Meeting Notes of the Council of the Brothers and Sisters of the Way
Tuesday, August 25, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.by Zoom
In attendance: Bro. Marsh Hudson-Knapp, Bro. Andrew MacLeod, Bro. David Andrews, Bro. Julian Hall, Bro. John MacDuffie, Bro. Jerry Fuss, Sister Debby Bujnocki and Bro. Ed Heilman.
Brother Andrew opened the meeting with prayer.
The minutes of the July 28 meeting were accepted.
Bro. Andrew reported on his progress in opening a unified account for the Order at a local bank. The process has proven more complicated than anticipated, requiring registration of the Order with the State of Vermont, plus a Letter of Purpose for the organization, the EIN, and a second signatory. We agreed that Bro. Andrew should proceed to investigate other banks which might not require the New Hampshire registration and also see if Bro. David Keller might serve as the second signatory. We agreed that a Letter of Purpose could probably be distilled from the By Laws.
We reviewed the status of our retreats:
Bro. John testified to the value of the monthly Monday retreat, which had introduced
him to a recent book of parables and prayers by Bro. Glenn Rainsley.
Bro. Julian reported for the Thursday group, mentioning that Bro. Dick Waddell had
experienced a car accident in which no one was injured but which has caused him to
stop driving. Bro. Rick Floyd continues to preach occasionally at the church where
his daughter is Pastor and is very careful to avoid any more falls. Bro. Ed Heilman also
participates in the Thursday group and recently presented on the book Faith Styles by
John Mabry.
From the Maine retreat held June 8-12 at the Alcyon Center in Seal Harbor, Bro. John
had shared a list of the books which were read, representing a wonderful variety.
At least five and possibly six people will be present for the West Virginia retreat, to be
held September 21-25 at Yellow Springs. Sr. Christina Fidanza plans to attend along
with Srs. Patricia Barth and Shel Culver as well as Bros. Ed Heilman and Roger Snyder,
plus, God willing, Bro. Julian.
In an effort to better publicize our retreats, it was suggested that we try to utilize the online media of compatible groups, including UCC Contemplatives in Action and the Iona Community. Bro. Ed has contacted the former and has already posted information on the organization’s FaceBook page. Bro. David Andrews has not yet contacted our members in the Iona Community but will. We might also be able to publicize our retreats on the FaceBook pages of the various UCC Conferences.
The bookmarks previously created by Bro. Marsh need to be shifted to someone else. This is made complicated by the software Marsh has used, but Bro. John will try using a simpler platform (MS Publisher). Marsh will send John a screenshot of the bookmarks and the file for the logo.
We discussed the lack of clarity in the revised By Laws about how the two At Large members to the Council are appointed. Bro. Marsh suggested various approaches, including a small clarifying amendment to the By Laws as well as simply appointing At Large members at each meeting from those who show up. Bro. David Andrews was appointed at the July meeting, but it is unclear that the procedure was valid.
The position of Abbot is currently vacant, and Marsh is seeking relief from some of the duties of Scribe. Bro. David Andrews is prayerfully considering taking some of that on.
We agreed to meet again on Tuesday, October 6, at 11:00 a.m., using the same Zoom link as today.
Sister Debby offered a closing prayer.
Bro. David Andrews, note taker
Meeting Notes of the Council of the Brothers and Sisters of the Way
Wednesday, May 19, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.by Zoom
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 16, at 1:00 p.m. by Zoom
In attendance: Bro. Marsh Hudson-Knapp, Bro. Andrew MacLeod, Sister Patricia Barth, Bro. David Andrews, Bro. Julian Hall, Bro. John MacDuffie, and Bro. Ed Heilman.
Sister Patricia opened the meeting with prayer.
Updates were given on plans for the two in-person retreats:
The Yellow Springs, WV retreat is scheduled for September 21-25. Bro Julian reported that Sr. Patricia Barth and Bro. Ed Heilman both plan to attend, with hope for others, including Bro. Roger Schneider and Sister Shel Culver and possibly Bro. Julian himself. Sister Patricia agreed to serve as Retreat Leader. Registration checks should be sent to Bro. Jerry Fuss.
The Maine retreat is scheduled for June 8-12 at the Alcyon Center in Seal Harbor. At least 5 members have indicated they plan to attend: Bro. John, Bro. David Andrews, Bro Andrew, Bro. David Keller plus Sister Debby Bujnocki, who has arranged transportation to the retreat in the event she is unable to drive herself. Bro. John and Bro. David Andrews are coordinating the food planning, and each retreatant is being asked to arrive with a main dish for one of the dinners.
Discussion turned to the proposed new By Laws, draft version 2.2. Bro. John had added Article III.3 which restores the requirement for a one-year novitiate period for new members of the Order. Marsh had added language describing in greater detail the functions of the Scribe, and we suggested additional wording to allow the Scribe to delegate some of these functions to others in the Order.
The new By Laws assume a single Treasurer and eliminate any reference to Chapters and their separate Treasurers.
We added language at the beginning of the section describing the various retreat opportunities: “Praying for members by name is encouraged at all retreats”.
We agreed that the new By Laws should be adopted by vote of the members of the Order as provided under the suspended By Laws. We agreed that the provision for amending the new By Laws should still require a two-thirds vote of members voting, said vote to take place by email.
On motion of Bro. David, seconded by Bro. Andrew, the Council VOTED “to recommend the adoption of the new By Laws by vote of the members of the Order, with the Scribe to arrange for this vote to take place by email ballot.”
As the time was up, we agreed to adjourn and meet again on Tuesday, June 16, at 1:00 p.m. We will use the same Zoom link as today. We look forward to a report from the Maine retreat, which will have taken place the previous week.
.
Bro. David Andrews, note taker
Meeting Notes of the Council of the Brothers and Sisters of the Way
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.by Zoom
Next Meeting of the Council: April 22 at 11 AM by Zoom:Save this recurring invite for Council Meetings:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81718540804?pwd=DRVwvgCUHoUcNgidFD79anslMoOh5h.1
In attendance: Bro. Marsh Hudson-Knapp, Bro. Andrew MacLeod, Bro. DavidAndrews, Sister Patricia Barth, Bro. Ed Heilman, Bro. Gerald Fuss, Bro. Julian Hall, Bro. David Keller, and Bro. John MacDuffie
Bro. Julian opened the meeting with prayer.
The minutes of the February 17 meeting were accepted by consent.
Bro. Jerry gave a report on the Order’s finances, indicating a checking account balance of $2,314.30 and a balance in our CD or $2,307.68.
Bro. Marsh had agreed to facilitate today’s meeting but requested a volunteer to take over for future meetings. Bro. John kindly agreed to do this, assuming the support and assistance of others. He was unanimously approved.
Bro. Ed was invited to introduce himself. He serves a church in Toledo, OH and has attended a couple of West Virginia retreats after being invited by Bro. Jim Brehler. He looks forward to joining the Thursday mini-retreats.
Updates were given on progress in organizing the two in-person retreats:
The Maine retreat is scheduled for June 8-12 at the Alcyon Center in Seal Harbor, and a deposit has been sent to the facility. At least 4 members have indicated they plan to attend.
The Yellow Springs, WV retreat is scheduled for September 21-25, and a deposit has been sent to that facility. Sr. Patricia and Bro. Ed both plan to attend, with hope for others.
The Order’s website has been updated by Sr. Paula Fletcher, with information about the two retreats. Any new information should be forwarded to her.
Discussion turned to the By Laws, led by Bro. John. He referred us to the “newest of the new” proposal. The previous By Laws were suspended by vote of the Order, so we will eventually be adopting new By Laws ex nihilo, not by amendment.
Articles I and II are not changed from the present By Laws.
Article III needs more thought, with questions concerning the current one-year novitiate. There was general agreement that consecration should not be immediate upon first attendance at a retreat, and that a year of “living in” to the Order was important. Bro. John will come up with wording that reflects this.
Article IV makes if clear that the Council is the governing body for the Order, operating with the advice of the membership. The Council is self-perpetuating, not elected by the membership, but we agreed that members should all be invited to our Zoom meetings and be encouraged to participate. There was discussion of whether the role of Abbot is still needed.
Article V encourages but does not require annual attendance at an in-person retreat, and commits the Order to provide at least one such retreat annually. On-line retreats are a second option, and monthly on-line mini-retreats a third. Since a business session is required at each retreat, we discussed how to make that an element of the mini-retreats, and we liked the idea of adding an extra hour once a year for that purpose.
Article VI deals with governance, and we delayed discussion of that until our next meeting.
We moved on to a brief discussion of the Monday and Thursday mini-retreats. The Monday group provides an emailed report to the entire Order, with any sensitive personal sharing deleted. Bro. Jerry reported that the Thursday group is going very well and that members find the sharing very deep and meaningful.
As the hour was up, we agreed to adjourn and meet again on Wednesday, April 22, this time at 11:00 a.m. We will use the same Zoom link as today. We will focus on progress for the two retreats and continue work on the By Laws.
Bro. Ed closed the meeting with prayer.
Bro. David Andrews, Scribe
Forwarded to you by
Bro/ Marsh Hudson-Knapp, Order scribe
hkfamily@icloud.com
2674 South Stream Road
Bennington, VT 05201
Cell: 802-753-8137
Minutes of the Council Meeting of the Brothers and Sisters of the Way
On Tuesday February 17, 2026
Actually gathered at 1:20 PM
The Next Council meeting will be March 10th at 11 AM by Zoom.
Attendance: Bros David Andrews and Keller, Julian, John Mac D, Andrews & Marsh
We were way late in meeting due to a lack of a Zoom. Bro Marsh created a new Zoom and we began. He led the meeting which attempted to deal only with the items of immediate need.
Bro John Mac reported on discussions with possible members to serve as convener for the Council and both candidates passed on this opportunity. One is discerning a possible calling to facilitate experiences for active clergy.
That left the concern about who will lead our Council meetings for the time being. Bro David Andrews offered to keep minutes of the meeting if Bro Marsh would facilitate and he very reluctantly conceded for the time being. He asks each member of the order to prayerfully consider this role as he has a large load of responsibility already as clerk.
The group was concerned to get a registration form in circulation. Bro Marsh will aim to get that form assembled by the beginning of next week. Bro Julian will send the info about the WV Retreat (lacking the names of retreat leaders who are sill being sought.
Bro David Andrews will send the $500 deposit for Alcyon.
Some members will not be able to attend because of other commitments so those able to attend are encouraged to invite others and get registered.
At the next Council we will focus on who will lead our group, bylaws, retreat progress and the latest from our small groups.
The Next Council meeting will be March 10th at 11 AM by Zoom.
Bro Andrew will arrange the Zoom.
Notes by Bro Marsh. Corrections welcome!
Marsh
Marsh Hudson-Knapp
hkfamily@icloud.com
2674 South Stream Road
Bennington, VT 05201
Cell: 802-753-8137
BSOW Council - Online Zoom
Tuesday January 6. 206 at 2 PM
Next Meeting will be Feb 17th at 12:30 Zoom!
0. Br John MacDuffie led us in opening prayer.
1. Secretary’s report accepted by acclamation
2. Order Treasurer’s Financial report unchanged.
NE Chapter treasury has $5,142.43
It was suggested that we could subsidize retreat fees.
Consolidation of chapter and order treasuries is on hold
3. Bro David Keller reported on survey regarding retreats.
At least a dozen people replied with a good number still able and interested in retreating. We will not use Survey Monkey in the future.
4. A Maine 2026 retreat at Alcyon:
Retreat space reserved for second week in June, the 8-12th
Question raised about whether or not to have reading on the first night.
Leadership: Bro David A offered to serve as registrar
Bro John MacD or Bro Andrew would be an assistant
Possible separation of duties of retreat leader - food manager and administrative person.
Food manager would be the one closest to the retreat. Bro John M happy to be the food person for Alcyon retreat. Maybe a third person would be spiritual leader/chaplain like Bro Doug. Perhaps check on some who are involved with Iona Community in New England to see if they would be free for that role.
Marsh sent Retreat Planning Form to each retreat coordinator (Julian & John MacD) for completion by Deadline: Feb. 15th
Retreat fee will be $100
Marsh: send out Save the Date for Alcyon and Limit of 13 June 6-12 how many can stay on main floor?
Marsh will send this info to Sr. Paula for inclusion in our website.
5. Mid-Atlantic Retreat for 2026:
Sept 21-25 Deposit sent and receipt received for the site.
Julian has been promoting this. Sr. Shel would like to go.
Can handle up to 13 people.
Leaders: to be discerned as soon as possible based on health questions. Retreat Fee: $50
6. Facilitators roles and persons:
John McD has held discussions with Srs. Jennifer and Judith
Sr. Judith would serve as assistant.
Sr. Jennifer discerning – hoping for clarity around January 10th.
7. Discussion of Roles and dynamics in Small Groups
-WE WANT TO be aware that each time a group comes together each person is deciding whether or not they belong in the group.
The Monday Group suggested Three Possible Roles in small groups:
Chaplain who provides a reading, facilitates responses to them, and leads in prayer including all Brothers and Sisters;
Facilitator who opens and closes the hour in prayer and guides sharing during the first half of the time so that each person has time and boundaries and all are cared for, gets date and time of next meeting, and identifies who will play what roles;
Scribe who reports on the meeting to the order including the reading(s) and notes from reflections shared and NOT the personal information shared which is confidential to those in attendance.
8. Bro. Jerry Fuss led us in closing prayer.
Next Meeting will be Feb 17th at 12:30
Notes by Bro Marsh
Corrections and questions welcomed!
Bro Marsh Hudson-Knapp
2674 South Stream Road
Bennington, VT 05201
802-753-8137
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