Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, April 23, 2017
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 12:30 with 8 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell opened with a quote from Rev. William Sloane Coffin: “Let us resolve to be patriots always, nationalists never. Let us love our country but pledge allegiance to the earth and to the flora and fauna and human life that supports it – one planet, indivisible, with clean air, soil, and water; with liberty, justice and peace for all.”
- Joyce Gibson reported for Ministry and Counsel.
a) There will be an open Ministry and Counsel Listening Session on May 7 to share the results of our recent survey and to hear from people in the meeting about how they consider things are going without a pastor. The session will be facilitated by Craig Freshley. There will be a “finger food” potluck that day to allow us to move more quickly to the Listening Session.
b) People bringing the message in May: Paul Miller (May 7); Carol Marshburn (May 14) ; Diane Dicranian (from Winthrop Centre Friends) May 21); Sukie Rice (May 28).
c) There was concern about political views being expressed during worship and the importance of being open to all opinions and accepting persons regardless of their political views.
2. Christian Education Committee and the Youth Minister reported together.
a) The Seder Supper (April 6) had 12 people in attendance and went very well. There were many people who attended the delicious Easter breakfast
b) Children’s Day will be Sunday, June 4. They plan to have a Quaker Open House and invite families with children to stay for a lunch, after which there will be conversation on what families look for in a faith community.
c) Graduates this year will be Ketty Stinson (high school) and Hannah and M Schlotterbeck (from graduate school).
d) The Annual Plant and Yard Sale will be held Saturday, June 3 from 9:00-1:00.
e) The annual Family Campout in Georgetown will be June 17-18.
f) The Youth Group has been renamed to Intergenerational Youth Group. It gathered for a pot-luck on April 19 with 13 people present. They will work on building on a walking trail in the woods next to the parsonage. Big plans are ahead for this!
g) Paul Miller was the speaker as the Spiritual Journey speaker at the Adult Sunday School group on April 23.
3. Kitsie Hildebrandt, Treasurer, reported on our insurance policy with Church Mutual. Christine Baglieri (our childcare worker) is covered under our liability insurance. She is also covered by our workers compensation policy.
The March 31 First Quarter finance report was submitted. Our income for this period was $13,112 and the Expenditures were $10,205. The checking account balance for the Operating Account is $23,326. Friends accepted the report with thanks.
4. Trustees report that the roof replacement has been completed with Fairbanks Roofing. Maine Solar Solutions will begin installation of the heat pump and solar panels in mid-May.
a) Trustees are considering doing some repair and tightening of the basement windows.
b) They hope to donate or sell the big copier.
c) May 12 and 13 will be “Love Your Meeting Days” for our annual clean-up.
d) Trustees will begin looking for a substitute for Charlotte Ann Curtis for when she is away during the 2017-18 winter.
5. Sukie Rice reported for Peace and Social Concerns.
a) On Sunday June 25, Bill Clark from Maine AllCare will show a film about single-payer health care and will lead a discussion. This will follow a potluck lunch.
b) The annual Kakamega benefit dinner will take place on Saturday, September 30th.
c) The committee has held a third “new friends” dinner for people in the Brunswick area. Another dinner will be planned for people in the Freeport/Durham area. If Friends wish to participate in a new friends dinner, please let Cindy Wood know.
6. For the Meeting Directory, it was approved that members and attenders will be merged so that everyone will be listed in one alphabetical order rather than separated as has been the practice. MEMBERS will continue to be listed in capital letters and attenders in non-caps.
7. The All-Maine Gathering will be held on May 6 at Vassalboro Meeting. Representatives will be Sarah Sprogell, Kristna Evans, Tess Hartford, Dorothy Hinshaw and Ed Hinshaw.
8. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.
The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 1:55.
Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk
