IMYM Minutes for 2000
Friends met at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado for the 26th annual gathering of Intermountain Yearly Meeting on the 14th day, the sixth month, 2000.
1. Introduction of Visitors and Roll of Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups
After a brief session of singing together, Ted Church, the clerk to Intermountain Yearly Meeting (IMYM), asked that visitors introduce themselves. We were pleased to meet the following:
Sandy Farley, bringing letters of introduction from Friends Committee on Unity
with Nature and Palo Alto Monthly Meeting
Eloise Cranke, AFSC, Des Moines
Larry Miller, AFSC, Denver
Danielle Short, AFSC, Denver
Kitty Ufford-Chase, AFSC, Tucson
Joe Franko, AFSC, Pasadena
Anthony Manousos, Friends Bulletin
Sue Axtell, Earlham School of Religion
Pepper Goodrich, sojourning with Guatemala Friends Monthly Meeting
Juan Pascoe, Heberto Sein Visitor from Mexico City Friends Meeting and
member of Pima Monthly Meeting
The roll of meetings and worship groups was called. Representatives of the following groups were present:
Arizona Half-Yearly Meeting
Flagstaff Monthly Meeting
Pima Monthly Meeting
Tempe Monthly Meeting
Colorado Regional Meeting
Boulder Monthly Meeting
Fort Collins Monthly Meeting
Mountain View Monthly Meeting
New Mexico Regional Meeting
Albuquerque Monthly Meeting
ClearLight Worship Group (Taos)
Lambs Community Worship Group (Trinidad)
West Amarillo Meeting for Worship
Durango Monthly Meeting
Gila Monthly Meeting
Santa Fe Monthly Meeting
Las Vegas Worship Group
Utah Friends Fellowship
Logan Monthly Meeting
Salt Lake City Monthly Meeting
Moab Worship Group
2. State of Meeting Reports
The clerk read a summary of the State of the Meeting Reports (See attachment 1 for the summary. Full reports appear in the "documents-in-advance", distributed to all registrants before yearly meeting.)
3. Other Business
After a short period of silent worship, announcements were made by those in charge of operations, Junior Yearly Meeting, creativity night, worship sharing and the doll project.
Meeting to Hear Our Speaker
Our speaker, Joanna Austin-Manygoats, spoke on the theme "Know that you are present where you are".
The abstract of her presentation is provided in the documents-in-advance, and the complete text is available on request from the clerk to IMYM, Ted Church.
Meeting for Business, Session 1
1. Announcements
Following a brief period of silence, the clerk reminded Friends of the urgency for regional meetings to make appointments to fill two vacancies each on the Watching Committee and the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, and three vacancies on the Committee to Select a Guest Resource Speaker.
The clerk read two minutes of introduction, one from Palo Alto Monthly Meeting for Sandy Farley, and one from Friends Meeting of Washington for Pat Kutzner who is currently working for a chapter of the Navajo Nation near Cuba, New Mexico.
Anthony Manousos, editor of Friends Bulletin, joyfully announced the publication of A Western Quaker Reader. This gives a sense of the roots and contributions of Friends in the western part of the United States.
The clerk, Ted Church, proposed an agenda for the rest of the business sessions. The proposed agenda was accepted.
2. Reports
Several reports were presented, with emphasis given to items requiring action in later business sessions.
a. Continuing Committee
Ray Maseman, the clerk to Continuing Committee, presented the committee's report (see documents-in-advance for a summary of actions taken February 19, 2000). The following three minutes require action during Yearly Meeting:
(i). Reinstate in the budget support for travel of Friends from developing countries to the triennial meetings of the Friends World Committee for Consultation. For each triennium, a total of $1,500, accrued at $500 each year, should be sent to the Third World Travel Fund administered by the Section of the Americas office in Philadelphia.
(ii). Encourage the appointment of a representative to the Friends Peace Teams Project, who would be a member of the Coordinating Committee. Travel to attend two meetings a year would be the estimated cost of the appointment.
(iii). Extend the period of availability of the members of the IMYM Committee on Ministry and Counsel, for consultation with the officers and committee clerks and convenors of the Yearly Meeting, to the entire year rather than just during the week of the annual sessions.
The clerk reported that consideration of the hiring of staff or clerical assistance for yearly meeting officers continues to be studied.
Continuing Committee has accepted the proposal, submitted as a minute by Mountain View Monthly Meeting, to restructure the positions of registrar and the coordinator of operations into two three-person teams with members having staggered three-year terms. The committee recommended considering the application of this principle also to Junior Yearly Meeting.
Ray Maseman summarized recent discussions held in Continuing Committee revolving around long-term plans for IMYM and the need for Friends to think about their visions for IMYM in the future.
The Continuing Committee has approved adding Whittier College as a repository for IMYM records. The other locations to which records are sent are Swarthmore College, Guilford College, Haverford College, and Friends Library in London.
IMYM 00-1: Friends accept the report of the Continuing Committee.
b. Treasurer's report
Richard Wilshusen presented the treasurer's report (see attachment 2). He pointed out that assessments for the Joint Service Projects are now integrated into the budget. This inclusion of assessments has caused meetings to take greater care than previously in reporting membership numbers. This has resulted in a decrease in reported census figures.
The treasurer pointed out that about 50% of expenditures are for travel. He asked that all expenses be reported even if they are donated.
IMYM 00-2: Friends accept the treasurer's report.
c. Finance Committee
The report of the Finance Committee was given by Jim Hoffman, the clerk (see documents-in-advance). The committee has discussed the following issues:
(i) the need to develop an explicit statement concerning the future of the Yearly Meeting to assist the Finance Committee in developing ways and means of handling and protecting future endowments, bequests, investments and other real properties, and
(ii) the need to provide a policy on investments and the use of their proceeds.
These have been discussed in Continuing Committee and will continue to receive its attention.
If a third member to the Board of Directors of Friends Bulletin is appointed by IMYM, travel costs can be met from the present budget.
IMYM 00-3: Friends accept the report of the Finance Committee.
d. Committee to Develop a Faith and Practice
Claire Leonard gave the report of the Committee to Develop a Faith and Practice (See documents-in-advance). She explained that the committee has now decided not to combine with the Committee to Review the Guide as proposed in the report. The member common to both committees will act as a liaison enabling the two committees to work more closely together. Rather than replacing the chapter on the Yearly Meeting by the Guide (see IMYM 98-4.8), the committee will incorporate those matters of principle now in the Guide in appropriate sections of Faith and Practice, leaving procedural details in the Guide.
IMYM 00-4: Friends accept the report of the Committee to Develop a Faith and Practice.
e. Committee on Friends World Committee for Consultation
Ted Church noted that later action may be taken on the possible sponsorship of a high school in Bolivia belonging to INELA, the Bolivia Yearly Meeting. The high school has been supported by the International Quaker Aid program, which has been laid down by FWCC. Any action will depend upon proposals from an interest group meeting later in this session of IMYM.
f. Minute on the Death Penalty
The clerk read the minute on the death penalty submitted by New Mexico Regional Meeting (see documents-in-advance, May 29,2000)).
IMYM 00-5: Friends accept with gratitude the minute on the death penalty from New Mexico Regional Meeting.
3. Announcements
The clerk expressed concern about the staffing of the Committee to Develop a Faith and Practice and urged the Yearly Meeting to take the matter seriously. He pointed out that there is currently no representative from monthly meetings of New Mexico Regional Meeting on the committee. He also noted that several members of the committee are coming to the end of the maximum number of terms that they can serve, and will have to be replaced by other appointees.
Ted Church pointed out that representatives to Friends' organizations were originally intended to function as committees of the Yearly Meeting, but increasingly seem to be acting as individual representatives.
Meeting for Business, Session 2
After announcements from the clerk, Friends began Meeting for business with silence. Part of the epistle for the year 2000 from Britain Yearly Meeting was read (see attachment 3). This emphasized the need for each to know his or her own spiritual journey and to examine why it is that there are not more Quakers in the world.
1. Reports
a. Historian-Archivist
The historian-archivist, Chuck Rostkowski, reported that the recent census of Friends indicated that the membership in IMYM meetings is just below 1000 (see attachment 4). He emphasized that the census was not yet quite complete. If membership is less than 1000, IMYM will be entitled to send only two representatives to future triennial meetings of the FWCC.
IMYM 00-6: Friends accept the report of the historian-archivist.
b. Joint Service Projects Oversight Committee
Ross Worley presented the report of the Joint Service Projects Oversight Committee (originally Committee for Oversight of IMYM/AFSC Joint Service Projects) (see attachment 5). The report shows an increase in participation. More projects than previously have been located in Mexico, emphasis being placed on projects which make structural differences in peoples' lives.
IMYM 00-7: Friends accept the report of the Joint Service Projects Oversight Committee, noting with pride that this work began ten years ago in IMYM.
c. Friends Peace Teams Project
Ted Church told Friends that IMYM no longer has any representative on the Coordinating Committee of the Friends Peace Teams Project. The Yearly Meeting has been invited to renew its representation (see attachment 6). Continuing Committee has reaffirmed our desire to be connected to the project.
IMYM 00-8: Friends accept the clerk's advice to re-establish links with the Friends Peace Teams Project. Nominating Committee is currently seeking a person to represent IMYM.
d. Friends Bulletin
Ted Church read part of the report of the Board of Directors of Friends Bulletin (see attachment 7). Continuing Committee has recommended adding a third member from IMYM to the Board of Directors (see Continuing Committee complete minutes, Feb. 19, 2000).
IMYM 00-9: Friends accept the report of the Board of Friends Bulletin and will seek a third member to represent IMYM on the Board.
2. Reflections on "Our Sense of Place"
Ted Church introduced the session on "Our Sense of Place" by reading comments provided by Steve Brock (see attachment 8). These comments asked us to consider the limitations and potential of Friends' energies and institutions.
During the period of reflection, Friends gave moving testimonies to those experiences which have given meaning to their lives.
Several spoke of the importance of IMYM as a community, a family, independent of physical place, where being together serves to "recharge batteries". This experience is also vital for our youth, filled with love and energy, who experience revitalization. Their efforts need to be seen and encouraged by older Friends. One Friend spoke of the joy provided by the entry of children into Meeting for worship. Another attended to the long-range possibility of a Quaker center, reminding us that it could be a divisive issue, and would need to be considered with prayerful thoughts for the feelings of others.
Other Friends spoke of place in more spiritual dimensions, as being created by the spirit moving among us, or by the presence of other Friends. The sense of place is also in our hearts, where prayer begins, and unites us.
The filling of our lives with unnecessary things concerned other Friends. We may hurry to fill our lives, rather than "waiting". To be clear and able to embrace present commitments, we may need to lay down obligations of the past.
Meeting for Business, Session 3
1. Memorial Minutes
The meeting began with silence. From the silence memorial minutes were read for the following:
Orland Kolling
Esther Kolling
Ann Gross
Ruth Commons Simkin
Alice Wing Raymond
Frederick William Meister
Stephen Tabor
Edward J. "Ned" Kowal
(See attachment 9 for the minute for Stephen Tabor; the other minutes can be found in the documents-in-advance.)
2. Announcements
After a brief interval, Ted Church made several announcements. The agenda for the following session was outlined and approved. A summary of the period of reflection on "Our Sense of Place" was read and approved.
3. Death Penalty
The minute on the death penalty approved earlier (IMYM 00-5) was considered for dissemination.
IMYM 00-10: Friends approved that the minute on the death penalty from New Mexico Regional Meeting be sent out to all monthly meetings within IMYM for their action.
4. Report of the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns
Tom Kowal presented the report of the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns (originally Committee of Concern for Border Issues) (see attachment 10) and read a proposed minute. The minute originated with Pima Monthly Meeting and was further considered during Yearly Meeting in an interest group on border issues. The group was led by the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns primarily to consider the minute from Pima Monthly Meeting.
IMYM 00-11: Friends accept the report of the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns.
In an extended consideration of the minute, Friends were concerned with the urgency of the matter, our need to take responsibility for proposing solutions rather than being content with a declaration to assuage the conscience and the need for a spiritual basis rather than a political concern. Other contributions warned that the meeting is not in a position to specify solutions, but should rather release the committee to develop a program. On the other hand, it was pointed out that individuals and monthly meetings need to be actively involved rather than merely turning over all responsibility to the committee. Finally we were reminded that we need to act together whether it be to take a large step or a small one.
A number of additions and amendments were proposed to the minute. Action was deferred until a revised minute could be made available to everyone.
IMYM 00-12: Friends approve the proposal that the minute be written in both English and Spanish and that both versions be distributed together.
Concerning the request from the committee that $2000 be available to support educational visits to the border, the clerk pointed out that no item in the current budget would cover that cost. The treasurer has suggested that individual contributions be sought and passed through him.
IMYM 00-13: Friends approve the solicitation of funds to support educational visits to the border to be organized by the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns. Those contributions should be passed through the treasurer.
(Richard Wilshusen, 2045 Alpine Dr., Boulder, CO 80304)
After several announcements, the meeting ended with worship.
Meeting for Business, Session 4
The meeting began with silence. The clerk asked that Friends thank directly all those who work so hard for our Yearly Meeting (often behind the scenes), rather than offer formal minutes of appreciation which might be read only much later by the individuals involved.
1. Nominating Committee
Nancy Taylor reported as clerk to our new Nominating Committee. She explained that officers and convenors of yearly meeting committees will serve with staggered three-year terms. This procedure will be applied first to the registrar, the coordinator of operations and to those responsible for Junior Yearly Meeting; each group will contain three individuals. Some Friends will be asked to serve shorter or longer terms to establish the three-year rotation. The appropriate section of the Guide will be rewritten to reflect this restructuring. Nominations were made for positions needing to be filled immediately.
IMYM 00-14: Friends accept with thanks the report of the Nominating Committee. They approved the following appointments:
Bill Durland for the Coordination Committee of Friends Peace Teams Project
Phyllis Hoge for the Board of Directors of Friends Bulletin
Each will serve for three years, with immediate effect.
2. Friends World Committee for Consultation
Nancy Dolphin, an IMYM representative, reported for Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), conveying greetings to Friends of IMYM from Elizabeth Duke and Annis Bleeke, respectively General Secretary and Associate Secretary of FWCC (see attachment 11). She reported that money is still being collected for the Bolivian School project (see IMYM 99-4.4). (Note added: The goal of money needed was later reached.) Information was provided on how postage stamps can be saved and forwarded. This has been found to be an effective way of raising funds for FWCC (see attachment 12).
3. Decision Items
Action was taken on matters that had been brought to the attention of Friends in the Meeting for business, Session 1.
a. Committee on Ministry and Counsel
IMYM 00 15: Friends approved the proposal that the work of the Committee on Ministry and Counsel be expanded to operate throughout the year to assist the Yearly Meeting.
b. Budget
IMYM 00-16: Friends approved the proposed budget for 2001. (see attachment 2).
4. Committee to Develop a Faith and Practice
The clerk urged Friends in monthly meetings to study the revised chapter on "Marriage and Other Committed Relationships" currently being distributed by the Faith and Practice committee so that it can be finalized by the Yearly Meeting next year. Problems with the revised chapter should be forwarded to the committee.
5. Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns
Tom Kowal passed out a revised minute from the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns.
IMYM 00-17: Friends approved the following minute:
(Note added by clerks: The minute approved at Yearly Meeting contained specific figures in the second paragraph. When these figures were checked for accuracy, the Mexican Consul requested that he not be quoted so specifically. In sensitivity to his request and with gratitude for his help, we have modified the second paragraph. This change has been discussed with Juan Pascoe and with Tom Kowal.)
MINUTE TO FIND SOLUTIONS ON THE PROBLEMS OF MIGRANT WORKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE US-MEXICAN BORDER
The border that separates the U.S. from Mexico has become a major crossing point for undocumented, mostly Mexican, people seeking to gain employment in this country. They have suffered and continue to suffer abuse, theft, mistreatment, injuries and death, in their eagerness to respond to the opportunities for employment that are growing here.
The numbers of illegal entrants are growing by the year and the month. The Mexican Consul in Tucson has informed us that the number of undocumented detainees who were deported from Arizona to Mexico in the first part of this year has gone up significantly in comparison with the 1999 figures. The number of deaths that his office has had to handle has also increased greatly this year. At the current rate there are hundreds of deaths and hundreds of thousands of dangerous border-crossings made each year.
Over the years, Friends have felt frustration, anger, sadness and extreme concern about the treatment of undocumented workers and about the lack of action on the part of the governments of the United States and Mexico to ease the problems and to make provisions to welcome and to protect needed workers. Also, over the years, many organizations, churches and individuals have started programs and have made efforts to assuage and highlight the problems, but the numbers continue to grow and the suffering increases exponentially. Interparliamentary yearly gatherings, academic studies, service organizations and others have talked much about the situation, but no firm positions or positive solutions have emerged.
In response to our spiritual leadings and seasoned consideration, we, gathered in the 2000 session of Intermountain Yearly Meeting (IMYM), affirm that there is that of God in everyone. It is in a spirit of compassion and caring that we seek solutions to these issues. We observe that well-meaning efforts have not addressed the roots of the problem. We conclude that both governments must come together to analyze the situation and to design a regularized program for migrant workers, including necessary protections on both sides of the border. We are convinced that without such a coordinated program, suffering of migrants and negative effects upon the U.S. and Mexican economies will continue.
We call for a two-pronged approach, one in the U.S. and one in Mexico. In this context, we were happy to receive the news that Mexico City Friends Meeting has offered to work with us, taking on the responsibility for what needs to be done in that country. Pima Meeting and other interested Friends will coordinate and support the work and initiatives required for the intergovernmental effort. In particular, we release Juan Pascoe, a member of Pima Monthly Meeting and sojourning member of Mexico City Friends Meeting, to take charge of the planning and coordination of these efforts.
Our Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns will provide Friends with the guidance, help and contacts they will require to carry out these and other initiatives in the coming year and will report at least quarterly via the internet.
We ask our IMYM clerk to send a letter with this Minute to the Quaker United Nations Office, the American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and invite them to help with our endeavor. The treasurer of IMYM will keep contributions and disbursements in a special fund. The Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns, with the assistance of the Treasurer, will solicit funds from monthly meetings and their members, since the Yearly Meeting has no budget for the committee's activities at this time. These funds will be used for supporting Friends on educational visits to the border and for travel and other expenses of Juan Pascoe. The executive committee of the Committee on Migrant and Border Concerns and the treasurer of IMYM will be responsible for the disbursement of the funds.
MINUTA PARA ENCONTRAR SOLUCIONES A LOS PROBLEMAS DE LOS TRABAJADORES MIGRANTES EN AMBOS LADOS DE LA FRONTERA ENTRE MEXICO Y ESTADOS UNIDOS
La frontera entre México y Estados Unidos se ha convertido en una de las rutas preferidas para el cruce de la frontera de trabajadores indocumentados, originarios primordialmente de México, quienes vienen en busca de empleo en este país. En su afán por aprovecharse de las crecientes oportunidades de trabajo, tales personas han sufrido, y continúan sufriendo, toda clase de abusos, robos, malos tratos, heridas y hasta la muerte.
El número de ingresos ilegales crece de mes en mes y de año en año. El Cónsul de México en Tucson nos ha informado que el número de indocumentados detenidos que fueron deportados de Arizona a México en lo que va del año 2000 ha crecido sustancialmente en comparación con el año de 1999. El número de muertes a las que ha tenido que atender su oficina en el primer semestre también se ha incrementado dramaticamente. En este momento hay cientos de muertes y cientos de miles de cruces peligrosos en la frontera cada año.
A través de los años, los Amigos han sentido angustia, frustración y preocupación extrema en relación con el tratamiento que reciben los trabajadores indocumentados y la ausencia de decisiones y acciones de parte de los gobiernos de Estados Unidos y México para reducir los problemas estableciendo programas de bienvenida y de protección que estos trabajadores se merecen. A través de los años también ha habido muchas organizaciones, iglesias e individuos que han iniciado programas y han hecho esfuerzos para reducir los problemas y darles relieve, pero el número de trabajadores indocumentados sigue creciendo y el sufrimiento también crece exponencialmente. Las reuniones inter-parlamentarias de congresistas de ambos países, investigaciones académicas, organizaciones de servicio y otros han analizado mucho la situación, pero aparentemente no han llegado a identificar posibles soluciones.
Con un sentido de compasión y responsabilidad hacia los demás y con la convicción de que Dios se encuentra en cada uno de nosotros buscamos soluciones a estos problemas en la reunión anual del año 2000 de IMYM. Hemos observado que diversos esfuerzos, todos bien intencionados, no han llegado a enfocarse en las raíces del problema. Hemos concluido que es imperativo que los dos gobiernos se reúnan para hacer un análisis conjunto del problema y para diseñar un programa de regularización del cruce de la frontera de los trabajadores migrantes, incluyendo su protección en ambos lados de tal frontera. Estamos convencidos que en ausencia de un programa coordinado de tal naturaleza, el sufrimiento de los trabajadores y los efectos negativos para la economía de los Estados Unidos y México continuarán extendiéndose.
Proponemos que se lleve a cabo un esfuerzo de doble acción, uno enfocado hacia el gobierno de los Estados Unidos y otro hacia el de México. En este contexto, nos causó profunda alegría el recibir la noticia que la Junta Mensual de los Amigos de la ciudad de México desea colaborar con nosotros haciéndose cargo de las acciones que deberán llevarse a cabo en aquel país.
La Junta Mensual de Tucson (Pima Monthly Meeting of Friends) y otros Amigos se encargarán de coordinar esfuerzos, apoyar el trabajo y promulgar las iniciativas que se requerirán para el propuesto esfuerzo inter-gubernamental. Hemos puesto a Juan Pascoe, miembro de la Junta de Pima y miembro asociado de la Junta Mensual de los Amigos de la ciudad de México, a cargo de la planificación y coordinación de este trabajo. El Comité de Asuntos Fronterizos y Migratorios (CMBC) de IMYM apoyará a estos Amigos con orientaciones, asistencia y aquellos contactos que tal Comité tenga o pueda promover durante el próximo año y nos enviará informes trimestrales a través de internet.
Le pedimos a quien ha presidido nuestras reuniones (clerk) que envíe una carta que acompañe a esta Minuta a la oficina representativa de los Cuáqueros ante las Naciones Unidas (QUNO), al Comité Norteamericano de Servicio de los Amigos (AFSC) y al Comite de Amigos para la Legislación Nacional en Washington (FCNL). El propósito de esta comunicación será el de solicitar su ayuda y apoyo en este nuestro esfuerzo. Asimismo, el Comité de Asuntos Fronterizos y Migratorios, con la asistencia del tesorero de IMYM, solicitará apoyo financiero de las Juntas Mensuales y de sus miembros, ya que IMYM no dispone de fondos en su presupuesto para las actividades del Comité en estos momentos. Estos fondos serán utilizados para apoyar a algunos Amigos en sus visitas educativas a la frontera y para cubrir los gastos de viaje y misceláneos de Juan Pascoe. El comité ejecutivo del CMBC y el tesorero de IMYM se responsabilizarán por el desembolso de tales fondos.
6. Registrar's Report
The registrar, Peter Lundman, reported that a total of 289 individuals attended part or all of Yearly Meeting. Of these, 197 were adults.
7. Coordinator of Operations Report
Jane Robinson reported as joint coordinator of operations. It was felt that access to college facilities for people with disabilities was improved over last year, but still was not perfect.
8. Epistles
The Junior Yearly Meeting epistle was presented by Ian McEwen, assisted by Penny Thron-Weber, coordinator of the Junior Yearly Meeting program (see attachment 13). Appreciation was expressed for wonderful support received from adults.
The Junior Young Friends epistle was presented by Barbara Donachy, coordinator of the Junior Young Friends program (see attachment 14). She asked for additional help for next year, especially from men.
The epistle from Senior Young Friends was read by Andrew Banks, co-clerk (see attachment 15). Andrew Banks and Andrew Peterson will continue as co-clerks. Eliza Kretzmann and Karl von Hoyningen-Huene will serve as coordinators of the Senior Young Friends program.
Friends received the epistles from the three youth groups with appreciation.
Marian Hoge, clerk for Watching Committee, presented the epistle of the Yearly Meeting:
INTERMOUNTAIN YEARLY MEETING (IMYM)
Fort Lewis College - Durango, Colorado
June 18, 2000
Our Love and Greetings,
Friends, 289 attending, gathered in the southwest US for IMYM, representing Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. "Sense of Place" was the theme of our meetings. To help us consider our "Sense of Place," Navajo Joanna Austin-Manygoats, our keynote speaker, spoke to us of how the Diné world-view and traditional teaching help her to know who she is. In her talk, "Know That You Are Present Where You Are," she inspired us to reflect on our own sense of place. Friends shared their reflections on the meaning of place in physical and spiritual terms. IMYM is blessed by great natural beauty. Native American spirituality internalizes human experience within this beautiful land in a special way. This is a valuable resource on many levels, and informs our own experience of Quaker spirituality and community. These perspectives assist Friends in seeking unity about an eventual home for the yearly gathering.
In addition to Meeting for Worship for Business, and worship sharing, Friends participated in a wide variety of interest groups covering topics such as: right-sharing of the world's resources, Quaker theology, violence in our schools, the connection between science and religion, the IMYM-American Friends Service Committee Joint Service Projects, the repeal of the death penalty, and others.
The meeting approved a minute originating among Arizona Friends and brought forward by the Committee for Border Concerns calling upon the governments of the United States and Mexico to find just and compassionate solutions to the plight of Migrants in these border lands.
Friends enjoyed opportunities to celebrate together our yearly traditions of folk
dancing, singing, and creativity night.
This is our 26th gathering as a yearly meeting. A young yearly meeting, we have many opportunities to define our vision for the future.
(s) Ted Church
Ted Church, Clerk
On behalf of Intermountain Yearly Meeting
IMYM 00-18: Friends approved with gratitude the epistle and its distribution to Friends everywhere.
The clerk concluded the Meeting for business by reading from an epistle from George Fox, written in 1655.
"And to the Lord your Hearts will be brought, and it will bring you nigh one to another, and to come into sweet Love and Unity, and into Easiness and Openness of Heart; and keep you over all that which would stain you, or hurt you, or defile you . .. that nothing may rule, but Life itself, that ye may feel God's Presence in you, and with you, that Truth and Life over all the World may spread . . ."
From: "George Fox: Practical Mystic and Prophet", by Herbert C. Standing as quoted in "A Few Quotations From "The Friends' Quarterly", October 1974, "Commemorating the 350th anniversary of George Fox's birth", in Friends World News, Fall 1975 (?), Friends World Committee for Consultation, London.