Report to BFM Business Meeting on April 11, 2010, BYM Interim Meeting
1. A Bit of History: Those attending Interim Meeting got a short lesson in the long and sometimes discordant history of Friends in America. The theological division between Hicksite and Orthodox Friends which in 1828 split Baltimore YM into two separate yearly meetings, resulted in two separate monthly meetings(one Orthodox and the other Hicksite) in the small community of Fishertown, near Bedford in south central Pennsylvania. Both monthly meetings were part of BYM when it reunited in 1968. More recently the membership of Fishertown had declined to the point that last year the few remaining members asked the YM that it be laid down. A committee was appointed to decide how best to deal with the property, records and other assets of the meeting. Rather than lay down Fishertown MM, it was decided that it should be reunited with Dunnings Creek. So after 182 years the Orthodox-Hicksite division in that part of Pennsylvania ended. The IM approved this action.
2. Financial Support for Friends Theological College: In 2009, Ann Riggs, a Friend from Annapolis MM accepted an appointment as principal of the Friend Theological College in Kaimosi in western Kenya. In June 2009 IM, Interim Meeting agreed to support Ann's leading in Kenya with $20,000 in funds set aside for FUM but not sent. At the March IM, Friends approved giving the $7,000 in the current budget for FUM to support Ann as she continues for a second year at the college. Like all FUM overseas representatives, Ann must raise her own salary and other costs (vehicle etc) which total about $70,000/year. Ann reported that the college is in the process of finally being accredited which was one of the stated goals of those from college who invited her to become the principal.
3. Financial Report: Yearly Meeting Treasurer Marion Ballard reported that the YM ended its 2009 fiscal year Dec. 31, with a surplus of $23,544 which will go into reserves. For the year, it had revenues of approximately $1.7 million and expenses of $1.6 million. About 25% of revenues come from apportionment, 8% from development, and the balance from program fees (primarily the camping program).
Separately, Development Director Robinne Gray reported that the gifts to the YM in 2009 amounted to $198,466 as compared to $116,670 in 2008. A part of this larger total in 2009 was startup money for Robinne's development position including the $10,000 that BFM gave.
The 2010 budget approved at Annual Session last August called for a reduction in total apportionment income. To ensure that the YM meets its budget this year it will need to raise $230,000 through development/giving activities.
4. Intervisitation: The Intervisitation Committee continues a vigorous program of sending BYM Friends to other yearly meeting in a spirit of sharing, worship and friendship. Between March 31 and September 6 individual BYM Friends will be traveling to Southeastern, Great Plains, Wilmington, Western, Canadian, and North Carolina Yearly Meetings. Seven Friends will be going the Kenya in July to participate in the FUM Board Meeting and to attend the United Society of Friends Women gathering.
The concept of intervisitation begun by BYM has struck a responsive cord among other YMs, and Friends from New York, Iowa, Wilmington, and New England will be attending BYM's annual session in August. Sylvia Graves, the general secretary of FUM, has accepted BYM's invitation to lead the morning Bible study during the session.
5. Vision Proposal for Monthly Meetings: Last fall BYM held a day-long visioning session attended by some 60 individuals from throughout the YM. This was an attempt to gain some common understanding of what the YM should be about and what Friends' collective vision for the future of the YM. As a follow-on to that, the YM now will be involving monthly meetings in the visioning process. It will be seeking invitations from monthly meetings for designated 'traveling ministers' from the YM to come to facilitate discussions among groups of local Friends on a range of queries including but not limited to 'What is our monthly meeting called to do to act out our faith?' 'How can the YM support the MMs in their work?' and 'What can the YM do to help us realize our collective dreams?'
6. BYM Camping Program: There is still space available at the BYM Camps for the 2010 summer sessions. This year the Teen Adventure for the oldest campers is adding a bicycling program.
Submitted:
Liz Hofmeister and Susan Kaul,
BYM representatives to BYM
