Bethesda Friends Meeting
As of December 31, 2010, a total of 364 members were recorded by Bethesda Friends Meeting. Of these members, 223 were recorded as adults, 61 as associates, and 80 as junior members. In 2010, total membership in the Meeting increased by 3, or by less than 1%.
Total adult membership in the Meeting increased by 4 during 2010, reflecting 11 new members and 7 losses. Of the 11 new adult memberships, 8 were by convincement, 2 were young Friends who became full members, and 1 transferred in. Losses consisted of 2 transfers out, 1 resignation, and 4 deaths. Our combined associate and junior membership declined by a net of 1. Seven junior members turned 21 during 2010, at which time their memberships automatically converted to associate status.
Despite little change in total memberships in 2010, there is evidence that the Bethesda Meeting community continues to grow. Whereas the Meeting typically loses 1 or 2 members to death in a given year, we experienced the passing of 4 valued members on 2010. Yet our numbers continue to grow with the addition of 8 new members by convincement in 2010.
While attenders constitute a very important part of our Meeting community, no official statistics are recorded on them. Based on a rough estimate, the BFM directory contains about 1000 names, suggesting that our community is made up of roughly one-third members and two-thirds attenders.
The number of attenders appears to be growing, as evidenced by a net increase of about 20 household listings in Bethesda Meeting's new Directory. This is welcome news as we learn that some of our seasoned Friends have passed on or are leaving the area.
Rick Morgan, Recorder