February 24th, 2016

February 25, 2016

As Way Opens

This past week, I went to the hospital to visit a member of our Meeting who had recently had surgery. She looked beautiful. I’d forgotten what lovely skin she had. She was pleased to see me, and was feeling and healing well. We spent time discussing her health concerns, the life of the Meeting, and then I asked her who her best friends were. She was stunned for a minute, and then replied, “Well, you and Jesus.” “Thank you friend,” I answered, “but tell me who the people are that you like to spend time with every day. Who are the people that matter most to you?” She quickly named three good friends who live in the same apartment building as she. “I have to get up at 3:00 in the morning to take my diabetes meds, and they’ll often come to sit with me, have a smoke and coffee, and talk.” She went on to tell me that two of those friends love to talk with her about God, Bible teachings, etc. “Ruthie, do you have any Bibles around? Their Bible is falling apart, and I’d like to give them a new one.” When I asked, it didn’t seem to matter what translation it was – whether it was the same as they’d had - all that mattered was that it would hold together. I assured her that I could do this, and I have one ready for her. This woman has nothing – less than nothing, really. She lives on assistance, has three chronic medical problems, and a number of social challenges. (When you have nothing, you often ask for everything, and she often does. What do you have to lose?) She is grateful for everything she is given. This time, she asked for a gift for someone else. She asked for a way to extend her love for others out of her own gratitude. Even in her lack, she is being filled. She continues to find sustenance – both in body, and especially in Spirit, from friends who bring Light into her life. My visit with her was meant to be a blessing to her, and as always happens, became a blessing to me. She was discharged that day, and I took her home, dropping her off at her apartment. I realized she would soon find a Valentine from me… in care of each of you in the Meeting. It’s a good thing to care about each other. It’s a good thing to belong to one another, isn’t it?

Considering the Query: How can we make the meeting a community in which each person is accepted and nurtured, and strangers are welcome? Seek to know one another in the things which are eternal, bear the burden of each other’s failings and pray for one another. As we enter with tender sympathy into the joys and sorrows of each other’s lives, ready to give help and to receive it, our meeting can be a channel for God’s love and forgiveness. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns
Steve Rodino's brother, Tom Rodino, died unexpectedly this past Thursday in Elkhart, IN. His services were held there yesterday at Central Christian Church. Let us hold Steve, Ann, and Tyler, as well as the extended Rodino family in the Light and love of God as they move through this time of sorrow. http://www.elkharttruth.com/obituaries/2016/02/21/Tom-L-Rodino.html

Last week we published the Office Administrative position on several job websites. We hope to receive many promising applicants in the coming weeks, and if you know of someone qualified for the job, please let the office know. It is our policy to hire someone from outside the Meeting.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
God’s Response to a Violent Nation: A Quaker Perspective Philip Gulley and Carrie Newcomer will be presenting “stories with musical responses” TODAY at 7:00pm. This event is sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church. This is a part of their Lenten Series: Healing Our Violence. If Not Now, When? This event is free to the public, but donations are accepted at the door. Questions about this event? Please call, 317-926-1346
Quaker Affirmation Sunday School class - please join us for this interactive look at our Quaker faith each Sunday in the parlor at 9:00 a.m. Here is our schedule of topics:
February 28th - We will discuss discernment and how we conduct business and make decisions March 6th - We will study other religions and how they might relate to Quakerism March 13th - Daud will bring some young people from his Muslim faith community to talk about the Muslim faith for our understanding March 20th - Malte Maraj (Larry and Krishan Coffman’s wife/mother) will share with us about her Hindu faith March 27th - We will examine Quaker writers, artists and musicians Aprils 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

Lenten Nourishment: Come join us this Friday for walking with Kathy Rhyne at the Monon Community Center in Carmel at 9:30 am. Also, this Sunday, February 28th join Bill Heitman at the Marott Apartments lobby for nighttime meditational at 6:30 pm. During the seven weeks of Lent, we will post a weekly blog entry on our First Friends website http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/ inviting you to reflect each day on your relationship with yourself and with God. Bill Heitman will interview someone weekly about the spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. We hope that this will provide some inspiration as we travel through the last cold weeks of winter and prepare ourselves for the birth of new life at Easter. For more information, check the First Friends Upcoming Events section on our website.

Meet Caroline Stephen! Tuesday, March 1st at Fairfield Friends in the ‘Quaker Spirituality’ discussion group led by Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies at Earlham School of Religion. Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM - Fairfield Friends Meeting March 1, 2016—Caroline Stephen March 8, 2016—Thomas Kelly March 15, 2016—Margery Abbott Free of charge but a one-time donation of $10.00 for ESR is suggested. For further information, contact Sarah Lookabill (slookabill@att.net).

Family Bowling on this Sunday February 28th after Meeting for Worship - calling all bowlers to join us for lunch and some bowling fun with your First Friends faith community. This is a free event; we will provide the games, pizza, and shoes! We will have prizes for the best scores (different age categories). We invite young and old to join us. We will meet at Woodland Bowl on 96th and Keystone at noon. Please let the office (office@indyfriends.org) know if you will join us.

Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will be in Indianapolis on - please join Diane and others at the Indiana Interchurch Center (1100 42nd St) on Sunday, March 6th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Food will be served and Diane will share the exciting updates on the Capital Campaign and talk about the future goals and plans of FCNL. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to www.fcnl.org/nowisthetime/rsvp.

Area Rally Date Change! Because of the conflict with the FCNL Gathering, the Spring Area Rally has been moved to Sunday, April 24th from 3:00 to 5:00. At this meeting, the combining of two Areas into one will be discussed: Central (First Friends, Valley Mills, & West Newton) and West Central (Amo, Fairfield, Hadley, Mooresville, Plainfield, West Union). Nominations for YM positions will also be discussed. A pitch-in dinner is planned, after the meeting ends. All are welcome.

Day of Remembrance~ As we prepare for Easter and the Celebration of Christ’s resurrection, it has become our custom to remember those persons from First Friends family who have passed away in the last year. We trust that they continue to live now in God’s presence, even after death. Circle of Care has created a large banner that will hang in Fellowship Hall, onto which everyone of us is invited to post a photo or two of loved ones who have died. Please add a note of explanation to your photos: sign your name, write who the photo is of, and why you choose this photo? The banner will remain up for several weeks, and on Sunday, March 6th we will gather together in Worship and recall these cherished ones.

Friends United Meeting is hosting a series of small group gatherings in the coming weeks and we would love to have you join us! Friends from across Indiana will be gathering to discuss the good work of FUM and how we can all better partner together and support our shared work both here in North America and around the globe. Part of the gathering will focus on Energize, Equip and Connect: The FUM Campaign. We are in the midst of a three-year $3,000,000 effort to strengthen FUM’s sustainability and enable us to launch several new initiatives, including many aimed at revitalizing our work and witness in North America. First Friends Meeting, Indianapolis ~ Sunday, March 13—4:00-6:00pm Carmel Friends Church ~ Sunday, April 24—4:00-6:00pm West Newton Friends Meeting ~ Wednesday, April 27th—6:30-8:30pm We invite you to choose the gathering that is most convenient for you. Please RSVP to Kim Schull at info@fum.org to let us know what event you plan to attend. There will be refreshments and great fellowship for all! We hope to see you there!

Western Yearly Meeting is having its annual Spring Retreat at Quaker Haven Camp on April 8th-April 10th. This year’s retreat will be led by Scott Wagoner, who is the founder and director of “Growing Edge Resources”. Scott has been a pastor for over twenty-five years. He is a graduate from Taylor University, and got his Masters of Divinity from Earlham. He will be speaking at Spring Retreat and Western Yearly Meeting sessions. This year’s retreat is focused on expanding the vision of discipleship. Please contact either the office or WYM PME Director Della StanleyGreen (dellasgwym@gmail.com). The registration deadline is March 15th

Do you have shoes or others types of footwear that you no longer wear? If so, please drop them in the Changing Footprints container at the Donation Station in Fellowship Hall. All types are needed, including tennis shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, sandals, flip flops, boots, slippers, and sports cleats. Last year 17,500 pairs of shoes were distributed, with most given to local nonprofit organizations; the remainder were provided to other countries. If we can increase the supply of shoes, we can distribute even more this year. Thanks for your past contributions!

Eco-Film Coming Up! Friday, March 11 – “Racing Extinction” In “Racing Extinction”, a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of extinction with neverbefore-seen images that will change the way we see the planet. Two worlds drive extinction across the globe, potentially resulting in the loss of half of all species. The international wildlife trade creates bogus markets at the expense of creatures that have survived on this planet for millions of years. And the other surrounds us, hiding in plain sight — a world that the oil and gas companies don’t want the rest of us to see. Using covert tactics and state-of-the-art technology, the Racing Extinction team exposes these two worlds in an inspiring affirmation to preserve life as we know it. From the Academy Award® Winning Filmmakers of "The Cove.” Extinction is a race we can’t afford to lose. (90 min., 2015) http://racingextinction.com/the-film/ The Eco-Film Series runs every first Friday of every month, 7p.m. at Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (5933 E. 79th Street). Each film is free of charge, although free-will offerings will be accepted to help defray costs.

Scout Sunday, will be celebrated Sunday, March 13th. If you are or ever have been a Girl Scout, Boy Scout or a Scout Leader, please email the office (office@indyfriends) with your name, troop number, and scouting role. We will have a fellowship hour sponsored by Christian Education with some popcorn and cookies.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Natural Ruler~ You will need a ruler, pen, and paper. With your ruler, find something around you that is almost exactly one-inch long. Then find something two inches long and so on. Then draw a ruler on your piece of paper, but instead of using numbers at each inch mark, write down what you found in nature. For example, where it would normally say one inch, you might write “caterpillar,” and two inches might be “feather.” Now use your new natural ruler to measure larger things and record their size in natural measurement. From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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February 17th, 2016

February 18, 2016

As Way Opens

Psalm 27:13 - I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. As many of you know, my husband Jerry moved to a memory care unit 10 days ago. He is almost six years into a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and his cognition, verbal skills and memory have been slowly and painfully disintegrating before my eyes. It has been a difficult journey and one that I could never have envisioned 25 years ago. It is probably a good thing that we do not know the future because it would be impossible to prepare oneself to step into this place. But when the storms of life enter our space, we have no choice but to engage and seek the Light for our path to follow. There has been a lot of darkness in my journey the last few years, but time and again I have “seen the Lord in the land of the living”. Caregivers that have entered my life and tangibly shown God’s love to Jerry, friends that have reached out with prayers, acts of kindness, encouraging words, a faith community that has held me in a foundation of love and many other random gestures that have shown me the goodness of the Lord. Friends, this is our call from God; not to believe a certain way or worship in a certain way but to embody the goodness of the Lord for each other.

Considering the Query: Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our discipleship asks of us? Remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Monthly Meeting for Business is this upcoming Sunday, February 21st. Please plan to meet in the parlor after Fellowship Hour. Attached to this email is our last Monthly Meeting’s minutes.

This week we have published the Office Administrative position on several job websites. We hope to receive many promising applicants in the coming weeks, and if you know of someone qualified for the job, please let the office know. It is our policy to hire someone from outside the Meeting.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
FCNL Advocacy Team Launch Workshop is hosting an event tomorrow, February 18th, 2015 at 6:30 here at First Friends. Please join us for a workshop with Maiya Zwerling, FCNL’s National Field Organizer in learning how to join a community of people working for peace and justice, begin using effective advocacy tools, and learn how to build power in your community to make change in Washington. You can find more information about FCNL Advocacy Teams here: fcnl.org/advocacyteams or contact Bill Chapman (drchapman@earthlink.net)

On Friday, February 19th, our choir director/organist, Shawn Porter and the Hamilton Southeastern HS Choral Department will be performing a choir concert at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis consisting of classical, sacred, folk and gospel music. The concert is free, though there is a free will offering at the end as the concert is in memory of a former student who died, and raises money for college music scholarships for current students in the choir program. St. Luke’s is located at 100 W. 86th Street. Concert starts at 7:00 pm.

Quaker Affirmation Sunday School class - please join us for this interactive look at our Quaker faith each Sunday in the parlor at 9:00 a.m. Here is our schedule of topics:
February 21st - We will examine the different methods of Quaker worship and why we worship in the way that we do February 28th - We will discuss discernment and how we conduct business and make decisions March 6th - We will study other religions and how they might relate to Quakerism March 13th - Daud will bring some young people from his Muslim faith community to talk about the Muslim faith for our understanding March 20th - Malte Maraj (Larry and Krishan Coffman’s wife/mother) will share with us about her Hindu faith March 27th - We will examine Quaker writers, artists and musicians Aprils 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

Lenten Nourishment: During the seven weeks of Lent, we will post a weekly blog entry on our First Friends website http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/ inviting you to reflect each day on your relationship with yourself and with God. Bill Heitman will interview someone weekly about the spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. We hope that this will provide some inspiration as we travel through the last cold weeks of winter and prepare ourselves for the birth of new life at Easter. Come join us this Friday for walking with Kathy Rhyne at the Monon Community Center in Carmel at 9:30 am. Also, this Sunday, February 21st join Bill Heitman at the Marott Apartments lobby for nighttime meditational at 6:30 pm. For more information, check the First Friends Upcoming Events section on our website.

Silent Auction on February 20th - Meridian Pre-school Co-op will be hosting a silent auction and dinner from ‘al-basha’ on Saturday February 20th at 5:00 p.m. at The Riviera Club 5640 North Illinois Street. This is their annual fundraiser to support the school and there are many wonderful items to bid on during the evening. Tickets to the event are $10. Please let the office know if you are interested in attending and we will make a reservation for you.

The Meridian Street Preschool Co-op is looking for a classroom teacher for their 2-3 year olds. We have attached the job description in the email you received about Friend to Friend if you’re interested, which lists the requirements and duties of the position. This position is open to anyone inside the Meeting, as well as anyone you may know who is qualified. If you have any questions, please direct them towards the office and we can share it with MSPC.

The Religion, Race, and Culture series at Butler University continues its dialogue of honest conversations with a new talk about Religion, Race, and Justice. The talk will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 7:00pm in the Howard Schrott Center for the Arts right on campus. The speakers of the night will be Reverend David Hampton from the Light of the World Christian Church, Dr. Terri Jett, professor of Political Science at Butler University, and Reverend Anastassia Zinke from All Souls Unitarian church. The event is free for all who wish to attend.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be having its next book discussion located in the parlor on Tuesday, February 23rd at 7 pm. We will be discussing Soldier Girls: The Battles of Three Women at Home and at War by Helen Thorpe. If you are interested in being on the email list please contact the office or Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com. Looking forward to next month's discussion: March 29th will be on Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.

God’s Response to a Violent Nation: A Quaker Perspective Philip Gulley and Carrie Newcomer will be presenting “stories with musical responses” on Wednesday, February 24th, at 7:00pm. This event is sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church. This is a part of their Lenten Series: Healing Our Violence. If Not Now, When? This event is free to the public, but donations are accepted at the door. Questions about this event? Please call, 317-926-1346

Meet Isaac Pennington! Tuesday, February 23rd at Fairfield Friends in the ‘Quaker Spirituality’ discussion group led by Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies at Earlham School of Religion. Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM - Fairfield Friends Meeting February 23, 2016—Isaac Pennington March 1, 2016—Caroline Stephen March 8, 2016—Thomas Kelly March 15, 2016—Margery Abbott Free of charge but a one-time donation of $10.00 for ESR is suggested. For further information, contact Sarah Lookabill (slookabill@att.net).

Family Bowling on Sunday February 28th after Meeting for Worship - calling all bowlers to join us for lunch and some bowling fun with your First Friends faith community. This is a free event; we will provide the games, pizza, and shoes! We will have prizes for the best scores (different age categories). We invite young and old to join us. We will meet at Woodland Bowl on 96th and Keystone at noon. Please let the office (office@indyfriends.org) know if you will join us.

Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will be in Indianapolis on - please join Diane and others at the Indiana Interchurch Center (1100 42nd St) on Sunday, March 6th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Food will be served and Diane will share the exciting updates on the Capital Campaign and talk about the future goals and plans of FCNL. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to www.fcnl.org/nowisthetime/rsvp.

Friends United Meeting is hosting a series of small group gatherings in the coming weeks and we would love to have you join us! Friends from across Indiana will be gathering to discuss the good work of FUM and how we can all better partner together and support our shared work both here in North America and around the globe. Part of the gathering will focus on Energize, Equip and Connect: The FUM Campaign. We are in the midst of a threeyear $3,000,000 effort to strengthen FUM’s sustainability and enable us to launch several new initiatives, including many aimed at revitalizing our work and witness in North America.
 First Friends Meeting, Indianapolis ~ Sunday, March 13—4:00-6:00pm  Carmel Friends Church ~ Sunday, April 24—4:006:00pm  West Newton Friends Meeting ~ Wednesday, April 27th—6:30-8:30pm We invite you to choose the gathering that is most convenient for you. Please RSVP to Kim Schull at info@fum.org to let us know what event you plan to attend. There will be refreshments and great fellowship for all! We hope to see you there!

Western Yearly Meeting is having its annual Spring Retreat at Quaker Haven Camp on April 8th-April 10th. This year’s retreat will be led by Scott Wagoner, who is the founder and director of “Growing Edge Resources”. Scott has been a pastor for over twenty-five years. He is a graduate from Taylor University, and got his Masters of Divinity from Earlham. This year’s retreat is focused on expanding the vision of discipleship. Please contact either the office or WYM PME Director Della StanleyGreen (dellasgwym@gmail.com). The registration deadline is March 15th

Quaker Earth Care, February 2016 – Sylvia Andrews
“Quaker Earthcare,” outlines some positive outcomes from the Paris agreement. The entire article is available online at , http://www.quakerearthcare.org/befriending-creation, It is great to have some progress on a global level, however here in our state Hoosier Environment Council is still fighting some negative bills going through this session of legislatures. Here in our state, HB 1082 “The No More Stringent than Bill” would make it illegal for Indiana’s Executive Branch to pass policies that are tighter for public health than what the U.S. EPA does, for those situations where the EPA has set standards. You can contact our congressional representative here, https://iga.in.gov/legislative/findlegislators/. A highlighted piece from this month’s Befriending Creation, is written by the QEW General Secretary, Shelley Tanenbaum titled “Paddle to the Future.”

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Mimes in Nature~ Each person thinks of something around them and then acts it out while the others guess what it is. It could be something as simple as pretending to be a stick, or something harder like pretending to be a gust of wind. Whoever guesses right gets to go next. From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco

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February 10th, 2016

February 18, 2016

As Way Opens

Requiem; [Latin, requies, rest.] “Overall, Requiem for the Living is a prayer for rest (requiem) for the living, as much as for the deceased. It’s a ‘grant us rest’, even more than a ‘grant them rest’. So says the composer Dan Forrest of the piece that will be performed on Palm Sunday by a number of people from neighboring churches, including six singers from First Friends Meeting. Requiems are usually sung as Latin Masses for the dead. Published in mid-2013, Requiem for the Living offers a fresh and inspiring perspective on life, love, loss and renewal. As we’ve begun learning the notes and phrasing, one movement in particular has struck me in particular. The second movement begins with dark, harsh, percussive sounds as the chorus cries out ‘Vanity – all is vanity!’ All seems lost, as Job cries out, wishing he’d never been born. Hopelessness, defeat, death seems pervasive. As if from nowhere comes the ethereal sound of prayer, ‘May light shine upon them, O Lord’. Over and above the darkness comes this light – perpetual light, full of mercy and compassion. And then, we hear this: ‘Come unto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ As we consider the ministry of Christ - his life, his death, and his resurrection – what do we know of the rest of Christ? The understanding that even with the places of hopelessness, defeat and death in our society, our world, and our lives, there is a Life that brings rest. Too often, at least in my own life, the loud, percussive chorus of darkness over shouts the still, small voice of light and peace. Perhaps during these next few weeks, as we anticipate Easter together, you can join me in quieting our minds and hearts, discovering the ethereal sound of Light, peace, mercy, love, and rest.

Considering the Query: Do you cherish your friendships, so that they grow in depth and understanding and mutual respect? In close relationships we may risk pain as well as finding joy. When experiencing great happiness or great hurt we may be more open to the working of the Spirit. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Mid North Food Pantry News~ Thanks to folks at First Friends, 150 lbs. of food were delivered to the Mid North Food Pantry during the week of February. Also, thanks to Bill and Kathy Farris, Phil Kitchel, Jade Malott, and Carol and Jim Donahue for volunteering at the pantry. 84 families were served.

A big thank you to everyone on Sunday for raising $523 for Second Helpings. We thank Vicki Wertz, Kathy Farris, Susan Rains, Barbara Oberreich, Carol Donahue and Beth Henricks for providing soup and helping with set up and clean up. It was great to hear more about the wonderful work that Second Helpings does in repurposing food into over 4,000 meals per day as well as providing chef training to individuals that have had challenges in their life. If anyone is still interested in donating, please let the office know.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
The World Plenary Meeting January 2016 in Peru for FWCC was delightful with 350 Friends from 38 countries and high energy with 90 young adults. Each section led worship once and there was daily Bible study with a professor from Cambridge and daily silent worship, so it was spiritually rich and transformative. A new Rufus Jones quote to me was "With every child born is something new of God". With so much diversity it was remarkable how warm and united we felt. Warm and sustainable meals with little added sugar were gathering times to discuss all concerns. A 30 year old female from Georgia (the country) and a 60 year old Russian male were comfortably talking. Unfortunately there is tribal conflict in Burundi. Kenyans are worried about the next election. Palestine has had a very rough year. There are at least 6 Bolivian Meetings and they seem vibrant. I enjoyed talking to many Friends from at least 25 countries so there was time for a lot of cross pollination of ideas during meals and home groups. Consultation groups met on several topics. I chose the one on sustainability led by Jonathan Wooley from QUNO (Quaker United Nations Office) in Geneva. Apparently he was very helpful or important at the recent Paris Climate Summit. The UN defines sustainability very broadly. Recently FWCC has divested from all Fossil Fuel. Shortly FWCC will have a Sustainability Statement that will encourage each meeting to initiate two or more concrete actions of sustainability within one year, and will encourage that one involve youth and young adults. Local color with llamas and the local Pisac market and the trip to Machu Picchu were icing on the cake.

Lenten Nourishment: Traditionally Quakers have believed that every day is sacred and a gift from God, so no day should be celebrated as more important than another. However, many spiritual traditions have designated times to draw closer to God and to their religious communities. To coincide with Lent, several of us are exploring the idea of Lenten Nourishment; using this time to go into our metaphorical wilderness and draw closer to the Inner Voice of God.
During the seven weeks of Lent, we will post a weekly blog entry on our First Friends website http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/ inviting you to reflect each day on your relationship with yourself and with God. It may contain scripture, wisdom sayings or suggest ways to renew your spirit. We have some events already scheduled so please check the Upcoming Events section of the website for details. We will have a few small groups that will meet, or you could create your own small group to share in this journey. Bill Heitman will interview someone weekly about the spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. We hope that this will provide some inspiration as we travel through the last cold weeks of winter and prepare ourselves for the birth of new life at Easter. Come join us! And continue to check Friend to Friend each week for events and reminders.

Quaker Affirmation Sunday School class - please join us for this interactive look at our Quaker faith each Sunday in the parlor at 9:00 a.m. Here is our schedule of topics: February 14th - Jon Tippin, Linda Lineback, Mary Blackburn and Eric Tinsley will answer questions about their ideas of various theological topics and share part of their belief journey over the years. February 21st - We will examine the different methods of Quaker worship and why we worship in the way that we do February 28th - We will discuss discernment and how we conduct business and make decisions March 6th - We will study other religions and how they might relate to Quakerism March 13th - Daud will bring some young people from his Muslim faith community to talk about the Muslim faith for our understanding March 20th - Malte Maraj (Larry and Krishan Coffman’s wife/mother) will share with us about her Hindu faith March 27th - We will examine Quaker writers, artists and musicians Aprils 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

Calling all Men! TENORS and BASSES are needed to join the Requiem Choir! Rehearsals have begun, and more men are needed to prepare and perform Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’. The piece will be presented on Palm Sunday, March 20th @ 3pm by singers from our Shalom Zone* churches, invited by Allisonville Chancel Choir & Orchestra. Rehearsals run: Monday's @ 7pm-9pm on February 15, 22 & March 7, 14 Thursday’s @ 7:30-8:15 on February 11, 18, 25; March 3, 10 Rehearsals with Orchestra on Thursday, March 17 - 7pm-9pm and Saturday, March 19 - 1pm-3pm Rehearsal attendance is encouraged, but not required! Come as often as possible. *First Friends Meeting, Epworth UMC, Cross & Crown Lutheran, St Pius X, Allisonville Christian Contact Matthew Tippel, Director of Music, at 317-408-4904 or matthewk28@hotmail.com if you’d like to join or have any questions.

Young Friends Youth Fellowship is meeting this Sunday, February 14th for a special Valentine’s Day meeting. We will meet in the Youth Room at 11:30, after Meeting for Worship, and will enjoy lunch and some treats together. We are continuing our journey of Echo, storytelling of the Bible. Please email Hayley Adams if you can attend, or with any questions.

Poetry Group will meet next Tuesday. Feb. 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Ed Alley will be our presenter. Ed is a retired Pastoral Counselor. Having spent 35 years helping people find new and deeper meaning in their lives, he turned to poetry to continue that process, he sees the deeper meaning one must find in Pastoral Counseling as akin to what poetry seeks. His poetry is largely along the lines of Poetry as Memoir. In addition he writes about social issues and some nonsense.

‘Quaker Spirituality’ is presented by Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies at Earlham School of Religion. Fairfield Friends Meeting will be hosting several Quaker Spirituality talks from the perspective of Margaret Fell, Isaac Pennington, Caroline Stephen, Thomas Kelly and Margery Abbott. Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM - Fairfield Friends Meeting February 16, 2016—Margaret Fell February 23, 2016—Isaac Pennington March 1, 2016—Caroline Stephen March 8, 2016—Thomas Kelly March 15, 2016—Margery Abbott Free of charge but a one-time donation of $10.00 for ESR is suggested. For further information, contact Sarah Lookabill (slookabill@att.net).

The Trustees have purchased a defibrillator (AED) for the meeting. You should see it soon near the office and the fire alarm. The staff will be getting training in Basic Life Support which includes use of the AED. Friends who wish to be trained are invited to join this training, February 17th at 5 pm. Cost is $30; certification is good for 2 years. We can accommodate up to 15 people; if you know of someone not associated with First Friends we can add them to a waiting list with members as first priority. If finances keep you from this, the Trustees are open to a "scholarship" or two. Please contact the office to sign up, or talk to a Trustee. Dan Rains, <pnpmd@yahoo.com>, for the Trustees.

FCNL Advocacy Team Launch Workshop is having an event on February 18th, 2015 at 6:30 here at First Friends. Please join us for a workshop with Maiya Zwerling, FCNL’s National Field Organizer in learning how to join a community of people working for peace and justice, begin using effective advocacy tools, and learn how to built power in your community to make change in Washington. You can find more information about FCNL Advocacy Teams here: fcnl.org/advocacyteams or contact Bill Chapman at (drchapman@earthlink.net)

Family Bowling on Sunday February 28th after Meeting for Worship - calling all bowlers to join us for lunch and some bowling fun with your First Friends faith community. We will provide pizza lunch and pay for bowling - you will only need to pay for rental of shoes. We will have prizes for the best scores (different age categories). We invite young and old to join us. We will meet at Woodland Bowl on 96th and Keystone at noon. Please let the office (office@indyfriends.org) know if you will join us.

The Children’s Museum is currently running an exhibit, Sacred Journeys, which is an immersive experience for those interested in traveling the world's most sacred sights through pictures and artifacts from all over the world. Families will be able to observe, discuss, and begin to understand some of the sacred journeys made by people around the world, from personal acts of faith to pilgrimages. Sacred journeys will include the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Great Mosque in Mecca, the Ganges River in India, Bodh Gaya in India where Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, and more. The exhibit will run through late February.

Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will be in Indianapolis on Sunday March 6th - please join Diane and others at the Indiana Interchurch Center ( 1100 42nd St) on Sunday March 6th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Food will be served and Diane will share the exciting updates on the Capital Campaign and talk about the future goals and plans of FCNL. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to www.fcnl.org/nowisthetime/rsvp.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Rock Around~ Look around for as many different rocks as you can find. What makes these rocks different from each other? Is it their color? Their shapes? What about the temperature of the rocks? Are some colder to touch than others. Are they soft or sharp? What kinds of rocks do you like most?

Comment

February 3rd, 2016

February 18, 2016

As Way Opens

It has been a wonderful experience to gather with friends each Sunday morning and discuss the history of our Quaker faith, examine significant individuals that have greatly influenced us and review some of our theological differences that have caused splits. This past Sunday we talked about our testimonies. While we have no formal creed or doctrinal statement, we have collected six testimonies that represent the values that we hold dear in expressing our faith. On the surface these testimonies seem like positive statements that we can all support. But it is misleading to think that our testimonies are clear or easy. The challenge is to think about what these really mean for our daily lives and how they influence us as we make large and small decisions.
Our class provided some amazing insight into the deeper meaning of each of these testimonies (SPICES). I am sharing with all of you some of these free flowing ideas:
Simplicity - how do I live within my means; does simplicity follow integrity in my life which helps me focus on what’s important; do I give away things that I don’t use; do I get to the heart of what is important; how do I "let it go”; keeping priorities straight; seeking knowledge from cradle to grave; trying not to value valuables; knocking down barriers of noise in my life to be able to hear the still small voice
Peace - do I seek inner peace; am I working to elect those who further peace; do I work to find the place of common agreement; do I listen to calming breaths; how can we reduce the military budget; how do we not start wars; do I have a sense of balance and calm in life; am I finding the quiet within and with one another; do I cooperate with individuals and communities/countries; do I obey God’s commands; how do I listen to others and understand their viewpoint; am I gentle, considerate and tactful with others; do I seek out those I differ with and listen to them
Integrity - how do I keep in touch with my feelings and my true self; do my actions = professed values = actions; how does my inner and outer life match; do I always tell the truth, and do I walk the walk; do I live in honesty; am I being transparent; do I honor my word and follow my moral compass; when I don’t know something do I say I don’t know; how do I live the way the prophets have shown me
Friend to Friend Contents As Way Opens – Beth Henricks Considering the Query Joys and Concerns Announcements & Reports  “Soup-er Bowl” This Sunday  Lenten Nourishment  Quaker Adult Affirmation  Requiem Choir  Young Friends Youth Fellowship  Poetry Group  Quaker Spirituality  AED Training  Co-op Silent Auction  Family Bowling, Feb. 28  Sacred Journeys  Friends of Nature Kids
For this Sunday: Facing Bench: Dan Lee Children’s Message: Beth Henricks
Community - do I look out for others and include all; do I try to use words that do no harm; do I care for others as much or more than for myself; do I seek connection, consensus and support; do I seek a fairer distribution of resources; do I find God and my own inner Light through connection with others; do I see that of God in everyone and act on that; healthcare for all
Equality - do I pursue social justice; do I put myself in others shoes; do I see the Light in all; am I supporting representatives furthering equality; do I live to know, love and serve God; do I recognize that we are all the children of Adam and Eve; do I see others as God’s creation holy and whole; do I support policies that create opportunities for all; am I aware and support actions on systems of inequality and help to make positive change
Stewardship - do I work to preserve the environment; am I trying to choose purchases from responsible sources; do I manage resources rather than allowing them to manage me; do I act with integrity and honor my responsibilities; do I recycle, reuse, reduce; am I supporting the Meeting and causes I believe in financially; am I honoring the gifts of nature and use resources responsibility
Friends, there are many big questions here that challenge every part of my life. I pray that you reflect and contemplate how God is calling YOU to live out these testimonies.

Considering the Query: How can we make the meeting a community in which each person is accepted and nurtured, and strangers are welcome? Seek to know one another in the things which are eternal, bear the burden of each other’s failings and pray for one another. As we enter with tender sympathy into the joys and sorrows of each other’s lives, ready to give help and to receive it, our meeting can be a channel for God’s love and forgiveness. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns
Bob Hadley would like to send his regards and thanks to the members of First Friends Meeting for all of their thoughtful cards and prayers. Let us continue to hold Bob, Nancy, and their family in God’s loving Light.

Helen Davenport has shared the news of the death of her brother, Clement Swisher. He passed away Sunday morning, January 31st. Clem moved to Washington DC to serve as a Conscientious Objector, and never left. He was a longtime member of Florida Avenue Meeting of Friends there, and served the meeting in every way possible. His memorial service will be held there Saturday, Feb. 20.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

This Sunday, February 7th we will host “Souper Bowl Sunday” after Meeting for Worship in fellowship hall. Soup will be prepared for all to enjoy for a free will donation to Second Helpings. Both Statia Murphy and Vicki Wertz work at Second Helpings and we want to support this important organization for those less fortunate in our city. Start your Super Bowl Sunday by eating soup at the First Friends “Souper Bowl” party and learn more about Second Helpings.

Lenten Nourishment: Traditionally Quakers have believed that every day is sacred and a gift from God, so no day should be celebrated as more important than another. However, many spiritual traditions have designated times to draw closer to God and to their religious communities. To coincide with Lent, several of us are exploring the idea of Lenten Nourishment; using this time to go into our metaphorical wilderness and draw closer to the Inner Voice of God.
During the seven weeks of Lent, we will post a weekly blog entry on our First Friends website http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/ inviting you to reflect each day on your relationship with yourself and with God. It may contain scripture, wisdom sayings or suggest ways to renew your spirit. We will have a few small groups that will meet, or you could create your own small group to share in this journey. Bill Heitman will interview someone weekly about the spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. We hope that this will provide some inspiration as we travel through the last cold weeks of winter and prepare ourselves for the birth of new life at Easter. Come join us! And continue to check Friend to Friend each week for events and reminders.

Quaker Affirmation Sunday School class - please join us for this interactive look at our Quaker faith each Sunday in the parlor at 9:00 a.m. Here is our schedule of topics:
February 7th - Theology and what Quakers have believed about the Bible, Jesus, heaven and hell etc. February 14th - We will host a panel of Friends that will discuss their understanding of some of these deep theological topics February 21st - We will examine the different methods of Quaker worship and why we worship in the way that we do February 28th - We will discuss discernment and how we conduct business and make decisions March 6th - We will study other religions and how they might relate to Quakerism March 13th - Daud will bring some young people from his Muslim faith community to talk about the Muslim faith for our understanding March 20th - We hope to have someone come from the Hindu temple to share about their faith March 27th - We will examine Quaker writers, artists and musicians Aprils 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

Calling all Men! TENORS and BASSES are needed to join the Requiem Choir! Rehearsals have begun, and more men are needed to prepare and perform Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’. The piece will be presented on Palm Sunday, March 20th @ 3pm by singers from our Shalom Zone* churches, invited by Allisonville Chancel Choir & Orchestra. Rehearsals run: Monday's @ 7pm-9pm on February 1, 8, 15, 22 & March 7, 14 Thursday’s @ 7:30-8:15 on February 11, 18, 25; March 3, 10 Rehearsals with Orchestra on Thursday, March 17 - 7pm-9pm and Saturday, March 19 - 1pm-3pm Rehearsal attendance is encouraged, but not required! Come as often as possible. *First Friends Meeting, Epworth UMC, Cross & Crown Lutheran, St Pius X, Allisonville Christian Contact Matthew Tippel, Director of Music, at 317-408-4904 or matthewk28@hotmail.com if you’d like to join or have any questions.

Young Friends Youth Fellowship is meeting next Sunday, February 14th for a special Valentine’s Day meeting. We will meet in the Youth Room at 11:30, after Meeting for Worship, and will enjoy lunch and some treats together. We are continuing our journey of Echo, storytelling of the Bible. Please email Hayley Adams if you can attend, or with any questions.
Poetry Group will meet on Tuesday. Feb. 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Ed Alley will be our presenter. Ed is a retired Pastoral Counselor. Having spent 35 years helping people find new and deeper meaning in their lives, he turned to poetry to continue that process, he sees the deeper meaning one must find in Pastoral Counseling as akin to what poetry seeks. His poetry is largely along the lines of Poetry as Memoir. In addition he writes about social issues and some nonsense.

Silent Auction on February 20th - The preschool co-op will be hosting a silent auction and dinner from al-basha on Saturday February 20th at 5:00 p.m. at The Riviera Club 5640 North Illinois Street. This is their annual fundraiser to support the school and there are many wonderful items to bid on during the evening. Tickets to the event are $10. Please let the office know if you are interested in attending and we will make a reservation for you.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Rock Out ~ Look for things around you that can be used as musical instruments. From just tapping a tree with a stick to rubbing two rocks together, you can make interesting sounds. If you are alone, see how many instruments you can invent from nature. If you’re in a group, you can each make an instrument and play it while singing a song everybody knows.

Comment

January 27th, 2016

February 18, 2016

As Way Opens

Way has opened for Jon and me to live together again… all the time… after four years of commuting! We are grateful for the way God has allowed our relationship to grow, continuing to nurture one another, despite the distance between us and the craziness of travel. We’re also thankful for the direction God has given us in our work that has shaped our future. Isn’t God good? Jon has resigned and will leave the University of Iowa Neurology Department this coming June, and move to Indiana in July. He will begin working for an independent company doing much the same thing he’s done for the past three years while in Indianapolis – monitoring neurosurgeries via computer. This is a great blessing to both of us, allowing us the ability to be fully present to each other, and to the work we’re called to do. I’m so thankful for the way God has cared for us, for the care the Meeting has given us for what will have been four years of travel, and for the richness of relationships we all share. Isn’t God good?

Considering the Query: . Do you respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern? Each of us has a particular experience of God and each must find the way to be true to it. When words are strange or disturbing to you, try to sense where they come from and what has nourished the lives of others. Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you. Avoid hurtful criticism and provocative language. Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns
Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy, OH BOY! Logan Jacob Hostetler entered the world this past Sunday, January 24th at 4:00 pm. He was 8 lbs 7 ozs and 20 inches long. He joins his brothers, Landon, Cole, and Owen. Welcome to the world, Logan! His parents, Michael and Katie, are doing fine.

Beth Henricks’ cousin, Marabeth LaMacchio has recently had emergency surgery that led to the discovery of Stage 4 cancer. Marabeth had breast cancer 10 years ago and this reoccurrence is a great shock. Please hold her family in the Light. Thank you for your love and care.

Susan Jordan, Principal of Amy Beverland Elementary School, was killed in a bus accident yesterday as she protected a number of students when a bus jumped a curb at afternoon dismissal. Our own Lindsay Sherer Deeg teaches at the school. Please pray for the faculty, staff and students, the Jordan family, and the bus driver, as well. This is a very tragic time for all involved. May God’s love surround them, and God’s strength and peace touch their lives.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Old Year’s Resolution As we approached the end of 2015 I let our meeting know that we needed to close a large gap between our expenses and donations. Thanks to your incredible generosity our meeting nearly closed that gap before the year was out. At our January monthly meeting I reported a short fall for 2015 of about $3,600. Close to breaking even … but red ink is red ink. Since that monthly meeting, we have received another generous donation to cover that full amount, bringing us to a breakeven year … and clearing that last red ink from the page. Thank you all for helping our meeting start 2016 with a clean financial slate. Eric Tinsley Clerk of Finance Committee

Quaker Affirmation Class for Adults will be having its fourth meeting during Sunday School hour (9:00 a.m.) in the parlor. This Sunday, we will be discussing the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality. All are welcome to attend even if you missed any of the classes! The class will last through the next 3 months so feel free to come as you can.

This Sunday, January 31st, Beth Henricks will be selling chocolates, coffee, tea and cocoa for our Youth Group Activities. Regularly, Beth sells these fair trade products in Fellowship Hall after Meeting, and they are truly delicious. The proceeds help fund youth activities here at first friends and their service projects.

Grace Miller in Print! Friends Journal Article featuring someone from our First Friends Family! Harold and Ellen Miller’s daughter and Sam Miller’s sister, Grace is featured in the January issue of Friends Journal in their article, “A Quaker Voice in Indiana – Interview with Grace Miller of Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation”. It’s a wonderful article about the power of Quaker faith and action, and how each one of us can make a difference. IFCL is seeing a new burst of enthusiasm, and we are happy to see Grace Miller, Bill Chapman and others from First Friends becoming more active and interested in how Quakers can change the world! Grab the Journal, and check pps 17-19!

If anyone is interested in volunteering at Hoosier Environmental Council as an environmental advocate, please contact Sylvia Andrews or Amanda Shepherd at HEC. Some of their major concerns during this legislative session include the “Right to Harm Bill, SJR 12” and the Mounds Greenway. If you have ever felt the desire to do more for the environment in Indiana than just donate money this is your chance. Host a Greening Your Community party, call others about legislation, and attend legislative Third House meetings.

Brrr! It’s Cold Outside! Please continue to bring donations of winter clothing for the Boner Center. The box is in Fellowship Hall on the stage in front of the curtain. They appreciate what we are doing to help the homeless and others in need of clothing.

Calling all Singers! Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’: A beautiful new setting of the Requiem by Dan Forrest will be presented on Sunday, March 20th @ 3pm by singers from our Shalom Zone* churches, invited by Allisonville Chancel Choir & Orchestra. This powerful five-movement work projects a wide range of meaningful expression, from a biting essay on the vanity and pain of mankind to a plea for mercy, and finally a celebration of eternal light. ALL are welcome to join us as we prepare this choral masterpiece. Rehearsals will begin on this coming Monday, February 1 @ 7pm and will continue as follows: Monday's @ 7pm-9pm on February 1, 8, 15, 22 & March 7, 14 Thursday’s @ 7:30-8:15 on February 11, 18, 25; March 3, 10 Rehearsals with Orchestra on Thursday, March 17 - 7pm-9pm and Saturday, March 19 - 1pm-3pm *First Friends Meeting, Epworth UMC, Cross & Crown Lutheran, St Pius X, Allisonville Christian Contact Matthew Tippel, Director of Music, at 317-408-4904 or matthewk28@hotmail.com if you like to join or have any questions.

Sunday February 7th we will host “Souper Bowl Sunday” after Meeting for Worship in fellowship hall. Soup will be prepared for all to enjoy for a free will donation to Second Helpings. Both Statia Murphy and Vicki Wertz work at Second Helpings and we want to support this important organization for those less fortunate in our city. Start your Super Bowl Sunday by eating soup at the First Friends “Souper Bowl” party and learn more about Second Helpings.

Quaker Spirituality is presented by Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies at Earlham School of Religion. Fairfield Friends Meeting will be hosting several Quaker Spirituality talks from the perspective of Margaret Fell, Isaac Pennington, Caroline Stephen, Thomas Kelly and Margery Abbott. Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM Fairfield Friends Meeting February 16, 2016—Margaret Fell February 23, 2016—Isaac Pennington March 1, 2016—Caroline Stephen March 8, 2016—Thomas Kelly March 15, 2016—Margery Abbott Free of charge but a one-time donation of $10.00 for ESR is suggested. For further information, contact Sarah Lookabill (slookabill@att.net).

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Living Levels~ Think of what animal lives deepest underground and then take turns thinking of the animals that live on level above that, and then one level above that until you work all the way up to animals that live in trees, and finally, birds. What’s the highest flying bird you can think of? From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

Comment

January 20th, 2016

January 25, 2016

As Way Opens

Recently the Earlham College Choir came to First Friends to present a beautiful night of music. I enjoyed the entire concert and had a couple of the girls from the choir stay in our home. My hopeful sense of the future is always reinforced when I talk to young people like these two women who are smart, engaged, and determined to help make our world more just and peaceful.

The choir closed their performance that night with the song How Can I Keep from Singing. I have always loved this song but have never experienced anything like their performance that evening. The choir surrounded us in the room and had water goblets filled with various amounts of water to create different tones as they rubbed their glasses. They had several bells and a drum. The harmonies and the sounds within our Meeting Room at that moment sent chills and energy through my body and the tears flowed as it felt like a heavenly host filling the room with love. The words to the song were printed in the program and when I got home I was moved again just to read their words:

“My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the real, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, while to that rock I’m clinging.
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

When though the tempest round me roars,
I know the truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is lord of heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knell ringing;
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile, our thoughts to them are winging.

When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?
When love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?”

Love is Lord of heaven and earth! That is the good news of the Gospel. Love is what holds us and binds us together and becomes our rock through the darkness around us. May this love fill our heart, mind and bodies today.

Considering the Query: Do you welcome the diversity of culture, language, and expressions of faith in our yearly meeting and in the world community of Friends? Seek to increase your understanding and to gain from this rich heritage and wide range of spiritual insights. Uphold your own and other yearly meetings in your prayers. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Submitted by Amy Perry: A few weeks ago, I stayed after Sunday worship to help in the Children's Library. Around 1:15, I was finished for the day. I saw Erin Tinsley in the side hall near the grandfather clock. Nobody else was around. She was looking for her dad. I approached her and asked, "Did you know that when I was a little girl I had to wait for my father at church too? He had meetings and I had to wait for him outdoors in the cold. But my two brothers waited with me, so I wasn't alone." Erin replied that she didn't know that. She asked my name. Then she said, "But you weren't alone, because God was with you."

Answering God’s call to universal love, the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) brings Friends of varying traditions and cultural experiences together in worship, communications, and consultation, to express our common heritage and our Quaker message to the world. Norma Wallman and Terry Trierweiler are among many Friends gathered in Pisac, Peru just now for the World Plenary Meetings taking place. The purpose of the Friends World Committee for Consultation is to encourage fellowship among all the branches of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quaker community circles the globe, spanning a rich diversity of regional cultures, beliefs and styles of worship. FWCC, through its four section offices, runs programs in different regions, uniting Friends around the world through Spirit-led fellowship. Please hold Terry, Norma and these many Friends from all forms of Quakerism around the world in your prayers.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Quaker Affirmation Class for Adults will be having its third meeting during Sunday School hour (9:00 a.m.) in the parlor. We had a great time of sharing and connecting and heard from George Fox and Margaret Fell. This Sunday, we will be discussing different organizational splits within Quakerism. All are welcome to attend even if you missed any of the classes! The class will last through the next 3 months so feel free to come as you can.

INDIANA SENATE BILL 36 – ALERT

Indiana Senator Jim Tomes has proposed SB 36, which would remove existing restrictions on "alcohol abusers" from receiving a license to carry a handgun. Under current law, an "alcohol abuser" is defined as someone who has had two or more alcohol-related offenses, any one of which resulted in a conviction or in treatment in an alcohol abuse facility within the past three years.

The bill had its first reading in the Senate Judiciary Committee, with testimony in opposition from The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and a legal expert from Indiana University-Maurer School of Law. In the face of this level of opposition a vote has not been taken yet, but Chairman Senator Steele is planning for a second reading, possibly with some amendments, on January 20 or 21.

If you feel led, please write to or call all members of the Judiciary Committee -- especially if they represent you -- to urge them to vote against SB 36. This bill would allow individuals who have criminal records of alcohol abuse to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public.

Members of Senate Judiciary Committee:

Senator Brent Steele, Chair: Senator.Steele@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9814
Senator R. Michael Young, Ranking Member, s35@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9517
Sen. Rodric Bray, Majority Member, Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9400
Sen. Michael Delph, Majority Member, Senator.Delph@iga.in, 317-232-9541
Sen. Susan Glick, Majority Member, Senator.Glick@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9493
Sen. Randall Head, Majority Member, Senator.Head@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9488
Sen. Joseph Zakas, Majority Member, Senator.Zakas@iga.in.gov, 317-232-9490
Sen. Lonnie Randolph, Ranking Minority Member, s2@in.gov, 800-382-9467
Sen. John Broden, Minority Member, s10@in.gov, 800-382-9467
Sen. Greg Taylor, s33@in.gov, 800-382-9467

Grace Miller in Print! Friends Journal Article featuring someone from our First Friends Family!
Harold and Ellen Miller’s daughter and Sam Miller’s sister, Grace is featured in the January issue of Friends Journal in their article, “A Quaker Voice in Indiana – Interview with Grace Miller of Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation”. It’s a wonderful article about the power of Quaker faith and action, and how each one of us can make a difference. IFCL is seeing a new burst of enthusiasm, and we are happy to see Grace Miller, Bill Chapman and others from First Friends becoming more active and interested in how Quakers can change the world! Grab the Journal, and check pps 17-19!

If anyone is interested in volunteering at Hoosier Environmental Council as an environmental advocate, please contact Sylvia Andrews or Amanda Shepherd at HEC. Some of their major concerns during this legislative session include the “Right to Harm Bill, SJR 12” and the Mounds Greenway. If you have ever felt the desire to do more for the environment in Indiana than just donate money this is your chance. Host a Greening Your Community party, call others about legislation, and attend legislative Third House meetings.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be gathering in the Parlor this Tuesday, January 26th at 7 pm to discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. If you would like to be on the email list please contact the office or Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com. Our next novel is February 23 - Soldier Girls by Helen Thorpe.

Parent Cafe Workshop on the Near East Side! East Tenth United Methodist Children and Youth Center will be hosting a Families First Parent Cafe beginning Jan 11 to help families build stronger, healthier families. We need VOLUNTEERS for our Parent Cafe. There is need for table hosts to help facilitate discussion and for volunteers to help with childcare. If you're interested in volunteering please email Chisato Sakamoto at chisatos@familiesfirstindiana.org or call at 317-644-7207

Brrr! It’s Cold Outside! Please continue to bring donations of winter clothing for the Boner Center. The box is in Fellowship Hall on the stage in front of the curtain. They appreciate what we are doing to help the homeless and others in need of clothing.

Calling all Singers! Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’: A beautiful new setting of the Requiem by Dan Forrest will be presented on Sunday, March 20th @ 3pm by singers from our Shalom Zone* churches, invited by Allisonville Chancel Choir & Orchestra. This powerful five-movement work projects a wide range of meaningful expression, from a biting essay on the vanity and pain of mankind to a plea for mercy, and finally a celebration of eternal light. ALL are welcome to join us as we prepare this choral masterpiece. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, February 1 @ 7pm and will continue as follows:
Monday's @ 7pm-9pm on February 1, 8, 15, 22 & March 7, 14
Thursday’s @ 7:30-8:15 on February 11, 18, 25; March 3, 10
Rehearsals with Orchestra on Thursday, March 17 - 7pm-9pm and
Saturday, March 19 - 1pm-3pm
*First Friends Meeting, Epworth UMC, Cross & Crown Lutheran, St Pius X, Allisonville Christian
Contact Matthew Tippel, Director of Music, at 317-408-4904 or matthewk28@hotmail.com if you like to join or have any questions.

Sunday, February 7th, we will host “Souper Bowl Sunday” after Meeting for Worship in fellowship hall. Soup will be prepared for all to enjoy for a free will donation to Second Helpings. Both Statia Murphy and Vicki Wertz work at Second Helpings and we want to support this important organization for those less fortunate in our city. Start your Super Bowl Sunday by eating soup at the First Friends “Souper Bowl” party and learn more about Second Helpings.

Quaker Spirituality is presented by Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies at Earlham School of Religion. Fairfield Friends Meeting will be hosting several Quaker Spirituality talks from the perspective of Margaret Fell, Isaac Pennington, Caroline Stephen, Thomas Kelly and Margery Abbott.
Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM
Fairfield Friends Meeting
February 16, 2016—Margaret Fell
February 23, 2016—Isaac Pennington
March 1, 2016—Caroline Stephen
March 8, 2016—Thomas Kelly
March 15, 2016—Margery Abbott
Free of charge but a one-time donation of $10.00 for ESR is suggested. For further information, contact Sarah Lookabill (slookabill@att.net).

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ The Food Chain~ Think of what the smallest creature you can think of eats and then think of what eats that creature. Keep building up who eats who until you can’t think of any creature that would come next. Try starting your food chain with a bug one time and then a plant or a small animal another time. How long a food chain can you make? From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

Comment

January 13th, 2016

January 14, 2016

As Way Opens
‘For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven or on earth takes its name, and beg him out of his wealth of glory to strengthen you mightily through his Spirit in your inner nature and through your faith to let Christ in his love make his home in your hearts. Your roots must be deep and your foundations strong, so that you and all God’s people may be strong enough to grasp what breadth, length, height, and depth mean, and to understand Christ’s love, so far beyond our understanding, so that you may be filled with the very fullness of God. To him who by the exertion of his power with us can do unutterably more than all we ask or imagine, be glory through the church and through Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever. Amen.’
Ephesians 3:14-21 Goodspeed Translation

Paul prayed this for the church gathered in Ephesus. It is my prayer too, for this New Year for those of us in First Friends Meeting – both gathered in our Meetinghouse, and spread far and wide throughout the country. Wherever we are, my prayer is that those who name First Friends as our spiritual home will be strengthened in God’s spirit inwardly, and discover clearly the fullness of God. May we share that rooted, deep sense of love and strength with one another, and with those we meet beyond the bounds of our fellowship, bringing glory to God. May others see, notice, understand, and grasp the wonder of God’s ministry in their lives through the people of First Friends. And may we notice it in one another, giving God thanks and glory.

Considering the Query: Do you take part as often as you can in meetings for church affairs? Are you familiar enough with our church government to contribute to its disciplines processes? Do you consider difficult questions with an informed mind as well as a generous and loving spirit? Are you prepared to let your insights and personal wishes take their place alongside those of others or be set aside as the meeting seeks the right way forward? If you cannot attend, uphold the meeting prayerfully. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Monthly Meeting for Worship to Conduct Business will gather for the first time in the New Year this Sunday, January 17th. You’ll find the minutes from our last gathering attached to this issue of Friend to Friend. Please review them prayerfully, and come ready to reach in to the work of God at First Friends!
Seasoned Friends enjoyed hot soup and great company today, as twenty-one people joined together for fun and fellowship. Fun and games didn’t end until after 2:00, on a very, very cold day!

Thank you, Mary Ellen Lohr, for a microwave over that magically appeared in the Parlor Kitchen. What a nice surprise!

Thank you, Norma Wallman, for excavating the ‘Foster’ and ‘Holiday’… otherwise known as the huge refrigerator and the chest freezer in the Kitchen! Huge job! Great results!

Thank you, Amy Perry, for sorting and categorizing all the children’s book in the library collection we have! What a treasure trove of surprises for our kids! And what a discovery of things yet to bring in.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Brent Bill, Quaker Author, will share stories from his new book “Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker – a Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace”, a presentation hosted by Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation.
When: This Friday, January 15 from 7:00 to 8:30
Where: First Friends Meeting
For more information, contact IFCL Clerk Bill Chapman (drchapman@earthlink.net). A freewill offering will be taken to support the advocacy work of IFCL. IFCL exists as an instrument in the search of God’s will for Quakers who are wrestling with the issues of our day. IFCL attempts to relate our Quaker faith and Quaker testimonies to the shaping of responsible policy making by our Indiana government legislators.

Sunday, January 17th brings Dr. David Carlson, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, from Franklin College, speaking to us on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Religious studies is not only his job, but also a significant part of his life. Carlson said he was first interested in making religious studies a career when he “realized that religious studies was more about questions than pat answers.” Carlson has been teaching at Franklin College for 36 years. Among his honors as a professor are the Faculty Teaching Award and the Dietz Faculty Excellence Award. “Teaching allows me to see students be transformed, not just informed, by what they are learning,” he said. In 2013, Carlson presented a paper on Christian-Muslim relations at Nazareth College in New York and was one of the speakers at the Earlham School of Religion Writer’s Conference. In 2011, Carlson published ‘Peace Be with You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World’. Join us for an inspirational and information time of worship.
47th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Service of the INDIANA CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (ICLC) will be held Monday, January 18th at St John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 1651 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue, Indianapolis, IN. The official program will commence at 10:00 A.M. Rev. Dr. Daniel T. Hembree, Bluff Road United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC is this year’s main speaker. During this year’s celebration service, the Indiana Christian Leadership Conference will embrace the Indianapolis interfaith community. Scheduled to represent their various faith traditions during the invocation will be persons from the Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Communities, who will offer prayers and inspiration derived from the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Quaker Affirmation Class for Adults began last week during Sunday School hour
(9:00 a.m.) in the parlor. We had a great time of sharing and connecting and heard from George Fox and Margaret Fell. This Sunday, Deb Hejl will lead the class as we delve into the history of Quakers coming to America. All are welcome to attend even if you missed class last week. The class will last through the next 3 months so feel free to come as you can.

First Friends is Growing! More and more families are coming, and that means more children! Beginning Sunday, January 10th, our kids are divided into three groups for Children’s Worship: Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten,
First and Second Grade, and Third through Fifth Grade. Teachers are ready, classroom space is prepared, and we are excited to share God’s love and light with the children of our Meeting. Remember, all children are excused from Meeting for Worship after a Children’s Message each Sunday for their own time of worship, suited for their age and interest level.

Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $20.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, you will receive six issues a year, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” The journal is normally priced at $35.00 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!

Brrr! It’s Cold Outside! Please continue to bring donations of winter clothing for the Boner Center. The box is in Fellowship Hall on the stage in front of the curtain. They appreciate what we are doing to help the homeless and others in need of clothing.

Sunday February 7th we will host “Souper Bowl Sunday” after Meeting for Worship in fellowship hall. Soup will be prepared for all to enjoy for a free will donation to Second Helpings. Both Statia Murphy and Vicki Wertz work at Second Helpings and we want to support this important organization for those less fortunate in our city. Start your Super Bowl Sunday by eating soup at the First Friends “Souper Bowl” party and learn more about Second Helpings.

Thursday, January 21 2016, 6:30 – 8:00pm; Setting the Record Straight: Facts and Science of Climate Change. The University of Chicago Alumni Club is hosting an event you might find of interest: Dinner at the Woodstock Club followed by a presentation by Gabriel Filippelli, Professor of Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Cost: $36/person

Scientists, unlike politicians, understand that human-produced greenhouse gasses are impacting climate. The concern is now what the future trajectory of climate will look like and how it will affect ecosystems and humans. This is the real climate change debate, which is being played out in the world of data, field observations, and peer-reviewed publications by scientists who scratch for competitive federal funding make their observations. Politicians, pundits, and climate scientists funded by energy corporation-aligned groups may try to cast doubt on the results and even motivations of scientists for the purpose of delaying a more informed discussion on climate change. Professor Filippelli will present the science of climate change, his understanding of what future climate scenarios will look like and what impact they might have. Gabriel Filippelli is a Professor of Earth Sciences and Directs the Center for Urban Health at IUPUI. An environmental chemist and climate change scientist, Dr. Filippelli has published over 80 papers on this topic, including recent ones in the top journal Nature and Science, as was recently named a Fellow of the International Association of Geochemistry.
If you'd like to attend, register at http://www.uchicagoindiana.org/article.html?aid=138

Quaker Earth Care - The Hoosier Environmental Council will begin its Environmental Advocacy Training in January. Issues include Clean Energy, Sustainable Food and Energy, Climate Change and Environmental Justice. They also have resources for Green Minded Religious Congregations of All Faiths. In November, HEC worked with the Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis Green Congregations, Slow Foods Indy, and other allies to host a Spirit & Place workshop on sustainable foods and healthy foods for healthy bodies. Panelists answered questions about proper health and nutrition, the impact that agricultural practices have on the environment, and the impact that agri-chemicals and fertilizers have on the human body.

If anyone is interested in volunteering at HEC as an environmental advocated please contact Sylvia Andrews or Amanda Shepherd at HEC. Some of their major concerns during the coming legislative session include the “Right to Harm Bill, SJR 12” and the Mounds Greenway. If you have ever felt the desire to do more for the environment in Indiana than just donate money this is your chance. Host a Greening Your Community party, call others about legislation, and attend legislative Third House meetings.
On a lighter note, climate change affects not only people but animals and plants as well. I was walking my dogs after the recent high winds and saw a squirrel’s nest on the ground. The squirrel was above in the tree contemplating the loss. Maybe he/she should have been included with the tornado victims on the morning news.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Home Sweet Home ~ Where do all the creatures in nature live and sleep at night? See how many different animals’ homes you can think of and maybe even find! From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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Friend to Friend January 6th 2016

January 7, 2016

As Way Opens

John 11: 33-35 ‘When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep.’

I am sure this passage of scripture is familiar to many of you, as it describes Jesus reaction to the news that Lazarus is dead. As a kid I knew verse 35 by heart as the shortest verse in the Bible and would quote it frequently to show off my knowledge of the Bible, yet never comprehending the depth of these two words. This past Sunday I was substitute teaching Sunday School for the junior high class and we watched a video by the pastor Rob Bell (he has a series of videos for young people called Nooma). Rob shared a powerful story about losing a close friend at 27 years old and the devastation, heartbreak and anger he felt at that time. And then he read this passage. I sat in the basement and was swept away with this idea of Jesus weeping with me. I don’t know why I have never felt the full force of this scripture in my life. Jesus weeps! My Harper Collins Study Bible describes the word weeps as not just tears, but wailing and lamentation. When we have a loss of a family member or friend, Jesus weeps with us. When we lose a relationship or a job, Jesus weeps with us. When we experience deep disappointment, Jesus weeps with us. What a sense of comfort I have in feeling the emotional impact to my life that God through Jesus cares that much about me. The losses we all experience in this journey of life can turn us bitter as we sometimes just don’t understand why some of these things happen. Yet the God of the universe, of all creation, the giver of life, weeps with me. This God weeps with you! I rejoice today in this knowledge and pray that you will feel this sense of love and intimacy with God.

Considering the Query: Are your meetings for church affairs held in a spirit of worship and in dependence on the guidance of God? Remember that we do not seek a majority decision nor even consensus. As we wait patiently for divine guidance our experience is that the right way will open and we shall be led into unity. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Erroll T. Elliott served as Pastor of First Friends twice… from 1936-1942, and 1957-1965. His daughter, Harriet Elliott Combs (80), passed away Thursday, December 17th and her Memorial Service was given by another former pastor of First Friends, Stan Banker. Harriet was a member of Irvington Friends Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation. http://www.shirleybrothers.com/obituaries/Harriet-Combs/#!/Obituary

Grace and blessings are sent to the Doninger family at the passing of Clarence Doninger’s stepmother, Roberta Doninger, 98, who died Sunday evening, January 3rd. Clarence’s mother died when he was young, and Roberta had been married to Mr. Doninger for almost 50 years. She was an elementary school teacher in Evansville for 45 years and had no children of her own. She died peacefully in her home with hospice care and 2 wonderful caregivers. Her funeral will be held Saturday.

Dear Friends, It has been good working with you as a great friend and for all these years you have been a support to my ministry. The year 2015 was very challenging to our family but we appreciate your support through prayers in Jesus name. The year began with challenges of sickness where my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer level 2, but we thank God it was contained and she is doing well. We give glory to God. The same year has ended with the loss of Rose's father. The Bible says count it joy when you experience such challenges. We rejoice in the Lord for the many things he has done in our lives. I would like to take this gracious opportunity to wish you A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS, BLESSED AND EVER FULFILLING NEW YEAR 2016. You have been a great friend and we look forward to our continued relationship. Blessings and more blessings, John Afanda Muhanji, Director, Africa Ministries Office, Friends United Mtg. E-mail: muhanji@gmail.com

John Muhanji is a great friend of First Friends Meeting, and spoke here in August of 2013.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Earlham College Choir Performance

at First Friends

Friday, January 8th

at 7:30 pm

Featuring Earlham College’s Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and Madrigal Ensembles, the concert will include pieces from Latvian, French and American composers. Everyone is welcome!

Bagged Salads and Sleepovers! Help is Needed! First Friends is hosting the Earlham Choir, with a spaghetti dinner and an overnight stay in homes provided by alumni and volunteer hosts from the Meeting. Please contact Mindy Sommer if you can bring a bagged salad, dressing, or dessert to share. Mcs16zoom@gmail.com

Please contact Carolyn Tinsley if you can provide housing for an overnight guest Friday evening. (FFM is hosting ten students.) ctinsley@indy.rr.com Guests need to be returned to the Meetinghouse by 7:30 am on Saturday so they can leave by 8:00. Thank you!

January 10th, we will welcome David Dawson, President of Earlham College as our Guest Speaker. David began his tenure at Earlham in July 2011. Driven by a vision that holds together the classic liberal arts and the vocational and professional preparation of its students, Dawson helped the College develop new branding under the proclamation that “Becoming Fully Present is the Best Way to Move the World Forward,” linking Earlham’s emphasis on personal self-discovery and value formation with the College’s desire to foster social responsibility and enable students to make a transformative impact on the world. We look forward to hearing what Dr. Dawson has to share with us.

Quaker Affirmation Class for Adults will begin during Sunday School hour (9:00 a.m.) on January 10th in the parlor. The curriculum that our young people experienced will be used with some revisions for our adult group. We plan to offer this through 3 months and encourage anyone that would like to go deeper into our history, testimonies, theology, structure, worship and organizations to join us. Beth Henricks and others will lead the class.

First Friends is Growing! More and more families are coming, and that means more children! Beginning Sunday, January 10th, our kids will be divided into three groups for Children’s Worship: Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten,

First and Second Grade, and Third through Fifth Grade. Teachers are ready, classroom space is prepared, and we are excited to share God’s love and light with the children of our Meeting. Remember, all children are excused from Meeting for Worship after a Children’s Message each Sunday for their own time of worship, suited for their age and interest level.

YFYF – Young Friends Youth Fellowship Meets this Sunday! 11:30… Don’t miss it!

Are you interested in Interfaith Connections? Dialogue? Celebrations? Fun? Festival of Faiths might be just for you! This years’ fest will be celebrated Sunday, September 18th in downtown Indianapolis. A planning meeting is set for Tuesday, January 12th from 4:00 to 5:30 at the Indiana Interchurch Center with Ben Leslie and the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. Please let Ruthie know if you’d like to go!

‘Find Comfort with Comfort Food’ at the Seasoned Friends Luncheon!

Once during each season of the year, retirees gather for fun and fellowship, and a fabulous lunch together. Every one of you are welcome to come on Wednesday, January 13th at 11:30 for our Winter Luncheon. You’ll be treated to Meatloaf Sandwiches, Hot Soup, and Macaroni and Cheese. Stick around for Cribbage, Card Games, Board Games, Euchre… It’s lots of fun! And so are you!

Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $20.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, you will receive six issues a year, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” The journal is normally priced at $35.00 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!

Brent Bill, Quaker Author, will share stories from his new book “Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker – a Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace”, a presentation hosted by Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation.

When: Friday, January 15 from 7:00 to 8:30

Where: First Friends Meeting

For more information, contact IFCL Clerk Bill Capman. A freewill offering will be taken to support the advocacy work of IFCL. IFCL exists as an instrument in the search of God’s will for Quakers who are wrestling with the issues of our day. IFCL attempts to relate our Quaker faith and Quaker testimonies to the shaping of responsible policy making by our Indiana government legislators. www.quakerifcl.org

Sunday, January 17th brings Dr. David Carlson, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, from Franklin College, speaking to us on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Religious studies is not only his job, but also a significant part of his life. Carlson said he was first interested in making religious studies a career when he “realized that religious studies was more about questions than pat answers.” Carlson has been teaching at Franklin College for 36 years. Among his honors as a professor are the Faculty Teaching Award and the Dietz Faculty Excellence Award. “Teaching allows me to see students be transformed, not just informed, by what they are learning,” he said. In 2013, Carlson presented a paper on Christian-Muslim relations at Nazareth College in New York and was one of the speakers at the Earlham School of Religion Writer’s Conference. In 2011, Carlson published ‘Peace Be with You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World’, which received a starred review from both Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal. The book was selected as one of the Ten Best Books in 2011 in the category of “Spiritual Living” by Library Journal. Carlson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton College; a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from the American Baptist Seminary of the West, California; and his doctorate degree in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In addition, he has conducted post-doctoral studies at Duke University on a National Endowment for the Humanities grant and at Indiana University. Carlson said his current passion is writing about the future of interfaith relations in America.

Brrr! It’s Cold Outside! Please continue to bring donations of winter clothing for the Boner Center. The box is in Fellowship Hall on the stage in front of the curtain. They appreciate what we are doing to help the homeless and others in need of clothing.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Questions: On a piece of paper, make a list of ten questions you have about nature. For example, do ducks fly? Or can any fish live in a stream if it becomes polluted? Find out the answers by asking adults you know or by visiting the library and looking in books with the help of a reference librarian.

From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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December 23rd 2015

December 23, 2015

Friend to Friend Contents

As Way Opens

A Christmas Carmen; John Greenleaf Whittier

Sound over all waters, reach out from all lands,
The chorus of voices, the clasping of hands;
Sing hymns that were sung by the stars of the morn,
Sing songs of the angels when Jesus was born.

Blow, bugles of battle, the marches of peace;
East, west, north, and south,

let the long quarrel cease;
O sing ye the song that the angels began,
Sing glory to God, and goodwill unto man!

With glad jubilations, bring hope to the nations,
The dark night is ending, and dawn has begun;
Rise, hope of the ages, arise like the sun;
All speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one!

John Greenleaf Whittier [1807-1892] the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 1824. Since then his publications have been numerous, including: Voices of Freedom, 1833; Songs of Labour, and other Poems, 1850; &c. ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’ is a particularly well known hymn text of Whittier’s.

A Christmas Query: From whence comes the custom of putting laurel, box, holly, etc in churches and houses for Christmas; and what is the signification thereof? When the Son of God (according to the Prophecy of Zachary) made his public entry into Jerusalem, the people strewed the way before him with evergreen palm branches, in token of the perpetuity and triumph of his kingdom: hence arose the custom, and this the signification of adorning our houses and churches at Christmastime.

From:Gale’s Cabinet of Knowledge or Miscellaneous Recreations, London. MDCCC

Joys & Concerns

Please remember Bob Hadley in your prayers. Bob has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Thank you for your remembrances of him, his wife Nancy, and their family in your thoughts and prayers. Bob was raised in our Meeting, and has served our Meeting in almost every way possible. Let us join together in lifting him up for strength and endurance.

Jerry, Beth and Greg Henricks continue to struggle with the challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease. Please hold Jerry in your prayers, and Beth and Greg as they care for his needs and their own, especially during this holiday season.

Pastor Ruthie will be joining Jon in Seattle, traveling on Christmas Day to visit their son Matt and his wife Rebecca for the week. She will return in time to celebrate the New Year. If you need spiritual guidance, assistance or care, please contact any one of our Ministry and Counsel members. Beth Henricks will be available as well.

No Monthly Meeting was scheduled for December. We will resume our regular schedule come the New Year in January. Please join us on Sunday, January 17th.

The Meeting Office will be closed December 25, 26, 28 and January 1st. (It is customarily closed on Fridays.)

A big thank you from Paula Gallagher for the generosity of First Friends in providing some Christmas gifts this past week. She feels great affection for the Meeting and is so appreciative of our support and continuing connection to her.

There are not enough words to say ‘thank you’ to all of you who do so many things throughout the year to make First Friends Meeting such a vibrant place of ministry and meaning. Ushers, greeters, musicians, teachers, cooks, clean-up crews, gardeners, painters, photographers, drivers, costume designers… from the smallest touch to the largest enterprise you have all been a part of making the Spirit of God real to many. Just by coming, you minister to those who worship with you. When people attend a Quaker meeting they expect something different, and that’s what they find at First Friends… a unique and special experience, where people care deeply and intentionally about the way God lives in and with each person. Thank you all, near and far, for being a part of this Meeting. May God bless you all with a very happy Christmas.

Christmas Blessings from the Staff at First Friends Meeting!

Jose and Rocio Camacho – Custodians

Dan Mitchell – Maintenance

Shawn Porter – Organist & Choir Director

Hayley Adams – Youth Pastor/ Office Assistant

Beth Henricks – Christian Education and Family Ministries Director

Ruthie Tippin - Pastor

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please join us this Thursday Evening at 5:30

December 24th for our Christmas Eve Service

A simple, lovely expression of welcoming the Christ Child

Carols, Waiting Worship, Children’s Choir, Flute Solo,

The Christmas Story

~Candlelight~

Family and Friends are All Welcome to Come!

Help Close the Giving Gap – Thank you so much!

December is the biggest shopping month of the year. For many retailers this month represents their entire "bottom line" for the whole year. You probably already knew "Black Friday" means the day retailers go out of the "Red Ink" and into the "Black". Perhaps a little more heart-warming at Christmas time... It's also the biggest giving month of the year. For most not-for-profit organizations it's the month they close the gap between expenses and donations.

First Friends is no exception. Each year we come into December counting on the "Faith Factor" to close the gap in our budget. This year we need to bring in $56,000 in the month of December to close our budget gap. It's a large number, but it also nearly the same number we came through with last year. This is the money we use to pay our staff, heat our building, remove the snow from our parking lots, and all the regular needs of our meeting. Your giving is what keeps First Friends running.

I hope that First Friends has been a big part of your Christmas celebration and helped to keep you connected to the best of Christmas - family, friends, and Christ's love in your life. I hope our Meeting has helped close any gaps for you this season and you can remember our Meeting with some extra generosity this month.

Your friend,

Eric Tinsley

Finance Committee Clerk

We have been receiving many generous and gracious gifts from Friends far and wide. Thank you for your concern and care regarding the ministries of First Friends Meeting!

Worship with us this Sunday, December 27th

Amy Perry will lead worship this coming Sunday as we hold our traditional hymn and carol sing. Eric Baker will play piano. Beth Henricks will lead the children in a Children’s Message and their time of worship. An extended time of waiting worship is planned. You are all welcome

Thanks to everyone for helping with the United Christmas Service project. Several of us delivered the gifts after Meeting this past Sunday and were greeted by the families with much warmth and thanks. I’m certain that they will appreciate the gifts. Carol and I also dropped off several gifts to Paula Gallagher last Wednesday, along with food from the Mid North Food Pantry. Kathy Farris has collected and handed out many toys to folks who come to Mid North Food Pantry. I’m so happy and proud that folks from Witness & Service and First Friends have made Christmas a very special occasion for so many folks in the Indianapolis area. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. Jim Donahue, Clerk of Witness and Service

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading ~ Ann Panah is preparing dinner on Tuesday, December 29th at 7 pm in her home for our year end discussion of I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. Please RSVP to Ann at a_panah@yahoo.com or if you need directions. If you are interested in being on the Oak Leaf email list please contact the office or Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com.

Mark your calendar for upcoming 2016 titles:

January 26 - All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

February 23 - Soldier Girls by Helen Thorpe

March 29 - Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

April 26 - Song of Myselfby Walt Whitman

May 31 - Still Alice by Lisa Genova

June 28 - Beloved by Toni Morrison

July 26 - Lila by Marilynne Robinson

August 30 - Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

September 27 - The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

October 25 - All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

November 29 - The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West

December 27 - The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

Notes from Ministry and Counsel, Ed Morris~ Clerk

Marriage Equality: On November 15th Monthly Meeting approved an amended version of the proposal put forth by Ministry and Counsel on marriage equality. It states that “Monthly Meeting approves process equality for all Marriages under the care of the meeting, which means that the standards for being married under the care of the meeting should apply equally to all marriage candidates.

The Vitality of the Meeting: The recent discernment of marriage equality and the resulting minute on the subject was achieved with almost total input and participation from the entire meeting. There were over sixty people present at the November monthly meeting. Although that meeting and the preceding discussions were intense and often emotional, it is a testimony to our aliveness and vitality as a meeting that we engaged the subject fully, if not entirely fearlessly, with significant participation.

We are growing and ever more diverse as time goes on. We continue to engage each other and the community we live in, in a spirit filled and dynamic way. Ministry and Counsel urges members and attenders to continue to participate actively in the spiritual and practical matters of the meeting by attending monthly meetings and sharing whatever gifts you have with the meeting.

Over $325 was raised for Right Sharing of World Resources through your generous donations for soup and cookies in a jar. Thank you for supporting this ministry. The kids really enjoy “hosting” the table. John Noble and Sylvia Andrews raised $262 for the Belize school through pies and pottery. These two Quaker organizations appreciate your support.

Join us in Meeting for Worship January 3rd as Ruthie speaks about God’s faithfulness in the past and the blessings yet to come in the future.

January 10th, we will welcome David Dawson, President of Earlham College as our Guest Speaker. We will have just hosted the Earlham College Choir that weekend, and look forward to hearing what Dr. Dawson has to share with us.

January 17th brings Dr. David Carlson from Franklin College, speaking to us on Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Dr. Carlson will speak to us about the threat of ISIS, not only to the United States and the world as a whole, but also to the collective perception of the religion of Islam, especially in the west.

Befriending Creation: http://www.quakerearthcare.org/befriending-creation

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, COP21 (conference of the parties) in Paris is over and resulted in an agreement worth celebrating. We realize that the agreement is only a starting point, but it’s an encouraging move toward unity in action, with the hope that the world is finally taking seriously the great risk to our planet. We will continue acting, praying, leading, and educating for spirit-led actions that lead to right relationship with all life. Thanks. Sylvia Andrews Noble.

There will be no Friend to Friend next week December 30th.

Bookcases Needed! 24 Linear Feet of bookcases are needed for our growing number of library books. If anyone knows of an office that’s closing, or a space that’s being changed and a donation of 6’ tall matching bookcases that could fill a space up to 24 feet, please let our Office know. Thank you.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Natural Tunes: Think about a mountain and then sing as many songs as you can remember that have the word ‘mountain’ in them. (Hint: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain”) When you’ve exhausted mountains, try songs about the sun. And there are always rivers, blue skies, the moon… Have fun! From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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December 9th 2015

December 10, 2015

Friend to Friend
Wednesday, December 9th, 2015
Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting

As Way Opens
Just before a meeting this morning at Christian Theological Seminary, I paused for a moment of quiet reflection and prayer in the Chapel. No one was there. The high ceilings allowed in the gray light of morning. Water bubbled and fell from the baptismal fountain. The lectern and altar were spread with Christmas trim. And it was quiet. Very quiet. I was glad for a place to rest in silence.
So much of our world is filled with fear. We call out against the darkness of those things we cannot control and do not understand. We try naming things, people, institutions, in order to make them comprehensible. We try to differentiate ourselves from others in order to find comfort in who we are.
Out of this dark, confused, frightening chaos comes a voice, ringing out, again and again: “Do not fear!” “Do not fear!” The angels sang it long ago: “Do not fear… for unto you is born this day a savior…” God is born, the One who saves us from… our fears! Today, and every day! Just as God told the shepherds, God has come! God is with us! In humankind, through humankind, for humankind. God who knows our fear and anguish is also the one whose presence we know and can trust in. How do we respond to fear? Do we allow it to grow larger, or do we expose it in the light of God’s power and light? Do we run from fear, naming it over and over again? Or do we acknowledge our fear, trusting God to help us find a way through it? Do we hold ourselves and others accountable, changing fear into faith? God gave us the answer to fear when he gave us His Son. Christ did not live in fear. We need not either. Emmanuel – God is with us. Hallelujah!

Considering the Query:
‘Do not assume that vocal ministry is never to be your part. Faithfulness and sincerity in speaking, even very briefly, may open the way to fuller ministry from others. When prompted to speak, wait patiently to know that the leading and the time are right, but do not let a sense of your own unworthiness hold you back. Pray that your ministry may arise from deep experience, and trust that words will be given to you. Try to speak audibly and distinctly, and with sensitivity to the needs of others. Beware of speaking predictably or too often, and of making additions towards the end of a meeting when it was well left before.’
From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice
Joys & Concerns

Many, Many Thanks to Shawn Porter, Lynda Sherer, Pat Price, the Choir, the Handbell Ringers, our Children's Choir, the flautists, drummer, soloists, guitar, harpist, violists, the readers and presenters for a very moving and lovely evening spent together Sunday night at Vespers. Dan Mitchell, Leslie Kartholl and the Choir Crew prepared the Meeting Room beautifully for the season. First Friends is blessed to have talented people with gifts to share, and the willingness to share them. Thank you all for ministering to our Meeting and to the extended community.

The Vespers Buffet brought over 150 people to Fellowship Hall for a delightful spread of wonderful food and drink. Thank you so much to our Fellowship Committee for the elegant centerpieces, the beautiful decor, the delicious food, and the chance to spend time together with friends and family. Laughter, conversation, and reminiscences, all gave a wonderful sense of celebration, and a great way to end our Vespers Evening.

Dr. Lowell Renshaw turns 95 on December 10th. Lowell has been a beloved member of First Friends for at least 50 years and we still occasionally see him when he drives to our Meeting from Columbus. Let’s send him a whole lot of birthday cards to let him know how much he means to us.

Jeff Rasley wrote an article that will be published in the December issue of Friends Journal titled, ‘Yes It Does Take a Village’ discussing poverty, wealth and crime. It is a great article and we are glad that Jeff calls First Friends his faith community. Watch for your upcoming issue!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Help Close the Giving Gap
   December is the biggest shopping month of the year. For many retailers this month represents their entire "bottom line" for the whole year. You probably already knew "Black Friday" means the day retailers go out of the "Red Ink" and into the "Black". Perhaps a little more heart-warming at Christmas time... It's also the biggest giving month of the year. For most not-for-profit organizations it's the month they close the gap between expenses and donations.
   First Friends is no exception. Each year we come into December counting on the "Faith Factor" to close the gap in our budget. This year we need to bring in $56,000 in the month of December to close our budget gap. It's a large number, but it also nearly the same number we came through with last year. This is the money we use to pay our staff, heat our building, remove the snow from our parking lots, and all the regular needs of our meeting. Your giving is what keeps First Friends running.
   I hope that First Friends has been a big part of your Christmas celebration and helped to keep you connected to the best of Christmas - family, friends, and Christ's love in your life. I hope our Meeting has helped close any gaps for you this season and you can remember our Meeting with some extra generosity this month.
Your friend,
Eric Tinsley
Finance Committee Clerk

Would you like to help out in the office on Thursday afternoons?
We have been overwhelmed with gracious offers of help in the office like licking envelopes, or opening mail, and we have figured out some great ways to get some helpers involved. We are in need of some bulletin stuffers, and copy makers on Thursday afternoons when we print the Sunday Bulletin. If you are interested email the office (office@indyfriends.org) and we can get you on a volunteer list. We would need our helpers at around 4:00 p.m. Thank you again for all your support during this transitionary time!

Our babysitting sitting co-op will take place on Saturday December 12th from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Kathy Rhyne and Cindy Kitchel will host this gathering and plan some fun crafts and games. Dinner will be provided for the kids. We welcome anyone to bring their kids for a night of free babysitting. The co-op takes place once a quarter and parents rotate hosting. It is a great way to get to know other families and their kids and enjoy an evening out. Please contact Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) if you would like your children to attend.

Christmas Caroling on December 13th - Please join us for Christmas caroling on December 13th. All ages and abilities are welcome. We will meet at 3:20 at the Stratford in Carmel in the Retreat Lobby. We will also sing at American Village and the Forum. After caroling, we will have dinner at Steak and Shake.
If you have any questions, please contact the office or Carol Donahue.

United Christmas Service Project- First Friends is partnering with the United Christmas Service to sponsor a family this Christmas. The Rice family has been assigned to First Friends and has 10 members, 4 children and 6 adults. Names of the family members and suggested gifts are noted on tags on the “Christmas Palm Tree” in the foyer of First Friends meetinghouse. Please take a tag or two, purchase and wrap the gift(s), write the name of the family member on the gift(s), and bring the gift(s) to First Friends by Dec 13. We plan to deliver the gifts to the family on Dec. 20 after Meeting for Worship. All are invited to participate in delivering the gifts. Thanks to all for helping to brighten the Christmas for the Rice family.

The USFW Christmas Tea is coming, December 13th after worship. Please join us in the parlor for delicious cookies! At this time of the year, we are focusing on the USFW Joy Fund. The JOY FUND commemorates Eliza Armstrong Cox's joyous service to the Women's Missionary Union (now United Society of Friends Women International), and was established in 1935. Honoring Eliza's special interest in Native Americans, the recipients of this year’s Joy Fund are workers with the three Friends Native American Centers: MOWA Choctaw (Alabama); Mesquakie (Iowa); and Kickapoo (Oklahoma). There will be a free will offering at the Tea for this fund. Please let the office or Jody Long (jody.long@sbcglobal.net) know if you can help us with a couple of dozen cookies.

Sunday, December 20th – Our Annual Children’s Christmas Pageant
Presented in Meeting for Worship @ 10:15
A unique, incredible look at the Christmas Story, we know and love so well.
Invite your friends, family, grandparents, and neighbors.
It promises to be a blessed time of worship together.

Young Friends Youth Fellowship will be volunteering at Mid-North Food Pantry, next Sunday, December 20th. We will meet in Fellowship Hall after Worship, and leave to make our way over to the pantry by 11:30. Please email the office or Hayley Adams (hayley.adams@indyfriends.org) with any questions.

Shopping with a Purpose - December 20th - Our children will be making ‘cookies in a jar’ and ‘soup in a jar’ for your donations to Right Sharing of World Resources (www.righsharing.org) on December 20th after Meeting for Worship in Fellowship Hall. Coffee, chocolate, tea and olive oil will be for sale with some of the proceeds benefitting RSWR. Fragrance free products will be for sale benefitting RSWR. Sylvia Noble will have pies for your donations to support the ministries in Belize. John Noble will have some of his pottery for sale. Mark your calendars for this day of giving to support important Quaker ministries and getting some great gifts to give during the holiday season.

Everyone is welcome to join us on Thursday Evening at 5:30
December 24th for our Christmas Eve Service

A simple, lovely expression of welcoming the Christ Child
Carols, Waiting Worship, Children’s Choir, Flute Solo,
The Christmas Story
~Candlelight~
Family and Friends are All Welcome to Come!

Thanks to all the GENEROUS friends who contributed gently used toys for children of the food pantry. We have given toys for three pantry days and have seen many smiling faces! Your generosity has contributed greatly to the giving spirit of Christmas.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading ~ Ann Panah is preparing dinner on Tuesday, December 29th at 7 pm in her home for our year end discussion of I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. Please RSVP to Ann at a_panah@yahoo.com or if you need directions. If you are interested in being on the Oak Leaf email list please contact the office or Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com.
Mark your calendar for upcoming 2016 titles:
January 26 - All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
February 23 - Soldier Girls by Helen Thorpe
March 29 - Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
April 26 - Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
May 31 - Still Alice by Lisa Genova
June 28 - Beloved by Toni Morrison
July 26 - Lila by Marilynne Robinson
August 30 - Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
September 27 - The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
October 25 - All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner
November 29 - The Friendly Persuasion by Jessamyn West
December 27 - The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

As you change to the 2016 calendar, reserve the date of Wednesday, Jan. 13 for the next Seasoned Friends Luncheon. Thank You!

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ The Nature of Words:” Take turns thinking of words or phrases that refer to things in nature. Here are some examples: to ‘branch out’, to hide ‘under a rock’, to ‘turn over a new leaf’. Think of single words that are used, like a company has many branches, and people ask to hear the dirt. What words and phrases can you think of?

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