MINUTES OF THE PIEDMONT FRIENDS FELLOWSHIP - ANNUAL MEETING FOR WORSHIP WITH ATTENTION TO BUSINESS - QUAKER LAKE, MAY 7, 2006

Attending: Tom Kagan (Raleigh), Tracey Cain (Charlotte), Jeff Brown (Chapel Hill), Deb Clarkson (Charlotte), Bets McCurley (Charlotte), Rachel Leeman-Munk (Chapel Hill), Lucy Kagan (Raleigh), Katie Womble (Raleigh), Anna Wormsbecher (Raleigh), Mary Owen (Raleigh), Geri Hubbe (Raleigh), Chris Shirley (Raleigh), Kathy Staley (Boone), Richard Evey (Boone), Paul Kelly (Charlotte), Kim Wagner (Raleigh), Triona Kagan (Raleigh), Betsy McMichael, (Durham) Caroline Towns (Raleigh), Tom Munk (Chapel Hill), Errol Hess (Greenville, SC), Barbara Ervin (Greenville, SC), Michael P. Jokinen (Chapel Hill), Ruth Hamilton (Chapel Hill), Jean Gordon (Greensboro), Wendy Michener (Chapel Hill/Fayetteville), Ed Sutton (Charlotte), John Cardarelli (Winston-Salem Worship Group), Spencer Mitchell-Schwartz (Durham), Deborah Fisch (FGC/IYMC), Martin Hubbe (Raleigh), Sheela Repoley (Charlotte), Melissa Meyer (Boone), Ted Edgerton (Boone), Cathy Kelly (Charlotte), Barbara Williamson (QEW), Alice Carlton (Chapel Hill), Joan Tillotson (Charlotte), Kara GrawOzburn (Chapel Hill), Chip GrawOzburn (Chapel Hill), Casey Webber (Chapel Hill), Tristan Green (Chapel Hill), Karen Mitchell (Durham), Jane Norwood (Rockingham), Ron Norwood (Rockingham), Louise E. Harris (Winston-Salem Worship Group), David Bailey (Friendship), Gary Briggs (Asheville), Al Carwile, Marian Beane (Charlotte), Virginia Driscoll (New Garden), Jan Blodgett (Davidson)

Clerk Virginia Driscoll opened the meeting with a period of worship. She welcomed all to the meeting and read the traveling minute for Deborah Fisch, FGC visitor to our annual gathering. Deborah expressed thanks for assistance provided by NC Friends to a visiting Iowa Friend in need. She reported on FGC work, with especial focus on the Youth Ministries Program and Traveling Ministries Program. She announced that November 11-12, 2006 in the Pittsburgh area, there will be a consultation on AHow do we nurture ministry.@ PFF is asked to send two Friends to this consultation. PFF Friends offered thanks for Deborah=s presence. A minute expressing thanks for the blessings and witness she provided was approved to be added to her traveling minute.

The traveling minute for Barbara Williamson, Quaker Earthcare Witness representative. Barbara offered thanks for her time at PFF. She shared brochures and announced that they have a new website
(google Earthcare Witness to find). She invited PFF to send representatives to serve on the Quaker Earthcare Witness steering committee. Their Annual Meeting at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico October 7-9, 2006, registration is open and available through their website. She noted that at their spring meeting last weekend, there was discussion of PFF=s annual meeting and that there were meetings in Canada and the United States holding us in the light. Virginia Driscoll added that FGC Central Committee has been holding PFF in the light as well since January.

Gary Briggs, a member of the Planning Committee for the Mid-Winter gathering of Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns, spoke on the meeting to be held in February 16-19, 2007 (President=s Day weekend) in North Carolina at Brown=s Summit. In order to share the history and diversity of Friends in North Carolina, they have invited Max Carter as a plenary speaker and are inviting each Yearly Meeting and Fellowship in North Carolina to send a representative to serve on a panel. He encouraged all to attend this gathering.

Reports from Middle School and High School Friends were offered and received (copies appended to minutes). A minute of appreciation was approved for the those serving with the youth and the Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and New Garden meetings for developing the children=s program.

Friends General Conference: Virginia Driscoll gave announcements from FGC. The registration for the Annual Gathering is full and has a good diversity of Friends from locations across US and Canada. Members of PFF who are active in FGC are Marian Beane (Clerk, Central Committee), Judy Purvis (Recording Clerk, Central Committee), Marnie Clark (Religious Education Committee), Virginia Driscoll (Executive Committee, Christian Interfaith Committee), Louise Harris (Development Committee), Christina Repoley (Youth Ministries Committee), Ann Riggs (Christian Interfaith Committee, World Council of Churches), Emily Stewart (Youth Ministries Committee), Curt Torell (Religious Education Commitee, Finance Committee), Ellen Kepchar (Religious Education Committee), Claire Reddy (Publications Committee, Friends Journal), Sebastian Greene.

Nominating Committee: Representative to FGC Central Committee (3 year term): Christina Repoley (Charlotte meeting) , appointment approved
Clerk, PFF Youth Committee (3 year term): Mimi Westervelt (New Garden Friends Meeting) appointment approved. The position description for clerk is to convene the Youth Committee at least semi-annually and to serve as conduit for FGC Youth Committee. The PFF Youth Committee facilitates programing for PFF annual meetings, youth activities outside of the annual meetings and encouraging participation in regional and national Quaker youth events.

Treasurer=s Report (See Attached): Louise Harris reported a balance of $9,255.74. Organizations receiving donations are Quaker Lake, FGC, School of the Spirit, Quaker house.

Quaker Lake Retreat: Reflections on the retreat offered: PFF did a good job, it is powerful to hear lifestories and to hear three in this context was important, attending Brown Summit gathering as supporters is encouraged, the process of deciding to come to QL and the meeting itself as been a blessing, there is a need to continue concerns for supporting the rights of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queers and carry on what was experienced here, it was a rich experience, encouragement to hold FUM and FUM members in the light, there is a need to explain Alinens@ - add blankets, pillows, etc. Having small group ice breakers are helpful for new members. Having the book table was appreciated. 113 individuals registered, only 3 PFF meetings not represented. A minute of appreciation was approved for Jane Norwood for handling the registration. A minute of appreciation was approved for Karen Stewart for her work with food. A minute of appreciation was approved for Charlotte Meeting and Winston-Salem worship group for the program.

New Business: There is legislation to raise minimum wage in NC being sponsored by the NC Council of churches, those interested can join the effort by going to their website. Quaker House has a need for renovation support. The issue was sent to PFF Representative body meeting for consideration.

Clerk Virginia Driscoll noted that letters from other Yearly Meetings have been received and are available for those interested. She reported that she attended the Palmetto Friends Gathering at James Island County Park, SC where the focus on the program was on environmental issues.

Virginia Driscoll closed the meeting with a period of worship.