As we can see from Tess Marstaller’s article, she is doing marvelous work in Africa.  The package we sent was well received and my understanding is that we will probably try to send another.  Please speak to Nancy Marstaller concerning future needs.

By Jo-an Jacobus, Editor

As editor of our newsletter, some things have become clear to me as I work with Wayne to get the newsletter to you in a timely manner.

The most obvious to me is I can’t guarantee you will receive the information about events happening during the first week of the month before they occur.  The turn-around time after monthly meeting is just too short.  It is a virtual certainty that the paper copies will not have arrived until late in the first week of the month.  It is tight in some months for the email version as well.

The most important area of clarity involves a positive step that can be taken by those submitting articles concerning upcoming events.  Tell us in advance.  Put an October event into September’s newsletter.  Even if your event is in late October, September is better.  Send it to us early, at least a month early.  Get the news in a month early to be sure Friends can attend your event.

Another positive step for those submitting articles is not new but bears repeating.  Please get your articles to me by 5 P.M. on the Wednesday following monthly meeting.  If I don’t have it by then, it won’t go in.

My last thoughts on hearing about upcoming events in a timely manner I have said before but it does make a difference.  If you want to receive your newsletter in time to see notices about events occurring in the first week of the month, email is the way to go.  This might not be an issue for you.  If it is, I’m doing everything I can to get it to you on time.  Once the newsletter is in final copy, that’s the end for the email edition but only the beginning for a paper version.  It must be copied, collated, prepared for mailing, and go through the US Mail.

I spoke with a Durham (F)friend this week who was very upset with the quality of the photographs in the paper copy of the newsletter.  This friend felt the photos weren’t worth printing, although having seen them once online thought those were terrific.  This friend is adding email delivery to paper delivery, wanting to see the lovely photos but still wanting to have a copy to hold.  A “twofer” that works for one friend: early news with great photos and paper to hold.

By Ann Ruthsdottir

I sent two boxes to the relief project for Japan.  After I took all the packaging off (mostly around tooth paste), I was able to tightly pack all of the generous offerings into 1.75 boxes.  I filled the last quarter box by adding a small, child-safe wooden toy, a small baby quilt and some wash clothes.  I used wash clothes for packing material.  Everything in the boxes could be of use.

Thank you all for your wonderful offerings to a people who have been harmed in so many ways.

By Clarabel Marstaller for the Christian Education Committee

Sunday, June 12, is Children’s Day with meeting for worship and special events to show appreciation for our children.  A second offering will be taken during meeting for worship which will go to the Youth and Children’s Project of the United Society of Friends Women International.  That project supports three ministries helping young people:

1.  Children and Youth programs at three Friends Indian Centers–MOWA Choctaw in Alabama, Kickapoo in Oklahoma, and Mesquakie in Iowa.

2.  Eli and Sibyl Jones scholarships for the Friends Schools in Ramallah.

3.  Support for girls’ education in Turkana, Kenya.

Please help us make these programs come alive in all three areas.  Thank you!

By Jo-an Jacobus

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends (DMM) has received two donations of computers.  Thank you to both donors.

Kitsie Hildebrandt as Treasurer will use the first computer donated by John Curtis A laptop it can be used at Kitsie’s home to prepare reports and also brought to Monthly Meeting so she is able to answer questions about the meeting’s finances.

The second donated computer came from Sarah Sprogell.  Bobbie Jordan bought it not long before she passed away.  Sarah felt the meeting would be a good home for this computer.  It is also a laptop which allows Jo-an Jacobus to do the newsletter and website work on a computer dedicated to DMM of Friends.

By Angie Reed

Tess Marstaller is currently serving in Tombel, Cameroon as a Peace Corp Volunteer.  She has asked the Woman’s Society and Durham Meeting of Friends to put together a care package for the children she works with.  Woman’s Society will collect items from now until Father’s Day in the box next to the piano in the Gathering Space at Meeting. The box will be small so keep that in mind when planning donations.

Items Requested:

Jump ropes (large ones held by 2 people are best), a tie-dye kit (colors, no shirts), shiny prize items to be used in a summer camp setting and as educational prizes, such as stickers or pens. Also books of stories, games, theater sequences (especially of a Christian nature), other camp type games, and fixin’s for s’mores. Items with a Christian theme are especially well received.  For more information, check out Tess’s Blog at   tessincameroon.blogspot.com   Thank you.

By Jo-an Jacobus

Durham Monthly Meeting has had local landline phone service installed in the meetinghouse.  Because of the difficulty with cell phone reception on the property, the number of evening events and to deal with possible medical emergencies, the meeting decided it needs to have local phone service in the building.

The phone number is 207.725.0411.

Currently, there is a phone on loan to the meeting. However we need a permanent replacement.  A corded phone would be best in case the power goes out.  If you have a corded phone, not wireless, that you would like to donate to the meeting, please contact Jo-an Jacobus at 666.3213 or jacobusj@gwi.net .

Having phone service means we will now be listed in both the white and yellow pages of the Brunswick phone book.  The listing will read Durham Meeting of Friends.

By Jo-an Jacobus

A few newsletter readers have swapped their delivery method from paper to email.  Thank you for your willingness to make the changeover.  We are hoping that even more people will want change in the near future.  Would you switch today?  You could have a part in shrinking the deficit in Durham Friends Meeting’s budget for this year.  If you decide you’d like to help the meeting in this way, please drop us a note at the return address on the newsletter, call 207.666.3213 or email jacobusj@gwi.net to let us know you’d like to switch. The meeting would appreciate your help.

By Angie Reed

Orders are currently being taken for pies of all types to be distributed Easter Sunday morning.  Pies will be sold for a suggested donation of $15.00. To order please contact Theresa Oleksiw at either 449-0700, or 865-6495. Types of pies available for order include Pecan, Apple-berry, Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream, or Blueberry. Other types of pie may be available upon request.  This is a Woman’s Society fundraiser, and a portion of these funds will be earmarked for the Adopt-a-Nurse program.

Margaret Wentworth

Work has begun to sort and organize the documents that have been stored at the meetinghouse. Those of historical value for research will be deposited in the Maine Historical Society in Portland. Some records need to be kept as part of the records of the meeting. The library of the meeting will be storing the documents that have current historical value to the meeting.

By Angie Reed

Woman’s Society is coordinating efforts with Ann Ruthsdottir to send one or more packages of toiletry items to Japan. We will be collecting toiletries such as combs, tooth- and hairbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, hand sanitizers, razors, and other basic items for men, women, and children. Please look for the labeled box at the meetinghouse. Items will be collected until Easter (April 24).

for all his work on the Durham Friends website! It is a work in progress but it’s really coming along. See what he’s been doing at https://www.durhamfriendsmeeting.org Thanks, Markus!

April 2011 THROUGH July 2011

April

3          Glenice Hutchins & Al Anderson
10        Macy Whitehead, Sukie Rice
17        (Palm Sunday) Patty Carton & John Newlin
24        (Easter) Jeannie Baker Stinson & family, Theresa Oleksiw & Abby Fortune

May

1          Sue Wood, Dorothy Curtis
8          Nancy Marstaller, Clarabel Marstaller
15        Betsy Stivers & family
22        David & Kathy Brown
29        Sarah Sprogell, Leslie Manning
June

4          Linda Muller & Jim McCarthy
12        Bee Douglas, Nancy Marstaller, Jo-an Jacobus
19        Helen Clarkson, Julie Krejsa
26        Margaret Wentworth, Phyllis Wetherell

July

3          Kitsie Hildebrandt, Clarabel Marstaller
10        Glenice Hutchins & Al Anderson
17        Brenda Masse, Wayne Hollingworth
24        Dotty DeLoach, Don Goodrich
31        Sukie Rice, Susan Wood

This is a repeat request.  If anyone has a basic laptop they could donate to the Meeting, it would be gratefully received.  It would be used for the Treasurer to keep the Meeting’s accounts, using Quicken.  There would be no need for an Internet connection.  This would also enable the Treasurer to bring the computer to Monthly Meeting, allowing immediate access to the Meeting’s financial information.  Please contact Kitsie Hildebrandt if you can help in this matter.