Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, March 17, 2024 with 8 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and 6 attending by Zoom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nancy Marstaller opened the meeting with a poem \u201cHow Good to Center Down\u201d, from the book Meditations from the Heart<\/em> by Howard Thurman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meeting approved<\/strong> the February minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The clerks group set up a rotation for presiding clerks for the year 2024. Clerks will preside over monthly meetings, review clerk\u2019s mail, and be available as needed to work with members and others on issues that arise during those months. The schedule is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jan. thru Mar. – Nancy Marstaller<\/p>\n\n\n\n April thru June – Sarah Sprogell<\/p>\n\n\n\n July thru Oct. – Tess Hartford<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nov. thru Dec. – Ingrid Chalufour<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mimi read her letter of interest, and requested a clearness committee for her intent to travel to Cuba with the Puente de Amiga delegation. The letter is attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristna was not present, but has also expressed interest in traveling with the same delegation and would like a clearness committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dorothy Curtis read the memorial minute aloud. It is also available as an attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tess read the memorial minute aloud. It is also available as an attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report and letter are attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingrid gave an update on the book project. The first guidebook on creating an anti-bias classroom has been completed and sent to Martha Hinshaw Sheldon for editing. The next guidebook is in process. It focuses on how to set up a book project like this one, and will be sent to each monthly meeting within NEYM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The session to discern FCNL priorities is rescheduled for April14 at rise of meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A film titled Common Ground film will be shown at the meetinghouse on April 26 at 7pm. It is made available by Interfaith Light and Power. It explores agricultural practices that can help heal the soil, our health and the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The committee is asking approval of a letter to Brunswick\/Topsham Land Trust requesting their support for renaming the 250th Anniversary Park in Brunswick. Ingrid read the letter aloud. Once approved, Ingrid will send the letter via email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report is attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy highlighted that our new bookkeeper, Amanda Whidden, will start this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The financial review for 2022 and 2023 was completed by Marian Dalton and Robb Spivey for 2022. They found that the records were in good order. They recommended some changes that will be implemented by the committee. If anyone wants to see the full report, they should contact Nancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Easter Service on March 31st will include Zoom access. The program will include readings of the Easter story and related hymns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy read the State of Society Report, which included two possible opening paragraphs. The report was well-received by all. The report is attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy read the proposal from the MCC search committee, recommending the composition and role of an oversight committee for Meeting Care Coordinator. Please see the attached report for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The clearness committee for Diana White\u2019s membership is in full support of transferring her membership from Portland Meeting to Durham. They recommend that the meeting approve her transfer. Diana was present and told us that her health has taken a serious turn, and that she will be moving in with her daughter who lives in Fayette, ME.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leslie Manning, our Meeting Care Coordinator, drafted a proposed Minute on Palestine and Israel. Nancy read the letter aloud. It is also attached. The letter was well-received, with a few suggestions made, and some discussion that it could be too long for a letter to the editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah reviewed the attached report, highlighting the financial review and suggestions made by Robb Spivey and Marian Dalton who carried out the review. Trustees will be following up on their suggestions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah reviewed the attached report that will also be forwarded to Quarterly Meeting and the Yearly Meeting. In 2023 we received one resignation and one new member, for a total membership of 96. Our numbers have been reducing gradually over the years, but for now are remaining relatively stable. There are usually about 20-24 members and attenders at meeting for worship in the meetinghouse and on zoom, and an average of 13 people at meeting for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy reported that Dot says the library is running out of space. She asks that if anyone finds a book they think should be removed, please pull it out and set it aside for Dot to review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clerk closed with a reading from Dwight Wilson\u2019s book Modern Psalms of Solace and Resistance<\/em>. During the pandemic, Dwight wrote a psalm each day. This psalm was written on March 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are a connoisseur of beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May we use Your taste as our pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even Your smallest surprises bring joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You let them flow in rivulets instead of waiting<\/p>\n\n\n\n For days that we designate as holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patience is the key to living beside You.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not always do we rejoice as the road turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But when we keep the faith,<\/p>\n\n\n\n We notice that wonderful things happen every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your design shines through the darkest moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We celebrate Your love as we celebrate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our lives as enthusiastic servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You bring eternal joy, the prize that<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mitigates meanness and transforms oppression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully submitted by Sarah Sprogell, recording clerk pro tem.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, March 17, 2024 with 8 people in attendance at the Meetinghouse and 6 attending by Zoom. Nancy Marstaller opened the meeting with a poem \u201cHow Good to … Continue reading \n
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