Third Haven Monthly Meeting
Overseers Annual Report
Calendar Year 2010
During the year 2010 the Overseers Committee, attended to pastoral care, keeping in touch with members via a calling tree by dividing the membership directory alphabetically, publishing that in the directory and online, and also responding to answering machine and website messages. Should inclement weather take place it is agreed that the clerk of meeting and communications clerk will e-mail closing information to the meeting and Overseers will contact local computer free members and attenders. Friendly support was offered privately to members and couples experiencing a variety of life challenges. Oversight committees from marriages in years past were reminded to continue their oversight as part of the couple being "under the care of the meeting."
The file of Declarations of Memorial Intentions was maintained by Nancy Mullen and Marsie Hawkinson. Members wishing to complete a declaration of intentions for death may complete the form in the upcoming newsletter.
Under the organization of John Hawkinson with contacts made by the Overseers the directory is continually updated online.
Memorial Meetings for Worship were held for: Leonard Baynum, Gary Smith, and John Sullivan with Molly Bond and Ann Williams as Friendly Presences for the non-members. Maureen Parker was buried at Third Haven with a small gathering of family and friends.
The clearness process as detailed in Faith and Practice was followed for membership requests and marriages under the care of the meeting. Clearness committees may also be used to resolve issues between members in conflict or for confidential clearness around personal discernment issues.
New member clearness committee volunteers were: Mark Beck, Cindy Browne, Nancy Mullen, Adrienne Rudge, Norval Thompson, Candace Shattuck, Meredith Watters, Marsie Hawkinson, John Schreiner, Ann Williams, Molly Bond,
New members Larissa Kitenko, Kyung-Lim Turrell, Molly McCall, Eric Neil, Luisa Adelfio, Neil Mufson, Elizabeth Mufson, Charles Mufson, and Maeve Mufson were welcomed and each family received a 6 month gift subscription of Friends Journal from the meeting. James Turrell transferred to Third Haven Monthly Meeting. Two members, Virginia Coggeshall and Edie Silvers, requested and received transfers to Wicomico River Monthly Meeting and Abington Monthly Meeting respectively.
Two babies new to the families of the Fords and Gladneys were welcomed by the meeting.
Care Committees were explained and offered as a support strategy for members who might benefit from organized support from our meeting members and attenders as well as their own friends and relatives.
A New Members and Attenders recognition luncheon was well attended on March 21th. Speakers included Sarah Sayre and Lorraine B. Claggett. Overseers and members provided an abundant repast!
Friendly Eights created six groups for January-June 2010 and were enjoyed by the 47 participants.
A Quaker schools working group formed, consisting of Norval Thompson , Marsie Hawkinson, Molly Bond, Larny Claggett, and Greg Leibman with the intent of familiarizing families with Quaker Schools and financial aid available for them.
Members were contacted intermittently throughout the year in an effort to keep in touch and encourage participation in the aforementioned events.
During the year the committee reviewed a number of topics, including the Overseers Committee role, the meaning of membership, and the role and process of clearness committees. Clearness committees to address personal issue were held for 2 members.
Per Faith and Practice,
"A Committee of Overseers is appointed to assume leadership in maintaining a caring community, helping all members to find their right roles as nurturers of others." Overseers goals include providing oversight to the ministry of the life of the meeting and acting as a conduit for clearness, especially in cases of membership, unions (marriage/commitment) or personal discernment. All members and attenders are encouraged to allow Overseers to be of service in times of need. We stand at the ready to help and welcome your ideas for future efforts on behalf of the meeting. We thank all Friends who minister to each other as that is the essence of the Religious Society of Friends.
Respectfully submitted, Dee Rein, Clerk, Overseers with the helpful contributions of Doreen Getsinger, Asst. Clerk, Molly Bond, Norval Thompson, Betty Jean Wheeler, Ann Williams, Nancy Mullen, Marsie Hawkinson, Bob Marshall, Lorraine T. Claggett, Adrienne Rudge, and Candace Shattuck.