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
