1. Meeting Opening
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, October 16, 2022, with 7 people attending from the Meetinghouse and 6 by Zoom.
Clerk opened the meeting with a moment of silent centering.
2. Review Agenda — Leslie Manning
Clerk reviewed the agenda, and asked if anything else needed to be added. There was nothing to add.
3. Approval of September Minutes — Ellen Bennett
Two paragraphs included with the Trustees Report in the September 19 minutes were not part of the report. These paragraphs will be moved to “Other Important Items of Note”.
With this change, the minutes were approved.
4. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote, Tess Hartford
With no written report, the Ministry and Counsel report was read aloud.
The Tommy Frye Memorial Minute was read.
This minute was approved, with appreciation and thanks.
Clerk read a Letter of introduction in support of Kim Bolshaw joining the NEYM/Puente de Amigos trip to Cuba in February 2023
The Meeting approved the letter.
5. Trustees — Sarah Sprogell
The “Draft Rental Information for use of the Meetinghouse” was brought forward for a second reading and approval. Question: Does “rent” for use of the Meetinghouse have ramifications for the Finance Committee or budget? The feeling was that it should not. Note that worship room capacity is approximately 200. Ministry and Counsel may want to address the issue of COVID capacity.
Meeting approved the rental information document.
A contractor has been hired to remove the old heating units and oil tanks. The work will take place during the week of October 24.
6. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller
The following items were highlighted in the finance report: Weekly contributions are lower than last year at this time. There have been fewer committee requests, and contributions to other organizations remain on par.
Included in the budget is a section on Capital Expenses, which occur outside the regular operating budget.
Information about donations to the Lunt Cemetery from the Clarkson family was explained, as was donations for support of the trip to Cuba.
6a. The Woman’s Society brought back its request for support to assist in the rebuilding of the Lindi School in Nairobi, Kenya, for the amount of $500 from the Charity account.
The Meeting approved the Lindi School request.
7. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
There was no written report. The Committee is planning on developing a relationship with the Midcoast Indigenous Awareness Group. The Committee ls also working with the Cathance River Education Alliance (CREA) to bring speakers in the spring to address carbon sequestration, as well as indigenous land practices that work to support and preserve the natural world. The Committee’s book project is now working with 11 teachers across 4 schools, and doing very well.
8. New Business
Meeting as received three requests for membership. Clerk read the request letter from Ezra Smith. With approval, Ministry and Counsel will set up a clearness committee.
The Meeting heartily approved Ezra’s request.
Clerk read the request letters from Vladimir Shatalov and Elina Shatalova. These friends live in Bridgton. M&C had a preliminary conversation about their applications and several agreed, with Meeting approval, to be a part of the process of bringing them in to membership, including driving to Bridgeton if necessary.
It was noted with joy that feeling the pull to join Meeting via Zoom is a sign of things to come, and very exciting. What do we think of “virtual” membership? Meeting agreed there are some things to consider around this issue.
The Meeting approved the request for the formation of a clearness committee for Vladimir and Elina.
There will be follow-up with Sue Woods’ family regarding the particulars of her memorial service.
Quarterly Meeting was held at Durham Friends on Saturday, and Clerk expressed deep appreciation both for the gathering itself and for the warmth and welcome of our Meetinghouse.
Clerk closed the meeting with a moment of silent reflection.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
