Durham Friends Woman’s Society Meeting Minutes 5.20.’26 Hybrid Meeting
Present: Dorothy Curtis, President, Nancy Marstaller, Treasurer, Susan Gilbert, Secretary, Marian Baker, Sarah Sprogell, Kim Bolshaw. On Zoom: Joyce Gibson, Qat Langelier, Dorothy Hinshaw.
Cards: For David Dexter, Twila Greene.
Program and Devotions: We took turns reading from USFWI Blueprints Volume 82, Lesson 8 “Devotion: Love in Many Languages” by Linet M’mbone Tokiko. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9: 7-9, and Romans 12:1. We sang the hymn “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” A Kenyan, Linet’s work in Quaker Children’s Ministry also extends to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Having found that Uganda Yearly Meeting did not have an office, she prayed for God’s help. Eventually, office equipment was donated. Linet and local leaders encourage women to plan and organize their annual conferences, and train young adults to work in children’s ministry. She suggested at Tanzania’s USFW annual conference that donations to church may be monetary, but also farm produce, and was she was uplifted when food and firewood was shared for the conference delegates.
Treasurer’s Report: Nancy said that last month we gained $25. in donations and $5. for Blueprints. She sent $100. through the USFWI Hope Fund to Rania Maayah, head of Ramallah Friends School. We have $50.20 left in the account.
Minutes: Susan read the 4.20.’26 minutes.
Tedford Meal: Team F brought dinner to Tedford House. The menu included tortellini with marinara sauce and an antipasto platter. The June 1 meal will be prepared by Team A, Kim Bolshaw team leader. Contributions of prepared food or money for Tedford meals are always welcome.
Next Meeting: June 18, 7 PM, at Nancy Marstaller’s house. We will take July off, and host our annual pot luck supper on August 17.
Other Business: The plant sale is set up and will last for 3 or 4 weeks – as long as plants donations continue. We have earned $334. so far. Marian Baker of USFWI joined us at our meeting. She encourages connection between US and African Quakers, celebrates the development of African girls education, and shares news of growing environmental consciousness, such as tree planting and developing fuel made from cassava byproducts. Sarah will ask Doug Bennett to put Woman’s Society events on the webpage calendar.
Dorothy closed the meeting by reading these words of Maltbie D. Babcock
Life is what we are alive to. It is not length but breath….
Be alive to…goodness, kindness, purity, love, history,
poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hope.
Respectfully Submitted, Susan Gilbert
