Providence Monthly Meeting conducts all of its business in the traditions of the Religious Society of Friends. This means that the Meeting is run entirely by committees, staffed by volunteers from the community. Each committee is a ministry, seeking to care for the future of our community. We invite you to learn more about these ministries below.
Many of these committees welcome both attenders and members of the Meeting to serve on them. We welcome anyone who is interested to reach out to the clerk of the Nominating Committee. There are certain committees which we have found to be in positions where membership in the Meeting is required to serve on them; these include Ministry and Counsel, Finance, Marriage Clearness, Pastoral Care, and Nominating.
Communications Committee
Communications Committee’s goal is to enhance communication among Meeting members and attenders as well as between Meeting and the outside community. Its area of responsibility includes the newsletter, the electronic mailing list, the database, the handbook, advertisements and announcements, and the website. No one on the committee is expected to have comprehensive…
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meets monthly from September through June. It monitors the handling of moneys and the accounting system used by the Treasurer (recording and reporting of all receipts, expenditures, funds on hand, deposits in checking and savings accounts, and investments). All Committee members must be members of the Meeting. The Treasurer is an ex-officio member of…
Funeral & Burial Grounds Committee
Funerals Friends who are interested in a funeral or memorial service held after the manner of Friends are encouraged to pre-plan their funeral to ensure that their wishes are accommodated and to relieve the decision-making from the bereaved. These arrangements can be made by working directly with a funeral director (of your choice) or by completing a prearranged funeral…
Hospitality Committee
This committee serves as host for Meeting functions to see that they run smoothly and are enjoyed by all. The general responsibilities of the committee are as follows: The fellowship hour after Meeting for Worship is an important part of this committee’s job. The committee maintains a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall to share this responsibility with members and…
Library Committee
Library Committee is responsible for all books, pamphlets, periodicals, and leaflets belonging to Meeting. It purchases books, pamphlets, and leaflets, and keeps up subscriptions including Quaker Life and Friends Journal. It catalogs new acquisitions, oversees loans, and, in consultation with Ministry and Counsel, decides which books can be discarded or stored for future…
Marriage Clearness Committee
Marriage Clearness Committee meets upon written request of members/attenders who wish their marriage to take place “under the care of the Meeting” or “in the manner of Friends” either in a meeting house or elsewhere. The request is sent to the Clerk of the Providence Monthly Meeting. The committee may ask for a brief autobiography of both individuals to be distributed to…
Ministry and Counsel Committee
Composition The committee should be composed of 12 seasoned members from Providence Monthly Meeting, with care that some of that number represent worshippers at Saylesville Preparative Meeting. Members are nominated for 3 years and may be asked to serve up to 3 more years. No one may serve on Ministry and Counsel for more than 6 consecutive years. Members of Ministry and…
Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee canvasses the clerks of other committees for suggestions as to possible committee members and solicits individual members and attenders for their preferences in committee work. In all nominations the committee obtains individual acceptance for office and committee assignment. The committee presents a preliminary report of nominations at the April…
Pastoral Care Committee
COMPOSITION: A committee under the direction of Ministry and Counsel composed of members from Providence and Saylesville recognized for their gifts of spiritual support, leading, and insight. Ministry and Counsel shall determine the size of the committee taking into consideration the needs of the Meeting. Service on the committee by members shall not exceed two (2)…
Peace and Social Action Committee
This committee has a twofold purpose: First, it functions as a communications link between the Monthly Meeting, with its concern for peace and social welfare in the larger community growing out of our religious convictions, and the individuals and groups which share these concerns. This enables the Meeting to work with people in the community, translating concerns into…