April 2013 - Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)

West Branch Friends Meeting
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative)
317 North 6th St., West Branch, IA 52358
Clerk: James Cottingham (319) 643-5949
Newsletter — April 2013
Pacifism counters the myth that violence is the most powerful force. Pacifism must never be
confused with passivity.
Michael McConnell, 1946—2013 Director, AFSC Midwest Region
Calendar
Meeting for Worship—Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Consideration of Advice & Queries—1st Sunday of every month following worship
Business meeting—2nd Sunday of every month following worship. Potluck immediately afterwards.
Pre-meeting reading & discussion - 3rd Sunday of the month, 9:00 a.m. This Sunday (April 21) our premeeting will be at Midyear Meeting at Bear Creek Meeting (see next item in calendar below).
Midyear Meeting—April 20 & 21 at Bear Creek Meeting near Earlham, Iowa. Douglas Bennett, president
emeritus of Earlham College, will be the presenter and the topic is “The Bible in our Midst.” More information in flyers available in the West Branch Meetinghouse and on the IYMC website at:
http://www.iymc.org/documents/2013_midyear_program.pdf (See schedule on page 8 of this newsletter.)
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) 136th annual session: July 30-August 4, 2013, Scattergood School.
Other Events
Supper Theatre — Sunday, April 21, 5:30. Earthcare Working Group will provide soup and sponsor a film,
“Garbage Warrior,” followed by a presentation by the Iowa City 100 Grannies group on their “Ban the Bag”
project. Don Laughlin’s home, 827 East Church St., Iowa City. See description of the film on page 3.
Scattergood School Benefit — Monday, April 22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 - 9 p.m. at Thai Flavors (340 East
Burlington St. in Iowa City). 10% of all revenue will be donated to Scattergood.
Spring Work Day — Saturday, April 27, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Come help clean up the yard! (See page 4)
Song Circle — First Sunday of most months, potluck at 6:00 p.m., singing from 7:00 - 9:30, at Nan Fawcett’s
house, 2039 Eureka Ave., West Branch, IA. [email protected] / (319) 930-0474.
Peace Vigil — Every Friday 4:30 - 5:00 on southeast corner of the Pentacrest (northwest corner of Clinton &
In this issue:
Page 2: News of Family & Friends
Page 3: Earth Care Working Group events ~ Nan Fawcett
Page 4: Meeting House Improvements & News ~ Geery Howe
Page 4: Rays ~ Larry Marsh
Page 5: March 18, 2013: My Non-Reality, poem and photos ~ Don Laughlin
Page 6: Advice, Query, & Response #5 : Mutual Care
Page 7: Minutes from Meeting for Business, April 14
Page 8: Schedule of Midyear Meeting
Page 8: Note from Newsletter Committee
Page 8: Websites of interest to Friends
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~~ News of Family and Friends ~~
Judy and Jim Cottingham flew to Portland, Oregon in early
April to meet and greet their new grandson, Chester Ross
Cottingham (born April 5) and visit with his parents Carroll
and Ashley. Judy arrived on April 3, and was there when
Chester arrived. Jim did not fly out until April 5, arriving in
Portland a few hours after Chester. The photo shows Chester
at age 8 days. 9-month old grandson Peter, shown
enjoying lunch at a Portland restaurant, drove down from
Kirkland, Washington on April 6 with parents Kentner and
Katy, and their presence, along with the Chester's other
grandparents from Bend, Oregon, made for a good weekend
of visiting.
Chester
Peter
Shel and Ann Stromquist received a phone call from their son, Matt, on Friday morning, April 19, saying
that he and his wife, Laura, were on their way to the hospital to deliver their baby — 2 weeks early! Within
a couple of hours, Shel and Ann were on a plane to Denver and arrived in Boulder in time to pick up big
brother Hugo from his daycare center. Lyle was a few
hours old when they met him at the hospital, all 8 lbs. 9 oz.
of him! All are doing well.
Big brother’s lap
How many fingers does Lyle have?
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EARTH CARE WORKING GROUP'S APRIL EVENT
SUPPER THEATER, APRIL 21
5:30 P.M. AT DON LAUGHLIN'S HOUSE
On April 21 we will be showing the film "Garbage Warrier" (description below). Following the film several
members of the Iowa City Grannies organization will be there to tell us about their "Ban the Bag" project. We
hope you will join us for this evening of viewing and shared discussion. We will provide a simple supper as
usual, and would welcome potluck contributions. We will probably begin to watch part of the film at 5:30,
then break for the meal and discussion, and finish up around 8:00. Here is Don Laughlin's address: 827 East
Church, Iowa City IA 52245. Phone: 319-337-5651. Feel free to bring interested friends.
Description of “Garbage Warrior” from the website — www.garbagewarrior.com
Imagine a home that heats itself, that provides its own water, that grows its own food. Imagine that it needs
no expensive technology, that it recycles its own waste, that it has its own power source.
And now imagine that it can be built anywhere, by anyone, out of the things society throws away. Thirty
years ago, architect Michael Reynolds imagined just such a home -- then set out to build it.
A visionary in the classic American mode, Reynolds has been fighting ever since to bring his concept to the
public. He believes that in an age of ecological instability and impending natural disaster, his buildings can -and will -- change the way we live.
Shot over three years in the USA, India and Mexico, "Garbage Warrior" is a feature-length documentary film
telling the epic story of maverick architect Michael Reynolds, his crew of renegade house builders from New
Mexico, and their fight to introduce radically different ways of living.
A snapshot of contemporary geo-politics and an inspirational tale of triumph over bureaucracy, "Garbage
Warrior" is above all an intimate portrait of an extraordinary individual and his dream of changing the world.
Earth Care Working Group summer activities: Tentative schedule
We will continue through the spring and summer to work with the idea of garbage and waste.
Saturday May 29, 10 a.m.: Field trip to the Iowa City Recycling Energy Education Center on Scott Blvd to see
what is happening with recycling in our area.
Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m.: Field trip to the Iowa City Landfill and composting facility.
Saturday July 21, 10 a.m.: Field trip to Suzan and Paul's new farm 10 minutes north of Iowa City on Highway
1 to see what's happening there with transitioning conventional agriculture to a permaculture concept on a
farm scale.
~ Nan Fawcett
Celebrate Earth Day — April 22
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Meeting House Improvements & News
~ Geery Howe
Recently, there have been some home improvements at the
Meeting House.
New service upgrade — After the Meeting approved the bid, Oasis Electric from West Branch came and installed a new service
upgrade for the whole Meeting House because our old service
was not up to code.
New LED outdoor spotlights—They also installed three new LED
outdoor spotlights outside with motion detectors, and a new GFI
plug in the back so that those us who use the Meeting House in
the evenings can come and go safely.
New LED outdoor spotlights
Window replacement — During business meeting on April 14, the Meeting approved two more bids for further work. First, some time in the future, Roger Laughlin will come and replace all of the old double hung
windows in the Meeting House with new vinyl windows. The new windows will be Lindsay Earthwise vinyl
windows with white vinyl exteriors, full screens, low e argon insulated glass, and cherry wood grain interiors.
They will come with grills in the glass top of the sash to match the current window style and have a twenty
year warranty. This will make a big difference in the energy use at the Meeting House. The Meeting also approved getting the ceiling of the library repaired and repainted. Donations to support this work are always
appreciated.
Spring Work Day — On Saturday, April 27th, at 9:00 am, there will be a Meeting Spring Work Day. There are
numerous projects such as cleaning up the flower beds and raking the gravel out of the yard from winter
plowing. We need to repair some of the boards on the ramp, start fixing the front porch railings and numerous indoor cleaning projects, too. Everyone is invited to come for easy work and great fellowship. If you have
any questions, please call Geery at # 643 - 7497.
RAYS
Sun lights far
through frozen space
but holds its warmth
for this place where I,
in April
sit,
in need of thaw.
Larry Marsh
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MARCH 18, 2013
MY NON-REALITY
You’ve been gone a long time, Loie,
You should be getting home anytime now.
Don’t forget I’ll be glad to meet you
Wherever you want me to come.
Please let me know
Your arriving schedule.
But I am realistic
I have my feet on the ground.
I can face life--and death-You and I did it together twice before
As two of our daughters left
Far ahead of their time.
Now I can do it alone,
As I have since you left, these many years ago.
Do you remember sixty-eight years
Ago today? “I do”--and you said it too!
I remember your dodging thrown rice
As we descended the steps
When the ceremony was over.
What a wonderful time in my life--and yours, too, I think.
We were so happy and so confident
And knew so little of what was ahead.
But with love and forbearance
And very much more,
We made it to the end-One life ending: the other remembering.
I feel, as Wendell Berry said to his wife, Tanya,
As they were getting old
"Yes, provided you would have it so, I would do it all again."
Don Laughlin
Don and Lois on their wedding day
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ADVICE & QUERY #5: MUTUAL CARE
Read and considered on April 7, 2013
ADVICE
Friends consider the meeting to be a family in which the welfare of each individual is of utmost concern. For some, the meeting may be their only family in the community. In mutual caring we seek greater
wisdom than our own. We listen to the silence within ourselves and to one another with openness of heart.
Sharing our pain as well as our joy can bring us closer together, making it easier to ask for help when we need
it. Each of us is both giver and receiver, ready to help and to accept help.
Friends try to be aware of those who require special attention within the meeting community. We
believe friendly interaction benefits both adults and children. It is the responsibility of adults to recognize
and give voice to the needs of children in the meeting. Inactive and absent members require the care of the
meeting; those who do not currently attend meeting may be contacted by mail or by personal visit. We need
also to minister with sensitivity to those in transition and to support caregivers and those requiring care within the meeting community. It is important to be responsive to the needs and gifts of newcomers and seekers
who may attend our meetings for a short time.
We endeavor to be conscious of how differing gender role expectations may affect the quality of our
relationships and influence how we empower ourselves in the home, meeting, community, school, workplace
and government. We envision a society that provides opportunities for all people to reach their potentials,
share similar expectations, reap comparable rewards and contribute equally to society.
QUERY
How do we respond to each other’s personal needs and difficulties in sensitive and useful ways? Do
we encourage both men and women to share in caregiving?
What are we doing to welcome and draw members and attenders of all ages into the fellowship of the
meeting?
How do we help our children feel the loving care of the meeting? What do the children contribute to
the meeting?
How do we keep in touch with inactive and distant members and attenders?
RESPONSE
Caring for each other is not an abstract idea but requires intentional actions. One member recalled the
care a member received on the death of a spouse and another shared her experience of feeling cared for
when she married under the care of the meeting. Caring frequently occurs during these life transitions but
also needs to occur in more continuous and small ways. Examples are found in our traditional Easter breakfast, welcoming children into our meeting, and sending notes and cards to each other in times of need. All
these acts of caring are valued and allow us to weather the ups and downs of life.
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Minutes: West Branch Monthly Meeting of Friends, held Fourth Month 14th, 2013
The minutes from our Third Month Meeting for Business have been read.
The Advice for Query 5, Mutual Care, has been read, together with a proposed response coming from
thoughts shared last week. We approve the proposed response.
On the recommendation of the House and Grounds Committee we approve a bid of $9,320.00 from Laughlin
Design for the replacement of all double hung windows in the meetinghouse. We also approve a bid of
$525.05 from Red Bird Construction for repairing and painting the library ceiling. We thank the members of
the committee for their work in obtaining these bids.
Two items from the organizers of Mid-Year Meeting have been read, one requesting an estimate of the number of attenders from our meeting, and one requesting help with the Junior Yearly Meeting program. The
JYM theme for this year is “Bibles,” and Friends are asked to bring Bibles that have interesting history or
stories associated with them.
Announcements include the following:

Midyear Meeting will be next week, April 20-21. There will be no pre-meeting here next week.

We have scheduled a spring work day at the meetinghouse for Saturday, April 27, starting at 9:00.
Friends not able to be there then (or who want to start earlier) can participate at other times. Geery
Howe will prepare a list of projects.

The next Earthcare Working Group film night will be at Don Laughlin’s home on the 21 st beginning at
5:30 pm. The film will be Garbage Warrior.

Ann Stromquist has reported on attending a very moving funeral for Michael McConnell, Director of our
AFSC Midwest Region, who died on April 7.
Following a short return to a time of worship, the meeting concludes.
Jim Cottingham, clerk
Ken Fawcett, assistant clerk
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Midyear Meeting Program: “The Bible in our Midst” presented by Douglas Bennett
Schedule: (See http://www.iymc.org/documents/2013_midyear_program.pdf for more details.)
Saturday, April 20,
9:00 Registration & Overnight assignments, Refreshments (you may bring non-sugar snacks)
10:30 Meeting for Worship
11:30 Bear Creek Friends WELCOME YOU! Announcements
11:45 Lunch
1:30 Session 1: What is the Bible to Friends?
3:30 Interim Committee, Peace & Social Concerns Committee, Other interest groups
5:30 Supper
7:30 Session 2: What Does the Bible Have to Say About Sin?
9:00 Singing after evening meeting — bring your instruments
Sunday, April 21
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Session 3: What Does the Bible Have to Say About Love?
10:30 Meeting for Worship
12:00 Lunch
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From the Newsletter Committee: We look forward to receiving your news and announcements, stories, poems, photos, etc., for the May issue. Let us know if there are other websites we should list below. As always,
send us your ideas for making the newsletter more reader-Friendly. Thank you for your support.
Websites of interest to Friends
Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative): www.iymc.org
Newsletter Committee
Ann Stromquist, Editor
Marcia Shaffer
Callie Marsh
Rebecca Bergus
Submissions for the May issue
are due by May 15. Please send
earlier if possible.
Email to:
[email protected]
Scattergood Friends School: www.scattergood.org
American Friends Service Committee: www.afsc.org
Friends Committee on National Legislation: www.fcnl.org
Friends World Committee for Consultation: www.fwccworld.org
Right Sharing of World Resources: www.rswr.org
Quaker Earthcare Witness: www.quakerearthcare.org
Pendle Hill: www.pendlehill.org
Friends General Conference: www.fgcquaker.org
Friends Journal: www.friendsjournal.org
The Center on Conscience & War: www.centeronconscience.org
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