Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, April 21, 2024, with 15 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and one attending by Zoom. Sarah Sprogell clerked the meeting.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened the meeting with the following readingfrom the Interim Faith and Practice 2014, Section 3 on Corporate Discernment in Meetings for Business, p. 37.
“The heart of Friends’ business process is the nurturing of spiritual openness and deep listening that allows the sense of the meeting to emerge. At times, there may be unanimous agreement that a proposed action should be carried out. However, when those gathered are not in simple agreement, careful consideration will be given to each speaker, and silent worship may be requested. If all in attendance draw on their disciplines of worship and stay mindful that the purpose is to seek the will of God for the gathered body, unity can be found and acted upon.” … “The sense of the meeting emerges from the committed efforts of a loving community and strengthens its bonds.”
2. Approval of Minutes from March 17, 2024 — Sarah Sprogell
Note: It was requested that committee reports should include the first and last names of the people who are referenced. Recording Clerk will make those changes.
With these changes, the minutes were approved, with gratitude.
3. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see attached report. The response to FCNL’s request monthly meetings to share feedback on its legislative priorities was read aloud.
A request was made for Meeting to add its signature to letter requesting Maine’s Public Employee’s Retirement System to divest retirement funds from fossil fuels. Members are able to look at the P&SC report and access a link to the letter, which people may also sign individually.
Meeting agreed to hold this issue over until next month, giving everyone an opportunity to read the entire letter before approving that Meeting as a whole add its signature.
4. Trustees Report — Kim Bolshaw
Trustees Request that Meeting approve the following requests:
a. Quotes from MaineHome (business that removed furnaces)
– 2 dehumidifiers for the basement $3,264
– replace bulkhead $6,210
Meeting approved these 2 projects.
b. Premier Contracting to paint the exterior addition of the Meetinghouse, including trim as well as trim on the brick portion of the building: $5,204.
Meeting approved this project pending positive reference checks.
It was noted that Trustees reviewed past capital expenditures and agreed that allocating approximately $15K/year is sustainable.
5. Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote
Please see attached report. No actionable items.
Reviewed the situation with respect to continuing Zoom during Meeting for Worship. M&C will take up this topic and return with a proposal for continuing discussion.
LACO is being evicted from their current location. Last year, LACO served 40,000 households, the large number due in part to Covid. LACO serves families in Bowdoin, Lisbon and Durham, and expect to serve 30,000 this year. They are looking for an additional person from Meeting to serve on their board, which meets quarterly for one hour. Leslie Manning will be serving in this capacity in the interim. As a reminder, the annual Harvest Supper/potluck, has been a fundraiser for LACO, but has not taken place since Covid.
6. Woman’s Society — Dorothy Curtis and Nancy Marstaller
Dorothy read the memorial minute for Helen Clarkson. A sentence was added describing when Helen met her husband Vernon — on their first day of college.
With this addition, Meeting approved the minute.
The Woman’s Society requests permission to hold its annual plant sale, with set-up to start Wed. May 22, and the official start of the sale on Sun. May 26. The sale will continue 2-3 weeks, or until there are no more plants.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the United Society of Friends Women International Children & Youth projects, and a portion to one or more local organizations, to be decided at our next Woman’s Society meeting.
Meeting approved, with gratitude.
7. Clearness Committee Letters for Kristna Evans and Mimi Marstaller travel to Cuba
Wendy Schlotterbeck read the letter prepared for Mimi Marstaller, which included text written by Mimi expressing her interest.
Clearness Committee asks Meeting to approve Mimi’s travel in 2025 as part of NEYM delegation to Cuba.
Meeting approved.
Sarah Sprogell read the letter prepared by the Clearness Committee for Kristna Evans.
Clearness Committee asks Meeting to approve Kristna’s travel in 2025 as part of NEYM delegation to Cuba.
Meeting approved.
8. New Business
It was noted that one of the people who worked hardest in the state legislature this session was Margaret (Peggy) Rotundo. The request was made to send a letter of love and support to her, particularly in light of the tragedy in her hometown and district of Lewiston. M&C will take responsibility for writing and sending the letter.
The Meeting approved sending a card or letter of appreciation and support.
8. Closing Worship
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
