TheFarmingtonFriend

VOLUME 70 NUMBER 12 FARMINGTON, NY 14425 December 2015

God’s Love

For many of us I believe that God’s Love remains elusive, mysterious and intangible. Many wise women and men have pondered this mystery for centuries and have proposed many different ideas and beliefs. During this holiday season I have been reminded of two poems from two very different religious traditions which have not only given me much to think about but also perhaps a very real definition of God’s Love.

When I was in fifth or sixth grade we sang “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” in school choir and since then it has always been a favorite of mine. Written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow during the time of the American Civil War, its message is as relevant and meaningful now as it was during that dark time. We are, on a daily basis, given reason to wonder, as Longfellow did, if God has abandoned us.

And in despair I bowed my head;"There is no peace on earth," I said:

"For hate is strong,And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

I have repeatedly been reminded in the last several weeks of just how God’s Love manifests itself in unmistakable ways. I have witnessed what real unconditional love is. Even though I haven’t felt worthy, have occasionally felt selfish and undeserving it was there like a great light and all I needed to was accept it. This grace and beauty reminded me of another poem, this one written by a 15th Century Indian mystic by the name of Kabir.

“Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.

My shoulder is against yours.you will not find me in the stupas,

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Continued from Page 1not in Indian shrine rooms,

nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:

not in masses, nor kirtans, . . .

Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath.”

God’s love is in the touch of a hand, the offer of help, the knowing of when to speak and when to be silent and most definitely in the eyes of an infant depending on our love as an example of God’s Love.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!"Kathy Dudarchik

Happy Birthday!

January

3 David Zabliski3 Jim Nicholson5 Theresa Zabliski6 Patricia Ford6 John Pawlak9 Gayle Walton10 David Herendeen16 Annaliese Parker18 Alex Godleski19 Dale Sadler21 David Rourke22 Nancy Herendeen23 Polly Nicholson23 Marion Milne28 Helen Kirker

FARMINGTON FRIEND STAFFEditor: Keith EgnorCo-editor Annie BontragerFront Page: Kathy DudarchikSociety Editors: Margaret BakerTreasurer: Scott ParkerAddress Labels: Susan Pettig

Mailing Staff: Ann Gilson (Clerk), Pat Ford (Copying), Evelyn Sadler, Margaret Hartsough, Margaret Baker, Linda Doyen, Theresa Zabliski (sub as needed)

Leave articles in Meetinghouse folders or mail to the editor by the 2nd Sunday of the month.Mail: 193 Howell Street Canandaigua, NY 14424 Email: egnork@yahoo.com Telephone: 585-396-7298

Officers and Committees 2016 Continued from Page 6

Religious Education (July to July) Ann Gilson - Clerk 2016 Ellie Ellingham 2016 Molly Fenster 2016 Melissa Moore 2017 Kathy Dudarchik 2017 David Vail 2018 Dianne Aldrich (will help) Sue Ford (will help)

Library Committee John Zabliski - Clerk 2017 Helen Kirker 2016 Natalie Santy 2017 Rosemarie Brehm 2017 Pat Ford 2018

Hospitality Committee Pat Ford - Clerk 2016 Sue Ford 2016 Marion Cole 2017 Jenni Welch 2018

TrusteesScott Parker - Asst. Treasurer Norm Cole - Clerk of House and Grounds

Investment Committee Scott Parker - Asst. Treasurer Gardie Soule Sue Pettig

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3 Senior Handbell Practice 9:00 AM on Sunday December 20

Peace and Social Concern The P&SC meeting will be on Thursday, Jan 14 at 5:30 at the home of Judy Bovet.

Monthly Meeting Date We will meet for our next Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business Sunday, January 24, 2016, at the rise of programmed worship.

Upcoming EventsChristmas Eve Service -- 7:00 PM

Pastor Speaking Schedule 2015

December 20--------Darleen Farley

December 27--------Anita Paul

Bald Eagle, Canandaigua

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4Meeting Minutes SummarySummary of Minutes from

Monthly Meeting for Worshipwith a Concern for Business

Meditation and Prayer Farmington Friends met for monthly meeting for worship with a concern for business Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the rise of programmed worship with twenty (20) persons in attendance: Dianne Aldrich, Nathan Aldrich, Annie Bontrager, Willie Bontrager, Marion Cole, Norm Cole, Linda Doyen, Ellie Ellingham, Darleen Farley, Pat Ford, Susan Ford, Anne Gilson, Bea Kimball, Ann Ledgerwood, Cyndi Marvin, Melissa Moore, Carol Nicholson, Polly Nicholson, Jean Parker, and Susan Sharp. We began our time together with a reading from Lucretia Mott followed by prayer.

Continuing Quaker Education Continuing Quaker Education this month dealt with unity, unanimity, and “standing in the way.” In Friends’ practice, unity with a proposed sense of the meeting is the way in which a decision is known. Unity is sometimes confused with unanimity. However, in a Friends’ context, they are not the same. Friends will say with respect to a particular decision, “the meeting was in unity.” Friends will not say that the decision was “unanimous.” In Friends’ practice, unity refers to a sense of oneness and harmony, and not an identity of views. “Unanimous” means “of one mind” or “completely in accord.” It often implies “sameness.” In Friends’ practice, it is not necessary to be “in complete accord” for the meeting to be in “unity.” A musical metaphor might be helpful. In Friends’ practice, unity may be likened to a musical chord. Not all the notes are the same, but when blended together they make music. And so it is with Friends’ decision-making process. Each of us brings a different note, and all the notes are needed. We are in unity when the notes we are playing make music. A lack of unity is indicated when someone cannot play a note that harmonizes with the chord that others

are sounding. Continuing with the musical metaphor: sometimes a composer introduces discordant notes. When discordant messages are heard in a Friends meeting for worship with a concern for business, the process will take time to work with them and to discern how they might belong to the compositions (or not). In Quaker lore, there are stories told of individuals who have said they will “stand in the way.” This is not really what is happening. Rather, it is the lack of unity that may stand in the way. The group takes this action, not the individual. If a person says, “I am not in unity,” the lack of unity may keep the meeting from going forward. The action of an individual claiming a right to “stand in the way” is rooted in a concept of individual rights that is out of place in a Friends’ process. As participants in this decision-making process, we have responsibilities and opportunities, not rights. Our responsibility and opportunity is to help the community find Truth of it. Ours is a spiritual exercise. Of course, one may say, “I stand aside,” but that does not mean the individual has a corresponding “right” to say, “I stand in the way.”

The above material is from Arthur M. Larrabee’s workshop: Clerking: Serving the Community with Joy and Confidence is used with permission. Health of the Meeting The meeting expresses loving concern and support for the following persons who are dealing with health issues related to aging, illness, or accident: Annaelise Parker’s niece who is improving and has been cleared for travel and Annaelise’s sister who is having surgery tomorrow. We hold all of the Sheldon family in the Light as Floyd approaches the end of his life. We share the joy of Jessica Dudarchik and baby Xavier’s coming home this past week.We hold these Friends, their families, their caregivers, all who are struggling in any way, our world, and its need for healing and peace in the Light and in our prayers.

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5Treasurer’s report The Meeting accepted the verbal report from Annie Bontrager. The checking account balance at the beginning of October was $12,576.24 and at end of October, $17,019.62. Harvest supper appeal has garnered more than $2400.00

Ministry and Counsel The Meeting accepted the verbal report from Willie Bontrager. M&C recommends having the regional extended meeting for worship here Satruday, October 1, 2016. The Meeting approved this recommendation. M&C recommends that Anne Gilson’s request for membership be approved. The Meeting approved this recommendation. A request to complete a survey regarding Spring Gathering was received from Kathy Slattery. The surveys can be returned to Marion Cole, Clerk, who will return them to Kathy Slattery. A new sign-up sheet for pastoral visits is in the vestibule.

Peace and Social Concerns The Meeting accepted the verbal report for Peace and Social Concerns from Annie Bontrager. Members signed up for Christmas luncheon after the children’s Christmas program. The Committee spent time discussing the refugee problem—MCC and AFSC. The comforter-making project will resume. The Committee will meet again in January.

Missions The Committee met and is waiting to receive reports from the treasurer. The poinsettia project will continue this year.

House & Grounds Norm Cole updated the meeting on ongoing projects of House and Grounds: Furnace cleaning by Total Comfort for the parsonage and for the meetinghouse has been completed. The contract with High Peaks for snow plowing has been completed.

Religious Education Minutes The Meeting accepted the verbal report Anne Gilson brought for the Religious Education Committee. The emphasis in currently on preparations for the youth program December 13 with a practice scheduled for December 6. Religious Education is sponsoring a giving tree project in conjunction with the Victor Central School’s giving tree.

Music The Advent Ecumenical Choral Concert is December 6 at 4:00 P.M. at Western Presbyterian Church, Palmyra, NY.

The Interim Pastor Search Committee The Meeting accepted the verbal report from Ellie Ellingham and Melissa Moore for the interim search committee. The Meeting approved the Committee’s entering into further dialogue with Naomi Celeste Schultz.

Nominating The meeting accepted the verbal report presented by Dianne Aldrich. Nominating recommended the meeting’s approval for the positions that have been filled with the understanding that the Committee will continue to work to fill open positions. The Meeting approved this request.

Finance Committee The Meeting accepted the verbal report brought by Susan Ford and Dianne Aldrich. The Meeting approved the written report below with the addition of $100.00 to Peace and Social Concerns.

Next Meeting Date We will meet for our next Monthly Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business Sunday, January 24, 2016, at the rise of programmed worship.

Farmington Friends Meeting Officers and Committees - 2016

Clerk - Darleen Farley 2018 Assistant Clerk - Carol Nicholson 2018 Treasurer-

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6Recording Clerk - Jenni Welsh June 2016Assistant Treasurer - Scott Parker Bookkeeper - Annie Bontrager

Ministry and Counsel Marion Cole - Clerk (2016) 2018 Ann Ledgerwood 2016 Linda Doyen 2016 Susan Pettig 2017 Gardie Soule 2017 Ed Golem (taking leave for 9 mos) 2018 Dianne Aldrich 2018 Ann Gilson 2018 Jen Perry 2018 Jean Parker (filling for Ed) 2016

Missions Committee Cyndi Marvin - Clerk 2017 Molly Fenster 2016 Ann Ledgerwood 2016 Kathy Dudarchik 2017 Karen Parker 2018

Bulletin Board for Missions Sue Ford

Farmington Friends Staff Keith Egnor - Editor Annie Bontrager - Co-Editor Margaret Baker - Society - Front pageScott Parker - Treasurer Sue Pettig - Labels

Friends Mailing Staff Ann Gilson - Clerk Pat Ford - Copying Evelyn Sadler Margaret Hartsough Margaret Baker Linda Doyen Theresa Zabliski - Sub. as needed

Farmington Scipio Reps. Helen Kirker 2017 Dianne Aldrich 2018

Memorial Book Diana van der Velden

Cradle Roll Diana van der Velden

RecordsSusan Pettig

House and Grounds. Norm Cole - Clerk 2016 Jeff Parker 2016

Scott Parker 2016 Gail Sheldon 2016 Terry Moore 2017 Dick Deyes 2018 Tim Sharp 2018

Finance Committee Scott Parker 2017 Ed Golem (taking leave for 9 mos) 2017 Gardie Soule 2017 Kathy Dudarchik 2017 Dianne Aldrich 2017 Sue Ford 2018

NYYM Rep Jen Perry 2017 Ann Davidson (until June 2016 retirement)

Sunday Bulletin Sue Ford - September - July 1 Annie Bontrager - July & August

Auditors Don Bay Dick Deyes

Nominating CommitteeSue Ford - Clerk 2017Pat Ford 2016John Zabliski 2017Linda Doyen 2017Melissa Moore 2018

Website Committee Gardie Soule Kathy Dudarchik Ellie Ellingham David Vail

Music Committee Jean Parker - Clerk 2016Ellie Elllngham 2016 Marion Cole 2016Ann Cedia 2016 Scott Parker 2016 Melissa Moore 2018 Ann Gilson 2018

Peace and Social Concerns Jenni Welch 2016 Willie Bontrager 2016 Judy Bovet-Egnor 2016 Polly Nicholson 2017 Sally Soule 2017 Gardie Soule 2017 Annie Bontrager 2017 John Zabliski 2017 Theresa Zabliski 2017 Marion Milne

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Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

Farmington FriendJanuary 2016

1 2

38:00 Unprogrammed Worship 10:00 Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Adult Bible Study 11:00 Worship

4 5Noon AA

66:15 RE Meeting7:00 Senior Choir

7 8 9

108:00 Unprogrammed Worship 10:00-11:00 Adult Bible Study 11:00 WorshipFriend Notes Due

11 12Noon AA

137:00 Senior Choir

145:30 P&SC at Bovet- Egnor home

15 16

178:00 Unprogrammed Worship 10:00 Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Adult Bible Study 11:00 Worship

18 19Noon AA1:00 USFW

207:00 Senior Choir

21 22 23

248:00 Unprogrammed Worship 10:00-11:00 Adult Bible Study 11:00 Worship Monthly Meeting for Business at rise of Meeting

25 26Noon AA

277:00 Senior Choir

28 29 30

318:00 Unprogrammed Worship 10:00 Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Adult Bible Study 11:00 Worship

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Dawn on Lake Ontario

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Front Page God’s LovePage 2 Birthdays/Page 1 Continued/Page 6 continuedPage 3 Upcoming EventsPage 4 Meeting Minutes SummaryPage 5-6 Farmington Friends Officers and Committees ListingPage 7 Calendar

FARMINGTON FRIENDS CHURCHPO Box 25185

Farmington, NY 14425