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
Our long-time attender Lyn Clarke passed recently.
Her friend Barb Simon, who faithfully drove her to Durham Friends over many years, shared this with us:
Lyn died 6/27/2024 (Thursday).
Lyn was not brought up in the Quaker faith but she loved the Durham Friends community, and the values the Quakers embraced.
She started losing her sight in about 1995 and she was sad when she could no longer drive. So when I offered to bring her to meeting she jumped at the opportunity to return.
She loved the garden, the Sunday Meeting messages, the people who she met at meeting.
We stopped coming when Lyn’s hearing gave out and she could no longer recognize people who spoke to her.
She missed coming to meeting.
Lyn died a week ago in the wee hours of June 27th at the age of 88.
Please hold Lyn’s family in the light.
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
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, April 21, 2024, with 15 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and one attending by Zoom. Sarah Sprogell clerked the meeting.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting with the following readingfrom the Interim Faith and Practice 2014, Section 3 on Corporate Discernment in Meetings for Business, p. 37.
“The heart of Friends’ business process is the nurturing of spiritual openness and deep listening that allows the sense of the meeting to emerge. At times, there may be unanimous agreement that a proposed action should be carried out. However, when those gathered are not in simple agreement, careful consideration will be given to each speaker, and silent worship may be requested. If all in attendance draw on their disciplines of worship and stay mindful that the purpose is to seek the will of God for the gathered body, unity can be found and acted upon.” … “The sense of the meeting emerges from the committed efforts of a loving community and strengthens its bonds.”
2. Approval of Minutes from March 17, 2024 — Sarah Sprogell
Note: It was requested that committee reports should include the first and last names of the people who are referenced. Recording Clerk will make those changes.
With these changes, the minutes were approved, with gratitude.
3. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see attached report. The response to FCNL’s request monthly meetings to share feedback on its legislative priorities was read aloud.
A request was made for Meeting to add its signature to letter requesting Maine’s Public Employee’s Retirement System to divest retirement funds from fossil fuels. Members are able to look at the P&SC report and access a link to the letter, which people may also sign individually.
Meeting agreed to hold this issue over until next month, giving everyone an opportunity to read the entire letter before approving that Meeting as a whole add its signature.
4. Trustees Report — Kim Bolshaw
Trustees Request that Meeting approve the following requests:
a. Quotes from Maine House (business that removed furnaces)
– 2 dehumidifiers for the basement $3,264
– replace bulkhead $6,210
Meeting approved these 2 projects.
b. Premier Contracting to paint the exterior addition of the Meetinghouse, including trim as well as trim on the brick portion of the building: $5,204.
Meeting approved this project pending positive reference checks.
It was noted that Trustees reviewed past capital expenditures and agreed that allocating approximately $15K/year is sustainable.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Please see attached report. No actionable items.
Reviewed the situation with respect to continuing Zoom during Meeting for Worship. M&C will take up this topic and return with a proposal for continuing discussion.
LACO is being evicted from their current location. Last year, LACO served 40,000 households, the large number due in part to Covid. LACO serves families in Bowdoin, Lisbon and Durham, and expect to serve 30,000 this year. They are looking for an additional person from Meeting to serve on their board, which meets quarterly for one hour. Leslie Manning will be serving in this capacity in the interim. As a reminder, the annual Harvest Supper/potluck, has been a fundraiser for LACO, but has not taken place since Covid.
6. Woman’s Society — Dorothy Curtis and Nancy Marstaller
Dorothy read the memorial minute for Helen Clarkson. A sentence was added describing when Helen met her husband Vernon — on their first day of college.
With this addition, Meeting approved the minute.
The Woman’s Society requests permission to hold its annual plant sale, with set-up to start Wed. May 22, and the official start of the sale on Sun. May 26. The sale will continue 2-3 weeks, or until there are no more plants.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the United Society of Friends Women International Children & Youth projects, and a portion to one or more local organizations, to be decided at our next Woman’s Society meeting.
Meeting approved, with gratitude.
7. Clearness Committee Letters for Kristna Evans and Mimi Marstaller travel to Cuba
Wendy Schlotterbeck read the letter prepared for Mimi Marstaller, which included text written by Mimi expressing her interest.
Clearness Committee asks Meeting to approve Mimi’s travel in 2025 as part of NEYM delegation to Cuba.
Meeting approved.
Sarah Sprogell read the letter prepared by the Clearness Committee for Kristna Evans.
Clearness Committee asks Meeting to approve Kristna’s travel in 2025 as part of NEYM delegation to Cuba.
Meeting approved.
8. New Business
It was noted that one of the people who worked hardest in the state legislature this session was Margaret (Peggy) Rotundo. The request was made to send a letter of love and support to her, particularly in light of the tragedy in her hometown and district of Lewiston. M&C will take responsibility for writing and sending the letter.
The Meeting approved sending a card or letter of appreciation and support.
8. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
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.
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
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, January 21, 2024, with ten people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and two attending by Zoom. Nancy Marstaller clerked the meeting.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting by reading a prayer by Douglas Steere.
“O Blessed Companion, place on our souls a holy bridle by which we may be held back when it is right to pause, and touched forward when it is right to move. And give us the grace to heed Thy gentle touch. Make us willing to leave gladly to others what are their tasks and to buckle on quietly and for the duration, those things that have been laid upon us to carry as far as we are able. May we carry these things with easy minds, knowing well that the giver of the task is also the giver of the strength to fulfill it. Amen.”
2. Approval of Minutes of December 2023 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the minutes.
3. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
Committee is asking for Meeting approval for the following two items:
That Doug Bennett and Sarah Sprogell have electronic access to Norway Savings for the purpose of approving the automatic payments of offerings to our checking account and producing a list that will be given to our bookkeeper to record in Quickbooks.
Meeting approved.
Adding Doug Bennett as an additional person authorized to sign checks, and approved keeping Sarah Sprogell as an additional signer. Meeting approved.
4. Charity Fund Request 2nd Approval — Nancy Marstaller
Second request for approval for $1,000 from the Charity Fund to be donated to Warm Thy Neighbor.
Meeting approved.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Woman’s Society will be working on Memorial Minutes for Charlotte Ann Curtis and Helen Clarkson. M&C will reach out to Kitsie Hildebrand’s family to ask about writing and submitting a Memorial Minute for her.
Tess read a draft Memorial Minute for Margaret Wentworth. It was suggested that the Minute include her work with Falmouth Quarter and add some basic biographical material.
Covid protocol update: People are reminded to err on the side of caution. Mask-wearing is encouraged, and people are requested not to attend Meeting if ill. Current strain is not as virulent, but more contagious.
Meeting Care Coordinator will report to M&C monthly, which in turn will bring any concerns to Meeting for Business. Co-Clerks of M&C are responsible for bringing MCC report to Monthly Meeting.
The MCC Search Committee will bring a suggestion to Monthly Meeting regarding the composition of the oversight/support committee and it’s relationship to M&C. The Search Committee is asked to bring the recommendation in March.
6. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Annual Report was summarized. Please see attachment.
7. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Annual Report was read. Please see attachment.
The Meeting expressed its deep appreciation to this Committee for the amazing work it has done, with respect to both education and outreach.
8. Website 2023 Report — Doug Bennett
Much of this annual report includes data on website use, visit and views. Note that the website is a form of outreach for the Meeting. People who would like to see something on the website are asked to submit what they would like to see in writing. People are also encouraged to link to the Durham Friends website from their own social media sites to add to the Meeting’s outreach.
Ease and accessibility of the site have been noticed and lauded by others. It was suggested that we revisit our Facebook page. Should we have one and have the focus be on events? Review this question again next month.
9. Nominating Committee — Linda Muller
The attached report was read. Note that Nancy Marstaller is stepping off of the committee. Please bring ideas for potential nominees to the Meeting. The committee is looking for one more person. The Meeting expressed its gratitude for the work of the committee, and for Linda as Clerk. Linda has stepped out of the role of Clerk of Nominating; a new Clerk has not been determined.
Tess Hartford will be Clerk of the Meeting next month.
10. Other Business
Craig Freshley is planning a concert to raise money for New Mainers. Meeting members agree to help with set-up and clean-up of space and refreshments, as well as the website.
Meeting approves sponsoring the concert, with support from Meeting members.
11. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Attachments:
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
Posted here with permission of her family
Katharine Booth Hildebrandt, 8/10/1952 – 7/5/2023
Katharine “Kitsie” (or “Kit”) Hildebrandt grew up in Ohio and moved to Maine after attending Earlham College in Indiana.
In Maine she met her husband, William Beazley and they were married for 47 years, until her death. Together they lived an unusual, adventurous life that included years aboard a wooden sailboat with their infant firstborn, several small homes without running water, building their own home, raising 2 children, and returning to sailing on their lively trimaran. ]
Kitsie was a wonderful mother to her 2 children, Sarah Guite and Willis Beazley. She was at every sporting event, even in the rain, even hours from home. She was her children’s biggest fan and fiercest defender.
Kitsie was the 2nd of 4 daughters of Robert and Mary Hildebrandt. She is survived by her 3 sisters, who she loved dearly and spent lots of time with in her retirement. Her sisters’ children and grandchildren were also beloved to her.
Kitsie was a member of Durham Friends Meeting of Quakers for many years and was very active in the meeting.
Kitsie worked for several small businesses before returning to graduate school at age 50. After graduating she started her career as a guidance counselor at Lewiston Middle School. She said, “It was a blast, except when it was heartbreaking.” She amazed her family with her dedication to her students and her genuine love for them.
Kitsie was endlessly curious about people, especially those that had a different background or point of view from her own. She built a loving, diverse community of friends with her warmth and humor.
Kitsie has 2 granddaughters, Greta and Edith, who she simply adored. She took care of them daily during the pandemic and formed a very close bond with both of them. She welcomed her daughter-in-law, Lori Lommler, and son-in-law, Matt Guité into her family with open arms and loved and appreciated them both immensely.
Kitsie loved picking fresh mussels from the shoreline, burning brush, doing yoga, sailing with her husband, having potlucks with her dear ones, and creating connection and love wherever she could.
Kitsie was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in June of 2022 and it killed her on July 5, 2023 at age 70. Through those 13 months she showed incredible strength and resilience in the face of a devastating disease.
Kitsie will be missed beyond words.
At Kitsie’s request, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to Planned Parenthood of Lewiston Maine, 179 Lisbon Street.
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
UPDATE 23.11.20 from Emma Condori Mamani, Director of FIBC
I am writing to you to share the joy about our successful Seed Potatoes Food Security Project done through Friends International Bilingual Center. Bolivian young Friends and I were able to distribute the seed potatoes until Nov. 11th, 2023. With the favor of God, 309 Bolivian families who live in the highland, received 125 pounds of seed potatoes per family. We, Bolivians, thank God with all our heart for this service work project. Also, we thank Friends who donated for this food security project. We bless Friends who have prayed for us, and they are still praying for the rain now. We are grateful to God for giving love and courage to Bolivian young adult Friends who did volunteering work for this project. And our gratitude to our Friends who support us to run the FIBC by giving donations, so we can do work to take care of others.
We will continue working on this Food Security Project if God opens the way to do this work. Families are happy because they were able to sow the potatoes this year. They will have to wait for the harvest until next March, though. Meanwhile, there is a need for food to sustain their families. So, we will start distributing potatoes, oil and sugar to families in January, 2004 as part of our third stage of the Food Security Project.
There are four brief articles as reports in order to share the wonderful stories and the photos about this seed potatoes project. The Seed Potatoes reports can be read on our website: “Projects button”. Quienes somos | FIBC (centrobilingueinternacionalamigos.org). Enjoy reading them!
We send our gratitude to the Durham Friends Meeting for their generosity by supporting our Food Security Project with $1,300. And blessings to all of you.
Emma Condori Mamani, Director of FIBC
+++
ORIGINAL POST 23.07.19. At its July 16, 2023 business meeting, Durham Monthly Meeting approved a donation of $500 from our Charity Fund to the Food Security Project for Bolivian Families. This can be supplemented by additional personal donations.
Friend Emma Condori Mamani, the Director of the Friends International Bilingual Center of Bolivia, brought the message to Durham on July 16th, and attended our Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business. She shared details about the FIBC’s emergency food project for Indigenous communities in the Bolivian Highlands.
If other Friends are led to contribute, earmarked donations made payable and mailed to Durham Friends, received by August 1, will be included in one check. An overview about the project plus contact information are found in the flyer.
We are grateful to Emma for her ministry and to New England Yearly Meeting for making it possible for Emma to travel among Friends and meetings in New England, as she is the Bible Half Hour presenter at our annual sessions in August.
The reports and other materials for the Durham Friends Meeting business meeting on November 19, 2023 are available at this link.
Proposed Agenda for Durham Meeting Worship for Business
November 19, 2023
Opening reading
Review Agenda
Minutes for Approval
Finance Committee and Draft Budget
Peace and Social Concerns Report
New item: Action re: Gaza and Israel?
Nominating Committee Report
Ministry and Counsel Report
Trustees Report
Closing Worship
Announcement: Woman’s Society will meet next at 7pm on November 20 at the Meetinghouse, with zoom participation as an option.
Minutes, Durham Friends Woman’s Society October 16, 2023
Present: Qat Langelier, Dorothy Curtis, Kim Bolshaw, Nancy Marstaller
She spoke of working as a nurse during the pandemic, and shared scripture verses that helped her during that time. Those verses spoke of seeking and accepting God’s blessings, and the opportunities we have to rest in God if we feel anxious or overwhelmed.
Friends had different reactions to the restrictions imposed by the efforts to control the pandemic. One liked the time to work outdoors and be with children, while another felt crowded in her small home with children and visitors staying for a time. Relationships could be strained at times, leading to misunderstandings, and it was hard to watch when family members were not as careful as hoped. We agreed with the reminder from a Friend: We need to be friends of each other, as well as Friends of the Truth/Jesus.
Qat mentioned that both her sons still love and care for their quilts!
Membership dues for USFWI are $10 this year. Blueprints plus postage is $6.50. We have $185 in our account. From the $200 given in memory of Kitsie Hildebrandt we approved donating $50 each to SASSMM, Wayfinder Schools, and New Beginnings.
THANK GOD
Thank God for dawn,
The songs of birds,
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, October 15, 2023, with 12 people in attendance.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting with a reading from Advices and Queries from the Religious Society of Friends, Great Britain: Advices 10.
2. Approval of Minutes of September 2023 — Ellen Bennett
Minutes were approved
3. Review of Agenda
4. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
In response to the Meeting request that Finance take a broad look at the overall financial health of the meeting, the attached report includes a series of questions to consider moving forward.
Finance and Trustees will meet together soon to delve more deeply into the questions posed in the report.
The Meeting engaged in a listening session.
Clerk offered this over-arching question: What is the best stewardship of the funds in our care? It was noted that we are not currently covering annual operating expenses with regular income; we need to draw on interest from our investment accounts to meet expenses.
Summary of Friends’ comments and observations:
The Meeting revisited the request from Trustees to Finance, made at last month’s Meeting for Business, to move $55,000 from pooled funds to cemetery funds. Conversation ensued about designations and use of the Parsonage funds.
The Finance Committee recommended that $55K be taken from the Parsonage Fund and added to the Cemetery Fund. This money will be added to the Cemetery Fund money invested with New England Yearly Meeting Pooled Funds. The NEYM Pooled Funds will pay out 4% per year, to be used for cemetery maintenance, this percentage prudently calculated so that the principle of the fund will be protected and preserved into the future. We record that the origin of these funds was through the sale of the parsonage.
The Meeting approved this request with one Friend standing aside.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote, Tess Hartford
No new items were brought forward. Please refer to the report.
Clerk emailed Friends who attend Meeting primarily or solely via Zoom to ask them about M&C’s recommendation that 4th and 5th Sundays be in-person/tech-free only. Clerk read the responses. All conveyed appreciation for being queried, and many suggested that Meeting try to simply engage the Owl without active oversight.
Friends discussed considering meeting for worship a “no-tech zone” all the time. Tech is a distraction in the quality of worship for many. One idea offered is to have meeting for worship with Zoom audio only, and to bring the Owl into the gathering room so that those in attendance in person and those attending remotely can ‘Zoom-meet’ with one another.
Meeting approved 4th and 5th Sundays being tech-free starting in November, skipping December because of the holiday, and resuming for January and February.
M&C will take up the idea of going completely tech-free and return with additional ideas.
Meeting accepted the report noting that monetary support from the Charity account will be provided for a Friend in need.
6. Trustees — Sarah Sprogell
No written report. Clean-up at Lunt Cemetery went very well. Much was accomplished. Also, two trustees will be attending the Maine Cemetery Association conference on April 18th.
7. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see attached report.
Clerk noted the importance of the ministry of bringing books used in the Social Justice project to Indigenous People’s Day events. The books touched many people; the quality of this kind of outreach was honored.
The Meeting minutes its deep appreciation for the Social Justice project, the work of the Committee, and of Ingrid Chalufour.
8. Nominating Committee — Linda Muller
No written report.
Recently, two Friends verbally agreed to serve on committees, and their names were brought forward for approval. Note that the approval is for committees service to begin in January 2024, but if okayed by the “receiving” committee, their work might begin earlier.
The Committee brought forward Doug Bennett to serve on Finance Committee.
Meeting approved.
The Committee brought forward Kim Bolshaw, to serve on Peace and Social Concerns.
Meeting approved.
Clerk noted that effective January 2024, we will be without a Treasurer and without a Clerk. The position of Treasurer is legally required by the state to do the work of the Meeting.
Clerk also noted that we are looking for help with the newsletter. Consider: is the newsletter still needed? May take this up in the Threshing Session next Sunday, October 22.
9. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, September 17, 2023, with 12 people attending from the Meetinghouse and one via Zoom.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting by reading the following:
Query 3: Meeting for Business. Are meetings for business held in a spirit of worship and prayerful search for the way of Truth? Are all members encouraged to use their talents in the service of the meeting? Do you undertake your proper share of the work and financial support of the meeting?
— NEYM Faith and Practice, 1985, p 211
2. Approval of Minutes of July 16, 2023 — Ellen Bennett
Meeting approved the minutes, with two additions regarding Finance and clerking the meeting, to be included in Items 3 and 4. Recording Clerk made those additions.
3. Finance Report — Nancy Marstaller
Nancy read a thank you note for the $1,300 donated for the Bolivian Food Security Project. The Meeting received $800 additional dollars in individual contributions to the $500 approved in July.
Finance Committee will be meeting to review, overall, funds needed to support the Meeting on an annual basis, and will report its findings next month.
Quarter 2 report. Please see attached report.
The Meeting accepted the report, with gratitude.
4. Trustees — Sarah Sprogell
Refer to attached report re: funds from the sale of the parsonage, and recommendations for funds needed to maintain a fiscally healthy Meeting.
Trustees have recommended $55K from the parsonage fund be transferred to the cemetery fund bringing its balance to $125K. Using a 4% distribution would cover most or all of our annual expenses, about $5K/year. This recommendation will come before Meeting again next month.
With regard to the Meeting’s buildings and grounds, we do not have a plan for funding capital expenses. Finance Committee will review this, with Trustees, in looking at overall financial health.
Question: Is past performance an indicator of future needs? Might we look at a 3-5 year plan for capital expenses? Are there other needed improvements? Consider these in future discussions.
Clerk agreed to reach out to NEYM to find out where the Eileen Babcock bequest funds are.
The Meeting approved Clerk of the Meeting get in touch with NE Yearly Meeting to ascertain where the funds are from the Eileen Babcock bequest.
Much appreciation was expressed for the hard work and discernment that went into the report.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote, Tess Hartford
Clerk read the relevant portion of Faith and Practice as it pertains to resigning membership in a Monthly Meeting.
Mey Hasbrook submitted a letter of resignation to the Clerk of Meeting and the co-clerks of Ministry and Counsel. The first portion of the letter was read aloud, including referenced passages from scripture.
Meeting approved M&C’s recommendation to accept Mey’s resignation. M&C will discern next steps in reaching out to Mey for one more meeting.
M&C also brought forward the letter proposing that Leslie Manning be recorded as a minister, that was approved by the Meeting in July. (Note that Leslie stepped out from her role as Clerk for this portion of the meeting. Renee Cote assumed the role of Clerk.)
Meeting approved sending, to Falmouth Quarter, the letter from M&C asking that Leslie Manning be recognized as a recorded minister.
It was suggested that Leslie’s ministry beyond the meeting — prison ministry, Sofia House — be included in the letter. M&C will make those edits/additions before sending it on.
Leslie Manning returned and assumed her role as Clerk.
Please refer to report for dates of important, proposed upcoming meetings.
Meeting approved a memorial meeting to be held on October 29th.
M&C discussed fourth and fifth Sundays as in-person worship only, thus encouraging people to come to the meetinghouse and relieving pressure on technology support. It was recommended that Members who participate solely by Zoom be contacted to get their reaction. The recommendation will be revisited next month.
Members were encouraged to sign up for the Care of Worship role.
6. Nominating Committee Report — Linda Muller
Please refer to the attached report.
Meeting approved the recommendation that committee term limits be removed. This change will be reflected in the handbook
Meeting approved a threshing session be held on 10/22 at the rise of Meeting.
7. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please refer the the report.
It was noted with pleasure that the United Way has approved a position to help coordinate support for New Mainers who will be moving into Brunswick Landing this month.
8. Report from Dorothy Curtis on FUM Triennial and USFWI Conference
“Come. Abide. Go.” Theme of this year’s USFWI triennial. Dorothy read a note of deep thanks, in which she expressed her tremendous gratitude for the support of many in making this trip. “This was a trip of a lifetime.” Dorothy then annotated several of her photographs and regaled all with wonderful stories about her trip to Kenya.
9. Closing Worship
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends will reconvene on October 15th, 2023.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
The agenda and materials for this Business Meeting can be found here.
Proposed Agenda for Meeting for Business, October 15, 2023
Opening Reading
Review Agenda
Finance Committee
Request for transfer of Funds by Trustees (2nd reading)
Ministry and Counsel
Zoom free worship 4th and 5th Sundays*
Report on Emergency Funds disbursement of $1,000
Trustees Update
Peace and Social Concerns Update
Closing Worship
*Clerk’s Note:
Ministry and Counsel has recommended that the Meetings for Worship on fourth and fifth Sundays of the month be held in the meetinghouse only, with no technology assistance. This is based on feedback from several Friends, including members of the Tech Support group, and was brought to Meeting for Business last month.
It will be reviewed again this coming Sunday, since no one was on Zoom for the September meeting, and we would like to hear from those who regularly use Zoom. If approved, we will be happy to provide information about other meetings who use Zoom or hybrid worship who welcome visitors.
The Agenda and Materials for Meeting for Worship for Business on September 17 can be found at this link.
Proposed Agenda for Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business
September 17, 2023
Please note that if there is no power at the Meetinghouse on Sunday, we will postpone Meeting for Business to the following Sunday, September 24.
Opening Query
Minutes of Previous Meeting, July 16, 2023
Finance Report
Trustees Report
Ministry and Counsel Report
Nominating Committee Report
Peace and Social Concerns Update
Report from Dorothy Curtis on FUM Triennial and USFWI Conference
New Business
Closing Worship
Revised version, August 2, 2023]
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, July 16, 2023, with 9 people attending from the Meetinghouse and 5 by Zoom.
Dorothy Curtis opened the meeting with a prayer of thanksgiving.
2. Approval of Minutes of June 2023 — Ellen Bennett
Acknowledgement from FCNL (change from FWCC) for K J William’s gift will be corrected in the minutes.
Meeting approved the minutes with the above correction.
3. Finance Committee: Second request for funds for Bolivia
A Quarterly Report from the Finance Committee will be given in September.
The request for approval for a gift to the Bolivian Youth Group, addressing food security and working under the care of Friends International, was presented again after initial consideration at the June Meeting for Business. Research on food scarcity in Bolivia indicated that there has been substantial drought over past 10 years in this region, resulting in a large world-wide initiative to send aid. A recent update publication from FWCC described both this situation and the international support.
Emma Condori Mamani, our Meeting for Worship message-giver, spoke about the food security project, specifically with respect to the families in the highlands who have been hit hard by climate change. The process by which the families are selected to receive aid is thorough, requiring a great deal of work.
Emma then stepped away from the meeting for the approval discussion of this item. Leslie also stepped away, leaving eight Friends in Meeting for the ensuing discussion, as well as for discussion of Item 4.
Meeting approved the donation of $500 for the food security project. Individuals may support this project, as well. Information on how to do this will be shared via a Friends Note with the request that donations be submitted by August 1st.
4. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote, Tess Hartford
Renee read the recommending letter from Martha Hinshaw Sheldon and Linda Muller for Leslie Manning to be recognized as a recorded minister in the Society of Friends (see attached).
The Meeting approved immediately and joyfully, with thanks to Martha and Linda.
Renee reviewed the remainder of the M&C Report (see attached).
5. Library Committee — Dorothy Hinshaw
There has been discussion among clerks and library committee that, in honor of beloved Friend, Margaret Wentworth, Meeting name our library the Margaret Wentworth Library.
Meeting approved.
6. Trustees — Sarah Sprogell
Trustees report was read (see attached).
7. Use of Parsonage Funds Discussion
Please refer to attachment summarizing past suggestions.
To begin discussion, Clerk summarized three recommendations: Consolidate accounts, calculate a percentage draw on restricted/designated funds to support operations, and increase support for the cemeteries. The Finance committee will return in September with a recommendation about the consolidation of funds, not including the Parsonage Fund.
Trustees will consider: How much funding do we need to continue as a healthy meeting? Finance Committee will consider: How do we disperse/allocate those funds?
At Monthly Meeting in September, Meeting will seek to agree upon answers to these questions.
8. NEYM Annual Sessions Representatives
No need for representation expressed by Meeting.
9. Additional Items
Meeting expressed its great appreciation to Dorothy Curtis for attending the triennial of the United Society of Friends Women International, in conjunction with Friends United Meeting and Quaker Men, and acknowledged the challenges in travel that Dorothy experienced. Dorothy agreed to give a report to Monthly Meeting in September about her experiences.
Durham Monthly Meeting has supported Maine All-Care. The Meeting recently received a request to add its name to a letter in support of the Medicare for All Act 2023, HR 3421. (Please see attached letter.)
Meeting approved adding Durham Friends Meeting’s name to a letter in support of Medicare For All.
The next Meeting for Business will be September 17th.
10. Closing Worship
Members were asked to pause to reflect on the ways in which individuals come together in community, and how to acknowledge those individuals and their differences in ways of participation.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Proposed Meeting Agenda
Draft Minutes of 6.18.23 Business Meeting
Description of Friends International Bilingual Center, Bolivia
Ministry and Counsel Report
Parsonage Fund Ideas
Letter in Support of The Medicare for All Act of 2023 (H.R. 3421)
The materials for the July 16, 2023 business meeting can be found at this link.
Proposed Agenda, July 16, 2023
Open with worship
Minutes of Previous Meeting (link here)
Second request for Approval from Finance Committee: Description of Friends International Bilingual Center (FIBC), Bolivia
Ministry and Counsel Report
Library Committee Request “Margaret Wentworth Library”
Trustees Update
Continued Discussion of use of Parsonage Funds (specific suggestions are welcome)
Name representatives to NEYM Annual Sessions
New Business: Consideration of Support for H.R 3421, The Medicare for All Act of 2023
Close with worship
