Many Hands Do Light Work
It’s not true that Quakers don’t have ministers. We’re all ministers. That means we all share our ministry, and we all participate in the care and operations of the Meeting. We do that by volunteering to serve on committees. A committee might have a convener to help schedule or communicate meeting times, as well as helping to establish worshipful silence at the beginning of each meeting. A committee clerk typically has the responsibility of creating an agenda for regular or called committee meetings. They also submit a report to the Meeting’s clerk to include in each month’s Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business.
Committee appointments are typically one to three years. If you are interested in getting involved in any of the committees listed below, or want to talk with someone to discern how best to use your gifts to serve the meeting, ask to talk with someone on the Nominating committee, or send them an email.
Clerks
The Clerks committee includes members of the meeting who serve in specific roles.
- Meeting Clerk
- Assistant Clerk
- Recording Clerk
- Membership Clerk
- Corresponding Clerk
- Treasurer
Finance
The Finance committee works with the Treasurer to solicit, maintain and disburse operating funds for the meeting. They discern financial needs, prepare a budget, and make reports to the Meeting. They are charged managing the assets and any investments the Meeting holds.
First Day School
The First Day School (FDS) committee plans and coordinates programming for youth at the Meeting and nurtures families with children so that their spiritual needs are addressed. Members ensure staff or volunteers are trained in safety protocols as well as age-appropriate religious education and play.
Hospitality
The Hospitality committee helps keep the Meetinghouse welcoming to invited guests, first-time visitors and regular attenders. They see each person who enters the building as a gift, a reflection of Spirit. They coordinate preparation, sharing, serving, and cleanup of meals and refreshments; stock the kitchen with essentials like coffee and paper products; keep nametags, guestbooks and welcoming literature fresh and available; maintain and host Friendly Lunch and other special events.
House & Grounds
The Building or House & Grounds committee takes care of the meetinghouse and property. including contractual agreements for renting the space to outside groups, or hiring cleaning or other maintenance professionals. They organize work days when Friends can help care for and clean up the space.
Library
The Library committee maintains the collection of books at the meetinghouse, ordering new titles and informing Friends about them. They organize forums to discuss books or timely topics, and either write — or encourage Friends to write — book reviews for the newsletter. They nurture our alliance with the Civic Media Center.
Ministry & Nurture
The Ministry & Nurture committee (M&N) is responsible for the spiritual life of the meeting. They are regular, punctual and reverent attenders in worship and signal the rise of meeting. They help keep our silence centered and are prepared to counsel Friends and newcomers on vocal ministry and how we use discernment in our mystical tradition. They provide oversite of clearness committees (including those considering marriage), plan retreats and worship sharing opportunities, help mediate any conflicts, and promote interaction with the wider Quaker community. They help prepare an annual report on the spiritual state of the meeting.
Outreach & Inclusion
The Outreach & Inclusion committee helps to keep the meeting visible to people in the community who are seeking a spiritual home, and they help ensure that newcomers have access to information that welcomes and orients them to the meeting. They help with advertising and designing handouts for tabling events. They maintain the website, social media accounts, and the newsletter, staying connected with Friends and committees to share announcements and events.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care is concerned with support of individual members. They provide leadership for what it means to “be in each other’s care.” They visit Friends in their homes, when possible, and maintain contact with members who are ill, injured or unable to attend meeting — including members who have moved away. They help welcome new babies and help plan memorials. They keep a list of Friends to “Hold in the Light” and, with permission, share that list in the newsletter and at rise of meeting.
Peace & Social Concerns
The Peace & Social Concerns (PSC) committee supports the leadings and concerns of the meeting related to broader issues facing our world and community. They advocate for those in need, working in alliance with Friends around the world and with organizations and efforts in the community. They are visible at protests and events that align with Quaker values, including Pride Fest, the MLK Day march, and No Kings Day. They schedule events at the meeting to raise awareness of important issues and help coordinate use of the meetinghouse by likeminded activist groups.
The Earthcare Witness committee, which focuses on environmental connection and concerns, is currently in the care of PSC.