Report of the Traveling Ministries Committee, FY 2007
It seems quite remarkable to us that in the spring of FY 2008 the Traveling Ministries Program’s will observe its10th anniversary. During the time leading up to the preparation of this account of our work for Central Committee, in September 2007, we are grateful to report that over 290 Friends meetings and groups, as well as innumerable individuals, have received visits from the volunteers and staff of the program. This year 26 groups (from 15 states or provinces, and in 12 yearly meetings) benefited from visits from 31 Friends (from 14 states or provinces, and 10 yearly meetings). Also, during this span of years since our inception, we are equally grateful to the 21 monthly meetings (from 10 different yearly meetings) who have so graciously hosted the Traveling Ministries Committee. We appreciate the work of the many volunteers and the hospitality of those meetings who made it possible for us to conduct our business in environments of such care and attention. It has been our pleasure to offer short programs to our hosts whenever possible, thus enriching the connection between FGC and the Friends we endeavor to faithfully serve.
Traveling Ministries Committee – The Traveling Ministries Committee continues to find great value in being constituted of a membership that is appointed through the careful discernment of FGC’s program committees. This practice has helped us to understand the particular ministries of the various committees serving FGC, and brings the wisdom of those committees directly to the Traveling Ministries Program. In the past year we have added representatives from the Committee for Ministry on Racism and the Youth Ministries Committee. In addition to our current membership (listed below) 19 other Friends served on and rotated off the TMC in the past nine years; we thank them for their faithful service.
Request for a change in committee status. Having affirmed that the TMC functions very effectively as a committee of representatives, we recognize that there are times when we would also like to be able to invite Friends with particular experience in traveling in the ministry to join us in our work. In the current structure of FGC, the TMC is a committee under the care of the Ministry & Nurture Committee. We will bring to Central Committee sessions this year a request that the TMC become a program committee, which will empower us to invite or co-opt new members as we are led, while continuing to be a committee constituted primarily of representatives for the reasons stated above. This proposal has been seasoned by the Ministry & Nurture Committee and Executive Committee and we bring this forward with their approval.
TMP staff – Since its beginning, the TMP has been served by a program coordinator (who has also served other committees at the same time) and the coordinator of the Religious Education Committee. This year FGC made some changes in staffing that impacted the TMC. Among those changes, the current TMP coordinator was hired to serve 50% time as an associate secretary for programs and 50% as the coordinator of the TMP. Also, the coordinator of the Religious Education Committee was released from TMP work to increase the time he is available to the RE Committee. Ellen Helmuth was hired to work 50% time as a TMP associate. She began this work in the summer and will provide staffing for the Yearly Meeting Visitors Program and Couple Enrichment (both under the care of the TMC) and give logistical and office support to the TMP as well. Staffing the Ministry & Nurture Committee, which had been a duty of the TMP coordinator, was assigned to the new Advancement & Outreach coordinator.
Annual retreat for Friends traveling in the ministry – This year the TMP hosted a retreat for those who have traveled or been actively engaged in work for the TMP during the last three years. FGC provided room, board, and registration. Participants were asked to cover their own transportation expenses. There were 29 participants from 14 states, including four young adults who were able to attend. Laura Melly, Marcelle Martin, and Beckey Phipps planned and led programming to teach a peer group support practice to the retreatants. This process enables participants to find fellowship, nurture, and accountability among others called to similar work and faithfulness. This was very well received by the participants and has encouraged the TMC to offer more programming content at our retreats.
Yearly Meeting Visitors Program – The Yearly Meeting Visitors Program continues under the care of the TMP. Maria Bradley, assistant TMC clerk, was appointed clerk of the sub-committee. Members of the sub-committee are appointed by other program committees at the invitation of the TMC. This year’s committee included: Maria Bradley, clerk, TMC; Jackie Stillwell, M&N; Gail Thomas, RE; Trudy Rogers, A&O; and Caroline Pelton, M&N. A complete report from the sub-committee is in the Advance Packet.
Couple Enrichment Program – The Couple Enrichment Program (CE) also continues under the care of the TMP. Verne & Shirley Bechill continue to serve as the representatives from CE on the Traveling Ministries Committee. A complete report from the CE Program is also in the Advance Packet.
Consultation for Friends with Emerging Gifts of Gospel Ministry – This November the TMP and the Youth Ministries Committee will co-host a consultation for Friends with emerging gifts of gospel ministry at the Gilmary Retreat Center near Pittsburgh, PA. Yearly meetings were invited to lift up names of Friends they have identified with emerging gifts of gospel ministry. Several seasoned Friends have been invited to be present as resource people, helping to lead discussions, facilitate small groups, and to be available for one-to-one conversations. As is our practice for consultations, FGC will cover room and board and asks participants to cover transportation.
Margaret Fell Fund – This past spring the Executive Committee approved the formation of a Margaret Fell Fund to be administered through the Traveling Ministries Program. The fund, which will be contingent on funds being raised by the FGC Development Committee and staff, will be used to help monthly meetings provide financial assistance to members called to travel in the gospel ministry for extended periods of time. Meetings will be able to apply for assistance through the TMC and the Committee has developed guidelines for application.
Future projects of the TMC – The Traveling Ministry Committee will continue to serve meetings requesting visits from seasoned Friends to lead workshops, retreats, or simply visit the meeting to meet with Friends and worship together. In March 2008, the Committee will host its annual retreat for Friends traveling in the ministry. This will be held at the Gilmary Retreat Center near Pittsburgh, PA 3/14-16/2007. The Committee will also be working with the Youth Ministries Committee to continue to find ways to encourage and support Young Adult Friends called to the ministry.
Traveling Ministries Committee: Beckey Phipps, NEYM, clerk; Maria Bradley, assistant clerk, BYM (A&O); Penelope Wright, SAYMA (M&N); Jean-Marie Barch, PHLYM (M&N); Jane Berger, NYYM (A&O); Verne & Shirley Bechill, LEYM (CE); Elaine Emily, PYM (RE); Charlotte Basham, AFC (M&N); Valerie Groszmann, LEYM (RE); Jonathan Vogel-Borne, NEYM (P&D); Kristina Perry, NYYM (RE); La Verne Shelton, NYM (CMR), and Christina Repoley (YMC).
Staff: Deborah Fisch, Associate Secretary for Programs & Traveling Ministries; Ellen Helmuth, TMP Associate.
Traveling Ministries Committee – The Traveling Ministries Committee continues to find great value in being constituted of a membership that is appointed through the careful discernment of FGC’s program committees. This practice has helped us to understand the particular ministries of the various committees serving FGC, and brings the wisdom of those committees directly to the Traveling Ministries Program. In the past year we have added representatives from the Committee for Ministry on Racism and the Youth Ministries Committee. In addition to our current membership (listed below) 19 other Friends served on and rotated off the TMC in the past nine years; we thank them for their faithful service.
Request for a change in committee status. Having affirmed that the TMC functions very effectively as a committee of representatives, we recognize that there are times when we would also like to be able to invite Friends with particular experience in traveling in the ministry to join us in our work. In the current structure of FGC, the TMC is a committee under the care of the Ministry & Nurture Committee. We will bring to Central Committee sessions this year a request that the TMC become a program committee, which will empower us to invite or co-opt new members as we are led, while continuing to be a committee constituted primarily of representatives for the reasons stated above. This proposal has been seasoned by the Ministry & Nurture Committee and Executive Committee and we bring this forward with their approval.
TMP staff – Since its beginning, the TMP has been served by a program coordinator (who has also served other committees at the same time) and the coordinator of the Religious Education Committee. This year FGC made some changes in staffing that impacted the TMC. Among those changes, the current TMP coordinator was hired to serve 50% time as an associate secretary for programs and 50% as the coordinator of the TMP. Also, the coordinator of the Religious Education Committee was released from TMP work to increase the time he is available to the RE Committee. Ellen Helmuth was hired to work 50% time as a TMP associate. She began this work in the summer and will provide staffing for the Yearly Meeting Visitors Program and Couple Enrichment (both under the care of the TMC) and give logistical and office support to the TMP as well. Staffing the Ministry & Nurture Committee, which had been a duty of the TMP coordinator, was assigned to the new Advancement & Outreach coordinator.
Annual retreat for Friends traveling in the ministry – This year the TMP hosted a retreat for those who have traveled or been actively engaged in work for the TMP during the last three years. FGC provided room, board, and registration. Participants were asked to cover their own transportation expenses. There were 29 participants from 14 states, including four young adults who were able to attend. Laura Melly, Marcelle Martin, and Beckey Phipps planned and led programming to teach a peer group support practice to the retreatants. This process enables participants to find fellowship, nurture, and accountability among others called to similar work and faithfulness. This was very well received by the participants and has encouraged the TMC to offer more programming content at our retreats.
Yearly Meeting Visitors Program – The Yearly Meeting Visitors Program continues under the care of the TMP. Maria Bradley, assistant TMC clerk, was appointed clerk of the sub-committee. Members of the sub-committee are appointed by other program committees at the invitation of the TMC. This year’s committee included: Maria Bradley, clerk, TMC; Jackie Stillwell, M&N; Gail Thomas, RE; Trudy Rogers, A&O; and Caroline Pelton, M&N. A complete report from the sub-committee is in the Advance Packet.
Couple Enrichment Program – The Couple Enrichment Program (CE) also continues under the care of the TMP. Verne & Shirley Bechill continue to serve as the representatives from CE on the Traveling Ministries Committee. A complete report from the CE Program is also in the Advance Packet.
Consultation for Friends with Emerging Gifts of Gospel Ministry – This November the TMP and the Youth Ministries Committee will co-host a consultation for Friends with emerging gifts of gospel ministry at the Gilmary Retreat Center near Pittsburgh, PA. Yearly meetings were invited to lift up names of Friends they have identified with emerging gifts of gospel ministry. Several seasoned Friends have been invited to be present as resource people, helping to lead discussions, facilitate small groups, and to be available for one-to-one conversations. As is our practice for consultations, FGC will cover room and board and asks participants to cover transportation.
Margaret Fell Fund – This past spring the Executive Committee approved the formation of a Margaret Fell Fund to be administered through the Traveling Ministries Program. The fund, which will be contingent on funds being raised by the FGC Development Committee and staff, will be used to help monthly meetings provide financial assistance to members called to travel in the gospel ministry for extended periods of time. Meetings will be able to apply for assistance through the TMC and the Committee has developed guidelines for application.
Future projects of the TMC – The Traveling Ministry Committee will continue to serve meetings requesting visits from seasoned Friends to lead workshops, retreats, or simply visit the meeting to meet with Friends and worship together. In March 2008, the Committee will host its annual retreat for Friends traveling in the ministry. This will be held at the Gilmary Retreat Center near Pittsburgh, PA 3/14-16/2007. The Committee will also be working with the Youth Ministries Committee to continue to find ways to encourage and support Young Adult Friends called to the ministry.
Traveling Ministries Committee: Beckey Phipps, NEYM, clerk; Maria Bradley, assistant clerk, BYM (A&O); Penelope Wright, SAYMA (M&N); Jean-Marie Barch, PHLYM (M&N); Jane Berger, NYYM (A&O); Verne & Shirley Bechill, LEYM (CE); Elaine Emily, PYM (RE); Charlotte Basham, AFC (M&N); Valerie Groszmann, LEYM (RE); Jonathan Vogel-Borne, NEYM (P&D); Kristina Perry, NYYM (RE); La Verne Shelton, NYM (CMR), and Christina Repoley (YMC).
Staff: Deborah Fisch, Associate Secretary for Programs & Traveling Ministries; Ellen Helmuth, TMP Associate.
