DRAFT
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends Business Meeting Minutes, November 16, 2025
Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with eleven people in attendance at the Meetinghouse.
1. Meeting Opening
Clerk opened with the following poem:
From "Many Winters" by Nancy Wood
Now this is what we believe.
The mother of us all is the earth.
The father is the sun.
The Grandfather is the Creator
Who bathed us with his mind
And gave life to all things.
The Brother is the beasts and trees.
The Sister is that with wings.
We are the Children of Earth
And do it no harm in any way.
Nor do we offend the sun
By not greeting it at dawn.
We praise our Grandfather for his creation.
We share the same breath together--
The beasts, the trees, the birds, the man.
2. Approval of Minutes of October 2025
date corrected.
3. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote
Please see report.
Diana White’s memorial minute was read aloud.
Great appreciation was expressed for those who serve as our Zoom technicians.
Meeting members, Cush and Maureen Anthony, are downsizing. An initial offer/suggestion was made by Maureen to donate the household items for a rummage sale, the proceeds from which would go to the Meeting. Meeting members feel that we may not have the capacity to handle
such an event. A solution might be to donate the items to Furniture Friends in Portland, an organization established by Cush Anthony.
Recording clerk will check to see if the Christmas candlelight service will take place again this year.
4. Finance Committee Report — Doug Bennett
Please see reports: Third 3rd quarter income and expenses, and proposed 2026 budget.
Headline for 3rd quarter: the Meeting is in good financial shape. Income covers expenses. Electricity expenses are up, likely due to the move to heat pumps, and the overall increase in costs of this utility.
There are few changes in the 2026 budget compared to 2025. Note that Ministry and Counsel has asked for an increase to cover the cost of an upcoming event. The Sister Meeting account budget has increased, reflecting continuing travel to Cuba, as are contribution to NEYM, which is financially stretched. The 2026 budget will be brought before the Meeting for approval next month.
Questions ensued about support of FUM, which is in financial distress. Information about ways to support FUM operations will be forthcoming.
5. Nominating Committee Report — Wendy Schlotterbeck
Please see report.
The slate of committee members and other Meeting roles was distributed. Discussion centered around roles that are currently unoccupied.
Committee clerk also prepared a list of a number of ways people can support the life of the community without necessarily being on a committee, but perhaps being on part of a team that supports some aspect of Meeting life.
Important to check with current committee clerks about continuing in that role for another year.
The meeting expressed its gratitude for the comprehensive look at committees and individual participation in the life of the meeting.
6. Peace and Social Concerns Report — Ingrid Chalufour
Please see report.
The committee requests $1000 be sent to LACO, from the Charity account, in light of the temporary loss of SNAP benefits this fall. Appreciation was expressed for focusing on local issues and needs.
the request with funds to be distributed immediately.
7. Other Business
Note from Quarterly meeting: Janice Beattie, who has been the long-term pastor at Windham Meeting has stepped down after 30 years of service. Reverend Cheryl Cuddy will be assuming the position.
Respectfully Submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
