June 8th, 2016

June 8, 2016

As Way Opens

Friends – I am happy to share a blogpost from Leslie Kartholl this week. As we met for worship in our Meditational Woods last Sunday, and considered the grace and goodness of being planted and nurtured by God as if by streams of living water, Leslie was reminded of this entry she’d written some time ago. Be blessed, as I have been.

Ruthie

TAKE ROOT

I had a "happy accident" a couple of weeks ago; while I was walking in the park behind my house I somehow ended up sliding down a muddy embankment. By the way, you don't outgrow clumsy. I made a feeble attempt to stop myself, but I was at the bottom on my bum before I knew it. In front of me was a creek, behind me was...a magic tree. At least it looked magic, or enchanted, or something. It was awesome, frankly; weird and otherworldly. I stood there gazing at it, fully expecting an elf or two to come strolling out of the hollow trunk.... continue reading at ManyWinters.com

Leslie Kartholl, manywinters.com

Considering the Quote: “How, then, shall we lay hold of that Life and Power, and live the life of prayer without ceasing? By quiet, persistent practice in turning of all our being, day and night, in prayer and inward worship and surrender, toward Him who calls in the deeps of our souls. Mental habits of inward orientation must be established. An inner, secret turning to God can be made fairly steady, after weeks and months and years of practice and lapses and failures and returns. It is as simple an art as Brother Lawrence found it, but it may be long before we achieve any steadiness in the process. Begin now, as you read these words, as you sit in your chair, to offer your whole selves, utterly and in joyful abandon, in quiet, glad surrender to Him who is within. In secret ejaculations of praise, turn in humble wonder to the Light, faint though it may be.” Thomas R. Kelly

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

The Quaker Religious Education Collaboration (QREC) invites you to Instilling Quaker Identity through Religious Education, a weekend gathering that includes a series of workshops, plenaries, interest circles, displays, fellowship, worship, and celebration. It is being held June 10-12 at the Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond. You can register online at http://www.quakers4re.org/2016registration. Questions? Contact registrar2016@quakers4re.org.

Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) will be showing a film this Friday, June 10th from 7:00-8:30 PM. The showing will be in the parlor. Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA tells the stories of how guns, and the billions made off of them, affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families. Anyone is invited to attend this screening!

Indy Pride Parade - Everyone's invited to march in the Indy Pride Parade this Saturday, June 11th. We will meet outside the Phoenix Theatre at 9am and the Parade begins at 10am. Please bring water and wear your First Friends T-shirts! if you've always wanted to march in a parade through downtown Indianapolis, and wanted to show support for the LGBT community, join us this Saturday and email Janis at jcrawfor@butler.edu. See you Saturday!

Babysitting Co-Op happens this Saturday, June 11th!
June 11th will be our babysitting co-op evening from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. This is a free night of babysitting that is hosted by parents.
Michael and Katie Hostetler will be hosting. Dinner is provided for the kids! Please let Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you would like to attend.

IFCL Open Position - The Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) is accepting resumes for the position of lobbyist for the 2017 calendar year. This is a compensated position. Please contact the office if you are interested and we will put you in touch with the IFCL clerk, Bill Chapman. For more information about the work of IFCL visit www.quakerifcl.org

Friends Education Fund Scholars will be honored this Sunday, June 12th: A Quaker college scholarship program for African American students was created in the mid-1940’s by seeral members of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting who were the surviving governing board of the only orphanage for African American children in the state of Indiana. Since that time, a great number of scholarships have been awarded, and many students have gone on to academic life. Come and hear the story of how it all began, and celebrate with these fine young people – both in worship and Fellowship Hour.

School on Wheels looking for Volunteers! The School on Wheels is the charity for the RUN(317) Race on Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 16 at 7PM. They are in need of volunteers for a variety of jobs/stations during the run. Anyone interested in participating in the run can also register at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7489/run317-broad-ripple.

Sunday June 19th: Tom Hamm will be speaking in Meeting for Worship
Join us on Father’s Day, June 19th at 10:15 to hear Tom Hamm, who is among the world’s leading experts on Quakers in America. He teaches a variety of courses in American and British history. He has authored many books including: The Quakers in America (Columbia University Press, 2003)
Earlham College: A History, 1847-1997 (Indiana University Press, 1997)
The Transformation of American Quakerism: Orthodox Friends, 1800-1907 (Indiana University Press, 1988)
Quaker Writings: An Anthology, 1650-1920 (Penguin Classics, 2011)
"Hicksite, Orthodox, and Evangelical Quakerism, 1805-1887," in Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies (Oxford University Press, 2013).

The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is June 19, 2016. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.

Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions are coming up July 14-17 in Plainfield! We will be gathering for a time of fellowship and communion together...So that Faith, Truth, and Love Might Flourish! Come ready to hear about all the various ministry outlets WYM is involved with and how we are bringing the Light of God to the world! Registrations received by July 1, 2016 will be pre-registered for a fee of $10 per adult which includes a name tag and business packet. Those registering after July 1st will need to pay a Walk-In Rate of $15 per adult. You can register online here: http://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/wymsessions or contact the office if you are in need of a paper copy.

Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd - Westfield Parks and Recreation and Main Street Productions have partnered on this original musical production that follows one family on their journey from slavery to freedom in the pre-Civil War era. The premiere of "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd," on the lawn of historical Asa Bales Park, will take attendees along the Underground Railroad with only the "drinkin' gourd" (Big Dipper) to guide them. The special performance highlights the struggles, fears, and hopes that slaves experienced in their attempts to achieve freedom. Performances are June 17-19, with each performance will be approximately 2 hours in duration, including a short intermission. Adult tickets are $12. For event and ticket information, please visit http://www.enjoywestfieldevents.com/gourd or call 317-804-3184

Restorative Practice Event – You and your colleagues are invited to spend a day immersed in discussion and learning about restorative practices Wednesday, June 22nd. Peace Learning Center, Indianapolis Public Schools, and the Desmond Tutu center are putting together a day of learning, community building, and connections to help encourage participants to use their classrooms, community centers, homes, and more to help grow restorative justice movement right here in Indianapolis. This is a free event open to parents and staff in any school district interested (as well as our friends not affiliated with any school district!) Please contact the office for additional questions!

German Children's Relief Art Exhibition Marian University - Looking for information on the post WWI and II German Children's Relief Program (Quäkerspeisung) by the American Friend Service Committee. We have found a book called ‘Quiet Helpers - Quaker Service in Postwar Germany’. We are looking for more history or personal stories about the artwork or the program itself. The art work and poems sent back as Thank You’s to Friends will be featured in an Art Exhibit at Marian University. Exhibit Runs: August 29-October 7, 2016 ; Reception: September 1, 4-6 pm, 2016. Thank you in advance for anything you think would be helpful for the exhibit. Please contact Nichole: nmathews@hse.k12.in.us.

Jeff Rasley has a new book: Hero's Journey - John Ritter, the Chip Hilton of Goshen, Indiana; a Memoir. It's part memoir about childhood heroes and part biography of John Ritter. John was a star for the Indiana University Hoosiers and captain of Bob Knight's first Final Four team. His life later took a very unexpected turn. Jeff set out to discover what happened to John and why. The book is also a meditation on what makes a hero, why individuals and nations need heroes, and how they are used and abused. The eBook and paperback can be purchased through Amazon.

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June 1st, 2016

June 7, 2016

As Way Opens

This past Thursday - Saturday I went on a spiritual retreat with a dear friend of mine to the Sisters of St Benedict in Ferdinand, IN. The campus is beautiful (check this out at www.thedome.org) with an amazing sanctuary for worship, a dormitory for visitors to come and sleep and eat together and many other buildings within the site. I met with a sister for spiritual direction and her background was pretty impressive. She has been a school principal within the public school system for 25 years and then traveled to Rome to manage the library in downtown Rome for the priests. She came back home to run their health care center and now provides spiritual direction for friends that travel to the facility. She was kind, insightful, prayerful and encouraging to me and I felt deep respect for her commitment to God and to service. I felt this way about all of the sisters I met during my time there. Most of them joined the monastery in their 20’s and have given their life for their beliefs. They continue to meet 3 times a day for prayer and there was a sense of reverence within the buildings. But almost of all of the sisters look to be over 75 years old and their numbers have dwindled from over 500 to about 120 and only about 70 sisters are living in this large monastery.

The monastery was founded in 1867 and the sisters arrived from Germany to fill a need for teachers who could speak German in Southern Indiana. They grew their numbers significantly over the years, raised the money and oversaw the building of this monastery, and they planted new Sisters of Benedictine monasteries in a number of cities in the United States (including Beech Grove). They have had a significant impact on the world through their combination of devotion to God and desire to serve others. But as I sat in the dome sanctuary for mass Saturday morning, I felt a deep sense of sadness to see all of these older women with no apparent plan for the future. I sat there thinking that if I came back to visit in 25 years, there would not be a monastery there but a group of empty buildings. I know it was a holiday weekend but there were only 2 of us visiting the monastery and there were about 60 rooms available. It seems like the sisters are frozen in time and have not been able to adapt and change with the world. I know that the goal of the monastic community is to remain planted in a life that is counter to the world, but even these organizations must change and adapt or they will disappear.

I thought about our own Quaker religion during my time there. Are we headed for this same fate? Are we holding on too tightly to the old ways, our history, our institutions without changing and adapting? Certainly our numbers have dwindled over the years - does that not mean our influence on the world has also dwindled? We must look at ourselves in an honest and objective way and be willing to change even when that feels uncomfortable.

We must attract younger people to our faith community. We must honor and respect and learn from all the different branches of Quakerism and come together to support the work of organizations like Right Sharing of World Resources, Quaker Voluntary Service, Friends United Meeting and other Quaker organizations that have impact on our world. We must look at our worship, our organizational structures, our spiritual vitality and our ways of communicating our message of Quakerism. I don’t want to see into the future 25 years and see empty buildings and empty structures. I believe our message of hope, inclusion and a life transformed by God is what many are looking for but we will have to change for this message to be relevant.

Beth

Considering the Quote: Wherefore give all diligence to the Spirit’s motion and leadings, what it moves against, and what it leads to; for now will God make all things new: A new creation, new heavens, and new earth, and new heart and mind, and a new law, a new man to walk therein with his Maker with cheerfulness, and the old bonds are broken by the Spirit’s leading, and to serve in newness of spirit. James Nayler, 1616-1660

Joys & Concerns

Have you seen the latest issue of Quaker Life? First Friends is featured in Dan Lee’s article, “Opening Young Lives to Faith” on pps. 14-16. It’s a wonderful piece, sharing about our Quaker Youth Affirmation Study Course; the reason it was begun, the work put into writing and funding it, the support of our Meeting, and the active participation of the teachers and students. Don’t miss it!

Donations for ‘Dress for Success’ this Saturday! Clothing has been collecting here at the Meetinghouse, and Dan Mitchell will be dropping them off this coming Saturday, June 4th at Dress for Success. Many women need good clothing as they step out to interview for jobs, etc. If you have professional women’s clothing you’d like to donate – slacks, skirts, dresses, blouses, jackets – please bring them to the Meetinghouse this week. Leave them on the stage, and Dan will be sure to find them.

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

Do you want to Ish? - Ish Group: A small group gathering for adult fellowship started by former members of the young adult group who weren’t sure if they were still youngish or adultish. Ish social events are often centered on food, spirits, and connection with Spirit through one another. Most that attend are 30ish to 50ish, but all adult attenders, members or their guests are welcome. Meetings are held monthlyish at a member/attender’s home. Visit the first Friends Ish Facebook Group for details and ongoing Ish conversation. www.facebook.com/groups/firstfriendsyoungadults/

Join us for the Church Picnic & Worship in the Woods this Sunday, June 5th. Worship will be at the normal time, 10:15am, in the Meditational Woods. Immediately following will be the church picnic. Fried chicken, hot dogs & veggie dogs, rolls, ice cream, and drinks are all provided! We ask that you bring something based on your last name:
A-M: desserts
N-Z: sides & salads
We will have kickball afterward, weather permitting. We hope to see you there!

Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) will be showing a film in the parlor on Friday, June 10th from 7:00-8:30 PM. Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA tells the stories of how guns, and the billions made off of them, affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families. Anyone is invited to attend this screening!

Babysitting Co-Op happens Saturday, June 11th!
June 11th will be our babysitting co-op evening from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. This is a free night of babysitting that is hosted by parents.
Michael and Katie Hostetler will be hosting. Dinner is provided for the kids! Please let Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you would like to attend.

Friends Education Fund Scholars will be honored Sunday, June 12th: A Quaker college scholarship program for African American students was created in the mid-1940’s by several members of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting who were the surviving governing board of the only orphanage for African American children in the state of Indiana. Since that time, a great number of scholarships have been awarded, and many students have gone on to academic life. Come and hear the story of how it all began, and celebrate with these fine young people – both in worship and Fellowship Hour.

School on Wheels looking for Volunteers! The School on Wheels is the charity for the RUN(317) Race on Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 16 at 7PM. They are in need of volunteers for a variety of jobs/stations during the run. Please see the attached flyer for info on what jobs are available and where to register to volunteer. Anyone interested in participating in the run can also register at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7489/run317-broad-ripple.

The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is June 19, 2016. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.

German Children's Relief Art Exhibition Marian University - Looking for information on the post WWI and II German Children's Relief Program (Quäkerspeisung) by the American Friend Service Committee. We have found a book called Quiet Helpers - Quaker Service in Postwar Germany. We are looking for more history or personal stories about the artwork or the program itself. The art work and poems sent back as Thank Yous to Friends will be featured in an Art Exhibit at Marian University. Exhibit Runs: August 29-October 7, 2016 ; Reception: September 1, 4-6 pm, 2016. Thank you in advance for anything you think would be helpful for the exhibit. Please contact Nichole: nmathews@hse.k12.in.us.

Jeff Rasley has a new book: Hero's Journey - John Ritter, the Chip Hilton of Goshen, Indiana; a Memoir. It's part memoir about childhood heroes and part biography of John Ritter. John was a star for the Indiana University Hoosiers and captain of Bob Knight's first Final Four team. His life later took a very unexpected turn. Jeff set out to discover what happened to John and why. The book is also a meditation on what makes a hero, why individuals and nations need heroes, and how they are used and abused. The eBook and paperback can be purchased through Amazon.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Found Sounds ~ With your eyes closed for a few minutes, sit or stand as quietly as you can and listen to the many sounds around you. Can you hear the wind? The birds? What about bugs? How many sounds do you hear? See if you can imitate the different sounds you hear. With a partner, take turns guessing what the sounds the other person is making might be.
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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May 25th, 2016

June 1, 2016

As Way Opens

Matt and Seth used to have a bunch of Transformers when they were kids – plastic figures that could be twisted and reconfigured into different characters. No additional parts necessary. A car would become ‘Optimus Prime’, the leader of the Autobots and an aircraft would change into ‘Megatron’, the leader of the Decepticons. The tagline for the Transformers was ‘more than meets the eye.’ The boys played with them for hours.

The only thing necessary for Optimus Prime to appear was a child. The boys could twist and change those figures into a character with personality and purpose. We too, with no additional parts necessary, can be transformed. God, through the work of the Spirit, can move through us, reconfiguring our lives. God does not act on us – God acts in us. God moves through the Holy Spirit, through each movement, each thought, each action, each breath we take. God, our Creator, has designed us in God’s image – we are well known, intimately known to God. God understands our capacity and knows our potential. Our lives are full of promise.

Many of us have gotten stuck. We’ve been in the bottom of the toy box for too long. We’ve become used to the shape we’re in, and satisfied with the position we hold. But what is it that God’s Spirit would have us become? What potential does God have in mind for us to achieve? What role does God ask us to play? There is more to us than meets the eye – and God knows what that is. Will you allow yourself to become vulnerable, to become malleable, to be transformed through the love of God, and become the person God had in mind when he originally designed you?

“And now Lord, with your help, I shall become myself.” Kierkegaard

Considering the Quote: “Here is the unfailing attraction of the life in Christ. It is a life which even to old age, is always on the upgrade; there is always something calling for a joyful looking forward; it is a life where, across each revelation of God’s grace as it comes to us is written, in letters of gold, ‘Thou shalt see greater things than these.’ It gives full scope to our latent chivalry, to our desire for high adventure. No conceivable life can be so interesting, so stimulating, as that which we live in Christ.”

Friend William Littleboy (1853-1936)

Joys & Concerns

What a wonderful time we shared this past Sunday night at the Service Appreciation Dinner! It was a blessing to spend time with good friends, to share stories of time well spent together, and lives given in purpose for God’s work among Friends. Many thanks to our Witness and Service Committee and the Fellowship Committee for planning, preparing and hosting such a lovely, loving event.

Great thanks to our Food Pantry Volunteers. 144 lbs. of food were delivered from First Friends!

Word has come that Phyllis Hurley has passed away. She died on Friday, May 13th in Terre Haute. She and her husband Bill had three children – Bruce, Craig, and Jill, and five grandchildren. They were a busy and active part of First Friends Meeting for many years. A private memorial service will be held for immediate family. Let us keep Phyllis’ family in our hearts and prayers. For her obituary go to
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=Phyllis-J-Hurley&pid=180029145. If you’d like to send her family a card, please call the office for the address of her surviving daughter, Jill.

Our own Dan Lee has an article in the latest Friends Journal Magazine (May 2016) on Being Rufus Jones. There is a picture of Dan as Rufus and also Deb Hejl as Lucretia Mott taken at last year’s Western Yearly Meeting annual session. Dan highlights the influence that Rufus has had on his life drawing him into Quakerism and expanding his faith journey. Dan, thanks for representing First Friends so well through the spoken word!

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

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

Everence’s 2016 Rebate for Mission award!
You can help Friends United Meeting receive one of two $16,200 grants by clicking on this link and casting your vote for FUM today. Voting ends on June 17. The two organizations with the greatest number of votes receives an award. Please help us be one of them! You can only vote once—but you can pass this along to your Friends! VOTE BY CLICKING HERE

Quaker Haven Camp is hosting a work day and a prayer walk this Saturday, May 28. They invite churches, youth groups, or individuals to come up to camp, spend a day preparing camp for the Summer Season. They provide lunch to all volunteers. The prayer walk is also open to anyone and will begin at 3pm that day. Please visit http://www.qhcyouthprogramming.com for more details.

Make Plans for Memorial Day Weekend! Join us this Sunday, May 29th for Worship in the Big Oval! Memorial Day Sunday’s are really special at First Friends Meeting – we gather in Fellowship Hall, and enjoy our own ‘Indy 500’ experience in the Spirit! Bring your family and friends, and join us at 10:15.

Do you want to Ish? - Ish Group: A small group gathering for adult fellowship started by former members of the young adult group who weren’t sure if they were still youngish or adultish. Ish social events are often centered on food, spirits, and connection with Spirit through one another. Most that attend are 30ish to 50ish, but all adult attenders, members or their guests are welcome. Meetings are held monthlyish at a member/attender’s home. See Bill Heitman (billheitman@hotmail.com) to be kept up with upcoming events or visit the first Friends Ish Facebook Group for details and ongoing Ish conversation. www.facebook.com/groups/firstfriendsyoungadults/
Next Ish gathering: A sushi making party hosted by Nichole Mathews on Friday June 3rd.

Join us for the Church Picnic & Worship in the Woods on June 5th. Worship will be at the normal time, 10:15am, in the Meditational Woods. Immediately following will be the church picnic. Fried chicken, hot dogs & veggie dogs, rolls, ice cream, and drinks are all provided! We ask that you bring something based on your last name:
A-M: desserts
N-Z: sides & salads
We will have kickball afterward, weather permitting.
We hope to see you there!

The Quaker Religious Education Collaboration (QREC) invites you to Instilling Quaker Identity through Religious Education, a weekend gathering that includes a series of workshops, plenaries, interest circles, displays, fellowship, worship, and celebration. It is being held June 10-12 at the Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond. You can register online at http://www.quakers4re.org/2016registration. Questions? Contact registrar2016@quakers4re.org.

Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) will be showing a film in the parlor on Friday, June 10th from 7:00-8:30 PM. Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA tells the stories of how guns, and the billions made off of them, affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families. Anyone is invited to attend this screening!

First Friends is exploring the possibility of keeping a beehive on our property. Bees are actually very important to the environment and to the health of plants and even humans! Honey bees are dying at alarming rates around the world. Did you know that honey bees pollinate a third of the human diet including nuts, fruits and vegetables?
David, local beekeeper, is willing to donate a hive and honey bees, as well as provide training for anyone interested in learning to care for the bees. See the bulletin board in the meeting for more Friendly Facts about Bees, and please take a notecard on the table in the hallway for more information on how you can help support bees! For more information, please contact Nancy Scott, 317-523-5756.

Jeff Rasley has a new book: Hero's Journey - John Ritter, the Chip Hilton of Goshen, Indiana; a Memoir. It's part memoir about childhood heroes and part biography of John Ritter. John was a star for the Indiana University Hoosiers and captain of Bob Knight's first Final Four team. His life later took a very unexpected turn. Jeff set out to discover what happened to John and why. The book is also a meditation on what makes a hero, why individuals and nations need heroes, and how they are used and abused. The eBook and paperback can be purchased through Amazon.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Leaf to Leaf ~ How many different kinds, colors, and shapes of leaves can you find? Collect samples of leaves that have fallen or draw their shape on a piece of paper. See if you can find out what kind of tree each leaf is from by talking to your parents and neighbors, looking in a book, or asking someone who works in a park.
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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May 18th, 2016

June 1, 2016

As Way Opens

I recently completed a New Testament class as part of my Masters in Divinity program at Earlham School of Religion (this is an on line class). It opened my eyes to a lot of misconceptions that I have held for years about the New Testament including the following:

The books were written in the order they appear in the New Testament - scholars agree that I and II Thessalonians were the first books of the New Testament written by Paul. The gospels were written many years after most of Paul’s letters.

The author of each book is identified - there is great uncertainty as to the authors of many of the books. And even if the author is identified it might be someone writing under that name, which was very common in ancient times.

The books were written to instruct generations to come - most of the books were written for a specific community and specific issues of the times.

The gospels were eye witness accounts of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection - it is unlikely that the authors were alive at the time of Jesus as the gospels were written many years after Christ's life. The stories about Jesus were given in an oral tradition so these writings are captured from these oral stories.

In the class we looked at different methods (source criticism, form-criticism, redaction criticism and literary criticism) to help us understand the writings. In particular, as we studied the four gospels I was able to embrace the idea that a narrative of the story of Jesus is true even if the events did or did not happen. Jesus taught us to think this way as he shared so many truths in parables. We do not ask Jesus if a man actually traveled from Jericho to Jerusalem, for the story of the good Samaritan is unaffected by historical considerations. While the gospels contain historical information, they are not historical documents and we shouldn’t demand this to see the truth in the writings.

I hope all of you will regularly read the New Testament because God is speaking to us through these writings and stories. I read the New Testament these last few months as I was walking through some of the darkest moments of my life. Paul really spoke to me about the Christian walk through difficult circumstances in his writings during this time. The gospel of Mark that focused on suffering spoke to me. I found God alive and active in my life in these writings and I continue to see God’s revelation in fresh and new ways within these pages.

Beth

Considering the Quote: ‘And the end of words is to bring men to the knowledge of things beyond what words can utter. So, learn of the Lord to make a right use of the Scriptures: which is by esteeming them in their right place, and prizing that above them which is above them.” Isaac Penington

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

Service Appreciation Dinner ~ A reminder to those who have signed up, that the dinner is this Sunday, May-22, 5:30-8:30. Please note that we are still in need of volunteers to help serve and clean up for this event. Please contact us if you may have any youth interested in assisting. Volunteers will need to arrive at the Meeting by 4:30 that day.

Looking for flowers! We are looking for anyone who has garden flowers they could donate for use this Sunday for the graduation reception and for the Service appreciation dinner. If you have small potted flowers you could give before Sunday, please contact the office!

Everence’s 2016 Rebate for Mission award!
You can help Friends United Meeting receive one of two $16,200 grants by clicking on this link and casting your vote for FUM today. Voting ends on June 17. The two organizations with the greatest number of votes receives an award. Please help us be one of them! You can only vote once—but you can pass this along to your Friends! VOTE BY CLICKING HERE

All of the Boards of Western Yearly Meeting are meeting this Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 AM in Plainfield. For more information, visit www.westernyearlymeeting.org. Please hold them in prayer.

“Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery”, or so they say! Take a look at the new website for Western Yearly Meeting, and compare it to ours at First Friends Meeting! It’s awesome! Kudos to Andrew Heald for his great imitation of the original… Jeff Goens! We love it Andrew! http://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/ http://www.indyfriends.org/

Introducing Rebecca - our new Office Administrator! We are thrilled to have Rebecca joining our staff, and we invite you to stop by and meet her soon. Rebecca has moved to Indianapolis from her home in Dayton, OH. She has recently been working for Wright-Patt Credit Union there, and now joins her fiancé Mike Lopez, an aeronautical engineer, in Indy. Rebecca has spent the last two weeks training with us, and is now working Monday through Thursday from 10:00 to 3:00. We’re glad she’s here! Welcome Rebecca!

Make Plans for Memorial Day Weekend! Join us this Sunday, May 29th for Worship in the Big Oval! Memorial Day Sunday’s are really special at First Friends Meeting – we gather in Fellowship Hall, and enjoy our own ‘Indy 500’ experience in the Spirit! Bring your family and friends, and join us at 10:15.

Church Picnic! We are hosting a picnic on Sunday June 5th after Meeting for Worship. Fried chicken, hot dogs & veggie dogs, rolls, ice cream, and drinks are all provided! We ask that you bring something based on your last name: A-M: desserts ; N-Z: sides & salads. We will have kickball afterward, weather permitting. We hope to see you there!

The Quaker Religious Education Collaboration (QREC) invites you to Instilling Quaker Identity through Religious Education, a weekend gathering that includes a series of workshops, plenaries, interest circles, displays, fellowship, worship, and celebration. It is being held June 10-12 at the Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond. You can register online at http://www.quakers4re.org/2016registration. Questions? Contact registrar2016@quakers4re.org. Please see schedule attached to this email.

The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is June 19, 2016. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.

David, local beekeeper, is willing to donate a hive and honey bees, as well as provide training for anyone interested in learning to care for the bees. See the bulletin board in the meeting for more Friendly Facts about Bees, and please take a notecard on the table in the hallway for more information on how you can help support bees!

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ A Tree’s Life~ Trees can hold many stories about the place where they are growing because they are often the oldest living thing there. Find a tree you like and make up a life story for it. Explain why it only has leaves on some branches or why the trunk has so many animal holes in it. What kind of a life has the tree led? Has it been a happy life? What have some of the high points been?

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

Comment

May 11th, 2016

June 1, 2016

As Way Opens

‘The Imitation of Christ’ was written in the 1300’s by a monk named Thomas Haemmerlein from Kempen, about 40 miles north of Cologne, Germany – forever known to us as Thomas a Kempis. Actually, it was most likely edited by a Kempis, and is most plausibly the diary of Gerhard Groote, who founded the lay brotherhouse, The Brethren of the Common Life. The writings are now known as a devotional classic, and one of a ‘supreme call and guide to spiritual aspiration’. Friend Douglas Steere, when he first read it, was both drawn to it and repelled by it, and writes about its great importance to all of us. I have recently begun studying it devotionally, and am enjoying the challenge and the journey. The ‘Imitation’ is divided into four ‘books’ – Admonitions for the Spiritual Life, for the Inward Life, for Inward Consolation, and for the Sacraments. This particular writing was especially lovely: ‘By two wings is a man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reacheth towards God, purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate affection. If thou reachest after and seekest nothing but the will of God and the benefit of thy neighbor, thou wilt entirely enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart were right, then should every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile but that it showeth us the goodness of God.’ May God bless you as you practice God’s presence in your life.

Ruthie

Considering the Quote: ‘Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord God, whereby thou wilt receive his strength and power from whence life comes, to allay all tempests, against blusterings and storms. That is it which moulds up into patience, into innocency, into soberness, into stillness, into stayedness, into quietness, up to God, with his power.’ ~ George Fox, 1658

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

Service Appreciation Dinner ~ All are invited to share memories and stories about several of our treasured members who have admirably served First Friends over the years. Please reserve Sunday, May-22, 5:30-8:30, for this exciting free dinner and program. You need to sign up to attend. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the hallway or call the office for your reservations 317-255-2485. Deadline to reserve is Sunday, May 15. Please note that we are still in need of volunteers to help serve and clean up for this event. Please contact us if you may have any youth interested in assisting. Volunteers will need to arrive at the Meeting by 4:30 that day.

“Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery”, or so they say! Take a look at the new website for Western Yearly Meeting, and compare it to ours at First Friends Meeting! It’s awesome! Kudos to Andrew Heald for his great imitation of the original… Jeff Goens! We love it Andrew!
http://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/

All of the boards of Western Yearly Meeting are meeting Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 AM in Plainfield. For more information, visit www.westernyearlymeeting.org.

Books, Books, Books! Our Meeting Library is overflowing with books, and we have even more in boxes! We need help! If you would like to help us sort, catalog and put our library holdings to good use, we would LOVE it! Many of these books can’t be found anywhere else! Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Four Seasons~ Pick a place to look at and think about how each season affects it. What happens to it in the winter? What about in spring and fall? Do certain things start to grow? Do other things die? What other changes does that patch of land go through?

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

Comment

May 4th, 2016

June 1, 2016

As Way Opens

My heart is full of thanksgiving as I have been soaking in your love and support shown me as Jerry ended his awful journey with Alzheimer’s. We gathered together on Sunday to share stories about him and to laugh and cry and I have been overwhelmed with expressions of care and kindness. As our son Greg shared on Sunday, Jerry’s doctrine of faith can be summed up in three words - God is Love. This love has embraced me through all of you and I have felt God’s presence through your presence in my life.

As I reflect on the life of this man that I have loved, I am reminded that all I really have is today and I must decide, ‘what am I going to do with this gift?’ Jerry lived with this philosophy even as the Alzheimer’s was taking over his brain. He viewed every day with the potential for joy, discovery, learning and fun. I pray that Jerry’s legacy will be to remind us every day of this choice. What will I do with the gift of today?

Beth

Considering the Quote: ‘The Seed, or Grace of God, is small in its first Appearance, even as the Morning Light; but as it is given Heed to, and obeyed, it will increase in Brightness, till it shines in the Soul, like the Sun in the Firmament at its Noon-day Height. ~ Elizabeth Bathurst, 1655-1685

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

Community Salad Supper this Friday at 5:30! Everyone is Welcome!
Bring your friends and neighbors for a friendly and fun time of fellowship and nourishment with Friends. Bring a salad or dessert to share. The fun starts at 5:30 in Fellowship Hall.

Bring your Mom to Meeting on Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all our grandmothers, moms, and ‘special moms’ who’ve made the world a brighter place. What better place to honor and celebrate than with friends in Meeting!

Friends Education Fund is a Quaker college scholarship program for African American students. If you know of a student who might be interested in applying, please ask them to contact the Meeting Office Applications are being accepted through May 12th, 2016. The selected applicants will be celebrated on Sunday June 12th.

United Society of Friends Women
Quaker Men International
Triennial Meetings
July 7 – July 10
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Join together with Quakers from around the world for a time of worship, fellowship, study and joy.
Ruthie Tippin will lead the Daily Bible Studies for USFWI, and Ron Bryan will lead the Daily Bible Studies for QMI. A number of international speakers will bring messages for the evening gatherings. Men and women will join together for Mission Workshops and Sunday Morning Meeting for Worship.

Triennial Sessions begin with registration on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. Triennial ends after lunch on Sunday, July 10. Conference registration costs $375 per person prior to May 14th ($400 after) and includes ten meals. Hotel costs $105/night. Register at www.usfwi.org Daily registrations are also available. Registrations are due by May 14, 2016, with a minimum deposit of 50% of total conference costs. No refunds after June 3rd.

The Fairfield Outreach Committee is sponsoring Refugee Information. A representative of the Exodus Refugee Immigration agency will present information regarding their work with refugees and immigrants in central Indiana. Find out what individuals and organizations can do to help with this important work. Breakfast will be provided by the Outreach Committee at 8:30 AM and the presentation will start at 9:30 AM on Sunday, May 15. 10441 East County Road 700 South, Cambry, Indiana 46113. For more information, call (317) 856-3212 or visit www.FairfieldFriends.org.

Poetry Group will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 in the Parlor. Melora Cox will present a program on ‘Transformational Experiences in Poetry.’ This will be our last program until we resume meeting in September!

Service Appreciation Dinner ~ All are invited to share memories and stories about several of our treasured members who have admirably served First Friends over the years. Please reserve Sunday, May-22, 5:30-8:30, for this exciting free dinner and program. You need to sign up to attend. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the hallway or call the office for your reservations 317-255-2485.

Books, Books, Books! Our Meeting Library is overflowing with books, and we have even more in boxes! We need help! If you would like to help us sort, catalog and put our library holdings to good use, we would LOVE it! Many of these books can’t be found anywhere else! Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Natural Stencils~ You will need colored pencils and paper for this activity. Make a collection of small things that you can draw around. See how well each of your shapes translates as a stencil by drawing around it with colored pencils. Now with all the shapes outlined, see what kind of picture you can draw using these natural examples.

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

Comment

April 27th, 2016

April 27, 2016

As Way Opens

Dear Friends, Our Finance Committee asked if they could bring the Meeting Message this past Sunday, and I hope you’ll take time to read or listen to it. You’ll find it on our website at www.indyfriends.org It was a gifted message about a little boy, two fish, and five loaves of bread… a story you’ve probably heard before. But the message was nothing like anything you’ve heard. First Friends Meeting is blessed with an abundance of gifts, and gifted people. Many of us – most of us – consider First Friends our spiritual home. This is our Meeting, and we love it. It is God’s Meeting, a place where we have been drawn together by God’s Spirit, to gather in Meeting, to listen to God’s voice, and to move out into the world, carried by God’s Spirit into service. We hold tightly the testimony of integrity in the financial choices we make. How can we support the ministries and work of the Spirit that is First Friends Meeting? First of all, by being informed. Our Meeting serves our city and the world through the work of our staff, our building and grounds, the education, care, and ministries of its members and attenders, and the support of Quaker ministries worldwide. We welcome all who enter, and share the deep and lasting love of God with everyone, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as taught to us by Christ Jesus. We strive to live out a life of faith, based on our understanding of God’s call on our lives, lived out in the testimonies of Quakerism – simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality. Most of all, we respect the importance of God’s voice, speaking uniquely to each one of us, personally and in community. Based on projections for this calendar year/budget year, we held our budget with no raises for personnel (the largest part of our Meeting expense) and with a decrease in hours for our Office Administrator position. As you can see, our funding is not where we hoped it would be. Aside from being informed, and making wise choices, how else can we support the spiritual work of First Friends Meeting? First of all, by giving thanks, as Christ did, for what we have. And then, by seeing what God will do with what we offer. How is God asking us to financially support First Friends? What part of our story is meaningful to you – to me? What portion of our blessed life can we consider sharing with the Meeting, in order that it might be a blessing to others? There are many ways we can and do give. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your continued giving. Thank you for beginning to give. Thank you for your care in this concern.

Considering the Quote: ‘As Christians, all we possess are the gifts of God. Now in distributing it to others we act as his steward, and it becomes our station to act agreeable to that divine wisdom which he graciously gives to his servants.’ John Woolman, 1763

Bill Keene is looking for a bedroom (and possible separate bath) to rent. He has been attending First Friends for about 7 years. If you or someone you know has a room to rent, please call him at 317255-4855 (ask for Bill @ Webster’s Sporting Goods between 8:30-10am Monday-Sat) or chat with him here on Sundays.

Please join us on Thursday April 28, 2016 at 7 p.m. for “Made In Indiana” an evening of music and storytelling with Phil Gulley, Scott Russell Sanders, Krista Detor and Tim Grimm at the Royal Theater in Danville, IN. A reception and book signing will follow the concert. The book signing sales will benefit the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation. For tickets please call (317) 370-9329 or (317) 386-3111, as well as by visiting www.royaltheaterdanville.info. The Royal Theater is located at 59 S. Washington Street, Danville, IN 46122.

Are you interested in saving honeybees? Did you know that bees pollinate 1/3 of nuts, fruits, and vegetables that we eat? Come join an information session about the importance of bees and how to be a beekeeper. You are invited to meet with local beekeeper, David Wheeler, in our parlor tomorrow night April 28th, 2016 at 7pm. David has offered to work with persons in the Meeting who would like to work with Bees, and the possibility of having a bee hive in our back garden plots here at First Friends. David is affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist garden at 64th and Oxford. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Scott at 317-523-5756.

United Society of Friends Women Quaker Men International Triennial Meetings July 7 – July 10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Join together with Quakers from around the world for a time of worship, fellowship, study and joy. Ruthie Tippin will lead the Daily Bible Studies for USFWI, and Ron Bryan will lead the Daily Bible Studies for QMI. A number of international speakers will bring messages for the evening gatherings. Men and women will join together for Mission Workshops and Sunday Morning Meeting for Worship. Triennial Sessions begin with registration on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. Triennial ends after lunch on Sunday, July 10. Conference registration costs $375 per person prior to May 14th ($400 after) and includes ten meals. Hotel costs $105/night. Register at www.usfwi.org Daily registrations are also available. Registrations are due by May 14, 2016, with a minimum deposit of 50% of total conference costs. No refunds after June 3rd.

Lena Brooks-Kelly and Ruth Kelly are hosting a Bridal shower for their sister/daughter, Amanda Brooks-Kelly, on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00pm at their home. If you would like attend, please rsvp to Ruth by May 9 at rgkelly4@att.net. Amanda and her fiancé, Zachary Weiss, will be married by their rabbi, Rabbi Skydell, in Connecticut on June 19. Lena BrooksKelly will be serving as Maid of Honor. The couple is registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Bloomingdale's.

Poetry Group will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 in the Parlor. Melora Cox will present a program on ‘Transformational Experiences in Poetry.’ This will be our last program until we resume meeting in September!

This year, we had a couple members from First Friends go to the FWCC trip to Peru who came back with wonderful ideas and plans on how to make First Friends eco-friendlier. They employed us with the task of completing two sustainable projects, and we have just completed the first one! Indianapolis First Friends is now provided with 100% Green Energy from Indianapolis Power and Light. This service is even available for your own residential home. To learn more about Green Energy go to https://www.iplpower.com/GreenPower/.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Name Chain ~ This game works well for groups of more than four people. Make a circle and create a rhythm with your hands by clapping and then patting your legs alternately over and over again. Keep the rhythm while one person starts by naming something found in nature. Without missing a beat, the next person says what the previous person said and adds something to it. Continue around the circle as many times as you can until someone forgets one of the things, loses the rhyme, or can’t think of anything to add. Now a person starts with a new word.

Comment

April 20th, 2016

April 20, 2016

As Way Opens
Watch for God

This morning as I was getting ready to come into Meeting, I saw a wristband from our Vacation Bible School program from last summer sitting in my drawer. The wristband said Watch for God. It reminded me of what Ruthie shared in her message last Sunday about God’s call to each of us. "Our singular lives, shared in community, become ‘God made real’ for us and for others. We see God in others, and we see God in ourselves, reflected in the lives of others”.

God became very real to me through so many different people in my community during the last 5 difficult days. One of those people is a woman named Precious that has been helping to care for Jerry in the last few months. Her mother certainly had the right name for her, as she makes God’s precious love real to people every single day. Her tender care delivered with an infectious laugh and a song for everyone can make a difficult time seem light and full of joy. The most unpleasant tasks are done with a smile and a gentle touch that speaks volumes. She shared with me on Monday that she had taken her children to Family Dollar the day before and a blind woman had soiled herself in the store and was very embarrassed. Precious took the woman and her children into the bathroom and helped her clean up and comforted her; that it was not a huge deal. Wow - what an example to the woman, the children, to me, of God’s love made real in the most tangible way possible.

Watch for God - God is at work all around us and through us.

Considering the Quote: ‘Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’ Hebrews 4:16

Joys & Concerns

News has come that Jerry Henricks passed away in the evening of April 18th, peacefully. Beth was with him, he was surrounded with family, and with God’s loving presence. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, May 1st, at 4:00 pm here at First Friends with a reception to follow. Please lift Beth, Greg, Jerry’s family and all who’ve loved him into God’s loving Light, especially in these coming days.

A big Thank You to Larry Coffman for donating and planting two apple trees and one peach tree. Happy Earth Day!

Becki Heusel recently had oral surgery and has been healing nicely. Please keep in your thoughts and prayers her continued recovery towards health and positivity.

With only a day apart from each other, both Japan and Ecuador had severe and devastating earthquakes. It is important for us to remember the people of both nations and lift them up during this time. Let us pray for one another and the thousands of people affected both directly and indirectly.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Sunday, April 24th, Jed Kay from our Finance Committee will give the message about generosity and giving of our resources to each other for our mutual support. We will talk about the ways we can support each other at First Friends through many ways: financial, prayer, time, tangible care for our needs etc. In this spirit, we will have a Meeting pitch in next Sunday where we all bring a dish to share with each other. Please mark your calendars.

Join us this Sunday, April 24th for a ‘Loaves and Fishes Pitch-In’ just after Meeting for Worship, sponsored by our Finance Committee. Share your favorite recipe. Bring any thing you’d like to share – soup, salad, casserole, breads, veggies, dessert… it’s pot luck! Tableware and beverages will be provided. Join us for fun, food, and fellowship. A free-will offering will be taken to support the ongoing budget of First Friends Meeting.

Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday April 23 from 9AM- 12 Noon in the First Friends Meditational Woods! We are helping keep our beautiful Woods healthy by removing invasive species in the southeast corner of the Woods. You can also learn about the beautiful blooming trees and flowers on our property! Please bring work gloves and wear a long sleeve shirt, as there may be poison ivy in some areas. If we have enough volunteers, others can weed the Peace Pole flower beds and the Butterfly Garden. Stay for an hour or for the morning; any assistance is most welcome. Your Woods Co-Chairs are Mindy Sommer and Mary Blackburn.

Interested in membership? Want to know how First Friends is organized? Join Ruthie this Sunday at 9:00 in the Parlor. Whether you’d like to become a member now, or are considering joining in the future, you are welcome to come and learn more about First Friends. Those who attend will receive a booklet. All are welcome!

The Meeting of Central and West Central areas will be held this Sunday, April 24, from 3-5 pm at Valley Mills Friends. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please also bring a dish to share for the pitch-in afterward. We will convene in the worship room promptly at 3:00 so that we can complete our business in a timely manner. With the business ahead of us, we encourage the participation of all. If you need a ride, please contact Ruthie!

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be held Tuesday, April 26th. Deb Hejl will be facilitating the discussion for Song of Myself; which is the first twelve poems in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. There will be an early dinner at 6 pm, please feel free to text Deb at 502-0476 with the item you wish to bring: either a simple salad or dessert. Looking ahead for next month’s book: Still Alice by Lisa Genova led by Ruth Kelly on May 31st.

Dear First Friends,
As of the end of last month, the decision has been made to dissolve USFW at First Friends. It was not a decision taken lightly by myself or the board. However, due to lack of interest in the program from inside and outside the Meeting, we decided that it was no longer relevant to our Meeting in its current form. There are other ways now that the women of the Meeting work together as needed to share interests, plan & help with Meeting activities. I have enjoyed being president of USFW and I will continue our bonds of friendship that I have made with the women in our Meeting.
Sincerely,
Jody Long
USFW Board President
P.S Don't worry! The Christmas Tea will still happen!

Western Yearly Meeting USFW Spring Conference, Tuesday, April 26th at Fairfield Friends Meeting
10441 East County Road 700 South, Camby, IN 46113
9:30 Coffee and Registration ~ 10:00 Meeting
Pastor Jamie Lyon will present his experiences from his recent sabbatical. During this time, Jamie combined meditation, prayer, travel to all 92 counties in Indiana and artistic study that culminated in painting and producing works in the style of Hoosier artist, Theodore Clement Steele. He will combine narrative with some of his paintings. A soup and salad lunch will be provided for $8.00 per person. Pastor Ruthie will attend and is happy to take people with her. Please RSVP to Lynn Durocher at LDØ91449@yahoo.com or 317-888-7242.

Lena Brooks-Kelly and Ruth Kelly are hosting a Bridal shower for their sister/daughter, Amanda Brooks-Kelly, on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00pm at their home. If you would like attend, please rsvp to Ruth by May 9 at rgkelly4@att.net. Amanda and her fiancé, Zachary Weiss, will be married by their rabbi, Rabbi Skydell, in Connecticut on June 19. Lena Brooks-Kelly will be serving as Maid of Honor. The couple is registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Bloomingdale's.

Service Appreciation Dinner~ All are invited to share memories and stories about several of our treasured members who have admirably served First Friends over the years. Please reserve Sunday, May-22, 5:30-8:30, for this exciting free dinner and program. This year’s invitees include Carolyn Hiatt and Ray Guest, Linda Lee and Ed Morris, Shirley Earl, Marshall Gibson, Bob Hadley and Peg Brummit, Bonnie Hollingsworth, Nancy Pennington, and Deb and Jim Hejl. You need to sign up to attend. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the hallway or call the office for your reservations 317-255-2485.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Colors of the Rainbow~ What are the colors of the rainbow? Try to find something around you that matches each of the rainbow colors. This can also be played by having someone call our a color and seeing who can find something from outdoors in that color first!
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

Comment

March 9th, 2016

March 14, 2016

As Way Opens

I have been looking at the pictures of Bob Davis, Duffy, Ed Thomas, Jerry’s sister and Catherine Swanson’s father every day for the past week on our Remembrance Banner. I think about these people and so many others that we have lost and how these folks have affected my life, your life and how many of them have helped shape our faith community here at First Friends. The loss of Bob and Duffy have been really hard on me personally this past year as these 2 men that were so different touched my heart, my mind and my spirit in a special way and they lived out their faith each day in big and small ways. As time passes in our loss, we realize that the impact of a person on our life is based on how they made us feel while they were here. Maya Angelou says " I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.
The people I miss the most begin to fade a bit in my memory when I try to recall their words or details around something they did. But I never forget the feeling.
I think this is the basis of Jesus ministry and the new covenant that he declares. While it is helpful to memorize scripture and create discipline in our lives by observant practices, what makes us feel alive, what makes us joyful, what brings us into the arms of God is the experience. Jesus tells us to come and taste God and see that it is good. Early Quakers got this right as they recognized the power and the feeling of the Inward Teacher.
I appreciated the service on Sunday to collectively remember our beloved ones we have lost. I was told that during the lighting of the candles there were two birds sitting in a nest together beak to beak. Two birds being alive, bringing new life forward and sharing the experience together. A reminder outside of our window of the power of the resurrection.

Considering the Query: We do not own the world, and its riches are not ours to dispose of at will. Show a loving consideration for all creatures, and seek to maintain the beauty and variety of the world. Work to ensure that our increasing power over nature is used responsibly, with reverence for life. Rejoice in the splendor of God’s continuing creation. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 am!! This means that we “spring forward” in time as we anticipate the wonderful weather to come with it.

Amy Perry had successful surgery this past Tuesday morning. Amy is doing well, and was moved into a regular hospital room for recovery. If you’d like to send Amy a card please write her at 106 Chippenham LN, Fishers, IN 46038.

Bill Heitman is recovering nicely from his emergency surgery a couple weeks ago. He is full speed ahead already diving in MG&P meetings. If you’d like to continue to hold him in the Light, please send him a card at his new address 115 E. 28th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205.

There was a set of keys found outside the North Entrance (by the preschool) on Monday. The coop has asked all of their parents, and it does not belong to any of them. If it belongs to you, please stop by the office to claim them.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Scout Sunday, will be celebrated this Sunday, March 13th. We will have a fellowship hour sponsored by Christian Education with some popcorn and cookies. We invite our Scouts to wear their uniforms on Sunday Morning.
During Fellowship Hour, Beth Henricks will be selling chocolate bars, hot cocoa, olive oil, and coffee to raise money for our Youth Group activities. They are so delicious!

Kelly Kellum, former Clerk of Friends United Meeting, will be hosting a gathering of Friends on Sunday, March 13th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at First Friends Meeting. 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. Please RSVP at info@fum.org. There will be refreshments and great fellowship for all. We hope to see you there!

Mid-North Food Pantry Garden Shower and Open House~ Celebrate Spring and grow with us at Mid-North Food Pantry’s Garden Shower! It will be on Sunday, March 13th, at 12:15 at the Pantry (3333 N. Meridian St). Take a tour of the pantry, feast on some healthy treats, and check out our plans for growing the garden space this year. With your help, this year we will expand production with 2 new raised beds and install flat soaker hoses to minimize water waste and labor hours. We’d love to receive gifts of garden soil or monetary gifts for the purchase of tomato, pepper plants, and other supplies. For more information about the garden and a detailed supply wishlist, please see www.midnorthfoodpantry.org/about/garden

YFYF Youth Group Meets Sunday, March 13th after Worship. Lunch will be provided per usual. Get ready for good discussions, and good fellowship!

Lenten Nourishment: Have you seen the weekly blog entry on our First Friends website? It’s an invitation to reflect daily on your relationship with yourself and God. Persons from the Meeting are being interviewed, as well, about spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. Check it out at: http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/
This Friday ~ Walking with Kathy Rhyne at the Monon Community Center in Carmel at 9:30 am This Sunday ~ Evening Meditation Group has been suspended because of Bill Heitman’s recovery

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: March 13th - Daud and several young people from his mosque will be leading the class about the Muslim faith for our understanding March 20th - Maltie 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 April 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

FCNL priority setting next Sunday during Fellowship after Worship. Grab a drink and something to eat after worship next Sunday and come to the parlor to discuss what legislative priorities we would like for Friends Committee on National Legislation to focus on during the next Congress. FCNL seeks the input from all Quaker Meetings and Churches to compile its list of priorities to work on with Congress. We have attached the list of priorities we submitted 2 years ago (this process occurs every 2 years) and will be discerning together what is the list we want to submit this year. We will need to present our list to Monthly Meeting for Business on March 21st. We welcome your input and encourage you to join us in the parlor after you get your fellowship treats.

FCNL ADVOCACY MEETINGS The FCNL Advocacy Team will meet at First Friends at 10 am. on Saturday, March 12th and again at 1 pm. on Sunday, March 20th. Anyone interested in being an advocate for FCNL is invited to attend. What can we do to restore our democracy? When the Congressional Management Foundation surveyed hundreds of Congressional staff members, they found that in-person meetings with your members of Congress are the most effective way to influence policy decisions. Be the change Congress needs!

Meet Margery Abbott! Tuesday, March 15th 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 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).

You’ll find a purple basket has been placed outside of the Meeting Room for Easter Candy donations. We are looking to fill many eggs for our annual Easter Egg hunt for the children. Easter is very early this year, and falls on March 27th, 2016. We thank you in advance for your donation.

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.

Poetry Group!! Jim Winters will present a program on the life and works of Carl Sandburg in the Parlor at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15. His previous 2 programs have been highlights of the year!

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 Stanley-Green (dellasgwym@gmail.com). The registration deadline is March 15th.

Veterans For Peace~ Our friends with the Islamic Society of North America are hosting an open house on Saturday, March 19, 11:00-2:00. What a great opportunity to compare real people who are a part of our community with the stereotypes being painted by our politicians and others who have never met a Muslim! We in Veterans For Peace can attest to the admirable character and warm friendliness we have experienced with friends and fellow citizens among Muslims in local communities with whom we have worked. Come and see this for yourself! And invite others in your networks.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Tracks~ Tracks are the impression made by an animal’s feet in the ground. Look around you and see how many tracks of different animals you can find. Can you see any human tracks? What about bird tracks? In addition to looking for tracks, see what other ways you can determine that an animal has been there. Are there any stray feathers, nibbled leaves, or droppings on the ground? From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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March 2nd, 2016

March 3, 2016

As Way Opens

I am taking a New Testament class this semester through the Earlham School of Religion as part of my pursuit of a Masters in Divinity. We have been studying Paul for the last 5 weeks and a fascinating portrait has been shown of the complicated man who has undoubtedly had the most influence on Christianity beyond Jesus himself. Early Christianity was viewed as just another sect of Judaism so it was significant that Paul felt called to reach the Gentiles. He established a number of assemblies and we have 8 letters that scholars absolutely believe he wrote (or they were composite letters). One of these letters included in the New Testament is Philemon. I have to say that I have never read Philemon before. It is a short book of the Bible with only 25 verses (I encourage everyone to pull out their Bible tonight and read this). Our Day of Remembrance banner has a quote from the 4th verse “When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God….” What I didn’t know was this verse was part of a reference to his dear friend Philemon who was holding one of these new assemblies in his home and Paul is thanking God because he hears of Philemon’s love for all of the saints.
The reason for the letter was an emotional appeal to Philemon to release his slave Onesimus who has become a follower of Christ and of great help to Paul while he was imprisoned (Onesimus has likely run away from Philemon’s household). Paul makes a profound statement regarding slavery by saying in verse 8 “though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love”. This verse seems to say that freeing the slave was a duty as a follower of Christ but Paul is speaking to Philemon out of love to do the right thing.
During this time of history slavery was not an ethnic situation. One could not tell who was a slave because there were no physical or educational differences and slaves were found in all strata of society. The most common route to slavery was from war, prisoners were often sold into slavery, debtors could become slaves and children of slaves remained slaves throughout their lives. Paul’s request to release Onesimus is representative of the profound gospel of Jesus and pretty unheard of in that time and place. As Paul has written, there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free person within the family of Christ. The slave is set free and the gospel breaks through cultural boundaries and standard expectations. Are we ready for this kind of gospel in our lives today?

Considering the Query: Are you able to contemplate your death and the death of those closest to you? Accepting the fact of death, we are freed to live more fully. In bereavement, give yourself time to grieve. When others mourn, let your love embrace them. From: Advices and queries; Britain Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, 5th edition, @ 1995-2015 Quaker Faith and Practice

Joys & Concerns

Spring has been spotted here at First Friends! Crocuses have been sprouting up along the East entrance of our Meeting. It was a happy moment for us here in the office. We hope they can withstand the cold of this week! Thank you, Daniel Rains, for pointing them out to us!

Please hold Bill Heitman in your prayers. He is recovering from unexpected surgery, last Friday. He has been discharged, and it is our privilege to lift him in prayer for good healing and well-being.

Dan Mitchell’s mother, Mary Elizabeth “Moose” Mitchell, is in hospital awaiting surgery for a heart valve replacement. She is 91, and it is hoped that the surgery can be done as soon as possible. Please keep Mary Elizabeth, Dan, and their family in your prayers.

80 pounds of food was donated last week to Mid-North Food Pantry. We give lots of praise and thanks to Bill and Kathy Farris and Jim and Carol Donahue for their continued effort and work hours at the food pantry. Please consider joining them as a volunteer on either the first or third Wednesday morning of each month.

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.

Last Sunday, February 28, many of our First Friends Families came with us to go bowling at Woodland Bowl. It was quite the turnout with 40 adults and kids who joined in on the fun and games! We had prizes for each age range group, and there was some great competition. Ronald David (III), Paul Lee, and our wonderful Organist, Shawn Porter were all winners in their respective categories!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Today at 6:30pm: Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, author of Ferguson & Faith: Sparking Leadership & Awakening Community, and soon to be Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Christian Theological Seminary (June 2016), will be speaking at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Meridian Today at 6:30pm.The shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, reignited a long-smoldering movement for justice, with many St. Louis-area clergy stepping up to support the emerging young leaders of today’s Civil Rights Movement. Gunning Francis was among the activists, and her interviews with more than two dozen faith leaders and with the new movement’s organizers take us behind the scenes of the continuing protests. Ferguson and Faith demonstrates that being called to lead a faithful life can take us to places we never expected to go, with people who never expected us to join hands with them.

Lenten Nourishment: Have you seen the weekly blog entry on our First Friends website? It’s an invitation to reflect daily on your relationship with yourself and God. Persons from the Meeting are being interviewed, as well, about spiritual practices that have enriched their lives. Check it out at: http://www.indyfriends.org/thoughts-from-friends/ This Friday ~ Walking with Kathy Rhyne at the Monon Community Center in Carmel at 9:30 am This Sunday ~ Evening Meditation Group has been suspended because of Bill Heitman’s recovery

Day of Remembrance ~ Sunday, March 6th 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 this Sunday, March 6th we will gather together in Worship and recall these cherished ones. After worship, please join us for a Fellowship Brunch sponsored by Circle of Care.

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:
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

April 3rd - We will discuss what Quakers are doing in the world today April 10th - We will talk specifically about several Quaker organizations

Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) will be in Indianapolis this Sunday, March 6th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please join Diane and others at the Indiana Interchurch Center (1100 42nd St) where 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.

Meet Thomas Kelly! Tuesday, March 8th 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 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).

FUM is looking for a North American candidate to be their new Program Officer for their Africa Ministries Office in Richmond. This is a full time job with Friends United Meeting who will work directly with Eden Grace and other people in the Global Ministries department. If you have any questions, please email Eden Grace at (edeng@fum.org).

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.

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

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Smells~ While sitting down, close your eyes and see what you can smell. Sometimes when a breeze blows by you can smell even more things. Wander around smelling things. What do trees smell like? What about dirt? Do rocks have a smell?

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Friend to Friend

June 8th, 2016

As Way Opens

Ruthie

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

June 1st, 2016

As Way Opens

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

May 25th, 2016

As Way Opens

Joys & Concerns

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

May 18th, 2016

As Way Opens

Beth

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

May 11th, 2016

As Way Opens

Ruthie

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

May 4th, 2016

As Way Opens

Beth

Announcements, Reports & Opportunities

April 27th, 2016

April 20th, 2016

March 9th, 2016

March 2nd, 2016

Indianapolis First Friends Meeting

Compassionate • Christian • Quaker