Iowa Yearly Meeting (C) Briefing Document

This is a briefing document I created by loading the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) Minute Books for the years 2003 – 2023) into the new research tool I’m using, NotebookLM. I wrote an introduction to NotebookLM recently in the Quaker Tent Solidarity Podcast post, https://unflinching.blog/2025/04/01/quaker-tent-solidarity-podcast/

The reason for doing this is because we then have all of this information as data that we can ask questions about. All of this is, of course, public information.

One part of my medical research career was to design, maintain, and write software for the Microsoft SQL Server database of our research and clinical data. So, I’m used to working with large volumes of diverse types of data.

Briefing Document: Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) – 2003-2023

This briefing document summarizes the main themes and important ideas and facts gleaned from the provided excerpts of the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) (IYMC) Minutes spanning 2003 to 2023.

Overall Themes:

Faithfulness and Obedience to God/Christ: A central and consistently reiterated theme is the call for individual and collective faithfulness to God and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, often referred to as the “Inner Light” or “Christ Within.” This manifests in various aspects of their lives and the business of the Yearly Meeting.
Community and Fellowship: The importance of the Quaker community and the bonds of fellowship among Friends is a recurring motif. Epistles from other Yearly Meetings are valued, and the minutes document efforts to strengthen connections within IYMC and with the broader Quaker world.
Peace and Social Concerns: A strong commitment to peace and social justice issues is evident throughout the minutes. This includes concerns about war, chemical abuse (including caffeine), economic justice, environmental issues, human dignity, and criminal justice.
Stewardship and Simplicity: The early minutes in particular emphasize the importance of examining one’s possessions and living in a way that does not nourish the “seeds of war.” This broader theme of stewardship extends to financial resources and the natural world.
Discernment and Process: The minutes illustrate the Quaker process of discernment in Meetings for Business, seeking unity and the leading of the Spirit in decision-making. The seasoning of concerns and the importance of listening to all voices are implied in the recording of discussions and decisions.
Organizational Matters: A significant portion of the minutes is dedicated to the practical aspects of running the Yearly Meeting, including committee reports, financial reports, appointments, and the recording of membership statistics.
Relationship with Scattergood Friends School: The close relationship between IYMC and Scattergood Friends School is consistently highlighted through reports, budget allocations, and the hosting of the Yearly Meeting sessions at the school.
Responding to Societal Issues: Over the years, the Yearly Meeting engages with contemporary issues such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the New START Treaty, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ Friends, demonstrating a willingness to grapple with the world around them through a Quaker lens.
Membership Trends: The recorded membership statistics from various monthly meetings provide a longitudinal view of the community’s demographics, showing both growth and decline in different areas over time.

Key Ideas and Facts (Chronological):

2003:

The Yearly Meeting discussed concerns related to chemical abuse and coffee consumption, recognizing caffeine as a drug.
“We were reminded as we gave careful consideration to the coffee minute that the minute on substance abuse also needs the same care. Caffeine, after all, is a drug on which many of us are dependent.”
The Auditing Committee reported the Treasurer’s records to be in “good order.”
“We have examined the Iowa Yearly Meeting Treasurer’s records for the period of Seventh Month 1, 2002 (July 1) to Sixth Month 30, 2003 (June 30), and find them to be in good order.”
The Yearly Meeting approved statements and a letter prepared by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee regarding coffee and encouraged members to share it with local stores.
“We approve both statements and the letter and encourage our members to copy and make use of the letter in their own communities.”
A testimony was shared about experiencing a divine call to forgive a sibling and a later call to release the need to control another person.
“Some years ago at yearly meeting I felt a call that said, ‘Please forgive your brother.’… My forgiveness of my brother had opened me up to positive living and sharing with others. This morning I felt a similar call to not control the actions of another person, here at this meeting, and because I accepted this call, I am released and that person is released.”
An agreement was in place with the State Historical Society of Iowa for the deposit and preservation of Yearly Meeting records for a five-year period ending December 31, 2008.
“The State Historical Society of Iowa agrees to continue to accept these records on a deposit basis… for a period of five years ending December 31, 2008.”
The minutes reflect a deep concern about material possessions and whether they contribute to the “seeds of war.”
“Oh, that we who declare against wars and acknowledge our trust to be in God only, may walk in the Light and therein examine our foundations and motives in holding great estates! May we look upon our treasures and the furniture of our houses and the garments in which we array ourselves and try whether the seeds of war have any nourishment in these our possessions or not.”

2004:

Ohio Yearly Meeting sent greetings emphasizing dwelling in “pure, peaceable, heavenly wisdom of God.”
“Dwell in the pure, peaceable, heavenly wisdom of God, which is gentle, easy to be entreated, and full of mercy, all striving to be of one mind, heart, soul, and judgment in Christ…”
The minutes record marriages within the Bear Creek and Des Moines Valley Monthly Meetings.
A minute submitted by several Friends emphasizes attuning oneself to the “Divine conversation” and doing the will of God moment by moment.
“Let us then bend our awareness and intent to be so attuned to the Divine conversation that we spend this moment… this moment….this moment doing the will of God.”

2005:

Ohio Yearly Meeting again sent greetings, expressing joy in doing the work of the Kingdom.
“Greetings from your brothers and sisters in Christ, as we share the joys and efforts of doing the work of the Kingdom.”
Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association (SAYMA) shared a minute about their experience with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Friends, affirming unity and the enrichment brought by their full participation.
“SAYMA’s experience has been that spiritual gifts are not distributed with regard to sexual orientation or gender identity… We will not go back to silencing those voices or suppressing those gifts.”
The Yearly Meeting was considering revising its “Queries and Advices,” with a list of subsections under review, including topics like “Stewardship of Personal Resources,” “Drugs and Alcohol,” “Marriage,” “Sex,” and “Resistance to Militarism.”
An Epistle to Friends Everywhere emphasized the importance of epistles in connecting Friends and the shared work of being true to the Holy Spirit.
“We greet you with full hearts, wishing to reach out to you all in these precious days of our yearly meeting sessions… We are particularly aware this year of the importance of the epistles… It is good to know that Friends in other parts continue to wrestle and find ways to be true to the Holy Spirit, as we too work to find God’s way.”

2006:

Monteverde Monthly Meeting sent greetings.
The Yearly Meeting endorsed the Declaration of Peace, a nationwide interfaith, nonviolent campaign.
“The Peace and Social Concerns Committee asks the Yearly Meeting to join in endorsing the Declaration of Peace…”
An excerpt from Jeremiah 1:4-8 about divine calling and overcoming fear was included.
The minutes record membership statistics, noting a discrepancy in the Des Moines Valley count.
The importance of listening to scripture in worship was discussed, akin to receiving vocal ministry.
“(We) listen to the words of scripture as though they were spoken in worship. Receiving them as (we) would vocal ministry, since they originate from the same divine source.”
Encouragement was drawn from epistles received from Friends around the world, highlighting the thriving influence of the Religious Society of Friends.

2007:

The clerk of Ohio Yearly Meeting sent greetings emphasizing the presence of Christ where two or more are gathered.
“For where two or three are gathered in His Name, there is He in the midst.”
A member shared a personal experience of concern for her son’s upcoming deployment to Iraq and the well-being of his family.
“My son is going on his tour to Iraq very soon. His wife and two very small girls will be on their own… I ask you hold Neil and Robin and Charlotte and Sidney Grace in the Light.”
The Yearly Meeting engaged in discussions about theological language and the importance of continuing to ask questions, guided by the “Inner Spirit.”
“May we continue to ask questions, be guided by the Inner Spirit, which we may call God or Christ Within, but to be sure and continue to ask questions.”

2008:

The ant and the girl analogy was used to illustrate considering the other’s perspective.
Junior Yearly Meeting Friends shared their experiences at Scattergood farm.
Deborah Fisch was serving her 10th year as clerk and reflected on nurturing the gifts of others for service.
“At this 10 year mark of service my thoughts have also been drawn to consider the nurturing of the gifts of others in our yearly meeting.”
Epistles to Friends Everywhere, Ohio Yearly Meeting, and North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative) were carefully considered.
An Epistle to Friends Everywhere emphasized the importance of living in the love of Christ.

2009:

Ohio Yearly Meeting sent greetings referencing being the “temple of the living God” and the call to be separate and touch not the unclean thing.
“For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, ‗I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate‘ saith the Lord…”
Yahara Preparative Meeting was recommended and approved to become a monthly meeting.
“We listened to the report from West Branch Friends forwarded to the Yearly Meeting by the IYMC Ministry and Counsel Committee recommending that Yahara Preparative Meeting in Madison, WI become a monthly meeting…”
The Yearly Meeting approved sending a letter to senators regarding the ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
“We approve the letter being sent by the Yearly Meeting clerk as amended… We believe this is an essential security issue and we offer the following thoughts in support of its ratification.”
The Monthly Meeting apportionments for the upcoming fiscal year were listed.

2010:

The Yearly Meeting approved sending a letter to senators urging ratification of the New START treaty.
“We urge you to vote for ratification, for the following reasons: 1. The new treaty limits the U.S. and Russia to no more than 1,550 deployed strategic warheads each…”
An excerpt from Deuteronomy 30:11-14 was shared, emphasizing that God’s commands are not too hard or far away, but near in the heart.
““Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away… No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.”“
Deborah Dakin was acknowledged for her willingness to serve as clerk.
“We appreciate the work of the Ad Hoc Clerk Search Committee and Deborah Dakin’s willingness to step into service of this beloved yearly meeting as clerk.”

2012:

Greetings were received from Britain and Philadelphia Yearly Meetings.
The minutes included financial reports for Scattergood Friends School and related entities.
The Yearly Meeting Treasurer provided a brief explanation of the treasurer’s report.
A collection of quotes and reflections from the Yearly Meeting sessions highlighted themes of community, divine guidance, humility, and the struggle to find one’s true self.
“Too often, we make decisions and take actions based on the false perception of division between “us” and “them.” If we recognize the light in everyone, and endeavor to connect with that of God in all people, there will be no more “them,” just “us.””
“The light and love of community help me finish the job of becoming me.”
“Community is a verb.”
Membership statistics were recorded, showing a net gain of one member for the Yearly Meeting.

2013:

A budget comparison for Scattergood Friends School was included.
A passage from Psalm 130 was shared during the meeting.
The Representatives Report was listened to.
Financial reports for Scattergood Friends School and its Foundation were detailed.
Membership statistics showed a net loss of one member for the Yearly Meeting.

2014:

Deborah Dakin continued to serve as clerk and expressed gratitude for the shared experience of the Yearly Meeting.
“We have been blessed by the Divine through knowing and being with each other during this cherished time.”
The Closing Minute included a quote from Elijah’s experience on the mountain, where the Lord was not in the wind or earthquake but in the still small voice.
Guidelines for unbudgeted financial requests were outlined, involving the Interim Committee for urgent needs.
A topical index of reports provided an overview of the Yearly Meeting’s activities.
Membership statistics showed a net loss of seven members.

2015:

Greetings were received from Ohio Yearly Meeting, emphasizing faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
“Recognizing our historical ties, we pray that you, as we, would continue in faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Yahara Monthly Meeting was “laid down,” indicating its closure.
The “Queries and Advices” under review were listed, covering a range of personal and social testimonies.
Membership statistics showed a net loss of five members.

2016:

The minutes included a topical index of reports, similar to 2014, indicating ongoing areas of focus.
Reflections shared during the meeting touched on the need to embrace both light and darkness in history and the importance of accepting all parts of oneself to fully contribute to the community.
“There’s a broader view of who we are and what our history is, that includes the darkness… be who you are, be who I’ve asked you to be.”

2017:

The Archive Committee clarified the ownership of meeting records and options for their preservation.
“Records of monthly and preparative meetings are the property of those meetings, and the decision of what to do with them belongs to them.”
Detailed financial statements were included.
The Monthly Meeting apportionments for the upcoming fiscal year were listed.
The Closing Minute included quotes about the concept of “neighbor” as a moral, not geographic, term.
““In the realm of the spirit, our fathers taught us thousands of years ago that when God created man, he created him as everybody’s neighbor. Neighbor is not a geographic term. It is a moral concept.”“
A reflection on the parables of the talents and Paul’s sermon to the Romans emphasized using God-given resources and recognizing God’s presence everywhere.

2018:

Births and new members were recorded.
Membership statistics showed a net loss of nine members.

2019:

The minutes included epistles from Junior and Young Friends.
A minute on the death penalty was highlighted within the Peace and Social Concerns report.
The Recorder Report continued with membership statistics showing a net loss.
Epistles to Friends Everywhere, Ohio Yearly Meeting, and North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative) were included.

2020:

Greetings were received from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Young Adult Friends and the Meeting of Friends in Wales (UK).
A report from the 2020 Virtual Pre-Gathering of Friends of Color and their Families (FGC) was included.
The “Queries and Selected Responses” were presented, covering twelve areas of Quaker life and testimony.
The Epistle to Friends Everywhere emphasized obedience to Christ’s love and holding high the Light.
“As we are obedient to the motion of Christ among us to love one another, may we become as the leaven mixed into the bread, which makes it nourishing… May we in live in the love and power He extends over us and thereby hold high the Light that draws and guides those He is calling.”

2021:

A minute from Paullina Friends Meeting commended Deborah Fisch for her travel in the Gospel ministry.
“We commend to your loving care and attention our cherished friend, Deborah Fisch… Deborah’s calling continues to be finding Opportunities to worship with Friends in various monthly, quarterly, and/or yearly meetings (primarily in the US and Canada), sharing Gospel ministry as led…”
Membership statistics showed a net gain of two members.

2023:

New members were recorded.
Membership statistics showed a net loss of eight members.

This briefing document provides a snapshot of the life and concerns of the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Conservative) over two decades, highlighting their enduring commitment to their faith, community, and testimonies.