DRAFT, September 15, 2024

Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, September 15, 2024,

with 6 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and 2 via Zoom.

1.     Meeting Opening

Tess Hartford, serving as Clerk of the meeting, opened the meeting with thanks for another beautiful day for gathering followed by a moment of silence.Followed by a reading:

Quoted from the “Wisdom of Yogananda, volume 7”

     Give to God not only the good that you do, but also the bad. I do not mean that you should deliberately do things that are wrong. But when you cannot help yourself because of too-strong habits, feel that God is acting through you. Make HIM responsible. He likes that!

     It is He after all, who has dreamed your existence. You have merely hypnotized yourself with the thought of your weaknesses. If you make the Lord responsible for your weaknesses, it will help you break the false hold they have on your imagination. You’ll find it easier, then, to recognize in yourself the perfect image of God.

     As long as you are making the effort, God will never let you down!

2.      Approval of Minutes of July 2024 — Ellen Bennett

               Meeting approved the minutes.

3.     Ministry and Counsel — Tess Hartford and Renee Cote

Meeting Care Coordinator Support Committee will discuss publishing an MCC report for a wider audience, quarterly, via the newsletter

A Meeting representative to LACO was discussed, stepping in for the current representative who will be stepping off after the October meeting. Kim Bolshaw requested information so that she might attend the October meeting. 

A listening session is scheduled for September 22nd, at the rise of meeting, pertaining to technology during meeting for worship.

4      Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour

The committee report was read aloud. In addition, the committee hopes to get social justice book/Wabanaki reading materials into every classroom at the Kate Furbish Elementary School in Brunswick.

Connecting with the Durham elementary school was discussed. A meeting member has contacts at the Durham elementary school and offered to facilitate a connection. It was noted that it is important to strengthen our ties to Durham and Lisbon. The Meeting’s 250th anniversary celebration is one avenue to do this, and representatives from the town of Durham have been receptive to initial inquiries about collaboration around this milestone. It was noted that many students from Durham go on to Freeport HS.

The question arose as how DFM came to occupy/own the land the Meetinghouse sits on. Historical deeds for the meetinghouse property are available that may provide some answers to this question. It is a something to highlight for the anniversary celebration

5.     Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller

Looking at the financial report, the largest concern is that weekly contributions are down significantly. The question was raised: Is second quarter income from these contributions typically low? It was suggested that the newsletter include a note to encourage continued weekly giving. The mentions should also highlight the fact that automatic monthly donation are an easy way to support the Meeting, and forms to initiate this are available via Sarah. It was suggested that a “one click” option, via technology, be explored.

There is $7,000+ in charity account. The Meeting agreed to propose ongoing support through Friends United Meeting for the Turkana and Samburu Friends Missions in the amount of $100/month for one year, for a total of $1200. This proposal will be be revisited for approval at the October meeting for business.

The Meeting expressed its deep appreciation to Nancy Marstaller for overseeing the work on the budget. Finding a Treasurer that has the financial background and skill set to pick up this work is important.

6      Trustees Report — Kim Bolshaw

Report was read aloud.

Doug Bennett gave an update on the settlement of the Eileen Babcock estate. The financing for a lawyer, should it be needed, has been approved.

7.    Other Business

Announcement: MCC stipend is being used to support Friends’ initiatives. Some funding is going to support Anna Fritz, accomplished musician from Multnomah Meeting.Anna is on tour to provide performances for prison inmates. Anna will be in Maine in October, performing a contemporary version of the Iliad. Two community performances will be held in the area, one at the Friends School of Portland and the other at the UU Church in Rockland.

8.     Closing Worship

Clerk expressed gratitude to those in attendance for service to the Meeting, followed by closing silent worship.

Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk

Attachments: https://www.durhamfriendsmeeting.org/?p=7184