Presiding Clerk: Ministry & Counsel: Treasurer

Community

Companion Community Friends Meeting

Volume 14 Issue 12 (Note: no June issue in 2008) (513) 861-4353 December 2008

Presiding Clerk: Ministry & Counsel: Treasurer: Ken Bordwell Eileen Bagus Mary Anne Curtiss Ken Bordwell(ex officio) Assistant Clerk: Byron Branson Doug Burks Lisa Cayard Jamie Fota Newsletter Editor: Recording Clerk: Evie Hoffmann Deborah Jordan Betty Waite Frank Huss ([email protected]) Paulette Meier Sunny Rhein

Calendar All events and meetings take place at the Meeting House unless otherwise noted.

December 2nd 6pm Food and Human Rights: Zaki Saad Zaki, a Coptic Christian and former Amnesty International prisoner who was imprisoned and tortured in Egypt for his sexual orientation, will be at Meeting to tell his story including how our Meeting has helped him by holding him in the Light. RSVP Mary Anne Curtiss 751-1047

December 7th First Sunday Carry In/ Potluck. Quakerism 101 will follow. 5 sessions. Facilitated by Kate Anthony.

December 13th 4pm – 7pm Christmas cookie making, cocoa drinking, vegetable soup and bread eating party (this WILL include some homemade Weight Watchers cookies and goodies for those who are health conscious). Bring money to support the Heifer Project.

5pm – 8pm Christmas play rehearsal

December 14th Rise of Meeting: Annual Christmas play directed by Krystin Schmidt and Erin Bagus followed by focused Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business to review budget. Bring treats to share.

December 21st Second Hour: to be decided

December 28th Second Hour: to be decided

Community Friends to Hold in the Light

Jim Rhein’s sister Diane post cancer surgery

All those mentioned with some form of cancer

Alvin Jose who is helping a relative in Madison, WI

Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business Summary of Tenth Month

Tenth Month 19, 2008

Opening Worship

19 in attendance for Monthly Meeting for Business, with Ken Bordwell clerking.

Treasurer’s report General fund ended slightly higher than at the beginning of the month. At 75% through the year, we are at only 62% of budget for revenues. Total assets are higher, although not all is part of the general fund. Gas and Electric was a large bump, but is due to underpayment of one month, then no billing, then a really big one. All in all, our checking account balance is still well above the desired 10% of the general fund revenue budget. Parent body support is being paid on a monthly basis, so no big jumps of expenditure are being anticipated. It was noted that December contributions are usually greater than any other month, which will hopefully make up the difference.

Update on Capital Campaign was done during meeting.

Cannon Fund: Carol Burks reporting that six grants were made in 2008. Also noted that the committee is considering changing from totally investing in securities to loaning some of the funds to the Meetinghouse at a fixed interest rate in order to avoid the trembling in the stock market and enabling the fund to receive regular, steady income. As it is, the fund would have no ability to fund from income because with the recent changes in the stock market, there is no income in 2008. Mary Anne noted that this would not be a grant, the meeting house would be REQUIRED to pay the loan back. Carol noted that a physical contract would have to signed and legally authorized. Only the difference between what is raised by the capital campaign and the cost of the new furnace would be borrowed at an interest rate of 6%. Eric Wolff noted that payment for many of the costs will not be required until 4-5 months out. Asbestos work will not be done until the new downstairs furnace is installed, meaning those funds will not be required until next year. The upstairs furnace will be required this winter. The immediate need will be $3,500 in four-five weeks, with another $3,000 within the following few months. These funds are already in the bank. It was noted that there are tax advantages for making donations to the capital fund before the end of the year. Projected losses for the Cannon Fund are estimated as $15,000. If things remain as they are, we will have $3,000 to disburse next year. Kate Anthony quickly calculated a per adult contribution of $1,200 to the capital campaign in order to avoid borrowing money.

Items from the Clerk’s table

Update on furnace installation was mostly done during meeting. Eric reported that our tree person is in the hospital. Eric has arranged for an alternative resource, at bargain rates, to continue the tree work already authorized to be done.

Byron Branson discussed the “Obsession” video (funded by the Clarion Corporation, an independent, non profit created to educate the public about national security issues) villanizing the Muslim religion. He presented the MARCC response to the video. To further publicize the video would do more harm than good, so MARCC has decided to simply and quietly but summarily, rebuke the information on the DVD by distributing the rebuke to all participating members of MARCC.

Action Items

Ken read a minute endorsing Proportional Representation (Issue 8). A discussion ensued of the history of proportional representation and the fears of the Republicans of having a black mayor. In 2008, this fear is unfounded as we have experienced several black mayors and the city has not fallen into the Ohio as a result. Kate suggested that we include in our minute our testimony on equality in order to avoid looking too politically sided on this issue. Wording changes were suggested in this endeavor. Unity could not be achieved and the minute was tabled.

Frank Huss reported on Ministry and Counsel wanting to form an ad hoc Outreach Speakers Committee. This committee would be a group willing to speak to outside groups about Quakerism. Questions were raised regarding whether this committee needs to be outside of M&C or is simply already a part of their charter. Also suggested was simply the maintenance of a listing of persons willing to perform these outreach tasks on an as needed basis. It was determined that there was not unity around establishing a new committee, but that the duties be contained within the auspices of ministry and council until such time as they want to bring the issue back to meeting for business. It was also noted that persons not on M&C could participate in the outreach.

Committee reports House and Grounds-Eric Wolff reported. Tree work continues. The furnace project continues. Meeting was chilly this morning as the pilot light of the old furnace could not be lit.

Ministry and Counsel-Frank Huss reported. T-shirts will be sold. Renewal is still underway for the weekend following the election. Deborah Haines will be the facilitator. Meeting for grieving met and will be considered again if an active member passes. Quakerism 101 will be taught by Kate Anthony if she has a minimum of 6 students.

Peace and Social Concerns-Mary Anne reported. The committee has been active in The Free Store and Tender Mercies as well as other activities, including a toy drive for a more simple Christmas outreach, beginning November 2nd.

Religious Development- Lisa Cayard reported. Materials are being updated. More toys have been procured for the playroom. A Treasure Hunt is scheduled for Nov. 2nd.

Stewardship-Mary Anne reported. They met on Oct. 2nd and were hoping for follow up but no quorum was achieved.

Sharing Our Gifts: Second Hour Programs On November 23, Paulette Meier sang some of The talents of members and attenders at her “Quaker Quotes”. This is a series of brief Community Friends Meeting is impressive, and songs or chants using the words of Quakers like two of the Second Hours during the month of George Fox. Isaac Pennington, and John November confirmed that. On November 16, Woolman. Paulette told of how early friends Betty Waite read some of her poetry, stories, and called themselves Friends of the Truth, meaning spiritual writings. Betty’s writing is concrete, that the essential truth of existence is open and lively, vivid and fun to hear and to read. You can available to all, even those who do not know sample them at bettyshead.blogspot.com. She Christ. Her songs all reflect that eternal truth, the told, among others, a poignant story of stopping in essence of life, the spirit of Christ. Phrases from the road one day after a truck ahead of her had George Fox spill out of the songs: “Be still and struck an opossum. cool in thy own mind and spirit…” “Keep During her reading, friends asked Betty about how within…Christ is within…The pearl is within, she wrote, and how the writing interacted with her though hidden.” life as a mother and a friend. She told about her Thank you Betty. Thank you Paulette. growing up in Indiana, and how writing became an integral part of her life quite apart from a desire By Tim Leonard to publish. She ended with a delightful poem, “I want a man with a truck.”

Memorial Minute for Jean Elizabeth McGrew Stoffregen

Jean Elizabeth McGrew Stoffregen, born October 14, 1919, was the first child of Glen McGrew and Emily Jameson. She grew up in Chicago. In 1940, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University with a major in philosophy. In 1942, she graduated from IU law school, after which she worked as a law clerk for the Indiana Supreme Court. In the early 1940s, Jean joined the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), and traveled to Washington to protest WWII. As a member of FOR, she worked to bring a group from the Congress of Racial Equality (including Bayard Rustin) to Friends Meetings in central Indiana.

When the Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court was appointed to the court at the Nuremberg war crimes trials, he asked Jean to serve as his law clerk. She spent one year in Germany, during which she traveled widely, visiting many camps housing Displaced Persons (DP’s, as refugees were officially known). She was instrumental in gaining admittance to the US for many DP’s, making it possible for them to begin new lives in America. In 1948, she traveled widely in the Midwest lecturing on her experiences in Europe, and on the plight of DP’s.

At one of these lectures she met David Stoffregen, and in 1949 they were married. They lived in the house where David was born, at 2830 Madison Road in Cincinnati for the rest of their lives. Their long marriage lasted until David’s death in 1998, just a few months short of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Jean is survived by their four children, Philip, Emily, Roger and Thomas, together with their spouses, Jean and David’s eight grandchildren, and Jean’s only sibling, her brother Jameson McGrew.

After their marriage, Jean joined David in the practice of Quakerism for nearly sixty years. She first belonged to Cincinnati Friends Meeting, which gave rise to Seven Hills Meeting, which merged to form Community Friends Meeting, of which she was a member at the time of her death on August 21, 2008. Jean was modest but energetic, always aware of her Meeting community, quietly filling many needs but also ready to lead when needed. She co-clerked the Religious Development Committee when Community Friends was formed. For many years she clerked the Library Committee. She organized seniors to work on the Meeting’s newsletter and eventually guided the establishment of the Senior Seekers, a social group for Meeting seniors. All her life she remained active in causes relating to peace and social justice. In the 60’s, while raising four children, she went to graduate school to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work..

Jean was a talented photographer, a lover of trees and flowers, of the arts, classical music, and theater. She led her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and cooked wonderful meals for her family from scratch. She sewed, did needlepoint and water color painting. Her daughter Emily said, “My mother was the original Martha Stewart.” Her wide-ranging love of learning extended into her latest years through many Elderhostels, lectures, tours, and pre-recorded courses. In her 80’s she was learning calculus on videotape. Hers was truly an indomitable spirit.

Jean’s body was cremated. Her memorial service was held on October 4, 2008 at Cincinnati Friends Meeting house, under the care of Community Friends Meeting.

Memorial Minute for Kathryn (Kay) Sturm Thomson

Kathryn (Kay) Sturm Thomson was born December 3, 1912 at Winona, MN to Harry F. Sturm and Edna Rudolf. Her long life, which ended on July 14, 2008, may have seemed relatively quiet by worldly standards. On a spiritual level, however, she was a mighty force of pure Light and love who touched many people with her inspiration and compassion.

Kay grew up with her sisters Jeanette and Marjorie, both of whom preceded her in death. They were raised Baptist, with their father serving as both Sunday school teacher and choir master at their church. Kay’s father introduced her to music, coaching his two-year old daughter to sing her first solo—a song in a church Christmas pageant. She loved music all her life, later singing in her church choir and at weddings, and playing the piano.

The family moved several times, to the outskirts of Chicago, and to Mason City, IA before settling in Cincinnati. During the Depression her father struggled to provide a living from his general store in Clifton, while all five members of the family lived in a one-bedroom apartment behind the store. Kay went to public schools and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a major in early childhood education.

Music brought Kay together with her husband, Leland (Lee) Stone Thomson. They met when she was the soloist in a wedding in which he was an usher. On October 11, 1937 they were married. Their marriage lasted until Lee’s death on August 24, 2007, less than two months before their seventieth wedding anniversary. Their only son, David Stone Thomson was born September 25, 1945. Kay is survived by her son, by daughter-in-law Joan Coolidge, and granddaughter Rachel from David’s first marriage.

Although Kay spent most of her life as a homemaker, when David was grown she worked for several years as a children’s librarian in her neighborhood library, reading stories and interacting with the children she loved. She and Lee received a set of hand-made puppets from friends in Germany whom they had helped after the war. For fifty years they delighted in performing puppet plays for children and adults. After Lee’s retirement, Kay traveled with him when he volunteered in the International Executive Service Corps for more than ten years. They stayed in eleven developing countries for weeks or months, making some lifelong friends. She cherished memories of this time.

Kay had many talents. She was a fine watercolor artist, and often collaborated with Lee on art projects. When he carved a wooden nativity set, she painted it. She wrote the plays for their puppet shows and occasionally published essays. She was a dedicated gardener who loved having cut flowers from her yard in every season. She enjoyed observing nature and feeding birds. She was a good cook and made a serious study of nutrition and vitamins, to which Lee attributed their longevity. She sewed, making many of her own clothes. To her, beauty was a necessity of life, and she managed to find it everywhere and in everyone.

What made Kay’s life and spirit soar was her deep spirituality. She was much more than a member of any one church, but rather someone who tried continually, in every way she could, to practice the presence of God. She joined the Cincinnati Friends in the 1940’s and was a member for years before changing to the Unity Church. She felt Friends were then so focused on political activism that they had lost sight of their spiritual base. She again became a Quaker when she joined Community Friends in 1993. Here she was active on Religious Development and Ministry and Counsel committees. She retained her membership until the end of her life.

Although Kay was grounded in Christianity and followed the teachings of Jesus, she was eclectic in her choice of religious sources. She practiced Transcendental Meditation for many years, and read widely in Eastern religions and mysticism. She and Lee hosted many diverse study groups in their home—from spiritual formation, to healing, meditation, and prayer. People of all ages and backgrounds were attracted to her because she listened to them and made them feel valued. Her niece said, “I absolutely adored my aunt. I could barely wait when she came to visit.” Kay cheered and supported many people with special needs, including poverty, addictions, mental illness and incarceration. She believed that we should perform whatever service to our fellow beings that we can. At her memorial, one attender described her as “our Meeting’s resident angel.”

Six years before her death, Kay took the unusual step of composing a statement to be read at her own memorial service. She began it, “As I approach the time of my transition from earthly life to purely spiritual life, I would like to leave behind some comfort and a short credo.” She asserts that she tried to follow the biblical imperative of seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven, and that she believes the Kingdom of Heaven lies within us. But she clearly believed in the reality of an afterlife and hoped to convey that to her loved ones: “Your joy will lighten my spirit as it goes on its way….I shall sometimes send you blessings and do bless me at times too. There is no barrier in the spiritual lives of any of us…whether on this side or on that side….Be of good cheer and live with a good and happy heart. We shall meet again….” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace Focus: FCNL Supports Comprehensive Diplomacy with Iran

1) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group report in 2006 stressed the necessity of diplomatic engagement with Iran and Syria to achieve stability in Iraq and security throughout the Middle East. 2) Five former secretaries of state (Albright, Baker, Christopher, Kissinger, and Powell) have called for the U.S. to engage in direct negotiations with Iran. 3) Two Bush administration officials who participated in talks with Iran from 2001 to 2003, Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett, say “the next U. S. administration will not be able to achieve any of its high profile policy goals in the Middle East- in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Arab-Israeli arena- or with regard to energy security- without putting U. S.-Iranian relations on a more positive trajectory.” They cited the strategic importance of Iranian energy as China and Russia emerge as world powers, rivaling the U.S.A. 4) There is a consensus of the U. S. foreign policy establishment that the U. S. needs for the sake of its own vital interests to engage diplomatically to resolve outstanding conflicts and establish cooperative relations. 5) A “sticks only” approach of escalating punitive measures, favored by the Bush administration, will almost certainly fail to change Iranian behavior.

Congress should correct, not reinforce, the Bush Administration’s failed and potentially catastrophic policy toward Iran by calling for diplomatic engagement with Iran without preconditions, not insisting, as the Bush Administration has, that Iran suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition for negotiations. Suspension of the uranium enrichment program is an item to be negotiated. The U. S. cannot credibly offer to negotiate when one of the main items to be negotiated would be taken off the table as a precondition to the negotiations.

As the new 112th Congress begins its work in January, specific bills will be offered for its consideration. When these are submitted, we will let you know what they are and what FCNL’s position on them are, so that you can help us to lobby congress for a new and more open policy toward Iran. - by Ken Bordwell and Mary Anne Curtiss Report on the FCNL Annual Meeting: Nov. 13 – 16, 2008, Washington DC the U.S. and Iran and talked about the More than 200 Quakers from about 40 states, importance of people in the United States representing 26 yearly meetings, gathered in understanding Iran’s perspective. the nation’s capital for the Friends Committee on National Legislation annual meeting to Slavin and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest of approve its legislative priorities and plan Maryland, who received the Edward F. strategies for promoting that agenda in the Snyder Award for National Legislative 111th Congress. Frank Huss, Mary Anne Leadership, both noted FCNL’s key role in Curtiss, and Ken Bordwell represented preventing Congress from passing legislation Community Friends Meeting at the meeting. that effectively called for a more complete embargo on Iran, a step both said would have Prior to the opening of the annual meeting, increased tensions to even more dangerous approximately 60 Quakers gathered at the levels. Gilchrest urged members of the FCNL offices on Capitol Hill to participate in audience to continue their work to promote lobby day. There was training in the morning, then Quakers visited one or more of their legislators’ offices. The topic of the lobbying dialogue with Iran and to address climate this year was engaging with Iran. Frank, Mary change. Anne, and Ken met with Matt Ortman, Sen. George Voinovich’s foreign policy aide. They Among the specific results of the gathering then dropped into Sen. Sherrod Brown’s were the following: office and left materials concerning the wisdom of sitting down with Iran. • Participants agreed to lobby new and returning members of Congress to begin the The speaker on Thursday night, veteran White long-term work of reducing military spending House correspondent Helen Thomas, and shifting resources to education, health cautioned that the press and the public must care, and energy conservation; remain vigilant and engaged with government • In FCNL’s 65th year, the Friends gathered to ensure that real change takes place. this weekend set a goal of organizing 65 house parties to talk about FCNL’s work and On Friday night, author and journalist Barbara urge financial contributions. For our meeting, Slavin reviewed the history of missed Mary Anne Curtiss will be hosting one- stay opportunities for improving relations between tuned for further details. Total pledged but not collected yet: $6,625 Still need: $33,127.57 “Well, good, now it’s all done but the work.” We already have a loan of $10,000 and an — Meg Hummon at the close of Annual offer of a line of credit for $30,000, both with Meeting interest of 6%, so there is no current concern that the project will fail for lack of funding. By Ken Bordwell Current timetable for pay out: Work done and paid for: $1,400 Capital Campaign Progress Report: Work done and awaiting invoice: $1,900 11/22/08 Interest paid on loan: $49.85 Has come in: Expected additional invoice by December 1: Total needed: $61,808 (already contains 10% $21,000 overrun allowance) by end of April 2009 plus interest on any loans we take out. By Mary Anne Curtiss, Treasurer Total collected so far (including $9.74 interest on CD): $22,055.43 Renewal Reflections

Our annual meeting renewal was held from Friday God’s love, and then expanding our circle of love evening November 7 through Sunday morning, to encompass others who share our experience November 9, with the theme of sharing our and our vision. As our circle continues to expand, spiritual journeys. Deborah Haines, from the we are able to reach out to include those outside FGC Traveling Ministries Program, was our our community, who may not experience our facilitator. Deborah’s companion in ministry was vision, and witness to them in love. We become Rick Clark, who brought along his delightful able to break through the barriers of expectations daughter Molly. Our renewal opened with an and prejudice on a personal level, embracing all informal evening of sharing snacks and humanity. cooperative games. On Saturday morning, there were activities for the children, organized by the We discussed the Quaker view of Christ as the Funck family, including baking cookies and tie- Light of creation, the Word that was present at the dying t-shirts. About 20 adults gathered with moment of creation and is always present in all Deborah for the morning session. The following people and in all times. The Bible can be seen as reflections come from my own notes and the a metaphor for our spiritual journey, as we seek a gleanings that most touched my heart: way back to unity with the spirit. Our journey is the process of bringing our lives into harmony Our spiritual journey may be viewed as having with the truth that is revealed through mystical three stages. The first stage is the individual vision. Sometimes we need to “pull out the seeking and the process of self-discovery and weeds” of distraction and disharmony. Simplicity search for connectedness with the Divine. The is the seeking of that which is most clear and true. second stage is the search for a spiritual community, and the unity with others in God’s Saturday afternoon after lunch we had time to love. The third stage involves going beyond our work together on projects around the meeting community, stretching ourselves to meetinghouse, including cleaning and winterizing embrace and connect with others who may be windows, painting, oiling woodwork, planting very different from ourselves. trees, and hauling branches to the curb. After this active time of fun and George Fox’s opening was that the direct community-building, we gathered again to experience of God is available to all people, that consider what we most value and hunger for in we can each find truth and direction from our our meeting community. Some reflections that inward teacher, and that through this experience of came from the group were the following: God we become aware of our deep unity with all creation. Our spiritual journey thus begins with Feeling safe to be my truest self, to reach a deep inward seeking and opening to the motion of place in worship, spiritual friendships, growing spirituality, opportunities for service as a Molly created a lovely illustration of the community, adventure, camping together, meetinghouse on the sign-up board! This time campfires, corporate worship, trusting one together was very special and strengthened our another, grounding and a touchstone for values, bonds of community. longing to be deeply listened to, feeling supported, having fun together, looking for a On Sunday morning we did some brainstorming spiritual family, deeper levels of intimacy, really about ways we might be able to achieve our hopes knowing one another, having spiritual elders and and yearnings for our meeting community, and the guides, integration with the community outside of following suggestions were generated: meeting on Sunday, deeper connections across age  An active website, where we can post ac- differences. tivities, announcements, photos, videos, etc. Saturday evening we had a wonderful coffee  Midweek meetings or discussion time be- house, with hilarious paper bag dramatics, gifted fore worship musical performances, Quaker jokes, a magic  Bring in new people through personal show, and sharing of artwork. While Rick Clark connections with existing members was singing and playing guitar, his daughter  Plan more fun activities like campouts and bonfires  More potluck meals for small group gatherings, such as Friendly Eights  Potluck meals at the meeting house with activities during the week  Quaker game nights  Plan visitor’s days with a fellowship meal  Send out emails to visitors to encourage them to return  Reach out to organizations that have similar values, such as IJPC and the Peaslee Center  More outdoor worship opportunities  Shorten announcements, which can sometimes detract from the serenity of the meeting  Whoever sits next to a visitor can take them under their wing  More opportunities for spiritual friendships  Create a spiritual community for young Friends, via connections with other meetings

Our time together with Deborah Haines certainly nourished our meeting community and gave us much food for thought for our continuing spiritual journeys. The journey continues….

By Lisa Cayard

Byron, Deborah, Agnes, & Sunny deep in talk Sue and Marjorie deep in mulch Eileen and Julie model smiles and shirts Rich, Paulette, Rachel, and Frank model cheerfulness Announcements

My Nose Turns Red Presents Youth Circus CAIN says they have a choice pantry Christmas Adam and Kaitlyn Funck will be performing. for the families to make the distribution more eq- Sat., Dec. 6th, 7pm at Jarson-Kaplan Theater. $13 uitable and to make sure everyone who signs up adults, $8 children. receives something. They say we can donate Tickets at box office or call 621-2787. more than we originally said we would. List: 2 new toys - dolls, games, trucks- for each child and a new book and a new hooded sweat- Feast of Carols shirt and $25 for each child for a food gift card. For each adult, a new hooded sweatshirt and Mia Gentile will be singing with the chorus. sheets or blankets or pots or dishes and $25 for a Dec. 6th (5pm) and 7th ( 2 and 5 pm) in Corbett food gift card. We also provide wrapping paper Auditorium at U.C. $10 admission, $5 Non UC for the family to wrap their presents. Students, Free for UC students Submitted by Hannah Branson Call 556-4183 or www.ccm.uc.edu Table of Contents: p. 1 Calendar, Hold in the Light Religious Development thanks: th Byron Branson for presenting on Conscientious 2 Summary of 10 Month Business Objection to the teens. 3 Gifts from Second Hour 4 Memorial Minute Jean Stoffregen Holiday Family Details 5 Memorial Minute Kay Thomson We have offered to give gifts for 4 children and 6 Peace Focus on Iran 2 adults. People can give money or buy gifts and 7 FCNL Annual Meeting bring them to the meeting house before Dec 14th. I can buy things that we need to give the family Capital Campaign with the money people give. (So you give money 8,9 Renewal Reflections, Pictures to Hannah.)

Community Friends Meeting 3960 Winding Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45229

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