Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens by Ruthie Tippin
This coming Sunday we will hold our Monthly Meeting for Worship to Conduct Business. We have not met to do so since November 16th of last year. There is much work to do! With the incoming year, and the release of the year behind us, we will reflect on the business at hand. Did you know that both the Pastor and the Christian Education and Family Ministries Director brings a report? Did you know that each Committee Clerk brings a report? Did you know that the Meeting’s finances are openly discussed? Did you know that anyone can bring a concern or request to the Monthly Meeting for consideration? Each Yearly Meeting has its own queries or questions regarding the business practices of their Meetings, hoping to provide spiritual grounding for these gatherings. They are meant to be held in worship… everyone is invited to attend, and God’s presence is always anticipated. Perhaps we can prepare ourselves personally this week by considering these queries from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting:
Meeting for Business
· Is our meeting for business held in the spirit of a meeting for worship in which we seek divine guidance?
· Are we careful to keep in the spirit of worship each of the concerns that emerge, whether of nurture, of Spirit, of social concerns, of property, or of finance?
· Are Meeting decisions directed by prayerful consideration of all aspects of an issue and are difficult problems considered carefully with patient search for truth, unhurried by the pressures of time?
· How do we respond if we notice the meeting has lost an understanding of the presence of God?
· Do we recognize that we speak through our inaction as well as our action?
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Monthly Meeting for Business is this Sunday following Meeting for Worship!
This Sunday, the Quaker Affirmation class will be traveling to North Meadow Friends to experience their worship service. There are a few extra seats in the van, so if you’d like to go, please contact Beth Henricks at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. They will be gone from 9:15-1pm.
News from Friends United Meeting (FUM) Because of changing bank security regulations all over the country, please make every check out to Friends United Meeting rather than the specific ministry or program. Please do write in either the memo line of the check or on another piece of paper how you wish to designate your gift. If not made out to Friends United Meeting we must return your check and have you write a new one. This will be a tremendous help to our finance staff and our bank. Thank you, again!
February 8th is Scout Sunday! Were you a Scout? Are your children? Please send the Scout’s name and troop number into the office for recognition. Also, we are looking for help from Scouts as greeters, ushers, and during the Meeting! Please email office@indyfriends.org if you want to participate.
Would you like to welcome people into our wonderful First Friends Meeting? Ann Panah is looking for people interested in greeting in the coming six months. She is asking people to sign up for an entire month so greeters can remember new attenders from the previous week(s). If you cannot take the whole month she’ll work with you to fill in the gaps. Please let Ann know if you are interested in this important ministry by emailing her at a_panah@yahoo.com or calling 317-250-4161. You do not need to be an extrovert – just a welcoming person.
Ladies! Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be discussing Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch on Tuesday January, the 27th, at 7 pm in the Parlor. If you would like to be on the email list or need a copy of the book list for 2015, please contact Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com. Peace Like A River, by Leif Enger is our upcoming book for February 24th.
Think Art! Think Scripture! An Exhibition of Fine Art Prints from The Saint John’s Bible are on display at the Indiana Interchurch Center until January 31st. They are located at 1100 West 42nd Street, here in Indianapolis. There are also related special events being held there, such as a panel discussion tonight, January 21st, “Justice – How Do you Pursue?” and many more. For information on events, please visit www.indianainterchurch.org.
Hospitality, Companionship, Creating Space for Others…Discovering God in a Changing World. Join us for our second of an exciting 4-part program series with Dr. Dan Moseley right here at First Friends, January 31-February 1. Thirty people have already signed up! It will consist of a Saturday retreat from 9-1pm, Meeting for Worship on Sunday at 10:15am followed by a luncheon and then a Q&A with Dan. We’ll have breakfast foods available on Saturday, and if childcare is needed, please let the office know. There is no fee, but you are encouraged to pre-register with Amanda Bow in the office at office@indyfriends.org. Copies of Dan’s book, Lose Love Live: The Spiritual Gifts of Loss and Change is available in our office for $10 each.
Gathering Group is Tuesday, Feb. 3rd at 7:00 pm. Friends gather to do all kinds of handwork: crochet, knitting, rug working, whatever you want to do. Some of the group will be making scarves for the homeless to help them stay warm. You are invited to bring yarn and join the project.
Please join us for Community Soup on Friday, February 6th, anytime between 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Enjoy soups, bread, and dessert in a relaxed atmosphere. No cooking, no dishwashing, and no charge.
Save The Date! Saturday, March 21st! First Friends Meeting Talent Show! Start polishing those dancing shoes, and warming up your vocal cords… or preparing whatever talent you may have!
The Preschool Co-op is hosting a Rummage Sale here at First Friends on April 18th!!! They are organizing and hosting the event themselves, but we will share in the proceeds. We are asking our members/attenders to bring in items for sale as they are cleaning out closets, cupboards and garages. We will accept all items (except no drop side cribs, car seats or bumbo seats). Please start bringing in your items and place them in the unused Sunday School room with the sign that says Rummage Sale.
IFCL Lobbyist Needed: Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) has announced a Search Committee to fill the staff position of lobbyist to the Indiana legislature. IFCL has for decades worked as a legislative action group advocating the social concerns of Friends to Indiana legislators. The position is a paid position. Bill Chapman is heading the Search Committee and can be contacted at drchapman@earthlink.net or (317) 255-4739. You can learn more about IFCL at quakerifcl.org.