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June 14, 2017

As Way Opens

Yesterday was the birthday of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl that died at age 14 in a concentration camp in Germany.  Prior to that, her family hid in an upstairs attic space above the family's warehouse business for two years and Anne chronicled their life in her diary that was published after her death in 1947.  The diary was an overnight sensation and also an important record to document the life of Jews during the Holocaust and in particular to give a view of this tragedy through the eyes of a young girl.  Anne would have been 88 yesterday.

I am deeply touched by the goodness she still found in people.  She wrote "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again. Those who have courage and faith shall never perish in misery.” 

May each one of us see the good in others today and have courage and faith to help bring peace and tranquility to our world. 

Beth


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Brrr! Don’t leave on the A/C! A friendly reminder ~ as we approach hot summer days, please remember to turn the air conditioning off after using the building! Help us keep cooling costs down! Thank you!

Opportunity to serve! We are currently in desperate need of an usher to replace someone that has served in this role. The open spot is every second Sunday of the month but that may be able to be changed by negotiation with the other ushers.  We also never filled the 2 open spots for every 5th Sunday (only 4 times a year!).  This is an easy job and new members are definitely welcome!  This could also be a shared position to decrease the total days of service.  Please email the office for further information.

Help us provide music this Summer! We still have some open slots for folks to share their musical talent with us - singing, playing an instrument or joining together with a couple of other individuals for a trio or quartet. Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway. We look forward to hearing from you!

We’re Hiring! First Friends Meeting is seeking a qualified applicant for the job of Music Director at the meeting. The Music Director is a part time salaried position, responsible for developing and leading the worship music, in collaboration with the pastor, in a way that is consistent with the mission, values and theology of The Society of Friends (Quaker). The applicant need not be a member of the Religious Society of Friends, but should have a knowledge of, and appreciation for, the worship experience. If you’re interested or know anyone who may be interested in this position, please visit our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/musicjob/ for more information and to apply!

Our picnic has been rescheduled! The annual picnic that we normally would’ve had after worship in the woods a few weeks ago now has a date. Mark your calendars for July 23, where our picnic will also welcome and celebrate our new pastor Bob Henry. Look for more details as the date draws near!

Welcome Your Neighbor Signs ~ The Welcome Your Neighbor signs have arrived!  Please pick one up after Meeting at the table in the corner of the hallway.  Proudly display them at your home and/or place of work to provide a welcome to everyone, particularly to certain ethnic groups that some have tried to marginalize.  Contributions for the signs are appreciated but not required.

The Library catalog is getting even better! Besides now having our library catalog available online on our website, the catalog now has tags to help you search for the topics you’re looking for. These tags include topics such as poetry, biography, prophecy, sermons, worship, etc. To search for a topic, simply click the arrow next to the search bar and choose “advanced search”. Then change the search field to “tag” and enter the topic you’re looking for. For a list of searchable tags, visit  https://goo.gl/41ilWJ

We need your help at the food pantry! ~ Last Wednesday we served the largest number of families we have ever served in the many years we have worked at the pantry!  We are still looking for volunteers to help at the food pantry on Wednesday June 21. Need for pantry items and volunteers increases in the summer due to lack of school breakfast/lunch availability, so please consider volunteering! Let the office know if you are interested. Thank you for your assistance!

 

2017 Friends Mission Project For FUM - Belize ~ Friends United Meeting (“FUM”)’s Mission project for this year focuses around Belize. There are three ways you can help this project!

1.    FUM operates a small school in Belize which offers a “second chance” for kids failing the high school test to further their education. The FUM vision is to raise $25,000 to expand the school, establish a Quaker meeting where there currently is none, and create a community center.

2.    In addition to renovating the new facility, Oscar Mmbali, a Kenyan Friend, has accepted FUM’s call to serve as the first Friends pastor for Belize.  Oscar is traveling among North American Friends raising support for his new ministry.

3.    Finally, we at First Friends are honored to have one of our member families, the Thornburgs (Aaron, Michelle, Kwali, and Meshach), feeling led by God to go to Belize and help with the facility renovation and provide other assistance to the Friends school (come this Sunday for more details). The Thornburgs will need your financial assistance in order to make their Belize leading a reality.

Your prayers and financial support are needed to accomplish each part of this mission project.  Your contribution can be to all or any one of the parts of this Belize Project (checks can be made out to First Friends; please designate how your contribution is to be allocated among these 3 needs).  Please give prayerful consideration to how you might be led to provide support for this Project.

 

Join us this summer on June 22nd for the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class! Want to learn how to better handle your money, budget, and dump debt? Then this is the class for you! Samantha R. took this class twice and it has helped her be in charge and organized with her money. It has also helped her pay off $30,000 in student loans and avoid debt forever! Click on the link to sign up https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes#in-progress=0 . Also you're welcome to contact the office if you have any questions. Sam and her sister will be hosting this 9 week class at East Tenth United Methodist Church at 2327 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201. 

FUM Stewards Program! Young Adult Friends (aged 18–27) who are interested in the Friends movement and in developing their leadership experience could gain significant benefit from participating in the Stewards Program offered during the Triennial on July 12-16, 2017. The program will be facilitated by Pat Byers, Assistant Superintendent, Indiana Yearly Meeting, and will include significant time working alongside those leading the Youth/ YAF Program, at the Triennial. The Stewards Program this year will have three main areas of focus: 1) Education/introduction to the Friends movement. 2) Leadership experience working with Young Friends and other Young Adults at the Triennial. And 3) Opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from some ‘seasoned’ leaders of the Friends movement. To apply and for more information, visit https://goo.gl/jVGw6a. Applications are due June 23.

 You’re invited to the wedding! Our beloved organist and choir director ShawnP.  and Dr Brett P. invite you to their celebration of marriage on Saturday July 8th with a musical prelude starting at 3:00 and ceremony at 3:30 p.m. This ceremony will be held at Indianapolis First Friends Meeting in the Meetingroom and all are welcome to gather together for this joyous occasion.

Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions are coming up July 27-30! You can find all of this year’s information & registration online at https://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/wymsessions/. You’ll find all the details such as menus, the preliminary program, housing, and more. There are also chances to volunteer for the Festival of Fun and Fellowship, the Indian Table and Interest Groups. In addition you can see photos and videos of last year's Annual Session. Pre-registration is due by July 13! We hope you are planning on joining us!

Save the date for the Dairy Bar! Be sure to mark your calendars. We will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 12th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. It’s fast-paced but lots of fun! If you’re interested in volunteering, please keep the day free, and look out for signup sheets next month!

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June 7, 2017

As Way Opens

“It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” 

-- Robert Kennedy

I heard the author of a new book about Robert Kennedy speak on a news show this week and he read this quote.  I have heard it before but it struck me in a new way as we all try to figure out life in our troubled times today.  There is so much fear, so much violence, such hardened political positions, that I hardly know what to do.  It feels like the very core of our democracy is being challenged.  The easy thing is to be depressed, sad, feel helpless and enclose my circle and be concerned with my little world.  But it is in troubled times that God calls each one of us to act.  When a problem seems so daunting, we have a tendency to think our small action will make no difference.  But the history of our world (and the history of Quakers) has been made by countless number of individual acts of kindness, moments that we stood up for what is right and true as we follow the example that Jesus gave us, and defended the least of our brothers and sisters among us. 

What small action can you do to today that will add to the ripple to build a current that will impact our course of history?

While these times seem like our most difficult ever, if we look at history we have experienced and survived far worse times.  And those outcomes were shaped by individuals responding to God’s light within to take a stand, to look beyond ourselves but focus on the greater good and take some action that combined with others have changed our world.

What is God saying to you today?  What act of kindness, what action do you need to take to respond to God’s voice? Is your God big and vast enough to break through your fear?  Is your faith in God deep enough to allow you to make a difference?

Beth


Joys & Concerns

Nutmeg has found a home! We are glad to report the loveable cat up for adoption mentioned last week has now been adopted! Thank you to all who shared and helped find Nutmeg a home!

It is with great joy that Chris and Vicki W welcome a new grandson Oscar born on May 31st to Peter and Blair.  Oscar spent some time in the newborn intensive care unit, but he is doing much better now and should be home soon.  He joins brother Archie and we are excited for the whole family.

Happy Birthday Shirley! Shirley P will turn 89 on June 22nd.  If you feel so led, it would make her day to receive birthday cards and wishes from her First Friends family! 


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Help us provide music this Summer! We still have some open slots for folks to share their musical talent with us - singing, playing an instrument or joining together with a couple of other individuals for a trio or quartet. Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway. We look forward to hearing from you!

The cherry trees are ready! You might notice the cherry tree in the courtyard at the meeting is bright red with ripe cherries! Grab a bucket and start harvesting! Cherry pie? Cherry Jam? Cherry cobbler? Or maybe just enjoy them fresh! Please feel free to grab some cherries and enjoy them while they’re ripe.

Please note that the Woods Word Day scheduled for this Saturday, June 10th is being postponed for the time being. Keep an eye out for news on a possible rescheduled date.

The Library catalog is getting even better! Besides now having our library catalog available online on our website, the catalog now has tags to help you search for the topics you’re looking for. These tags include topics such as poetry, biography, prophecy, sermons, worship, etc. To search for a topic, simply click the arrow next to the search bar and choose “advanced search”. Then change the search field to “tag” and enter the topic you’re looking for. For a list of searchable tags, visit  https://goo.gl/41ilWJ

The Pastoral Excellence Fund of Western Yearly Meeting depends on donations to fund its benefits to WYM pastors, which have including Stan, Beth, and Ruthie, and will benefit Bob if funded adequately. Please send donation to the office for PME, or place in the offering.

We need volunteers for the Mid North Food Pantry! ~ A few of our “regulars” will not be able to volunteer at the food pantry on Wednesday June 21. These are all days that First Friends regularly staffs the pantry. If you are in town and available during any of these dates, please consider volunteering. Let the office know if you are interested. Thank you for your assistance!

Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening on Saturday June 10th from 5:30 - 9:30. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact Beth  if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!

Indy Pride Parade - It is now, more important than ever that we stand-up for what is right in our community.  We will be walking as Quakers of Indy in the Indy Pride Parade on June 10 in support of the LGBTQ people we love.  If you are interested in walking with us, you can contact the office.  We will be meeting downtown around 9am.  Hope to see you there!

Join us this summer on June 22nd for the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class! Want to learn how to better handle your money, budget, and dump debt? Then this is the class for you! Samantha R. took this class twice and it has helped her be in charge and organized with her money. It has also helped her pay off $30,000 in student loans and avoid debt forever! Click on the link to sign up https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes#in-progress=0 . Also you're welcome to contact the office if you have any questions. Sam and her sister will be hosting this 9 week class at East Tenth United Methodist Church at 2327 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201. 

You’re invited to the wedding! Our beloved organist and choir director Shawn P. and Dr Brett P. invite you to their celebration of marriage on Saturday July 8th with a musical prelude starting at 3:00 and ceremony at 3:30 p.m. This ceremony will be held at Indianapolis First Friends Meeting in the Meetingroom and all are welcome to gather together for this joyous occasion.

Vacation Bible School is coming up this July! We will kick off on Sunday, July 16 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 16th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher, station leader, or bringing snacks, please contact Beth.

Volunteers for WYM Pancake Breakfast - Dale Graves is asking for each meeting to send one or more Quaker men to assist with the pancake breakfast at Western Yearly Meeting. This would be Saturday, July 29, starting at 7 am to set up, and continuing to 10:30 or so. YM sessions start at 9 am and men are excused if attending the sessions. Please let the office know if you will do this, and we will connect you with Dale.

FUM Stewards Program! Young Adult Friends (aged 18–27) who are interested in the Friends movement and in developing their leadership experience could gain significant benefit from participating in the Stewards Program offered during the Triennial on July 12-16, 2017. The program will be facilitated by Pat Byers, Assistant Superintendent, Indiana Yearly Meeting, and will include significant time working alongside those leading the Youth/ YAF Program, at the Triennial. The Stewards Program this year will have three main areas of focus: 1) Education/introduction to the Friends movement. 2) Leadership experience working with Young Friends and other Young Adults at the Triennial. And 3) Opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from some ‘seasoned’ leaders of the Friends movement. To apply and for more information, visit https://goo.gl/jVGw6a. Applications are due June 23.

Save the date for the Dairy Bar! Be sure to mark your calendars. We will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 12th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. It’s fast-paced but lots of fun! If you’re interested in volunteering, please keep the day free, and look out for signup sheets next month!

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May 31, 2017

As Way Opens

One of my favorite writers is Peter Rollins who is also a storyteller, philosopher and public speaker (www.peterrollins.net).  I am reading his latest book, The Orthodox Heretic and Other Impossible Tales.  I love what he writes about the Word of God becoming incarnate.  “We are invited to reflect upon the true meaning of the phrase Word of God.  While this term is often used in order to describe a set of Scriptures,….the words, or at least the message contained by the words, has a status far beyond that of even the greatest literary achievements.  We must ask whether holding the words of the Bible in such high regard is really the best way to show our love and respect to this ancient text.  For is it not the Bible itself that informs us how God’s Word never returns empty (Isaiah 55:11)?  In other words, God’s holy Word cannot be heard without being heeded; it cannot be received without being incarnated.  Indeed, it is only in being incarnated that one can say that it has been received.  For instance, the words love your neighbor should not be thought of as sacred or divine.  These words are no more than words.  They take on a revelatory role only when they are lived, that is, when someone actually gets their hands dirty and loves their neighbor - in other words, when this phrase is incarnated in action.  The idea of loving one’s neighbor is the Word of God, not when it is merely affirmed, but when it is lived.  Therefore, it is impossible to affirm God’s Word apart from becoming that Word, apart from being the place where that Word becomes a living, breathing act.  The Word of God is an incarnated Word that is lived.  Its call is heard only by those who inhale the aroma of the words and who exhale life, liberation and love.

May the Word of God be alive and incarnate in each of us today.

Beth


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please note there will be no Gentle Yoga this week, Friday, June 2nd. Yoga will resume next week.

Friends Education Fund is a Quaker college scholarship program for African American students. If you know of a student who might be interested in applying, please ask them to contact the Meeting Office or visit our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/friends-educational-fund/. Applications are being accepted through Friday, June 2nd. The selected applicants will be celebrated later in June.

Join us for Worship in the Woods on Sunday, June 4th. Worship will be at the normal time, 10:15am, in the Meditational Woods, weather permitting. Jim and Leslie K. will be leading the service. Please note that we will not have a church picnic at this time. Keep an eye out for news on a picnic in July, after Bob Henry arrives!

You’re invited to the celebration! Everyone is invited to stop in for an open house this Sunday, 1-3:30pm in the Parlor to celebrate Lori H's graduation! Lori graduated from IUPUI’s Purdue School of Science on May 14 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She has been accepted and plans on attending Valparaiso University to receive a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She plans on going on to receive her Doctorate for Clinical Forensic Psychology once completing her Master’s program.

Temporary Home Needed for Our New Pastor! Bob and his family have found a home in Fishers but they can’t move into it until September 1st.  Does anyone know of a need for house sitters for the summer or have room for a family of four or know of a place to rent?  They will need this from July 1st to September 1st.  Please ask around and contact the office if you have any possibilities.

The Pastoral Excellence Fund of Western Yearly Meeting depends on donations to fund its benefits to WYM pastors, which have including Stan, Beth, and Ruthie, and will benefit Bob if funded adequately. Please send donation to the office for PME, or place in the offering.

We need volunteers for the Mid North Food Pantry! ~ A few of our “regulars” will not be able to volunteer at the food pantry on Wednesdays, June 7 and 21. These are all days that First Friends regularly staffs the pantry. If you are in town and available during any of these dates, please consider volunteering. Let the office know if you are interested. Thank you for your assistance!

Please note that the Woods Word Day scheduled for Saturday, June 10th is being postponed for the time being. Keep an eye out for news on a possible rescheduled date.

Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening on Saturday June 10th from 5:30 - 9:30. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact the office if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!

Shalom Zone Garage Sale ~ On Saturday, June 3, from 8:00 am to noon (set up beginning at 7 am) the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn.  The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal.  The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County.  For more information or to reserve a space contact the office.

Indy Pride Parade - It is now, more important than ever that we stand-up for what is right in our community.  We will be walking as Quakers of Indy in the Indy Pride Parade on June 10 in support of the LGBTQ people we love.  If you are interested in walking with us, you can contact the office.  We will be meeting downtown around 9am.  Hope to see you there!

Vacation Bible School is coming up this July! We will kick off on Sunday, July 16 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 16th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher, station leader, or bringing snacks, please contact the office.

Hello, my name is Nutmeg.  My beloved owner passed away last week.  I am 13 years old.  I am cared for by the VCA hospital at 4030 W. 86th Street.  I eat Hill's CD wet and dry food, and am currently taking one medication, which is mixed in my food. I am an affectionate and playful cat. I'd do best in a home without other animals, but a girl can't be too picky. Look at my big eyes and give me a thought, please. Contact the office if you know of a home.

IFCL’s Lawmakers of the Year - Members of the Indiana FriendsCommitteeon Legislation recognized Sen. James Merritt, Jr. R-District 31, and Rep. Scott Pelath, D-District 9, as the IFCL 2017 Lawmakers of the Year on Thursday, May 25. At the legislature as in other projects, IFCL aspires to be led by the spirit of God as mediated by the traditional testimonies of Friends: peace, simplicity, equality, integrity, stewardship and earth care. More information about IFCL can be found at quakerifcl.org. To see the press release, please visit  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6F664YZU4gseHNPQ1BFWlR1QWc

Volunteers for WYM Pancake Breakfast - Dale Graves is asking for each meeting to send one or more Quaker men to assist with the pancake breakfast at Western Yearly Meeting. This would be Saturday, July 29, starting at 7 am to set up, and continuing to 10:30 or so. YM sessions start at 9 am and men are excused if attending the sessions. Please let the office know if you will do this, and we will connect you with Dale.

Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $30.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, issues come out quarterly, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” The journal is normally priced at $40.00 annually. We keep one copy in our Library. Please let the office know if you would like to add your name to the list of subscribers. Thank you!

Rise Up – A Youth Empowerment Summit – This summer Peace Learning Center will be hosting the Youth Empowerment Summit, Rise up!, on Thursday, June 15 from 8am-2pm. It is free and open to ages 8-12. Because it is free it does fill up quickly, interested individuals and groups are encouraged to register in a timely fashion! Breakout sessions will include peer norming & bullying, upstander skills, restorative practices, and peer meditation. Along with all the learning that takes place it is very neat for students to be able to enjoy a catered meal through the Rathskeller Restaurant! For more information and to register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ee4fbw7af533bd80&oseq=&c=&ch

FUM Stewards Program! Young Adult Friends (aged 18–27) who are interested in the Friends movement and in developing their leadership experience could gain significant benefit from participating in the Stewards Program offered during the Triennial on July 12-16, 2017. The program will be facilitated by Pat Byers, Assistant Superintendent, Indiana Yearly Meeting, and will include significant time working alongside those leading the Youth/ YAF Program, at the Triennial. The Stewards Program this year will have three main areas of focus: 1) Education/introduction to the Friends movement. 2) Leadership experience working with Young Friends and other Young Adults at the Triennial. And 3) Opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from some ‘seasoned’ leaders of the Friends movement. To apply and for more information, visit https://goo.gl/jVGw6a. Applications are due June 23.

 IFCL News ~ Now that the 2017 Indiana General Assembly session has concluded, the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) would like to report to Friends on the legislative accomplishments of our bipartisan Quakerly lobbying. We are positively surprised and elated by the effective influence that our faith-based IFCL organization has been able to have at the Statehouse - both in terms of substantive impact on legislation, and in terms of building personal relationships and mutual respect with lawmakers (on both sides of the aisle) that should pay rich dividends for years to come. We want to share IFCL's good news with you, and to thank you for your interest and support of IFCL - now flourishing in its 46th year.  To read the legislative summaries, visit http://www.quakerifcl.org/legislativenews.htm

2017 ESR Leadership Conference--Online Registration Now Available! The compelling urge to create new venues for service and ministry rises from deep within. A call beckons with an invitation to consider something new—a different path, a fresh venture, a new vocation. With courage the entrepreneur moves forward into a mysterious unknown with as many questions as answers, but with a certainty that the risk is worth taking. Join with others who wrestle with such callings at this year's ESR Leadership Conference, August 11-13. For more information and to register, visit http://esr.earlham.edu/news-events/events/leaders17.

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May 24, 2017

As Way Opens

I was reminded this past Sunday that while most of our lives are a collection of ordinary and mundane moments, there are a few times where we have big and important decisions to make that can send us down one path over another or can have a lasting impact on our life and our family/community. We heard on Sunday about Mary Bateman Clark, an indentured servant living in Vincennes IN in the early 1800’s who decided to challenge the establishment and file a lawsuit against the State arguing that indentured servitude was illegal in IN.  She won the case at the Indiana Supreme Court and likely prevented slavery from becoming legal in IN. Mary had a moment to decide to just get along and live with the way things were and wait for change, or to stand up and say I will challenge the status quo for justice.  Her decision helped change the future course of this state in terms of slavery.

I thought about this as I saw our previous pastors Stan Banker, Ruthie Tippin and our new pastor Bob Henry lined up together in the aisle on Sunday.  We have had moments of decision in the last 27 years that have set our Meeting on a course for the future.  Choosing to build a meditational woods, opening our building to a preschool co-op, investing in a Quaker Affirmation curriculum for our youth were all decision points that will have a lasting impact on our faith community.  We all know that we stand on the shoulders of those that have come before us and I pray that in those moments of big decisions that we choose for the future.  That we don’t let fear, conserving resources, tradition and fitting in overcome our sense of future, destiny and purpose.  Quakers have a strong tradition of making decisions that go against the establishment, against the accepted norms and leading our communities to changes that result in a more loving and just world.  As our new pastor Bob joins us this summer, may we continue on a path of impacting Indianapolis with love, acceptance and service.


Joys & Concerns

Many thanks to Joyce B, Helen D, Amy P and of course Nichole M. for their work with the German children exhibit items! These ladies have been working hard salvaging and preparing these items for preservation and exhibition. It is wonderful that these items will be taken care of as the historical treasures they are.

Thank-you to our Mid North Food Pantry volunteers: Phil K, Jim K, Bill and Kathy F, and Carol and Jim D. Your work is greatly appreciated!

The Medidational Woods plaque had a makeover! We’d like to send a big thank-you to all who helped revamp the plaque near the entrance of the Meditational Woods, including Mary B, Dan M, Amy P, Mindy S, and Terri T. They planted switchgrass, foxglove beardstongue (AKA smooth penstemon), purple coneflower, and smooth aster on the mound. They planted wild stonecrop as a ground cover just in front of the plaque. All five species are native to Indiana, in keeping with the meditational woods committee's philosophy. They aimed for a Quaker-like, simple, low-key appearance, medium height so it wouldn't block the view of the butterfly garden, and for successive blooms of different colors for beauty.

Ben W, our youth leader has been selected to join the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) advocacy corp team to help mobilize communities to influence members of Congress.  15 individuals from across the country were selected to take part in the year long program kicking off with a 12 day summer intensive training in August in Washington DC.  The program runs September through May and participants do receive a small stipend for their work.  We are really excited for Ben and look forward to his work here in Indiana.


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Make Plans for Memorial Day Weekend! Join us Sunday, May 28th for Worship in the Big Oval! Memorial Day Sunday’s are really special at First Friends Meeting – we gather in Fellowship Hall, and enjoy our own ‘Indy 500’ experience in the Spirit!  Eric B. will provide music and Beth will be speaking about forgiveness. 

Please note: There will be no Monday Meditational Worship at First Friends on Memorial Day. You are, as always, welcome to worship wherever you are. The Office will be closed.

Temporary Home Needed for Our New Pastor! Bob and his family have found a home in Fishers but they can’t move into it until September 1st.  Does anyone know of a need for house sitters for the summer or have room for a family of four or know of a place to rent?  They will need this from July 1st to September 1st.  Please ask around and contact the office if you have any possibilities.

The Pastoral Excellence Fund of Western Yearly Meeting depends on donations to fund its benefits to WYM pastors, which have including Stan, Beth, and Ruthie, and will benefit Bob if funded adequately. Please send donation to the office for PME, or place in the offering.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan will be held Tuesday, May 30th at 7 pm in the Parlor. All are welcome! Vicki W. will be leading the discussion.  If you'd like to read ahead for next month, the June 27 title will be: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

Friends Education Fund is a Quaker college scholarship program for African American students. If you know of a student who might be interested in applying, please ask them to contact the Meeting Office or visit our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/friends-educational-fund/. Applications are being accepted through June 2nd, 2017. The selected applicants will be celebrated later in June.

Join us for Worship in the Woods on Sunday, June 4th. Worship will be at the normal time, 10:15am, in the Meditational Woods. Jim and Leslie K. will be leading the service. Please note that we will not have a church picnic at this time. Keep an eye out for news on a picnic in July, after Bob arrives!

We need volunteers for the Mid North Food Pantry! ~ A few of our “regulars” will not be able to volunteer at the food pantry on Wednesdays, June 7 and 21. These are all days that First Friends regularly staffs the pantry. If you are in town and available during any of these dates, please consider volunteering. Let the office know if you are interested. Thank you for your assistance!

Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening on Saturday June 10th from 5:30 - 9:30. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact the office if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!

Volunteers for WYM Pancake Breakfast - Dale Graves is asking for each meeting to send one or more Quaker men to assist with the pancake breakfast at Western Yearly Meeting. This would be Saturday, July 29, starting at 7 am to set up, and continuing to 10:30 or so. YM sessions start at 9 am and men are excused if attending the sessions. Please let the office know if you will do this, and we will connect you with Dale. 

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Hello, my name is Nutmeg.  My beloved owner passed away last week.  I am 13 years old.  I am cared for by the VCA hospital at 4030 W. 86th Street.  I eat Hill's CD wet and dry food, and am currently taking one medication, which is mixed in my food. I have been living alone for nearly two weeks, although I am an affectionate and playful cat.  I have been depending on the kindness of strangers to feed me, toss my toys for me, and, sometimes, let me sit on their lap. I'd do best in a home without other animals, but a girl can't be too picky. Look at my big eyes and give me a thought, please. Contact the office if you know of a home.

Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $30.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, issues come out quarterly, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” The journal is normally priced at $40.00 annually. We keep one copy in our Library. Please let the office know if you would like to add your name to the list of subscribers. Thank you!

Vacation Bible School is coming up this July! We will kick off on Sunday, July 16 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 16th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher, station leader, or bringing snacks, please contact the office.

IFCL News ~ Now that the 2017 Indiana General Assembly session has concluded, the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) would like to report to Friends on the legislative accomplishments of our bipartisan Quakerly lobbying. We are positively surprised and elated by the effective influence that our faith-based IFCL organization has been able to have at the Statehouse - both in terms of substantive impact on legislation, and in terms of building personal relationships and mutual respect with lawmakers (on both sides of the aisle) that should pay rich dividends for years to come. We want to share IFCL's good news with you, and to thank you for your interest and support of IFCL - now flourishing in its 46th year.  To read the legislative summaries, visit http://www.quakerifcl.org/legislativenews.htm

Shalom Zone Garage Sale ~ On Saturday, June 3, from 8:00 am to noon (set up beginning at 7 am) the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn.  The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal.  The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County.  For more information or to reserve a space contact the office.

Indy Pride Parade - It is now, more important than ever that we stand-up for what is right in our community.  We will be walking as Quakers of Indy in the Indy Pride Parade on June 10 in support of the LGBTQ people we love.  If you are interested in walking with us, you can contact the office.  We will be meeting downtown around 9am.  Hope to see you there!

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ~ The School on Wheels (which provides tutoring help for homeless children) is, once again, sponsoring the Run 317 through Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 15 and needs the help of over 100 volunteers.  Details for the volunteer positions as well as signup can be found here:
https://raceroster.com/events/2017/11126/broad-ripple-run317.  Thanks for your consideration.  

Rise Up – A Youth Empowerment Summit – This summer Peace Learning Center will be hosting the Youth Empowerment Summit, Rise up!, on Thursday, June 15 from 8am-2pm. It is free and open to ages 8-12. Because it is free it does fill up quickly, interested individuals and groups are encouraged to register in a timely fashion! Breakout sessions will include peer norming & bullying, upstander skills, restorative practices, and peer meditation. Along with all the learning that takes place it is very neat for students to be able to enjoy a catered meal through the Rathskeller Restaurant! For more information and to register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ee4fbw7af533bd80&oseq=&c=&ch

SAWS ~ The Shalom Zone has scheduled a SAWS build for Saturday morning, June 24, 2017.  SAWS (Servants At Work) is an all-volunteer organization that designs and builds (with YOUR help) wheelchair ramps to homes for lower income individuals at no cost to such individuals.  No prior construction experience is necessary.  Details of exactly where and what time to meet on June 24 will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, if you would like to participate in this build (or any build in the future), you need to be registered with SAWS.  You can complete the volunteer form, located on the SAWS website (www.sawsramps.org).  When registering, please indicate that you are with Shalom Zone and would like to do builds in Marion and surrounding counties.  Those who have previously registered need not register again.  Children under 16 are welcome but need to be accompanied by a parent.  We need to know who is available to help with the June 24 build.  If you are available to help on the morning of June 24, please notify the office as soon as possible so we can coordinate the Shalom Zone team.  If enough folks are available, we could form 2 or more teams and build multiple ramps at different locations.  Please consider if you are able to help with this worthwhile cause.

2017 ESR Leadership Conference--Online Registration Now Available! The compelling urge to create new venues for service and ministry rises from deep within. A call beckons with an invitation to consider something new—a different path, a fresh venture, a new vocation. With courage the entrepreneur moves forward into a mysterious unknown with as many questions as answers, but with a certainty that the risk is worth taking. Join with others who wrestle with such callings at this year's ESR Leadership Conference, August 11-13. For more information and to register, visit http://esr.earlham.edu/news-events/events/leaders17.

AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Indiana is planning a Community Basic Workshop to be held in Indianapolis. It will be at West Newton Friends Meeting (6800 S. Mooresville Rd.) on Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27. They will meet from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm both days. Lunch and dinner will be provided. They are using a sliding fee scale to cover food and expenses of the workshop: $10 to $40, depending on your financial means. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. AVP seeks to help those interested in learning new and creative ways to respond to conflict in personal relationships and groups. The workshops use the shared experience of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to examine the ways in which we respond to situations where injustice, prejudice, frustrations and anger can lead to aggressive behavior and violence. The training is highly experiential and fun, with participants choosing many of the ways in which the exercises and skill-learning occurs. For more information and to register, visit their website at www.avpindiana.org/registration. Please register by August 18. 

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May 17, 2017

As Way Opens

While we are in an interim period, some of our members will contribute to our publication. This piece comes to us from Leslie Kartholl.

When I am Weak
Written by Leslie Kartholl

I attended a worship service a week ago while visiting a client in rehab. I have never been in a situation where the congregation, as well as the staff, was so blatantly, so vocally, so unquestionably humbled and laid bare. It stirred something in me; it made me think of all the times I pretend to have it together, all the times I rely upon myself instead of God and other people because I don't want to be honest and vulnerable, I don't want to be judged, I don't want to be shamed. I felt as though I were witnessing something truly holy; men and women who had reached the point in their lives where they were willing to throw up their hands in front ofGod and man and say I can't do this, I am weak, help me. Help me.

It is when we are willing to drop all pretense of power that we find our sure footing. It is our unwillingness to acknowledge our frailty that keeps us in bondage. We try to cut a swath through life with a rubber machete; we end up bitten and broken and lost in the jungle. We develop addictions and neuroses, we struggle with anxiety, with fear, with anger and dejection because we are trying so hard to control what we cannot.

In II Corinthians 12, Paul refers to a weakness in his life that he has repeatedly asked God to remove. He says the response he got from God was this "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness." He goes on "That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

That worship service at the rehab center was not polished or refined. The band that played the music was iffy, the words to the songs flashed off and on due to a faulty projector, the speaker was all over the place with his message, the congregants showed up in pajama pants and stocking feet, some of them still in the throes of detox. Despite this, there was an atmosphere of holiness, a sense of the sacred, an awareness of the Presence born of humility and hope. And there was truth; the truth that we are meant to seek God's sufficient grace, for it is when we admit that we are weak that we find our strength.

Leslie Kartholl


Joys & Concerns

Andy Cunningham recently had an article published on KevinMD.com titled, ‘Am I the only doctor who isn’t burned out?’ The article is a short piece that explores how he feels nine years into his medical career in comparison to other current medical professionals. Andy writes, “Throughout my premed and medical training, I’ve been deluged with a steady stream of negative thoughts regarding medicine as a career from outspoken, burnt-out physicians. To this day, nine years since I’ve finished my residency in family medicine, I remain passionately opposed to this sentiment.” To read the whole article, visit http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2017/05/doctor-isnt-burned.html

Our office admin, Rebecca and her husband Michael would like to send their sincerest thanks to clerks, members, and attenders at First Friends for all their wedding wishes, cards, and also for their generous gift of paid time off for their honeymoon! They had a wonderful time! Rebecca loves being at First Friends and is touched by their kindness!


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Friends Education Fund is a Quaker college scholarship program for African American students. If you know of a student who might be interested in applying, please ask them to contact the Meeting Office. Applications are being accepted through June 2nd, 2017. The selected applicants will be celebrated later in June.

Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $30.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, issues come out quarterly, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” The journal is normally priced at $40.00 annually. We keep one copy in our Library. Please let the office know if you would like to add your name to the list of subscribers. Thank you!

Transplanting Demonstration and Open House- DATE ADJUSTMENT~ All are welcome to a transplanting demonstration and open house on Thursday, May 18th, 12:30-1:30pm (rescheduled from May 11th due to weather). Topics include learning to transplant vegetable starts into mulched raised beds, and trying out interseeding techniques to plant cover crop seeds along with veggie transplants. This event is open to the public! Held at Indy Urban Acres, 7700 E 21st Street, Indianapolis. For questions, contact Kevin Allison at kevin-allison@iaswcd.org.

Are you coming to Carrie and Shawn's wedding this week? We thought it would be fun to do an old church tradition of a "pounding" for the couple as a fun way to give something of ours to them.  You're invited to bring a pound of something from home for them for their new life together. They are a very creative couple so the possibilities are endless: soup mix or soup for the freezer, pound of yarn or fabric, a pound of records, flour, rice etc. See you there! 

Please join us this Sunday, May 21st for a special day of Worship. We will be honoring our 2017 high school and college graduates. We will also take some time to thank our teachers, leaders and volunteers throughout the past year. Not only that, but we will have guest speakers Ethel McCane and Eunice Trotter who will be giving a presentation on the life of their ancestor, Mary Bateman Clark, former slave whose lawsuit changed the history of slavery in Indiana (see below for more information). Please note it will also be the last day of Sunday School for all ages. We hope to see you there.

We welcome Ethel McCane and Eunice Trotter to Meeting for Worship this Sunday, May 21st to provide a lecture and reenactment of Mary Bateman Clark’s life.  Mary Bateman Clark was born a slave in Kentucky and brought to Indiana where she sued one of the most significant leaders in the Old Northwest Territory in the early 1800s.  Her lawsuit, seeking her freedom from an indentured servitude contract, was filed in 1821 in the Knox County Circuit Court in Vincennes, IN.  She lost, but appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court at Corydon and won the precedent-setting case affirming Indiana’s legal standing on the issues of slavery and indentured servitude.  Her case helped stop slavery, under the guise of indentured servitude, from becoming acceptable in Indiana.  Ethel and Eunice are her great, great, great granddaughters and have made this presentation to many groups and churches and had a video made for public television.

First Friends Library Book Sale ~ For the past several months the First Friends Meeting Library Committee has been removing library materials from the Library as per the guidelines given the committee last year by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

The next sale date is Sunday May 21 during the Fellowship Hour. Materials will cost $2.00 for Quaker books and $1.00 for non-Quaker books. Proceeds from the sale will enable the purchase of new materials for the Library.

The committee recognizes that some of the material discarded from the collection due to condition, not meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee guidelines, or being duplicate copies in poor condition, will have donation information. The committee understands the sensitive nature of this material and suggests that members purchase such material for their home collections where the recognition may continue to be of personal value.

Make Plans for Memorial Day Weekend! Join us Sunday, May 28th for Worship in the Big Oval! Memorial Day Sunday’s are really special at First Friends Meeting – we gather in Fellowship Hall, and enjoy our own ‘Indy 500’ experience in the Spirit!  Bring your family and friends, and join us at 10:15. 

Please note: There will be no Monday Meditational Worship at First Friends on Memorial Day. You are, as always, welcome to worship wherever you are. The Office will be closed.

IFCL News ~ Now that the 2017 Indiana General Assembly session has concluded, the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) would like to report to Friends on the legislative accomplishments of our bipartisan Quakerly lobbying. We are positively surprised and elated by the effective influence that our faith-based IFCL organization has been able to have at the Statehouse - both in terms of substantive impact on legislation, and in terms of building personal relationships and mutual respect with lawmakers (on both sides of the aisle) that should pay rich dividends for years to come.  Indeed, lawmakers (up to and including the Governor) have sought us for conversations and advice.  We want to share IFCL's good news with you, and to thank you for your interest and support of IFCL - now flourishing in its 46th year.  To read the legislative summaries, visit http://www.quakerifcl.org/legislativenews.htm

The First Friends Meeting Library Catalog is now accessible through the Meeting webpage. Go to indyfriends.org then click on attenders. Once there click on library. You have now entered the Library Catalog. It is searchable by author, title and tag. Tags include, history, worship, sermons, autobiography, biography, youth collection, spirituality, and missionaries. To check out materials come to the library and complete the charge out sheet. At a later time, if demand warrants it, the checkout process will be automated as well.

Shalom Zone Garage Sale ~ On Saturday, June 3, from 8:00 am to noon (set up beginning at 7 am) the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn.  The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal.  The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County.  For more information or to reserve a space contact the office.

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ~ The School on Wheels (which provides tutoring help for homeless children) is, once again, sponsoring the Run 317 through Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 15 and needs the help of over 100 volunteers.  Details for the volunteer positions as well as signup can be found here:
https://raceroster.com/events/2017/11126/broad-ripple-run317.  Thanks for your consideration.  

Rise Up – A Youth Empowerment Summit – This summer Peace Learning Center will be hosting the Youth Empowerment Summit, Rise up! It is free and open to ages 8-12. Because it is free it does fill up quickly, interested individuals and groups are encouraged to register in a timely fashion! Breakout sessions will include peer norming & bullying, upstander skills, restorative practices, and peer meditation. Along with all the learning that takes place it is very neat for students to be able to enjoy a catered meal through the Rathskeller Restaurant! For more information and to register, visit https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ee4fbw7af533bd80&oseq=&c=&ch

SAWS ~ The Shalom Zone has scheduled a SAWS build for Saturday morning, June 24, 2017.  SAWS (Servants At Work) is an all-volunteer organization that designs and builds (with YOUR help) wheelchair ramps to homes for lower income individuals at no cost to such individuals.  No prior construction experience is necessary.  Details of exactly where and what time to meet on Jun-24 will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, if you would like to participate in this build (or any build in the future), you need to be registered with SAWS.  You can complete the volunteer form, located on the SAWS website (www.sawsramps.org).  When registering, please indicate that you are with Shalom Zone and would like to do builds in Marion and surrounding counties.  Those who have previously registered need not register again.  Children under 16 are welcome but need to be accompanied by a parent.  We need to know who is available to help with the June 24 build.  If you are available to help on the morning of June 24, please notify the office as soon as possible so we can coordinate the Shalom Zone team.  If enough folks are available, we could form 2 or more teams and build multiple ramps at different locations.  Please consider if you are able to help with this worthwhile cause.

AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Indiana is planning a Community Basic Workshop to be held in Indianapolis. It will be at West Newton Friends Meeting (6800 S. Mooresville Rd.) on Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27. They will meet from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm both days. Lunch and dinner will be provided. They are using a sliding fee scale to cover food and expenses of the workshop: $10 to $40, depending on your financial means. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. AVP seeks to help those interested in learning new and creative ways to respond to conflict in personal relationships and groups. The workshops use the shared experience of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to examine the ways in which we respond to situations where injustice, prejudice, frustrations and anger can lead to aggressive behavior and violence. The training is highly experiential and fun, with participants choosing many of the ways in which the exercises and skill-learning occurs. For more information and to register, visit their website at www.avpindiana.org/registration. Please register by August 18. 

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May 10, 2017

As Way Opens

I attended an inspiring Carrie Newcomer concert last Saturday evening.  I went with three dear women from First Friends (Ruth Kelly, Kathy Rhyne and Kristyn Greenawald) and was invited to take advantage of an unexpected ticket to this sold out show. This concert was what my heart needed.  Her first song, I Heard an Owl, was powerful for me and I had tears streaming down my face listening to the words.  (here is a youtube video with the lyrics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WC2Y3CS8Y). Don’t tell me hate is ever right or God’s will. These are the wheels we have put in motion ourselves. The only peace this world will know can only come from love. 

I purchased a book of her poems and essays that evening.  I shared this on Sunday and it is worthy of having it in writing for all of us:

Showing Up

You

Are holy

And sacred

And utterly unique.

There are gifts you were born to give.

Songs you were born to sing.

Stories you were born to tell.

And if you do not give it,

The world will simply lose it.

It is yours alone to offer,

No one can give it for you.

And dearest,

Listen, because this is important,

This wounded world

Needs all the songs we can pull from the air,

Every story that helps us to remember.

It needs every single gift,

Large and small.

And yes,

Dearest,

This grateful world does rejoice

Every courageous time

We are true to ourselves and to our gifts.

And so it is,

Dear heart,

We embrace the song

And the story

And all our gifts

Because the world has such great need

And because the world exceedingly rejoices

And because there is no sadder thing

Than to leave this world

Having never really shown up.

         ~Carrie Newcomer

Beth


Joys & Concerns

Many thanks to our food pantry volunteers - Volunteers at the last pantry visit were as follows:  Ray G, Kathy and Bill F, Phil K, Jim K, and Carol and Jim D.

We are thankful for a gift from the Emmett Lamb family, an Elizabeth Fry print from the Amboy Church. Also, thank you to Clarence and Judy D for bringing it to the Meeting. It was in Judy’s grandmother’s possession in Amboy but might have come through Olive Lamb, another Amboy Lamb cousin.  It eventually made its way to the home of Judy’s sister, who sadly died 3 years ago in Valparaiso. Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing it to our Meeting!

The Garden Committee would like to thank Sam R and Gabe for planning and delivering a new raised garden bed, and to Gabe again for building it. They would also like to thank all who helped with the garden cleanup and those who have been attending the garden committee’s meetings. Please also be sure to save your eggshells, teabags, and coffee grounds for compost!


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

The First Friends Meeting Library Catalog is now accessible through the Meeting webpage. Go to indyfriends.org then click on attenders. Once there click on library. You have now entered the Library Catalog. It is searchable by author, title and tag. Tags include, history, worship, sermons, autobiography, biography, youth collection, spirituality, and missionaries. To check out materials come to the library and complete the charge out sheet. At a later time, if demand warrants it, the checkout process will be automated as well.

Transplanting Demonstration and Open House ~ All are welcome to a transplanting demonstration and open house on Thursday, May 11th, 12:30-1:30pm. Learn from the specialists of the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District as well as Indy Urban Acres. Topics include learning to transplant vegetable starts into mulched raised beds, and trying out interseeding techniques to plant cover crop seeds along with veggie transplants. This event is open to the public! Held at Indy Urban Acres, 7700 E 21st Street, Indianapolis. For questions, contact Kevin Allison at kevin-allison@iaswcd.org.

We welcome Ethel McCane and Eunice Trotter to Meeting for Worship on May 21st to provide a lecture and reenactment of Mary Bateman Clark’s life.  Mary Bateman Clark was born a slave in Kentucky and brought to Indiana where she sued one of the most significant leaders in the Old Northwest Territory in the early 1800s.  Her lawsuit, seeking her freedom from an indentured servitude contract, was filed in 1821 in the Knox County Circuit Court in Vincennes, IN.  She lost, but appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court at Corydon and won the precedent-setting case affirming Indiana’s legal standing on the issues of slavery and indentured servitude.  Her case helped stop slavery, under the guise of indentured servitude, from becoming acceptable in Indiana.  Ethel and Eunice are her great, great, great granddaughters and have made this presentation to many groups and churches and had a video made for public television.

Sunday, May 21st will also be a notable Sunday as it will be the last day of Sunday School, as well as the day we will honor high school and college graduate students, as well as our Sunday school teachers and children’s worship leaders. Please join us.

WYM Pastoral Ministry Excellence Project ~ This is a Western Yearly Meeting (“WYM”) project that helps support currently active WYM pastors with health care funding, retirement funding, and financial education. This project has helped Ruthie Tippin (former pastor at First Friends) as well as Beth Henricks who currently serves as interim pastor at First Friends.  Our incoming pastor, Bob Henry, should also benefit from this fund.  WYM needs your help to complete its fundraising goal of $100,000 by December 31, 2018.  Presently, WYM needs about $12,000 to achieve its goal.  First Friends’ pastors have typically each received several thousand dollars of assistance from this fund each year.  The goal of WYM is to create an endowment to support these needs of pastors into the future.  Your gift would certainly be appreciated by WYM and also by the pastors at First Friends.  Checks can be sent to the First Friends’ office with a notation that the check is for the Pastoral Ministry Excellence (“PME”) Project.  Thanks for your consideration of support for this project.

You’re Invited to the Wedding! Carrie S & Shawn H are extending an open invitation to the meeting for their wedding. It is being held Saturday, May 20 at 10:30am in the Meditational Woods, with brunch immediately following in Fellowship Hall (in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will also be held in Fellowship Hall). Dress casually and comfortably according to your delight. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to the office by May 13.

First Friends Library Book Sale ~ For the past several months the First Friends Meeting Library Committee has been removing library materials from the Library as per the guidelines given the committee last year by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

The next sale date is Sunday May 21 during the Fellowship Hour. Materials will cost $2.00 for Quaker books and $1.00 for non-Quaker books. Proceeds from the sale will enable the purchase of new materials for the Library.

The committee recognizes that some of the material discarded from the collection due to condition, not meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee guidelines, or being duplicate copies in poor condition, will have donation information. The committee understands the sensitive nature of this material and suggests that members purchase such material for their home collections where the recognition may continue to be of personal value.

An Opportunity to Support Changing Footprints: Changing Footprints, a local nonprofit group that collects gently used shoes for those less fortunate, has applied for a grant sponsored by Gannett (owner of USA Today and The Indy Star).  Could you please help us get the votes we need?  Just do this (you can vote every day through May 12):

1.  Use Google and type in act.usatoday.com
2.  Click on A Community Thrives-USA Today, then click on Vote Now
3.  Find our entry by clicking on the magnifying glass, then type Changing Footprints next to the magnifying glass. 
4.  Click on the “Vote” button on our entry page, and fill out the required information.

We appreciate the past support you have given Changing Footprints.  Please continue to donate the footwear you no longer need in our Donation Station bin in the corner of Fellowship Hall!  Thanks!

Shalom Zone Garage Sale ~ On Saturday, June 3, from 8:00 am to noon (set up beginning at 7 am) the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn.  The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal.  The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County.  For more information or to reserve a space contact the office.

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ~ The School on Wheels (which provides tutoring help for homeless children) is, once again, sponsoring the Run 317 through Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 15 and needs the help of over 100 volunteers.  Details for the volunteer positions as well as signup can be found here:
https://raceroster.com/events/2017/11126/broad-ripple-run317.  Thanks for your consideration.  

Local Gardening Guide Now Available! Thanks to Rebecca and the garden co-chairs and others who have helped make a gardening guide available to us. This guide has gardening information specific to central Indiana! Members and attenders can find a copy of this guide in the shed behind the meetinghouse and also in the donation station in fellowship hall.

SAWS ~ The Shalom Zone has scheduled a SAWS build for Saturday morning, June 24, 2017.  SAWS (Servants At Work) is an all-volunteer organization that designs and builds (with YOUR help) wheelchair ramps to homes for lower income individuals at no cost to such individuals.  No prior construction experience is necessary.  Details of exactly where and what time to meet on Jun-24 will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, if you would like to participate in this build (or any build in the future), you need to be registered with SAWS.  You can complete the volunteer form, located on the SAWS website (www.sawsramps.org).  When registering, please indicate that you are with Shalom Zone and would like to do builds in Marion and surrounding counties.  Those who have previously registered need not register again.  Children under 16 are welcome but need to be accompanied by a parent.  We need to know who is available to help with the June 24 build.  If you are available to help on the morning of June 24, please notify the office as soon as possible so we can coordinate the Shalom Zone team.  If enough folks are available, we could form 2 or more teams and build multiple ramps at different locations.  Please consider if you are able to help with this worthwhile cause.

AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Indiana is planning a Community Basic Workshop to be held in Indianapolis. It will be at West Newton Friends Meeting (6800 S. Mooresville Rd.) on Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27. They will meet from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm both days. Lunch and dinner will be provided. They are using a sliding fee scale to cover food and expenses of the workshop: $10 to $40, depending on your financial means. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. AVP seeks to help those interested in learning new and creative ways to respond to conflict in personal relationships and groups. The workshops use the shared experience of participants, interactive exercises, games and role-plays to examine the ways in which we respond to situations where injustice, prejudice, frustrations and anger can lead to aggressive behavior and violence. The training is highly experiential and fun, with participants choosing many of the ways in which the exercises and skill-learning occurs. For more information and to register, visit their website at www.avpindiana.org/registration. Please register by August 18. 

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May 3, 2017

As Way Opens

I was reading one of my favorite Quaker authors, Rufus Jones this week and his words were an encouragement to me to be more childlike in how I view the world.   I watch our kids each Sunday and they always inspire me with their sense of wonder, mystery and insight.  May we all be more aware of our child within as we approach the mystery of God and each other.

“I am convinced by my own life and by wide observation of children that mystical experience is much more common than is usually supposed.  Children are not so absorbed as we are with things and with problems.  They are not so completely organized for dealing with the outside world as we older persons are.  They do not live by cut-and-dried theories.  They have more room for surprise and wonder.  They are more sensitive to intimations, flashes, openings.  The invisible impinges on their souls and they feel its reality as something quite natural. The poet William Wordsworth was no doubt a rare and unusual child, but many a boy, who was never to be a poet, has felt as he did.  “I was often unable,” he says, in the preface to his great Ode, “to think of external things as having external existence, and I communed with all that I saw as something not apart from, but inherent in, my own immaterial nature.  Many times while going to school have I grasped at a wall or tree to recall myself from this abyss of idealism to the reality.”  The world within is just as real as the world without until events force us to become mainly occupied with the outside one.”   Rufus Jones

Beth


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please be advised that because the parlor will be in use by another group, Wednesday Night Worship tonight, May 3rd will instead be held in the Seeking Friends room.

The sign-up sheet for special Summer Music is now on the bulletin board in the hallway. Please sign-up to share your music with us.

Morning Messages available online! For those who enjoyed Bruce Birchard’s message on April 23rd, it’s available online! You can find it, along with previous morning messages, on our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/sunday-morning-messages/.

First Friends Courtyard ~ Thank you to everyone who helped plant the Easter flowers! More work is always needed to maintain the courtyards. We welcome all who’d like to help to do so. Before you start, please be sure to coordinate with Terry T., who is knowledgeable on the layout, content, and interactivity of plants in the courtyard and around the building. Thank you!

WYM Pastoral Ministry Excellence Project ~ This is a Western Yearly Meeting (“WYM”) project that helps support currently active WYM pastors with health care funding, retirement funding, and financial education. This project has helped Ruthie Tippin (former pastor at First Friends) as well as Beth Henricks who currently serves as interim pastor at First Friends.  Our incoming pastor, Bob Henry, should also benefit from this fund.  WYM needs your help to complete its fundraising goal of $100,000 by December 31, 2018.  Presently, WYM needs about $12,000 to achieve its goal.  First Friends’ pastors have typically each received several thousand dollars of assistance from this fund each year.  The goal of WYM is to create an endowment to support these needs of pastors into the future.  Your gift would certainly be appreciated by WYM and also by the pastors at First Friends.  Checks can be sent to the First Friends’ office with a notation that the check is for the Pastoral Ministry Excellence (“PME”) Project.  Thanks for your consideration of support for this project.

First Friends Library Book Sale ~ For the past several months the First Friends Meeting Library Committee has been removing library materials from the Library as per the guidelines given the committee last year by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

The sale was cancelled last Sunday, April 30, so sale dates will now be held on Sundays May 7 and 21 during the Fellowship Hour. Materials will cost $2.00 for Quaker books and $1.00 for non-Quaker books. Proceeds from the sale will enable the purchase of new materials for the Library.

The committee recognizes that some of the material discarded from the collection due to condition, not meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee guidelines, or being duplicate copies in poor condition, will have donation information. The committee understands the sensitive nature of this material and suggests that members purchase such material for their home collections where the recognition may continue to be of personal value.

Community Soup ~ Witness & Service will host the next Community Soup this Thursday, May 4, from 5:30 pm – 7 pm.  Please note that again we are hosting on a Thursday instead of Friday. Everyone is invited to this very informal dinner.  Soups and/or salads are welcome but not necessary.  Our motto is: No cooking, no cleanup, no cost! Hope to see you there.

You’re Invited to the Wedding! Carrie S & Shawn H are extending an open invitation to the meeting for their wedding. It is being held Saturday, May 20 at 10:30am in the Meditational Woods, with brunch immediately following in Fellowship Hall (in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will also be held in Fellowship Hall). Dress casually and comfortably according to your delight. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to the office by May 13.

An Opportunity to Support Changing Footprints: Changing Footprints, a local nonprofit group that collects gently used shoes for those less fortunate, has applied for a grant sponsored by Gannett (owner of USA Today and The Indy Star).  Could you please help us get the votes we need?  Just do this (you can vote every day through May 12):

1.  Use Google and type in act.usatoday.com
2.  Click on A Community Thrives-USA Today, then click on Vote Now
3.  Find our entry by clicking on the magnifying glass, then type Changing Footprints next to the magnifying glass. 
4.  Click on the “Vote” button on our entry page, and fill out the required information.

We appreciate the past support you have given Changing Footprints.  Please continue to donate the footwear you no longer need in our Donation Station bin in the corner of Fellowship Hall!  Thanks!

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ~ The School on Wheels (which provides tutoring help for homeless children) is, once again, sponsoring the Run 317 through Broad Ripple on Thursday, Jun-15 and needs the help of over 100 volunteers.  Details for the volunteer positions as well as signup can be found here:
https://raceroster.com/events/2017/11126/broad-ripple-run317.  Thanks for your consideration.  

Local Gardening Guide Now Available! Thanks to Rebecca and the garden co-chairs and others who have helped make a gardening guide available to us. This guide has gardening information specific to central Indiana! Members and attenders can find a copy of this guide in the shed behind the meetinghouse and also in the donation station in fellowship hall.

SAWS ~ The Shalom Zone has scheduled a SAWS build for Saturday morning, June 24, 2017.  SAWS (Servants At Work) is an all-volunteer organization that designs and builds (with YOUR help) wheelchair ramps to homes for lower income individuals at no cost to such individuals.  No prior construction experience is necessary.  Details of exactly where and what time to meet on Jun-24 will be forthcoming.  In the meantime, if you would like to participate in this build (or any build in the future), you need to be registered with SAWS.  You can complete the volunteer form, located on the SAWS website (www.sawsramps.org).  When registering, please indicate that you are with Shalom Zone and would like to do builds in Marion and surrounding counties.  Those who have previously registered need not register again.  Children under 16 are welcome but need to be accompanied by a parent.  We need to know who is available to help with the June 24 build.  If you are available to help on the morning of June 24, please notify the office as soon as possible so we can coordinate the Shalom Zone team.  If enough folks are available, we could form 2 or more teams and build multiple ramps at different locations.  Please consider if you are able to help with this worthwhile cause.

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April 26, 2017

As Way Opens

As an alumni of Taylor University, I receive their quarterly magazine and the latest issue had a wonderful article about living out convicted civility in our local community after such a divisive election.  The article was a summary of a lecture that J.R. Briggs, pastor, author and speaker from Philadelphia gave to the students in chapel last fall.  I am including some excerpts from this because I felt it speaking to me and I hope to all of you.

Our most recent presidential election has bruised just about everyone in its aftermath.  We have passed through one of the most divisive election years in modern American history and we need to ask ourselves as Christians how can we move forward with faith, hope and love.  The phrase Convicted Civility popularized by Christian thinkers, Martin Marty and Richard Mow, captures the heart of the Christian posture of faithful presence in our world today.

While the scriptures help guide our lives, they are not a step-by-step paint-by number quick-reference almanac to guide our everyday decisions.  We must pray for equal measures of wisdom and courage.  As the Apostle Paul points out in Galatians 5, kindness and self-control are fruits of the Spirit.  C.S. Lewis wrote that “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.  When understood properly, other people should be able to look at you after a discussion, debate or disagreement and say, I adamantly disagree with you, but I am deeply grateful that you have respected me through the process"  

Unfortunately, we live in a culture that preys upon people’s fears.  The political machine thrives on making people scared, and when we are fearful and feel unsafe, we can become unkind.  Yes, there are issues, wars, poverty, racism and other complex situations that require attention, concern and care, but we do not need to be afraid.  Christians are called to be more than civil - we should be known by our love, kindness, humility and compassion.  Jesus said it’s easy to love those like us.  But what really matters is how we treat others who aren’t like us at all.  This is the way in which we will be known.   True Biblical community is not the absence of conflict; it is the presence of Jesus in the midst of the conflict.  In this time in our nation’s history, one of the most counter-cultural ways a follower of Jesus can live is to humanize those who are different than you.  We must bring a humility and dignity to our conversations with others.  This is our call as Christians in this world.

 Beth


Joys & Concerns

A BIG Thanks to our food pantry volunteers last week: Kathy and Bill F; Jim K; Phil K; Sarah R; Carol and Jim D.  15 lbs of food were delivered.  Very busy....101 families were served.

First Friends hosted the 50th anniversary jubilee celebration of Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) last Saturday evening.  Over 50 people joined together for a delicious meal with foods representing India, Kenya and Sierra Leone and heard the general secretary Jackie Stilwell share about some of her experiences as well as Colin Saxton.  It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and sharing as we all reflected on the abundance of resources that we share here in the US and how we might positively impact women in these countries through RSWR.


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please be advised that because the parlor will be in use by another group, Wednesday Night Worship on May 3rd will instead be held in the Seeking Friends room.

Connor Prairie Youth Trip ~ Our youth will be going to Connor Prairie this Friday evening, April 28, for follow the North Star, a participatory experience in which attendees travel back to the year 1836 and assume the role of fugitive slaves that are seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad through Indiana.  We have 5 extra tickets and would love to have others join us this evening.  We will leave at 6:45 from the Meeting and return around 10:00.  Please let Beth know if you would like to use one of these free tickets.

Citizen Lobbyist Training April 29 ~ IFCL is hosting a citizen lobbyist training event on Saturday, April 29 at First Friends in Fellowship Hall, 11am-1:30pm. If you would like to attend please contact the office. The training session and lunch are free but you will need to contact Bill to reserve a spot.

Garden Plots Still Available! Nancy Scott and Sam Ryan want to thank all of the gardeners and helpers who came out last weekend to help fix up the community garden! We've made great progress! A few garden plots are still up for grabs. Contact the office NO LATER THAN SUNDAY APRIL 30TH if you would like a garden plot.

First Friends Library Book Sale ~ For the past several months the First Friends Meeting Library Committee has been removing library materials from the Library as per the guidelines given the committee last year by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

The sale will be held on Sundays April 30 and May 7 during the Fellowship Hour. Materials will cost $2.00 for Quaker books and $1.00 for non-Quaker books. Proceeds from the sale will enable the purchase of new materials for the Library.

The committee recognizes that some of the material discarded from the collection due to condition, not meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee guidelines, or being duplicate copies in poor condition, will have donation information. The committee understands the sensitive nature of this material and suggests that members purchase such material for their home collections where the recognition may continue to be of personal value.

Community Soup ~ Witness & Service will host the next Community Soup on Thursday, May 4, from 5:30 pm – 7 pm.  Please note that again we are hosting on a Thursday instead of Friday. Everyone is invited to this very informal dinner.  Soups and/or salads are welcome but not necessary.  Our motto is: No cooking, no cleanup, no cost! Hope to see you there.

You’re Invited to the Wedding! Carrie S & Shawn H are extending an open invitation to the meeting for their wedding. It is being held Saturday, May 20 at 10:30am in the Meditational Woods, with brunch immediately following in Fellowship Hall (in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will also be held in Fellowship Hall). Dress casually and comfortably according to your delight. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to the office by May 13.

We are excited to welcome Bob Henry, his wife, Sue, and their three sons to First Friends! Bob will begin serving as our Pastor the first week of July. After much consideration, our Pastoral Search Committee, Ministry & Counsel, Clerks' Council, and Monthly Meeting were pleased to extend the call to Bob, who has over twenty years of experience in various ministries, and has most recently served as the Pastor at Silverton (OR) Friends Meeting. Please keep his family in your prayers as they head (back) to the Midwest, and look out for your invitation to a Welcome Picnic for the entire Henry family later this summer!

Furniture for sale! Ruthie left some furniture to the meeting that is for sale. We still have the oak bookcase available; it’s currently on display in the office hallway. It is 7ft x 3ft x 1ft, selling for $50 or best offer. If you’re interested in purchasing, please contact the office. The purchase price will be donated to First Friends.

An Opportunity to Support Changing Footprints: Changing Footprints, a local nonprofit group that collects gently used shoes for those less fortunate, has applied for a grant sponsored by Gannett (owner of USA Today and The Indy Star).  Could you please help us get the votes we need?  Just do this (you can vote every day through May 12):

1.  Use Google and type in act.usatoday.com
2.  Click on A Community Thrives-USA Today, then click on Vote Now
3.  Find our entry by clicking on the magnifying glass, then type Changing Footprints next to the magnifying glass. 
4.  Click on the “Vote” button on our entry page, and fill out the required information.

We appreciate the past support you have given Changing Footprints.  Please continue to donate the footwear you no longer need in our Donation Station bin in the corner of Fellowship Hall!  Thanks!

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April 19, 2017

As Way Opens

My mind and heart have been heavy as I wrote these words yesterday on April 18th as it was one year ago that I lost my husband Jerry to a six-year journey of Alzheimer’s.   The year since his death has been filled with so many moments of joy and sorrow.  I can’t express to all of you the importance of this faith community in my grieving process and healing.  You have shown me love, grace, care and compassion and I will be eternally grateful for how you surrounded me with your presence in so many tangible ways.

Part of my sorrow this year has been the experience of trying to sell the home that Jerry and I built 20 years ago and raised our son Greg in as we moved there when he was two.  I have had two buyers back out of offers for the house and it’s been on the market for quite some time.  With these negative experiences, I had come to resent the house and felt hatred to an asset that it seemed like no one wanted.  The house was interlinked with the pain of watching Jerry decline and I felt like I didn’t want to step foot into it again.  

I decided I had to go there last Friday morning and check things out as this is the prime time to sell one’s home.  I pulled into the driveway and saw the beauty of early flowers and flowering tress throughout the grounds.  There were lots of weeds to pull and I got to work digging out weeds and trimming things. I worked up a sweat and felt some satisfaction from my work.  I sat on the front porch of the house and for the next hour I remembered the big events and the everyday ordinary events that happened in our home.  We had amazing neighbors with kids our age that could play in our cul de sac with everyone watching out for each other.  I sat there and thought about the incredible experiences that Jerry, Greg and I had in that home.  I was breathing in the experience of the beauty of creation in and around the home.  I felt a love and connection to the home that I had pushed away. And I was remembering Jerry without dementia and the life we had together.

Friends, sometimes when things seem out of control we just need to go pull weeds.  And we need to sit silently and remember God’s love and care and reflect on the goodness of our lives. 

Beth


Joys & Concerns

Elena J. recently won second place in the chess club competition at her school. Elena is in third grade and we are so proud of her. Great job, Elena!

Thanks to Susan R. and the Fellowship Committee for creating a festive atmosphere and providing a wonderful brunch for all to share this past Easter.  This group helps generate our sense of community and fellowship throughout the year.

Our youth leader, Ben Wertz created Something Story, a music and multimedia project that he has been working on for a while. It's a story about finding home in a friend and the journey back from heartache. Hfell in love with the creative process and made an artifact to encapsulate his experience. He is releasing this project in four phases, CHAPTER ONE was released on April 10th. CHAPTER ONE is love. It's the euphoric warmth that comes with finding yourself in someone else. It's an homage to the moments when your dreams feel real and you have someone to share them with. Enjoy. Somethingstories.com. CHAPTER TWO will be available Monday, April 24th.


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

We are excited to welcome Bob Henry, his wife, Sue, and their three sons to First Friends! Bob will begin serving as our Pastor the first week of July. After much consideration, our Pastoral Search Committee, Ministry & Counsel, Clerks' Council, and Monthly Meeting were pleased to extend the call to Bob, who has over twenty years of experience in various ministries, and has most recently served as the Pastor at Silverton (OR) Friends Meeting. Please keep his family in your prayers as they head (back) to the Midwest, and look out for your invitation to a Welcome Picnic for the entire Henry family later this summer!

Please note that Monthly Meeting to Conduct Business will be this Sunday, April 23 after worship. As always, all are welcome to attend.

Please be advised that the Meridian Street Preschool Co-op’s annual rummage sale this year has been cancelled due to low vendor interest.

Requiem Choir Performance ~ The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Symphonic Choir are performing Brahms' Requiem Friday at 8 and Saturday 5:30. Bill P. and Dan R. sing in the choir. If not involved with Right Sharing, Friends would find this a meaningful performance and message of hope. 

You’re invited to RSWR’s anniversary jubilee!! You are invited to join others in the 50th anniversary celebration of Right Sharing of World Resources this Saturday, April 22nd (please note the corrected date) at First Friends at 5:00 p.m.  Dinner will be provided and you will hear about the exciting work of the organization and its future.  Colin Saxton will give a message that evening.  Please let Beth know if you can attend.

The Meditational Woods Committee is meeting Saturday, April 22 to tackle the invasive euonymus (winter creeper) and honeysuckle. Winter creeper is an invasive ground cover that smothers the native wildflowers that we are trying to restore to the landscape. Come join us from 9- 12 noon or any time you have to share. Contact Mary or Mindy for questions.

Community Garden Work Day ~ The community garden will have a community work day to prepare for spring time. We will meet and work Saturday, April 22nd from 1-5 pm. We will rebuild some boxes in need of repair and weeding. We will finish up our work Sunday, April 23rd from 1-3 pm. Please join us! Also if you had a garden bed last year but are not interested in having a garden bed this year please clean your garden bed and/or join us for the work day on 4/22/17. If you are interested in having a garden plot or attending the garden day please contact the office.

Shalom Zone - Love Your Block Community Clean-Up ~ On Saturday, April 22, in conjunction with the IMPD and area churches and community groups, Shalom Zone will participate in the "Love Your Block Community Clean Up Day". This is a wonderful opportunity to go out into the community and work side by side with both residents and other groups, to help make a difference, one neighborhood at a time. Volunteers will assemble at 8:30 am that morning at the Avondale Meadows YMCA at 3908 Meadows Drive, and clean-up will last until about noon. If you’re interested, please sign up online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094facaa22a75-love.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for ReadingThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead will be held Tuesday April 25th at 7 pm in the Parlor. All are welcome! Carolyn T. will be leading the discussion.  If you'd like to read ahead for next month, the May 30th title will be: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Asian.

Furniture for sale! Ruthie left some furniture to the meeting that is for sale. In the office hallway you’ll find a beautiful oak bookcase, 7ft x 3ft x 1ft, selling for $50 or best offer. In fellowship hall you’ll see a lovely wooden desk, approx. 3.25ft x 2ft x 2.5ft tall, $50 or best offer. It’s an antique arts & crafts desk, handmade in 1916. It can be used as a desk, side table, TV stand, etc. If you’re interested in purchasing either of these items, please contact the office. The purchase price will be donated to First Friends.

First Friends Library Book Sale ~ For the past several months the First Friends Meeting Library Committee has been removing library materials from the Library as per the guidelines given the committee last year by the Ministry and Counsel Committee.

The sale will be held on Sundays April 30 and May 7 during the Fellowship Hour. Materials will cost $2.00 for Quaker books and $1.00 for non-Quaker books. Proceeds from the sale will enable the purchase of new materials for the Library.

The committee recognizes that some of the material discarded from the collection due to condition, not meeting Ministry and Counsel Committee guidelines, or being duplicate copies in poor condition, will have donation information. The committee understands the sensitive nature of this material and suggests that members purchase such material for their home collections where the recognition may continue to be of personal value.

 

An Opportunity to Support Changing Footprints: Changing Footprints, a local nonprofit group that collects gently used shoes for those less fortunate, has applied for a grant sponsored by Gannett (owner of USA Today and The Indy Star).  Could you please help us get the votes we need?  Just do this (you can vote every day through May 12):

1.  Use Google and type in act.usatoday.com

2.  Click on A Community Thrives-USA Today, then click on Vote Now

3.  Find our entry by clicking on the magnifying glass, then type Changing Footprints next to the magnifying glass. 

4.  Click on the “Vote” button on our entry page, and fill out the required information.

We appreciate the past support you have given Changing Footprints.  Please continue to donate the footwear you no longer need in our Donation Station bin in the corner of Fellowship Hall!  Thanks!

Our building is available for rent! Did you know that you can rent rooms at First Friends Meeting for your own events? Besides weddings, our building has been rented for meetings, seminars, performances, and more! Fellowship hall is great for large groups and presentations. The Parlor and other rooms can also be rented for smaller groups as well. There are discounted rates available for members! If you’re interested in booking our space, please contact the office.

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April 12, 2017

As Way Opens

Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you……

Henri J.M. Nouwen Daily Lenten Devotions

What my enemy deserves is not my anger, rejection, resentment or disdain, but my love.  Spiritual guides throughout history have said that love for the enemy is the cornerstone of the message of Jesus and the core of holiness.  For us fearful people, loving our enemy is the greatest challenge, because our fears make us divide the world between people who are for us and people who are against us, people to love and people to hate, friends and enemies.

All these distinctions are based on the illusion that others decide who we are and that our very being depends on their words, thoughts and actions.  Loving our enemy thus compels us to unmask this illusion by acting according to the knowledge that God loves all human persons regardless of their sex, religion, race, color, nationality, age or intelligence - with the same bold, unconditional love.

When I am in the grip of my deepest fear and doubt, dear Jesus, show me how to love my enemies.

Beth


Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Join us for our Easter Sunday Celebrations!
10:15 Meeting for Worship, message from Beth Henricks
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt after the Children’s Message
Easter Brunch following Worship

Please note that due to Easter, we are moving Monthly Meeting to Conduct Business to Sunday, April 23 after worship. As always, all are welcome to attend.

The Pastoral Search Committee invites you to contemplate and provide feedback on the following query this week: In your opinion, what else should we consider? Please provide your thoughts on the query (or past queries, or any other feedback on the search process) to the office at office@indyfriends.org or (317) 255-2485.   

Our own Dan Lee has written an article for Friends Journal about the incredible exhibit that Nichole Matthews put together from art work from German children after World War I.  The exhibit is called Giving Voice to Ghosts and features the drawings of German children receiving aid from the Quakers. An amazing history for us to continue to pursue today and tomorrow. You can read the article online here: https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-art-of-gratitude/

Eco-Film: ‘Bidder 70’ ~ The next eco-film will be shown on Friday evening, April 14 at 7 p.m. at First Friends.  The film is Bidder 70 which is a story of how a college student managed to win a federal auction of 22,000 acres of pristine Utah land which was intended to be used for mining.  But the student had other ideas for this land and was ultimately sentenced to two years in federal prison for his act of civil disobedience.

“The Gospel Mass” Good Friday Service ~ Irvington United Methodist Church invites you to a Good Friday service, April 14, 7:00pm, featuring ‘The Gospel Mass’ by Robert Ray. “VOCE” (of which Carolyn T. is a member) and “Sounding Joy” choirs will collaborate during the service. The traditional Mass is given a Gospel flavor by the composer. It features the choirs, soloist and a jazz combo of piano, bass and percussion. This event is free to the public. A free will offering will be taken. Located at 30 N. Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, 46219.

 Western Yearly Meeting is having its annual Spring Retreat at Quaker Haven Camp on April 28th-April 30th. This year’s retreat will be led by Joyce Shroeder, M.S.. She was the keynote speaker at the Earlham School of Religion Leadership Conference in both 2012 and 2015. In 2014, She was the Plenary Speaker at New York Yearly Meeting’s Summer Sessions. Working as a consultant, she has a masters degree in Organizational Development and Leadership. She has been a member of Purchase Friends Meeting (New York YM) for nearly 20 years. This year’s retreat theme is Flex Your Mind, Build Your Body. For more information or to register, please visit https://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/wymretreat or contact Della Stanley-Green (dellasgwym@gmail.com). The registration deadline is April 15. JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER!!

College Care Packages ~ We ask for help to provide treats for our 10 college students as we will send a care box to our students as they prepare for finals.  Or let Beth know that you want to contribute money to provide treats. Please bring contributions in by April 18.

Poetry Group ~ Our next Poetry Group meeting will be on Tuesday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor.  Carolyn G.  will present a program on Langston Hughes, poet, social activist, playwright, and columnist. A currently popular restaurant in downtown Washington D.C. "Busboys and Poets" serves great food and remembers Mr. Hughes.

You’re invited to RSWR’s anniversary jubilee!! You are invited to join others in the 50th anniversary celebration of Right Sharing of World Resources on April 23rd at First Friends at 5:00 p.m.  Dinner will be provided and you will hear about the exciting work of the organization and its future.  Colin Saxton will give a message that evening.  Please let Beth know if you can attend.

The Meditational Woods Committee is meeting Saturday, April 22 to tackle the invasive euonymus (winter creeper) and honeysuckle. Winter creeper is an invasive ground cover that smothers the native wildflowers that we are trying to restore to the landscape. Come join us from 9- 12 noon or any time you have to share. Contact Mary or Mindy for questions.

 Oak Leaf: Meeting for ReadingThe Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead will be held Tuesday April 25th at 7 pm in the Parlor. All are welcome! Carolyn T.  will be leading the discussion.  If you'd like to read ahead for next month, the May 30th title will be: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Asian.

Music Survey Results! We now have the results from the survey you filled out to help us find a new music director. The music committee is now in the process of writing up a job description. If you have any questions about this or know of anyone interested in the position, please contact me Mindy S or Carolyn T. To view the survey results, please visit https://goo.gl/cT4vFU.

 Please clean your garden plots! It’s that time of year! Things are starting to warm up and greenery is starting to bloom! Nancy S and Sam R, co-coordinators for the gardens, would like to remind everyone to please clean up your garden plots! Please contact the office if you are interested in continuing to keep your garden plot, or if you don’t currently have one and are interested in signing up!

Would you like to start to garden? Do you wish you had a green thumb? Do all your plants die? Try the City Gardener Program! Purdue Extension-Marion County is offering a series of classes for new or inexperienced gardeners, with a focus on gardening in urban areas. You’re welcome to come to any single classes or attend the entire series. Sessions are on Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm from March 22-April 26, Discovery Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds. Fee is $5 per session or $20 for all 6 sessions. For more information, call 317-275-9286 or email: dschelsk@purdue.edu.

Our building is available for rent! Did you know that you can rent rooms at First Friends Meeting for your own events? Besides weddings, our building has been rented for meetings, seminars, performances, and more! Fellowship hall is great for large groups and presentations. The Parlor and other rooms can also be rented for smaller groups as well. There are discounted rates available for members! If you’re interested in booking our space, please contact the office.

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