{"id":8332,"date":"2025-12-29T10:41:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T15:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.durhamfriendsmeeting.org\/?p=8332"},"modified":"2026-01-05T10:43:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T15:43:02","slug":"durham-friends-meeting-minutes-december-21-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.durhamfriendsmeeting.org\/?p=8332","title":{"rendered":"Durham Friends Meeting Minutes, December 21, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends Business Meeting Minutes<\/strong>, December 21, 2025<\/strong> DRAFT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ellen Bennett \u2014 Recording Clerk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

1.     Meeting Opening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/strong>Clerk read an excerpt from Heartwood<\/em>, by Amity Gage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere\u2019s 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.\u201d
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
2.     Approval of Minutes of November 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Meeting approved the Minutes of the November 15, 2025 Business Meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3<\/strong>.    <\/strong>Ministry and Counsel \u2014 Renee Cote<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please see report. Preparations and logistics for Ed Hinshaw\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.    <\/strong>Finance Committee \u2014 Nancy Marstaller<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
                          Meeting approved the 2026 budget, with thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.<\/strong>   Nominating Committee Report \u2014 Wendy Schlotterbeck<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
      <\/strong>Please see reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How we reach out to encourage others \u2014 members and attenders \u2014  to join committees was discussed. Clerks recommended appointing someone to nominating committee. Tess Hartford volunteered to join that committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                  Meeting accepted the nominating report, with gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.   Peace and Social Concerns \u2014 Ingrid Chalufour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report was read. It is both a year-end review as well as a 5-year review of the programmatic genesis and scope of this active committee. Members expressed appreciation for the upcoming \u201cNew Paths\u201d conference (which is a project of Mawoluhkhotipon), in light of the current national temperament around DEI. It is a wonderful example of communal leading \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
             With much gratitude and appreciation, Meeting accepted the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7.   2026 Clerking Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n