During consideration of the budget, the Clerk called on an ad hoc committee recently formed to make a recommendation about the

RFM Minute Regarding Contribution to FUM -- Twelfth Month 2004

During consideration of the budget, the Clerk called on an ad hoc committee recently formed to make a recommendation about the conflict with Friends United Meeting (FUM) and RFM’s $300 yearly contribution to that organization. Together with the Ministry and Worship committee, the ad hoc group had drafted a minute, which Jean Jones Andersen read aloud. Friends offered ideas about how the funds might be used within the proposed framework, and after some consideration, Meeting approved the minute as follows.

Minute
* Richmond Friends Meeting unites in deciding that the $300 that RFM budgeted in 2004 as a contribution to Friends United Meeting (FUM) be set aside to support an earnest effort to labor with our fellow Quakers in FUM concerning issues that currently divide us; that the same amount be allocated in the same way for 2005; and that the Ministry and Worship committee be asked to administer these funds as part of their Adult Education responsibility.

* Further, Richmond Friends Meeting unites in asking the Clerk to request that Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) withhold RFM’s portion of BYM’s annual contribution to FUM, effective immediately and until further notice, and respectfully to suggest that BYM consider redirecting such withheld funds to support enhanced communication with FUM, with a view to seeking light about our differences.

* Finally, Richmond Friends Meeting requests that Ministry and Worship report to Meeting on these efforts on an annual basis, prior to budget formation for the ensuing year, so that decisions about continuation can be made appropriately.