Thanks!

By Jo-an Jacobus

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends (DMM) has received two donations of computers.  Thank you to both donors.

Kitsie Hildebrandt as Treasurer will use the first computer donated by John Curtis A laptop it can be used at Kitsie’s home to prepare reports and also brought to Monthly Meeting so she is able to answer questions about the meeting’s finances.

The second donated computer came from Sarah Sprogell.  Bobbie Jordan bought it not long before she passed away.  Sarah felt the meeting would be a good home for this computer.  It is also a laptop which allows Jo-an Jacobus to do the newsletter and website work on a computer dedicated to DMM of Friends.

Care package for Cameroon

By Angie Reed

Tess Marstaller is currently serving in Tombel, Cameroon as a Peace Corp Volunteer.  She has asked the Woman’s Society and Durham Meeting of Friends to put together a care package for the children she works with.  Woman’s Society will collect items from now until Father’s Day in the box next to the piano in the Gathering Space at Meeting. The box will be small so keep that in mind when planning donations.

Items Requested:

Jump ropes (large ones held by 2 people are best), a tie-dye kit (colors, no shirts), shiny prize items to be used in a summer camp setting and as educational prizes, such as stickers or pens. Also books of stories, games, theater sequences (especially of a Christian nature), other camp type games, and fixin’s for s’mores. Items with a Christian theme are especially well received.  For more information, check out Tess’s Blog at   tessincameroon.blogspot.com   Thank you.

Meetinghouse now has phone service

By Jo-an Jacobus

Durham Monthly Meeting has had local landline phone service installed in the meetinghouse.  Because of the difficulty with cell phone reception on the property, the number of evening events and to deal with possible medical emergencies, the meeting decided it needs to have local phone service in the building.

The phone number is 207.725.0411.

Currently, there is a phone on loan to the meeting. However we need a permanent replacement.  A corded phone would be best in case the power goes out.  If you have a corded phone, not wireless, that you would like to donate to the meeting, please contact Jo-an Jacobus at 666.3213 or jacobusj@gwi.net .

Having phone service means we will now be listed in both the white and yellow pages of the Brunswick phone book.  The listing will read Durham Meeting of Friends.

From our Pastor, Daphne Clement

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

John 1:9

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead I call you friends, for everything that I learn from my Father I make known to you.”

John 15:15

It’s Easter!  The Eternal Christ is revealed anew!  It is not only the mystics and poets who share in this… we all do.  The word ‘eternal’ has more than one meaning: it means both the Light of God that has been with us since the 1st day of creation and ‘eternal’ means a single moment in time that has particular quality … it is a Presence full, Light filled moment.  George Fox & John Woolman share such moments often in their Journals, as do Whittier, Wordsworth and Elizabeth Vining in their poetry.

Light filled eternal moments are available to us all; but sometimes I think that the mystics and poets describe them too well.  So well that when we ordinary folks experience these sweet and simple moments, the heart lifted Light filled moments, we tend to discount them.  Somehow our own moments don’t quite measure up.  Most of us when asked: “So when was your last experience of the Eternal?” … will shake our heads doubtfully … and wonder … wonder if we are valuable enough …

But Easter is here … and though we may have only fleeting glimpses of the resurrection … the Eternal Christ Light within … the love of Jesus that is alive and always with us. When we honor these ‘eternal’ moments and understand them to be our spiritual sustenance .… our ‘soul food’ .… gifts of God … blessings … we will begin to notice them more and more often.

So, let our prayer this season be for that other kind of wonder … a prayer of noticing … Let us gaze, oh God, upon all your creation with wonder … seeing everywhere your Eternal Presence.

Thus, our relationships – with God and with each other – will deepen and grow.  Eternal Presence filled moments awaken us intuitively and emotionally to God and to each other.  They resurrect us.  So, look for and notice with wonder your glimpses (no matter how humble) … for it is by their Light that we are refreshed and made whole.

Yard Sale 2011 in May 28

By Angie Reed

The Annual Woman’s Society Yard Sale will be Saturday, May 28, 8-1. This is Memorial Day weekend, and please plan to share some time with us that weekend. Remember, please save your “yard sale” items to donate.  They can be dropped off at the meetinghouse no earlier than Sunday, May15. Plants can be dropped off up to the morning of the sale. Plant pots are available in the vestry and horse shed. Unsold donated items larger than a small microwave are the responsibility of the donor and must be removed if unsold. Volunteer sign-up sheets are up.  Sorting and pricing will take place during the week before (see sign up sheet for times). Sign up now for your favorite volunteer spots.

Woman’s Society Report for April

By Margaret Wentworth

The Durham Friends Woman’s Society met on April 18 at Clarabel Marstaller’s home.  Ten women attended.  Bee Douglas led devotions, emphasizing the many ways she has felt cared for by her family and f/Friends.  Theresa Oleksiw gave the program on care of the elderly.  Her presentation of the Blueprints information led to much sharing among the group.

In business, we were asked to pray for Ann Riggs, Principal of Friends Theological College, and her excellent work in Kenya.  We had no report on the April Tedford meal.  Team F has the May meal.  Five Easter pies were ordered.  Their baking and delivery to meeting was coordinated.  The Yard Sale is set for Saturday, May 28.  The plans for advertising were discussed.  We noted that the box of toiletries for Japan is filling nicely.  Jo-an Jacobus presented information about the Durham Friends Meeting website and we clarified contact information to be used on the site for our group.  We appreciate the good work Markus Schlotterbeck and the website committee have done in setting it up, and are grateful for Jo-an’s willingness to keep it up to date.

Six women from our Meeting attended and enjoyed the USFW NE Spring Gathering in Portland.  USFWI has asked if New England could host the 2016 Triennial.  After discussing the information laid out in the Handbook on hosting those events, as the only organized Woman’s Society in New England, we decided we are not ready to attempt the task.  The 2011-2012 Blueprints have arrived and are available from Margaret for $5 each.  Our next meeting will be May 16 at the home of Nancy Marstaller.  Theresa will lead devotions and Sarah Sprogell will lead the program.

Dorothy closed the meeting with some wildly hilarious quotes from church bulletins, and we adjourned to feast on Clarabel’s delicious goodies.

Youth and Children’s Activities April-August

Sunday School classes for ages 3-13,

During Meeting for Worship

May 1        Jesus and the 12
May 15      Paul’s Discovery
June 5        Plan for Children’s Day
June 12      Children’s Day – an All Meeting picnic at the Meetinghouse following worship, everyone is invited.

 

Passages for teens in high school,

Second and fourth Sundays, 10:15am

May 8        CO Movie and discussion
May 22      Special Guest and last Passages Meeting until September

After Meeting Refreshments Schedule

May 2011 THROUGH July 2011

May

1          Sue Wood, Dorothy Curtis
8          Nancy Marstaller, Clarabel Marstaller
15        Betsy Stivers & family
22        David & Kathy Brown
29        Sarah Sprogell, Leslie Manning
June

4          Linda Muller & Jim McCarthy
12        Bee Douglas, Nancy Marstaller, Jo-an Jacobus
19        Helen Clarkson, Julie Krejsa
26        Margaret Wentworth,

Phyllis Wetherell

July

3          Kitsie Hildebrandt, Clarabel Marstaller
10        Glenice Hutchins & Al Anderson
17        Brenda Masse, Wayne llingworth
24        Dotty DeLoach, Don Goodrich
31        Sukie Rice, Susan Wood

Wanted:

Pastor would like to borrow a garden cart or wheelbarrow for a few weeks for parsonage yard spring-cleaning.

Please call Daphne Clement at 353-6354.

Invitation from the Pastor: Join Adult Sunday School to read Four Doors for Worship

Beginning May 1st – 9:30AM

During the month of May we will read Bill Tabor’s Pendle Hill Pamphlet Four Doors for Worship at Sunday School, please join us.

Synopsis This essay describes four doors as thresholds into the heart of worship.

About the Author William Taber (1927-2005) grew up in Ohio Yearly Meeting (Conservative). He taught at Olney Friends School for twenty years, and at the Pennington Boys and Moses Brown Schools. He later taught Quaker history, practice and spirituality at Pendle Hill. Ohio Yearly Meeting recognized Bill Taber’s gifts in the ministry in 1966. These gifts centered on his ability to translate spiritual experience into everyday

Contemplative Prayer Group

It has been said that real prayer is not so much a request as it is listening to God.

Contemplative Prayer is an ancient Christian practice.

We will gather at the Meeting House on Tuesdays in May: 10th – 31st at 7:00PM to practice Contemplative Prayer.  Please join us for any or all of those evenings.  If you have any questions call Daphne Clement at 353-6354.

A newsletter delivery request

By Jo-an Jacobus

A few newsletter readers have swapped their delivery method from paper to email.  Thank you for your willingness to make the changeover.  We are hoping that even more people will want change in the near future.  Would you switch today?  You could have a part in shrinking the deficit in Durham Friends Meeting’s budget for this year.  If you decide you’d like to help the meeting in this way, please drop us a note at the return address on the newsletter, call 207.666.3213 or email jacobusj@gwi.net to let us know you’d like to switch. The meeting would appreciate your help.

Support LACO: Eat Pasta

On Saturday, May 21st Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (LACO) is holding a fund raising dinner at Holy Trinity Parish, 67 Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon Falls.  From 5 – 7 they will be serving an “All You Can Eat” spaghetti and lasagna dinner.  The price of admission for one is $5.00 for those age 12 and up, $2.50 for children and children under 6 years of age eat for free.  The proceeds will support LACO’s Food Bank and Clothing Pantry.  Hope to see you there.

From our Pastor, Daphne Clement

“The Meeting for Worship is, however, not all silence. The silence is preparation. One listens before one speaks. There is a quickening power in the living silence… Where the temperature and atmosphere of the group are right, the one who prays or speaks is not just a solitary individual saying words. One becomes in some real sense a voice for the cooperating group. There is more in the words than we consciously know or explicitly think out.” Rufus Jones

There has been some wonderful vocal ministry rising out of the waiting silence in the past six weeks or so. And though, from time to time, there are those amongst us who are especially gifted and offer messages full of Spirit… we are ALL ministers… and each of us, no matter how shy we may feel… are, from time to time, called to rise and say a few words.

During Worship on the last Sunday of February, your pastor sensed that there was a message trying to rise, and yet there must have been some hesitation for there was no vocal ministry… and that hesitation did seem to change the quality of the silence in which we were waiting.

I remember well the fear that I felt the first time I rose to offer ministry in Meeting for Worship… because we do have such a strong sense of God’s presence there with us, it is an awesome thing to rise and say a few words. And, it so easy to forget that even the ordinary events of life, when held up into the Light are sacred; and that the most meaning full ministry is neither fancy nor polished, it is heart felt.

In the Atlanta Meeting there was a large Burundi refugee population, and from time to time someone would rise and offer vocal ministry in Burundi; words which most Friends could not understand yet often someone would comment later that those Burundi words had indeed “spoken to their condition.” This reminds me of the quote from John Woolman’s Journal about his ministry while traveling amongst the Delaware Indians:

“On the evening of the 18th I was at their meeting, where pure gospel love was felt, to the tendering of some of our hearts. The interpreters endeavored to acquaint the people with what I said, in short sentences, but found some difficulty, as none of them were quite perfect in English and Delaware tongues, so they helped one another, and we labored along, Divine love attending. Afterwards, feeling my mind covered with the spirit of prayer, I told the interpreters that I found it in my heart to pray to God, and believed, if I prayed aright, he would hear me; and I expressed my willingness for them to omit interpreting; so our meeting ended with a degree of Divine love. Before the people went out, I observed Papunehang (the man who had been zealous in laboring for a reformation in that town, being then very tender) speaking to one of the interpreters, and I was afterwards told that he said in substance as follows: “I love to feel where words come from.”

So, let us when we feel called to offer a few words of vocal ministry take courage and rise… let us, also, make it our practice to listen to the vocal ministry in our meeting in the same deep way that Papunehang listened to John Woolman… and then, let us, trust in the Divine love that attends us in our waiting Worship.

State of the Society, 2010

Prepared by Ministry and Counsel, approved at Monthly Meeting
March 20,2011

“Let us cherish the seed of God in ourselves and in others, that we may be open to new revelations of truth. Let us look to our meetings to guide and stimulate our spiritual growth.” Advices on Spiritual Life, F and P, NEYM, 1985

How have we been open to truth and how has our meeting guided and stimulated us? At the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century after the birth of Jesus, what do we offer to our families, our community and our world that speaks to “that of God” in each of us?

Our spiritual community has been deeply enriched by the work and messages from our interim pastor, Andrew Grannell. Our Pastoral Search Committee worked diligently and deliberately to call the best qualified Friend to our midst, Daphne Clement. Our Youth Minister and her able assistants provide a rich array of resources and opportunities to our beloved youth. They made a field trip to Philadelphia, worshipped with our Shaker neighbors and visited the Heifer Project. Attendance at Sunday School, Youth Passages and adult religious education has been consistent and strong.

The Woman’s Society has been active, raising more money in their annual yard sale than ever, and thus has more to give away. Our worship time is enlivened by the gifts of music, ministry and silent waiting. We offered Quaker Quest to our neighbors to let them know that they are welcome among Friends.

We have been ably led by our co-clerks, and the faithful stewards of all our gifts, spiritual, financial and material. We have completed extensive work on our buildings, making them more energy efficient, welcoming and as well ordered as resources allowed. We welcomed new attenders and mourned the passing of several of our members who were inspiring in their lives of grace and faithfulness. We grow older and bolder, but take time to offer each other fellowship and support in times of illness and duress. We know the power of love and tenderness and have heard repeatedly the calls to forgiveness.

We need to take the love and concern we experience in our meeting and pour it out in the rest of our lives. We have benefited from the ministry of traveling Friends, from our deepening connections with our Quarter through Quaker Quest. We are distressed to find ourselves without unity in matters that speak directly to our testimonies and pray that unity with all Friends, everywhere, may be found. We rejoice in our connections to Kakamega, Cuba, Kaimosi and Ramallah. We wish to offer more to the needy in our own neighborhoods, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe those in need. We pray for peace.

We have found comfort in the metaphor of the potluck. Each of us brings what we are able, and we gather joyfully to share the bounty. It does not matter if we have little or nothing to bring, there is always enough. And being with each other, in light and laughter while giving thanks, is our deepest blessing. We are grateful.

Durham Monthly Meeting Minutes, March 20, 2011

March 20, 2011

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at 12:20 P.M., with 17 people present.   Clerk Edwin Hinshaw read a selection from Faith and Practice on: “Proceed in the Wisdom of God” by E. Burrough (pg 114) and “All Are Co-workers” from Pendle Hill (p. 115).

1. In the absence of a Recording Clerk, Susan Rice served as Recording Clerk for the day.

2.  Katharine Hildebrandt, Treasurer, presented the report for February.  Income for February was $3,734.77; expenses were $5,389.56.    The report was accepted with thanks. [Report attached]

3. It was approved that anyone can bring a request to Monthly Meeting for money to be used from the Charity Account, but that the decision regarding this request should be held to the following month.

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends

4. Finance Committee reported:

A. Eileen Babcock is clerk for the committee.

B. Joe Godleski presented his audit reports for 2009 for both the Cemetery Funds and the Finance Committee Funds.  The books for both funds got glowing approval from the auditor. Those audits were accepted by the Meeting with appreciation and are attached.

5.  A concern was brought that the NEYM funds are being invested through the management of Bank of America, which has business practices contrary to Friends values.  It was agreed that a letter to the Board of Managers of Investments and Permanent Funds for NEYM be written with this concern.  Leslie Manning and Betsy Muench will work on this letter together.

6. It was agreed that if a fund is restricted by the donor it should be noted in the fund’s name so as to make it clear to everyone in the future.

7.  Markus Schlotterbeck requested a Travel Minute for the purpose of introduction to meetings in the Philadelphia area where he is moving to soon.   This was approved with love and joy.

8.  Leslie Manning reported for Ministry and Counsel.

A. Leslie is clerk of M&C and Nancy Marstaller is recording clerk.

B.  The State of Society Report for 2010 was presented and was approved as amended.

C.  Bids for a new Sound System are coming in for us to consider next month

D. The FUM Chain of Prayer day is Easter Sunday, April 24th.

E. M&C has received responses from the survey on un-programmed worship, which showed wide interest for un-programmed worship on the 5th Sundays.  It was proposed that these Sundays will be fully un-programmed.  It was agreed that there will still be an offering and announcements at the end of those meetings.  M&C will decide how to let people coming in be aware of what an un-programmed meeting is and a way for welcoming newcomers.

F. Adult Sunday School has agreed to meet in the Sunday School room which makes it possible for Friends to enter at an earlier time into the meeting room and begin quiet worship.

G. There will be a sunrise service on Easter Sunday at the Simpson Cemetery off the River Road.

H. Following the deep listening the Meeting did on the Personnel Policy of FUM, Ministry and Counsel presented the following:

In regard to the NEYM withholding policy:  “We cherish our relationship with FUM and urge full financial support for all of their endeavors.  Equally dear to us are Friends who, as a matter of         conscience, are unable to unite with us in this support.”

M&C also recommends that FUM remove the current Personnel Policy and replace it with the following:    “If the applicant is a member of the Society of Friends:

The applicant asks for Clearness Committee within the Monthly Meeting where membership resides.

The Monthly Meeting provides a letter of recommendation following the Clearness process, if appropriate.

The letter of recommendation goes to the Yearly Meeting, which provides a letter of recommendation to FUM, if approved.

Friends United Meeting makes final decision in conjunction with Applicant.”

It was approved that we hold this in our heart and let it season for one month.   In the meantime, anyone who wishes to speak with a M&C member in its regard should do so.  And it will come to Monthly Meeting in April.

I. On the fourth Sunday of each month, the pastor, if she wishes, will have a special event or focus after meeting for worship.   Committees should check with her if they want to schedule something on the fourth Sundays.

9.  Daphne Clement presented the Pastor’s Report, which included many visits and committee work.  She noted that work on the website is making major strides forward.   Pastor’s Support Committee members are:  Sue Wood, Phyllis Wetherell, Macy Whitehead, Betsy Stivers and Margaret Wentworth.  Daphne’s report is attached.

10.  Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister’s report.  First, she thanked everyone who helped out with the Rise Up Singing concert.  The young people were thrilled with the concert, which was very well attended and brought in $1000!    Attendance at Godly Play is growing.   Passages is focusing on conscientious objection.  Upcoming events include the Playing in the Light workshop (April 15-17) at the meetinghouse.  Michael Gibson, this workshop leader, will be bringing the message on Palm Sunday, April 17.

Big appreciation was given to Wendy for her leadership and all her work on the concert.

11. Susan Rice reported for Peace and Social Concerns.  The two primary areas that they would like to focus on are LACO and how the military budget effects human needs.   For LACO:

A. They would like to have the meeting fill-to-overflowing the box for LACO each month with recommended items.   The items for April are peanut butter and tuna fish.   People are encouraged to bring in items through April so that the box will be overflowing by Easter Sunday.

B.  A fundraising dinner will take place on Saturday, June 25.  There will be a strong effort to invite people who live in the local area.

12.  Jo-an Jacobus reported for the newsletter committee.   The website is coming along handsomely and an initial version of it is already on line.  A lot more is being developed for it.   After Markus Schlotterbeck leaves Maine, it will be Jo-an who continues with up-dating it.

13.  Dorothy DeLoach presented the Meeting’s Annual Statistical Report being prepared for NEYM and suggestions were made to her.  She will get further direction from NEYM for what they want and will bring that back next month.

14. The minutes of the Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

15. The Meeting adjourned, continuing in the spirit of worship, at 2:45 P.M.

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk for the Day

Playing in the Light Training Workshop

By Wendy Schlotterbeck

We are delighted to be the host for a “Playing in the Light” workshop April 15, 16, and 17. Michael Gibson from Friends General Conference will be the lead trainer. Because our Sunday School is growing, we need more teachers and would like to offer another class for the middle school age Friends next year.  Please consider if you would like to grow into this wonderful way of helping children understand God.  Please contact Wendy Schlotterbeck for more information about this exciting event.

Easter Pie Sale

By Angie Reed

Orders are currently being taken for pies of all types to be distributed Easter Sunday morning.  Pies will be sold for a suggested donation of $15.00. To order please contact Theresa Oleksiw at either 449-0700, or 865-6495. Types of pies available for order include Pecan, Apple-berry, Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream, or Blueberry. Other types of pie may be available upon request.  This is a Woman’s Society fundraiser, and a portion of these funds will be earmarked for the Adopt-a-Nurse program.

Please save this date:

May 28 – Yard Sale!

By Angie Reed

The Annual Woman’s Society Yard Sale will be Saturday, May 28.  This is Memorial Day weekend, please plan to share some time with us that weekend.  Please start now saving your “yard sale” items.  They can be dropped off at the meetinghouse no earlier than Sunday, May15.  Plants can be dropped off up to the morning of the sale.  Plant pots are available in the horse shed.  Unsold donated items larger than a small microwave are the responsibility of the donator and must be removed if unsold.  Volunteer sign-up sheets will be coming soon.  Keep your eyes open for volunteer opportunities.

Woman’s Society Report for March

By Angie Reed

The Woman’s Society met on March 21 at the Meeting House.  Twelve individuals gathered a few minutes early on that snowy night for a Silent Auction, and meeting.  Angie Reed presented the Devotions on letting God’s plan for you reveal itself over time and read a story about a Salt Doll and the Sea.  Nancy Marstaller presented the program from Blueprints and discussed how we can learn to forgive others and, with more difficulty, ourselves.  Those who attended shared experiences related to both topics.

In Business, prayers were asked for Libya, Japan and for Getry Agizah who is coordinator of Friends Peace Teams in Kenya and is currently traveling in the US.  The Tedford Meal for March was chicken and gravy, squash, rice, a veggie or salad dish, garlic bread and a desert.  We approved a request from a member to gather toiletry items for Japan.  We discussed the need for more juice glasses for the Meeting House.  The date of May 28th was set for the Yard Sale.  Kitsie ended the meeting with inspirational kitchen quotes.  Phyllis Wetherell prepared gingerbread and other goodies. The next meeting will be on April 18 at Clarabel Marstaller’s home. All are welcome to attend.

Please do not t forget to order your pies!

Easter Breakfast

will be brought to you by the men of the Meeting.
They will be serving: pancakes, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, juice, smoothies, etc.
They will be serving from 8-9
Suggested donation:
Adults – $5,
Age 6-18 – $3:50
Under 6 – free
To volunteer, see / call David Marstaller, 751-1339

Chain of Prayer

Easter Sunday, April 24, is our day on the Chain of Prayer.  If you would like to sign up for an hour – or more – the sign up sheet is on the bulletin board by the pass-through.

Readers Wanted

By Angie Reed

Monthly meeting has approved Sunday, May 22 as the date for a potluck and intergenerational book discussion at the Meeting House. Please read any of Greg Mortensen’s books and join us to share your thoughts on your reading. These books are available on Woman’s Society shelves, and at your local library or bookstore. The book titles are: Three Cups of Tea, in adult and junior versions, Stones into Schools, and Listen to the Wind, in picture book format.

These books are part of this year’s United Society of Friends Women International (USFWI) reading program.  Woman’s Society participates in this program.  If anyone has any extra copies of these books they would like to share with others at the meeting, please let Angie Reed know or just put your name in the book and place it on the Women’s Society Reading program shelf.       Happy Reading!

Sorting of Meeting Documents Begins

Margaret Wentworth

Work has begun to sort and organize the documents that have been stored at the meetinghouse. Those of historical value for research will be deposited in the Maine Historical Society in Portland. Some records need to be kept as part of the records of the meeting. The library of the meeting will be storing the documents that have current historical value to the meeting.