Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, November 20, 2016
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 12:30 with 18 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell opened with a few words from the Dalai Lama on opening our hearts and never giving up. She also read from the Advices 1-8 from the Revised New England Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice.
- Ed Hinshaw reported for Nominating Committee. At least one, and possibly two new members for the committee are needed.
2.It was recommend and approved that Ron (Ronald) Turcotte and Sukie (Susan) Rice will serve on the Nominating Committee.
3. Ron Turcotte reported for Ministry and Counsel. They have had extensive discussion on the meeting’s becoming a pastor-less, semi-programmed meeting.
a) They recommend that we go forward with a six-month trial as a pastor-less semi-programmed meeting. They realize that there may need for a part-time, paid administrative position to help with the smooth running of the meeting.
b) Ministry and Counsel will continue to schedule people to bring the message and encourages people to consider bringing a message.
c) Ministry and Counsel will solicit feedback on our experience of being pastor-less.
d) There have been two people who have inquired into the possibility of a pastor position with Durham Meeting. They have been told that, at this time, we are in a trial period and thus hiring a pastor is under discernment.
Concern was expressed about how we review and assess this plan for being without a paid pastor. It was requested that a plan for assessment of this new direction be put into place well before June. Concerns about the need for pastoral care and spiritual guidance and support were expressed along with how the Pastoral Care Team would take this on. Doug Gwyn said that he will create a complete list of the kinds of situations and needs that he has met over the past two years that Ministry and Counsel will need to address.
4. It was decided that we accept the recommendation of Ministry and Counsel to be a pastor-less meeting for six months and will hold Ministry and Counsel in prayer as they carry this forward in the coming months. We will need to put trust in Ministry and Counsel that they hold and work with this opportunity to see how well we can all be ministers among ministers, and discern what we need to do to be a strong spiritual community.
It was noted that there are those among us who do not feel enthusiasm for this proposal, but are willing to stand aside.
5. Katherine Langelier has applied for membership and has met with a clearness committee. Her letter of June 15 was read. Ministry and Counsel recommends that Katherine be approved for membership. She and her husband, Mason, have requested junior membership for their children Remi and Xage Langelier.
6. The meeting approved Katherine Langelier as member of Durham Friends Meeting and approved Remi and Xage Langelier as junior members.
7. Doug Gwyn reported that he has confirmed people to bring the message through early February. He is developing a Care of Worship guide and is giving a workshop on Sunday, December 4 on preparing and giving a message.
8. Tess Hartford reported from Christian Education.
a) There was a very successful family dinner at Jeanne Baker Stinson’s home on November 13. Eighteen people, adults and children combined, were in attendance. Discussion was held on what people feel the spiritual needs are for the children and families. They agreed they would like to hold this kind of gathering again.
b) Tess reported on the annual evaluation of Wendy Schlotterbeck as Youth Minister. They recommend that she continue as Youth Minister for 2017.
c) Christian Education committee will be discussing with Ministry and Counsel their interest in a working-group that will help re-define the role of the Youth Minister during this coming time of change in the meeting.
9. The meeting accepted the Christian Education report and approved Wendy Schlotterbeck continuing as Youth Minister in 2017 with great appreciation for all that she has brought to the position.
10. Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister report.
a) Wendy and Robbie Bennett are working on a “Water is Life” banner to be sent in support of people at Standing Rock. Durham Friends are invited to sign it.
b) Wendy attended an excellent retreat of the Prophetic Climate Action Working Group of New England Yearly Meeting was held October 28-30 with 30 people attending. The working group will meet in December to further develop action plans. Wendy will bring to her support committee work with this group.
c) There will be an intergenerational craft and wreath making event in December at which time families will be especially welcome.
11. Betsy Muench brought the report from Finance Committee and a preliminary budget proposal for 2017. The final proposal will come in December.
Sukie Rice reported that the Friends Meeting House Fund has favorably reviewed our grant request for $5000 for a solar project and heat pump, with money to come from their Green Meetinghouse Fund.
12. It was approved that the meeting have a heat pump installed by Maine Solar Solutions. We agreed to proceed with this project right away, using money from the Dwelley Fund to finance it at the moment. It will cost approximately $3500 and will save us up to $600 a year in heating oil. An electrician will determine if we need an upgrade to our electric box to accommodate a heat pump.
13. It was approved that we rent the parsonage for six months at rate of $1500 per month, beginning the end of December. This rental amount will include utilities and heat. Negotiations will be done through Trustees.
14. Margaret Wentworth reported that the pellet boiler and chimneys need cleaning.
15. Paul Wood reported for the roof working-group. He and Daniel Henton have been up in the attic and find the large meetinghouse roof very solid. Because patching and repairing the roof metal would not last for more than a couple of years, they recommend that we replace rather than repair the roof metal. They have quotes from two contractors for $14,000-$18,000 for the replacement of the roof and are seeking a third quote.
16. The meeting approved the roof working group’s request to submit an application to the Obadiah Brown Benevolent Fund for a grant to assist with the cost of replacing the metal roof.
17. Margaret Wentworth reported for Falmouth Quarterly Meeting. The Quarter is in discernment about its future form and function. It was recognized that gathering for a time of worship, community and program continues to be valuable. There are also a few business responsibilities that remain relevant. However, participation at the quarterly level is in serious decline. Sarah Cushman and Jessica Eller from Portland Meeting will be visiting meetings within the quarter in coming months, to listen and support discernment for the on-going value of the quarter. The next scheduled Quarterly Meeting will held in May 2017 at the All Maine Gathering in Vassalboro, when further discernment will occur. If there is business to conduct before that time, a meeting date will be set as needed.
18. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.
The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 3:15.
Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk
