Category Archives: Monthly Meeting for Business

Woman’s Society Report for June

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By Angie Reed

The Woman’s Society met on June 20, 2011 for a High Tea (light suppa) at the home of Dorothy and Ed Hinshaw.  12 women dined on cucumber sandwiches, beets, soda bread and jam, strawberries, cheesecake, among other delights, and of course freshly brewed tea.  These were served by the beautiful hostess, Dorothy with help from her male family members, Ed and grandson Chris, all with good humor.  All women who attended felt like queens for the day and had a wonderful, unforgettable time.  A HUGE thank you goes out to Dorothy, Ed, and Chris for providing those gathered with a wonderful way to begin the summer.

Following the tea, we gathered in the parlor for our program and meeting. Jo-an Jacobus lead devotions by reading the children’s book, “Praying with our Feet”.  The program for the evening was titled “Working for Peace” and was read jointly by all attendees. It described the work of Charlotte Stangeland and a team of people who are developing a Peace Curriculum to be taught to young people in Kenya.

In business, we were asked to pray for the team of people we had just discussed who are developing the Peace Curriculum in Kenya and have been hindered by government regulations and are doing their best to complete the curriculum before the next presidential elections in 2012. The Tedford meal for June was Sloppy Joes, 2 salads, rolls, ice cream and rhubarb sauce. We discussed the book list for the next season of the reading program.  Please let Angie know if you have any books you would like to share with the Meeting for the next reading program which starts in Sept. of 2011.   Nancy read a list of donations for Tess Marstallar’s camp program in Cameroon.  Items donated included soccer balls, crayons, pens, pencils, 10 jump ropes and lots of stickers. Please check Tess’s blog to see how your items are being used.  Thank you to all those who contributed to the care package Tess Marstaller will use in her camp program

Last but not least, we discussed the Yard Sale which made a grand total of $1,789.75 and is a record for us. People were pleased with the new pricing system for Jumble items, and expressed regret that Syretha Brooks was not home to share in the kitchen fun this year. We decided to spend some of these funds to continue contributions to the “Adopt a Nurse Program” and also send monies to the youth funds that were listed as under funded in the last “Advocate”.  Some of the money was placed in reserve to fund community needs throughout the year, especially as winters have been so hard on people lately.

The meeting ended by Dorothy Curtis who read silly quotes and messages of friendship. The next meeting will be on July 18 at the home of Helen Clarkson.  All are invited to attend.

Durham Monthly Meeting Minutes, May 15, 2011

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Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday, May 12, 2011, at 12:20 P.M., with 14 people present.   Clerk Edwin Hinshaw read a gentle prayer by Mary Stewart of Longmont, California (1904).

1. Susan Rice was approved as Recording Clerk for 2011, with thanks.

2. Jo-an Jacobus reported that Durham Monthly Meeting now has a two-year contract with FairPoint Communications for a landline telephone.  It will cost approximately $45 a month.  It should be hooked up on May 20th.  The phone number is:  207.725.0411 and we will be listed as Durham Meeting of Friends.  It was agreed that we should have voice mail along with call forwarding and conference calling.  It was also agreed that we should have a block on 900 and international calls.  It was agreed as well that Clarabel Marstaller and Jo-an Jacobus would be our contacts with FairPoint.  Despite our wishes to have a copy of the contract held by the Trustees, there is no contract with FairPoint, only a verbal agreement.  Jo-an Jacobus will write a report of all the items agreed to by both parties and provide it to the Trustees so it may be held by them.

3.  The Meeting would like to recognize our graduates for this year:

From high school:  Kristopher Reed, Amanda Curtis, and Sarah Freshley.

From college:  Keegan Brown and Nicholas Gorgone.

From graduate school:  Wesley Marstaller.

A gift certificate from Quakerbooks of Friends General Conference (FGC) for each graduate was approved to go with our hearty congratulations.

4. Katharine Hildebrandt, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s report for April.  Income for April was $4,761.92; expenses were $4,862.55.  The report was accepted with thanks.  (Report attached.)

New England Yearly Meeting of Friends sent us a $100 donation to help with costs for the wonderful Godly Play Workshop supported by FGC.  We agreed to send that $100 to FGC along with $160 from Christian Education Committee and the fees taken in for the workshop.

Katharine has been researching all the Meeting’s funds to determine which were given with restrictions.  At this time the only fund that Katharine was able to determine has a restriction is the Goddard Fund, with a restriction on the principle.  She requests that someone else do a similar check of all our trustees’ and finance files to confirm this and to help establish the base amount of the Goddard Fund which is being held and invested by the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends Pooled Funds.

5.  David Reed reported for Trustees.  Saturday May 21 will be clean-up day for the inside and outside of the Meetinghouse.

6.  Finance Committee reported:

A. The organ that is in the Meeting Room was donated to us by Friends Camp.  Finance Committee encourages anyone who would like to thank Friends Camp for this gift to do so by making a contribution to the Meeting and we will gratefully send it to Friends Camp.

B.  There was discussion about having people make their donations to the Meeting through automatic monthly transfers from their bank account to ours.  For some people this might be a more regular, manageable way to make their contributions.  This method of receiving donations was approved.  The Finance Committee is being asked to announce this at Meeting and through the newsletter.  They were also asked to create a form for automatic transfers that friends could give to their bank with our bank account and routing numbers included.

7.  Susan Rice reported that the Peace & Social Concerns dinner to benefit the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach Food Pantry will occur on Saturday June 25th at 5:30.  It will be a pig roast with a locally grown pig.  The menu will include vegetarian baked beans, cornbread, a variety of salads, and our famous Strawberry Shortcake.  There was a discussion concerning serving pork as it excludes Muslims and Jews.  It was decided to proceed with the menu as planned with a request for deeper discussion for future dinner menus. There will be a strong effort to invite people who live in the local area.

8.  Clarabel Marstaller reported for Christian Education Committee that June 12 will be Children’s Sunday.  It was requested that there be a second offering on that day to go to the United Society of Friends Women International children’s projects.  This was approved.

9.  Clarabel Marstaller reported on the Quarterly Meeting that gathered on April 30 at Friends Camp.   The July 24th Quarterly Meeting will be held at Portland Meeting and the program will be on the Friends World Committee on Consultation theme of “Salt and Light”.

10.  Daphne Clement gave a pastor’s report which included special thanks for her support committee.  A contemplative prayer group has started on Tuesday evenings at the Meetinghouse.  She will begin to repaint our old sign.  Hooray!

11.  Wendy Schlotterbeck gave a very full Youth Minister report.  (Report attached.)  We accepted this report with appreciation and admiration.

12.  A letter of greeting from Durham Monthly Meeting will be carried by Elizabeth Muench to the Intermountain Yearly Meeting.

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

14. The Meeting adjourned, continuing in the spirit of worship, at 2:10 P.M.

 

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk

Woman’s Society Newsletter Report for May

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By Angie Reed

The Woman’s Society met on May 16, 2011 at Nancy Marstaller’s house. 15 women gathered for a devotional prayer by Dotty DeLoach, and a program by Sarah Sprogell. Sarah shared her experiences with Bobbie Jordan in the last months and moments of Bobbie’s life here on earth. We were all touched by the pure love and devotion these two wonderful women share for each other and join Sarah in prayers for her next steps in her journey.

In business, Prayers were asked for the recipients of the Joy fund who are Christine Wood of Kickapoo Center; Brenda White of Mesquakie Center; and Ann Kendall of MOWA Choctaw Center. We would also suggest you include Joseph Makokha in your prayers. He is the clerk of the Friends Church Peace Team in Kenya and is much involved with the Peace Curriculum being developed for Kenyan schools. The Tedford Meal for May was hot dogs, and buns, green salad and 2 wonderful deserts.

Kitsie Hildebrandt has purchased four platters to be used for Woman Society sponsored events and was asked to purchase a few more in the event of breakage. The new Blueprints for 2011-2012 are available for purchase for $5.00 from Margaret Wentworth. Angie Reed asked that members review the book list for the coming year in the Advocate and let her know if there are any books on this list you would like to read during our next year’s reading program. Final plans were made for this year’s yard sale to be held May 28th at the Meeting House. Please look for new pricing on our Jumble items.

Lastly, Nancy Marstaller read an email from Tess who is in the Peace Corp in Tombel, a province of Cameroon. She has asked for a care package for her students to help her put on a summer camp for girls this coming summer.  We will put together a care package similar to that sent to Japan to be mailed out after Father’s day. See newsletter article for more details.

The meeting was closed by Kitsie who read a poem by Mary Oliver which in part said… in life “it is not the weight you carry but how you carry it.” The next Meeting will be hosted by Dorothy Hinshaw on June 20th at her home at 5:30pm.

Youth Minister’s Report Spring 2011

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By Wendy Schlotterbeck

1. Durham Young Friends held a very successful “Rise Up singing” sing-a-long concert on March 19th.  It seemed that all who came had a wonderful time and the youth made $1001.  My highlight of the year was watching the young friends in the front row thoroughly engaged and enjoying both the concert and one another.

2. The April Young Friends Meeting was held at Aunt Bee’s house and the youth, as always, had a fabulous time.  Special thanks to Brenda Masse for helping with the group as Wendy was at the Playing in the Light workshop along with Jeanne Baker-Stinson and five others.

3. At our May 20th meeting, we had a sleepover at the Meetinghouse.  We held a wonderful, lengthy Quaker discussion about whether we wanted to sponsor a Kakamega child.  The sense of the meeting was that we would indeed sponsor a child and accept the responsibility of continuing the sponsorship year by year.  The youth were excited about writing letters and hope that in a few years, some of us may participate in the Summer Trip to Kakamega to meet the children.

4. As the school year comes to a close, I am amazed and humbled by our youth who in a short time (the Philadelphia trip was just last year!) have really bonded into a lovely group.  Some remarked how Durham Young Friends (DYF) feels like family, they love coming to Meeting, and really enjoy being friends and Friends.  We at Durham are so very blessed to have such incredible young people in our midst.

5. Passages has been focusing more on Conscientious Objection this spring, our final gathering on May 22nd featured excerpts from the documentary “Soldiers of Conscience,” and a special guest who is a member of Veterans for Peace.  We hold Kris Reed in the Light as he ventures forward in his journey after graduation from high school in June.  Next fall, we plan to continue the high school “Passages” group and look forward to more study of faith communities especially Islam and Judaism.

6. Please attend “Children’s Day” on Sunday, June 12th when the youth will have the care of worship.  There will also be a picnic after meeting with food, games, and activities.

7. On June 17 – 19 our annual campout will be held at Betsy Muench’s summer home.  All of Durham Meeting is warmly invited.  If you can’t stay overnight, come for a few hours during the day for kayaking, swimming, beach activities, singing and wonderful conversation.  Contact Wendy Schlotterbeck for more details.

Durham Monthly Meeting Minutes, April 17, 2011

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April 17, 2011

for every family in every part of the earth, and also for people who are poor and their governments.  Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday April 17, 2011 at 12:30 with 12 present. Co-Clerk, Edwin Hinshaw, read from Daily Readings from Quaker Writings Ancient and Modern, an article by James Newby, p. 84, ed. Linda H. Renfer: “We live in a world of mystery;… deeper faith will produce deeper questions…”

Dorothy Hinshaw was approved as recording Clerk for the day.

1. Margaret Wentworth circulated the Statistical report, prepared by Dorothy DeLoach.  The report was accepted with appreciation, to be forwarded to New England Yearly Meeting of Friends [NEYMF].  It was noted that parents need to request junior membership for their children so that they may be counted in the meeting’s annual statistics.

2. A letter from NEYM Young Adult Friends concerning climate change was received and referred to Peace and Social Concerns Committee.

3. Carried over from March Monthly Meeting, the need for a land telephone line was discussed. The Meeting approved a three year contract with FairPoint Communications for $420 per year which enables unlimited calls to numerous towns in this area, provides 911 emergency service and facilitates in-coming calls.  The towns included in this calling area are Durham, Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Brunswick, Freeport, Topsham, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Woolwich and Georgetown.  No long distance calls will be able to be made. Jo-an Jacobus will follow through on this matter.

4. It was reported that a letter of introduction for Markus Schlotterbeck to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting was prepared and given to him by the Co-Clerks.

5. Joseph Godleski for Katharine Hildebrandt, Treasurer, distributed the monthly financial and year-to date reports. They were received with appreciation and are attached.

6. Daphne Clement, Pastor, suggested that we facilitate automatic transfers from a donor’s bank account to the Meeting bank account. It was approved that the Treasurer be asked to arrange for this procedure.

7. A request was received for Ariana Andrews for a campership to Friends Camp. It was approved to provide $250.

8. In response to a letter and photos of Durham Meeting, a letter was received from our sister meeting, Velasco Monthly Meeting, Cuba. This letter was read in Meeting for Worship and Monthly Meeting.

“A thousand thanks for this wonderful Bridge of Love which you share with us Cubans – and more importantly, Quakers – in Velasco.  This session of the yearly meeting has been full of love and that is why I’m writing, to extend that love to you all.  We never forget you and we pray We hope a group of you will be with us this year, if God permits.”

9. Leslie Manning reported for Ministry and Counsel:

a. In response to NEYM’s request that we consider Friends United Meeting’s personnel policy, Durham Ministry Counsel reports: “Prior to 1988, Friends United Meeting did not have a Sexual Ethics portion of their personnel process. After prayer, discussion and discernment, we recommend that it be replaced with the following:

Recruitment.

Application with references.

Applicant asks for a Clearness Committee from Monthly Meeting where membership is held, which provides a letter of recommendation to Yearly meeting, if approved.

Yearly Meeting (or its interim body) provides a letter of recommendation, if approved.

Friends United Meeting makes final decision in conjunction with applicant.”

The above was approved in principle to be forwarded to NEYMF for further consideration and to QM for their information. Monthly Meeting recommended that the above policy change be set in context of the FUM policy.

b. Friends General Conference Gathering of Friends will be held at Grinnell College, Iowa, July 3-9, 2011. “Yes to the Joy of Love,” Friends General Conference’s 2010 annual report, was circulated.

c. Special mugs will be used to identify members of Ministry and Counsel at “coffee” hour to facilitate inquiries about Friends and Durham Meeting.

10. Peace and Social Concerns Committee reported on the concern from Friends Committee on National Legislation about the fact that 39 cents of every tax dollar goes to war and militarization.  The Committee’s major effort will be devoted to supporting Lisbon Area Christian Outreach.  Monthly Meeting approved selling tickets to LACO events held at Durham Friends meetinghouse and other local churches.

11. The All Maine Gathering and Falmouth Quarterly Meeting will be held at Friends Camp on April 30, 2011. Representatives approved are Clarabel Marstaller, Daphne Clement, Alexandrine and Joseph Godleski.

12. Daphne Clement, Pastor, reported attending the spring gathering of New England United Society of Friends Women, NEYMF and New York Yearly Meeting of Friends Ministers and Clerks conference, on local pastoral visits, and meeting with Young Friends at “Aunt Bee” Bernice Douglas’ home. She also volunteers at LACO and attends LACO Board Meetings.

13. Clarabel Marstaller reported for the Adult Sunday School Class on a discussion of the Yearly Meeting “Minute of Sending Forth.” The class concluded that the minute was too abstract, that the four priorities were something we can take hold of and work on: the call to forgiveness; the call to strengthen our ability to love and to build our community; the call to name, cultivate, and exercise gifts of ministry, eldership, and leadership; and the call to undertake clear leadings for witness. The following was also suggested by the Class for NEYM consideration:

The call to work together as a Society to become better able to serve the world and to be faithful to the Gospel of love and peace.

Since we are non-creedal and we come from so many different faith backgrounds, we might try to learn more about our Quaker faith, suggesting that for the year ahead each Meeting have a study of George Fox’s Journal and of one of the Gospels.

The Adult Sunday School class will be considering Bill Taber’s pamphlet, Four Doors to Worship in May.  Meeting members are encouraged to attend.

The meeting closed with prayer, keeping in mind controversial issues and concerns facing our Meeting and the Society of Friends.

Dorothy Hinshaw, Recording Clerk, pro tem

Woman’s Society Report for April

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By Margaret Wentworth

The Durham Friends Woman’s Society met on April 18 at Clarabel Marstaller’s home.  Ten women attended.  Bee Douglas led devotions, emphasizing the many ways she has felt cared for by her family and f/Friends.  Theresa Oleksiw gave the program on care of the elderly.  Her presentation of the Blueprints information led to much sharing among the group.

In business, we were asked to pray for Ann Riggs, Principal of Friends Theological College, and her excellent work in Kenya.  We had no report on the April Tedford meal.  Team F has the May meal.  Five Easter pies were ordered.  Their baking and delivery to meeting was coordinated.  The Yard Sale is set for Saturday, May 28.  The plans for advertising were discussed.  We noted that the box of toiletries for Japan is filling nicely.  Jo-an Jacobus presented information about the Durham Friends Meeting website and we clarified contact information to be used on the site for our group.  We appreciate the good work Markus Schlotterbeck and the website committee have done in setting it up, and are grateful for Jo-an’s willingness to keep it up to date.

Six women from our Meeting attended and enjoyed the USFW NE Spring Gathering in Portland.  USFWI has asked if New England could host the 2016 Triennial.  After discussing the information laid out in the Handbook on hosting those events, as the only organized Woman’s Society in New England, we decided we are not ready to attempt the task.  The 2011-2012 Blueprints have arrived and are available from Margaret for $5 each.  Our next meeting will be May 16 at the home of Nancy Marstaller.  Theresa will lead devotions and Sarah Sprogell will lead the program.

Dorothy closed the meeting with some wildly hilarious quotes from church bulletins, and we adjourned to feast on Clarabel’s delicious goodies.

State of the Society, 2010

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Prepared by Ministry and Counsel, approved at Monthly Meeting
March 20,2011

“Let us cherish the seed of God in ourselves and in others, that we may be open to new revelations of truth. Let us look to our meetings to guide and stimulate our spiritual growth.” Advices on Spiritual Life, F and P, NEYM, 1985

How have we been open to truth and how has our meeting guided and stimulated us? At the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century after the birth of Jesus, what do we offer to our families, our community and our world that speaks to “that of God” in each of us?

Our spiritual community has been deeply enriched by the work and messages from our interim pastor, Andrew Grannell. Our Pastoral Search Committee worked diligently and deliberately to call the best qualified Friend to our midst, Daphne Clement. Our Youth Minister and her able assistants provide a rich array of resources and opportunities to our beloved youth. They made a field trip to Philadelphia, worshipped with our Shaker neighbors and visited the Heifer Project. Attendance at Sunday School, Youth Passages and adult religious education has been consistent and strong.

The Woman’s Society has been active, raising more money in their annual yard sale than ever, and thus has more to give away. Our worship time is enlivened by the gifts of music, ministry and silent waiting. We offered Quaker Quest to our neighbors to let them know that they are welcome among Friends.

We have been ably led by our co-clerks, and the faithful stewards of all our gifts, spiritual, financial and material. We have completed extensive work on our buildings, making them more energy efficient, welcoming and as well ordered as resources allowed. We welcomed new attenders and mourned the passing of several of our members who were inspiring in their lives of grace and faithfulness. We grow older and bolder, but take time to offer each other fellowship and support in times of illness and duress. We know the power of love and tenderness and have heard repeatedly the calls to forgiveness.

We need to take the love and concern we experience in our meeting and pour it out in the rest of our lives. We have benefited from the ministry of traveling Friends, from our deepening connections with our Quarter through Quaker Quest. We are distressed to find ourselves without unity in matters that speak directly to our testimonies and pray that unity with all Friends, everywhere, may be found. We rejoice in our connections to Kakamega, Cuba, Kaimosi and Ramallah. We wish to offer more to the needy in our own neighborhoods, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and clothe those in need. We pray for peace.

We have found comfort in the metaphor of the potluck. Each of us brings what we are able, and we gather joyfully to share the bounty. It does not matter if we have little or nothing to bring, there is always enough. And being with each other, in light and laughter while giving thanks, is our deepest blessing. We are grateful.

Durham Monthly Meeting Minutes, March 20, 2011

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March 20, 2011

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends convened on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at 12:20 P.M., with 17 people present.   Clerk Edwin Hinshaw read a selection from Faith and Practice on: “Proceed in the Wisdom of God” by E. Burrough (pg 114) and “All Are Co-workers” from Pendle Hill (p. 115).

1. In the absence of a Recording Clerk, Susan Rice served as Recording Clerk for the day.

2.  Katharine Hildebrandt, Treasurer, presented the report for February.  Income for February was $3,734.77; expenses were $5,389.56.    The report was accepted with thanks. [Report attached]

3. It was approved that anyone can bring a request to Monthly Meeting for money to be used from the Charity Account, but that the decision regarding this request should be held to the following month.

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends

4. Finance Committee reported:

A. Eileen Babcock is clerk for the committee.

B. Joe Godleski presented his audit reports for 2009 for both the Cemetery Funds and the Finance Committee Funds.  The books for both funds got glowing approval from the auditor. Those audits were accepted by the Meeting with appreciation and are attached.

5.  A concern was brought that the NEYM funds are being invested through the management of Bank of America, which has business practices contrary to Friends values.  It was agreed that a letter to the Board of Managers of Investments and Permanent Funds for NEYM be written with this concern.  Leslie Manning and Betsy Muench will work on this letter together.

6. It was agreed that if a fund is restricted by the donor it should be noted in the fund’s name so as to make it clear to everyone in the future.

7.  Markus Schlotterbeck requested a Travel Minute for the purpose of introduction to meetings in the Philadelphia area where he is moving to soon.   This was approved with love and joy.

8.  Leslie Manning reported for Ministry and Counsel.

A. Leslie is clerk of M&C and Nancy Marstaller is recording clerk.

B.  The State of Society Report for 2010 was presented and was approved as amended.

C.  Bids for a new Sound System are coming in for us to consider next month

D. The FUM Chain of Prayer day is Easter Sunday, April 24th.

E. M&C has received responses from the survey on un-programmed worship, which showed wide interest for un-programmed worship on the 5th Sundays.  It was proposed that these Sundays will be fully un-programmed.  It was agreed that there will still be an offering and announcements at the end of those meetings.  M&C will decide how to let people coming in be aware of what an un-programmed meeting is and a way for welcoming newcomers.

F. Adult Sunday School has agreed to meet in the Sunday School room which makes it possible for Friends to enter at an earlier time into the meeting room and begin quiet worship.

G. There will be a sunrise service on Easter Sunday at the Simpson Cemetery off the River Road.

H. Following the deep listening the Meeting did on the Personnel Policy of FUM, Ministry and Counsel presented the following:

In regard to the NEYM withholding policy:  “We cherish our relationship with FUM and urge full financial support for all of their endeavors.  Equally dear to us are Friends who, as a matter of         conscience, are unable to unite with us in this support.”

M&C also recommends that FUM remove the current Personnel Policy and replace it with the following:    “If the applicant is a member of the Society of Friends:

The applicant asks for Clearness Committee within the Monthly Meeting where membership resides.

The Monthly Meeting provides a letter of recommendation following the Clearness process, if appropriate.

The letter of recommendation goes to the Yearly Meeting, which provides a letter of recommendation to FUM, if approved.

Friends United Meeting makes final decision in conjunction with Applicant.”

It was approved that we hold this in our heart and let it season for one month.   In the meantime, anyone who wishes to speak with a M&C member in its regard should do so.  And it will come to Monthly Meeting in April.

I. On the fourth Sunday of each month, the pastor, if she wishes, will have a special event or focus after meeting for worship.   Committees should check with her if they want to schedule something on the fourth Sundays.

9.  Daphne Clement presented the Pastor’s Report, which included many visits and committee work.  She noted that work on the website is making major strides forward.   Pastor’s Support Committee members are:  Sue Wood, Phyllis Wetherell, Macy Whitehead, Betsy Stivers and Margaret Wentworth.  Daphne’s report is attached.

10.  Wendy Schlotterbeck gave the Youth Minister’s report.  First, she thanked everyone who helped out with the Rise Up Singing concert.  The young people were thrilled with the concert, which was very well attended and brought in $1000!    Attendance at Godly Play is growing.   Passages is focusing on conscientious objection.  Upcoming events include the Playing in the Light workshop (April 15-17) at the meetinghouse.  Michael Gibson, this workshop leader, will be bringing the message on Palm Sunday, April 17.

Big appreciation was given to Wendy for her leadership and all her work on the concert.

11. Susan Rice reported for Peace and Social Concerns.  The two primary areas that they would like to focus on are LACO and how the military budget effects human needs.   For LACO:

A. They would like to have the meeting fill-to-overflowing the box for LACO each month with recommended items.   The items for April are peanut butter and tuna fish.   People are encouraged to bring in items through April so that the box will be overflowing by Easter Sunday.

B.  A fundraising dinner will take place on Saturday, June 25.  There will be a strong effort to invite people who live in the local area.

12.  Jo-an Jacobus reported for the newsletter committee.   The website is coming along handsomely and an initial version of it is already on line.  A lot more is being developed for it.   After Markus Schlotterbeck leaves Maine, it will be Jo-an who continues with up-dating it.

13.  Dorothy DeLoach presented the Meeting’s Annual Statistical Report being prepared for NEYM and suggestions were made to her.  She will get further direction from NEYM for what they want and will bring that back next month.

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

15. The Meeting adjourned, continuing in the spirit of worship, at 2:45 P.M.

Susan Rice, Recording Clerk for the Day

Woman’s Society Report for March

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By Angie Reed

The Woman’s Society met on March 21 at the Meeting House.  Twelve individuals gathered a few minutes early on that snowy night for a Silent Auction, and meeting.  Angie Reed presented the Devotions on letting God’s plan for you reveal itself over time and read a story about a Salt Doll and the Sea.  Nancy Marstaller presented the program from Blueprints and discussed how we can learn to forgive others and, with more difficulty, ourselves.  Those who attended shared experiences related to both topics.

In Business, prayers were asked for Libya, Japan and for Getry Agizah who is coordinator of Friends Peace Teams in Kenya and is currently traveling in the US.  The Tedford Meal for March was chicken and gravy, squash, rice, a veggie or salad dish, garlic bread and a desert.  We approved a request from a member to gather toiletry items for Japan.  We discussed the need for more juice glasses for the Meeting House.  The date of May 28th was set for the Yard Sale.  Kitsie ended the meeting with inspirational kitchen quotes.  Phyllis Wetherell prepared gingerbread and other goodies. The next meeting will be on April 18 at Clarabel Marstaller’s home. All are welcome to attend.

Please do not t forget to order your pies!

Durham Monthly Meeting Minutes, February 20, 2011

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February 20, 2011
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends, held February 20, 2011. Fifteen people were present.
1. Edwin Hinshaw, co-clerk, presented a reflection on two questions: “Can we believe
what we see? Can we see what we believe?” Three readings were shared.

2. Linda Muller was appointed Recording Clerk for the day.

3. Jo-an Jacobus reported on website design. Our domain name is durhamfriendsmeeting.org

4. A New England Yearly Meeting of Friends Permanent Board letter regarding a mission statement was given to Adult Sunday School for review and comment.

5. Katharine Hildebrandt, Treasurer, reported on year to date, pastor’s package, and account balances. Budget report showed income $5855 and expenses $5699 for January. Reports attached and accepted with appreciation.

6. David Reed presented the annual trustees report (attached). It was noted that interest and dividends from the cemetery funds covered the cemetery expenses for the year. Application forms for lots in Lunt Cemetery are available from the trustees. Report accepted with thanks. Upcoming additions for children’s room: fold down changing table, paint, and shelves, to be paid through donation and Christian Education budget, were approved.
We were reminded that the parsonage lot is in Tree Growth.

7. Nancy Marstaller reported for Ministry and Counsel: State of Society report should be
forthcoming next monthly meeting. Pastor welcome dinners are continuing. REMINDER:
upcoming panel/potluck/discussion on the Friends United Meeting personnel policy is on 3/6/11, beginning directly after rise of meeting; clerks will plan to activate phone tree prior.
Wendy will arrange child-care for the panel
time.

8. Pastor, Daphne Clement reported on many activities: including sharing with other Friends’ pastors, visit to Portland Friends School, pastor’s support committee, meeting with individuals. Report accepted with thanks.

9. Wendy Schlotterbeck, Youth Minister, reported on the youth newspaper (Forever
Friends), which is greatly appreciated by Monthly Meeting, and youth activities such as a
get together with our new pastor, practice of Quaker listening, and making pretzel dough for Quarterly Meeting. Proceeds from the “Rise Up
Singing” concert on Saturday, March 19th, will benefit the Kakamega Orphan Project and
support for youth attending New England Yearly Meeting of Friends sessions this
summer.
Wendy reported about the Passages program, Young Friends, and Children’s Sunday School.
Our Meeting is hosting a “Playing in the Light” training to be held 4/15-17. MORE
TEACHERS are NEEDED for next year as an additional class may be added for the middle
school age, and more help is needed for the Godly Play® curriculum. We accepted Wendy’s
report with thanks.

10. A Friends Camp scholarship was requested. We approved a scholarship of $250.00 for
Abigail Fortune.

11. Susan Rice reported that the Peace & Social Concerns committee is being revitalized. She is its clerk at present.

12. The Newsletter Committee met and is considering how to coordinate with website, Joan Jacobus reported.

13. Special Events Committee member, Angela Reed, requested that we have an
intergenerational discussion on Greg Mortenson’s books and a potluck, which was
approved. A possible date of the 4th Sunday in May (5/22) was suggested. Seasonal birthdays celebration were enjoyed today!!

14. A landline telephone for this building is needed for safety reasons. Cell phone coverage
is poor inside the building. Jo-an Jacobus will check into this and report back next month.

Linda Muller, Recording Clerk pro tem.

Woman’s Society Report for February

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By Angie Reed
The Durham Friends Woman’s Society met on February 21 at the home of Dorothy
Curtis. Twelve women attended. Theresa Oleksiw did a devotional reading. Susan Wood
presented the program. The topic was answering the call to do a new thing in life, and many of us shared times in our lives when that has happened.

In other business, we were asked to pray for Sylvia Graves who has just retired as the
General Secretary of FUM and for Colin Saxton who has just started in this position. The
Tedford meal for February was Beef Stew, Minestrone Soup, a green salad, rolls and apple
berry soup. Funds were allocated for the “Adopt a Nurse” program, and plans were approved for fundraisers for this and other programs supported by Woman’s Society. The annual Treasurer’s report, prepared by Margaret Wentworth, was distributed. Woman’s society received $6980.18 and distributed $5017.50.

The majority of funds were acquired through memorial donations, and the annual yard sale.
Money, $2000.00, is in reserve for the new Meeting Room sound system.
A silent auction will be held at the Meeting House at our next meeting on March 21. We will also be conducting an Easter Sunday Pie Sale. Please see separate article for details. Many of these funds will be earmarked for the Adopt-a-nurse program. Angie Reed requested and received support from Woman’s Society for our first intergenerational book discussion to be held on May 22. Please see related newsletter article. Kitsie Hildebrandt closed the meeting with a quote on peace. Our next meeting will be on March 21 at the Meeting House. All invited to attend.