Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens by Beth Henricks
The faith for desperate days. The Bible is all about this type of faith. It’s songs are inspired by them, prophecy is concerned with them and its revelation has come through them.
Our desperate days are the stepping stones in the path of light. They are God’s opportunity and human’s school of wisdom.
In every story of deliverance, the point of desperation turns us to God. The “wit’s end” of desperation is the beginning of God’s power. Stand with awe in the darkness of Gethsemane, and linger by the grave in Joseph’s garden through those terrible days. Call the witnesses of the early church, and ask the apostles the story of their desperate days.
Desperation leads us to open our heart to God. Desperation is not despair and does not have to lead to despair when we trust God.
Faith did not make our desperate days. Its works is to sustain us and help find our way out of our circumstances. God speaks to us directly and whispers, do not despair! God is with us and will sustain us through our darkest hours.
(From Streams in the Desert Daily Devotional)
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Join us for the final show in an Eco-Film Series here at First Friends, at 7p.m. on Friday, April 10th at 7p.m. in Fellowship Hall called “The Rise of Ecology, 10 disasters that changed the World”. Ecological disasters are examined as to the shaping role in environmental awareness and change they have played. The ten worst disasters are examined and the response from the global communities. We forget these disasters at our own global peril. (52 minutes.)
Ready for spring Wildflowers? Norma Wallman will lead a wildflower hike at Holliday Park (6363 Springmill Rd.) on Saturday April 11th from 10:00-11:30. Call 327-7180 to register.
Finals are coming up for our College Students! We are preparing to send out Care Packages for the 19 college students that we are connected to. Boxes will be set up in the hall for you to drop in goodies. They will mail out after Sunday, April 19th, so please bring treats by that Sunday morning! Anything will be appreciated as the students are working hard to ace those finals!!! If any of your college students have had a change in address, please let the office know.
Are you missing silverware? We have found a lot of different silverware patterns in our drawers. Please be sure and take a look at the table in Fellowship Hall and take it home if any of it is yours.
‘Zabur’ is a gift! A collection of Jewish, Muslim and Christian texts have been woven together to form a musical celebration, and will be given its premiere performance Friday, April 24, at 8:00 pm at Hilbert Circle Theatre. Composer Mohammed Fairouz met with leaders of these faith traditions (including our own Ruthie Tippin) last year, as he began the composition. Commissioned by the ISO, the work will be performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Choir, and Children’s Choir. Dan Rains and Bill Paraskevas from our Meeting are in the Choir. ‘Requiem’ by Faure will be paired with the premiere of ‘Zabur’ for the concert. Tickets begin at $20, and are available at www.indychoir.org or by calling 639-4300.
Befriending Creation: Spring is finally here in North America, and that inevitably brings ideas of possibility and hope as we begin to live outside again, gardening and visiting and hiking our favorite paths. You'll see this kind of possibility and hope reflected in the March-April issue of BeFriending Creation, as a number of Friends share hopeful developments in their lives and locales. You'll also read about the 4 Asks: Recommendations for All Friends, which first arose during the QEW meeting last October at Pendle Hill. We hope all Friends will read and reflect on the possibilities presented by the 4 Asks. Follow this link to access the full newsletter: http://www.quakerearthcare.org/bfc/volume-28-no-2.
Join Diana Hadley at Indy Reads Books, an independent book store located at 911 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202 on April 17th from 7-9pm as she discusses the book she co-authored, "The Peace Class." Diana says, "The book came from a feeling that the instructional resources, activities, and experiences from a class about nonviolence should be shared with others. The dream of "the Peace Class" -- people how could transform the world to practice peaceful conflict resolution -- evolved from observing and absorbing the power of nonviolence from the study of successful peace initiative sand the people who have led them." Learn more at: www.facebook.com/thepeaceclass
The Co-Op is gearing up for the rummage sale on April 18th. They are still collecting items to sell, hangers, and paper grocery bags to put purchases in. Donations can be left on the stage. They will also be selling baked goods, and if you’d like to donate some, drop-off will be all day Friday April 17th in the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Email ycwickes@gmail.com if you can help! Don’t forget to stop in on the 18th from 9am-2pm to support the sale!
Join us for the next Woods Work day, April 18th from 9 am-12 noon! We're inviting everyone to join us as we continue to care for our Meditational Woods. We are concentrating on eliminating non-native invasives like amur honeysuckle and wintercreeper ground cover. These plants take over the area and crowd out the native plants that feed our birds and insects. After removing these invasive invaders, we will be planting native species to improve our biodiversity. All volunteers are welcome. We welcome any volunteers who would rather make some healthy snacks instead of digging weeds. Bring some tools and a cheerful spirit and we will have fun while we work. Future 2015 workdays are as follows: May 9, September 26, and November 7.
Money Smart Week – April 18-25 is Money Smart Week! Stop by a free seminar sponsored by financial institutions, businesses, government agencies, schools libraries and lots of others who are joining together to promote personal financial education. Classes are held at various locations and cover topics ranging from budgeting to homebuying to estate planning. Visit www.moneysmartweek.org for more information!
Discovering God in a Changing World. Save the date for the third session in an exciting 4-part program series with Dr. Dan Moseley right here at First Friends! The session is April 25th-26th, where Dan will focus on generosity, and creating space to be generous in spirit, just the way spring makes room for growth after winter. 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. 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 are available in our office for $10 each.
Mark your calendars for Friday, May 15th, 7pm - First Friends Meeting presents Concert Pianist Randall Frieling and Organ Virtuoso Martin Ellis. They will be showcasing our Casavant organ and newly-refurbished Steinway piano. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 18 years old, available by calling 317-255-2485 or at the door.
The Friends Educational Fund Scholarship for undergraduate African American students is available again this year. The deadline for application is May 31, 2015. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.
The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is May 31, 2015. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.