Labyrinth, Soup & Carols, December 20, 4:30 to 7:00 pm
Category Archives: Announcements
Passing of Clarabel Marstaller, December 2, 2019
Accompanied by love and a deep faith, Clarabel Marstaller peacefully crossed the threshold last night. The family thanks everyone for their prayers and says they felt uplifted throughout this last part of Clarabel’s journey. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later time. Nancy Marstaller’s address is 32 Caitlin Shore Road, Harpswell ME 04079.
An obituary can be found here.
Sophia’s House, by Leslie Manning, Chaplain for Sophia’s House
Sophia’s House is a new residence in Lewiston scheduled to open in December 2019 for women coming out of addiction, prison or jail, and/or sex trafficking. It is a project of The Center for Wisdom’s Women, an established peer support and resource center in the “Tree Streets” area of Lewiston and will be modeled on “Thistle Farms,” a program founded by an Episcopal woman priest who is herself a survivor of sexual abuse.
Sophia’s House, at 97 Blake Street in Lewiston, will begin operations as soon as the renovations on the former convent are completed. Asbestos and lead remediation and exterior work are done, and we are now in the final phase of remodeling. The top floor will be individual apartments for the women in the program; they will be welcome to stay for up to two years.
Our underlying philosophy is to address the traumas that lead to the behaviors; until that healing happens the behaviors will persist. Love heals. Most incarcerated people have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) that lead to lifelong trauma that has not been addressed. And, it is cyclical. One of the most adverse experiences is to be the child of an incarcerated parent.
The second floor will house women from the community in market rate and subsidized units who wish to support the women in the program and they will live in a co-housing model.
The first floor will be common space and community rooms and feature a guest room, a dining room and kitchen, and the old chapel, which will be kept for programming. In addition, local Friends are invited to use it as a worship space weekly for Meeting for Worship.
We will have a “soft” opening in December, and on April 26, 2020, noted Quaker singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYAtWQB25JY) will perform at a Gala Opening at the Franco Center in Lewiston. We are current raising enough money to cover the costs of this production, so that all proceeds will go directly to Sophia’s House.
If you are interested in supporting us or volunteering as a mentor, please connect with Leslie at leslieam55@gmail.com. And, please hold us in the Light.
Georgetown Campout Weekend, June 15 (noon)-June 16 (afternoon)
Here is all you need to know about our upcoming weekend in Georgetown on the water!
Directions to the Holt-Muench property at 710 Bay Point Road in Georgetown: Take Rt. 127 south from where it crosses Rt. 1 in Woolwich (just across the river from Bath, Maine) and follow it 8.8 miles to Georgetown center. On the right, after you pass the Georgetown Pottery, post office, Country Store and firehouse, Bay Point Road will turn off just before you start down the hill. After about 3 miles Bay Point Road will cross a marsh and make a fairly sharp bend to the left, then start watching for a white feldspar driveway on the left. Our mail box may or may not be out on the right. After you turn in to the driveway a white sign on a tree to the left of the gate says Holt. Follow the driveway down to the end and park on the feldspar circle by the house. Total distance is about 12 miles from Rt. 1. Phone: 371-2237.
What to bring?
1. Bathing suit, towel and sunscreen
2. Change of clothes, jacket for evenings and bug spray
3. Sleeping bag, optional-tent (there are several beds and floor spaces inside)
4. Friends! We welcome your friends
Food-
--Saturday lunch- bring your own bagged lunch if your arrive at noon.
--Sat supper- bring something to grill and a dish to share
--Sat campfire time- Snack to share
--Sun breakfast- Wendy will bring eggs and bread for toast,
still need: coffee, fruit, and other breakfast goodies you and your
family desire!
--Sun lunch- Potluck, bring something to share (We have left over ice cream
from Children's Day; Wendy will bring cones).
Special info: My brother Jay had the lawns and other areas around the house sprayed with peppermint oil on Mondayto kill the ticks.
However that does not do anything against the browntail moths. We didn’t see any around the house last summer or so far this spring but that is not true of further into the woods. General principles: If going into the woods: cover up, wear a large brimmed hat that will keep the hairs off your head and neck. If you see a brown tail caterpillar – KILL IT – and tell me about it. Mosquitoes are out in force due to the cold, wet Spring.
Also because of the Spring weather the Coast Guard has a special warning out to boaters about dangerously cold water. I am imposing a rule this year that no one goes out in a boat floating in water deeper than their own waist without wearing a life preserver. This includes adults. For adults judgement this means life preservers when boating if the tide is up within about a foot of the seaweed line of the white rock island. It also means that the sea breeze will be cold – bring sweaters accordingly.
David Johnson to speak on the Gospel of John, June 9
Early Friends’ understanding of the Word was deeply rooted in the gospel of John. Come hear a student of both John and early Friends speak about early Friends’ understanding of the “measure” of Light given to each person and how it related to their understanding of perfection, and what their relevance are to us today.
Australian Friend David Johnson, author of A Quaker Prayer Lifeand Jesus, Christ and Servant of God: Meditations on the Gospel According to John (both published by Inner Light Books), will offer the message at meeting and a small workshop after worship at Durham on Sunday, June 9. All are welcome.
4 We write this to make our[a] joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin. John 1, 4-7 NIV
Plant and Yard Sale, June 8, 2019, 9am-1pm
Intergenerational Game Night, May 12, 5pm
Because New England Yearly Meeting’s Permanent Board will be at the Meetinghouse all day, this Intergenerational Game Night will begin at 5pm, with a potluck supper at 5:30 pm. These game nights have been a lot of fun for everyone whether playing games or getting a chance to hang out and visit. Hope to see you there!
Tell Me the Truth: Exploring the Heart of Cross-Racial Conversations, Wednesday, May 1, 7pm, USM
Climate Change Panel, May 10, 2019, 7pm
Easter 2019 at Durham Friends Meeting
Egg Decorating – Ukrainian Style
By Nancy Marstaller
Saturday, April 6, at the Meetinghouse from 2-5 PM
Please RSVP so I can set up appropriately: marstallern@gmail.com or 207 725-4294.
I’ll lead/teach egg decorating using the Ukrainian wax resist method. This process creates beautiful, colorful eggs AND takes patience and fine motor skills, so is for older children and adults. There will be other activities scheduled for younger children during this time.
I have dyes, tools, and directions for my own and traditional Ukrainian designs, or you can do your own thing. Bring a small donation for dyes if you wish.
I will bring extra eggs and candles, but if you can please bring a one or two eggs (raw, not blown out) and a candle in a holder. Take your eggs out of the refrigerator the night before. If eggs are store-bought, rinse with a solution of about 1 TBSP white vinegar in 1pint water, then rinse with clear water and gently pat dry to remove any commercial cleaner residue. If they are newly laid at your place or locally, just wash gently with water, and know that they may not take the dyes evenly until they are at least a few days old.
I hope you’ll join me!
2019 Lenten Vigil for Disarmament at Bath Iron Works
There will be a Lenten Vigil for Disarmament from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 and Saturdays March 9-April 20, at the Bath Iron Works Administration Building, 20 Washington Street. Please join us to hold the hope for resurrection, renewal, recovery as we say No! to endless war. For more information, contact Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm at 763-4062.
Event Date & Time: March 6, 2019 11:30 am until April 20, 2019 11:30 am
More information? Contact Brown Lethem: richardlethem3@gmail.com
Location: 20 Washington St Bath, Maine. Bath Iron Works Administration Building
Intergenerational Game Night Saturday, March 9
By Katherine Langelier
The next intergenerational game night will be Saturday, March 9, 2019.
We will begin with a potluck supper at 5pm. This has been a lot of fun for everyone whether playing games or getting a chance to hang out and visit. Hope to see you there! Contact Katherine Langelier if you have any questions.
Vassalboro Quarterly Meeting, February 2, 2019
All Friends are warmly invited to come together for Vassalboro Quarterly Meeting hosted by Midcoast Friends on February 2. The afternoon program will focus on climate change.
Schedule
8:30 am Welcome with coffee, tea, and light snacks
9:00 – 10:00 Meeting for Worship
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:45 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business and Sharing Joys and Concerns of Our Meetings
12:00 – 1:15 Lunch: Bread and Soups will be provided, others are invited to bring salad or dessert to share.
1:30 – 3:30 Program: Hope made visible over climate change
1:30 pm: Jason Wentworth’s comic routine, Climate change is no laughing matter…or is it?”
2:00 pm: Anne D. Burt’s short solutions film, “Maine Roadtrip to the Future” released in January to all members of the Maine Legislature. (Find out more here: http://www.downtoearthstories.org/ )
2:30 pm: Guy Marsden: Tips and tricks for improving energy efficiency of your meeting and home.
3:00 pm: Q&A and sharing of intentions.
3:30 pm: Join hands in gratitude for the day and adjourn to help clean up.
Hospitality is available at the Friends House in Bath. Contact Diane Dicranian at: dianedicranian@gmail.com Also, Guy Marsden has a guest room available. It’s listed on airbnb, but free to Friends. Call Guy at 207 443 8942 or guy@arttec.net: Renewable Rural Retreat
Contact Guy Marsden: 207 443 -8942, clerk@midcoastfriendsmeeting.org
SAVE THE DATE – All-Maine Gathering, for Quakers from FQM, VQM (and beyond) To be hosted by Falmouth QM at Friends School of Portland on May 4, 2019 Falmouth Quarterly Meeting has begun planning for the All Maine Gathering this year on May 4. There will be time for Friends from around the State to meet together for worship, fellowship, and for a program focused on Native Maine Tribes. There will also be time for FQM and VQM to meet separately for business. Ann Dodd (Portland)-Collins and Christine Holden (Brunswick) are heading up the planning team. More information will follow. All are welcome!
Ongoing legacy of Native American Boarding Schools Friends may be interested in this opportunity to learn from Native American researchers about the history and ongoing impacts of the Indian boarding schools, through monthly webinar conversations. This website has info about these and other important resources: boardingschoolhealing.org (Shared by Paula Palmer, Boulder Friends Meeting. Paula has done extensive research into Quaker Indian Boarding Schools.)
~Janet Hough, clerk VQM
No Meeting Sunday, January 20, 2019
There will be no Meeting for Worship, Sunday School classes, or Monthly Meeting at Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends tomorrow, Sunday, January 20, 2019.
They have been canceled due to the severe weather expected.
Men’s Meeting, January 14, 7pm
By Scott Barksdale
There will be a gathering of men on Monday, January 14 at 7 p.m. Location: 64 Birch Point Road, Freeport (Scott’s house). Topic: justice. We’ll have a reading or two beforehand that we’ll be discussing, so please email Scott (stbark7@gmail.com) to get a copy of it.
If there are slippery conditions, we’ll be meeting at the Meetinghouse instead (we’ll decide by meeting the day before). Thanks!
Seeds of Peace, January 4, 7pm, Curtis Library (Brunswick)
Seeds of Peace Leadership Development
Friday, January 4th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Morrell Meeting Room, Curtis Memorial Library
The Durham Friends Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee will host an event about the Seeds of Peace Youth Leadership program. We expect to show a couple of short films from their website as well as inviting several alumni of the program to talk about their experiences with the Maine camp. We may also have a speaker from Palestine to talk about the efforts for peacebuilding there. We will have refreshments and a free-will donation can to support the Seeds of Peace camp.
ABOUT SEEDS OF PEACE: “We inspire and cultivate new generations of global leaders in communities divided by conflict. Our network now encompasses 7,021 alumni throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and the United States who are uniquely positioned to lead change.”
Family Game Night, January 12, 3 p.m.
By Tess Hartford
We will have our next Family Game “Night” on Saturday, January 12 beginning at 3 p.m. Please join us. Durham Friends of all ages have enjoyed these nights.
As part of Durham Meeting’s efforts at outreach, we encourage all Durham Friends to invite neighbors and friends to our special family events as well as our regular weekly Meetings.
Diane Dicranian to speak on “Walls: Why We Build Them,” December 30
On Sunday, December 30, Diane Dicranian (Midcoast Friends Meeting) will bring the message. She’ll speak about “Walls: Why we build them; what they are for.”
Diane Dicranian recently spent time at the militarized border between San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico in a protest organized by the American Friends Service Committee called “Love Knows No Borders – A moral call for migrant justice.” Thirty-two people were arrested in that protest.
There will be a pot-luck lunch directly following worship and a program in which Diane will share with us what she experienced and learned in her time at the U.S.-Mexico border.
She will talk about U.S. involvement in Central and South America over past decades and how that has created some of the desperate conditions that lead families to flee their homes and seek refuge in the U.S. She will also talk about the caravan of refugees that has been making its way through Mexico towards the U.S. border. Should they be greeted as we have been taught – to reach out and love the stranger, opening our doors and feeding these people? Or should they be met (as they are) with teargas and machine guns? She’ll also challenge us to consider next steps in bringing this conversation to action.
See Kerry Kennedy (AFSC) on “Standing with Migrants,” Brunswick Times Record, December 28, 2018
November 2018 Library News
By Dorothy Hinshaw
Most of you may know that New England Yearly Meeting was the first yearly meeting organized in the Society of Friends, even established before London Yearly Meeting. For more information about NEYM, check out one of the newest additions to the Durham Friends Library (289.6): Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Beginning of New England Yearly Meeting of Friends, a printed account of a gathering in celebration held at Moses Brown School, Sixth Month, 24th, 1911. Other recent additions to the library include booklets which contain NEYM minutes of sessions held in 1904, 1905, 1907, 1927, 1928, and 1944. Fascinating reading! The early years included minutes from both the men’s and women’s meetings. Also, in those early days, not only were queries read, but answers were included regarding compliance to the queries! These minute booklets are located in a plastic bag in the Quaker section (289.6 New) of the library.
Donation Requests: Mittens! Legos! Christmas Boxes!
Mitten Tree!
By Nancy Marstaller
The Woman’s Society is collecting new or gently used hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves, which will be donated to local places (such as Head Start or homeless shelters) to warm those in need. Please pin your items to the mitten tree hanging in the vestry on or before December 16. Thanks for your help!
Lego Blocks!
by Wendy Schlotterbeck
Friends, do you have some Lego blocks that are looking for a good home? Some kids and youth at Durham Meeting are finding Legos to be good way of building community and would appreciate a few more!
Christmas “Boxes”
By Nancy Marstaller
The Woman’s Society is collecting items for small boxes (or bags) to give to those we especially think of this season but don’t see as often as we’d like. Please bring donations for the boxes to the Meetinghouse by December 16. Items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dried fruit, warm socks, pens and pencils, and calendars are appreciated. Thanks for your help!
Newsletter Committee Updates, December 2018
By Liana Thompson Knight, Clerk
The Newsletter Committee has a few updates and reminders this month:
1. Newsletter Deadline: We are changing the deadline for submissions to the newsletter to 5pm on the Wednesday after Monthly Meeting.
2. Newsletter Submissions: We need your help with submitting information to the newsletter. If you have a submission (report, article, description of an upcoming event, etc.) please write it up in a way that will be able to run in the newsletter without requiring further writing. Pieces will be edited; however, we need them to arrive to us written. However, please do not include formatting (no hyperlinks, heading fonts, etc.); pieces will be formatted as part of being put into the newsletter. If possible, please send submissions in the body of an email, rather than as an attachment.
3. Durham Friends Notes: We remind Friends who have information that should go out as a Durham Friends Note please to pass that information not only to Jo-an (who sends out the emailed Notes) but also to David Dexter (207-595-3329), who initiates the phone tree for the same information. If you cannot reach David, Liana Thompson Knight (207-737-9781) will be a backup for initiating the phone tree.
December 2018 Family Events at Durham Meeting
By Wendy Schlotterbeck, Youth Minister
We will have our Annual Wreath Making Party on Sunday, December 2 after a potluck following worship. Materials will be provided, but live greens of any kind are welcomed!
On Saturday, December 15 we will gather for a Christmas Worship and Turkey Dinner. We have found that often the preparation is as rich as the actual event. So, come at 4:00 to help prepare the meal and set up. Worship, a sharing of poems, songs or personal stories, will be at 5:30 with dinner to follow.
As part of Durham Meeting’s efforts at outreach, we encourage all Durham Friends to invite neighbors and friends to our special family events as well as our regular weekly Meetings.
Christmas Program, Saturday, December 15, 2018
The Christmas Program will be on Saturday, December 15, gathering for worship and a turkey dinner.
Come at 4:00 to help prepare the meal and set up.
Worship, sharing of poems, songs or personal stories will be at 5:30 with dinner to follow.
Stamp Collecting for Friends’ Work
By Nancy Marstaller
My mom (Clarabel) and I are still collecting commemorative stamps. A group of Friends collects them and prepares them for sale to collectors. Money raised goes to various Friends organizations.
There is a box on the library table for your stamps. Please cut them off the envelope with about ¼ inch around the edges (unless it is a special postmark) and don’t try to soak them off the envelope.
We’ll send off what we’ve collected after the first Sunday in December: 12/2. But don’t stop saving them! We’ll keep sending off what we have a few times during the year.
Thanks for your help!
Kakamega Orphans Care Centre Pot Luck Dinner, November 5, 2018, 6:00p.m.
You are invited to a pot-luck dinner to join Pastor Ida, Administrator of the Kakamega Orphans Care Centre on Monday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the meetinghouse.
After the meal, Ida will bring us up to date with changes happening with the Care Centre programs. He will share personal reflections on his own work as it, and his thinking and understanding has evolved. This will be more of a conversation with old friends, rather than a slide presentation.
Bring a favorite dish to share. Questions: Sukie Rice, 318-8531.
Celebration of the Life of Janet Douglas, November 10, 2018
Member Janet Douglas, the mother of Jim Douglas, a member and former pastor here at Durham, passed away on September 10. Her life will be celebrated in a memorial service at the Meetinghouse of Durham Friends on Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to join the Douglas family.
Fall 2018 Social Justice Films at Durham Friends Meeting
By Cindy Wood
Social justice film and discussion series:
November 16 It’s Criminal, film with discussion led by Paul Miller. Light refreshments. Durham Meetinghouse 7 pm.
December 7 I Am Not Your Negro, — discussion to follow. Light refreshments. Durham Meetinghouse 7 pm.
Adult Sunday School News, November 2018
By Martha Hinshaw Sheldon, Adult Sunday School Coordinator
The adult Sunday School class is looking at the following books to read and discuss for the months of November and December. If one is of particular interest to you and you would like to attend the class, please let me know.
- Waking Up White by Debby Irving
- The Muslim Next Door: The Qur’an, the Media, and that Veil Thing by Sumbul Ali-Karamali. A well written and easy to read description of Islam.
- Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W Loewen
Feel free to attend Sunday mornings at 9:30 or seek out these books for your own library.
Sending Love to Ralph and Twila Greene
By Martha Sheldon
Ralph Greene has played a pivotal role of guidance, grounding, and encouragement for many, many Friends in New England and beyond! Now, it is our turn to help Love circle back around to Ralph and Twila, his wife! Last winter, while Ralph was in the hospital, winter did things to their house that Maine winters do—pipes froze, damage resulted. Costly repairs won’t be made in time for this winter.
Ralph served as pastor at Durham Monthly Meeting for many years. He also served Friends at Dartmouth at Smith Neck in Massachusetts among other Meetings throughout New England. Wherever he served, he exemplified the invitation into New Life through faith that he extended to others.
Let’s help Ralph and Twila find alternative safe and warm housing for this winter. Friends are invited to make contributions on their behalf to Durham Monthly Meeting with “The Greene Family” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to:
Durham Monthly Meeting, 532 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Durham, ME 04222.
For more information contact Sarah Sprogell or Martha Hinshaw Sheldon.
