As Way Opens
This fall I became worried about how we would experience the fall season (my favorite season of the year). It remained warm and wet and the leaves stayed green for many weeks beyond what I remembered before in prior years. Usually by the night of Halloween most leaves are on the ground. Not this year. I wondered maybe we wouldn’t have fall this year? I get anxious when things don’t happen as I expect or have experienced before. I think we all feel this as the ground beneath us keeps changing. But God doesn’t change and sure enough the leaves have changed color and in my neighborhood I was not disappointed with the majesty of trees turning red, orange and yellow. My next door neighbor’s tree has been a joy for me each year. I thought it might just move from green to brown this year. But this tree did not disappoint me and here it was in all of creations glory.
The Divine is so present every season - but for me I feel it the most in the fall. It’s such a unique time to remember that leaves drop and feed the soil for new birth. I love Carrie Newcomer’s song about fall leaves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c4mW9MRe-k
The truth I knew when I was eight
My dad swam the length of Spirit Lake
It must have been a million miles
This I knew was true
My mother sang while hangin' clothes
Her notes weren't perfect heaven knows
But heaven opened anyway
And this I knew was true
Leaves don't drop they just let go,
And make a place for seeds to grow
Every season brings a change,
A seed is what a tree contains,
To die and live is life's refrain
I left her with some groceries,
Said, "Check the oil and call me please."
She said "Hey, ma I'll be just fine."
This I knew was true
Leaves don't drop they just let go,
And make a place for seeds to grow
Every season brings a change,
A seed is what a tree contains,
To die and live is life's refrain
I've traveled through my history,
From certainty to mystery
God speaks in rhyme in paradox
This I know is true
Leaves don't drop they just let go,
And make a place for seeds to grow
Every season brings a change,
A seed is what a tree contains,
To die and live is life's refrain
And finally when life is through,
I'm what I am not what I do
It comes down to you and your next breath,
And this I know is true
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Right Sharing of World Resources -- Something to Give Thanks For!
With Thanksgiving approaching, Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) offers a way for us to think about all we have that we so often take for granted. This "gratitude calendar," available in both adult and children's versions (see links below), lists one item a day for each day of November. For each item earning a "thank you," participants are invited to give a small donation to Right Sharing. A way of giving to Right Sharing while becoming more aware of the many things we have to be grateful for…
Give 1 cent for every electric outlet in your home
Give 1 cent for every bike, ball, skateboard, Frisbee
Give 1 cent for every faucet in your home
Give 25 cents for the right to vote...
In gratitude for the support of First Friends of RSWR over the past year. -- Phil Goodchild
https://rswr.org/gratitude-calendar
https://rswr.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/Adult-Gratitude-Calendar.pdf
https://rswr.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/Childrens-Gratitude-Calendar.pdf
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
We Are the Change We’ve Been Waiting For ~ Indianapolis Peace & Justice Center is delighted to invite you to their November 10 Speakers Event, which is part of the 2021 Spirit & Place Festival. We will learn from four local activists how to respond to critical social justice issues in our communities. The panel includes:
· Our own Bob Henry, who will speak about Quakerism's long history of social activism
· Brandon D. Cosby, Director of Flanner House, will discuss their Food Justice Program
· Amy Nelson, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana who will discuss barriers to home ownership, especially in communities of color
· Elizabeth Wallin, Founder and Director of Project Lia, helping women transition from incarceration back to their communities;
After their presentations, there will be time for questions, answers, and conversations. It will be held today, November 10 from 6:30-8:30. Light refreshments will be served. This is a free event. It will be held at the Indiana Interchurch Center, 1100 W. 42nd Street. (Enter through the main entrance for the lower level, Dining Room). There is ample free parking. For more information and to register, visit the Spirit and Place website.
Madge Oberholtzer, the woman who brought down DC Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan ~ At 2 PM on Saturday, November 13, in Fellowship Hall, First Friends of Indianapolis is pleased to welcome Charlotte Ottinger to speak on her recently published book Madge: The Life and Times of Madge Oberholtzer. Her talk will effectively build on a recent First Friends event which explored the downfall of KKK leader D.C. Stevenson; Ms. Ottinger's book and presentation focuses on Madge Overholtzer's life--and her death at the hand of Stevenson.
We welcome all who are interested to join us in Fellowship Hall of the Fist Friends Meeting House at 3030 Kessler Blvd, East Drive, at 2 PM, Saturday, November 13.
Madge is available from the Irvington Historical Society, the book's publisher.
Celebrating Shawn P ~ Please mark your calendars for Sunday, November 14th when we will gather in Fellowship Hall after Meeting for Worship to have a goodbye celebration for Shawn! We will have food and an opportunity to give Shawn a card, note or gift to thank him for his years of ministry. We hope you’ll join us!
Music for this Sunday’s Meeting for Worship from Shawn P ~ Sunday’s Patriotic Medley is in honor and memory of veterans who have been a part of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting.
Veterans Day is Thursday, Nov. 11. I am reminded of our veterans all across this nation, and in particular, those veterans who have been part of First Friends Meeting. First Friends has always had veterans in our midst who have greatly enriched our Meeting. I am reminded of three that would tell me stories of their days in military service. I fondly remember Hilda “Pete” and Lowell Renshaw and Fred Davis.
I am sure there are many others whom I do not know, and even though Quakers have a testimony of peace, there are those in our midst who have served and do serve and I am thankful for their presence. ~Shawn Porter
Let’s Play “What has Tom Made, Now?”
This week, the pastoral team visited Tom P. Tom is a long-time member of First Friends, who lives here in Indianapolis. He is looking forward to joining us again at Meeting in the coming weeks. Until then, Tom has many projects he is working on, in and around his home. In explaining one of his latest projects to our pastors, he proceeded to lead them outside to his garage to show them this contraption which he made (see photo).
Take a good look. What do you think it is? Any guesses?
Remember, Tom comes from a long line of Quakers, so even though it might look like some type of a weapon, we guarantee it is not (well, unless used for the wrong reasons, then maybe). Here is a little hint to help you make a better guess. Tom is a Ham Radio Operator and built this device to assist him in making a better connection. That is all we are going to say for now. If you have a guess of what you think Tom is holding, email your answer to office@indyfriends.org and next week if you have guessed correctly, we will publish your name along with the answer in Friend to Friend.
Thanks Tom for always making us wonder and for sharing your creative ventures!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is seeking volunteer Bigs. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and they can be matched with children from 8 to 18. Currently, 1,285 matches are being served in our area (Marion, Hamilton, and Johnson Counties). But, over a thousand boys & girls are still on the BBBS match waitlist. Please let the office know if you or another are interested in becoming a Big (office@indyfriends.org)
Men’s Threshing Together ~ If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Join us for our next in-person meeting Thursday, November 18 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2021 here.
First Friends Financial Update: The Meeting seeks financial support. We are experiencing a significant deficit, and your help is needed to close the gap. To donate online, go to: indyfriends.org/support/#givenow, or text to give at 317-768-0303.
Other means of helping are available through automatic giving, stock gifts, estate planning, and donation of IRA Required Minimum Distributions. For more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
Additionally, members and attenders are encouraged to visit the 2022 pledge webform to plan ahead for next year.
Blue Christmas Service & Luncheon ~ All are invited to our special Blue Christmas service which will be held during Meeting for Worship on Sunday, November 28. We will honor loved ones who have passed in the last couple of years. This service recognizes the struggles that many people face during this season. After meeting for worship, we’ll meet in the parlor to share a light lunch and fellowship and have a facilitated discussion about our losses and grief. If you’d like to join us for this gathering, please RSVP to the office (office@indyfriends.org) and let us know how many people you plan to bring.
Woods Words
As we wander through the Woods in autumn, consider speaking this excerpt from Psalm 96 in your heart in praise of God’s amazing creation.
Psalm 96: 1, 11-12
1 Sing a new song to the Eternal;
sing in one voice to the Eternal, all the earth.
11 And so, let the heavens resound in gladness!
Let joy be the earth’s rhythm as the sea and all its creatures roar.
12 Let the fields grow in triumph, a grand jubilee for all that live there.
Let all the trees of the forest dig in and reach high with songs of joy before the Eternal
We at the Wood’s team are ever mindful of two things: How can we balance supporting native wildlife and keeping maintenance manageable?
With Amy Perry’s inspiration, we are revising the entry plaque area. While the switchgrass is a gorgeous winter backdrop, cutting it back every year and managing the enthusiasm of the native coneflowers is time consuming, so we will be replacing the plantings with lower growing, less aggressive natives. We will transplant prairie drop seed, blue eyed grass, butterfly milkweed and wild petunia around the plaque. These will bloom at different times and be better “behaved” in a smaller planting.
We also hired an ecological restoration company, EcoLogic to do the heavy lifting of invasive removals in the eastern segment of the Woods allowing more native species to thrive.
Something to consider in your home landscape. Oaks provide habitat for over 511 insect species that nourish our birds while they feed their young. With small urban lots, an oak to consider is Quercus prinoides or dwarf chinkapin or chinquapin oak. It usually grows to 20 feet and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. https://unlgardens.unl.edu/quercus-prinoides-dwarf-chinquapin-oak
Upcoming Events:
November 13: 9 AM Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation. From clerk, Diana Hadley: “Friends, The 2022 legislative session is near, so IFCL will meet by Zoom Saturday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss issues and possibilities to serve Hoosier challenges legislatively as Quakers.
Thanks to everyone who worked for redistricting reform through contacts with legislators, attendance at hearings/news conferences and letters/columns in the media. You can review the IFCL effort on our website (www.quakerifcl.org)
under the "News" button. Although new maps have been adopted, the goal for changing the process will continue and be described at the November 13 meeting.” I monitor environmental issues for IFCL.
November 13: 1-5 PM Indiana Native Plant Society Annual Conference, by Zoom. $25 registration fee.
https://indiananativeplants.org/wild-indiana-wilding-indiana-gardens/
November 19 & 20, 2021 Greening the Statehouse: HEC annual gathering by Zoom
https://www.hecweb.org/gts/ $35, $25/students
As always, think about how you can reduce energy waste and promote the circular economy. For ideas, go to https://weather.com/science/environment/news/carbon-footprint-climate-change
Mary B, co-clerk of the Woods Committee
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/about-us We are on the map!
First Friends Afghan Evacuee Group Moves Forward with Goal to Become Co-Sponsor
Core Group to Ask Monthly Meeting for Business to Approve Co-Sponsorship
A group at First Friends decided to ask the First Friends Monthly Meeting for Business to approve a request to become a Co-Sponsor, along with Exodus Refugee, of an Afghan evacuee family. The meeting date is Sunday, Nov. 21.
Sponsorship is a minimum commitment of three months and the F.F Co-Sponsor team plans to work on 10 specific activities that may be tweaked following a recent survey:
English tutoring
Airport pickup
School enrollment
Enrollment in ESL
Create a budget
Participate in a second home visit
Help set up furnishings
Prepare a culturally appropriate meal
Supply sufficient clothing for each family member
Provide ongoing financial support (Goal of $5,000 including in-kind donations).
Expectations Clarified in Wednesday Meeting with Exodus Volunteer Coordinator
Fifteen attended a Question and Answer session with Jericho Jones, Exodus Volunteer Coordinator, who appeared virtually to clarify recent changes in sponsorship guidelines. Resettlement agencies are swamped with a backlog of evacuees and the urgency of the situation prompted Exodus’ guideline changes. Last Wednesday’s meeting was both in-person and open to virtual attendees.
Representative from Shalom Mennonite Participated to Glean Information
Becky Wigginton attended as an invited guest representing Shalom Mennonite Church. Neither Friends nor Mennonites knew what to expect in terms of sponsorship responsibilities and in lieu of recent changes. The idea of an exploratory partnership or simply a chance for Mennonites to gather information resulted in Becky’s attendance.
Survey Distributed to Active Parties to Determine Group Activity Commitment and to Create Task Groups
Group activity commitments are currently being finalized as task groups are formed according to individual interests collected from a survey distributed Monday. Jim Donahue has agreed to coordinate fundraising. David Beatty is Witness and Service Liaison. W&S will support and assist in the co-sponsorship, but will not take a leadership role.
Preparing the Way for Afghan Evacuees – Other Ways to Help
Team Volunteers
Those wanting to have ANY direct contact with Afghan evacuees, even if little involvement is desired, should (1) watch the recorded video training, (2) complete a background check for a fee of approximately $25 and (3) complete a confidentiality form for Exodus Refugee. This makes logistics easier when we need drivers.
Donations
Clothing is NOT needed since Exodus will provide culturally appropriate clothing.
Furnishings and household supplies can be saved and given directly to our assigned family as in-kind donations that will count towards our fundraising goal of $5,000. Save receipts for any new items purchased!!
Housing
Please share housing connections directly with Exodus Volunteer Coordinator Jericho Jones at jjones@exodusrefugee.org.
Monthly Meeting for Business has not yet met and approved a co-sponsorship of an Afghan family with Exodus. If approved we expect a rapid match and we want to be prepared.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for November
Mourning Dove: Not So Sad After All
It isn’t really sad, in spite of its name. We humans tend to view animals and their behaviors through the lens of our own experiences. In this case it is more “hearing” than “viewing.” The mourning dove song is a plaintive, yes…sad-like, “Who – you, hoo, hoo, hoo.” The you is at a higher pitch than the who, and the three final hoos are all on the same lower pitch.
Back to the sadness: As in other bird species, it is the male that is singing this song, with the expectation of attracting and securing a mate. A male is very persistent in the chasing of a chosen female, who may show no interest at all in the flirtations of courtship by the male. If his courting behavior IS successful, he certainly will not be sad. He will be glad!! Perhaps their behavior is not so far from humans after all!
Mourning doves are year-round residents of our meetinghouse grounds. They are most easily seen on one of the overhead powerline wires, often in pairs or groups. Watch for the small head on a robin-sized body, but with a long pointed tail. It is often, however, that when walking in our woods, I have scared up a group of doves in the pines behind the waterfall feature. Their explosive take-off and whistling wings can be quite startling.
Be happy! ~Brad J
Overman Scholarship Fund Drive ~ We are kicking off a fund for the Overman Scholarship! This fund, in memory of Jesse & Marilyn Overman and Mark Overman, awards scholarships to members of First Friends attending higher academic or vocational/Quaker institutions. If you’d like to support this worthy cause, we encourage you to donate. For the next 5 years, the Overman family will match donations up to a certain amount. Checks can be payable to “Indianapolis Monthly Meeting of Friends Trustees.” In the memo line, note "Overman Scholarship Fund.” Or you can donate securely on our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/support. Just choose “Overman Scholarship Fund” as the fund. Or text “Overman” to 317-768-0303.
WYM Looking for Associate Superintendent ~ Western Yearly Meeting of Friends Church (WYM) has an executive-level position open for Associate Superintendent. This newly-created position assists in providing support and leadership to WYM and reports directly to the General Superintendent. WYM consists of 33 meetings in Western and Southern Indiana and the Chicago, Illinois area. Based from the WYM office in Plainfield, Indiana, the Associate Superintendent will spend their time on tasks such as youth events, spiritual formation activities, young adult programs, and other Board on Christian Education activities. Click here to view the position description. Applications, including a resume and three references, are due to scottmwym@att.net by December 10, 2021. Beginning date for successful applicant will be March 1, 2022.
Queries for the Week
· What are my misconceptions and attitudes about Quaker Business?
· What leadings of the Spirit have I had during worship that I need to bring forward to the corporate body for discernment and support?
· How am I assisting my fellow Friends in deepening our spiritual life through Quaker Business?