Friend to Friend
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens
This past Sunday we honored the recipients and families of the Friends Educational Fund scholarship program supporting African American students in their pursuit of college. This is an annual event and always inspiring to hear from these young people that are attending college and learn of their future plans. But this past Sunday had a more significant impact on me during Unprogrammed Worship and Fellowship Hour than ever before. I had this timeless moment of thinking about John Williams, the freed slave in Indiana that established the money after his death that ended up supporting an orphanage for black children which then established this scholarship fund. We had such a meaningful gathering during Unprogrammed Worship and fellowship after the Meeting. All of these connections with students and families would never had occurred without John Williams. Wow - we were all there on Sunday because of this man that was murdered 151 years ago.
I started thinking about who this man really was. I have checked a few websites and he does have a small listing in the Indiana Historical Society website with very little information and also a short article written in 1934 (the link is attached). This is a man that was a successful businessman and farmer owning 160 acres in Washington County, was not well known, had no family, was not a Quaker but connected strongly with a number of Quakers. He asked his good friend, a Quaker lawyer to handle his estate to ensure his assets would help educate black children in Indiana.
Ruthie shared with us that his estate totaled about $6,000 in 1864 and would equate to $150,000 today. While this is a lot of money, it is not a huge estate. And yet look at the impact! We met so many folk on Sunday because of John Williams. This led to me reflecting on what am I doing with my time and money. We heard on Sunday that we have 1,440 minutes each day. How are we using these minutes to invest in the future and help change a small part of our world like John Williams.? How are we using our money to make a difference? So many of us lament about the lack of time in this busy and programmed world. But really, we have a lot of time that we have a choice in how it is spent each day. I encourage all of us to think about time and money in an eternal way today. Read his story here. http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/6753/7227
Thank you, John Williams.
Joys & Concerns
Our hearts and prayers reach out to Diane Buyer in the death of her mother, Jean Martschink Buyer, this past Sunday morning. Services will be held at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2015, at the Miller-Roscka Funeral Home in Monticello, IN. Visitation will follow, immediately after the service. Please hold Diane and her husband Tim Yale, Diane’s father John, and Diane’s siblings Karen, John and Steve and families in your prayers. Her mother’s philosophy was ‘Strangers are friends I haven’t met yet’. http://www.miller-rosckafh.com/
Thank you, Carl Butler and Lynda Sherer - flautists, Pat Price – accompanist, and the Women’s Chorus, who sang so beautifully in Meeting for Worship this past Sunday morning. Such a blessing!
From Two Sister Scholarship Recipients, Haseena and Shakoora Sabree of the Friends Education Fund: With God’s Name, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer…
Thank you, Indianapolis First Friends, for support my sister and I financially as we pursue our educational endeavors. We are grateful for the work you have done and continue to do within our community. The work you do in the African American Community has not gone unnoticed, and is greatly appreciated by those touched by it, and those who wish to see my people progress. The First Friends demonstration of love and kindness to all is not only present today, but dates back to the time of slavery in the US, providing African American slaves with a place of refuge and guiding them to a path of freedom via the underground railroad. While that is just one example of many, the First Friends continue to give freely of that which God gave them, through schlarship opportunities with no strings attached, and other acts of generosity. For that cholarship and your continued support, displaying Christ’s love to me and other African Americans, I sincerely thank you, the Indianapolis First Friends, for doing the work of God here on earth.
Many Thanks to the 2015 First Friends FEF Scholarship Committee: Jed Kay, Carol Donahue, Nichole Matthews, Carl Butler, Jeff Rasley, Brenda Rodeheffer, and Kristin Noble. These folks reviewed applications and awarded the scholarships, and provided the lovely reception for the Scholars this past Sunday.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Pastor Ruthie will be traveling with Jon to their son’s wedding in Seattle this weekend. Please keep Matt and Rebecca in your prayers, as they join together in marriage. Jim and Deb Hejl’s daughter Julia will be married this same weekend in Los Angeles! We ask for your prayers for Julia and Dan, as well! In Ruthie’s absence, Catherine Griffith, Clerk of the New Association of Friends and a good friend of our Meeting, will be speaking in Meeting for Worship. Phil Thrasher and the Murat Shrine Chanters will be providing special music.
First Friends is looking for a Part Time Youth Pastor - We are very excited that our Meeting is supporting the position of a part time (average 10 hours per week) youth pastor to offer a full blown youth group this fall. The job description is attached. If you know of someone that might be interested, please have them contact Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org or 331-8306).
Catherine Swanson will be reading from her book of poems, ‘A Map in the Wind’. On July 31 @ 7 pm at Half Price Books, Castleton, Clearwater Village Shops, 4709 E. 82nd Street. An open mic will follow the 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
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Friday August 7th:
First Friends Community 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. 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.
‘Quakers and Peace: Past and Present’; Diana Hadley 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. She will be leading this course from her new book, “The Peace Class”.
Time : Monday evenings 6:30 pm August 31-October 5th.
Where: Fairfield Friends Meeting 10441 E. County Rd 700 S. Camby, IN, 46113
The cost of the course is $30, with a book included. Please RSVP at llinzev@yahoo.com
Discovering God in a Changing World. Dr. Dan Moseley will be right here at First Friends, for Session Four – Simplicity - Aug. 22nd-23rd, 2015. De-clutter one’s life and create space to live more simply. Keeping the momentum building for growth and change. The session consist of a half-day Saturday retreat from 9am-to 1pm. Meeting for Worship at 10:15am on Sunday with a Luncheon following Worship. Q&A with Dan after lunch. Save the Date! Please contact the office if you would like to attend. office@indyfriends.org
Women’s Retreat! Join Katherine Murray, September 14-15 at Quaker Haven. Quaker Women from across Indiana will be gathering to learn to “Choose Gratitude”. Come join us as we explore practical, worshipful and creative ways to fill our lives and spiritual practice with gratitude. Cost: $65, includes 3 meals and night’s lodging. Begins at 1:00 Monday (14th), and ends after lunch on Tuesday (15th).
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