BROOKLYN MEETING NEWS A publication of the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

brooklynmeeting.org JUNE, 2017

March with NY Friends and In the 1950s and 1960s very few ception of the parade. This year we Support the NYC Pride March establishments welcomed openly will be marching as a group in the people and frequently gay and parade under the banner of “Quak- The 48th Annual City people were arrested for ers of New York”. We have also (NYC) Pride March for Lesbi- socializing in public. These riots are designed a t-shirt to wear for this an, Gay, Bisexual, widely recognized as the spark that event. We will meet at a designated and pride will be held on set the gay, lesbian and transgender location at the start of the parade Sunday, June 25. This march was rights movement on fire. Although route but we will not know the started following riots at the Stone- gay, lesbian and transgender people exact location where we will meet wall Inn in on have more legal protections today, until a few days before the event. June 28th, 1969. These riots were many people still face discrimina- started by people who reacted tion and abuse. Hate crimes based If you are interested in joining us to a police raid that targeted gay, on sexual orientation have spiked and participating in the parade lesbian and transgendered patrons. over the past year and account for please call or email William Carr of the majority of hate crimes in NYC. Brooklyn Friends. His email ad- Thus, there remains much work to dress is [email protected] and his be done to create equality for all. phone number is 919-437-1217. Also if you would like to purchase Since the , Quak a t-shirt or obtain more informa- ers have played a prominent role in tion, please contact William Carr. supporting equality for gay, lesbian All are welcome to march with us and transgender people in New York and we will have a van for those City. The Society of Friends (Quakers who have limited mobility. of New York) have marched in the every year since the in- - William Carr

Friends from all four of New York’s Meetings in the Pride March.

1 Summer Sessions 2017: Meeting is a wonderful opportuni- org/?q=SummerSessions2017 for Bringing the Peaceable King- ty for children and youth to get to detailed information about Sum- dom to a Turbulent World know other Quaker children and mer Sessions. the Quaker faith. We particularly -- Lucinda Antrim, Dear Friends, welcome newcomers to this expe- Clerk, New York Yearly Meeting rience! I’ll be July 23-29, we gather for Summer on the Inn porch Sessions to support one another in when you arrive bringing the peaceable kingdom Sunday and will to a turbulent world. We have host a tea and many wonderful opportunities bedtime snack for worship, work, and play. Our Wednesday usual worship sharing groups will evening, open to meet each morning, the highlight all but especially of the Summer Sessions experi- for mid-week ence for many. We will share time newcomers. in nourishing extended worship during Meeting for Discernment; Please visit the we’ll swim in the lake, play inter- Summer Ses- generational games on the lawn, sions Informatio Peaceable Kingdom, A wood engraving by 20th and so much more. Junior Yearly Page at http://www.nyym. century Quaker artist, Fritz Eichenberg

Friends General Conference AFSC Events, Presentations, and Friday night. The goal of co-op Gathering: Ripples Start Spontaneous Events. Field Trips to cooking and dining is to advance Where Spirit Moves Underground Railroad Heritage the values of Simplicity, Commu- Bus Tour, Erie Canal Tour, and nity, and Earth And it happens You are invited to attend the FGC the Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin to cost less money than eating Gathering in Niagara Falls, NY Martin Restoration. dinner in the college dining from July 2 - 8. We’re expecting facilities. For more information over 1000 Quakers at this annual Evening Presentations: see http://fgcquaker.org/connect/ event. The conference is within Dr. David Anderson re-enact- gathering/registration-details/ walking distance to Niagara Power ing Frederick Douglass’ speech, housing-and-dining/coop-dining Project Hydro electric generator “What to the American Slave is Your Fourth of July” And a talk on Camping Morning Workshops on many the Abolitionists topics including: Power of Prefer to camp? Options exist for Enough (simplicity), Soulful Lezlie Harper Wells presentation: either a tent or RV / camper. The Singing, Tracking Down Eco- “The Experience of Black Ca- camping is located near dorm logical Guidance, Deepening nadians From the Underground showers and bathrooms and cost Your Experience with the Light, Railroad Forward.” less than dorm rooms, especial- Helping Conflict Become Con- Concert: Native American Flute ly if shared by more than one nection, Forgiveness as a Spiritual and Harp music Frank Lloyd person. Practice, Alternatives to Violence Wright Darwin Martin Resto- For more information (AVP) Basic Workshop, ration including a talk about their http://fgcquaker.org use of music in palliative care. Afternoons Activities are devoted -- Steve Mohlke to rest and relaxation, Gather- Co-op Cooking Co-clerk FGC Gathering 2017 [email protected] ing Store, Quaker Arts Center, Co-op cooking is an option for Singing, Meetings for Worship, dinners Sunday night through

2 Young Friends Aid: insurance, temporary housing suggestions for how to connect Still Going Strong support, a computer for a student them with longer-term support or educational travel. Certain from other organizations. Young Friends Aid was estab- themes that reflect the times have lished nearly 150 years ago by become apparent since I became I find it rewarding to work with Quakers to “help involved: Many grants were made Young Friends Aid because it those who help themselves” by for losses following Hurricane makes me feel useful, because I providing financial assistance to Sandy in 2012; criminal justice learn about people in different people going through difficult concerns have spurred requests situations and because I enjoy the times. Money was raised at an and discussions over the last cou- fellowship of the committee. We annual fair and then disbursed ple of years; and more frequent plan to do more to get the word over the course of the year. The requests from immigrants have out so more organizations and fairs have not continued, but been received this year. groups are aware of the support the organization still operates, we can provide. offering grants funded by gifts and The organization is essentially a investments made long ago. committee of Friends and non- If you know of someone who Friends. We meet twice a year in would like to apply for a grant, Grants are made to individuals in person and consider requests out- please encourage them to send the New York City area only, and side of those meetings via email. an email to youngfriendsaid@aol. they must be for a non-recurring Our professional backgrounds com with an explanation of the need. Quakers are not eligible. include social work, supportive specific need, including a clear Examples over recent years have housing, education and invest- estimate of how much money is included replacement furniture ments. It’s quite common for a required and why it can’t be met after apartment flooding or fire, request to prompt consideration with their existing resources. medical devices not covered by of a person’s broader needs and -- Morgan Harting

A Quaker Message to Pres- my memberships in 57th Street books we owned, with a partic- ident Obama Regarding his Meeting and the Hyde Park Coop- ular emphasis on the novelist and Proposed Library erative, and whether I went to the biographer Howard Fast (still a Pete Seeger Concert. I did. favorite author of mine). Fast wrote Dear President Obama, the definitive biography of Thomas As you plan a beautiful library in The University of Chicago was one Paine at that time. And I couldn’t the neighborhood of Hyde Park of the few top-ranking universities help being amused imagining how next to the University of Chicago, that did not have a quota system Thomas Paine would have fared in do not forget what Friends and for admitting Jewish students. So Hyde Park in the 1950s! other individuals of conscience suf- there were a large number of Jewish I moved to the suburbs to teach, fered in that very neighborhood students in the neighborhood, many of whom came from families who then returned to Hyde Park in 1960 As one of many students who had escaped from Europe before and all was forgotten. It was as if it shared apartments in Hyde Park and during World War II. It was clear was all a bad dream. But it wasn’t. and participated in the vibrant to me from the FBI’s questioning To President Obama, and all of us: intellectual neighborhood, I unin- that these students were particularly Never forget. targeted. But all of us who planned tentionally became the subject of from Molly Rusnak harassment and searches. My mail to graduate from the Education was opened, my trash inspected Department would have to sign a and I received knocks on the door loyalty oath if we wanted to teach in Interested in promoting a before 8 a.m. many mornings. It the Chicago schools. Quaker event? Then email was the FBI, who questioned me [email protected] about my roommates and friends, We were examined as to what

3 May Meeting for Business: introduction for research and writing Coates on February 21. Partici- Memberships, Marriage, about the conviction and actions of pants shared stories of racism and Reports and Social Action early Friends witnessing for equality privilege here in Brooklyn. and social justice. -- An event and potluck, “Quaker New Members Perspectives on Political Unrest Meeting Sponsors American John Major is welcomed into mem- and Hope in the Face of Rage, on Friends Service Committee Fo- bership after the second reading of October 4. rum on Nuclear Disarmament his letter. -- A clerk’s event, including a Dianne de la Veaux transferred On First Day, June 18, from 1 to 5 potluck and discussion, about her membership from Wilmington p.m. the American Friends Service how committees can share and Delaware Monthly Meeting and is Committee will present a forum on collaborate with each other. welcomed. Nuclear Disarmament supported by -- Partnered with the Quaker a grant from the Meeting’s Socially Activism Group on a teach-in for Transfer of Membership Responsible Fund including signs new attenders. The Mack family transferred their and posters. The committee reported that the membership to Chestnut Hill average attendance at the 11 Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania. Brooklyn Meeting Open House As part of the New York Landmarks a.m. Meeting for Worship was 96 Marriage Under the Care of the Conservancy Sacred Sites Tour, the adults and 13 children. Meeting Meetinghouse will be open for vis- Childcare Committee Reports itors on May 20 and 21. The Clerk Andres Colapinto and Emily San- In addition to providing childcare will be present. dusky will be married under the for children too young for First care of the Meeting at 11 a.m. on Welcoming Committee Reports Day School, averaging five chil- June 25, 2017. Callie Janoff, Amy dren each First Day, the Commit- In addition to greeting members Hundley, Ben Frisch and Ed Oliver tee plans a barbecue and clothing and attenders at the door each First will oversee the marriage. exchange. The Committee also day and providing name tags, the requests of the Property Commit- Letter of Introduction Provided Welcoming Committee sponsored tee a more thorough cleaning of for Linda Clarke several events during the past year: their space. At her request, Linda Clarke will re- -- A discussion of the book Between ceive Meeting support and a letter of the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi -- Molly Rusnak

New NYYM General Secretary part-time duties in August and The Personnel Committee of September. His full time em- NYYM has approved the Search ployment will start October 1, Committee’s choice of Steve Mohl- We are blessed to be wel- ke of Ithaca Friends Meeting for coming Steve into the work to the position of General Secretary, which we are calling him, to New York Yearly Meeting. This be confirmed when we meet appointment will be forwarded for as a Yearly Meeting in July, and final approval to the Summer Ses- we are grateful for his response sions of NYYM, which take place to the call. “Abundantly suffi- July 23-29 at Silver Bay, New York. cient for our help is the grace It is planned for Steve to contract afforded us” (Job Scott). for part-time overlap with outgo- ing General Secretary Christopher NYYM Search Committee Sammond in June, and to begin

4 Brooklyn Meeting Newsletter collectively, individually – so Wants to Know About YOU! (also) tell me about your pas- sion. What do you love to do? Here’s an invitation and a friendly What would you love to do? warning: I would like to start a reg- Next month I’ll summarize ular newsletter column that’s driven what people tell me. Maybe I by readers. What would you like can tell you that x% of those to read about? But that may be too who responded cited an art open-ended a question. form, and break things down. I want to know more about us – 23 people play a musical on starting a career, taking a class, instrument, 9 of us how you started something big or a are trombone play- quest for inspiration to break a bad ers, or one Friend habit. Keep in mind this idea of mine sent a tremendous will only work if I hear from you. story about how Send me stories, poll questions, ideas s/he inherited a for themes to explore. Try e-mailing great-grandparent’s me. Ask me to call you if you’d rather diary which evolved talk than write. I am not a regular into a family histo- attender, but I do occasionally make ry project (which it to meetings for worship (both Sun- would be covered days and Tuesdays) so please also try in a separate arti- the in-person approach. cle). Perhaps you’ll - Heather Buchan Loza have been motivat- [email protected] ed to share details

Quaker 101: A Conversation after Meeting for Worship, when As the Meeting has grown and about Customs and Expecta- many participants get up and leave. social concerns have also grown, tions in Our Meeting It was pointed out that other means the group shared ideas about how of announcing events have not been Friends in the Meeting are fol- After Meeting for Worship on May successful in Brooklyn historically. lowing their leadings in informal 21, Friends gathered to share their Some Friends expressed the need to groups and activities as well has thoughts and experiences with our show respect by staying for an- through the formal structure of the practice and customs in Brooklyn nouncements. There was approval Meeting. There was strong support Meeting. Newcomers pick up on for the practice of “silent applause.” for informal groups, such as Quak- these by participating and observing. er Action, as well as for discussions Examples of these in Meeting for Another important topic was how and readings. The feeling was that worship are: keeping a long period we work with interpersonal misun- there is a place for these groups of silence with no messages at the derstandings or behaviors that are in the Meeting, if they seek guid- beginning of Meeting, not respond- concerning. Friends agreed that ance from established committees, ing to a message with a related mes- all members and attenders should make public announcements and sage, waiting to enter Meeting until be aware of “Gospel Order,” the occasionally report to Meeting for a message is concluded and leaving way we seek clearness first by Business. But these arrangements space between messages. Political reaching out as individuals and are still a work in progress. messages are avoided. then, if necessary, to the Ministry and Counsel Committee, always This was the last Quaker 101 Friends also addressed the unresolved seeking solutions and with respect gathering of this season. issue of the many announcements for each other. -- Molly Rusnak

5 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The Communications Committee wel- The newsletter is published on the Contributions shouldgenerally be comes Brooklyn Meeting News con- first Sunday of each month, and we brief, between 150-450 words in tributions from all Meeting members request that submissions for the next length. and attenders. Our newsletter includes issue be submitted by December 19th, Please send your newsletter submis- a variety of content which may be of so that we may briefly discuss your sion as an attached Word document. interest to our community, including contribution, as regards its timeliness, Keep in mind that contributions will but not limited to: appropriateness, and length. be copy edited, and may not appear • Recaps of recent Meeting events in the newsletter in exactly the same • Previews of upcoming events General Guidelines: form as how they were submitted. • Issues pertaining to our Quaker • Please send an email to Thank you for your interest - we look faith and history [email protected] forward to your input!

REGULARLY SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES

Meetings for Worship First Day School Worship Sharing 9:00–9:50 AM and 10:45 am – 11:45 am, Sundays, Sep- 10:00 AM, third Sundays, 11:00 AM–Noon on Sundays, tember to June. Three classes, roughly on the third floor in the meeting room related to age: Bodies (age 4-6), Minds Prayer Healing Meeting 6:30 PM Tuesdays, (agr 7-9) and Spirits (age 10-12). 10:00 AM, fourth Sundays in the meeting room Social Hour in the meeting room Outdoor Worship 12:00 PM Sundays, Ground-level 6:00 PM, every Thursday, weather per- dining room Community Dinner 1:00 PM-3:00 PM Set-up mitting spring through September, Meeting for Worship with a outdoor worship under the Quarterly 3:00 PM-4:00 PM Meal/Serving Concern for Business 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Clean-up, Meeting’s care in Battery Park 1:00 PM, first Sundays, in the meeting room () at the Labyrinth just come for some or all! Last Sunday of north of Castle Clinton Hymn Singing around the Piano every month, ground-level dining room; 10:00 AM, first Sundays, volunteers appreciated for this monthly Childcare in the meeting room Sundays during 11:00 AM worship, for dinner for anyone who wishes a free hot children of 3 months to 3 years, in the Readings of Spiritual Texts meal. Children encouraged to volunteer. care of an early childhood teacher and 10:00 AM, second Sundays, Contact: Andres Colapinto, dedicated volunteers in the meeting room [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS

NY YEARLY MEETING INTERVISITATION WEEKEND ON MEMBERSHIP Visit to Staten Island Meeting June 17-18 at Powell House, Old Cha- Summer Sessions at Silver Bay ONE SUNDAY IN JUNE - TBA tham: Marissa Badgley, Jennifer Swann, July 23 - 29 Worship begins at 10 AM Jeffrey Aaron, and Jillian Smith will be Contact Heather Buchan facilitating a weekend on membership in The Religious society of Friends. For info, email: [email protected]

Ongoing additions to upcoming Meeting events are regularly added to the Meeting website at http://www.brooklynmeeting.org/calendar. To submit an event, email: [email protected]. Send additions to Regularly Scheduled Activities or Upcoming Events to [email protected]. Send inquiries or suggestions about the newsletter to [email protected]. The Monthly Meeting Newsletter is published by the Communications Committee of Brooklyn Monthly Meeting. Current members: Melissa Cavanaugh, Ben Frisch, Ben Hill, Molly Rusnak and Heather Loza Drawings by Lucy Sikes