MINUTES & RECORD

Meeting for Worship on the Occasion of Business

8/9/2026

We met as a hybrid Meeting, in-person & via Zoom.

Present:   Gordon Starr (clerk), Stuart Smith, Arly Helm, Steve Borroum, Don McCormick, Dean Olson, Pat Phillips, Mary Starr, Megan Black, Kathy McCreery, Judy Hamilton, Doug Hamm, Dianne Marshall, & fosten wilson.

The Meeting opened with silent worship. 

 Query:   What is it that brings you to Meeting over & over again?   Many responses opened, including community, simplicity, inclusive while many churches exclude, values, expecting continuing revelation, truthfulness, healing, & that a wide range of spiritual experience fits here.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

SPIRIT & WITNESS:     Pat read the report, attached. The committee has approved the article on Meeting’s move to town for the Grass Valley Union. It remains to be determined who will submit it. Regarding the upcoming November program, Decades of our Lives, suggested by Heather Sertic, Dean will lead. If there is interest this can lead to continuing follow-up gatherings. 

STEWARDSHIP:  Mary presented the attached report.   Note that sharing Quaker worship with the Lutherans later this month will also involve moving furniture in their Fellowship Hall on Saturday then replacing it Sunday afternoon. These was a discussion about interviewing elders in the meeting about their lives and how that might happen. Stuart volunteered that there are excellent resources available for interviewing people in our Meeting. He can advise where to find them when we so desire. Gordon has written a brief history of Quakers and our traditions and practices for the shared meeting with PLC. Don with review and edit.

FIRST DAY SCHOOL:    The committee’s name has changed.   Judy provided the attached report & added that there will be no First Day School Program on 8-23-26 when we include the Lutherans in our Meeting for Worship.

WELCOME COMMITTEE:      Kathy, the committee’s new clerk, read the report, attached.   A problem was noted that while Facebook & GrassValleyFriends.org show our new Main Street address, our old website gvfriends.org still shows us at Woolman Lane & it comes up on internet searches.   How can we erase or eliminate that old website? 

TREASURER’S Report:    Mary thanked the Meeting community for providing adequate funds for the year as shown on the attached report. 

INTERFAITH NEVADA COUNTY:   Dianne mentioned that some books are suggested in their gatherings that may be of interest.

IMMIGRATION:     Dianne advised the ad-hoc group is still “word-smithing” our reaction to the Pendle Hill statement.     Steve suggested that we work toward a positive version rather than being reactive. Gordon said to work on it one more month and return next Meeting for Business and we will approve it. It is still undetermined what to do with it.

Meeting closed with silent worship.

Respectfully submitted,  

fosten wilson,     acting recording clerk.

Appendices:

• Spirit and Witness Committee Report
• Stewardship Report
  • Newsletter Survey (AI Summary)
  • Library Survey Results (AI Summary)
• First Day School Report
• Welcome Committee Report
  • Introduction to Quaker Meeting

Spirit and Witness Committee Report

August 2026

The Spirit and Witness Committee met in August and is pleased to report the following updates.

Clerk
Amy Cooke will continue serving as clerk of the committee.

Spiritual Life Programs Committee
The Spiritual Life Programs Committee continues its work under the care of Spirit and Witness, organizing the after-meeting programs that enrich our shared spiritual lives. Friends who are interested in serving on this committee are invited to contact Amy Cooke.

Upcoming Programs

• September 20, 2026: Carin Anderson, who has been led to work with children in Palestine through the organization Healing to Hope, will present following Meeting for Worship. Members of Peace Lutheran Church will also be invited to attend.
• October: Program to be announced.
• November 22: Heather Certik will introduce “Decades of Our Lives,” a memoir-writing initiative. This introductory session will explore the idea of writing our life stories through the decades and gauge interest in forming an ongoing group that would meet every other month.

The committee also discussed the possibility of holding an extended Meeting for Worship during the September meeting.

Shared Meeting with Peace Lutheran – August 23
Plans continue for our shared Meeting for Worship with Peace Lutheran Church on August 23. Gordon Starr will offer the welcome, and printed materials will be available on the chairs for visitors. A one-page introduction to Quaker history and beliefs will be prepared and distributed in advance of the gathering. Gordon Starr and Dianne will draft this handout, with Don McCormick serving as editor.

Support Committees
The committee is grateful that all support committees remain active in their ministries of care and accompaniment.

Article for The Union

We have completed the draft of the article and it will now go to The Union for possible publication. 

Next Meeting
The Spirit and Witness Committee will meet next on September 8, 2026.

Stewardship Report

From meeting on August 6, 2026

Present: Mary Starr, clerk, Gordon Starr, recorder, Reed Hamilton, Pat Phillips, Dianne Marshall, Fosten Wilson

We began with a moment of silence

 Treasurer’s Report Since we did not meet last month, Mary reported financials for June and July. June donations totaled $492, expenses were $529. July’s donations were $367, and expenses were $682.

GVFM/PLC combined worship. Since we plan to do music before meeting, we will need to arrange seating in the social area on Saturday. Volunteers will be needed to move tables and set up approximately 90 chairs in two concentric circles. We will also need tables for refreshments. We plan to be there at 11:00 AM Saturday for this. We will also need volunteers to break down this seating and restore the original arrangement after refreshments. There will be no hybrid meeting and no First Day School. It was noted that we will likely need two greeters.

  Peace Lutheran does a recycling drive on the last Saturday of the month. They only take CRV containers to be returned for deposit. The money raised is then donated to the Interfaith Food Bank. We will contact Pastor Christian to see if or how we might participate. They also had scheduled a cleanup day for Saturday the 8^th but cancelled it due to predicted high heat. Gordon told Pastor we would likely be interested in helping.

New Budget It is time to begin work on the new budget for fiscal year 2026-27. Mary, Fosten and Gordon have agreed to meet on August 18 at 11:AM at Gordon and Mary’s house to produce a proposed budget to be presented at September’s Meeting for Business.

Library and Newsletter Surveys were sent out to everyone on the Meeting’s email list seeking feedback on these two important entities. From the limited response we received, the following is a brief summary.

  For the library, lighting, comfort, and social engagement were seen as opportunities for improvement, while the diversity of materials and topics was valued by users. Appreciation for the librarians’ work was also noted.

  For the newsletter, overall, it is meeting the needs of most respondents, especially for event information and meeting business. There is a split in preference between online and print formats, with valid reasons for both. Suggestions for improvement focus on adding more personal stories, interests, and easier navigation. The survey and full results are appended to this report.

   In the survey responses there was a suggestion that we draw on the life experience of some of our more senior members through queries or an interview to help us all appreciate the wealth and depth of experience residing in our meeting. Committee members felt this idea had promise and wanted to seek feedback from Meeting on how this might proceed.

Our next meeting will be on September 10, 2026 on Zoom at 3:00PM

Newsletter Survey (AI Summary) July, 2025

To provide a thorough answer, I reviewed the survey responses specifically about the GVFM newsletter. Here is a structured summary of the feedback given:

Positive Feedback:

• Many respondents said the newsletter provides the information they are looking for, such as local Quaker activities, business of the meeting, and dates for upcoming events.
• Several users expressed satisfaction with the current content, stating they are happy with it as is or that it already covers what they need.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• Some respondents would like to see more personal stories of meeting members, starting with the oldest and going to the youngest.
• There were requests for more content about GVFM Friends’ interests and hobbies, interfaith gatherings, and political action.
• One respondent suggested better organization and easier navigation of the newsletter.

Format Preferences:

• Preferences are split between online and print versions. Some appreciate the convenience of online access, while others value printed copies for archiving and reducing screen time.
• Examples:
  • “It works better online because I can access it anywhere.”
  • “Print copies allow issues to be archived for future research…being able to get away from screen time is vital to our health.”
  • “I like not having more paper in my house.”

Neutral or Limited Feedback:

• Some respondents only read the newsletter for event dates or committee information and had no strong opinions on other content.
• A few had no suggestions for changes or were unsure about improvements.

Example Feedback Quotes:

• “It already well covers the information that I look for in it.”
• “I only read the newsletter to be aware of event dates.”
• “Personal stories of meeting members…starting with the oldest and going to the youngest meeting attenders!”
• “I am happy with the way it is.”

Summary: Overall, the newsletter is meeting the needs of most respondents, especially for event information and meeting business. There is a split in preference between online and print formats, with valid reasons for both. Suggestions for improvement focus on adding more personal stories, interests, and easier navigation.

Library Survey Results (AI Summary)

To address your question about feedback given about the library, I reviewed the survey responses related to the library’s collection, facilities, and user experience. Here is a structured summary of the feedback:

1. Collection Relevance and Use:

• Some respondents noted that many books may never have been checked out. Opinions varied on whether these should remain on the shelves, with answers ranging from ‘Yes’ (keep them) to ‘No’ or ‘I would evaluate’ (suggesting periodic review).
• There is interest in a wide range of materials, including books, pamphlets, magazines, and materials for children and young friends.
• Desired topics include Nonviolence and Peace, Quaker Faith, Social Justice, Quaker Education, Faith and Practice, Quaker Fiction and Poetry, International Witness, and materials for First Day School.
• Some respondents questioned whether the collection is current, with mixed answers (some say yes, others say no or are unsure).

2. Facilities and Atmosphere:

• Lighting was mentioned as an area for improvement to make the library more attractive and usable.
• Suggestions for making the library more inviting included adding cozy chairs, lamps, and even an espresso bar.
• Several respondents proposed social events in the library, such as a party or a reading party, to encourage use and community.

3. Organization and Accessibility:

• Better organization was suggested to make it easier to find materials.
• One respondent recommended making navigation easier, possibly by walking people through the library or providing clearer signage.
• Another liked the idea of placing books that are ‘up for adoption’ in a visible area to encourage circulation.

4. General Satisfaction and Librarian Performance:

• The librarians were praised for making the most of the new space and for their efforts in maintaining the collection.
• Some users expressed satisfaction with the library as it is, while others had no specific suggestions for improvement.

Example Feedback Quotes:

• “Lighting.”
• “Better organization.”
• “Nice lighting. A few lamps and cozy chairs to sit in.”
• “I think the librarians are doing a terrific job making the most of the new space.”
• “Somehow make it easier to navigate.”
• “I like the idea of placing books that are ‘up for adoption’ on the window ledge above where refreshments are served.”

Summary: Overall, the feedback highlights a desire for a more inviting and better-organized library space, a collection that remains relevant and current, and appreciation for the librarians’ work. Lighting, comfort, and social engagement are seen as opportunities for improvement, while the diversity of materials and topics is valued by users.

First Day School Report, Summer 2026

(Note: this report was reformatted from the original, by Amy Cooke, Recording Clerk)

\We met July 31, 2026 

Present were: Judy Hamilton, Reed Hamilton, Cheryl Hendrickson, Don McCormick and Gordon Starr.

We opened with silent worship.

The committee began by reviewing how First Day School teachers and buddies have been scheduled in the past, as well as some of the activities and lessons that have been offered. We agreed to continue with essentially the same scheduling arrangement:

• First Sunday: Alan Stahler, teacher; Don McCormick, buddy
• Second Sunday: Doug Hamm, teacher; Reed Hamilton, buddy
• Third Sunday: Cheryl Hendrickson, teacher; Gordon Starr, buddy
• Fourth Sunday: Dean Olson and Judy Hamilton, alternating teacher and buddy roles
• Fifth Sunday: Anita McCormick, offering a story or other short program

If someone is unable to be present on their assigned Sunday, they will be responsible for finding a substitute.

Clerks: Cheryl Hendrickson has graciously agreed to co-clerk the committee with Judy Hamilton.

Activities for the Coming Year: The committee discussed several possibilities for First Day School programming. One idea is to invite members of the Meeting to talk with the students about their careers, including the training involved, the joys and frustrations of their work, and the ways their Quaker faith has intersected with their career or job.

A second idea is to select a book that teachers, buddies, and students can read together and discuss over the course of one or two months, similar to a book group. There was considerable enthusiasm for this idea, and we agreed to begin this month by offering our student a choice of three or four books.

Third Sunday in August: We will be hosting members of the Lutheran congregation at our Meeting. At present, we plan to offer a First Day School program that Sunday, although this is subject to change.

Committee Name: After discussion, we agreed to return to the name First Day School Committee. There were two primary reasons for this decision: many of us have had difficulty remembering the newer name, and “Religious Education” seems broader than the actual work of the committee. Although there has been concern that the term “First Day School” may be confusing to newcomers, we felt this provides an opportunity to explain the Quaker tradition of referring to Sunday as First Day.

The meeting closed with silence.

Welcome Committee

8/2/26 / 7:00PM / Zoom

Attendees: Kathy, Judy, Gordon S., Gordon B. and Pete

1. Greetings to new Welcome Committee members
   1. Kathy, Gordon B., Ros, Nora

2. Select a clerk
   1. Kathy volunteered. Thank you Kathy
3. Decide on best day/time to meet
   1. We will continue with Sunday, 7pm
4. Potluck update
   1. Recent potluck at Kathy and Fosten’s home was a fun event
   2. Pat Philips to hold August potluck; Date TBD
5. Library and Newsletter survey
   1. We reviewed how to locate the Master survey
   2. Survey resides on GVFM drive in Stewardship folder 
   3. We reviewed the Master survey and clarified this is the Master
      1. A link went out to GVFM distribution list
      2. We have received 9 responses, which is approximately 15%
   4. We reviewed how to review responses detail which is found on Master under Responses heading
6. Discuss Worship at Peace Lutheran on 7/26
   1. We got feedback from those who participated
7. Discuss Welcoming “script” for Peace Lutheran’s visit to GVFM (see below)

(June Business Mtg asked Welcome Committee to write introduction)

1. Gordon S mentioned that document will be 2 – sided
2. One side will be Quaker history; one side overview of Worship
3. Gordon will be meeting with Pastor Christian this week
   1. They will review general items including setup and refreshments

We closed with silent worship

Next meeting will be Sept 6, 7pm.

GVFM opening introduction to Peace Lutheran’s visit to our Worship

Date TBD

Good morning and thank you to the Peace Lutheran congregation for joining us today.

My name is ________, and I am a member of Grass Valley Friends Meeting, part of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers.

Quakerism began in England in the 1650s during a time of great religious and political upheaval. Early Friends believed that every person could experience a direct relationship with God. They spoke of the “Inner Light” or “that of God in everyone”—the belief that God’s spirit can guide each of us personally.

Although Quakers come from a variety of theological perspectives today, we share several core values. Many people summarize these as simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. These values arise from our conviction that every person is worthy of dignity, respect, and love.

One of the most distinctive Quaker practices is worship in silence. Unlike many Christian traditions, most Quaker meetings have no prepared sermon or liturgy. Instead, we gather in expectant silence, seeking to become aware of God’s presence and guidance.

During silent worship, we listen deeply—not only to our own thoughts and feelings, but also for what God may be saying to us. The silence is not empty. It is a shared spiritual practice of attentiveness, reflection, prayer, and openness.

Sometimes, during worship, a person may feel led to stand and offer a brief message. Friends believe that such ministry should arise from spiritual leading rather than from a desire simply to speak. After a message is shared, the meeting returns to silence and reflection.

If this form of worship is new to you, there is no right or wrong way to participate. You may pray, reflect on scripture, sit quietly with gratitude, hold concerns for loved ones, or simply rest in the silence. If your mind wanders, that is perfectly normal. Simply return your attention to the present moment and to God’s presence.

Today, we invite you to experience Quaker worship. We hope it offers an opportunity for quiet reflection and a chance to encounter the sacred in a different way.

Thank you for joining us, and may we enter this time together with open hearts and listening spirits.