State of the Meeting - 2006

Minute: AMM 04.07.5. Albuquerque Monthly Meeting approved the following State of the Meeting Report for 2006.

Much has happened for our Meeting this past year to remind us of our commitment as Quakers to being “in the world, but not of it,” of our trust in tested Quaker processes, of our intention to be guided by the leadings of the Spirit and our gratitude for the support of a loving community.

In the spring of 2006 after several years of planning our building expansion, we came to the realization that we were not in unity over the plans and means.  This led to distress, even discord, and some loss of trust.  Several meetings were held seeking information on our divergent views.  With the support of the Friends General Conference (FGC) Development Committee, meeting with the Fund Raising and Building Planning Committees, and with the Meeting, we were led to suspend consideration of expansion until early 2007 and to concentrate in the meantime on community building.

This reflection led us as a Meeting to increased participation in existing and new opportunities to be together:  mid-monthly potlucks followed by informative presentations, worship sharing, a film series based on the life of Jesus, a journaling group, a group on spiritual deepening, a group called “Speaking our Losses.”  Two offerings of Quakerism 101 had an expanded participation including new and experienced members and attenders.  Our own follow-up, Quakerism 102, continued.  A study group considering the Intermountain Yearly Meeting  (IMYM) Draft Faith and Practice took place, as well as a couple of ZIP-Code groups holding neighborly gatherings for fellowship.

Visitors and newcomers, many of whom are finding a spiritual home with us, strengthen us with their gifts and vitality.  We have a new worship group, Bonito Valley in Lincoln County, New Mexico.  New participants are supported by the Nominating Committee and finding opportunities for leadership. Elders have gently passed on some of the central responsibilities.

The New Mexico Area office of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) moved into our building.  We look forward to deepening our connections.

The building has been in use for all these activities in addition to weekly dances, meditation, healing, and other outside programs.  On occasion we have borrowed space in the nearby Wells Park Community Center.

The Children's Program is following a curriculum based on Quaker Testimonies called SPICES:  Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.  The children bake treats as a pot luck contribution for Meeting for Business and planted a productive vegetable jungle, both much enjoyed.  The children learned about a service project in Zimbabwe developed by one of our members and supported by the Meeting.  They have also made connections with children in a remote mountainous village in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico through members of the meeting who participated in the AFSC-IMYM Joint Service Projects.

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee has been an energizing force in the Meeting, seeking to carry out Quaker testimonies in our community and world.  This year we reviewed and renewed our commitment to four priorities of particular interest to member/attenders as follows: peace literacy and action, caring for the earth and ourselves, economic justice, and civil liberties. Peace and Social Concerns has led in formulating an expression about our concerns on immigration, on withdrawal of the New Mexico National Guard from Iraq, and on elimination of nuclear weapons.  Under their guidance we held threshing sessions on priorities for Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), later hosting meetings with state legislators and a congressional candidate.  We collaborated with other congregations and groups on common concerns, including Rabbi Michael Lerner's presentation on the Network of Spiritual Progressives, Al Gore's “An Inconvenient Truth” with Interfaith Power and Light and a panel on civil liberties issues with the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ministry in Meeting for Worship has reflected our concern with war and poverty, with dealing with hope and despair, and with connecting our gifts and callings to greater needs.  We remember also members of our Meeting who are suffering debilitating illnesses, and their caregivers.  We record our continuing desire to increasingly rely on the Light Within.