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Monthly Meeting approved of rehiring Peter Crysdale as Pastor for next year, starting June 1, 2002.

The Ways and Means Committee announced their Annual Flea Market would be held June 15; 8—11.

Peace and Social Concerns announced plans for a program on Iraq June 9th; also a meeting is scheduled for September 29th featuring Elizabeth E as speaker. The Committee is discussing how to meaningfully support local agriculture and educate the Meeting on agricultural issues. They reported that they are continuing to attempt to elicit a response from Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs in regards to Monthly Meeting’s support.

Building and Grounds reported that the top of the chimney is being repointed and work is being done on the wiring of the rear outside lights.

Newsletter Committee said they were continuing in their efforts to put the Newsletter on the Allen’s Neck Website.

Members of Ministry and Counsel have been taking turns sitting on the Facing Bench. They are inviting members of the Meeting to do the same. A sign up sheet will be posted in the Front Entry Way for volunteers to indicate the Sunday of their choice.

Spirit of Christ Leads Not to War

We utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fightings with outward weapons, for any end or under any pretence whatsoever. And this is our testimony to the whole world. The spirit of Christ, by which we are guided , is not changeable, so as once to command us from a thing as evil and again to move unto it; and we do certainly know, and so testify to the world, that the spirit of Christ, which leads us into all Truth, will never move us to fight any war against any man with outward weapons, neither for the kingdom of Christ, nor for the kingdoms of this world.

Origin of the Peace Witness

Despite the fact that the Society of Friends developed in age of violent revolution and has had a witness against war for all of its history, the origin of the peace witness did not start with a concern about war. The Quaker peace witness developed from a deep faith in the essential unity of mankind and the sacredness of each individual because of that “of God” or the “Inward Light” in each person comprising that unity.

Faith and Practice p. 183