right decision, and I do agree with the reason given--that you can't make peace
with money. Then we figure out another approach to moving the hearts of people
in FUM (including in some of our own rural meetings). In
*I believe it would be good to release the yearly meeting funds to FUM; but not
without a statement reiterating our disagreement about their attitude/hiring
policy towards our GLBT Friends, as well as the spiritual unpinning for our
decision in the Committee of Four report. I was touched by the
report of the Committee of Four and agree to the minute they propose.
*I think the Committee of Four report is beautiful. It is time BYM Friends stop
our judgmental ways and respect theological differences among Friends.
*We are in total agreement with the Committee of Four Committees proposed
minute to Interim Meeting that states: "We Friends in Baltimore
Yearly Meeting, gathered for Interim Meeting at (place, date) agreed to direct
our General Secretary to release to FUM the monies withheld since 2004, and
furthermore, we ask that Stewardship & Finance Committee together with
Trustees formulate a plan for paying what is owed, in installments if
necessary".
Carlisle Friends Meeting
Minute approved by Carlisle Friends Monthly Meeting on February 10, 2008, in
response to a BYM queries asking that monthly meetings consider how Friends
wish to relate to individuals based on sexual orientation, to African Friends
and to various Quaker bodies. Adoption of this minute was
preceded by an extensive second-hour threshing session held on January 28 and
attended by 20 Carlisle Friends - a number approximately as large as our
average adult attendance at meetings for worship. -- FDB, clerk,
02/10/2008
Carlisle Friends affirm our wish to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus and
the vision that convinced Peter that the gospel message is for all
people. We believe that denying employment or positions of leadership to
Friends based on sexual orientation or openly acknowledged sexual commitments
risks following what Paul called "the letter of the law" at the
expense of "the Spirit that gives life." We acknowledge,
however, the good faith of those who disagree with us. We know that
they have tried as hard
as we, often harder and under more difficult conditions, to be faithful to
gospel teachings. We hope that Baltimore Yearly Meeting will be able to
maintain and restore a spirit of unity with Friends United Meeting, based on a
shared commitment to a Quaker process that keeps us all open to the possibility
of new insights and leadings. We hope that BYM will base its financial
and other decisions on whether there appear to be reasonable grounds for hope
of improving relations through patient listening and open and respectful
dialogue.
Frederick Friends Meeting
Report to Frederick Monthly Meeting held March 30th 2008:
"A small group of meeting members met three times on the issue of BYM's
relationship with FUM. The first meeting was spent educatng ourselves on
the issues. The second meeting was more reflective; the range of
responses varied widely and mirrored the diverse and conflicting responses
discussed already at YM. The third meeting was poorly attended it
was not meaningful to attempt to reach unity. " presented by Anne
Buttenheim Meeting for Business heard an oral report of the discussions,
reports and minutes on this topic given at Interim Meeting,
were moved by the sense that the Spirit had been moving in similar directions
through several groups and committees. We are hopeful that there is growing
clarity on a way forward on this seemingly intractable issue.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Buttenheim - Convenor of the tasked Worship Group
Francy Williams, Clerk Frederick Monthly Meeting
Dunning Creek Friends Meeting
"Friends agreed to inform BYM that our meeting is in favor of accepting
the offer from Hugh and Georgia Fuller to pay BYM's portion of funding for
FUM's administrative costs. It is noted that we disagree with FUM's policy
regarding homosexuality."
Bernie Hoffnar, clerk -
The following minute was approved by Gettysburg Monthly Meeting on February
10th.2008.
It is fundamental to Quaker Faith and Practice that we honor the equality and
integrity of all human beings and affirm individuals in their leadings.
Gettysburg Monthly Meeting strongly expresses its support for withholding
financial aid from any organization that discriminates on the basis of
sexual orientation. At the same time we hope that BYM will continue dialogue
with members of FUM.
Friends were reminded of a cogent statement by Episcopal Bishop John Shelby
Spong. On page 14 of the soft-cover issue of his book "A New Christianity
for a
Gunpowder Friends Meeting
Approved 16th Third Month 2008
Friends of Gunpowder Monthly Meeting have complex and long-standing
relationships with Friends United Meeting (FUM). In past years, some of
us have held membership in
us participated in the intervisitation program promoting dialogue among
affiliate FUM yearly meetings. Today, we are all thankful for FUM's work
at the
All of us, however, have experienced the hurt arising from the FUM personnel
policy that defines marriage narrowly as between a man and a woman and prevents
those who participate in sexual activity outside of marriage so defined from
serving as employees or volunteer leaders within FUM. This policy has
been applied in a discriminatory manner against gay and lesbian Friends. We are
also gravely concerned about the reports of fiscal mismanagement and lack of
openness and transparency in the FUM Board. Given this complex, historical
relationship and these recent struggles, we have reflected on whether or how we
should remain in relationship with FUM.
Gunpowder Friends unite with the sense of many other meetings within BYM that
"certain FUM policies and practices - the personnel policy foremost"
among them - are hurtful and contrary to our understanding of the Quaker
testimony of equality. However, we call upon BYM to ?remain in
relationship with FUM through membership, representation to the Board, and
continued support for FUM programs. We also encourage BYM's continued
funding of the intervisitation program and other such efforts that sustain
dialogue across this pain and difference. In these circumstances, we urge
BYM "to continue to speak plainly and lovingly our concerns and to allow
for" Gospel order.
Quakers have historically labored long-avoiding judgmental actions-with one
another during times of difference such as when Americans (including Quakers)
held African slaves or when American women sought the right to vote. In
the mid-20th century, BYM Friends spent considerable time unifying our two
yearly meetings after years of separation since the Hicksite-Orthodox
split. Friends seek to retain or regain relationship in such times, believing
that we will be led to greater understanding of God's
will by working together than by separating along lines drawn by human
will. BYM has spent tremendous energy over the past six years discerning
whether we should remain in relationship with FUM. We have, indeed,
labored long. We believe that this labor calls us to remain in
relationship as we wait for God's time to reconcile our differences. So,
too, we need to move beyond this all-consuming focus on our relationship with
FUM so that we can do the other works to which we are called as members of BYM.
We do not know where our relationship with FUM will lead us, but we know that
it is a relationship that has been tested over time, challenged by difference,
and graced by God's transforming power. We also know that faithful living
requires that we learn how to love on the other side of hurt. How can we
do this, going forward, as BYM members of FUM? Perhaps by acknowledging
what we already do well together, and by committing ourselves to staying
present to our differences.
While our relationship with FUM is something we value, we value even more
deeply our unified BYM. None of us would want to jeopardize the unity of
BYM because of irreconcilable differences of perspective about FUM. If
these differences of perspective persist, we should consider ways in which
BYM can divest from our membership in all external organizations (i.e., FGC,
FUM) or sustain membership but focus funding decisions for such organizations
at the monthly meeting level.
Little Britain Friends Meeting
Little Britain Monthly Meeting is encouraged by the proposal of Georgia and
Hugh Fuller to pay the administrative fee for Friends United Meeting funds, so
that the Yearly Meeting can send funds towards the services offered by FUM,
rather than pay any administrative costs. We join with them in asking for other
Monthly Meetings to prayerful consider this, as a way to get beyond the present
no funding.
Little Falls Friends Meeting
Little Falls Meeting of Friends held an after-Meeting discussion of BYM's
relationship with FUM on
definitely disagree with its exclusion of gays and lesbians and, while we
applaud its works in
However, in the light of the present catastrophic conditions in
**MINUTE: (1) To effect change, we must remain a part of FUM, hence, we
urge BYM to remain a part of FUM.
**MINUTE: (2) We urge BYM to continue the dialogue with FUM and let the
Spirit work.
**Minuted: We considered BYM's financial commitment to FUM in a worshipful
manner. We, as a Meeting, know this issue will not go away. We did not reach
unity, and will continue to discuss this issue as need arises.
Patuxent Friends Meeting
25 January 2008 - Patuxent Friends Ministry and Counsel, Patuxent Friends
Meeting, in the spirit of looking for that of God in every person, offers the
following responses to Riley Robinson's queries:
" If we want to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
(LGBTQ) people in the Religious Society of Friends, in America and elsewhere,
how can we best do that?
We should support LGBTQ people and others in the Religious Society of Friends
by withholding financial support of FUM and any other organization whose stated
policies and management actions are discriminatory against others, thus not
recognizing and honoring "that of God in every person".
" If we want to have meaningful relationships with other parts of the
Religious Society of Friends, how can we best do that?
We should cling to meaningful relationships with others by choosing not to disassociate
with them, by holding them in the Light, and by trying to love them.
" If we want to be of service to and in relationship with Friends in other
countries, particularly
We can be of service to and in relationship with Friends in other countries by
targeting financial support directly to well managed and effective programs
that improve the quality of lives and increase peace in specific
communities.
" How can these goals be pursued in a harmonious way?
We can pursue these goals in a harmonious way by holding each other in the
Light, encouraging continued participation on the FUM Board, maintaining open
communications, and continuing intervisitation between and among various
Friends meetings and organizations.
We note also that FUM's mission statement expresses commitment to
"gather people into fellowships where Jesus Christ is known, loved and
obeyed as Teacher and Lord". We call to mind Matthew 22:37-40, which
states "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Pipe Creek Friends Meeting
Pipe Creek Monthly Meeting, in response to a request for advice regarding
Baltimore Yearly Meeting's (BYM) Relationship with Friends United Meeting
(FUM), held a Called Meeting on
We disagree with Friends United Meeting's restrictive employment policies as
well as allusions to other issues regarding FUM's decision making process as
reported by the BYM representatives to the recent FUM board meetings in August
of this year. We are aware that there have been attempts toward better
understandings between those concerned but observe that these have not been
fruitful or exhaustive.
Pipe Creek Monthly Meeting feels that greater efforts should be made at
rebuilding the relationship between BYM and FUM at the Monthly Meeting level by
way of inter-visitation and discussion. This works toward our corporately held
conviction that BYM ought to strive to continue its relationship with FUM. We
feel that we do not best encourage diversity or tolerance by rejecting those
with whom we disagree.
Although we view ourselves as an independently oriented Monthly Meeting, we are
aligned with our Yearly Meeting and may subscribe to its decisions, but not
feel constrained to act on all of them.
It is the sense of our meeting that reconciliation is a goal most compatible
with our faith and practice and one not often acquired in haste. We expect FUM
to change their restrictive policies and accept all Gods children as equal.
Pipe Creek Meeting will reconsider our position in 12 months.
While
We recommend that Baltimore Yearly Meeting not withdraw or ignore differences
but instead strive for meaningful conflict resolution through dialogue. We thus
ask that BYM continue to actively engage with Friends United Meeting.
That said, our monthly meeting is not in unity regarding the type or depth of
that engagement, some favoring dues-paying membership and some continuing
dialogue with financial support. We also recommend that, whatever the
engagement, those representing BYM clearly witness our testimonies,
particularly that of equality with regards to sexual orientation and marital
status, yet also integrity, peace, and community.
Approved at Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on 1st Day 16, 3rd
Month, 2008.
At the request of BYM, our Meeting has met and considered our interest in
maintaining relationships between BYM and Friends United Meeting. The
results of two listening sessions (held January 13th and 15th) were presented
for discussion at Meeting for Business on First Sunday of February, 2008.
This slightly edited Minute is presented to Meeting for Business on First
Sunday of March for second reading.
We, members and attenders of Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting, recommend a
continued relationship between the Baltimore Yearly Meeting and the Friends
United Meeting that acknowledges our many commonalities and mutual interests as
well as underlying beliefs. By finding ways to communicate
our combined missions, we will build stronger bridges and provide opportunity
for growth of both corporate bodies.
We seek to find new and improved methods in which to engage and structure our
work - "moving in rather than moving away." Our desire is for a
relationship based on mutual respect, love and kindness: one in which all
parties are respected without pressure to change the others' beliefs.
We at State College Friends Meeting support the peace work of Friends in
and are not yet clear about support for FUM itself. We will continue to
dialogue about this in our Meeting.
Stony Run Friends Meeting
Baltimore Monthly Meeting - Stony Run, meeting in Worship on First day, Fourth
Month, 1st, 2008, considered the following:
Stony Run Friends have previously minuted our lack of
unity with Friends United Meeting personnel policy which we believe denies the
universality of the light in every person. We further affirm our experience as
a Meeting of being enriched by the ministry and service of a number of
persons who would have been excluded by FUM policy.
all financial support of FUM, while continuing in dialogue. In 2005, we
recommended that BYM's funds be allocated toward a BYM-FUM intervisitation
program.
We have been deeply troubled by reports of our
representatives to Friends United Meeting. We are concerned with
persistent reports of problems in governance and leadership at the General
Board and Executive Committee levels of the organization. We are also
distressed about the problems of management of property and programs in
We have grown to cherish members of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
who have deep affection for and allegiance to Friends United Meeting, and we
have found love and respect for staff and visitors from FUM who have worshipped
with us at our Monthly Meeting and Yearly Meeting sessions.
We continue to support intervisitation among Friends for the
foreseeable future. We are unwilling to sever ties with Friends;
however, we are equally unwilling to financially support an institution which
we see as deeply flawed.
We pray for God's healing among us; that our eyes will open
wide to see God's love and God's will made manifest by our fellow Friends, and
that all who call themselves Friends will share the joy we have found in
knowing the Spirit manifest among us in Friends whose life experience and
beliefs may
be different from ours.
Stony Run Meeting recommends that BYM allocate the portion of accumulated and
future BYM-apportioned funds which otherwise would have been directed to FUM
without restriction to instead support inter-visitation and possible shared
education initiatives among Friends and to support work in Africa through the
Africa Great Lakes Initiative.
Friends could not come to unity approving the minute offered from the Committee
of Four Committees. The Clerk will send a letter, drafted in consultation
with the Recording Clerk, to the Clerk of the Committee of Four Committees and
the Clerk of Interim Meeting, stating that we do not
have unity on releasing the funds, based upon our strong objection to FUM's
exclusionary employment policies regarding gay/lesbian/bisexual employees and
volunteers. We recognize the efforts of the Committee of Four Committees
and share the committee's view of the transformational power of
our spiritual concern, and we request that more specific information be
provided about a plan for how the committee will proceed, absent the use of
money and its leverage.
February, 2008
Responses to Peace and Social Concerns Committee’s
Request to release funds for humanitarian relief in Kenya
Adelphi Friends Meeting
While I sensed unity that this effort might be something that we could unite
with, many at the meeting today expressed a lack of confidence that any money
sent directly to Kenyan Yearly Meetings would all get to the areas where it was
needed, there being a history of money being misdirected. It was suggested that
we tell BYM of two projects (African Great Lakes Initiative being one --
they're now doing 40 projects in Kenya-- and another in Nairobi -- Global
Philanthropy? Harold Confer knows the
exact name -- providing food and other relief directly to affected people) run
by individual Quakers in which the money IS actually getting to the people in
need. It was further suggested that BYM request that any funds sent to FUM be
designated for those projects or others that can be vouched for, instead of
sending it to the Yearly Meetings.
Concerns were raised that such an action should not be decided in March, but
that it wait for Annual Session, or at least until Summer Interim Meeting, so
that people would have a chance to consider and respond to full information,
and have a second reading before action is taken.
Floyd Friends Meeting
We, of Floyd Friends Meeting, feel that the BYM's Peace and Social Concerns
committee speaks our minds in the concern over the violence in
Sunday,
Gettysburg Friends Meeting
Gettysburg Monthly Meeting wishes to express its support for using AFSC or the
African Great Lakes Initiative as an overseer for BYM funds to be used to
promote a peaceful resolution to the current violence in Kenya.
Approved February 10th.2008.
Little
It is too far for us to physically get to
fully fund them. I know that you do not preside, but will you please pass this
on to the one who brings up the subject.
Sue Lamborn.