This past year presented York Meeting with many blessings. We are thankful for the love and freshness new attenders revealed to our meeting. Our spiritual community grew in numbers, and attendance at most Meetings for Worship was 20 or more.

In our laboring to formulate this report we have identified six areas of concern to Friends at York. Although some of these concerns were unknown to some members and some have only a limited effect on our membership we nevertheless feel compelled to speak to them. We want to be sure to hear all voices with the same love and consideration.

1. Some Friends feel that there are still personal grievances lingering from past conflict. Individual sufferings can bring corporate suffering to the Meeting. To this we have agreed that we must renew our commitment to forgiveness, acceptance and love for each other. We pray for a spirit of healing to come among us to cleanse the air and put old hurts to rest. With this accomplished we can get on to the new exciting life of the Meeting.

2. The presence of children at Meeting and lack thereof is a concern to us. We must welcome, love and encourage our children for they are indeed the future of York Meeting. The confined space of our ancient meeting house allows little room for young ones to be themselves and on occasion their enthusiasm intrudes on the silence of Meeting. These instances are received with mixed feelings. However it is the sense of the Meeting that there are all sizes of Friends in a community. One Friend put it well by saying that when God is present in our worship, that presence is stronger then the noises of traffic outside or the children in the next room.

3. Vocal ministry in Meeting for Worship has not always been a part of York Meeting. Old Friends knew that all of us are called to be ministers one to another and bring forth messages that may enlighten and encourage others. Many of us feel that York Meeting possesses that blessed balance of silence and messages. Today many Friends recognize and appreciate vocal ministry as a gift from God. We are grateful for those to whom God has given this gift of ministry.

4. There is a concern that Friends sometime come to Meeting with their own personal "agendas". We wonder what that word means. If we changed it to "concern" does it have the same implications? Do we have the willingness to make connections that will turn individual concerns into corporate witness? What does our Meeting stand for? Our image to the community needs to be more than an historic building with well kept grounds. As individuals we need to publish truth in accord with our Quaker testimonies. As a Meeting Friends need to labor with corporate witness that can be presented to the world. We ask that Friends be open to all leadings and rally about and encourage those with concerns as they labor in all parts of the vineyard, near and far.

5. A sense of community outside Meeting for Worship is longed for by some. Study groups that would focus on concerns, the Queries or the Bible home visitation among Friends could help in this matter. It seems that whenever we join in fellowship, whether it be for discussion groups or picnics, tender feelings of harmony and friendship result..

6. Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business have been sparsely attended. While some Friends feel that the business of the Meeting has been faithfully attended to, others feel frustrated. At one Monthly Meeting only three Friends were in attendance. They sensed that this was not enough representation and that business could not be conducted in good gospel order. And so for the first time in many years Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business was not held at York. Friends ponder the future of our Meeting if this situation continues.

And so it goes at York Meeting. We find strength in our Meeting for Worship and cherish our meeting as a special place. The Inner Light glows within us, lighting our dark corners and opening ways in which we can grow beyond our dissatisfaction and rise above our disappointments. We have faith that the Light will show us the way to make our lives and our Meeting our gift to God.