Friendsview Retirement Community

When I was asked in 2003 if I would be willing to serve on the board of directors of Friendsview Retirement Community I prayed about it and my wife and I agreed that this would be a significant ministry to which I could commit time. I was asked to serve on the finance committee with long time board members such as Bill Rourke and Dave Hampton and was impressed with their knowledge, expertise, and caring for the residents.

All of the board members seem to take seriously their charge to honor the Quaker principles under which the ministry was founded by the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Churches almost fifty years ago. My father was a Friends’ pastor for many years. I have appreciated the board members’ willingness to spend hours updating and refining the mission and goals for this fine continuing care retirement community. I have learned that most of the board members have relatives who are residents of Friendsview, as I do now. One of the board’s main responsibilities is to support Executive Director Dennis Russell and his leadership team.

I have watched several orderly transitions as Karl Birky followed Steve Gulley as board chair, Dennis Russell followed Armond Kalesse as executive director, and now Elizabeth Comfort is following Irene Hines as chief financial officer. There was probably concern over each one of these changes, but the Lord has been faithful. I am now following in Dave Hampton’s big shoes as chair of the finance committee. Everyone is surely aware that we are facing financial challenges in the current economy, as is every organization. I have confidence in the leadership team Dennis has built. The board is committed to being good stewards of Friendsview resources and to seek the Lord’s will in each decision that needs to be made.