One edge of our community, something which some have been sensing much more as a deep change than an edge, has been the loss of 6 of our long term members and attenders. All of them have been engaged with us for many years, some of them during our formative years. Even as we name them; George Steuer, Virginia Sample, Lora Schlaefer, Gene Farley, Jeff Patterson, and Barbara Houghton, we find ourselves visualizing all of the ways they are part of who we have been and still are. Younger members of the community have already been living some of the roles they carried out so well, but still have been influenced by the life and depth they brought to us. Thus, loss is a piece of the edge of us, held deeply, much love given to one another as we came together to grieve with family and community. All had been deeply involved with our wider local community beyond Quakers, so the memorial times have also opened our knowledge of the wider community in many ways.

Our Child Safety Policy is a growing edge, and a vital part of the day-to-day life of our community. The meeting acknowledges the challenge of working with sex offenders who wish to be a part of meeting. We are searching for a balance between knowing the Light is present in everyone and caring deeply for our children. Although we have a dedicated, competent First Day School director, a thorough and sophisticated curriculum and enthusiastic, committed adult volunteers, we are missing the critical mass of young people who attend regularly.

We seem to be understanding more about the discipline of Meeting for Business but find ourselves questioning how to proceed with time limitations, limitations in our minds, and in our willingness to be present.

Madison Meeting has developed several favorite traditions which bring us together during the Christmas holidays. This year, our teens requested an addition, a candlelight worship time on Christmas Eve. We are keenly aware of how engaged our youth are within their school and wider communities, so we were happy to support this. Our time together was truly a gift of intergenerational sharing. Families came to share worship, carols, a few stories and concerns, and lit candles together.

In late winter, disunity about a decision to add Wi-Fi to the Meetinghouse required us to slow down frustrating some, but giving others a chance to express hesitations. This “slowing down” was a gift and gave us the opportunity to listen more fully. Our teens participated in this deliberation and submitted a minute to the meeting. The meeting ultimately reached unity in approving Wi-Fi.

The Gathering Time between two Sunday worship opportunities has provided time for adult education: Quaker topics, reports from traveling Friends, intergenerational programs and committee concerns. We also welcomed members of the NYM’S Ad Hoc Financial Planning Committee and NYM Advancement & Outreach Committee in this time. Meeting responded to a member’s Divinely-led hospice chaplain ministry by taking that ministry under its care.
Members are involved in MOSES, an interfaith organization working on issues of social justice, such as over-incarceration in Wisconsin, and 350.org which focuses on slowing climate change.

Our year has been full of people facing personal health issues, coping with the loss of family members, people adventuring away from this haven, people returning with mission and zeal, and people simply encountering life fully. Members express gratitude that meeting can be a place of safe nurture and support at every turn.

As of May 5, 2014:

• 318 total members, estimated 220 active participants
• 3 new members by application
• 3 new members by transfer
• 5 members have died
• 2 members transferred out
• 1 member resigned
• ? births