Becoming Involved

Becoming Involved in the Community

As you start attending Annapolis Friend Meeting, we welcome you to become more involved.  There is no need to be an official member to join us during Meeting for Business or to volunteer on a committee.  Both are great ways to get to know other Friends and understand how we practice our testimonies as we carry out the practical work of maintaining our faith community.

You can learn more about committees by clicking here.

You can learn about formally becoming a Member below.

 

Community News and Discussion

To receive our monthly newsletter by e-mail, contact our Newsletter Editor at newsletter@annapolisfriends.org.

Annapolis Friends Meeting maintains two e-mail lists.  One is for announcing requests, events and more.  The other is designed for general concerns and open discussions.  If you are not a member or a regular attender at Annapolis Friends Meeting, then these lists probably will have little interest for you. However, if you are a member/attender and have an interest in one of the lists, it is likely that you will have an interest in the second list, too. You are welcome to join both lists if you wish. Most do. Joining (subscribing) requires a review by the list manager or vetting by the Outreach Committee, so that we are clear of your intent. Unsubscribing can be conducted at your discretion.

  1. The Announce List is for announcing events of concern directly relating to Annapolis Friends Meeting.  This includes
    1. request to hold members/attenders of the community in the Light.
    2. Announcing:
      1. Births, marriages,ceremonies of committment, illnesses, deaths or memorial services,
      2. Meetings or change to previously announced meetings.
      3. Specific business related to Annapolis Friends Meeting, Baltimore Yearly Meeting or Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting.
  2. The Discuss List is for other more general concerns and more open discussion of issues or items that the list user believes of interest to the AFM community, e.g., items relating to peace or other Quaker testimonies, and for announcements of Quaker organizations and other groups with which Friends are affiliated.

  3. In all cases, posts on both lists reflect the list user’s personal opinions and should be clearly understood to NOT reflect the consensus of Annapolis Friends Meeting. If you wonder which list to use, consider using the Discuss List. The Announce List is strictly for announcing. Also, understand that both lists have a wide audience. Consider being restrictive with the number of e-mail addresses when you respond. It may be wise and an appreciated courtesy if you respond only to the sender and not to all.

  4. To subscribe or join, send an email to listmaster@annapolisfriends.org with your specific request.

  5. To unsubscribe, send an email to afm-announce+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

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    Membership 

    The Annapolis Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends makes little distinction between members and attenders. Membership is a personal decision and a serious commitment not to be undertaken lightly. Joining the Meeting is also joining the Religious Society of Friends.

    Those interested in becoming a member may write a letter to the Clerk of Ministry and Worship Committee to explain why they feel drawn to the Religious Society of Friends and Annapolis Friends Meeting. The Clerk of Ministry and Worship appoints a clearness committee that meets with the applicant to consider the request. This process may involve several meetings to ensure that the applicant understands what it means to be a Friend.

    If the clearness committee and the individual feel clear that membership is the right decision, a recommendation is made to the full Committee which in turn makes a recommendation to Business Meeting.

     

    Financial Support 

    We rely on members and attenders for regular financial support. A collection box is on the back wall of the meeting room; checks may be mailed to 351 DuBois Rd., Annapolis, MD, 21401.