[YAF-announce] Residency at Beacon Hill Friends House

[Holly Baldwin]

Dear Friends:
Beacon Hill Friends House has an opening for residency starting September
2008. We are an intentional community of 21 residents interested in living
by and learning about Quaker traditions. Here is some information about our
house. If you or anyone you know is interested in this opportunity, please
contact Adriana Cabrera, BHFH Residency Manager at
bhfhdirectors at gmail.comor at (617) 227-9118 to ask for an application
packet.
Thanks!
Adriana Cabrera
BHFH Residency Manager

An Introduction to Beacon Hill Friends House

Beacon Hill Friends House was formed "To advance and foster the distinctive
principles of the Religious Society of Friends, to provide opportunities for
the development of leadership for the Society, and especially to establish
and maintain a center where members of the Society and persons sympathetic
to its principles, including those pursuing programs of study at other
educational institutions, whether undergraduate, graduate, or special, may
meet together, and where such persons may live, and where the principles of
the Society may be advanced and fostered by study and example."

Introduction
Beacon Hill Friends House is a Quaker-run cooperative residence for students
and working people interested in community living.  It is also a center for
Quaker educational activities, and Beacon Hill Friends Meeting worships here
in our meeting room on Sundays.  The House is a non-profit corporation
governed by a Board of Managers composed of members of the Religious Society
of Friends (Quakers) from New England.

Since 1957, between 18 and 22 people each year have made a home here based
on Quaker principles of community, equality and simplicity.  Residents share
responsibility for maintaining the House, for serving meals, and for
planning seasonal retreats.  Tolerance, honest communication, and mutual
support are encouraged among residents.

The Residents
There is no one word or phrase that neatly describes the 20 women and men
who live here.  Many are students at graduate, undergraduate, and vocational
programs, in a variety of fields ranging from art to theology to
engineering.  Some are full-time working people.  Although preference in
admissions is given to Quakers, most residents come from other spiritual
traditions.  Residents must be at least18 years old to live here, and we
usually have residents who are significantly older than 18.  There are often
one or more international students living here.

Residents are led to live here in some cases because they want to be near a
Quaker meeting and live with other spiritual seekers; or because they are
excited by the challenge of cooperative living in a community with diverse
individuals; or because they have a concern for peace and social justice and
want to be in a community supportive of their values; or because the House
is a good place to learn English.

The Building
The House was built in 1804 as two single-family homes, which were joined
together in the 1920's.  It provides double and single rooms for residents
and staff, as well as spacious common areas including a parlor, music room,
library, dining room, kitchen, lounge, deck, and two courtyards.  There is
also a large meeting room used for meeting for worship on Sundays, as well
as for dances, potlucks, and an occasional wedding.  The House is located
just a couple of blocks from the subway, and is a short walk to most parts
of central Boston.

Organization
The House offers residents a chance to live according to Quaker principles
of self-government.  The Board governs the House through several committees.
There are resident representatives on most of them and on the Board as
well.  Decisions are reached in committee and Board meetings by the Quaker
decision-making process, which is similar to a consensus process.

All residents and staff are expected to attend a House meeting every two
weeks.  At this meeting, all issues affecting life in the community – from
the sublime to the ridiculous – are discussed and decisions reached by
Quaker process.  Through House meeting, residents plan events (both social
and educational) and set policy on issues ranging from the use of alcohol to
the use of the VCR.  A copy of some of the more important policies is
included with the application materials.

Resident Responsibilities
Residents are expected to help once a week with serving and cleaning up
after meals; to do a specific household chore each week; to work during our
spring and fall cleaning days; to plan and attend two community-building
retreats; to attend house meeting; to help out in emergencies; and to make
Friends House a hospitable place for our many visitors.

Food at the Friends House
The House provides simple, nutritious food for residents.  Our kitchen
manager (often a student intern) does grocery shopping so that there is food
available for residents to cook their own breakfast and lunch. The kitchen
manager prepares a vegetarian meal five nights each week, with a meat option
about once each week.  Although we do change our menu and shopping lists
based on the desires of each group of residents, we are not able to
accommodate every special request.  We provide limited storage space for
residents who purchase special food items of their own.

Our shared dinner, served at 6:30 every night but Friday and Saturday, is an
important part of community life.  No one is expected to be at every dinner,
but if you anticipate having a schedule that will keep you away from dinner
more than three nights a week, you should discuss that during your
interview.

Quaker Center
The House sponsors and hosts a variety of activities intended to promote
Friends' values in the Boston area. These include an annual lecture on
Quakerism, and the Quaker Studies Program.

Beacon Hill Friends Meeting
Beacon Hill Friends Meeting holds an unprogrammed meeting for worship at the
House every Sunday morning.  Residents of the House are welcome to attend,
but are in no way required to do so.  Residents are also welcome to
participate in any of the social or educational events organized by the
Meeting.

Guest Rooms
There are two moderately priced rooms available for short-term visits of up
to two weeks. Visitors have included friends and family of residents, former
residents, Quakers and others traveling through Boston and patients and
visitors to local hospitals. In addition, there is a very simple room
available for guests of residents at no charge.

Application for Residency
Beacon Hill Friends House welcomes applications from all people, regardless
of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or age. If you are
interested in living at BHFH, please contact the directors to request an
application packet.  Since our application process does take some time, and
demand for space is often high, you should generally apply at least two
months before you want to move in.  Most openings occur at the end of May
and the end of August, but there are occasionally spaces available at other
times.  If you have any questions about the House or the application
process, you are welcome to contact the office.


-- 
Beacon Hill Friends House
6 Chestnut St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-227-9118
www.bhfh.org
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