Agenda: Adelphi Friends Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
Second Month 11, 2007
Second Month's Query, Baltimore Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice: Meetings for Worship with a Concern for Business

(Since BYM is in the process of rewriting the Queries, I will include both the traditional and the newer versions.)

Traditional Queries:  Are meetings for business held in a spirit of worship, understanding and forbearance? When direction seems lacking, is this seen as a challenge to a more prayerful search for truth? Do we humbly set aside our own preconceived notions as to proper action, seeking instead Divine guidance as to the right course? Is the Meeting aware that it speaks not only through its actions but also through its failure to act?
   Do you participate regularly in meetings for business, discharge faithfully your committee responsibilities, and assume your share of financial support of the Meeting?

Proposed Advices and Queries:

Advices: Attendance at meeting for worship with a concern for business is the responsibility of all friends. Come with open minds, seeking the spirit, ready to listen to others carefully, always trying to discern the truth in what they have to offer. Proceed in the peaceable spirit of the light of Truth, with forbearance and warm affection for each other. If you cannot attend, uphold the Meeting prayerfully.
   We do not seek a majority decision nor even consensus. As we wait patiently for God's guidance, our experience is that way will open and we shall be led into unity. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken.

Queries: Are your Meetings held in the spirit of worship, seeking the guidance of God? In what ways do we each take our share of responsibility in the service of the Meeting?

· Reading of the Queries, followed by open worship
· Agenda review
· Informational items - not for extended discussion:
  o Consideration of Minutes from previous month
  o Relevant clerk's mail
  o BYM Announcements:
     *Young Adult Friends Weekend gathering in NJ - Feb.16-18
     * Finding God in Poetry - Friends Wilderness Ctr. Feb. 17
     * Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Education Funds - grants from  
     $100 to $500 targeting schools under the care of a Meeting
      -- apply by March 1
     * FCNL Internship application deadline March 10
     * Wm. Penn House Strategy for Peace workship March 17
     * BYM Interim Meeting at Gunpowder Mon. Mtg. "March 24
     *Scholarship applications for BYM students (secondary,
      college, grad school) due May 1
o  Report on Memorial Garden

· Items for deeper discussion and/or action:

o  Proposal from Quaker Earthcare witness
o  Ministry and Worship proposal
o  House and Grounds proposal re: concerns about uninvited
      guests on property
o  Finance Committee Congregant Aid proposal
o  Request by FCNL for Adelphi mailing list
o  Other business

· Reading of minutes for items that resulted in action
· Announcements
· Open worship