BFM OFFICERS, COMMITTEES, & REPRESENTATIVES
The
following information is provided to help Meeting members
and attenders understand how the Meeting works and to
emphasize how much we depend on everyone’s
participation to keep our community running smoothly.
OFFICERS
| Ellie Fink, | |
The
CO-CLERKS are responsible for convening Meetings for Worship
for the Conduct of Business, guiding deliberations, and
carrying out the Meeting’s instructions.
The
RECORDING CLERK is responsible for preparing an accurate
record of the proceedings at Meetings for Business.
The
TREASURER is responsible for the receipt, custody, and
disbursement of Meeting funds, under the guidance of the
Stewardship & Finance Committee. The Treasurer reports
to the Meeting periodically.
The
RECORDER records births, deaths, marriages, and changes in
membership and marital status, and forwards to the Yearly
Meeting Interchange listings and reports. Recorder’s
Report
Updated 4 March 2012.
The
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR is the liaison with the school and
with Meeting committees and individuals regarding times and
locations of various activities.
The
SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL LIAISON discusses issues with Sidwell
Friends other than use of space for specific events, such as
procedures, requirements, limitations, or expectations
governing our access to and use of the school’s
classrooms and facilities.
The
EDITOR puts notices in the weekly bulletins (if received by
Thursday evening) and articles in the monthly newsletter (if
received by the 13th of the previous month). The Editor
maintains the mailing list and, with lots of help, updates
the annual Directory.
The
LIBRARIAN encourages others’ interest in reading and
supports efforts to collect and make readily available
reading materials for people in the Meeting.
The
ARCHIVIST keeps all permanent files and records, the history
of the Meeting.
COMMITTEES
(Asterisk indicates open only to Meeting members; others are open to all.)
*
PASTORAL CARE is concerned primarily with
the spiritual well-being of the Meeting’s Individual
members. PC receives, considers, and recommends Meeting
action on membership applications; sets up clearness
committees for membership, marriages, and personal concerns;
responds to ill, troubled, or needy Friends; assists
individuals who have a death in the family; and provides a
friendly Ear each week at the rise of Meeting to hear
concerns and questions about the Society of Friends, BFM, or
personal issues. The committee also links each member and
attender with a "personal ear" who calls them at least once
a year (but is always available to respond to their
concerns) to learn ways the Meeting can better support those
in its community. PC meets on Committee Night.
Annual
Report
Updated June 2012.See also BFM’s
1996 Minute
on Marriages and Ceremonies of
Commitment.
*
MINISTRY & WORSHIP is concerned
primarily with what happens when the Meeting gathers for
worship (including Meetings for Worship for the Conduct of
Business). Members of this committee bring closure to
Meetings for Worship and make the announcements. The
committee is responsible for special meetings such as
weddings and memorial meetings. The committee drafts an
annual report on the Spiritual State of the Meeting. It
meets on Committee Night. Annual Report Updated October 2012.
Spiritual State of the Meeting Report Updated April 2012.
*
NOMINATING presents an annual slate of
candidates for BFM committee positions to Meeting for
Business each November and, for final approval, in December.
Throughout September and October, the committee seeks people
willing to serve as officers, on some 15 committees, and as
Meeting-appointed representatives to other organizations.
All committee membership is for two years in the first
instance with the expectation of continued commitment and
service for a further two years. Committee clerks are
expected to be nominated by the current committee in order
for the BFM directory to be completed and for committees to
convene in January. Nominating committee is responsible for
hospitality in January, and facilitates a workshop to
educate the Meeting about BFM committee work in the spring.
Annual
Report.
Updated 16 November 2008.
*
AD HOC COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE THE NOMINATING
COMMITTEE. This typically consists of Friends who
left the Nominating Committee the previous December 31. It
finds people to fill Nominating Committee slots that fall
vacant the following January 1. Since the Nominating
Committee draws from the same membership pool, the ad hoc
committee should complete its’ work before September.
The
AUDITORS conduct an annual audit of the
Treasurer’s records and report to Meeting for Business.
Annual
Report
Updated 7 December 2007.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION fosters the spiritual growth
and development in the Meeting. It arranges programs for
both newcomers and seasoned Friends on Quaker faith and
practice, readings and discussion of Quaker history and
testimonies, Bible study, prayer and meditation, and shared
reflections on our spiritual experience. It is also
responsible for First Day School Teacher Appreciation Day in
June. It meets on the third Sunday, at 9:30 a.m.
Annual Report
Updated September 2012.
Bethesda Friends Meeting Considers BYM's Relationship to Friends United Meeting (FUM)
A History of BYM-FUM Relations added 1 December 2012.
Report of the ad hoc Committee on Relations with FUM added 3 May 2009.
ADVANCEMENT & OUTREACH welcomes newcomers and visitors,
helps them connect with Meeting community activities, and
furthers community action and involvement in keeping with
our Quaker testimonies. It also organizes Spring Fling to
raise money for Ramallah School scholarships, responds to
messages on the telephone tape, publishes the BFM Services
Exchange, and manages our web site. It meets on the third
Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. In 2006, PUBLICATIONS became a
subcommittee of A&O. Two members of the committee
supervise the contract for the monthly newsletter, the
weekly bulletin, and the Directory and provide backup to the
editor as needed.
Annual Report Updated December 3, 2012.
A & O Users Manual 2011 Updated January 2011.
CHILD CARE oversees care provided to children less than
five years of age during Meeting for Worship and Meeting for
Business. Professional child care givers are assisted by
volunteers from the Meeting. The committee meets quarterly.
Annual
Report
(updated February 2012) and Child
Care Policies and Procedures.
FELLOWSHIP
& HOSPITALITY oversees hospitality after
Meetings for Worship, and potlucks on the second Sunday of
most months, although direct responsibility rotates monthly
among all committees. It provides hospitality for special
occasions, such as memorial meetings or Interim Meeting Day
of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. It meets as needed.
Annual
Report
Updated December 3, 2012 and Hospitality
Instructions.
FRIENDLY
EIGHTS organizes a monthly evening (October through
April) with a simple shared meal and fellowship of
participants in groups of eight on a rotational basis. It
meets as needed. To contact the Friendly Eights Committee
please send e-mail to:friendly8s@bethesdafriends.org.
Annual
Report
Updated June 2012.
LIBRARY
is responsible for the acquisition, care, and circulation of
the Meeting’s books and videos. Annual
Report
Updated May 2013.
PEACE
& SOCIAL JUSTICE has as its mission to further
the prospects for peace by deepening the Meeting’s
engagement in peace building and social justice and by
empowering all of us as individuals. Advocacy, education,
vigils, and financial support of community groups are among
the ways the committee pursues this mission as well as
through its liaison with the American Friends Service
Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation, the
Quaker UN Office, and other like-minded groups. The
committee is essentially self-constituted with oversight by
Nominating. There are no term limits. It meets the fourth
Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. Annual
Report
Updated October 2012. See also
BFM’s Peace
Epistle , Mary Jane Simpson Fund Report and Greening Our Meeting.
PUBLICATIONS
supervises the contract for the monthly newsletter, the
weekly bulletin, and the Directory. It meets as needed. Last
Annual
Report
Updated 27 August 2006. [NOTE:
Effective 2007, Publications is now a subcommittee
of Advancement & Outreach.]
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION organizes the First Day religious
education for children in the Meeting, including the
recruiting of teachers and getting appropriate educational
materials. It also organizes the Christmas pageant each
year. It meets on the third Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in
the lower level lounge of the Groome Building.
To learn more about First Day School please send e-mail to:
1stdayschool@bethesdafriends.org.
Annual
Report
Updated July 2012.
STEWARDSHIP
& FINANCE is responsible for preparing the
annual budget, raising the funds to meet the approved
budget, providing guidance and support to the Treasurer, and
ensuring proper care and use of Meeting investments and
property. It meets on Committee Night.
Spring 2011 Grants Program Report
Updated June 2011.
REPRESENTATIVES, LIAISONS, & COORDINATORS
ACTION
IN MONTGOMERY is a coalition of approximately 35
congregations empowering people in the methods of grassroots
organizing to improve our communities. The primary focus has
been getting more funding for affordable housing and for
renovation of community recreation centers.
AMERICAN
FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE liaisons participate in
AFSC regional activities concerned with peace education,
conflict resolution, prison conditions, and support for the
poor, and human rights.
Annual Report
Updated January 2012.
DC Human Rights Learning Project Annual Report
Updated January 2012.
AFSC-MAR DC Peace and Economic Justice Final Report
Updated January 2012.
State of Human Rights in the District of Columbia
Updated January 2012.
BALTIMORE
YEARLY MEETING representatives attend interim
representative meetings and the Annual Gathering of Friends
in the Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Others from the Meeting
serve on Yearly Meeting committees, including the Camping
Committee. BFM is one of 52 congregations in Maryland,
Virginia, Washington DC, and central Pennsylvania who have
joined together to form Baltimore Yearly Meeting, which
first gathered in 1672 at West River, near Annapolis, with
George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends in
attendance. There are now 4,784 Quakers in the area.
Read
the latest BYM Annual Report. Last updated 9 September 2012 and
BYM Interim Report. Last updated May 2013.
BETHESDA
HELP representatives organize food collections in
BFM, attend a bimonthly meeting of the Bethesda Help board,
and report to Peace & Social Justice. Others from BFM
act as drivers or officers of the day in assisting people in
need to get to medical appointments, receive food, or obtain
financial assistance.
BETHESDA
HOUSE MEN’S SHELTER MEAL COORDINATOR. Once a
month, we provide an evening meal for residents of the
Bethesda House Men’s Shelter. This has been an ongoing
activity for decades in a quiet way. The coordinator ensures
that there are enough people providing the food each month.
Each participant prepares food two or three times per
year.
CATOCTIN
WEEKEND COORDINATORS. One weekend is reserved for
BFM at Catoctin Quaker Camp, with opportunities to enjoy the
mountains, camp, hike, sing, share meals, worship, stargaze,
birdwatch, and pick strawberries. The Coordinators make the
arrangements and publicize the events.
Annual
Report
Updated August 2009.
INTERFAITH
WORKS (formerly Community Ministry of Montgomery
County) representatives are commissioners who attend the
monthly meetings of representatives from 65 congregations in
Montgomery County, with a special focus on poverty. They
report to Peace & Social Justice.
FRIENDLY GARDENS. Annual Report. Updated 2 October 2011.
LITERATURE
TABLE. The goal of the literature table is to carry
out the ministry of the written word by providing a regular
opportunity to members and attenders of the meeting to
obtain works that enhance and nourish their spiritual life.
Annual
Report Updated 18 August 2010.
FRIENDS
COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION liaisons help to
distribute the monthly newsletter, organize letter-writing
tables, and report to Meeting for Business on Friends
Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). FCNL is the
Quaker lobby in Washington, advocating positions on social
concerns and justice that are consistent with Quaker
beliefs.Annual
Report
Updated February 2012.
FRIENDS
GENERAL CONFERENCE liaisons keep us informed about the activities and resources of FGC. Their purpose -
with Divine guidance, nurtures the spiritual vitality of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) by providing
programs and services for Friends, meetings, and seekers.
Annual
Report
Updated 6 March 2013.
WILLIAM
PENN HOUSE liaisons keep us informed about the
meetings, seminars, and workshops at William Penn House on
Capitol Hill and are members of its board. Annual
Report.
Updated 18 September 2011.
