Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship for the conduct of business on Sunday, February 17, 2019 with 16 people present. Clerk Susan Rice opened the meeting by reading from the 1985 New England Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, “The Quaker Method of Making Decisions”, p. 115. There was no monthly meeting in January due to snow.
1. The December 16, 2018 minutes were approved.
2. Ministry and Counsel: Martha Hinshaw Sheldon reported that Ministry and Counsel met in January and February to discuss worship, pastoral care concerns and opportunities, and new members.
They received a letter requesting membership from Cushman Anthony who had been a member of Portland Friends Meeting in the past. A clearness committee met with Cush and recommend that he be received into membership at Durham Friends Meeting. Ministry and Counsel enthusiastically approved this recommendation and sent it on to monthly meeting for final consideration and approval.
They will continue to suggest a theme for worship. Those bringing a message may choose the theme, “Leadings” for February and March.
They report that Ralph and Twila Greene have found a stable home into which they moved this month. They are thankful for those who stepped in to help resolve this concern: Nat Shed, Nancy Marstaller, and Edwin Hinshaw.
3. We enthusiastically approved welcoming Cushman Anthony as a member of Durham Friends Meeting.
4. Nominating Committee: Margaret Wentworth and Jo-an Jacobus reported that the list of committees and officers is almost complete with a few changes and corrections. The corrected report will be included in the Newsletter and attached to these minutes. We expressed our thanks to the committee and to Jo-an who is leaving the committee.
5. We approved the Nominating Committee report with corrections.
6. Trustees: Leslie Manning reported that there is no report this month; Kitsie Hildebrandt, Treasurer, reported trouble with the heating system at the parsonage which has been resolved thanks to the help of Craig Freshley. An insurance claim has been filed.
7. Communications Committee: The committee met on Wednesday Feb. 13, 2019. Jo-an Jacobus will be stepping down as Newsletter Editor. Her last month as Newsletter Editor will be April 2019, when she will assemble the May 2019 newsletter. The committee does not yet have a replacement. Jo-an reported that the hardest tasks of getting the newsletter out are 1) getting information from the meeting and 2) getting messages for the first page. Doug Bennett will assist in getting all the needed information from the various individuals and committees through April.
We expressed much appreciation for the hard work that Jo-an has performed as editor of our newsletter: The Best of Friends!
8. Christian Education Committee: Katherine Langelier reported that the committee is very grateful for Ashley Marstaller’s presence and skill in providing childcare.
The Game Night (afternoon) on January 12 was very enjoyable, and the next one will be March 9. Plans are being made for an Easter celebration. They plan to participate in an event with Portland Friends School’s Parenting for Peace series, and request funds to co-sponsor the program. Leslie Manning volunteered to sit at a Durham Friends Meeting table at the event. We endorsed the exciting plan of a World Quaker Day Homecoming Sunday on October 6. Plans for these activities will be included in detail in the Newsletter.
The committee expressed appreciation for the joyful noise of small children.
The Adult Sunday School Class has been and continues to read Waking up White by Debbie Irving.
9. We approved the expense of $50.00 each from Christian Education and Peace and Social Concerns Committees to cover the cost of co-sponsoring the Parenting for Peace event.
10. Peace and Social Concerns: the committee welcomed new members Bob Eaton and Cush Anthony. They reported that the film series and the Seeds of Peace events were very meaningful but not well attended.
They discussed possible spring events and the importance of addressing climate change, the real crisis right now. They hope to put together a panel to help move toward taking collective action. They would like to collaborate with another group(s) on this and are looking for partners.
Ingrid Chalufour has volunteered to represent the meeting at the Brunswick Area Interfaith Council which meets monthly.
They are planning an event for April 28 as a follow-up to the American Friends Service Committee discussion about action priorities. The committee will give the message that day and facilitate an after-meeting discussion.
11. The Library Committee gave their annual report which is attached to these minutes.
12. A thank you letter was received from Lisbon Area Christian Outreach for $355 donation to the food pantry from the parsonage garden profits; they report that they serve between 250-300 families a month.
13. Leslie Manning reminded us that members are needed from our meeting to serve on the New England Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee and the Yearly Meeting Ministry and Counsel.
14. Much appreciation was expressed for Andy Higgins who has been offering his services to plow and mow for us without any charge.
The meeting closed at 1:58 p.m. in the Spirit, in appreciation for God’s guidance.
Dorothy Hinshaw, Recording Clerk
