Durham Friends Meeting Minutes, December 21, 2025

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends Business Meeting Minutes, December 21, 2025 DRAFT

Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with thirteen people in attendance at the Meetinghouse.

1. Meeting Opening

Clerk read an excerpt from Heartwood, by Amity Gage.

“Here’s an idea: All emotions start out as love. Later, they are         worked on by the forces of luck and suffering.
Hate is soured love.
Fear is wounded love.
Longing is homeless love.
Love, not pain, is the mother. Love is the taproot.”

2. Approval of Minutes of November 2025

The Meeting approved the Minutes of the November 15, 2025 Business Meeting.

3. Ministry and Counsel — Renee Cote

Please see report. Preparations and logistics for Ed Hinshaw’s memorial service, to be held January 10, 2026, were reviewed. Thoughts about resuming childcare were shared. It was noted that background checks for all childcare givers are required. M&C will reach out to others to gauge interest.

4. Finance Committee — Nancy Marstaller

Please see report. Draft budget for 2026 was reviewed. There were some changes from the budget presentation in November: Meetinghouse insurance increased, as did hosting for the internet. Projected deficit is: $1,110.

Meeting approved the 2026 budget, with thanks.

5. Nominating Committee Report — Wendy Schlotterbeck

Please see reports.

How we reach out to encourage others — members and attenders — to join committees was discussed. Clerks recommended appointing someone to nominating committee. Tess Hartford volunteered to join that committee.

Meeting accepted the nominating report, with gratitude.

6. Peace and Social Concerns — Ingrid Chalufour

The report was read. It is both a year-end review as well as a 5-year review of the programmtic genesis and scope of this active committee. Members expressed appreciation for the upcoming “New Paths” conference (which is an project of Mahlewkodepahn), in light of the current national temperament around DEI. It is a wonderful example of communal leading — what a leading is supposed to be and what it can generate. Leadings get something started, and individuals may step back out of the way to pursue new, different leadings. People are walking with us through these programs, people who have been inspired and taken up this leading.

With much gratitude and appreciation, Meeting accepted the report.

The success of these programs, along with a new slate of members on the Brunswick Town Council, prompted Doug Bennett to offer to draft a new letter to theTown Council regarding renaming the 250th anniversary park.

7. 2026 Clerking Schedule