Rochester Friends Meeting

Called Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business
11 Eighth Month 2002

Meeting began at 11:30 A.M. to consider actions for peace and in remembrance of September 11th. Nineteen people attended (attachment 1). The Meeting opened with a period of silence. Coclerk Lu Harper read the following passage from Quaker Faith and Practice Second Edition, Britain Yearly Meeting (24.34):

    The courage for clarity and the strength to stand up for truth are repeatedly demanded of us. However, the secret lies in the way in which truth is spoken. If it is spoken with contempt, bitterness or hatred, it results in bitterness; if, however, truth is spoken in love, the door to the other's heart can slowly open so that the truth can perhaps have some effect. . . . We can help to ease the tensions and live within them in the right way if we fulfil simultaneously Christ's two commandments--the commandment to love and the commandment to speak truth. A synthesis of these two must be found. Out of fear, we may betray truth; out of bitterness or self-righteousness we may betray love. A desire for peace without truthfulness is worthless and does not bring about peace; without love truth has no effect because it is not heard.

  1. Minute on War and Peace: The Peace and Social Action committee proposed minute was passed out (attachment 2). Friends considered the minute in a worship- sharing format. Friends agreed on the following minute, which will be used as a newspaper ad in the Messenger Post:

    As the war on terrorism and the threat of war against Iraq continue to increase, the Rochester Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) reiterates its historic Peace Witness. We implore our leaders to:

    1. Abandon the planned invasion of Iraq, and refrain from war.
    2. Redirect our resources toward humanitarian, educational and reconstruction assistance in Afghanistan, and other devastated or impoverished areas, in the spirit of the Marshall Plan, which helped to turn former enemies into allies.
    3. Use established structures of international institutions, such as the United Nations and war crimes tribunals for truly humane resolutions to ongoing regional problems and conflicts.

    Individual op ed pieces can go into other publications. Money will come from the contingency fund, individual Friends, and we will inquire about financial support from New York Yearly Meeting. We will check with other Meetings for the possibility of pooling our resources in future communications.

    Peace and Social Action committee was asked to research and share economic complexities of war, international courts, and the effects of humanitarian aid.

  2. September 11th Activities: Friends will sponsor two events on September 11th.

    FIRST: At noon we will hold a Meeting for Worship. SECONDat 8 P.M. Friends will hold a candlelight Meeting for Healing for all the victims of the world to heal wounds of violence. Georgia NeSmith volunteered to handle publicity.

    The Meeting ended at 1:15 P.M. with a period of silence.

    Judy Halley, recording clerk