The Reports and Other Materials for the April 27, 2025 DFM Business Meeting are HERE.
AGENDA
Monthly Meeting for Business, April 27, 2025\
Opening
Approving Recording Clerk Pro Tem
M&C Report – Renee
P&SC Update – Ingrid
Request to Update aspects of the Vestry/Fellowship Room – Ingrid
Trustees Update – Sarah
Travel Letter for Martha Hinshaw Sheldon – Sarah
All Maine Gathering, May 3, at South China Community Church
Falmouth Quarterly Meeting today at 1pm at Portland Meeting and on Zoom
Close
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends DRAFT Minutes, March 16, 2025
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, March 16, 2025, with 14 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and three people by Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the Meeting with a traditional Irish blessing from the book Earth Prayers From Around the World.
“May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunshine shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, and also a friend.
“And may the light shine out of the two eyes of you, like a candle set in the two windows of a house, bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm; and may the blessings of the rain be on you — the soft, sweet rain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up and shed their sweetness on the air. And may the blessings of the Great Rains be on you, may they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star.
“And may the blessing of the Earth be on you — the great round earth; may you ever have a kindly greeting for those you pass as you’re along the roads. may the earth be soft under you when you rest upon it, tired at the end of a day, and may it rest easy over you when at the last, you lay out under it; may it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be off from under it quickly and up and off, and on its way to God. And now may the Lord bless you all and bless you kindly.”
2. Approval of Minutes of February 16, 2024 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the February minutes.
3. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford, Renee Cote
The State of Society Report was read aloud. The report that was read differed from the report that was distributed in advance of the meeting; it included modification of the last paragraph.
Suggestions were made to spell out acronyms, e.g., LACO. as well as a few others. All changes to the Report are included in the attachment.
Meeting approved the report, with gratitude.
4. Statistical Report— Sarah Sprogell
The Statistical Report was reviewed (see attachment). A question was asked about financial contributions to New England Yearly Meeting and the connection to the number of members. There is no longer a per head requirement for the Meeting contribution to NEYM.
Looking at Yearly Meeting records for trends, the YM is losing about 1.5% of its membership every year, and at Durham Friends Meeting, we are on that trend line. This is true of most YMs in the US. We review our annual budget and consider our YM contribution every year.
Meeting accepted the report, with gratitude.
5. Trustees Report —Sarah Sprogell
The Gathering Room and kitchen need new light fixtures. A very reasonable quote was offered, slightly more than $2,000, for replacing all the lights, including the lights for the Exit signs. Bulbs will be replaced with LEDs.
Meeting approved this expenditure, coming from the capital fund.
6. On the use of Rachel Carey-Harper’s Donation — Linda Muller
After conducting some research, Linda Muller and Sarah Sprogell recommend the Meeting donate the remaining $1,000 (out of the original $2,000 gift) to Safe Voices, a domestic violence, direct service organization working in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin Counties. This is a geographic area of greater risk, many towns without standing police departments. Over 2,700 women were served last year.
Meeting heartily approved this contribution.
Rachel has asked us to view a website called Healing Voices, which she is involved in creating. Information will be included in the April newsletter.
7. 250th Anniversary Celebration —Ellen Bennett
A proposal was made to spend, from communications line in the budget, up to $250 for a banner for the horse shed. Communications committee will research this and get back to the Meeting.
Possible event dates to celebrate our 250th are an event in July, one in October, and a lecture to be given in concert with the Durham Historical Society.
8. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
No report.
Donations will be gratefully accepted to help defray the cost of framing the Wabanaki posters that will hang in the Vestry/Gathering room. In addtion, the request was made to check out the website to read about LD 958 that concerns eminent domain and Wabanaki lands.
9. Library — Dorothy Hinshaw
The request was made to increase this year’s budgeted amount to $300, in part to renew the Meeting’s Pendle Hill pamphlet subscription and to purchase pamphlets not currently in our library. It was suggested that the library budget line be charged, and if we go over budget for this year, it tells us something — overages can provide important information — as we prepare future budgets.
Meeting accepted this approach.
10. Makers Cafe Update — Outreach Committee members
As a Maker Cafe group, we would like to continue to host these events, beyond the initial three as a trial run, and ask for approval to continue.
Meeting approved continuing the Maker Cafés.
11. Other Business
The request was made to honor Gabriel’s first birthday this month, with a cake and singing. Someone will check with Laura and Ezra for the best Sunday to do this.
12. Closing Worship
Clerk closed with a blessing by Diane Neu, from Earth Prayers from Around the World.
Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.
Blessed be these hands that have touched life.
Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity.
Blessed be these hands that have held pain.
Blessed be these hands that have embraced with passion.
Blessed be these hands that have ended gardens.
Blessed be these hands that have closed in anger.
Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds.
Blessed be these hands that have harvested ripe fields.
Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed.
Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age.
Blessed be these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice.
Blessed be these hands that have reached out and been received.
Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future.
Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, February 16, 2025, with 15 people in attendance by Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening:
Clerk opened the meeting with a prayer by Howard Thurman.
Open unto me — light for my darkness
Open unto me — courage for my fear.
Open unto me — hope for my despair.
Open unto me — joy for my sorrow.
Open unto me — strength for my weakness.
Open unto me — wisdom for my confusion.
Open unto me — forgiveness for my sins.
Open unto me — tenderness for my toughness.
Open unto me — love for my hates.
Open unto me — Thy Self for my self.
Lord, Lord, open unto me! Amen.
2. Approval of Minutes of January 2025 – Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the January minutes.
3. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote
After positive responses to retreat, the M&C proposes holding another retreat in September. This will be discussed again at a future meeting.
Brown Lethem is asking to transfer his Meeting membership to Claremont.
It was proposed that April’s monthly meeting for business be moved from the 20th, which is Easter, to the 27th.
Meeting approved moving the date of meeting for business.
4. $2000 Gift allocation — Nancy Marstaller
The Meeting received a $2,000 gift from Rachel Kerry. She expressed a desire that the money support people who are affected by the ways in which our government is no longer funding organizations, e.g., immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+, Women’s shelters, etc. The money may be given to more than one organization.The suggestion was made that a portion of the funds go to domestic violence survivors. Several people spoke in support of giving to MEIRS today, the need being immediate. Clerk proposed giving $1,000 to MEIRS today, and return next month to discuss allocation of the remainder.
Meeting approved this proposal.
5. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Please see attached report. Gratitude was expressed for the ongoing work of Trustees.
6. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see attached report. Note that while the mission of the committee is unchanged, the focus of the committee has shifted some of its attention to participating in the Portage Mapping Project in Brunswick.
The fourth Sunday book group that started last month is continuing and is a benefit to the meeting. Please notes that this is an activity that could be overseen by any group or committee.
The Social Justice Book project may be affected by the decrease in funding from the US Department of Education.
7. Finance Annual Report — Doug Bennett
Please see attached report. There are four points to keep in mind regarding Meeting finances:
Suggestion was made that the Meeting articulate to all the importance of weekly contributions. Start passing the plate again!
8. Makers Cafe update — Ellen Bennett. Craig Freshley
Good session last month with Nancy Marstaller, and excited about this upcoming session with Emily Bell-Hoerth. We welcome ideas! It’s all about building community. And we are all grateful.
9. Other business
An observation: Recently we’ve had visitors to the Meeting who are interested in finding out more about Durham Friends. Things are “bubbling” around us.
For discussion at the next meeting for business, Meeting member Joyce Gibson offered the following:
1. She now has time to be more engaged in the meeting, 2. is missing adult Christian education, 3. and is interested in documenting who we are as a Meeting and our Quaker history. She is asking M&C to think about how we might approach furthering our education about who we are as Quakers and would like others to work with.
Clerk ask that we close with prayers of gratitude and hope, and reread the Howard Thurman prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The Agenda and materials for the February 16, 2025 Durham Friends business meeting are HERE.
Agenda for February 16, 2025 Durham Friends Monthly Meeting
1. Decide if we want to continue to meet today or postpone until next week (considering if people have power and any are able to join by zoom) – Clerk, Nancy Marstaller
2. Approve January 19, 2025 business meeting minutes
3. Ministry & Counsel report- Tess Hartford or Renee Cote: action item, move monthly meeting in April to the 27th, as the 20th is Easter
4. Nancy Marstaller- $2000 has been gifted to the Meeting specifically to use for people in this area who are struggling or may struggle due to our government’s policy changes, especially for work with immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people, or those who’ve suffered domestic and/or sexual abuse. Several people have suggested the Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services, as they have lost federal funding. We do not have to give all to one group. Looking for suggestions and possible action.
5. Trustees Annual report- Sarah Sprogell, no action item
6. Peace & Social Concerns annual report- Ingrid Chalufour, no action item
7. Finance Annual report- Doug Bennett, no action item
8. Makers Café update- Ellen Bennett
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, January 19, 2025, with eleven people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and three by Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening:
Clerk Nancy Marstaller opened the meeting with a reading by Thomas Kelly.
And the third step in holy obedience, or cousel, is this: If you slip and stumble
and forget God for an hour, and assert your old proud self, and rely upon your own
clever wisdom, don’t spend too much time in anguised regrets and self-accusations,
but begin again, just where you are.
Yet a fourth consideration in holy obedience is this: Don’t grit your teeth
and clench your fists and say, “I will! I will!” Relax. Take hands off. Submit
yourself to God. Learn to live in the passive voice — a hard saying for modern
man — and let life be willed through you. For “I will” spells not obedience.
2. Approval of Minutes of December 2024 – Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the December minutes.
3. Rotation of Clerks
Clerk reviewed the rotation of Clerks through 2025.
Nancy Marstaller: January, February, March
Sarah Sprogell: April, May, June
Tess Hartford/Renee Cote: July, August, September
Ingrid Chalufour: October, November, December
4. Nominating Report — Wendy Schlotterbeck
Regarding term limits, for this year, people will be asked if they would like to continue their committee work through 2025. Going forward, three-year terms will resume with people being asked at the end of each term if they would be willing to continue. This is an issue that will be talked about at the retreat to be held February 8th.
Additional retreat topics will include the number of standing committees, Meeting priorities, and how we can best continue our work and meet our needs without overtaxing people.
The full list of position and committee responsibilities within the Meeting was read. Please see attached.
Meeting approved the list of Meeting members, committee assignments, and responsibilities for 2025.
Meeting approved the addition of Martha Hinshaw-Sheldon as member of the nominating committee.
Note: If anyone has suggestions about the upcoming retreat, please contact Renee, Tess or Leslie. Further information about the retreat will be added to the Meeting website.
5. Clerks Group Meeting Care Coordinator Recommendation.
As approved at the December Meeting for Business, the clerks’ group met and agreed to bring forward the recommendation that the position of Meeting Care Coordinator continue through 2025.
Meeting approved the clerks recommendation, with gratitude.
6. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford
The position of Meeting Care Coordinator (MCC) was reviewed.
The MCC Oversight Committee consists of representatives from M&C, the Communication Committee, and Peace and Social Concerns: Renee Cote, Doug Bennett, and Ingrid Chalufour.
The MCC Care and Accountability Committee consists of Linda Muller, Martha Hinshaw Sheldon, and Joyce Gibson.
Meeting approved a process reviewing and approving the MCC position at the December meeting — first to have M&C review and recommend the continuation of the position itself, and second to have the Oversight Committee recommend an individual to take on the MCC responsibilities.
Meeting approved the proposal for M&C make its recommendation no later than November.
Meeting approved the proposal for the Oversight Committee to make its recommendation no later than November.
Meeting approved Leslie Manning continue as MCC for 2025
The ability of Meeting attendees to hear what is being said was discussed. The recommendation was made to start with a podium microphone to see if it is adequate to address the issue of being heard, both in the meeting-room as well as on Zoom. It was also noted that speakers need to be reminded to speak within the circle outlined on the floor, not down or into a book, and to project. It was agreed to test a podium mike at the 1/27 meeting, which while unprogrammed, may give us a sense of the usefulness of a microphone.
7. Makers Group Report — Doug Bennett
Mission of Makers Group was discussed, reinforcing its goal of outreach to the wider community, providing a screen-free place to interact and enjoy broadening our community of friends.
8. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Ingrid read the report.Please see report.
9. Trustees — Sarah Sprogell
Please see report. Clerks recommended giving prior approval to Trustees to give the piano to another person if so asked.
Meeting approved this recommendation
Sarah Sprogell remains the contact for cemetery issues.
10. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
There was no monthly report. The annual report for 2024 will be brought to the February Meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The agenda and materials for the January 19, 2025 Durham Friends Business Meeting are HERE.
Jan. 19, 2025 MM Agenda
Approve last month’s minutes (December 15, 2024)
Approve rotation of clerks
Nominating report
Retreat update
Clerks group recommendation re continuing MCC position this year
Ministry and Counsel
Makers Café group report
Peace and social concerns
Trustees
Finance
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, December 15, 2024, with twelve people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and four by Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening:
Ingrid Chalufouropened the meeting with a moment of silence, followed by the introduction of guest Shirley Hager. Shirley joined the meeting to answer questions about a proposed Wabanaki Elder in Residence Program. There was a question about role of the University of Maine, as an institution, in support of the program. The response was that everyone has been verbally very supportive. Moreover, the institution will take no money for overhead costs. There is a Wabanaki Center on the U. Maine campus that would be the location of the Elder program. Will funding to support this come from the world beyond Quakerism? The plan is to start with Quaker Meeting support, and then expand outward. There has already been funding success from individuals outside the world of Quakers..
Discussion was followed by a reading from Active Hope: What. is Active Hope?
“The word hope has. two different meanings. The first involves hopefulness, where our preferred outcomes seem reasonably likely to happen. If we require this kind of hope before we commit ourselves to an action, our response gets blocked in areas where we don’t rate our chances high….
“The second meaning is about desire…. It is this kind of hope that starts our journey – knowing what we hope for and what we’d like, or love, to take place. It is what we do with this hope that really makes the difference. Passive hope is about waiting for external agencies to bring about what we desire. Active Hope is about becoming active participants in bringing about what we hope for.
“Active Hope is a practice. Like tai chi or gardening, it is something we do rather than have. It is a process we can apply to any situation….”
from Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone
2. Approval of Minutes of November 2024 – Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the November minutes.
3. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
Last month’s proposal to move $3,600 from checking to the Sister Meeting Fund to help pay for our travelers to go to Cuba, and carry the maximum donation allowable, was reviewed.
Meeting approved the transfer of funds.
The proposed 2025 budget was reviewed, noting changes from last month that included: putting $3,600 in Sister Meeting fund, correcting facility insurance and Quickbooks on line amounts, and removing the cost of binding meeting minutes that will most likely happen in 2027.
Meeting approved the budget
4. Woman’s Society —Dorothy Curtis
Two months ago, a request was brought forward to spend $500 to support the girls’ education fund in Kenya. The request was brought forward again.
Meeting approved the request.
The Memorial Minute for Kitsie Hildebrand was read.
Meeting approved the minute, with gratitude.
5. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
First item brought forward concerns the piano in the Gathering/Community Room. There has been some interest shown in moving the piano to a local classroom. Discussion followed, sharing ideas about the history and potential use of the piano.
The recommendation was made to let this issue season and review it again in January.
Meeting approved this recommendation.
Update on disbursement of Eileen Babcock bequest. The Meeting will now need an attorney familiar with probate court to work on this matter. Please see report.
6. Ad Hoc Outreach Group Report – Doug Bennett
A summary of the first Makers event was shared. Twenty people enjoyed wreath-making and one-another’s company. There are plans for Maker Sessions in Jan., Feb., and Mar. The group debriefed and will meet again before the January event. The next Maker’s Cafe will take place January 23rd.
7. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please refer to the report. Clerk of the committee lifted up the overwhelming support from the Brunswick Schools’ Chief Academic Officer and Principal for bringing Wabanaki Studies to all 37 classrooms at the Kate Furbish School. This is the early childhood version of the “Peace Curriculum” described by Colman McCarthy:
“Give peace a chance, yes, but why not get serious and give it a place in the curriculum: peace courses in every school, every grade, every nation. Unless we teach our children peace, someone else will teach them violence.”
8. Bob Eaton and Wendy Batson’s transfer request
Meeting accepted, with regret, the transfer to Brunswick Friends Meeting
9. Extending Leslie Manning’s Meeting Care Coordinator work
Clerks recommend extending Leslie’s work as MCC through 2025. Two questions are important to drive this process: Do we want to continue the position of MCC? And if so, who should fill that role? It was proposed that Clerks bring the recommendation this year, to continue the position, and that the MCC oversight committee bring a recommendation to have Leslie continue in this role in 2025.
The Meeting approved this process for this year.
Regarding process, there is nothing in the job description, currently, that indicates the position would be reviewed each year. M&C is asked to consider amending the job description to include regular review and bring it back to Meeting for approval.
10. Other Business/ Clerk Schedule for 2025
Linda Muller is stepping out as Clerk of the Nominating Committee. Best practice is to have at least three members make up the Nominating Committee. Members of this committee are proposed and approved by Monthly Meeting.
M&C has continued discussion about setting aside a day for a spiritual retreat. Current proposed dates are Feb. 8/9. They will be continuing this conversation.
Note that Brown Lethem will ask to transfer his membership to Claremont Meeting.
There was a recent request from a member to share their individual joy/concern to the person next to them, rather than to entire Meeting. Another suggestion is to establish prayer partnerships and re-establishing a prayer box. M&C will consider these requests and bring recommendations.
In lieu of filling the role of Meeting Clerk for 2025, the Clerks’ group propose continuing rotating clerks every three months.
Meeting approved this schedule.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The agenda and materials for the December 15, 2024 Durham Friends Business Meeting can be found HERE.
Agenda – December 15, 2024, Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends
2. Approval of November Minutes
3. Finance Committee Report
4. Woman’s Society: Kitsie’s Memorial Minute and request for $500 for the Kenyan woman’s education program
5. Trustee’s report
6. Ad Hoc Outreach Group report
7. Peace & Social Concerns report
8. Bob and Wendy Eaton’s transfer request
9. Extending Leslie Manning’s work as Meeting Care Coordinator
Clerking for the next year and a suggested schedule
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends DRAFT Minutes, November 17, 2024, Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, November 17, 2024, with 15 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse.
1. Meeting Opening
To open the meeting, Ingrid Chalufour, Clerk, read the following:
When you act on behalf We just need to practice knowing that
of something greater than yourself, and remembering that we are sustained
you begin by each other
to feel it acting through you in the web of life.
with a power that is greater than your own. Our true power comes as a gift, like grace,
because in truth it is sustained by others.
This is grace.
Today, as we take risks If we practice drawing on the wisdom
for the sake of something greater and beauty
than our separate, individual lives, and strengths
we are feeling graced of our fellow human beings
by other beings and the Earth itself. and our fellow species
we can go into any situation
Those with whom and on whose behalf we act and trust
give us strength that the courage and intelligence required
and eloquence will be supplied.
and staying power
we didn’t know we had. Joanna Macy, “Grace and the Great Turning,”
2. Approval of Minutes of October 2024 — Sarah Sprogell* (October recording clerk pro tem)
Meeting approved the October minutes.
3. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
b. Proposed 2025 Budget: Think about funding for travelers to Cuba and material supplies that may go, e.g., medical supplies and tech. Right now, there is enough money in the account to pay for the three travelers’ basic expenses, and almost enough to cover $3600 donation for each traveler to carry. In the future, would like to have money remaining in the account to build for the upcoming February trip.
c. Suggestion for an approach to budgeting for funding items outside of the operating budget (Please see report). Specifically consider approaches for annual capital and charity expenses. It was suggested that we think not of limits for charity and capital accounts, but thresholds, not a ceiling but a floor.
Finance committee proposes adding more money to the Sister Meeting account this year. Also, increasing the amount budgeted in 2025. Idea: Separate travel money from donation money, and fund to ensure that travelers can take the total of $3,600 each for donations for future trips.
The proposal was made to put $3,600 in Sister Meeting Account both for this year and for next year. Meeting will sit with these proposals to be discussed again in December.
4. Makers Ad Hoc Committee — Craig Freshley
The proposal to support the Makers activities was made at an earlier meeting: both the use of the Meetinghouse space and $1,000 for an 18-month trial period, plus $200 for signage. Finance suggested the $1000 come from the charity account and for the sign from our maintenance and supplies budget. The charity account has also been used to support leadings for ministry and outreach, and this fits that category well.
Meeting approved use of $1,000 from the Charity Account and $200 for the sign from our maintenance and supplies budget.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote (co-Clerk)
No action items. Renee referenced the Winthrop Friends Guidelines about Winthrop’s new worship practice since they no longer have a pastor that was brought to our attention by Sarah Sprogell. We are reviewing the guidelines (and the brochure). Martha Sheldon has made suggestions for updating our brochure, as well. Will send current information around for people to see.
6. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
No action items. Please see report.
7. Nominating Committee — Wendy Schlotterbeck
Please see report. Note particularly the idea of convening a day-long retreat to do some celebration and some visioning moving forward.
8. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see report for description of full array of activities undertaken by this committee. Request that the meeting provide a letter of support to apply for funding from Obadiah Brown foundation. M&C Clerk, Renee Cote, agreed to write the letter.
9. Items of Interest
10. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends
Agenda – November 17, 2024
Ingrid Chalufour, Clerk
The agenda and materials for the September 2024 Durham Friends Business Meeting can be found here.
Agenda for Durham Friends Monthly Meeting for Business, October 20, 2024
Acting Clerk, Tess Hartford
a) Ministry and Council- co-clerk Renee Cote
b) Trustees – Sarah Sprogell
c) Peace and Social Concerns – Ingrid Chalifour – no formal report, but many things in progress
d) Finance- no formal report, but a few action items
e) Request for support for the ad hoc committee created for Outreach Activities
DRAFT, September 15, 2024
Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, September 15, 2024,
with 6 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and 2 via Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening
Tess Hartford, serving as Clerk of the meeting, opened the meeting with thanks for another beautiful day for gathering followed by a moment of silence.Followed by a reading:
Quoted from the “Wisdom of Yogananda, volume 7”
Give to God not only the good that you do, but also the bad. I do not mean that you should deliberately do things that are wrong. But when you cannot help yourself because of too-strong habits, feel that God is acting through you. Make HIM responsible. He likes that!
It is He after all, who has dreamed your existence. You have merely hypnotized yourself with the thought of your weaknesses. If you make the Lord responsible for your weaknesses, it will help you break the false hold they have on your imagination. You’ll find it easier, then, to recognize in yourself the perfect image of God.
As long as you are making the effort, God will never let you down!
2. Approval of Minutes of July 2024 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the minutes.
3. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Meeting Care Coordinator Support Committee will discuss publishing an MCC report for a wider audience, quarterly, via the newsletter
A Meeting representative to LACO was discussed, stepping in for the current representative who will be stepping off after the October meeting. Kim Bolshaw requested information so that she might attend the October meeting.
A listening session is scheduled for September 22nd, at the rise of meeting, pertaining to technology during meeting for worship.
4 Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
The committee report was read aloud. In addition, the committee hopes to get social justice book/Wabanaki reading materials into every classroom at the Kate Furbish Elementary School in Brunswick.
Connecting with the Durham elementary school was discussed. A meeting member has contacts at the Durham elementary school and offered to facilitate a connection. It was noted that it is important to strengthen our ties to Durham and Lisbon. The Meeting’s 250th anniversary celebration is one avenue to do this, and representatives from the town of Durham have been receptive to initial inquiries about collaboration around this milestone. It was noted that many students from Durham go on to Freeport HS.
The question arose as how DFM came to occupy/own the land the Meetinghouse sits on. Historical deeds for the meetinghouse property are available that may provide some answers to this question. It is a something to highlight for the anniversary celebration
5. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
Looking at the financial report, the largest concern is that weekly contributions are down significantly. The question was raised: Is second quarter income from these contributions typically low? It was suggested that the newsletter include a note to encourage continued weekly giving. The mentions should also highlight the fact that automatic monthly donation are an easy way to support the Meeting, and forms to initiate this are available via Sarah. It was suggested that a “one click” option, via technology, be explored.
There is $7,000+ in charity account. The Meeting agreed to propose ongoing support through Friends United Meeting for the Turkana and Samburu Friends Missions in the amount of $100/month for one year, for a total of $1200. This proposal will be be revisited for approval at the October meeting for business.
The Meeting expressed its deep appreciation to Nancy Marstaller for overseeing the work on the budget. Finding a Treasurer that has the financial background and skill set to pick up this work is important.
6 Trustees Report — Kim Bolshaw
Report was read aloud.
Doug Bennett gave an update on the settlement of the Eileen Babcock estate. The financing for a lawyer, should it be needed, has been approved.
7. Other Business
Announcement: MCC stipend is being used to support Friends’ initiatives. Some funding is going to support Anna Fritz, accomplished musician from Multnomah Meeting.Anna is on tour to provide performances for prison inmates. Anna will be in Maine in October, performing a contemporary version of the Iliad. Two community performances will be held in the area, one at the Friends School of Portland and the other at the UU Church in Rockland.
8. Closing Worship
Clerk expressed gratitude to those in attendance for service to the Meeting, followed by closing silent worship.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Attachments: https://www.durhamfriendsmeeting.org/?p=7184
The agenda and materials for the September 2024 Durham Friends Business Meeting can be found here.
Agenda
Agenda for Durham Friends Business Meeting September 15, 2024
Clerk, Tess Hartford
1) Meeting Opening
2) Approval of Minutes of July 21, 2024
3) Committee Reports
M&C
PS&C
Finance
Trustees
4) Other business
5) Closing Worship
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, July 21, 2024, with 10 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and one attending by Zoom. Tess Hartford clerked the meeting.
Meeting approved Tess Hartford as Clerk of July Monthly Meeting for the conduct of business.
2. Meeting Opening
To continue Meeting for Worship, Clerk read from the book “Christian Meditation” by James Finley. Harper Collins, 2004.:
“Saint Paul writes in his Letter to the Philippians, ‘In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 2:5). We become the same as Christ Jesus in our minds through a lifelong process of conversion in which Christ’s mind and our mind become one mind, one way of seeing and being in the world. The faithful practice of meditation is a way of learning to follow the spirit’s prompting in being led along this self-transforming path into the mind of Christ. Let us then explore the ways in which we enter Christ’s mind in meditation. Such an inquiry will take us into the innermost recesses of Christian faith. These inner recesses consist of neither beliefs nor institutional structures, but rather a self-transforming journey into the vibrant center of reality itself As our inquiry unfolds, a portrait of Christ will emerge in which we can recognize our own true face as one destined by God to be one with God forever.” pp. 175
3. Approval of Minutes of June 16 2024 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the minutes of the June meeting for business.
4. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote
Renee summarized the meeting for worship schedule for message-givers and Zoom availability for the next several weeks.
Discussion ensued about a memorial service for Lyn Clark. Considered were a special meeting, a meeting for remembrance in October for all who have passed, and honoring Lyn as part of a regular unprogrammed meeting for worship. It was agreed to note particularly what Barbara Simon had written and read to us about Lyn. The unprogrammed Meeting scheduled for August 25 was lifted up as a possibility that included inviting Barbara Simon and asking person responsible for Care of Worship to read her statement at the start of meeting.
Meeting approved M&C continuing their discussion of this, as well as the handling of memorial meetings/services in general.
M&C was asked to talk to individuals about what they would like regarding their own memorial gathering/meeting.
5. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Sarah read the Trustee Report aloud.
Trustees are asking for approval to continue their work with respect to the bequest of an estate of a former member. Trustees are also asking for approval, should it be necessary, to use up to $10,000 to pay for legal representation in pursuit of this matter. Trustees will seek out all avenues to resolve the situation before turning to hiring an attorney.
Meeting approved that Trustees continue to pursue the matter.
Meeting approved use funds up to $10,000, if necessary.
Clerk reaffirmed the Meeting’s trust in Trustees, and asked for prayers for their continuing efforts.
In addition, a member expressed gratitude to Sarah Sprogell, which the Meeting shared, for her attention to the condition of our beloved Meetinghouse.
6. Other Business
For everyone’s information, Ellen described the formation of an ad hoc event-planning working group. The group was asked to remember logistics, specifically with respect to the meeting calendar!
Meeting agreed that any members of Durham Friends Meeting who attend business sessions at NEYM be considered representatives of the Meeting.
The next business meeting will be held September 16th.
7. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Materials for the July 21, 2024 Meeting for Worship for Business can be found HERE (to be posted by Friday evening).
AGENDA FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS FOR DURHAM FRIENDS MONTHLY MEETING
1) Approval needed for Tess Hartford to Clerk the Monthly Meeting for July through September
Tess will offer an opening prayer/reading for Worship
2) Approve June 16, 2024 Business Meeting Minutes. Any additions, questions or corrections?
3) Report from Ministry and Counsel
4) Report from Trustees
5) Finance committee and Peace and Social Concerns do not have reports this month
6) Other business
7) Close with waiting worship
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with 9 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and one attending by Zoom. Sarah Sprogell clerked the meeting.
1. Meeting Opening: Gathering, Centering and Opening Reading
Clerk opened the meeting by reading a portion of an obituary of a life-long member of Durham Friends Meeting, Ercil Perreault, (joined 12/19/1951), who passed away in 2020. The following lovely text was authored by her husband.
“Ercil L. Perreault passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Brentwood Nursing Home… Born at Mrs Smart’s Nursing Home on Longfellow Avenue, Brunswick, to Ira d. White and Marie E. (Shea) White on Sept. 14, 1938, premature and ready to make life better for other people. Although short (4 feet 11 inches) Ercil stood tall in life with a heart of gold, loving all of God’s creations; humans, animals and birds. Ercil never hated nor spoke ill-will of anyone. A lifelong member of the Durham Friends Meeting House, she was always appreciative of her very strong religious and parental upbringings…. Ercil applied and was accepted as Secretary of Brunswick High School Athletic Director, a job she truly loved so she could be of help to all BHS athletes, and especially those with financial needs. She retired after 20 years in the job…. She was a true outdoor person. Ercil was brought up to learn to accept what is presented in life and to make the best of it, and keep going. Ercil is survived by her husband, William R. “Bill” Perreault [whom] she married in 1957; her sons, Stephen M., Dale W. and john M. Perreault…. Ercil’s final desire was to be cremated with her remains spread at her most loved deep woods camp in Jackman and also in her parent burial plot at the Lunt Cemetery on the Lunt Road in Brunswick… Ercil was a very shy, warm, caring, loving person who in a positive way ad a strong influence in other people’s lives. A very unique person walked on the face of the earth.”
2. Approval of Minutes of May 2024 — Ellen Bennett
Recommended clarifying addition to item 7.
With the addition, Meeting approved the minutes.
3. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote, Tess Hartford
M&C proposed cancelling meeting for business in August.
Meeting approved not holding meeting for business in August.
Discussed reserving space for people who wish to separate and wear masks while in Meeting.
Meeting approved removing signs for designated area, and remaining alert to any changes which may prompt us to return to signage.
Discussed the use of Zoom during meeting. Suggest not using the projector during June and July, e.g., turn off projector after first hymn, and turn it back on for joys and concerns. Threshing session scheduled for September 22. Please see report.
Meeting approved experimenting with turning off the projector for a portion of the Meeting, as well as the possibility of setting up a TV monitor to both cancel projector noise and cast a smaller image. For July 14 and 21, the projector will be turned off at a time M&C suggests. M&C will come up with a schedule and proposal for experimentation for August.
FWCC has announced an outreach-oriented Quaker Connect Program, with the possibility of grants to participating meetings. To provide a basis for further discussion of this possibility, a web address for the project information will be included in the next newsletter, on the website, and in the weekly “This Week at…”
4. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
The committee highlighted this summer’s primary activity, which is the work involved in establishing an ad hoc committee of the Town Council of Brunswick. The overall purpose of this new committee is to lift up the history and culture of the Wabanaki in various ways, such as in the naming of parks. A preliminary gathering will take place on 7/17, the purpose of which is to generate a draft of a mission statement and discuss the process the ad hoc committee will use to do its work. The actual ad hoc committee will be formed after the meeting. There has been a tremendous amount of interest and many have indicated that they wish to attend this first meeting. Please see report.
5 Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Please see report. Update only.
6. Other
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services (MEIRS) has extended an invitation to Durham Meeting to attend their gala celebration, and they’ve indicated that meeting members may attend as their guests. On July 12.
There is an opening for care of worship on June 30.
Please consider the emotional, as well as the technical aspects of Zoom during meeting.
7. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The agenda and materials for the June 16, 2024 business meeting for Durham Friends can be found here.
AGENDA, June 16, 2024, Monthly Meeting for Business
Gather and Center
Opening Reading
Approval of Minutes for May Monthly Meeting for Business
Ministry and Counsel – Renee Cote
Peace and Social Concerns – Ingrid Chalufour
Trustees – Sarah Sprogell
Other
Close, and wishing everyone a happy Father’s Day
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, May 19, 2024, with 12 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and one attending by Zoom. Sarah Sprogell clerked the meeting.
Clerk began the meeting reading fromthe 1985 NEYM Faith and Practice, page 113, part of the section on Meeting Leadership, entitled All Are Co-Workers:
“The membership of Friends Meeting, or the Society of Friends, is made up of persons with varying gifts or abilities. Each gift or each type of ability may be a form of ministry, and hence of leadership, and each member is a part of “the body” or the whole. Each member in the exercise of such a gift or gifts of ministry is a nurturing, functioning part of the body….
Some members have gifts of teaching and counseling, or of organization and administration, or of vocal ministry or public speaking, or other similar gifts which identify them as leaders. Members with other gifts are not simply passive followers, but all are co-workers in the care and nurture of the body and its members. And all are co-workers in witness to our faith and in the service of love and justice in the world.” – from a Pendle Hill workshop report on Friends as Leaders, 1979
2. Approval of Minutes of April 2023 — Ellen Bennett
A correction was requested in agenda item #4 Trustees’ Report: “Reports from Maine Home” should read “Maine House”.
With this correction, Meeting approved the minutes.
3. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
The Quarterly Report was presented. Contributions are on track for the first quarter. Operating expenses are less than revenue at this time due to second quarter payment of contributions to sister/quaker organizations.
Meeting accepted the Quarterly Report, with gratitude.
It was recommended that we resume regular passing of the offering plate. This topic will be taken up at Ministry and Counsel.
We canceled our employee compensation insurance as the Meeting currently has no employees, only independent contractors. Robb Spivey and Marion Dalton, conducting a financial review of Durham Meeting’s accounts, recommended consolidating some accounts to both simplify record-keeping as well as to take advantage of higher interest rates. We approved closing the Bernice Douglas Savings account (just over $12,000) and taking that money as well as $30,000 from checking and $28,000 from the capital account and moving it to our NEYM of Friends Pooled Fund account.
The estimated budget for travelers to Cuba are approximately $3,300 per traveler. Right now, $4,000 from the Meeting is available in the Sister Meeting account. Contributions from Portland Friends Meeting have brought that balance up to $13,000. Finance recommends making an additional $4,000 contribution to cover travel expenses for both Meeting members who hope to travel to Cuba next February. Overall expenses for the trip to Cuba will be brought forward at the June Meeting for Business for discussion and decision.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote
Please see attached reports.
M&C discussed the use of Zoom during Meeting for worship. In response to requests for less technology during worship, beginning in January 2024, Meeting for worship is Zoom-free on 4th and 5th Sundays. Requests for less technology continue to be made. In response, two recommendations were made: 1. try a Zoom-free September, and 2. turn off the projector after the first hymn and turn it on again for joys and concerns.
There was no unity around this issue. Clerk recommended a listening session, including evaluating the current Zoom/no Zoom Sundays each month.
Craig Freshley’s letter regarding Zoom during Meeting for worship will be posted and available through the website.
6. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see attached report.
The project to rename the park in Brunswick in recognition of the Wabanaki who first inhabited this region has gained momentum. We are working to form a town committee with the mission to expand from simple renaming to lifting up the history of the Wabanaki people. Two Town Counselors are guiding the process. A proposal will be going to the Brunswick Town Council in the Fall.
Friends had several suggestions for ways to get the word out about the very successful Social Justice Book Project publications, and the great work of this initiative via social media and at Quarterly and Yearly meetings.
The Meeting expressed its deep gratitude for the extraordinary work of Peace and Social
Concerns with this project.
7. Second consideration of divestment letter to MEPERS
Meeting approved having Clerk sign the letter on behalf of the Meeting.
8. Other Business
Update on LACO: Town has asked LACO to leave its current location because of the state of the building in which it is currently housed. While they have not yet done so, the Town is required to give LACO thirty-days’ notice in advance of a move-out date. The LACO Board is setting up a working group to explore options. The Local Baptist Church may have room for LACO. It was suggested that the Meeting write a letter in support of LACO and the importance of finding housing for the vital work it does This is a situation in flux. Note: Leslie continues as a second representative to LACO for the time being, until another Meeting member agrees to step into this role.
Doug Bennett reviewed how to view and use the Meeting calendar.
9. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Durham Friends Meeting is currently discussing whether and how it wants to continue providing access to our Sunday morning worship via Zoom. Currently we are providing Zoom access on the 1st, 2nd and 3d Sundays of each month, and no Zoom on 4th and 5th (if there is one) Sundays. (The 1st, 2nd and 3d Sundays are the ones on which we have scheduled, prepared messages as part of worship.)
What is below is an idea from member Craig Freshley regarding this matter that he sent to the Committee on Ministry and Counsel in March. Likely Ministry and Counsel will host a threshing session in the near future to hear that hopes and thoughts of all who worship at Durham Friends on this matter.
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends Meeting for Business, May 19, 2024, noon
Materials for the May 19, 2024 Business Meeting can be found HERE.
AGENDA
Gather and Centering
Opening
Approval of Minutes from April Business Meeting
Finance – Nancy Marstaller
First quarter report, attached
M&C – Renee Cote
P&SC – Ingrid Chalufour
Report attached
Second consideration of divestment letter to MEPERS
Other
Close
The Agendas and materials for the April 21, 2024 Durham Friends Business Meeting can be found HERE.
Agenda, Monthly Meeting for Business, April 21, 2024
Gather and Center
Opening
1. Approval of Minutes from March 17, 2024
2. Peace and Social Concerns – report attached
3. Trustees – report attached
4. Ministry and Counsel – report attached
5. Women’s Society – draft memorial minute for Helen Clarkson
6. Clearness Committee letters for Kristna Evans and Mimi Marstaller to travel to Cuba in 2025
7. Other
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, March 17, 2024 with 8 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and 6 attending by Zoom.
Nancy Marstaller opened the meeting with a poem “How Good to Center Down”, from the book Meditations from the Heart by Howard Thurman.
Meeting approved the February minutes.
The clerks group set up a rotation for presiding clerks for the year 2024. Clerks will preside over monthly meetings, review clerk’s mail, and be available as needed to work with members and others on issues that arise during those months. The schedule is as follows:
Jan. thru Mar. – Nancy Marstaller
April thru June – Sarah Sprogell
July thru Oct. – Tess Hartford
Nov. thru Dec. – Ingrid Chalufour
Mimi read her letter of interest, and requested a clearness committee for her intent to travel to Cuba with the Puente de Amiga delegation. The letter is attached.
Kristna was not present, but has also expressed interest in traveling with the same delegation and would like a clearness committee.
Dorothy Curtis read the memorial minute aloud. It is also available as an attachment.
Tess read the memorial minute aloud. It is also available as an attachment.
The report and letter are attached.
Ingrid gave an update on the book project. The first guidebook on creating an anti-bias classroom has been completed and sent to Martha Hinshaw Sheldon for editing. The next guidebook is in process. It focuses on how to set up a book project like this one, and will be sent to each monthly meeting within NEYM.
The session to discern FCNL priorities is rescheduled for April14 at rise of meeting.
A film titled Common Ground film will be shown at the meetinghouse on April 26 at 7pm. It is made available by Interfaith Light and Power. It explores agricultural practices that can help heal the soil, our health and the planet.
The committee is asking approval of a letter to Brunswick/Topsham Land Trust requesting their support for renaming the 250th Anniversary Park in Brunswick. Ingrid read the letter aloud. Once approved, Ingrid will send the letter via email.
The report is attached.
Nancy highlighted that our new bookkeeper, Amanda Whidden, will start this month.
The financial review for 2022 and 2023 was completed by Marian Dalton and Robb Spivey for 2022. They found that the records were in good order. They recommended some changes that will be implemented by the committee. If anyone wants to see the full report, they should contact Nancy.
The Easter Service on March 31st will include Zoom access. The program will include readings of the Easter story and related hymns.
Nancy read the State of Society Report, which included two possible opening paragraphs. The report was well-received by all. The report is attached.
Nancy read the proposal from the MCC search committee, recommending the composition and role of an oversight committee for Meeting Care Coordinator. Please see the attached report for more details.
The clearness committee for Diana White’s membership is in full support of transferring her membership from Portland Meeting to Durham. They recommend that the meeting approve her transfer. Diana was present and told us that her health has taken a serious turn, and that she will be moving in with her daughter who lives in Fayette, ME.
Leslie Manning, our Meeting Care Coordinator, drafted a proposed Minute on Palestine and Israel. Nancy read the letter aloud. It is also attached. The letter was well-received, with a few suggestions made, and some discussion that it could be too long for a letter to the editor.
Sarah reviewed the attached report, highlighting the financial review and suggestions made by Robb Spivey and Marian Dalton who carried out the review. Trustees will be following up on their suggestions.
Sarah reviewed the attached report that will also be forwarded to Quarterly Meeting and the Yearly Meeting. In 2023 we received one resignation and one new member, for a total membership of 96. Our numbers have been reducing gradually over the years, but for now are remaining relatively stable. There are usually about 20-24 members and attenders at meeting for worship in the meetinghouse and on zoom, and an average of 13 people at meeting for business.
Nancy reported that Dot says the library is running out of space. She asks that if anyone finds a book they think should be removed, please pull it out and set it aside for Dot to review.
Clerk closed with a reading from Dwight Wilson’s book Modern Psalms of Solace and Resistance. During the pandemic, Dwight wrote a psalm each day. This psalm was written on March 17.
You are a connoisseur of beauty.
May we use Your taste as our pattern.
Even Your smallest surprises bring joy.
You let them flow in rivulets instead of waiting
For days that we designate as holidays.
Patience is the key to living beside You.
Not always do we rejoice as the road turns.
But when we keep the faith,
We notice that wonderful things happen every day.
Your design shines through the darkest moments.
We celebrate Your love as we celebrate
Our lives as enthusiastic servants.
You bring eternal joy, the prize that
Mitigates meanness and transforms oppression.
Respectfully submitted by Sarah Sprogell, recording clerk pro tem.
Reports and other materials for the business meeting can be found HERE
Agenda for DMMF Monthly Meeting March 17, 2024
Opening reading
Approval of Nancy Marstaller as clerk for meeting
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, February 18, 2024, with seven people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and five attending by Zoom. Nancy Marstaller clerked the meeting.
Meeting approved Nancy Marstaller as Clerk of this meeting for business. Meeting also approved flexibility in scheduling those who will serve as Clerk to conduct meetings.
Clerk opened meeting with a reading from the Interim Faith and Practice, 2014, of New England Yearly Meeting.
“Friends express the importance of being patient, being willing to hear each other fully and openly. When we take into account our knowledge of one another in community, when we ask ourselves to listen deeply, to release our own individual opinion and surrender our individual will, we find profound connection with others and with the divine. We are all separate ingredients in a pot, each carrying our individual flavors, but simmering together until we create a flavorful soup. This unified creation can be a difficult but amazing process. It brings us closer to one another and to God.” – Mt. Toby Monthly Meeting, 2008
2. Approval of Minutes of January 2024 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the January minutes.
3. Approval of Margaret Wentworth Memorial Minute
Margaret Wentworth’s memorial minute was read aloud. Recommendations were made to add more detail about Margaret’s life outside of Durham Meeting, including her service on the Board of Lisbon Area Christian Outreach, teaching local children, and serving as select person for Lisbon.
Meeting approved the minute with the above additions/changes.
The amended minute will be distributed to Meeting members before being sent to New England Yearly Meeting.
4. Reading of Sue Wood Memorial Minute
Clerk read the first draft of Sue Wood’s Memorial Minute. It was suggested that the minute include specific birth and death dates, note that she served as co-clerk for several years, and that Sue was very good at holding a group in prayer, possessing great depth of spirit.
5. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
* 2023 End of year budget report
Summary: Operating revenue exceeded budget. Expenses were lower than budgeted, largely because the MCC position and youth minister positions were not filled. The Meeting is in good financial shape.
* 2023 Annual report
Please see attached report.
Meeting accepted the report with appreciation for the work of the committee.
6. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
M&C asked for feedback regarding Leslie Manning maintaining the DFM Facebook page. It was suggested the page be maintained for special events and services notices only. Note the DFM website has a link allowing for transfer of information from the website to a variety of social media sites.
Some members lifted up the problem of using/supporting a platform built by an organization that has shown itself to be dishonest and corrupt.
Meeting discussed the support and oversight groups for Leslie’s roles as a recorded minister, as well as Meeting Care Coordinator. The sense is that there are/should be two groups: one for Leslie’s role as a recorded minister and her ministry beyond the meeting, and one for her role as MCC. The MCC search group will bring forward a proposal for creating an oversight committee.
Meeting approved the current ministry support committee take on renewed purpose for Leslie’s work as a recorded minister. The committee will report annually for Quarterly Meeting its sense of Leslie’s ministry work. Joyce Gibson agreed to join Leslie’s support committee for ministry. This was met with great appreciation from the Meeting.
7. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
The Meeting was reminded that Trustees prioritized reducing moisture, evaluating supports under meeting room, painting the exterior of the addition, and weatherizing the exit doors as upcoming tasks.
Meeting approved Trustees using up to $3000, from the capital account, to purchase and install a commercial dehumidifier for the basement.
Meeting approved that the Clerk of Trustees initiate conversations with pertinent parties to bring the issue of Eileen Babcock’s bequest to resolution.
8. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
One addition to the submitted report was presented. A group met with Nat Shed, a Brunswick town counselor, to ask for assistance in bringing the renaming of the Brunswick park to honor the Wabanaki people back to the town council.
Meeting accepted the report with gratitude.
8. Library Committee Annual Report
Meeting accepted the report with gratitude.
9. Other Business
It was reported that our sister meeting in Velasco can no longer meet in their meeting room due to rotting beams. Friends from Falmouth Quarter will be headed back to Cuba in July. Between now and then, the Meeting is asked to assist Velasco Meeting in finding what can be done to ensure that their meeting space is safe and secure. Important, as well, to confer with FWCC as to the best way to be helpful.
10. Closing Worship
Clerk closed the meeting with worship and a reading from the Interim Faith and Practice.
“Spiritual discernment seems to flourish best from this contemplative, reflective, nonlinear state of mind, which is a wide, non-judgmental, almost non-attached but very alert attentiveness. Being in the Mind of Christ, however, does not mean being “spaced out,” for the analytic faculties are not suppressed; they are cushioned by a more vast mind which takes all things into account. Indeed, our analytical faculties are at least as sharp, if not sharper, in the Mind of Christ than they are at other times; the difference is that there we know that we are not just our surface mind, as we Westerners tend to assume, and the difference is that this surface mind is no longer the master, but the tool, of the more integrated person we become in the Mind of Christ.” — Bill Taber, 1985
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The agenda, reports and other materials for the February 18, 2024 business meeting of Durham Monthly Meeting can be found HERE
Agenda for DMMF Monthly Meeting Feb. 2024
Opening reading
Approval of Nancy Marstaller as clerk for meeting
Reports and Other materials for the business meeting can be found at this site.
Agenda for Durham Monthly Meeting Jan. 21, 2024 1. Opening 2. Approval of last month’s minutes 3. Finance Committee report with action items 4. Woman’s Society Charity Fund request for Warm Thy Neighbor - 2nd approval 5. Ministry and Counsel Margaret Wentworth memorial minute 6. Trustees Annual Report 7. Peace & Social Concerns Annual Report, updates 8. Website 2023 Report 9.Nominating Committee report Resignation of individual
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, December 17, 2023, with 11 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk played a recording of Peace of the Earth — a Guatemalan hymn, followed by silent gathering. There were no additions or corrections to the agenda.
2. Approval of Minutes of November 2023 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the minutes of the November meeting.
3. Finances — Nancy Marstaller
a. Finance Committee: The committee brought forward the proposed budget for 2024 for a second reading and approval. Changes from the first reading include: increasing the income from weekly contributions; Peace and Social Concerns carry-over grant revenue was moved to operating income and then expensed out; money allocated for Wabanaki Reach was moved to an operating expense line and will be identified for land reparations, and custodian salary was increased. The result is a deficit budget now reduced to $544.
Meeting approved the 2024 budget.
b. Woman’s Society: To continue the tradition of annual support to area organizations, Woman’s Society would like the Meeting to consider giving $1,000 from the charity account, to Warm Thy Neighbor, administered through Tedford Housing in this area.
Meeting approved this first request.
4. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Visiting committee is considering Diana White’s transfer of membership from Portland to Durham.
Renee read the minute from M&C concerning Mey Hasbrook’s resignation:
“At Monthly Meeting on October 15, 2023, Mey Hasbrook’s letter of resignation was accepted. The final meeting encouraged by Monthly Meeting did not take place when Mey objected to the number of persons that would be present and refused to meet. During her time with Durham Friends Meeting, at the time of her resignation, and in an email in November, Mey made a number of allegations of harm that were circulated within and outside the Meeting. Ministry & Counsel investigated these allegations and found that they have no basis in fact. We are very sorry for the distress that these allegations have caused and ask that we continue to hold all involved in prayer. We remain available to respond to questions and concerns, as confidentiality allows.
Meeting accepted this report with gratitude for the hard work of Ministry and Counsel.
5. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Update report available on the website.
6. Nominating Committee — Linda Muller
Highlighting updates on DMMF committee assignments, please see attachment. The Committee will be considering a Music Committee.
Meeting expressed its great appreciation for the committee and for the work that it, with Linda as clerk, has done.
7. New Business
Approval of Positions in lieu of Officers: Clerk recommends that the duties traditionally done by the Clerk and the Treasurer are delineated and assigned, regardless of who is occupying those positions. Specifically, “that the Clerk of Trustees be named as Acting Clerk for the purposes of contracts and other Meeting business and that the Clerk of Finance be named as Acting Treasurer, as needed…”
Meeting approved this proposal, with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
Meeting Care Coordinator: Clerk left the room. Tess Hartford was approved as interim Clerk for this portion of the meeting. Renee read the report of the MCC search committee.
Meeting approved Leslie Manning as MCC beginning January1, 24, a position described in the document dated February 2023.
The question of oversight and support will be taken up in concert with Leslie. The Search Committee for this position will make a recommendation as to the composition of the support/oversight committee for the MCC at the next meeting for business.
8. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The Reports and other materials for this Meeting for worship for business can be found here.
Proposed Agenda for Monthly Meeting, 12/17/24
Opening Worship
Approval of November 2023 Minutes
Finance Committee Report and Requests
Second Reading of the Budget
Ministry and Counsel Report
Trustees Report
Nominating Committee Report
New Business
Approval of Positions in lieu of Officers
Meeting Care Coordinator
Closing Worship
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, November 19, 2023, with people 11 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and two via Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting by reading a prayer by Rabbi Irwin Keller, a prayer he wrote ten days after the attack on Israel by Hamas. The prayer is available to read through the Meeting website.
2. Review Agenda
There were no changes to the agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of October 2023 — Ellen Bennett
The October minutes were approved.
4. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
The 3rd quarter budget report was presented. Overall, we are in fine shape. Revenue is slightly lower in weekly contributions, but is offset by increased revenue in other categories, for example receipt of grant funding for Peace and Social Concerns.
With respect to operating expenses, we are under budget because not all committees have used their money, no children asked for scholarships for camp, and two positions have not been filled.
Meeting accepted the third quarter budget report.
Reviewing the 2024 proposed budget, revenue has been decreased due to the drop in weekly contributions. Most other sources of revenue stay the same.
Budgeted 2024 Operating expenses remain the same with the addition of a childcare worker. A contribution to Wabanaki REACH was added. In addition, annual contribution to the Yearly Meeting was increased.
The 2024 proposed budget ends with a deficit of $1,655. It was noted that the Meeting has not yet taken a distribution from the Parsonage Fund, so this may be possible if needed.
Discussion followed concerning the inclusion of Wabanaki Reach in the budget alongside other Quaker organizations. The dollar amount is not a concern. The Meeting could consider the contribution as addressing reparations and place the expense alongside other Physical Plant expenses. The budget will be brought back next month for approval.
5. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Kim Bolshaw read the attached report, which includes two requests: One for Wabanaki Reach (as noted in the proposed 2024 budget) and the second for $500 for AFSC’s Gaza emergency fund. Funds from AFSC would come from charity account. Given the need in Gaza, Peace and Social concerns asks that approval be made at this meeting.
Meeting approved the contribution.
6. Nominating Committee — Linda Muller
The committee recommended two Marian Dalton and Rob Spivey to conduct comprehensive financial review of the Meeting’s books. Note, this would not be an audit, but a careful review of 2022 and 2023 financial records. It was suggested that they be offered remuneration, which they can then donate as they please.
Meeting approved the recommendation.
Wendy Schlotterbeck is recommended to serve on nominating committee.
Meeting approved.
7. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Please refer to the report. No actionable items. Still considering the use of technology in the Meeting Room during worship. Thoughts may be shared with M&C.
8. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Please refer to the report. Trustees brought forward a list of projects that will be considered for the coming 3-5 years. Please refer to their report for more details. No actionable items.
9. New Business
Do we want take corporate action on the request from NEYM, FCNL, and AFSC, to express to our members of congress our support for a cease-fire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Clerk noted our voice in Durham, Maine, straddles both congressional jurisdictions.
It was agreed that the minute from NEYM to be sent to our congressional delegation on our behalf. Also encouraged us as individuals to add our own voices. Hold in our hearts what witness in the public square looks like as individuals and as part of the Meeting.
10. Closing
Clerk expressed thanks to the Meeting community, who show their desire to be present for one another, and gratitude for this community being able to identify important needs, rise to meet those needs, and have the resources to do so.
Purposing to meet again on the 3rd First-day of the 12th month.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
