by Diane Bowden | Feb 21, 2021 | Announcement
The Clearing Building & Grounds Committee invites Richmond Meeting members to join us for three days this spring, preparing the Clearing for the 2021 season and our annual RFM Spring Retreat (which will be mostly virtual, but we may have some portion at The Clearing). This is a great opportunity to spend some time getting to know folks in the Meeting and getting to know The Clearing. Please mark your calendars and join us if you're able! All levels of ability are welcome The dates are:
Each workday will start at 9:00 am and go to about 4:00 pm (give or take an hour), depending on what jobs we have to get done that day.
Some of the things we will be working on include clearing campsites and trails, replacing some signage around the property, sweeping out the Pavilion (floors, cabinets, cobwebs on the ceiling, etc.) and replacing the tablecloths on the Pavillion tables, and (with a little luck that it all comes together!) assembling some new picnic tables outside of the Lodge to replace the older ones that are falling apart.
Stuff you should consider bringing:
- A mask for when we have to be within 6 ft of each other or indoors
- Your lunch! And maybe some snacks and/or any beverage you want beyond the water that is available at The Clearing
- Clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, wear layers that you can put on or take off depending on the temperature.
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- A hat
- Work gloves
- Bug repellant
- Sunscreen
- Tools, if you have them, although the Clearing Buildings & Grounds Committee members will bring our extra tools to share. The following might be useful: rakes, clippers, loppers or shears for trimming vegetation, a hammer, and tools for digging up roots (very useful for preventing the vegetation from growing back in the campsites and trails as quickly).
Anyone with questions is welcome to call me, Ted Heck (Clerk of the Clearing Builds & Grounds Committee) with questions, at 804-726-1056.
by Diane Bowden | Feb 1, 2021 | Announcement
In a couple of weeks, once I know who are the committee clerks, I will distribute an updated RFM Directory via the newslist. If you have any changes or additions, please submit them asap. Send to rfmdirectory@richmondfriendsmeeting.org.
Thank you!Don Miller, Directory Editor
by Diane Bowden | Jan 21, 2021 | Announcement, Archive, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, BYM Camps, COVID-19
BYM Camp Registration opened on January 15 at 7 pm! There are still slots at all of the camps and we encourage all 9-17 year-olds to attend one of our three residential camps or Teen Adventure. https://bymcamps.org/
This year the BYM Camping Program Committee has dramatically changed our fee structure this year in hopes of making camp more accessible to all who want to attend. As you probably saw in the 2020 Firecircle (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kaj8ki/06ak7t/kq3apkc) there is a new sliding scale fee structure for campers this year. CPC has long sought ways to provide the BYM camping experience to a wider range of kids regardless of their ability to afford the full cost of camp. The sliding scale gives each family the opportunity to choose a fee which fits their budget.
In years past RFM and other monthly meetings have sponsored campers from their monthly meeting by paying either full or part of the cost of camp. This has allowed campers from families with limited financial means to experience Quaker camp. With the new fee schedule, some campers will pay the full cost of camp, some will attend for less, and others may pay in excess of the full amount. But to make sure camp expenses are met with this sliding fee scale, the CPC is asking monthly meetings to consider making scholarship money used in the past to sponsor individual campers a contribution directly to the camping program. Individuals are also encouraged to donate if able, using a one time or monthly contribution to the camping program.
https://www.bym-rsf.org/giving/give-to-bym-camps.html
If you have questions, please call Anna Best or Brooke Davis who currently serve on CPC. Brian Massey, our new Camping Program Manager, would also be glad to talk with folks who have questions about the registration system, as well as how the sliding scale and work grants could help their children, grandchildren or other kids attend camp this summer.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 7, 2021 | Announcement, Archive, COVID-19
Care & Counsel’s Community-Building Phone Project to Resume Next Week
One way we’re staying connected with each other during the pandemic is by phone. Friends who participate in the community-building phone project agree to be randomly paired with another Friend and share weekly 30-minute phone conversations over a two-week period. We’re grateful to Don Miller who manages the random pairings.
We took a brief hiatus over the holidays and will resume next week. If you’re already participating, we’ll automatically pair you with another person. If you’d like to join in, or be taken off the list, please let Margaret Edds and Lynda Perry know by 3:00 this Sunday, January 10. Thanks!
meedds1@gmail.com, lyndafleetperry@gmail.com
by Diane Bowden | Dec 23, 2020 | Announcement, Archive, COVID-19, Kensington, Meeting House, Worship
Approved at Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, 12/20/20 The RFM Meetinghouse remains closed due to the COVID19.
Starting January 4, members and attenders will be able to access the building for one hour to sit in the worship room or spend time in the library, at designated times, by appointment. This new policy applies to individuals or people within the same pod. It is not intended for group usage. The times available are as follows:
Worship room appointments: Mondays at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM, 6PM.
Library appointments:
Wednesdays at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM and 6PM
Anyone wishing to enter the building must have an appointment for a specific time. These can be made by emailing Bob Alexander at bobandbarbalex@verizon.net. When you make an appointment, Bob will provide the outside door passcode.
Safety policies for building usage are posted at the Commonwealth entry to the building. The Library has new safety protocols, posted there, including a box on the floor for “touched books”.
Note that to conserve energy, the worship room is being kept at 60 degrees, the brick building/library at 55 degrees, so dress accordingly.