Stony Run Committees

The smooth functioning of our meeting is the result of the conscientious work of committees which are responsible for everything from marriages, burials, and peace education, to roof repairs and covered dish suppers. Members are expected, when possible, to serve on committees. Committees not only accomplish the myriad duties associated with our concerns, but also provide small working groups where we may get to know each other better. In a large Meeting such as ours, this latter function is important in developing a greater sense of community than that which is possible in our brief time together on Sundays or at Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business.

Listed below are the committees of our Monthly Meeting with brief descriptions. In addition to these, Friends may be asked to serve on ad hoc committees or in the wider Quaker community, such as Yearly Meeting, Friends General Conference, American Friends Service Committee or Friends Committee on National Legislation.

The Burial Ground Committee is responsible for the care and maintenance of the Friends Burial Ground at 2506 Harford Road. The committee employs custodial staff, arranges for the selection of lots, makes needed arrangement when a burial occurs, and maintains the house on the property.

The Finance Committee's duties are to 1) submit an annual operating and outreach budget for consideration and approval by the Monthly Meeting and 2) to raise the money to support this budget; 3) to see that bills are promptly paid.

The Friends Aid Committee is authorized to draw upon funds in the care of the Trustees and of the Finance Committee, for the assistance of Friends in time of need. It is composed of two persons appointed by Monthly Meeting and one appointed by Overseers. The committee acts in complete confidentiality, and reports only an annual accounting of the total money disbursed at its direction.

The Funds Review and Use Committee (FRAUC) is responsible for reviewing the various non-budget funds and recommending, for Meeting Approval, appropriate long-term or short-term use of available non-budget funds. Recommendations for use take into consideration the fund status, scope of the intended use, legal or Meeting limitations, amount available, etc.

The Hospitality Committee is responsible for providing simple lunch on Sundays from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and arranging for such other meals (Quarterly meeting, etc.) as may be requested by the Meeting. The committee is also responsible for overseeing the good order of the kitchen.

Information Technology and Office Processes (ITOP) helps augment, support and facilitate the smooth integration of modern technological methods into the administrative functions of the Meeting. Embracing modern technology while maintaining our Quaker values is a challenge that we mean to meet by searching for ways to improve IT services and processes for the Meeting community, using methods consistent with the experiences and testimonies of Friends.

The Library Committee provides and maintains books, magazines, and study materials for Meeting. It purchases publications by and about Friends, books for inspirational reading, materials which supplement the First-Day School curriculum, and carefully selected children's books.

The Committee on Ministry and Counsel has the responsibility to foster and nurture the spirituality of our Meeting and to oversee the Meetings for Worship. Members offer assistance and support to families in time of death. Members are also available to assist people in matters of spiritual discernment.

The Nominating Committee is composed of six persons, two appointed each year for a three year term by Monthly Meeting on the recommendation of an ad hoc Naming committee, usually of three persons, appointed for this purpose by the presiding Clerk. This committee prepares nominations for all offices and committees of the Monthly Meeting not otherwise provided. Nominations are recommended to monthly meeting for actions in May.

The Committee of Overseers has the responsibility for the pastoral care of the Meeting, welcomes visitors, reports on applications for membership, oversees marriages and keeps in touch with and maintains the interest of members . The committee is responsible for visiting the people who are sick, elderly, shut-in, or people with specials needs.

The Peace and Social Order Committee works to keep the peace testimony a living concern and responds to problems of social inequities and human needs.

The Property Committee is concerned with management, care and improvement of Meetinghouse and grounds.

The Religious Education Committee has responsibility for the Nursery, First Day School, Jr. Hi-Q's, Hi-Q's and related activities.

The Spiritual and Intellectual Nurture Committee (SINC) develops and coordinates events to encourage continual nourishing of the spiritual and intellectual life of the Stony Run community.

The Committee of Trustees is responsible for the care and custody of all real and personal property of the Meeting and for the management of the Meeting's endowment funds.

The Unity with Nature Committee encourages Friends and others to educate themselves and to engage in actions concerning the care and restoration of the natural environment.

The Ushers Committee coordinates the services of those who act as ushers at all Meetings for Worship, and who are responsible for opening and closing the Meetinghouse.