Friend to Friend
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens
Most Gracious Lord,
We ask that you bless these sessions of Western Yearly Meeting. Strengthen your servants who are carrying out your work in various fields. As Friends of differing viewpoints meet and gather, let them feel the ties of your love and grace that transcend all divisions.
Keep us open; to your leadings over our opinions, to your guidance over our theologies, and to your word over our wishes.
Let us worship in Spirit and in Truth surrendering ourselves to your presence that we may be transformed and renewed as individuals and as your church, and that through your power as a transformed and renewed church we might transform creation. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
This was the opening prayer given last Thursday by Pastor David Kinsey of Sheridan Friends. It was a blessing that fell over me, and over the entire Yearly Meeting throughout our time together. David’s prayer acknowledged the differences between us, but also understood the grace and power God brings when, as Fox said, ‘a people to be gathered’ are brought together– not just in number, but in Spirit. Friends were open, to learning things from one another, from our own condition, and from those asked to bring spiritual
direction and meaning to the Yearly Meeting. Instead of looking to the past, Alan Kolp called us into the future through his Quaker Lecture. Howard Macy drove us into the Letter to the Ephesians, and caused us to re-write it on our own hearts… God loves us beyond all understanding, calling us into a new humanity – a place where God dwells in us – living out this love as an outward, practical expression of God’s love together. And what does this bring? Light! A light that is witness to the fact of God’s notorious presence in the world!
First Friends is filled with light. It was this past Sunday morning, as many people gathered for unprogrammed worship in the Meetinghouse, and many others gathered for the programmed worship at WYM. First Friends light shines, through our witness as individuals, and as a gathered meeting. We are known for our concern for the needy and the hungry. We are known for our concern for the testimonies of Friends – equality, integrity… What else do people know us for? Are we being transformed? Are we being renewed? Do we realize the capacity of God’s love, and what power and grace it can bring? Let us dare to live as the kind of people God is already creating us to be. As Howard Macy said, “Let’s shine!”
Joys & Concerns
Thank you, Jim and Deb Hejl, for serving on Facing Bench this past Sunday morning, and leading our Meeting in unprogrammed worship. It was a blessed time together. Two other gatherings in unprogrammed worship are offered each week: Mondays at 12:15 pm and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. Join in any time!
A Yearly Meeting Thank You! Norma Wallman led worship sharing and a workshop, Ann Panah and friends hosted a meal, Beth Henricks led a workshop with Dan Lee and Deb Hejl as Rufus Jones and Lucretia Mott, Jim and Leslie Kartholl, and Eric Baker sang… and any number of Friends from FFM attended sessions of Yearly Meeting this year. Thank you all for your wonderful participation!
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
We at First Friends are proud to take part in an ecumenical Habitat for Humanity Panel Build on July 25th at Allisonville Christian Church. Allisonville Christian is located at 7701 Allisonville Road. Volunteers are needed for the build itself as well as hospitality tasks, including child care, food donations and serving a continental breakfast and lunch. Between all the congregations working on the build we need 100 volunteer shifts filled. Please find below links to both types of shift opportunities that are available.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN UP LINK: http://vhub.at/GIDA
HOSPITALITY SIGN UP LINK: http://vols.pt/9y2fpY
If you have registered in the past with Indy Habitat Volunteer Hub you need only to sign-in. Otherwise, you will be need to create your own account and be registered to participate in this build. Please be sure to sign up for the specific shift you would like to join us for on build day.
The shifts available are: Set-up- (7:00-7:30) Nail Captain (All Day-7:15-12:15), Shift 1 (7:30-10:00), Shift 2 (9:30-12:00), Tear Down (approx. 12:00-12:30 takes place when house is completed)
This build is the first project from an ecumenical group known as “Shalom Zone”. Shalom Zone’s mission statement is “Led by God’s Light, Ecumenically Building the Kingdom of God, One Need at a Time”. First Friends along with several area faith groups have been working over the last several months to make Shalom Zone an important addition to our community. For questions about Shalom Zone or the build please contact Bill Chapman at 255-4739 or drchapman@earthlink.net
Women’s Choir Fun! Come to one or both practices! Join Ruthie and Pat for a Sunday of Song! All women who love to sing are invited to sing in Meeting for Worship on Sunday, July 26th. Save the date for lots of fun! We will practice twice… Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 and Sunday, July 26 at 9:00. Two pieces have been chosen: ‘Be Thou My
Vision’ and ‘Rise Up Singing!’ We’re going to make a joyful noise!
Friends Education Fund is a scholarship program for African American students, administered by First Friends Meeting from proceeds that originated in an estate left by a freed black slave, under the care of his Quaker friend and attorney. We will celebrate this long-standing scholarship and honor the 24 recipient scholars this coming Sunday, July 26th. A reception will follow after Meeting.
This Sunday July 26th, we will be selling chocolates, coffee, tea, olive oil and fragrance free products to benefit Right Sharing of World Resources, American Friends Service Committee and our youth group. A table will be set up in fellowship hall.
Catherine Swanson will be reading from her book of poems, A Map in the Wind, on two occasions during the last week of July. July 28 @ 6:30 at the Lawrence Art Center, 4437 N. Franklin Road. July 31 @ 7 pm at Half Price Books, Castleton, Clearwater Village Shops, 4709 E. 82nd Street. An open mic will follow each reading.
Temple Tour: Come tour the new temple in Carmel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). It is a rare opportunity to visit a Mormon temple; there are fewer than 150 in operation worldwide, and non-Mormon guests are permitted to visit only during a brief time period prior to the temple’s consecration. The tour begins with a video presentation and concludes within an hour.
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 4
Time: Gather at First Friends by 6 p.m.; temple tour starts at 7 p.m.
Logistics: We will meet at First Friends north parking lot at 6 p.m. (Those who prefer to go directly to the temple should plan to arrive there by 6:45 p.m. Address: 11565 Temple Dr., Carmel.)
First come, first served: Our reservation is limited to 20 attendees. Wheelchair access is available, but service animals are not permitted. To reserve your spot, please email name, cell number, whether you are available to drive or need a ride (if driving, indicate how many besides yourself you can transport) to: laurawilsonindy@yahoo.com. For questions, email Laura or call at 317-775-4849. July 31st is the last day to sign up. Temple reservation website: templeopenhouse.lds.org
Friday August 7th: First Friends Community Soup & Salad Supper,
and screening of ‘The Many Storeys and Last Days of Thomas Merton’
Supper served 5:30 - 7:00. Film begins at 7:00 PM
The film will be followed by a discussion with Producer Morgan Atkinson. You’re welcome to come to either or both segments of the evening.
Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation presents Quaker Historian Thomas D. Hamm. Friday, August 14th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Here at First
Friends Meeting Tom Hamm will speak about the history of Quaker involvement in political & social activism. A discussion period to follow Tom’s lecture. A freewill offering will be taken to support the advocacy work of IFCL.
Peace and Social Justice Committee Presents, Teacher Diana Hadley - Quakers and Peace: Past and Present. Diana has worked at Franklin College since 2004 where she is executive director of the Indiana High School Press and has taught journalism classes and a liberal arts course in nonviolence. Time : Monday evenings 6:30 pm August 31-October 5th.
Where: Fairfield Friends Meeting 10441 E. County Rf 700 S. Camby, IN, 46113-3121
The cost of the course is $30, with a book included. Please RSVP at llinzev@yahoo.com
Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday August 8th all day. This is a fundraiser for our youth program as we will receive $1100 from the Dairy Association for our work that day. We plan to have two 6 hour shifts similar to last year. (9:30am-3:30pm or 3:30pm-9:30pm). It is fast paced but lots of fun. And you get to eat as much ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches as you want. Please let Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you can participate. We need 27 people to fill these shifts.
Attention Men! What does it take to be a “real man” in today's world? A Christian man? A Quaker or Methodist* man? What beliefs do you have that speak to that? What are your core values? (And how do you feel about bocce ball?) Join us for a one day, thought provoking, and fun filled retreat at First Friends on Oct. 31st as we address these things along with some of the Methodist men of Epworth Methodist *(our Eco Film Series partners). Call Ed Morris at 317-691-5542 if you have any questions. Save the date!
Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
Compassionate v Christian v Quaker
3030 Kessler Blvd. E. Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-255-2485 office@indyfriends.org