Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Monthly Meeting Minutes September 13, 2009
Clerk Cody Jones opened the meeting by reading the minutes of the previous meeting. These minutes were approved.
The attached treasurer’s report was given indicating we have a balance in the bank of $1,178.67. It was noted that an $800 deposit has been made since the bank statement was received, so our actual balance is $1,978.67. Tony talked to the bank about the $5 service charge and they will reverse it.
Old Business: 1. Tony reported that John Tandy had written checks for all the expenditures approved last month and that the checks had been sent. 2. Lloyd McCray has a temporary job with Rooftop CAP. 3. A chrysanthemum was purchased for Ernest and June Lee as a “thank you” for hosting our Wednesday night gatherings over the summer. 4. Tony sent a card with photos of our members and flowers to Trudy Upchurch for her birthday. She appreciated them very much, and had a nice birthday. Friends approved of reimbursing Tony for the flowers for both events (approximately $60) 5. Rodney has downloaded the pictures to be used for the brochure. 6. Registration was paid for Matthew Shelton and Colby Solomon to attend Yearly Meeting. 7. Tony did send a letter to the clerk of North Carolina Yearly Meeting about John Porter signing the letter to FUM using his title superintendent without having had the letter approved by NCYM. It was addressed at Yearly Meeting and will be discussed again at a later date. 8. Tony reported on Jim Tarvid’s efforts to start a Quaker worship group in Independence. Tony had an initial meeting with Jim and suggested he bring his concern to our meeting. Jim had his first meeting two days later. Tony made it clear to him that without our meeting’s approval, he cannot work under the auspices of our group. Tony felt that Jim attempted to start the group without good process or Quaker background. 9. Cody Jones will continue to fill in for Tony for the rest of the year when he goes to Corinth. 10. Choctaw is doing well. The after school program has almost doubled in size.
New Business: 1. Yearly Meeting Reports: A. Tony reported that he and Rodney Shelton were there for the Saturday business . It was mostly reports, very little actual business. It was approved for Tony to write a letter to the NCYM Program Committee expressing our concern about this. B. Cody reported on Young Friends Yearly Meeting. The theme was “Scattered” from the parable of the Sower and the seed. There were over 200 Young Friends in attendance. Katy Palmer from Western Yearly Meeting was the speaker. There were 6 there from Surry Quarter and 3 of those were from Fancy Gap. The planning committee tried to diversify the events so that they were not so predictable. Saturday morning the Young Friends had a god time at the Fun Station in Asheville. There were very good worship sessions. The SOUL staff presented two intense skits which set a good tone for open worship sessions. Cody reported that SOUL is now combined with Mexico VBS. They were very excited about the work in Mexico. Some of the Quaker Lake staff also helped lead worship.
2. It was approved to offer Betsy Blake $500 for the Young Adult Gathering in Kenya in December. The check will be sent directly to FUM. 3. Dues need to be paid to Surry Quarter. It was approved to send $20. 4. It was approved for the meeting to pay for Cody Jones, Colby Solomon, and Matthew Shelton to go on the NCYM Ambassadors for Christ trip to New York City in November.
Minister’s Report: 1. Tony is applying to Upper Room for the “Companions in Ministry” program. 2. Friends approved inviting Cheryl Bridges as a guest speaker in October. Judy Upchurch stood aside on this decision. 3. Tony presented an ad to put in the newspaper to try to get more people to visit our meeting. It was approved to send this ad as amended to the local paper. Judy Upchurch stood aside on this issue as well.
There being no further business, Friends adjourned, purposing to meet again October 4, 2009.
Cody Jones, presiding clerk
Judy Upchurch, recording clerk |
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Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Monthly Meeting Minutes August 9, 2009
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship monthly meeting for business and worship met at the home of Tony Lowe and Judy Upchurch on August 9 with 8 members and attendees present. Clerk Cody Jones called the meeting to order. Recording clerk Judy Upchurch read the minutes of the July 12 meeting which were approved as read.
Tony Lowe presented the treasurer’s report on behalf of meeting treasurer John Tandy. The balance on hand is $1,178.67. Tony added that there was a deposit which had not yet gotten into the bank due to John’s recent surgery of $600, so the funds available at this point total $1, 778.67. Tony also noted that the check to the Foothills Food Pantry was written but was accidentally included in a deposit, so the bank credited it back to our account, so it will need to be rewritten.
Old Business
Rodney Shelton presented a draft of the new brochure that he and Tony have been working on at the meeting’s request. It still needs updated pictures and Rodney suggested we consider doing a tri fold brochure. He also reported that the Red Cross office in which he works will allow him to run the brochures at no charge as long as Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship provides the paper. Rodney and Tony will continue to work on this.
The monthly meeting has paid for Cody Jones to attend Yearly Meeting. Cody reminded the meeting that we had agreed to pay for anyone else who would like to attend. Matthew Shelton and Colby Solomon indicated that they are interested in attending as well and Fancy Gap will pay for this.
Lloyd McCray appreciated the financial assistance and provided a printout from the bank showing how the money was spent. Tony will present the card of appreciation to Ernest and June Lee for hosting our Wednesday night gatherings this week which will be their last time doing this since Ernest’s sabbatical is over and they will be returning to Tennessee next week in order for him to resume his duties at Carson Newman. Judy did not send a card to Alan and April Baker but Tony did express our sympathy to them in the loss of Alan’s grandfather via e-mail.
New Business
The following disbursements were approved: $100 replacement check to the Foothills Food Pantry $ 100 to the Open Table in Hillsville $ 200 to the Woods River Chapter of the Red Cross in Galax |
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Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Minutes July 12, 2009
1. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved. 2. Treasurer’s Report - Tony
1,276.67 Beginning Balance - June 1
1,508.67 Balance on Hand
Report attached.
3. Old Business:
A. The money for Cody’s Serenity fees has been paid. B. A Thank You card was received from Hillel Meeting. C. Tony will return to Quaker Lake Camp as Camp Pastor on July 19, 2009 D. FGC Report - Tony Ruth and Tony enjoyed hearing Shane Claiborne and Nikki Giovanni. They enjoyed visiting and reconnecting with Friends from around the country. E. Rodney and Tony have started on the brochure. They will continue to work on it. F. The $100 approved last month was sent to Open Table. This month the $100 will be sent to Foothills Food Pantry. This was approved.
4. New Business:
A. $130 for Cody to attend Young Friends Yearly Meeting was approved. Friends approved paying for other Young Friends who might want to attend. B. Tony requested financial assistance for Lloyd McCray, a local man who is in financial trouble. Friends approved to reimburse up to $400 to Tony to assist him. C. Tony asked if anyone would be interested in being assistant treasurer. Rodney agreed to take this position. Friends approved.
Pastor’s Report
1. Tony would like to send a card to Ernest and June Lee to tell them of our appreciation for their involvement and invite them to our Sunday meeting. This was approved. Tony will do this. 2. Tony reported on the Wednesday night group. It had continued to meet during the summer with good attendance. He continues to look for opportunities to involve others in the community. 3. It was approved to send Alan and April Baker a sympathy card. Judy will do this.
Friends adjourned, purposing to meet August 9, 2009.
Judy Upchurch |
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Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Monthly Meeting – 3rd Day, 5th Month, 2009
Rodney Shelton presided in the absence of Cody Jones, Clerk. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Old Business Tony Lowe noted that the cost of the books was $148.60 instead of $130 and he has been reimbursed. New Business
Rodney adjourned the meeting.
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Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship
Clerk Cody Jones called the meeting to order and explained that since a number of Friends would be away on April 5, our next scheduled meeting time, the clerks had decided to meet today. In the absence of Judy Upchurch, Chris Gardner agreed to serve as recording clerk for the day. The minutes of the last meeting were not available at this time. On behalf of John Tandy, treasurer of the meeting, Tony Lowe reported a current bank balance of $1,654.50. Our Yearly Meeting askings for first quarter of $412.50 have been paid. Old Business: Sandra Tickle and Randall R McCrary were married in a Quaker ceremony at Mount Airy Friends Meeting on March 21, 2009 with Tony Lowe offciating. Along with family and friends, Judy Upchurch, Ruth Lowe, and Patricia Sebens attended the wedding. Our website has been up and running for several months. James Jones is hoping to do an upgrade so that we can do our own updates. Tony Lowe and Judy Upchurch represented Fancy Gap at Surry Quarterly Meeting held at White Plains January 25, 2009. The meeting approved doing some kind of project as a quarter and each meeting was asked to name a representative to a committee to work on this. Judy Upchurch clerk of Surry Quarter will represent us on that committee. It was reported that this committee has asked Tony Lowe and Cody Jones to serve on a sub committee to plan a quarter wide gathering for youth in August. New Business We have several new attendees at both our Sunday worship and Wednesday night Bible study. Combined attendance has been averaging 15. The Wednesday night group will be reading Brent Bill’s book The Sacred Compass. Tony has purchased 10 books for the study and asked to be reimbursed for the $130 cost of the books. This was approved. It was approved to reimburse Cody Jones for the $100 Mid Year Gathering cost. This was also approved. Cody spoke about upcoming events for Young Friends and indicated he was planning to attend Senior High week at Quaker Lake as a camper, but also to volunteer a week as well. He also plans to be a part of the Serenity Youth Choir. It was approved to pay the costs of these activities for Cody Jones as well as any other youth who might want to go to camp or participate in other Yearly Meeting events. It was also noted that Ruth Lowe will be working at Quaker Lake this summer on a part time basis and that Tony Lowe will be camp pastor for one of the 11-12 year old weeks. A concern was expressed that back in the fall we failed to continue our previous support of the after school program at Choctaw. It was approved to re-visit this issue before fall. The clerk asked if Friends would be interested in getting a weekend at Quaker Lake. This was approved. Tony Lowe reported on the continuing work with the Red Cross on providing and serving a meal to some of their clients. Due to restrictions in the city of Galax, food cannot be prepared on site. It has been suggested as an alternative that we consider having some picnics in Felts Park and invite Red Cross staff and clientele to join us. Tony also reported on a group of churches in Hillsville that prepare lunch every other Wednesday and deliver it. They are feeding around 250 people. Most of the work, however, is done on Wednesday mornings when most folks are working or in school. It was approved to make a $100 donation to this effort which is called the Open Table. The schedule for meeting places for April and May will be: The following officers for the coming year were approved: Cody Jones will represent Fancy Gap Friends at Surry Quarterly Meeting to be held at Mount Airy Meeting April 26. There was discussion about planning a cook out or picnic to get the Sunday and Wednesday groups together. Tony will work on this. There being no more business, meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet again on May 3, 2009. Chris Gardner, Recording clerk for the day |
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Craig Collins, clerk, opened the meeting. Regrets were received from Ruth Lowe, Trudy Upchurch, and Michael Gilley. Due to the Recording Clerk’s absence, the minutes from last month were not available. Judy Upchurch was named Recording Clerk for the day. Tammy Collins presented the Treasurer’s Report , which is attached to these minutes. This was approved. OLD BUSINESS Tony reported that Michael Gilley has decided to withdraw his request to be recorded in North Carolina Yearly Meeting. There was discussion about the recent advertisement in local newspapers about our Fellowship. Tammy said there was confusion about the words , “The church has left the building.”.Tony said that this first ad was planned as a “teaser” and he had plans for the next one. A lengthy discussion about the mission and purpose of FGFF followed. Tammy will work on a ad with Tony . Tammy asked that a follow-up note be sent to a recent visitor, Sue Barnett. Craig will do that. NEW BUSINESS It was approved to sponsor five local children to go to Quaker Lake. It was approved to give Heidi Muller $ 500.00 for college scholarship money to be matched at EMU. Heidi has been a faithful attender at the Girls N God meetings and sometimes attends our adult sessions. The concern about the possibility of children attending on Sundays was raised. Judy agreed to work with any who come. Tony expressed his appreciation to everyone who comes and works for the Fellowship. With all hearts and minds clear , the meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet again on fifth Month 28, 2006. Judy Upchurch |
FGFF Minutes - February 15, 2006 Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. Old Business: Tony Lowe reported on Surry Quarterly Meeting. There was not much quarterly meeting business. Michael Gilley contacted Jack Ciancio about the Peace Committee. Tony reported that he will not be going to the Pastor’s Conference. No more information has been received about the Galax homeless shelter. It was approved to send copies of Bible Study lessons to an elderly lady some Friends visited with during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. New Business: James Jones has been working on the FGFF website. He has offered to revise it monthly, and include a photo gallery and message board for $45 an hour. Some friends have not been happy with its current form. Tony asked the meeting to participate in the matching grant program offered by Eastern Mennonite University. The college will match the church’s donation up to $1000. The meeting approved paying $1000 for Ruth’s tuition. Tony asked friends to bring back ideas for a newspaper ad next month. He believes we should use every means available to spread awareness of Fancy Gap Friends. Ruth announced that she would be collecting money and participating in the 30-Hour Famine for World Vision. Judy Upchurch asked that the meeting donate money to her to collect toys and books for a child at Fancy Gap that has gone through surgery. The meeting approved giving $25 to spend on the girl. Judy announced that Ruth Lowe had been hired as a counselor at Quaker Lake Camp. The meeting was adjourned purposing to meet March 15, 2006, the Lord willing. Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
FGFF Minutes ~ December 14, 2005 Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. The date of the meeting was changed at the request of two members. Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the previous month’s minutes. They were approved with no corrections. Tony Lowe read the Treasurer’s Report prepared by John Tandy. The beginning balance was $1258.65 and the ending balance was $2423.15. Old Business Fancy Gap Friends bought baskets of Thanksgiving food for nine local needy families. The baskets were filled with ingredients needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and included roasting pans for the turkey. New Business It was announced that Fancy Gap Friends went Christmas Caroling with Galax Friends and afterwards held a candlelight vigil for members of the Christian Peacemaker Team being held hostage in Iraq. Tony Lowe asked that Fancy Gap pay for three youth to attend Youth Tremors over the Christmas break. The three registrations would be a total of $325. This was approved. Tony also announced that Deep River Friends in Greensboro has adopted us as their sister church. The meeting was adjourned purposing to meet Jan. 18, 2006, the Lord willing. Craig Collins Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
FGFF Monthly Meeting - November 16, 2005 Judy Upchurch, Assistant Clerk, opened the meeting. Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the minutes from the previous month’s meeting. Old Business Tony Lowe reported on Surry Quarterly Meeting. Tammy Collins made a book filled with minutes and reports and presented it to Surry Quarterly Meeting’s Ministry and Counsel Committee. Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship has now been accepted as a preparatory meeting. Tony reported that Brent McKinney had asked if all members had read the Faith and Practice and were comfortable with living by it. Friends said that they were. Tony reported that Nancy Daughtrey, Clerk of Somerton Friends Meeting, has sent a letter transferring Trudy’s membership to Surry Quarter, which will hold the memberships while Fancy Gap is a preparatory meeting. The Fellowship approved purchasing 10 boxes of food for the underprivileged for Thanksgiving at the price of $29.51 a box. Friends will deliver the boxes on Wednesday, November 23. Friends approved keeping the Wednesday night format the same way it currently is, with a Bible study format. No one attended the Spiritual Life Conference, so there was no one to report. New Business Friends United Meeting is beginning its annual chain of prayer January 1 - June 4, 2006. Friends recommended that we take one or two hours to pray together as a group. This was not approved, and Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship will not be participating. It was approved to renew our webpage subscription for $110 for another year. It was approved to sponsor one family through the Angel Tree program this Christmas. Ruth Lowe announced that the Interact Club that she is involved in will be collecting toys and canned food during December if any Friends would like to contribute. John Tandy announced that he would be out of town from January to February so he would have bank statements forwarded to Tammy Collins, Assistant Treasurer. Tony announced that as a preparative meeting that Fancy Gap would have to begin to pay askings in 2006. Judy Upchurch asked that the meeting look into taking down the Mt. Pleasant signs. Tony suggested that the one at the meeting house be left up, but the one on the road be taken down. The meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet December 21, 2005, the Lord willing. Judy Upchurch, Assistant Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
FGFF Minutes - October 19, 2005 Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. Ruth Lowe read the previous months minutes. John Tandy gave the treasurer’s report. Old Business A date was set for a join worship session with Hillel Friends. This will be on November 6, 2005. Tony Lowe reported on the SWVA Food Bank. John Tandy agreed to look into doing a food drive for local residents. Tony reported that there are three youth from Fancy Gap Fellowship will be attending the Ambassadors for Christ seminar in New York City, two of which received scholarship assistance. New Business Tony announced that he would like to change the format of Wednesday night services and asked that Friends pray about it and consider it and they would discuss it at a later time. The meeting was closed purposing to meet November 16, 2005, the Lord willing. Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Clerk
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Fancy Gap Friends Monthly Meeting - September 21, 2005 Judy Upchurch, Assistant Clerk, opened the meeting. Old Business: Tony Lowe reported that he received a card from Dacia Osborne thanking us for the memorial for Ms. Hazel Hill. New Business: The meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet October 19, 2005, the Lord willing. Judith Upchurch, Assistant Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
Fancy Gap Friends Monthly Meeting - August 17, 2005 Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. Old Business The church picnic was canceled and to be rescheduled for sometime in the fall or next spring. A letter has been sent to Somerton Friends Meeting requesting that Trudy Upchurch’s membership be transferred to Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship. We were able to purchase 25 boxes of food from Kroger grocery store. This food will go to the Helping Hand Food Bank. Friends asked Tony Lowe and Tammy Collins to prepare some brochures about the fellowship to take to North Carolina Yearly Meeting. Tony Lowe read the memorial written for Ms. Hazel Hill. It was approved as read. New Business Tony Lowe reported that he had spoken to the Carroll County Historical Society. He discussed Quakers in Carroll County. Tony reported that the Young Adult Beach Retreat would be September 23-25. The meeting approved to pay for up to 5 youth from Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship to go. Michael Gilley asked that friends consider giving money to the Y’s Men’s Club Christmas Box drive when the season came around. He also mentioned the Lord’s Acres sale as a way to raise money and publicize the fellowship. The meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet September 21, 2005, the Lord willing.
Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk Fancy Gap Friends Called Monthly Meeting - September 7, 2005 Craig Collins opened the meeting. Friends were concerned about the Gulf Coast that had been hit by Hurricane Katrina. After some discussion, it was approved to give $1000 to the Red Cross, plus individual donations from members. Craig read a letter from B.J. Anderson, thanking the meeting for the scholarship to Young Friends Yearly Meeting. It was approved to set aside $700 to provide scholarships to youth who were interested in going on the Ambassadors for Christ trip to New York City. The cost of this trip is $350 per person. Tony Lowe asked the meeting to let him off Sunday November 13 to speak at Deep River Friends. This was approved. The meeting was adjourned. Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Clerk |
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Minutes - July 20, 2005 Old Business It was noted that there were some friends joining the meeting, and it was discussed how they could be welcomed into the fellowship. Tony announced that Surry Quarterly Meeting was going to be held July 24 at 5pm at Mt. Airy Friends Meeting. Tony Lowe and Craig and Tammy Collins will represent Fancy Gap Friends. It was reported that the Mexico mission trip supplies had been delivered to the Yearly Meeting Office. Tammy Collins reported that the clubhouse at Cascade Mountain Resort could be rented for $50 for the upcoming church picnic. Friends approved renting the clubhouse and set Sunday, Aug. 21 as the date for the picnic. New Business Judy Upchurch informed the meeting that Kroger grocery stores were selling boxes of food to be given to a food bank in Galax. Friends approved purchasing $200 worth of boxes. Tony Lowe asked to be off on Sunday, Aug. 14 to travel to Somerton Friends Meeting and speak there. This was approved. Craig and Tammy Collins were appointed to be representatives of Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship at North Carolina Yearly Meeting sessions. Tony Lowe was chosen as an alternate. Tony asked the meeting’s approval to write a memorial for Hazel Hill, who had attended meeting early in the year and has since passed away. This was approved. The meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet August 16, 2005, the Lord willing. Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the previous month’s minutes. They were approved with no additions or corrections. John Tandy read the attached treasurer’s report. It was approved as read. Old Business Tony Lowe reported that the meeting would be listed in the phone book coming out in spring 2006. Tony also reported that our fellowship had officially resigned from Northwest Quarter and asked Surry Quarter for permission to join them. New Business Friends discussed whether or not to open a saving account for our money. There was concern about saving the money rather than sharing it with those less fortunate. It was approved to put all money in excess of $1000 into a savings account each month. A concern was raised about the Mexico Missions Team, sponsored by NCYM. Friends approved giving $100 worth of supplies and a $50 cash donation to the team. Ruth Lowe volunteered to purchase the supplies and Tony Lowe agreed to transport them to Greensboro. It was suggested that the meeting purchase a journal to record Friends personal faith journeys to share with others. This was approved. There was also discussion of adding these stories to our website. There was discussion of whether or not Friends would be interested in having a church picnic. The meeting approved this idea and appointed Tammy and Craig Collins and Judy Upchurch to serve on a planning committee. It was noted that Bob and Debbie Parvin were not attending when the meeting approved subscribing to Quaker Life for all attenders. The meeting approved paying for a subscription for the Parvins. Tony presented a concern about a woman in our area whose electricity had been cut off. The meeting approved giving her $350. The treasurer will write the check directly to the power company. The meeting was adjourned purposing to meet July 20, 2005, Lord willing. Craig Collins, Clerk Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk |
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship had its organizational meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 in Carroll County with eight people in attendance. Clerk for the evening Tony Lowe opened the meeting and presented the names of the following persons to serve as officers of the Meeting for a term of one year: The names of the officers were approved as recommenced. The new clerk was asked tp preside over the meeting, but declined, saying he would rather observe the rest of this meeting and begin his duties at the next one. The recording clerk Ruth Lowe agreed to take minutes for this meeting. Several names for the group had been suggested, all having the location Fancy Gap as a part of them. After some discussion, those present approved the name Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship. The meeting also approved of third Wednesday nights as the regularly scheduled time for monthly meeting for business. Craig Collins and Tony Lowe reported on their meeting with the North Carolina Yearly Meeting Church Extension Committee on April 16. Members of the Committee were extremely supportive of a new work in Carroll County as well as the simple church format. The Church Extension Committee agreed to sponsor Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship as a preparative meeting under its care. The Committee suggested that we also make contact with the quarterly meeting in our area. Some Friends felt that our time as a worship group working with Northwest Quarter had not been helpful or satisfactory, since the Committee appointed to oversee our work never met with us. Since we are beginning in a new format with a new name, other Friends suggested that we make our new start a complete one. Friends approved contacting Surry Quarterly Meeting to let them know of our preparative status. Tony Lowe reminded Friends that the minutes needed to reflect the selection of a pastoral minister for the Meeting. Friends approved calling Tony to this position. There was some discussion of whether or not the meeting wished to prepare and adopt a formal budget, or follow the simple church format of funding projects and approving expenditures as the need arises. A finance committee made up of the treasurer, assistant treasurer and clerk of the meeting was suggested to meet and make recommendations to the monthly meeting on this. This was approved with the pastoral minister as an ex-officio member of the committee. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned purposing to meet fifth month, eighteenth day the Lord willing. Anthony M Lowe, clerk for the day Ruth L Lowe, recording clerk |
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship Monthly Meeting – 3rd Day, 5th Month, 2009
Rodney Shelton presided in the absence of Cody Jones, Clerk.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Old Business
Tony Lowe noted that the cost of the books was $148.60 instead of $130 and he has been reimbursed.
New Business
- A memorial for Wendy Jones was read by Tony Lowe and approved. Tony will forward it to Surry Quarterly Meeting.
- Tony reported that the Galax Red Cross is in financial distress and having to turn away needy families. The number of people needing help has increased greatly. As of May 2, 2009, we will have about $2400 in the bank. Friends approved sending $1000 to the Woods River Chapter of the Red Cross.
Rodney adjourned the meeting.
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 29, 2009
Clerk Cody Jones called the meeting to order and explained that since a number of Friends would be away on April 5, our next scheduled meeting time, the clerks had decided to meet today. In the absence of Judy Upchurch, Chris Gardner agreed to serve as recording clerk for the day.
The minutes of the last meeting were not available at this time. On behalf of John Tandy, treasurer of the meeting, Tony Lowe reported a current bank balance of $1,654.50. Our Yearly Meeting askings for first quarter of $412.50 have been paid.
Old Business:
It was noted that the Matthew 25 campaign had been successful. Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship donated $5,000 to the Woods River Chapter of the Red Cross in accordance with our agreement to challenge the community to raise $5,000 and match it if they did so. Tony Lowe reported that the fellowship received $2,500 in memory of Wendy Jones which was also turned over to the Red Cross to establish a memorial fund in her name. Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship plans to make an annual donation of $1,000 to the fund.
Sandra Tickle and Randall R McCrary were married in a Quaker ceremony at Mount Airy Friends Meeting on March 21, 2009 with Tony Lowe offciating. Along with family and friends, Judy Upchurch, Ruth Lowe, and Patricia Sebens attended the wedding.
Our website has been up and running for several months. James Jones is hoping to do an upgrade so that we can do our own updates.
Tony Lowe and Judy Upchurch represented Fancy Gap at Surry Quarterly Meeting held at White Plains January 25, 2009. The meeting approved doing some kind of project as a quarter and each meeting was asked to name a representative to a committee to work on this. Judy Upchurch clerk of Surry Quarter will represent us on that committee. It was reported that this committee has asked Tony Lowe and Cody Jones to serve on a sub committee to plan a quarter wide gathering for youth in August.
New Business
We have several new attendees at both our Sunday worship and Wednesday night Bible study. Combined attendance has been averaging 15. The Wednesday night group will be reading Brent Bill’s book The Sacred Compass. Tony has purchased 10 books for the study and asked to be reimbursed for the $130 cost of the books. This was approved.
It was approved to reimburse Cody Jones for the $100 Mid Year Gathering cost. This was also approved. Cody spoke about upcoming events for Young Friends and indicated he was planning to attend Senior High week at Quaker Lake as a camper, but also to volunteer a week as well. He also plans to be a part of the Serenity Youth Choir. It was approved to pay the costs of these activities for Cody Jones as well as any other youth who might want to go to camp or participate in other Yearly Meeting events.
It was also noted that Ruth Lowe will be working at Quaker Lake this summer on a part time basis and that Tony Lowe will be camp pastor for one of the 11-12 year old weeks.
A concern was expressed that back in the fall we failed to continue our previous support of the after school program at Choctaw. It was approved to re-visit this issue before fall.
The clerk asked if Friends would be interested in getting a weekend at Quaker Lake. This was approved.
Tony Lowe reported on the continuing work with the Red Cross on providing and serving a meal to some of their clients. Due to restrictions in the city of Galax, food cannot be prepared on site. It has been suggested as an alternative that we consider having some picnics in Felts Park and invite Red Cross staff and clientele to join us. Tony also reported on a group of churches in Hillsville that prepare lunch every other Wednesday and deliver it. They are feeding around 250 people. Most of the work, however, is done on Wednesday mornings when most folks are working or in school. It was approved to make a $100 donation to this effort which is called the Open Table.
The schedule for meeting places for April and May will be:
April 5 - no meeting (all but 2 of us will be away)
April 12 Tony and Judy’s
April 19 Chris and Rodney’s
April 26 Chris and Rodney’s
May 3 Tony and Judy’s Monthly Meeting
The following officers for the coming year were approved:
Presiding clerk - Cody Jones
Recording clerk - Judy Upchurch
Treasurer - John Tandy
Cody Jones will represent Fancy Gap Friends at Surry Quarterly Meeting to be held at Mount Airy Meeting April 26.
There was discussion about planning a cook out or picnic to get the Sunday and Wednesday groups together. Tony will work on this.
There being no more business, meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet again on May 3, 2009.
Cody Jones, Presiding clerk
Chris Gardner, Recording clerk for the day
Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship
Monthly Meeting Minutes
Fourth Month 21st Day , 2006
Craig Collins, clerk, opened the meeting. Regrets were received from Ruth Lowe, Trudy Upchurch, and Michael Gilley. Due to the Recording Clerk’s absence, the minutes from last month were not available. Judy Upchurch was named Recording Clerk for the day.
Tammy Collins presented the Treasurer’s Report , which is attached to these minutes. This was approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Tony Lowe asked for assistance in preparing the Spiritual Condition Report. After the rise of Meeting, Friends are asked to give ideas to Tony which he and Tammy will summarize.
Tony reported that Michael Gilley has decided to withdraw his request to be recorded in North Carolina Yearly Meeting.
There was discussion about the recent advertisement in local newspapers about our Fellowship. Tammy said there was confusion about the words , “The church has left the building.”.Tony said that this first ad was planned as a “teaser” and he had plans for the next one. A lengthy discussion about the mission and purpose of FGFF followed. Tammy will work on a ad with Tony .
Tammy asked that a follow-up note be sent to a recent visitor, Sue Barnett. Craig will do that.
NEW BUSINESS
It was approved to send $100.00 for the work of the Jamaica VBS. Tammy will include a note of appreciation when she sends the check.
It was approved to sponsor five local children to go to Quaker Lake.
It was approved to give Heidi Muller $ 500.00 for college scholarship money to be matched at EMU. Heidi has been a faithful attender at the Girls N God meetings and sometimes attends our adult sessions.
The concern about the possibility of children attending on Sundays was raised. Judy agreed to work with any who come.
Tony expressed his appreciation to everyone who comes and works for the Fellowship.
With all hearts and minds clear , the meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet again on fifth Month 28, 2006.
Judy Upchurch
Recording Clerk for the Day
FGFF Minutes - February 15, 2006
Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting.
Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the previous month’s minutes. They were approved with no additions or corrections.
Tammy Collins, Assistant Treasurer made a report. The beginning balance was $2292.67 and the ending balance was 2064.17.
Old Business:
Tony Lowe reported on Surry Quarterly Meeting. There was not much quarterly meeting business. Michael Gilley contacted Jack Ciancio about the Peace Committee.
Surry Quarter Ministry and Counsel did not meet so Michael Gilley could not continue in the recording process. The Ministry and Counsel will meet again in April.
Tony reported that he will not be going to the Pastor’s Conference.
No more information has been received about the Galax homeless shelter.
It was approved to send copies of Bible Study lessons to an elderly lady some Friends visited with during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
New Business:
James Jones has been working on the FGFF website. He has offered to revise it monthly, and include a photo gallery and message board for $45 an hour. Some friends have not been happy with its current form.
Tony asked the meeting to participate in the matching grant program offered by Eastern Mennonite University. The college will match the church’s donation up to $1000. The meeting approved paying $1000 for Ruth’s tuition.
Tony asked friends to bring back ideas for a newspaper ad next month. He believes we should use every means available to spread awareness of Fancy Gap Friends.
He announced that there was an emerging website with emerging conversation groups that he would like to see FGFF become a part of.
Tony announced he will be attending an emergent conference in March.
Ruth announced that she would be collecting money and participating in the 30-Hour Famine for World Vision.
Judy Upchurch asked that the meeting donate money to her to collect toys and books for a child at Fancy Gap that has gone through surgery. The meeting approved giving $25 to spend on the girl.
Judy announced that Ruth Lowe had been hired as a counselor at Quaker Lake Camp.
The meeting was adjourned purposing to meet March 15, 2006, the Lord willing.
Craig Collins, Clerk
Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk
FGFF Minutes ~ December 14, 2005
Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. The date of the meeting was changed at the request of two members.
Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the previous month’s minutes. They were approved with no corrections.
Tony Lowe read the Treasurer’s Report prepared by John Tandy. The beginning balance was $1258.65 and the ending balance was $2423.15.
Old Business
We have received a family’s information from Social Services to shop for this Christmas. Coincidentally, it is the same family whose electric bill we helped with previously. Friends discussed how to go about making the purchases as a group. Hillel Friends has already donated some gifts for the teenage girl in the family.
Fancy Gap Friends bought baskets of Thanksgiving food for nine local needy families. The baskets were filled with ingredients needed for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and included roasting pans for the turkey.
New Business
Tammy Collins suggested that we purchase Christmas baskets for three of the same families we helped for Thanksgiving. It was approved to spend $30-40 per family.
It was announced that Fancy Gap Friends went Christmas Caroling with Galax Friends and afterwards held a candlelight vigil for members of the Christian Peacemaker Team being held hostage in Iraq.
Tony Lowe asked that Fancy Gap pay for three youth to attend Youth Tremors over the Christmas break. The three registrations would be a total of $325. This was approved.
Tony also announced that Deep River Friends in Greensboro has adopted us as their sister church.
The meeting was adjourned purposing to meet Jan. 18, 2006, the Lord willing.
Craig Collins
Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk
FGFF Monthly Meeting - November 16, 2005
Judy Upchurch, Assistant Clerk, opened the meeting. Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk, read the minutes from the previous month’s meeting.
John Tandy gave the Treasurer’s report.
Old Business
Tony Lowe reported on Surry Quarterly Meeting. Tammy Collins made a book filled with minutes and reports and presented it to Surry Quarterly Meeting’s Ministry and Counsel Committee. Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship has now been accepted as a preparatory meeting. Tony reported that Brent McKinney had asked if all members had read the Faith and Practice and were comfortable with living by it. Friends said that they were.
Tony reported that Nancy Daughtrey, Clerk of Somerton Friends Meeting, has sent a letter transferring Trudy’s membership to Surry Quarter, which will hold the memberships while Fancy Gap is a preparatory meeting.
The Fellowship approved purchasing 10 boxes of food for the underprivileged for Thanksgiving at the price of $29.51 a box. Friends will deliver the boxes on Wednesday, November 23.
Friends approved keeping the Wednesday night format the same way it currently is, with a Bible study format.
No one attended the Spiritual Life Conference, so there was no one to report.
New Business
Friends United Meeting is beginning its annual chain of prayer January 1 - June 4, 2006. Friends recommended that we take one or two hours to pray together as a group. This was not approved, and Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship will not be participating.
It was approved to renew our webpage subscription for $110 for another year.
It was approved to sponsor one family through the Angel Tree program this Christmas. Ruth Lowe announced that the Interact Club that she is involved in will be collecting toys and canned food during December if any Friends would like to contribute.
John Tandy announced that he would be out of town from January to February so he would have bank statements forwarded to Tammy Collins, Assistant Treasurer.
Tony announced that as a preparative meeting that Fancy Gap would have to begin to pay askings in 2006.
Judy Upchurch asked that the meeting look into taking down the Mt. Pleasant signs. Tony suggested that the one at the meeting house be left up, but the one on the road be taken down.
The meeting was adjourned, purposing to meet December 21, 2005, the Lord willing.
Judy Upchurch, Assistant Clerk
Ruth Lowe, Recording Clerk
FGFF Minutes - October 19, 2005
Craig Collins, Clerk, opened the meeting. Ruth Lowe read the previous months minutes. John Tandy gave the treasurer’s report.
Old Business
Tammy Collins and Michael Gilley were appointed to represent Fancy Gap Friends Fellowship at Surry Quarterly Meeting, since Tony Lowe will not be able to attend.
A date was set for a join worship session with Hillel Friends. This will be on November 6, 2005.
Tony Lowe reported on the SWVA Food Bank. John Tandy agreed to look into doing a food drive for local residents.
Tony reported that there are three youth from Fancy Gap Fellowship will be attending the Ambassadors for Christ seminar in New York City, two of which received scholarship assistance.
New Business
Tony announced that the Yearly Meeting is offering a Spiritual Life seminar November 9-12 that will be traveling to various meetings. The closest locations will be on November 9 and November 11.
Tony announced that he would like to change the format of Wednesday night services and asked that Friends pray about it and consider it and they would discuss it at a later time.
The meeting was closed purposing to meet November 16, 2005, the Lord willing.
Craig Collins, Clerk
Ruth Lowe, Clerk