Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, November 20, 2016 

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 12:30 with 18 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell opened with a few words from the Dalai Lama on opening our hearts and never giving up. She also read from the Advices 1-8 from the Revised New England Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice.

1. Ed Hinshaw reported for Nominating Committee. At least one, and possibly two new members for the committee are needed.

2.It was recommend and approved that Ron (Ronald) Turcotte and Sukie (Susan) Rice will serve on the Nominating Committee.

3. Ron Turcotte reported for Ministry and Counsel. They have had extensive discussion on the meeting’s becoming a pastor-less, semi-programmed meeting.

a) They recommend that we go forward with a six-month trial as a pastor-less semi-programmed meeting.   They realize that there may need for a part-time, paid administrative position to help with the smooth running of the meeting.

b) Ministry and Counsel will continue to schedule people to bring the message and encourages people to consider bringing a message.

c) Ministry and Counsel will solicit feedback on our experience of being pastor-less.

d) There have been two people who have inquired into the possibility of a pastor position with Durham Meeting. They have been told that, at this time, we are in a trial period and thus hiring a pastor is under discernment.

Concern was expressed about how we review and assess this plan for being without a paid pastor. It was requested that a plan for assessment of this new direction be put into place well before June.   Concerns about the need for pastoral care and spiritual guidance and support were expressed along with how the Pastoral Care Team would take this on. Doug Gwyn said that he will create a complete list of the kinds of situations and needs that he has met over the past two years that Ministry and Counsel will need to address.

4. It was decided that we accept the recommendation of Ministry and Counsel to be a pastor-less meeting for six months and will hold Ministry and Counsel in prayer as they carry this forward in the coming months.  We will need to put trust in Ministry and Counsel that they hold and work with this opportunity to see how well we can all be ministers among ministers, and discern what we need to do to be a strong spiritual community.

It was noted that there are those among us who do not feel enthusiasm for this proposal, but are willing to stand aside.

5. Katherine Langelier has applied for membership and has met with a clearness committee.   Her letter of June 15 was read. Ministry and Counsel recommends that Katherine be approved for membership. She and her husband, Mason, have requested junior membership for their children Remi and Xage Langelier.

6. The meeting approved Katherine Langelier as member of Durham Friends Meeting and approved Remi and Xage Langelier as junior members.

7. Doug Gwyn reported that he has confirmed people to bring the message through early February. He is developing a Care of Worship guide and is giving a workshop on Sunday, December 4 on preparing and giving a message.

8. Tess Hartford reported from Christian Education.

a) There was a very successful family dinner at Jeanne Baker Stinson’s home on November 13. Eighteen people, adults and children combined, were in attendance. Discussion was held on what people feel the spiritual needs are for the children and families.   They agreed they would like to hold this kind of gathering again.

b) Tess reported on the annual evaluation of Wendy Schlotterbeck as Youth Minister. They recommend that she continue as Youth Minister for 2017.

c) Christian Education committee will be discussing with Ministry and Counsel their interest in a working-group that will help re-define the role of the Youth Minister during this coming time of change in the meeting.

9. The meeting accepted the Christian Education report and approved Wendy Schlotterbeck continuing as Youth Minister in 2017 with great appreciation for all that she has brought to the position.

10. Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister report.

a) Wendy and Robbie Bennett are working on a “Water is Life” banner to be sent in support of people at Standing Rock. Durham Friends are invited to sign it.

b) Wendy attended an excellent retreat of the Prophetic Climate Action Working Group of New England Yearly Meeting was held October 28-30 with 30 people attending. The working group will meet in December to further develop action plans. Wendy will bring to her support committee work with this group.

c) There will be an intergenerational craft and wreath making event in December at which time families will be especially welcome.

11. Betsy Muench brought the report from Finance Committee and a preliminary budget proposal for 2017. The final proposal will come in December.

Sukie Rice reported that the Friends Meeting House Fund has favorably reviewed our grant request for $5000 for a solar project and heat pump, with money to come from their Green Meetinghouse Fund.

12. It was approved that the meeting have a heat pump installed by Maine Solar Solutions. We agreed to proceed with this project right away, using money from the Dwelley Fund to finance it at the moment. It will cost approximately $3500 and will save us up to $600 a year in heating oil. An electrician will determine if we need an upgrade to our electric box to accommodate a heat pump.

13. It was approved that we rent the parsonage for six months at rate of $1500 per month, beginning the end of December. This rental amount will include utilities and heat. Negotiations will be done through Trustees.

14. Margaret Wentworth reported that the pellet boiler and chimneys need cleaning.

15. Paul Wood reported for the roof working-group. He and Daniel Henton have been up in the attic and find the large meetinghouse roof very solid.   Because patching and repairing the roof metal would not last for more than a couple of years, they recommend that we replace rather than repair the roof metal. They have quotes from two contractors for $14,000-$18,000 for the replacement of the roof and are seeking a third quote.

16. The meeting approved the roof working group’s request to submit an application to the Obadiah Brown Benevolent Fund for a grant to assist with the cost of replacing the metal roof.

17. Margaret Wentworth reported for Falmouth Quarterly Meeting. The Quarter is in discernment about its future form and function.  It was recognized that gathering for a time of worship, community and program continues to be valuable.  There are also a few business responsibilities that remain relevant.  However, participation at the quarterly level is in serious decline.  Sarah Cushman and Jessica Eller from Portland Meeting will be visiting meetings within the quarter in coming months, to listen and support discernment for the on-going value of the quarter.  The next scheduled Quarterly Meeting will held in May 2017 at the All Maine Gathering in Vassalboro, when further discernment will occur.  If there is business to conduct before that time, a meeting date will be set as needed.

18. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 3:15.

Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, October 16, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 12:30 with sixteen people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell opened with a quote from an article by Howard Zinn expressing optimism as we look at the compassion, sacrifice, courage and kindness in history and how that gives us energy to live now as we believe human beings should live.

1. Ron Turcotte reported for Ministry and Counsel.

a) Ministry and Counsel will hold an open meeting after worship on October 30 to discuss their recommendation of a six-month trial period of being a pastor-less semi-programmed meeting and the opportunities and ramifications of that.

b) Ministry and Counsel recommends that the meeting’s portion of the income raised at the Rise Again Singing concert of November18 be given to the American Friends Service Committee’s Wabanaki REACH program.

c) Daphne Clement will no longer be on the Pastoral Care Team because of her move to Rhode Island.

d) Ministry and Counsel recommends that four people will be discontinued on the meeting membership list because of long absence from meeting. One member has requested discontinuance, and the others have not responded to correspondence.

2. The meeting approved funds raised at the Rise Again Singing concert be given to the Wabanaki REACH program of AFSC.

3. It was approved that the following non-resident members be removed from our membership list: Karen Jonitis Rhoda, Barbara Wilcox, Elizabeth East and David Atherton.

4. Tess Hartford reported for Christian Education Committee.

a) Because of many changes in families and young people coming to meeting, and because of the changes the meeting is facing with Doug Gwyn’s leaving in December, Christian Education is looking at redefining the role of Youth Minister to consider whether this position can serve the meeting in a broader context. They would like to meet with Ministry and Counsel on this matter. This may be addressed to some extent at the October 30^th open M&C meeting.

b) Christian Education conducted an evaluation of the Youth Minister in early summer and a summary will be reported in November.

c) Christian Education has invited families to meet in November at the home of Jeanne Baker Stinson to share what the spiritual needs are for families, with an eye to broadening their community in and outside of worship.

d) Clarabel Marstaller said the adult Sunday School Class is reading The Powers That Be by Walter Wink. Martha Hinshaw Sheldon is the new facilitator of the group.

e) The Adult Sunday School group continues the spiritual journeys program on the 4^th Sunday of each month (taking a hiatus in November and December).

5. Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister report.

a) In response the New England Yearly Meeting minutes on Climate Justice and Racial Justice, Wendy has been working on how to teach about these things to youth and will be attending the NEYM workshop of October 28-30, “Prophetic Climate Action.”   She will also be participating in a webinar on “How to teach about racial justice to children.” Meeting youth she currently meets with have expressed interest in these two topics.

b) Wendy is creating the first of several banners on the Quaker testimonies and other themes. These banners will rotate and will be hung outside the meetinghouse.

c) Wendy is coordinating the November 18 and 19 Rise Again concerts at the meeting house and in Auburn. The theme for both concerts will be Racial Justice.

6. Margaret Wentworth reported for Trustees on the open meeting of October 2.

a) Estimates were presented for work needed for the replacement of the roof. A working group will be composed of Paul Wood, David Dexter and Daniel Henton will focus on the issue of the roof.

b) A proposal for solar panels and a heat pump was presented at the meeting, using Maine Solar Solutions as the contractor, the total cost being approximately $20,000-$21,000. She presented the possible ways of meeting the cost, including two grants. Although there was lack of clearness in the open meeting about moving forward with the solar project at this time, the meeting did affirm Monthly Meeting’s approval to proceed with applications for two grants for this project. We will not know the outcome of the grants until the beginning of 2017 at which time we can decide how to proceed.

7. Sukie Rice brought the financial report. In the period of January-September 30, the meeting has received $43,459 in Operating Fund Income, or 73% of our budgeted amount for the year. This is due to a wonderful response to the mid-year appeal which brought in $3565! Thanks to all who helped make this such as successful appeal. During this same period, the meeting expended $46,812, or 76% of our budget for the Operating Account.

It was reported that the new meeting room floor cost $5725. The full $8933 of the Pennell Fund was transferred to the Capital Account, closing out the Pennell Fund. This was used for the floor along with a $300 contribution, which was given for the flooring.

8. Margaret Wentworth is going off the Lisbon-Area Christian Outreach board of directors. There are three people interested in taking her place on the board.

9. Katherine Langelier proposed holding a Thanksgiving meal at 1:00 at the meeting- house November 24, with an open-house in the afternoon. She would like to extend an invitation to the community to expand the reach of who might like to attend. The meeting gave approval for this event.

10. Barbara Simon requested approval to apply for a grant from the Seed Garden Fund for the meeting garden. It would include both “crowd funding” and a merit grant. Grant money would be used to enhance the garden to plant vegetables and fruits for LACO as well as the meeting community. The meeting approved applying for this grant.

11. Falmouth Quarterly Meeting will be held October 22 from 9:00-12:30 at Durham Meeting. Joyce Gibson, Clarabel Marstaller, Margaret Wentworth and Sarah Sprogell will be our representatives. The purpose and future of Quarterly Meeting will be discussed at that time. Durham will provide the coffee and refreshments and attenders will bring a bag-lunch.

12. The meeting approved receiving donations for the Kickapoo Friends Center during the month of November.

13. LACO will be holding their Thanksgiving ecumenical worship on Sunday, November 20 at the West Bowdoin Baptist Church.

14The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 2:35.

Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, September 18, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, September 18, 2016 with 18 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell brought us into the spirit of worship with a meditative chant on the words of Isaac Pennington.

1. Ron Turcotte brought the report from Ministry and Counsel following M&C’s day long retreat on September 17.

As Doug Gwyn is leaving the meeting at the end of December, M&C recommends a six-month trial period of being a semi-programmed meeting, just as we are now, but without a pastor. Worship would still have the singing and messages as we currently do, but there would not be a paid pastor during this period. Ministry and Counsel is planning an open M&C meeting in October for conversation and discernment to consider this recommendation.

At the retreat, they considered what this would mean for the parsonage and the increased role and burdens of the committees and on the Youth Minister. They see that it would give people more opportunities to express their gifts in carrying our increased responsibilities.

2. Annie Paterson and Peter Blood would like to do a concert at the Meetinghouse on either November 18 or 19. The meeting enthusiastically approved that Ministry and Counsel should proceed in making arrangements for this.

3. Tess Hartford reported for Christian Education. They are considering redefining the role of the Youth Minister. There is also discussion about how to bring in more families. Both of these issues are important now with the advent of Doug Gwyn’s leaving the Pastor’s position.

4. For Finance Committee, Kitsie Hildebrant reported that $3386 was received in response to the mid-year appeal. This is especially heartening as we heard from people who live far away but hold us dear in their hearts.

Sukie Rice passed out the attached revision of the 2016 budget for Friends to peruse.

5. Margaret Wentworth gave a report for Trustees, which have a number of projects in the works. There will be a joint meeting of Trustees and Finance Committee on September 27 to prepare for an Open Meeting on October 2^nd at which time all will be invited to discuss the information and purpose of solar panels and heat pump, as well as the costs for replacement of the roof, including how we might pay for them.

6. Falmouth Quarterly Meeting will be held on October 22 at Durham. The program will be a discussion of the future of Falmouth Quarterly Meeting. Representatives will be Sarah Sprogell, Joyce Gibson, Margaret Wentworth and Clarabel Marstaller.

7. Sarah Sprogell reported that Friends Committee on National Legislation will be doing a program at Friends School Portland on October 1 from 2:00-4:00.

8. She also announced that New England Yearly Meeting will be holding a series of gatherings, “Living Faith,” bringing together Quakers from across our region for Nurturing Spirituality, Fostering Community and Strengthening Witness. The first of these will be held on Saturday, November 5 at Friends School Portland from 9:30 to 5:30. These semiannual, day-long gatherings will include large group worship, fellowship, relationship-building and workshops. For more information and registration, go to www.neym.org.

9. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 12:40.

Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, July 17, 2016 with 15 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell brought us into the spirit of worship with remembrance of those who have recently lost their lives to violence, by reading from Pres. Obama’s recent speech in Dallas, quoting from Paul’s letter to the Romans, ‘Hope is God’s love poured out in our hearts,” and from Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you I will remove your heart of stone and give you an open heart.”

1. Wendy Schlotterbeck brought a request to join other faith communities in signing a letter to the Maine Public Utilities Commission in support of continuing net metering for solar energy. This letter, created by Anne D. Burt of Midcoast Meeting and others, encourages the PUC to preserve net metering until the state legislature can approve a bill that further develops solar energy for Maine.

2. The request to be a signatory on the petition to the Maine Public Utilities Commission was approved.

3. Ron Turcotte brought the report for Ministry and Counsel. They have noted that the Meeting website is far behind. Wendy Schlotterbeck is doing an update for the time being and then will be handing it over to Katherine Langelier. They will develop guidelines for what gets posted onto the site.

4. Doug Gwyn is continuing to arrange for speakers:

August 7 Doug Bennett

August 21 Nancy Marstaller

1. a) He is getting things ready for his six-week absence in September and October, especially in regard to the pastor care team. He is also working with Joyce Gibson on further developing our communications for prayer needs. Joyce will work with Martha Sheldon to make sure prayer requests go through the telephone tree as well as email.
2. b) Doug is working with a group of Meeting members about the possibility of having a banner to hang on the outside of the building. Inspired by the UCC banners in Brunswick, the banner group sees that we might have a rotation of banners with short messages like the Quaker testimonies written on them. The group wants to convey that we are alive and vital and welcoming of new people. They will season this idea more before bringing a final recommendation.
3. c) Doug is working on an exhibit on the Meeting for NEYM sessions.

4. Tess Hartford reported for Christian Education. They are working on the evaluation of Wendy Schlotterbeck as Youth Minister and considerations for her continuing contract.

5. Sukie Rice reported for Finance committee. The mid-year January-June finance report shows that our Income for the first 6 months was $24,085 (or 40% of our budget) and the expenditures were $30,787 (or 49% of the budget) for the same period. That means we are currently running at a deficit of $6702 for 2016.

6. Sukie Rice reported for the Fundraising Committee. The Mid-year appeal will be going out in August with a focus on reducing the deficit and encouraging increased weekly contributions.

6. Margaret Wentworth reported for Trustees.
7. a) They are working on a plan for mowing the cemeteries so that the grounds will be well maintained but not over-expend their funds.
8. b) It has been decided that, for the integrity of the building, the large green metal roof of the meetinghouse does need to be replaced due to rust development. However, we do not need to go into structural supports for the roof. They are still seeking a couple of other estimates before making a decision on the contractor for the job.
9. c) At the open Trustees meeting in June, there was a strong feeling that putting solar on the roof is a moral imperative. There is strong interest in a heat pump for the community room (vestry). A meeting subcommittee on solar has met with two solar providers and is currently looking at the new silver roof over the addition ell. It gets the same amount of sun that the large green roof gets (82% efficiency) and needs no support work for a solar array. Further bids for solar will be requested.
10. d) The new flooring has been completed, is curing and looks beautiful. Trustees wishes to put felt on the bottom of the benches to protect the new floor.

7. It was approved that there be an open Trustees meeting when the solar subcommittee gets all the information it needs to bring a proposal to the meeting. That proposal would include both the costs for a solar array and how we would pay for it.

8. Ministry and Counsel and Monthly Meeting for Business will not be held in August unless something comes up that necessitates such meetings.

9. It was approved that Christian Education will decide on the date and plans for Rally Day.

10. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 2:20.

Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, June 19, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 12:25 with 11 people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell read a prayer written after the horrific shooting in Orlando, Florida by Fritz Weiss, Presiding Clerk, and Sarah Gant, Clerk of Permanent Board of New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM).

1. Sarah Sprogell corrected item #8 from the minutes of the May 15^th Monthly Meeting for Business. The website quoted as New England Yearly Meeting should read Friends General Conference.

2. Doug Gwyn gave the pastor’s report.

a) People bringing the message are as follows: Paul Miller on July 3; Leslie Manning on July 17; Mary Lord on August 7; and Nancy Marstaller on August 21.

b) Doug will be on leave of absence early September through mid-October while teaching a course at Pendle Hill. He is working with the Pastoral Care Team to work on coverage while he is away.

c) There were twelve people present for the June 4^th meeting on Friends with the concern for ministry and spiritual nurture led by Brian Drayton.

d) There was a helpful clerks meeting with all the Meeting’s clerks on June 6.

e) Doug will be away from June 28-July 5 visiting family and at a conference at Barnsville, Ohio called Quaker Spring.

f) Doug is looking into the possibility of having banners outside the meetinghouse to help bring awareness of people passing by.

g) Mid-week meetings continue. June 14^th worship was focused on the Orlando shooting.

h) Ministry and Counsel is looking at how hymns are selected at the beginning of worship. They ask that the person bringing the message call for a hymn that will help transition to the time of prayers of joys and concerns.

i) Doug drafted a letter from Durham Meeting to Velasco Meeting (our sister meeting in Cuba) which Kristna Evans is bringing with her on her trip to Cuba.

3. Wendy Schlotterbeck’s Youth Minister’s Report was read by Sarah Sprogell

a) The plant/yard sale netted $333 which, when added to the Christmas wreath sale, is enough for the sponsorship of Cornelius of the Kakaemga Orphans Project to go to high school. Thanks to all who helped!

b) The “Children and Youth Day” on June 5 had meaningful worship and message from Tess Hartford and an honoring of graduates. The young Friends group celebrated the end of the school year on June 13.

c) Many children and youth activities are suspended for the summer to resume on Rally Day, September 18.

d) Wendy will again be a full-time resource person for Young Friends and Young Adult Friends coordinator at NEYM sessions in August.

The full report is attached.

4. Jo-an Jacobus reported that Nominating Committee recommends Katherine Langelier to be on Christian Education Committee.

5. The Meeting approved that Katherine Langelier be a member of Christian Education.

6. Margaret Wentworth reported on the well-attended Trustees open meeting on Sunday, June 5. In regard to the flooring, trustees recommends that the floor be refinished and yellow pine be laid down where currently the wood differs. The facing bench flooring would be left as is.

She reported on further Trustees business, stating that an appeal has been filed by a neighbor with the Town of Durham concerning the Town’s approval of the cell tower.

Bids are being sought for the replacement or need for repair of the meetinghouse roof. It was agreed that we find out what the cost of the roof would be for both with and without the solar panels.

7. The meeting approved the Trustees recommendation for the flooring.   The Meeting approved that we contract Travis of T Square Woodworking to do this job.

Three quotes were given for this job.

8. Sukie Rice reported from the Fundraising Committee. The committee recommends that the Pennel Fund (with approximately $9000) and the Dwelley Fund (with about $5000) be used for the Capital fund needs.

Fundraising Committee would like to submit grant applications to the NEYM Legacy Fund (Meetinghouse Fund), the Friends General Conference Meetinghouse Fund (the Green Meetinghouse Fund) and the Philiadelphia Yearly Meeting Meetinghouse Fund. The applications would include our need for roof repair/replacement along with our wish to have solar energy meet much of our electric needs.

9. It was approved that the Pennel Fund money be used to pay for the flooring, and that the Pennell and Dwelley Funds be merged for Capital needs. It was agreed that the Finance Committee should work out the transaction.

10. The Meeting approved that we will seek funds for the repair and replacement of the roof with the intention of putting on a solar installation. It was approved that the Fundraising Committee proceed with applications for grants for these purposes.

11. It was approved that Trustees and the Fundraising Committee hold open meeting informational sessions about the vision of Durham Meeting’s “going solar” with all its ramifications, costs and options.

12. The meeting approved the following representatives to New England Yearly Meeting (NEYM): Sukie Rice, Sarah Sprogell, Doug Gwyn, Wendy Schlotterbeck and Leslie Manning and Joyce Gibson (with their approval)

13. Representatives to Quarterly Meeting on June 25 will be Doug Gwyn, Sarah Sprogell and Betsy Muench.

14. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 2:20.

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday May 15, 2016 with ten people present.

In Sukie Rice”s absence Martha Hinshaw Sheldon agreed to serve as recording clerk for this meeting.  Minutes will be sent out to those present for adjustments and revisions needed.

Clerk Sarah Sprogell began the meeting with readings from Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein and from NEYM Interim Faith and Practice, 2014.

1. Minutes from the April Monthly Meeting were approved with corrections.
2. Ministry & Counsel recommended releasing Doug to take a leave of absence to teach an online class at Pendle Hill for 6 weeks, September 18 to end of October and for 4 weeks in the winter. The Pastoral Care Team will cover pastoral care needs during this time, worship planning to be done in advance. This would be a time for community involvement, nurturing of Doug’s gifts, create a balance of work with the meeting and extend Doug’s ministry outside of the Durham community.  Approved
3. Pastor’s report given. Doug continues to work with LACO Board.  He joined the newly formed support committee of the Friends Community of New England in Bath.  The midweek meetings continue, recently with the “Experiment with Light” guided meditation and an upcoming DVD about the Penobscot nation’s control of the Penobscot River.  Doug continues to work with Christian Education and Falmouth Quarterly Meeting.    Doug confirmed that June 26 Dorothy Salebwa will speak.  He will attend the next Quarterly Meeting Planning meeting.  Doug’s travels this past month were to Central Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to talk of his latest book, to Indiana to visit his mom and visit with Phyllis Wetherell with the surprise benefit of visiting with Ed & Dorothy Hinshaw. Doug anticipates fewer travels for the next few months.  A suggestion was made and accepted that Doug and Ministry and Counsel write a longer article for the newsletter about Doug’s time at Pendle Hill in the fall. Report accepted.

A concern was shared regarding the potential low attendance at the Brian Drayton workshop on ministry raising the question, will there be enough to still have the event? If you plan to attend let Kristna know.  Kristna will talk to Brian to consider how to proceed.

4. Kristna Evans will be travelling to Cuba June 15 to 25 for Friends United Meeting General Board meetings. FUM Board meetings are held outside of North America every 3 years.  This year, meetings will be in Cuba.  Kristna has been to Cuba before and speaks Spanish, so she will be an asset.  Velasco Friends Meeting, Cuba, has been a sister meeting with Durham for many years.  This would be an opportunity for Durham friends to send materials, cards and letters to Velasco friends.  Tess will talk to Wendy about the possibility of Durham Friends children and youth sending letters to children and youth at Velasco.  Doug is to write a brief greeting that Ron Turcotte will translate and may be included in a locally produced card.  Kristna will offer a report upon her return.
5. Tess Hartford gave the youth minister’s report for Wendy.   The annual yard and plant sale is to be May 21 from 9 to 12.  Plans for the June 5 children’s day activities were presented.  Tess is to contact Donna Ross regarding putting details on Facebook.     May we keep Wendy in our thoughts and prayers after the recent death of her mother.  Report accepted as presented.
6. Treasurer’s Report: Reports are now to be presented quarterly with the next report due in July.  Income tends to be lower than expenses.  All are encouraged to take note and consider how to respond.
7. Christian Education Report was presented by Tess Hartford. Graduates will be recognized June 5 and given store credit at the Gulf of Maine book store. The youth minister’s annual review was sent out, waiting for returns due May 22 after which a report will be presented to Monthly Meeting. Discussion occurred on how to message to the wider community about what Durham has to offer to youth.  How do we comminicate what is going on?  Other churches have put up banners that say “God is still speaking.”  We could say “We’re still listening”,Or “Listening to God 4 miles that way” at the intersection of 136 and Quaker Rd.  More ideas were shared.  All agreed that this is an important conversation to continue having.  What do we have to offer?  Sarah pointed out that the New England Yearly Meeting  website has an outreach ‘toolbox’ for meetings to use.  The report was accepted with appreciation for the work of CE and for the support Doug gives to the committee clerk.
8. Trustees report given by Margaret Wentworth. Margaret suggested that a treasurer’s report be posted in the Meetinghouse and reported that the carpet has been taken up in the meeting room.  Discussion followed on next steps and care of the bench cushions.  The cell tower is progressing after receiving approval from the town with some expressing concern that the land not be clear cut for many years.  The Meeting has agreed to this concern.  There will be an open meeting to review and discuss the meeting roof and possible solar panels June 5.
9. NEYM bound archives are being moved from the Maine Historical society, where conditions have been detrimental, to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, who would become the owners of the materials. Meetings will continue to have full use of the archives.  Approval was given to this transfer of ownership.
10. The meeting closed at 2:30.

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, April 17, 2016 with twelve people present. In Sukie Rice’s absence, Doug Gwyn agreed to serve as recording clerk for this meeting. He will send out draft minutes to all present for additions/improvements. Clerk Sarah Sprogell opened the meeting by reading a quotation from the current revision of New England Yearly Meeting’s book of faith and practice, page 117, on the inward teacher and personal transformation. Doug Gwyn gave his pastor’s report. He continues to arrange for a variety of speakers to bring the message in worship. Sukie Rice spoke April 3 and Nelson Ida, pastor to the Kakamega orphanage, spoke April 10. Craig Freshly will bring the message April 24, while Doug is speaking at Central Philadelphia Meeting. Gene Boyington has agreed to speak May 10 and it is probable that Dorothy Selebwa of Kakamega will speak June 26. A meeting of committee clerks, released ministers and treasurer was a useful conversation held in the parsonage April 6. Midweek meetings have resumed and will utilize a variety of formats. Ron Turcotte reported for Ministry and Counsel. Friendly Eights groups have all met at least once, except for one that is still finding its way. Several other items of business are in process. Youth Minister’s report – Wendy Schlotterbeck is out of town and unable to report. Katharine Hildebrandt gave the treasurer’s report. For the first quarter of this year, she reported $17,008.55 in expenses, against $12,828.93 in income and $2859.43 in transfers, leaving a negative year-to-date balance of $1320.19. She noted that declining interest income from our various funds is impacting our finances. Her report was accepted with appreciation.
a. Sarah Sprogell’s suggestion was approved, that we have treasurer’s report quarterly instead of monthly, with the provision that the treasurer or finance committee can report anything more urgent at any monthly meeting. We will put the quarterly reports, in abbreviated form, in the Meeting newsletter. Tess Hartford brought the report from the Christian Education Committee. Their main business presently is Wendy Schlotterbeck’s annual evaluation. Tess will distribute an evaluation form to members of Christian Ed and Ministry & Counsel, and to the parents of the Meeting’s youth. They hope to renew Wendy’s contract/agreement in June. Tess raised a concern that the Committee is getting smaller. Jo-an Jacobus said she would relay this concern to Nominating Committee. Clarabel Marstaller resigned from the Committee in March. Doug Gwyn read a minute of appreciation from the Committee for her 67 years of service to religious education in our Meeting. The minute was heartily approved. Margaret Wentworth presented the Trustees report. They are obtaining estimates for replacement of the meetinghouse roof and reinforcement of its underlying structure, in order to install solar panels in the future. They plan to approach the Fundraising Committee to explore how to finance this undertaking. They are starting to explore creating guidelines for the interment of cremains, which are becoming a more frequent choice for those using our cemetery. We may need to consider smaller plots accordingly. The horse shed roof needs repainting and repair. Don Goodrich is removing large stones, stumps and seedlings from behind the horse shed so that it may be mowed this year. He is doing this for free, as he plans to use the stones elsewhere. Gene Boyington will continue with tree-removal near the entrance to the parsonage parking lot. Trustees plan to use a sign-up sheet again this year for spring cleaning, rather than to organize a clean-up day. A working party will be formed to remove the carpet from the worship room. Ron Turcotte, Katherine Langelier and Doug Gwyn were approved to work on this. They will see if Paul Wood and Craig Freshley can be recruited for this project as well. The Friends Community of New England has an air purifier they can lend to the Meeting to help with mold issues that are a problem for one attender. The cell tower plan has been presented to the Durham Planning Board and is going through their process. It was suggested that we may need to schedule an open Trustees meeting for concerned members and attenders to discuss issues surrounding solar panels on the meetinghouse roof. This was approved as a useful step. Sarah Sprogell gave some details from our 2015 statistical report to the Yearly Meeting. We gained seven new members (3 new Friends, 4 transfers from other meetings). We lost four by death or by aging out
from junior membership. Our attendance averaged right around 40, showing some slow growth. Falmouth Quarterly Meeting needs a representative to attend the June annual meeting of the Beacon Hill Friends House in Boston. Interested persons can contact Sarah. Clarabel Marstaller reported on the Falmouth Quarterly Meeting held at Windham Friends April 2. The morning was taken up with a worshipful hearing of State of Society reports from our various monthly meetings and a memorial minute for David Hall from Brunswick Meeting. Leslie Manning reported on the work of the Maine Friends Committee on Public Policy and the Maine Council of Churches. After lunch a presentation on Give Kids a Chance was given by two members of Windham Friends. Clarabel also reported for the United Society of Friends Women. The Durham women hosted a meeting for all USFW Friends on April 9, with 10 attending. A USFW Triennial will be held in Iowa in July. Two carloads will go from our Yearly Meeting. Sarah Sprogell reported that Portland Friends Meeting is exploring entering into sister meeting relationship with one of the Cuban Yearly Meeting meetings. One possibility would be for them to share our sister meeting relationship with Velasco Friends. But no definite action or request has been made. Clarabel Marstaller relayed a suggestion from Cynthia Muench that we add signs to the two doors into the worship room, requesting that people silence all electronic devices. Jo-an Jacobus volunteered to work on this. The meeting closed around 2:15.

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, March 20, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, March 20, 2016 with thirteen people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell was not available for the meeting. It was approved that Edwin Hinshaw clerk the meeting. The meeting was opened in worship with Ed reading quotations from Dr. Martin Luther King.

1. Ron Turcotte brought the report from Ministry and Counsel.

a) Joyce Gibson has agreed to be the meeting’s representative to NEYM M&C. Doug Gwyn will also be attending M&C as our pastor.

b) Most of the friendly dinners have begun meeting.

c) People bringing the message: April 3 – Sukie Rice; April 10 – Pastor Nelson Ida from Kakamega Orphan Project; April 24 – Craig Freshley; June 25 – Dorothy Selebwa from USFW-Kenya and the Kakamega Orphan Project.

d) Brian Drayton will be at Durham Meeting on June 4, facilitating a meeting for Friends with a concern for ministry. This will be for Falmouth and Vassalboro Quarterly Meetings.

e) On April 6, there will be a joint meeting of the clerks of the different Durham Meeting committees at 7:00 at the parsonage.

f) A letter has been received from Charlene McPhee requesting that she be removed from membership from the Meeting. Ministry and Counsel recommends that she be discontinued as a member. They also recommend that her daughter Lexie McPhee be discontinued from Junior Membership.

g) Durham Ministry and Counsel has been working on feedback to NEYM on the NEYM Faith and Practice Revision section on Ministry and Counsel Queries and has sent this feedback to Revisions Committee.

h) Ministry and Counsel has started a discussion about collective prayer and finding opportunities to be able to do this.

i) Doug Gwyn, Clarabel and Sarah Sprogell have been appointed for Ministry and Counsel to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting in Windham on April 2.

The report was accepted with thanks.

2. It was approved that Doug Gwyn, Sarah Sprogell and Clarabel Marstaller be our representatives to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting on April 2.

3. The recommendation to discontinue Charlene McPhee from membership and Lexie McPhee from Junior membership was approved, with our appreciation for their previous involvement in the meeting.

4. Doug Gwyn gave the pastor’s report, much of which is an overlap with the Ministry and Counsel report. On February 9, he met with Portland Friends who are reading his book: Sustainable Life. He met with Tallahassee Friends February 19-21 who are also reading the book. On April 24 he will be visiting with Central Philadelphia Friends meeting. He is working with Brian Drayton on the June 4th meeting on Friends with a concern for Gospel Ministry. Mid-week meetings for worship will resume on Wednesday evenings beginning March 30th at 7:00 at the parsonage. Doug’s report was accepted with thanks.

5. Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister’s report. They have decided to postpone a trip to Quebec until the autumn. There will be a closing dinner for the seniors this spring. Wendy’s report was accepted with thanks.

6. Approval was given for changing recording clerks from Sukie Rice to Martha Hinshaw Sheldon.

7. Wendy Schlottertbeck gave the Christian Education Committee report. All are invited to attend a Seder supper on Thursday, March 24 at 6:00 in the Meeting house. On Easter Sunday, March 27 Christian Education Committee is planning activities for the children between breakfast and meeting for worship. Meeting for Worship, starting as usual at 10:25, will be a family worship organized by Jeanne Baker Stinson and Tess Hartford using Godly Play. Christian Education has changed its meeting time to the first Sunday of the month. This report was accepted.

8. The Trustees reported that the committee is in transition juggling projects that are in process or needing to be done in the near future. The cell phone tower work continues in process. The committee is considering putting solar panels on the Meetinghouse roof but needs to also look at the potential and likely need for a new roof prior to solar panels. The committee is seeking multiple recommendations regarding the roof and will report findings. This report was accepted.

9. The Treasurer’s report for the month of January was distributed. The Finance Committee is discussing the possibility of having monthly reports change to quarterly reports.

10. A proposal was made that Durham Meeting invite Portland Friends Meeting to join Durham Friends in a sister relationship with Valesco Friends Meeting in Cuba. Durham Meeting has been a sister Meeting with Valesco Friends since 1996. Discussion occurred on the format, process and benefits of this proposal. Approval was given to appoint three people to work with Sarah Sprogell to develop a workable relationship between the three Meetings being sensitive to historical and socio-political concerns. People appointed were Ron Turcotte, Joyce Gibson and Katherine Langelier.

11. May is Break Free from Fossil Fuels Month, as created by 350.org and other organizations. Wendy Schlotterbeck presented some climate actions the Meeting could take. 1. Durham Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends could endorse a public vigil that will be held in Albany New York May 14 to protest oil trains going through the US. Albany is a central city for such trains. 2. Invite a small group of activists to talk to the Meeting on April 2. Jay O’Hara may be able to speak at Sunday school hour. (He spoke at a Peace and Social Concerns event a year ago.) 3. Meeting could help advertise for participation in a temporary working group on climate change/action in the local area. Approval was given for these three items with Wendy or the Clerk of Meeting writing the endorsement for item #1.

12. Durham Friends will be the host for New England Yearly Meeting-United Society of Friends Women on April 9.

13. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 2:20.

Sukie Rice and Martha Hinshaw Sheldon, Recording Clerks

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, February 21, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, February 21, 2016 with thirteen people present. Clerk Sarah Sprogell read from Corporate Discernment in Meetings for Business (page 37) from the Interim Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting..

1. Sarah Sprogell read a letter from Ralph Greene expressing great appreciation for the gift Durham Friends Meeting sent to him, and brought news and greetings from the family. A letter was also received from Ralph’s daughter, Sadie and her husband, Nathan thanking us for the baby blanket they received.

2. Wendy Schlotterbeck brought the Youth Minister’s Report.   She says this is a time of beginnings (new young people) and endings (five high school students are graduating). The group is planning a trip to Quebec in April. Wendy is hoping to have some kind of special dinner or event for the high school graduates. They are also planning the Family Camp out at Betsy Muench’s home in Georgetown in June.

Wendy’s report was accepted with gratitude for the wonderful work that is happening with the youth in the meeting.

3. Ron Turcotte reported for Ministry and Counsel. They have sent letters to members who have been absent from meeting for some time.  A number of these people have either moved with no forwarding address, have not responded, or have requested to be removed from membership. In keeping with Faith and Practice, Ministry and Counsel recommends that twenty-one people be removed from the membership list:

–Six junior members;

–Ten non-resident adult members;

–Five resident non-attending adult members.

4. It was approved that these people be removed from the membership list, and will be informed by Clerk, Sarah Sprogell.

5. Ron Turcotte brought the attached Ministry and Counsel evaluation report of Douglas Gwyn. Sarah Sprogell, Linda Muller, and Ron Turcotte met with Doug in regard to his first year with the meeting.

Ministry and Counsel is in agreement that the mutual relationship between Durham Meeting and Doug Gwyn is working very well for both parties. They feel clear that Durham Friends Meeting is very fortunate to have Doug as its Pastor, Ministry and Counsel recommend that his contract be renewed.

6. The meeting heartily approved that our contract with Douglas Gwyn be renewed for the calendar year of 2016 with same terms as his 2015 contract.

7. There will be an Easter morning sunrise service at Wolfe’s Neck State Park.  Joyce Gibson and Wendy Schlotterbeck will organize this.   Katherine Langelier will be organizing the breakfast.

8. Ron Turcotte brought a report from Doug Gwyn that Pastor Nelson Ida of the Kakamega Orphans Care Centre will be bringing the message April 10.

Tess Hartford and Jeanne Baker Stinson will be leading a family worship for Easter in the practice of Godly Play.

9. Ministry and Counsel will be holding their meetings on the second Sunday of each month.

10. Tess Hartford reported for Christian Education. She noted that it has been very helpful to meet with Doug Gwyn in advance of the committee meetings to plan the agenda.

a) They will be now meeting on the first Sunday of each month.

b) They are finalizing the contract for Wendy Schlotterbeck. Christian Education will conduct her annual evaluation in May. They recommend that her contract year run from July 1 through June 30. This means her 2015 contract needs to be extended until June 30, 2016.   They recommend that Wendy get paid for the same amount as this past year, divided evenly through the 12 months even though she will not be working in July.

c) There will be activities for children on Easter and the committee will be asking for help to assist with that.

d) A thank you letter was received from Ariana Andrews for the assistance the Meeting gave so that she could attend Friends Camp last summer.

11. It was approved that the new contract year for the Youth Minister go from July 1 through June 30 and that her 2015 contract be extended until the new contract year begins July 1, 2016.

12. The Meeting has received a request for financial assistance to attend Friends Camp this coming summer. This request was approved, the amount to be determined at a later date. Daphne Clement agreed to put notice in the newsletter of the availability of assistance to attend the camp.

13. Sukie (Susan) Rice brought the attached 2015 Year End Finance report.   The good news is that the total income for the year was $64,579 and the expenses were $62,597. Great thanks to everyone who has contributed to the mid-year and annual appeals which meant we made our expenses!   The report was accepted with thanks.

14. When Pastor Ida of the Kakamega Orphans Care Centre comes on April 10, it was agreed that there will be a pot-luck at 12:00 and a presentation to begin at 1:00.

15. Margaret Wentworth brought the Library Committee’s annual report, as attached. The report was approved with gratitude for all the work the committee does.

16. Ed Hinshaw brought the final report from Nominating Committee for 2016. All appointments and changes on the report have already been approved by Monthly Meeting. The meeting thanked Nominating Committee for their good work.

17. Quarterly Meeting will be held on April 2 at Windham Meeting. The January Quarterly Meeting was cancelled due to weather. The memorial minute that had been scheduled for January will be read at the April meeting.

18. Woman’s Society will be hosting the New England Yearly Meeting United Society of Friends Women on April 9 to be confirmed by the clerk of USFW.

19. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 2:20.

Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, January 17, 2016

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened in worship on Sunday, January 17, 2016 with eleven people present. Because Clerk Sarah Sprogell was not available, Nancy Marstaller clerked the meeting. Nancy read queries from the section on Personal Spiritual Condition from the Interim Faith and Practice of New England Yearly Meeting..

1. Clarabel Marstaller brought the report from Ministry and Counsel.

a) They recommend that Cynthia Muench become a member of Durham Friends Meeting, transferring her membership from Acton Friends Meeting in Massachusetts.

b) The State of Society Report (attached) was read and approved with gratitude. It is beautifully written, and shows what a vibrant meeting we are.

2. The Meeting approved Cynthia Muench’s request for transfer of her membership into Durham Meeting from Acton Friends.

3. Douglas Gwyn brought the pastor’s report.

The Gospel of John study at the Adult Sunday Study group is continuing well, with the addition of personal journey stories occurring on fourth Sundays.

4. Jo-an Jacobus brought the Nominating Committee report.

The meeting approved continuing the appointments for a second term for Margaret Wentworth (Trustees); Susan Rice (Finance); Jo-an Jacobus and Angie Reed (Library). Newly coming onto committees are Jo-an Jacobus and Kristna Evans (Website). It was agreed that there would be further conversation regarding Special Events.

5. Christian Education will bring the children’s story in February.

6. A request was brought from Woman’s Society to have a book sharing/purchasing table for recycling good, meaningful books.   Any donations that are given for books would go for the library funds. This was approved.

7. The Trustees Annual Report (attached) was brought by Margaret Wentworth.   It was a busy and exciting year for the trustees. In addition to routine maintenance and decisions, there were many projects large and small. The report was approved with great appreciation and admiration for all that Trustees did this year.

8. Doug Gwyn was appointed as our representative to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting on January 23 in Portland.

9. The minutes of Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned in the Spirit at 1:10.

 Sukie Rice, Recording Clerk

The meeting opened at 12:30 p.m. with 17 people present. Clerk Edwin Hinshaw opened with a reading
from Thomas Kelly’s Testament of Devotion (page 124, “Life from the Center”).
1. It was noted that dear Friend, and member, Macy Whitehead passed away on May 16th. A service to
celebrate his life will be held at the Phippsburg Center Church on Friday, May 25th
Page 8 of 14
2. Daphne Clement read a memorial minute for Barbara (Bobbie) Jordan. The minute was accepted with
appreciation. The minute will be published and forwarded to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting.
3. Leslie Manning will be traveling this summer with a concern for our sisters and brothers in Indiana
and Western Yearly Meetings. She requested a travel minute from Durham. It was approved that the Clerks
will write a travel minute, which will be sent on to New England Yearly Meeting.
4. Sarah Sprogell reported for the Ad-Hoc Fundraising Committee. The committee sees as its task ways
to address the operational budget and has planned a presentation as a part of meeting for worship, which
will happen May 27. The need to replenish the capital fund will be addressed in the autumn. The Meeting
accepted the report.
5. Katharine Hildebrandt brought the Treasurer Report for April. The total General Fund Income for
March was $7,191.32 and the Expenditures were $4,661.65. The year-to-date finances for the Operational
Fund shows that Income for January 1 – April 30 period was $20,074.22 and the Expenses were $21,760.48.
This means we are running a deficit of $1,686.26 for this four-month period for the Operational Budget.
(This does not include the $22,600 parsonage heating system, which was a capital expense in the General
Fund.) Her report was accepted with gratitude.
6. Dorothy Hinshaw reported for Christian Education. Children’s Day will be held on June 3rd.
Meeting youth will prepare a breakfast for all and will conduct the whole service that morning. The youth
group is requesting a second offering that day for the United Society of Friends Women International
Children and Youth Project. This request was approved. Gift certificates will be given to the Meeting’s
graduates. They are Mitch Newlin, Jessica Sheldon, Reeve Wood, Erik Brooks and Katherine Perkins. An
evaluation of the Youth Minister is in process.
7. Nancy Marstaller reported for Ministry and Counsel. Nancy is now Clerk and Phyllis Wetherell is
now recording clerk. Christian Education, Library Committee, Ministry and Counsel and Peace and
Social Concerns are all now a part of the children’s story rotation.
Scott Barksdale has researched a Sound System (that includes hanging microphones) that should meet
the needs of everyone in meeting. It will have earphones for anyone needing receiver assistance. The total
cost of this system will be between $1,600 and $1,760. Scott and Joe Godleski will install the system and
Scott will help to maintain it and be our contact person for questions. The Woman’s Society is ready to
provide the funds for this up to $2000. This proposal was approved. We are very grateful that a sound
system will finally be happening.
8. Daphne Clement gave her pastor’s report. The contemplative prayer and reading groups that have
been meeting mid-week through the year will be laid down for the summer. Her report was received with
appreciation.
Minutes of the meeting were approved during the meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. with a period of worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Rice

The Meeting opened with 11 people present.
Clerk Susan Wood read from the section on Integrity (Consistency in Word and Deed) from the
American Friends Service Committee’s booklet, “An Introduction to Quaker Testimonies.”
l. Clerks’ correspondence and business was brought forth by the Clerks.
a) The travel minute for Leslie Manning, written by the Clerks (as requested at the May Monthly
Meeting) was read and received with appreciation.
b) American Friends Service Committee sent an acknowledgement of a gift made to the AFSC by
Amelia Marstaller in memory of Friend Macy Whitehead..
2. A request from Abigail Fortune for assistance from the Equalization Fund to go to New England Yearly
Meeting this summer was received and approved.
3. The Treasurer submitted the May 31, 2012 report. Income for May was $2,481. Expenses were
$4,205.37. The Meeting deficit at this point for 2012 is $4,010.63.
4. The Clerks received a request for $1,000 (to be taken from the Charity Fund) for the Friends of
Kakamega to put lime and cover crop into a much-depleted soil at the Children’s Farm. The Children’s Farm is
six acres and has grown food for the Orphans’ Care Centre. However, because of fertilizer practice there, the
soil is much depleted and needs rebuilding. This request was approved.
5. Dorothy Hinshaw reported for Christian Education Committee.
a) They thank Erin Martin and Wendy Schlotterbeck for the wonderful Children’s Day breakfast and
the meeting for worship conducted by the youth.
b) Next year, starting in September, they plan to have two Sunday School classes of children and youth
that will meet every 1st and 3rd Sundays. Adult Sunday School will continue as is. Daphne Clement and Wendy
Schlotterbeck will share oversight of the children and youth classes.
c) They are looking into two public concerts this fall to help raise money for a possible trip to England
next year. The first concert would be September 8 with Tom Nielson, a folk singer from Monadnock Friends
Meeting and might include a song-writing workshop for teachers on September 9. The second concert would be
in the late autumn with Tom Whitehead. The Nielson concert was approved and it was suggested that they
explore further the options for the concert and workshop. It was approved that we proceed with the Tom
Whitehead concert.
6. The meeting thanks Betsy Muench and Wendy Schlotterbeck for a terrific camp-out for the youth and
families at Betsy’s home in Georgetown over the weekend of June 8-10.
7. David Reed reported that the meetinghouse large furnace is working very well, just in time for the
summer. The electrician will be coming in to fix the phone when he comes as a part of other work on the
speaker system and other electrical needs.
8. Monthly Meeting requests that Trustees proceed to sell the current large stove in the meetinghouse
kitchen and explore the purchase of two propane stoves to replace it. David Reed agreed he will find out from
the stove company how much they will give us for the stove and will look into advertising it in other places.
9. Susan Rice reported for Peace and Social Concerns. They plan on doing two Saturday evenings this
summer, as a mini “Summer Conversations Series.” The first will be on “Acidification of the Oceans and
Climate Change” with Ray Sirois, who works with a local engineering company. It will be held on Saturday,
July 28. The second evening will be on Saturday, Aug. 25, and the focus will be on Community Gardens. Eric
and Laura Evans, who run the community gardens in Camden, will be the guest speakers.
10. Margaret Wentworth reported that Falmouth Quarterly Meeting will be held on Saturday, July 28, here
at Durham Meetinghouse. It was agreed that we will ask Quarterly Meeting’s Committee on Planning and
Revitalization to hold the gathering in the afternoon with a picnic supper, so that their program can be the
3 of 10
program presented by Ray Sirois. This will be especially helpful, as Peace and Social Concerns was hoping that
friends from the Quarter might attend the evening. Margaret will check with CPR to make sure that this plan
will work.
11. We agreed on the following as representatives for New England Yearly Meeting: Daphne Clement,
Nancy Marstaller, Theresa Oleksiw and Wendy Schlotterbeck. We approve the person that Ministry and
Counsel chooses to serve on the Yearly Meeting M&C.
12. Ministry and Counsel reported that Daphne Clement will be at Friends General Conference on Sunday,
July 1. Peter Crysdale will bring the message that day.
13. Thank-yous were received from Erik Brooks and Jessica Sheldon for the book gift certificates they
were given from the Meeting for graduation.
The meeting ended at 2:10 p.m. with a period of worship and with upon their acceptance thanks to the
Clerks for a job well done.
Recording clerk,
Susan Rice

The meeting opened at 12:30 p.m. with 12 people present.
Clerk Sue Wood opened with a reading from New England Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice: “No Bond But Love and Fellowship” by Rufus Jones (page 122) followed by a period of worship.
1. Clarabel Marstaller reported for Ministry and Counsel. They are working on an Inquirer’s Packet, which should be ready April 22.
2. David Reed reported for Trustees. The windows for the nursery room doors are in and look great. The stove in the meetinghouse kitchen has been serviced and is working now. The pilot lights have all been turned off so there is no propane gas usage except when we are using the stove. The result is that air quality in the meetinghouse is dramatically improved, as well as reducing our use of fuel. People will need to be shown how to light the burners and oven. Please see David for instructions.
3. Susan Rice, Daphne Clement and Wendy Schlotterbeck reported for Peace and Social Concerns (P&SC): a.) Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (LACO): We will have a monthly “shopping list” of the LACO food-
pantry needs that will be available for when friends do their shopping. This April/May we are asking for hearty soups, crackers, brown rice, cereals and cans of fruit. The Meeting will hold a pig-roast benefit dinner for LACO on Sept. 29. There is a spaghetti dinner to benefit LACO on May 19 at the Holy Trinity Church in Lisbon Falls. Friends are being asked to contribute desserts.
b.) There will be a benefit dinner for the Kakamega Orphan Project on Saturday, June 23. It will be a BBQ chicken and strawberry shortcake dinner.
c.) The community garden at the parsonage is coming along very well. David Marstaller has agreed to build a trellis there. P&SC is also planning to have a bench, which we will dedicate in memory of Louis Marstaller. We hope to have this completed by Memorial Day weekend so we can dedicate it after Worship on May 27.
d.) 350.org is calling for a global “Connect the Dots” action on May 5 and May 6, envisioned as a world- wide “action” which calls for a reduction of carbon fuels and for care for our environment. Durham Friends Youth Group and Peace and Social Concerns will be organizing a photo of the Meeting participating in this campaign after worship on May 6. Our environmental action will be to begin planting the community garden on that day, and to plant some fruit trees. We will also encourage carpooling and bicycling to the meeting on May 6, as a first step to further carpooling.
4. It was approved that we should build a commemoration bench using P&SC funds. 5. It was approved that we plant two peach trees and put out a basket to receive contributions to pay for them. 6. Margaret Wentworth reported for the Library Committee. Old periodicals have been recycled. We will save
the boxes for future use. Library Committee would like to hold its meetings on the 5th Sundays.
7. Katharine Hildebrandt brought the Finance Report for March. The total General Fund Income for March was $3,561.89 and the Expenditures were $5,461.94. The year-to-date finances for the General Fund shows that Income for January 1 – March 31 period was $12,881.55 and the Expenses were $17,098.83. This means we are running a $4,217.28 deficit for the first three months of 2012. Her report was accepted with gratitude. 8. Daphne Clement gave her pastor’s report. It has been an active April, especially around Easter time. The
reading group that has been meeting on Wednesdays has been rich. The community garden is proceeding very nicely. Contemplative prayer will be held on Tuesdays in May.
9. Registration has opened for the Friends General Conference Gathering at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston (July 1-7). People planning to go are encouraged to sign up early to get their choice of workshops.
10. Jo-an Jacobus reported for the Website Committee. Wendy Schlotterbeck will be helping on the technical level to get information onto the website. The Committee is very appreciative of this help she is giving.
11. Susan Rice reported that the Ad-Hoc Fundraising Committee is actively meeting. They see that raising consciousness around the operating budget deficit is an important part of raising money to meet that deficit.
12. Quarterly Meeting will be held on April 28 at Portland Friends Meetinghouse. Approved for representatives are Leslie Manning, Clarabel Marstaller and Susan Wood.
Minutes of the meeting were approved during the meeting. The Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. with a period of worship.
By Nancy Marstaller
Fourteen women met at Muriel and Karen Marston’s. Their recent work on the house makes the place just glow.
Margaret Wentworth led the program and devotions on the theme “God Speaks Through Others.” The author of the lesson in our Blueprints quoted Psalm 46: “As the deer panteth for water, so my soul panteth for you, oh God.” We shared how God can speak to us through others or in ways we might not recognize.
We sent many cards: thinking of you, birthday, get well, and thank you. Our treasurer reported a balance of $2,140.94, with $2,000 dedicated to a meetinghouse sound system. The April Tedford meal was chicken and rice, green salad, fruit, brownies and
cheesecake. Angie and her team will provide the May meal.
We are asked to pray for all Friends attending the Friends World Committee for Consultation world conference in Kenya. We planned details of the NE USFW meeting to be held at the meetinghouse on May 12 and the Yard Sale on May 26 (see related articles!). In closing our meeting, we held in prayer all those who could not join us for the evening.
We enjoyed Karen’s fabulous refreshments, the antics of their dog, and each other’s company before heading into the night. Our next meeting will be Monday, May 21, at Nancy’s house, with Angie leading devotions and Dot Hinshaw leading the program. Hope you can come!
Woman’s Society April Meeting Notes
Respectfully submitted, Susan Rice

The meeting opened at 12:35 p.m. with 19 people present.
Clerk Sue Wood opened with a reading from New Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice: “Sense of Community.” In it, Fox writes, “Friends are not to meet like a company of people about town or parish business…” but to wait on the Lord. George Selleck writes, “It is important that the meeting for business should begin with a genuine period of worship, with an awareness of the real presence and direction of Christ in the worshipping fellowship.”
1.) Clerk Sue Wood read a letter from Tess Hartford requesting tuition assistance for her granddaughter Ariana Andrews for Friends Camp. This request was approved.
2.) A letter was read from Dorothy Grannell of Friends World Conference for Consultation-New England regarding the April “Salt and Light” Conference in Kenya. There will be people from New England attending that conference who would like to visit Monthly Meetings to share their experiences.
It was approved that we extend an invitation to join us on Sunday, May 13, for a potluck and gathering. This will be following the Saturday United Society of Friends Women-New England meeting during which there will be a report from some of these people.
3.) Katharine Hildebrandt brought the Treasurer’s Report both for February and year to date. It was noted that Income for the two months was $9,318.35. But she will need to dip into the General Savings Account to meet the expenses for March. Income for February was $4,128.67 and expenditures were $6,742.92 for the General Fund. Capital expenses for February were $15,066 which completed the purchase of the pellet boiler system; this came out of the Capital Fund.
4.) Wendy Schlotterbeck reported that Ministry and Counsel will be co-sponsoring a Seder Supper with Christian Education on April 5 at 6:00. All are welcomed. Families especially are invited. There will be an Easter sunrise service at the Weed Simpson Cemetery on River Road in Brunswick this year at 6 a.m. A request is being made that people wear their name tags as there is an increase in new people coming to the meeting.
5.) The Meeting approved that Trustees should use the $100 needed to fix the land-line telephone in the Meeting. Trustees remind people not to park under the basketball net, especially now that the weather is good.
6.) Susan Rice reported for Peace and Social Concerns. They were very happy with the workshop on Transitional Communities that Steve Chase and Katy Locke gave and look forward to continuing with some of the ideas and the spirit of the Transitions movement.
Peace and Social Concerns plans to have two fund raising dinners this year: one for Kakamega at the end of June and one for the Lisbon/Auburn Christian Outreach Food Pantry in the autumn. Holding these two dinners for “sharing the wealth” were approved.
7.) Daphne Clement brought the Pastors’ Report. Reading group will be held on Wednesdays in April at 6:30 p.m. (reading the Gospels of Thomas and Mary Magdalene) and Contemplative Prayer gatherings will continue again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in May.
Daphne is looking forward to the Meeting’s having a community garden by the parsonage. She has great plans for it and looks forward to a large participation by Meeting members and attenders.
It was approved that Markus Schlotterbeck be invited to bring the message on April 22 following his three and a half month visit to Palestine. He will be asked to speak at a pot-luck on that date. We hold Markus in prayer for his safety.
8.) Sally Skillman reported that Special Events Committee is preparing for Easter.
9.) Wendy Schlotterbeck reminds us that that Jonathan Vogel-Borne has resigned as Secretary of New England Yearly Meeting, effective as of the end of December. Wendy is on the search committee for a new Secretary and welcomes ideas and applications for the position.
Minutes of the meeting were approved as the meeting was held. The Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. with a period of worship.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Rice

July 17, 2011

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at 12:15 pm with 16 people present.  Co-Clerk Edwin Hinshaw read a quote from Thomas Kelly: “Social concern is the dynamic life of God at work in the world.”

1. Theresa Oleksiw and Leslie Manning reported for Ministry and Counsel.

a) Ministry and Counsel recommends that the new sound system be provided by Confield Associates.  This system means there will be hand held microphones so that everyone will be able to hear.  (It was determined that the hanging mics would not work in our meeting room.)  It will cost between $1900 -$2100.  Woman’s Society has $2000 earmarked for this.  Finance Committee is asked to suggest how any cost over $2000 should be met.  This recommendation was approved.

b) Because of child safety concerns for child care in the meetinghouse, M&C recommends having half windows installed in the nursery room doors for both of the access doors.  Finance Committee is asked to look into how the costs for this would be met.  This was approved.

c) The telephone tree is now available and will be distributed to all who are on the tree with extra copies available on the table in the library.

d) A questionnaire to assist in the annual evaluation of the Pastor will be done by forms that will be made available in the August newsletter as well as on the table in the library.  Daphne Clement will also be filling out an evaluation.  There will be a place on the form where members and attenders can say what they would like in the way of program offerings and when they might be available to attend such programs.  M&C will bring a report of the evaluation and a recommendation coming from it to Monthly Meeting in November.

2. The Treasurer’s Report (attached) was distributed by Katherine Hildebrandt and was accepted with great thanks.  Income for June was $2,936.03 and Expenses for June were $6,523.41.  The significantly lower amount in contributions in June reflects seasonal differences.

a) It was noted that we budgeted $42,000 for contributions for 2011 and at the half-way point of the year, we have brought in $20,690, so we are very close to the budgeted projection.  However our income for the first 6 months of 2011 is $4980 short of our expenses in the same period.

b) The Rise Up Singing benefit concert of the youth group brought in $1650.  $650 went to pay the musicians.  $250 has gone to sponsor a child at the Kakamega USFW Orphan Project.  The youth group is still deciding how to allocate the rest of the money.

c) Finance Committee is still working on developing the method of making electronic transfers for people who want to make their contributions through automatic bank transfers.

d) $1261.26 is available as part of the compensation package for Daphne Clement to go to conferences.  We approved allocating $500 of that to assist Daphne with her costs for going to New England Yearly Meeting sessions.

3. Susan Rice and Leslie Manning reported for Peace and Social Concerns.

a) They wish to hold a second benefit dinner for Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (LACO) food pantry on Saturday, October 1.  It would be a “Harvest Dinner and Pies” event.  Shiloh and Church of the Brethren would be asked to carry this event with us.  This recommendation was approved.  Daphne Clement is offering to be the liaison for Durham’s connections to LACO for fundraising.  This was quickly approved

b) On Saturday November 12^th, Peace and Social Concerns is recommending that we hold a Kenya Crafts Sale and Tea.  The crafts would be brought back from Kenya by Susan and the sale of them will directly benefit the Orphan Project.  At a particular point in the day, there would be a “Kenyan Tea (and biscuits)” and a reporting from those who were part of the trip this summer.  This was heartily approved.

c) On Sunday, January 29, 2012 (the 5^th Sunday of the month) Peace and Social Concerns would like to invite Brunswick and Lewiston Friends for worship and a pot luck with a program on how war spending has affected our job economy.

4) Dorothy Hinshaw reported for Christian Education Committee:

a) The special offering taken on Children’s Day (for the Children and Youth projects of United Society of Friends Women [USFW]) was $215.  Durham’s Woman’s society has contributed further funds to make it a total of $500.

b) Rally Day will be on September 11.  Plans for the year will be reviewed at that time.

c) At the end of August there will be a training workshop called Our Whole Life (OWL) Training, for middle school and high school curriculum.  Daphne Clement’s conference fees are already covered in her compensation package.  The Meeting approved funding for Wendy Schlotterbeck and Katharine Hildebrandt through the Christian Education budget and Conference funds.

5) Daphne Clement gave the pastors’ report.

a) She attended Friends General Conference Summer Gathering in July where she co-led a “Spiritual Journey and Writing” workshop that was very well received.  Nearly 1000 Friends from all over the world were in attendance and she appreciated living for a week in a “village of Friends.”

b) Pastoral visits continue.  She gives special thanks to Bill Curtis who does an exceptional job on our lawns.  The community garden is coming along very well.

c)  Jim Douglas will be bringing the message on August 7.

d) The sign is a work in progress.  It was decided that the sign will have the website on it instead of the telephone number.

5) The Meeting decided to give $1200 (a 10% tithe from our Charity Fund) to the Brunswick Unitarian Universalist Church to help the rebuilding of their church following the fire.

6) It was approved that Elizabeth Muench will serve as our Ministry and Counsel representation to NEYM until or unless another person is appointed to undertake this responsibility

7) Monthly Meeting will not be held in August.

8) The minutes of the Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

9) The Meeting adjourned, continuing in the spirit of worship, at 1:40 P.M.

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday, June 19, 2011, at 12:15 pm with 11 people present.  Co-clerk Edwin Hinshaw read “Quaker Education Should Be Experiential” from the World Conference, 1937.

1.  The Clerk read thank you notes from the Woolman Hill Board members who met at our meeting on the weekend of June 5.

2.  The Clerk read a letter to Kris Reed expressing the Meeting’s affirmation of his commitment as a conscientious objector, offering our support for him in his efforts to live a peaceful and nonviolent life.

3.  Jo-an Jacobus reported that the Meeting telephone was connected May 20^th.  She described the full agreement with FairPoint Communications.  All agreement information will be held by the Trustees.  The meeting thanked Jo-an for all the work she has put into this to tailor our agreement specifically to our needs.

4.  We decided to send to the Finance Committee the need for a $360 budget revision to cover the cost of the telephone for 2011, with the suggestion that they transfer some funds currently allocated in the budget for snowplowing to the telephone cost.

5.  Daphne Clement gave her Pastor’s Report for May.  Along with many visits, hosting Woolman Hill board members, attending the Beacon Hill Friends House board, and the contemplative prayer group, she spent a great deal of time preparing the meeting garden (in which the Youth Group is planting) and preparing to paint the Meeting sign.

The meeting approved the layout for the sign that Daphne presented with minor adjustments.  We were very pleased that she has taken on this challenge and we look forward to the new sign with great anticipation.

6.  The Treasurer’s Report (attached) was distributed by Eileen Babcock and was accepted with thanks.  Income for May was $5,267.61 and Expenses for May were $5,684.05.  Requests for NEYM Equalization Fund will be announced from the facing bench over the next three weeks.

7.  Eileen Babcock, reporting for Finance Committee, said that Durham Oil Company has published its contract prices for oil for the coming year.  Trustees will research the options and will bring their recommendation to Monthly Meeting in July.

8.  The Meeting requested Susan Rice write up a report on the Kakamega Project for the newsletter.

9.  The Meeting approved the following people to be our representatives at the sessions of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends (NEYM):  Daphne Clement, Nancy Marstaller, and, pending their agreement, Wendy Schlotterbeck and Leslie Manning.  We approved Theresa Oleksiw as our representative to serve on NEYM Nominating Committee.  The Meeting requests that Durham’s Meeting on Ministry and Counsel send to Monthly Meeting its recommendation for the Meeting’s representative for NEYM Ministry and Counsel.

10. Representatives to Quarterly Meeting, Sunday, July 24 at Portland Meeting are Glenice Hutchins, Clarabel Marstaller, Alexandrine and Joseph Godleski and Daphne Clement.  The program for the day will be on Global Warming.

11.  Daphne Clement will look into the needs of the Brunswick Unitarian Universal Church since its big fire last month.  She will report to both Monthly Meeting and Woman’s Society.  As we have had the experience of strong support and friendship from other churches when we had a fire in 1986, we want to reach out to the UU church in some way.

12.  Monthly Meeting will not be held in August.

13. The minutes of the Monthly Meeting were approved during the meeting.

14. The Meeting adjourned, continuing in the spirit of worship, at 1:55 P.M.

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk