August 17, 2016

August 18, 2016

As Way Opens

I spent the last two weeks in Richmond IN attending an intensive class at the Earlham School of Religion. The course called Spiritual Formation and Personal Practices challenged us to examine our spiritual practices and the activities that we are engaging in to make us the person we want to become. We met at Evans House for class and all stayed at Woodard Lodge. The first day of class we had to share our spiritual autobiography and in the first 2 hours we opened ourselves up to each other in authentic and vulnerable ways. It was pretty amazing to have 5 strangers come together in this way.

The two weeks together with our professor Jim Higginbotham was profound for me as I reflected on God’s presence and what am I doing to go deep into my soul to experience God’s grace and love in a new way.

We worshiped together, walked in nature together, prayed together, listened to music together, laughed together, challenged each other to accept God’s love and forgiveness, and read six books on spiritual formation and the dark night of the soul that pushed us into a deep sense of self examination.

This was an amazing two weeks for me. I never would have anticipated the depth of reflection that I would experience with this class. Our group included people with diverse theological backgrounds and varied life experiences. The feedback from individuals that have been rejected throughout their lives as an “other” informed our discussion. It is easy to read the Bible and accept a faith rationale when one is not part of the “other”. But we heard the shame and rejection that our friends felt through their early church experiences. We also examined our families of origin and the impact they have on how we feel God’s love. I was kind of afraid to re-enter my life and held onto to the bubble of our spiritual group for as long as I could. But the point of a class like this is to enter the world to share our spirit and truth and experience God’s loving presence in a deeper way through our joys and our trials.

I am looking at my spiritual practices that will help me become the person I want to become. I started journaling and will continue to do this. I plan to re-engage with a yoga practice, a weekly nature walk, continue to participate in Monday Meditation as often as possible, unplug from electronics for at least an hour a day to engage in reading, reflection and meditation and go on a quarterly spiritual retreat.

What are each of us doing in spiritual practices to deepen our relationship to God and challenge ourselves to enter the darkness. I have been challenged the last two weeks and I challenge all of you to decide what could you do to enter into worship and communion daily with God. What practices might help you examine your Light and your Darkness. How can you engage and listen to God in a different way?

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Beth would like to send her thanks to everyone after the wonderful celebration for her recording this past Sunday. She said she feels so loved and supported and she really appreciates everyone’s efforts in recognizing her!

A big thank you to 25 adults and young people from First Friends that joined together to serve lots of ice cream and cheese sandwiches at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair this past Saturday. The rain made the pace a bit slower this year but we still served lots of ice cream and grilled cheese. With the generous contribution of everyone’s time that day, the Dairy Association will write First Friends a check for $1400. We will use this towards our youth and children’s programming this year.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

IFCL Film showing! IFCL Presents the documentary film “Quakers – That of God in Everyone”. This 90-minute documentary will introduce you to untold stories of Friends from the American Heartland who profoundly influenced the course of American history, simply by seeing that of God in everyone. The IFCL will be showing the film this Friday, August 19 at 7:00pm in the parlor. Quaker scholar and author Paul Buckley, who provides commentary throughout the film, will lead us in discussion at the conclusion. For more information, contact the office.

We are looking for Sunday School teachers for our children’s class starting Sunday September 11th. It will be from 9:00 - 10:00 and we have a curriculum provided for volunteers. If interested, please contact the office. Your help is appreciated!

Underneath It All – First Friends eighth annual underwear drive begins now and ends August 31st! We are asking for donations of new underwear, as well as socks, t-shirts, bras, etc, from toddler to adult sizes! This is a program sponsored by the John H. Boner Community Center (2236 East 10th Street) which serves some of the poorest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Social Workers will distribute the underwear to families as needed. Please place donations in the labeled box in Fellowship Hall. Cash or checks are also accepted and may be made out to First Friends and placed in offertory plates if labeled as donations to the Underwear Drive. Contact the office if you have questions.

Streams of Living Water – Celebrating the Traditions of Christian Faith - Just as the Mississippi River watershed flows over a great expanse of territory, so does the expanse of Christian faith flow through time. Friend Richard Foster brings us the story of this rich and meaningful journey, and we will study about it this Fall, through a sermon series and study group sessions throughout September and October. If you are interested in attending a study group, we welcome you, beginning the first week of September. If you would be willing to lead a study group, with all materials supplied, please let Ruthie know. Times and dates will be determined by the leaders/attenders.

Sermon/Study Topics
Streams of Faith
The Prayer-Filled Life – Contemplative Tradition
The Virtuous Life – Holiness Tradition
The Spirit-Empowered Life – Charismatic Tradition
The Compassionate Life – Social Justice Tradition
The Word-Centered Life – Evangelical Tradition
The Sacramental Life - Incarnational Tradition

Tippin Travelogue ~ Sunday, August 28th during Fellowship Hour: Jon will be sharing stories and pictures from the Tippins’ recent trip to England, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Barra. Of particular interest are pictures from ‘1652 Country’ – the area of England where Quakerism began. Grab a cup of ‘joe’, and visit Jon… in the Parlor!

MSPC and First Friends Meeting… did you know? First Friends Meeting is growing, thanks to families from MSPC who have joined us for worship. And MSPC is growing, thanks to families from First Friends who have discovered MSPC! How wonderful!!! It’s so much fun – especially for our staff!

MSPC has some openings! Meridian Street Preschool now has two available spots for children in the Tuesday/Thursday 3/4 class for the 2016-2017 school year. Interested families can contact the office.

Oak Leaf Ladies: We will be meeting at Pat's home to discuss “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout on Tuesday, August 30th at 6:30 pm. Please feel free to bring a friend. Pat will be serving a lovely dessert for all to enjoy during the discussion. If you plan to attend or are interested in being on the mailing list for the Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading please contact the office.

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.

How can we make our water supply last?

Tip #1: We can turn off faucets so they don’t drip.

Tip #2: We can take shorter showers – and baths with less water – and still get very clean.

Tip #3. We can save water when we brush our teeth – by turning it off until we need to rinse.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

August 10, 2016

August 11, 2016

As Way Opens

Early Friends were very aware of those who ministered deeply in their Meetings. While they believed in the universal ministry of all persons, it was clear that some were gifted by God with unusual gifts in public ministry, and were therefore, given unusual responsibilities. The meeting itself had not gifted the ministers – the meeting only recognized God’s gifts in their ministers.

They were called upon to use their gifts to train and nurture their meetings, and others as called upon. Their meetings wrote their names down – or made record – of those so gifted. This was called a ‘Recording’.

When Beth Henricks first began her recording process – now much more formalized than it was in the 1600’s! – a clearness committee was gathered to help her discern this direction in her life and ministry. Her gifts were then recognized by our Ministry and Counsel, and approved by our Monthly Meeting. Letters of recommendations were required for the Yearly Meeting Board of Training and Recording. Here is a bit of what I had to share in March of 2014:

“Beth lives the gospel - the 'good news' of Christ. Her life is good news! She exudes an enthusiasm (en-theos; with God) that draws people to her, that makes them attend to what she has to say, and brings a loving response. Regardless of the challenges she faces, and perhaps at times, because of them, her life of faith is a strong testimony to 'that of God'. This is what she is able to bring to others - a ministry of presence.”

I remember Duffy Fankboner suggesting that we not wait at all, and just record Beth two years ago! Why is so much time given to this? Each candidate faces the challenges of preaching in public, counseling, teaching, and study. They are expected to be grounded in their understanding of Quakerism, of Christian life and faith, and in their own expressions of faith. Some candidates don’t make it. They discover that ministry is too much of a challenge, not supported well, or not what they had expected it to be. They discover, as Fox said, that they are ‘professors’ and not ‘possessors’ of a deep faith in God – something that is essential to a life of ministry. If anything, Beth’s gifts and faith have strengthened in the two years that have passed since I wrote that letter. The wait has been long, but well worth it.

I’m thrilled for Beth. I’m thrilled for our Meeting. It’s not often that a Meeting gives birth to a Recorded Minister, and we have done so twice this year! Both Katherine Murray and Beth were put forward for recording by our Meeting, and were celebrated at Yearly Meeting this July! I’m thrilled for all those persons who do and will come under Beth’s pastoral care. As we all know, she is a gifted minister of God’s good gifts. Congratulations Beth!

Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

A Celebration for Beth’s Recording! Join us after worship this Sunday, August 14th as we honor Beth as a Recorded Minister, and give thanks to God for this wonderful accomplishment. Friends are asked to bring salads or finger foods to share, as you can. Let’s celebrate! Thank You!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Sing for a Day – this Sunday, August 14th - Ladies Only! All women are invited to join Ruthie for a special Sunday sing… join together for rehearsal this Thursday
night, August 11th at 6:30, and then again Sunday morning at 9:30. The piece is lovely, simple, and not difficult to learn. Come once, or twice for practice, but come ready to sing! No experience necessary!

Please note there is no Gentle Yoga Class this Friday, August 12. It will resume its normal schedule next week.

We are looking for Sunday School teachers for our children’s class starting Sunday September 11th. It will be from 9:00 - 10:00 and we have a curriculum provided for volunteers. If interested, please contact the office. Your help is appreciated!

Underneath It All – First Friends eighth annual underwear drive begins now! We are asking for donations of new underwear, as well as socks, t-shirts, bras, etc, from toddler to adult sizes! This is a program sponsored by the John H. Boner Community Center (2236 East 10th Street) which serves some of the poorest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Social Workers will distribute the underwear to families as needed. Please place donations in the labeled box in Fellowship Hall. Cash or checks are also accepted and may be made out to First Friends and placed in offertory plates if labeled as donations to the Underwear Drive. The drive begins now and ends Sunday, August 31. Contact the office if you have questions.

Streams of Living Water – Celebrating the Traditions of Christian Faith - Just as the Mississippi River watershed flows over a great expanse of territory, so does the expanse of Christian faith flow through time. Friend Richard Foster brings us the story of this rich and meaningful journey, and we will study about it this Fall, through a sermon series and study group sessions throughout September and October. If you are interested in attending a study group, we welcome you, beginning the first week of September. If you would be willing to lead a study group, with all materials supplied, please let Ruthie know. Times and dates will be determined by the leaders/attenders.

Sermon/Study Topics
Streams of Faith
The Prayer-Filled Life – Contemplative Tradition
The Virtuous Life – Holiness Tradition
The Spirit-Empowered Life – Charismatic Tradition
The Compassionate Life – Social Justice Tradition
The Word-Centered Life – Evangelical Tradition
The Sacramental Life - Incarnational Tradition

Library Committee Update: This committee was formed to work with the meeting library Current members of the committee are: Lucy Beaver, Shirley Earl, John and Ileen Moorman. Several individuals have volunteered to assist in updating the excel record of library holdings. Library archival material has been removed to an area of the library that has constant climate control. The committee is working on a donation policy for the library, straightening up the current adult library area and adding relevant items to the collection.

The committee is looking forward to input from monthly meeting and meeting members on library operations. Questions that need to be considered include:
1.   What is the purpose of the meeting library?
2.   What should be in the collection?
3.   How should it be used?
4.   Where should it be located?
5.   What financial resources should be allocated to it?
6.   Who should have oversight of it?

Committee members thank meeting members who have worked diligently on the meeting’s library in years past and looks forward to receiving a fuller understanding of the meeting’s library history and role in the life of the meeting.
IFCL Film showing! IFCL Presents the documentary film “Quakers – That of God in Everyone”. This 90-minute documentary will introduce you to untold stories of Friends from the American Heartland who profoundly influenced the course of American history, simply by seeing that of God in everyone. The IFCL will be showing the film on Friday, August 19 at 7:00pm in the parlor. Quaker scholar and author Paul Buckley, who provides commentary throughout the film, will lead us in discussion at the conclusion. For more information, contact IFCL clerk Bill Chapman - 317-255-4739.

SAWS PROJECT - The Shalom Zone is taking applications for the “SAWS” project (Servants At Work). This is a project (much like Habitat for Humanity) that constructs ramps to homes for low income disabled folks. The materials are pre-cut and delivered to a site where 6-10 volunteers assemble the ramp for the homeowner. No special skills are required. The ramps typically take 5-6 hours to assemble and are assembled on a Saturday that works for the group. Several Saturday dates are typically provided from which the group will choose one (or two...if there are enough volunteers) that work for them. Volunteers need to sign-up ahead of knowing which dates will be assigned and it is just fine if the date doesn’t work for a particular volunteer. The idea is that there be a volunteer pool from which a sufficient number of folks will be able to work on a particular Saturday date. If you would like to help with this project, please sign up at the SAWS website...www.sawsramps.org using “Shalom Zone” and advise us that you have signed up. We would like to have folks from each of the Shalom congregations participate in the initial build so that each congregation can have someone who experiences the ramp build. Contact the office with any questions you may have.

Quaker Haven Camp invites you to join us for their annual golf scramble! Everyone is welcome to come Saturday, August 20 to play golf, fellowship, and join in the fundraising for QHC’s Capital Fund projects. The Scramble will begin with a 2 p.m. tee time at the Honeywell Golf Course in Wabash, IN. We will play best ball in a foursome (you may put your own foursome together). We will end the day with an awards supper at the golf course at 6:30 p.m.. There are prizes to be won and fun to be had. The cost for the golf scramble will be $75, which includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, and supper. Alternatively, you can sponsor a hole for $100. The goal this year is $3,000. Options include: sponsoring in memory of, or in honor of a loved one. Registrations are due by August 15 and Hole Sponsorships by August 13.

The Indy Festival of Faiths is coming up on Sunday, September 18th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s War Memorial. The Indy Festival of Faiths is an annual gathering in downtown Indianapolis designed to recognize, highlight, and celebrate the diverse religious landscape in central Indiana. Let’s represent Quakerism! We are looking for volunteers to help with our booth. If you are interested in assisting or want more information, contact the office.

Quaker Life has a whole new look… and lots more to offer!
The new digest has all of the same quality, but many more articles, spiritual and devotional content. 80 pages of great imagery, poetry, stories and Quaker insights to help move us inward and forward in faith. Take a look the next time you’re at the Meetinghouse, and consider a year-long subscription that will come quarterly. Groups of five persons can get a discount at $30.00/year. Individuals? $40.00

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we make our water supply last?
Tip #1: We can turn off faucets so they don’t drip.
Tip #2: We can take shorter showers – and baths with less water – and still get very clean.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

August 3, 2016

August 10, 2016

As Way Opens

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

This has long been my favorite scripture… there’s something about naming God as the God of hope that lifts me, inspires me and strengthens me. God provides so much for me, but one thing I need more than anything is hope. Hope for the world, hope for my family, hope for my ministry, hope for you.

This past week has been an absolute joy for me, as our Meeting children (our “Little Quakers”) met for Bible School. I got to do the music, and I love music and children! You just can’t top it! The theme for VBS was all about Jesus as Light… in darkness, in fear, in lostness, in waiting, in all the circumstances of life. Imagine this: Fellowship Hall was totally dark, and in came all our kids with lighted head lamps strapped to their heads, like a swarm of fireflies, bringing light into the darkness. It was remarkable, and a joyful blessing. Light invading the darkness. Light refusing to give way to darkness. Light, moving through time and space, carried in joy!

Our world can seem very dark at times in many ways – personally, ecologically, politically, physically, spiritually. How do we overcome the darkness? By taking a deep breath of Light, and exhaling darkness. By moving determinedly through the darkness. By living in the Light of the God of hope. By remembering that the Light of Christ is strapped to our heads and planted (the Seed Christ) in our souls. By remembering to look up and out, noticing the Light of Christ in others. By acting in ways that brings Light into the darkness of others’ lives. By refusing to give way to darkness–not through our own strength, but through the power of the God of hope.

One of my favorite songs from VBS was all about hope… here are some of the lyrics. I hope they will bless you, as they have me.

I can’t help but feel a little down, a little worried when I look around.
That’s why my hope is in – my hope is in the Lord.
I fix my eyes upon the God who gives,
‘Cause all I need is what I have in him.
That’s why my hope is in – my hope is in the Lord.
My hope is in the Lord. I belong to him. He will never let me go.

Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

A Celebration for Beth’s Recording! Beth Henricks has been recognized as a Recorded Minister by WYM, and it’s time to celebrate! Join us after worship on Sunday, August 14th as we honor Beth, and give thanks to God for this wonderful accomplishment.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please note that the USFW calendars are no longer available and will not be sold this year.

THANK YOU to all who donated and put money in the “Treasure Chest” during VBS. These funds are helping to raise money for FUM’s Summer Project of helping the Friends Theological College in Kenya equip solar panels (see more info below). Together we raised $319.38!

FUM Summer Mission Project: Power to Pastors - This year’s FUM Summer Mission Project is to support Friends Theological College (“FTC”) located in a rural area in western Kenya. One of the challenges FTC has is frequent power blackouts. This inhibits the ability of students to check out library materials, access items at the library, do research, and use the computers. FTC plans to install 32 solar panels (costing $1,500 each) to help alleviate this power shortage problem. Friends United Meeting (a global organization of which First Friends is a part) has set a goal of $20,000 to help FTC acquire the needed solar panels. Please help as you are able. Witness & Service will match all contributions from folks at First Friends (up to an aggregate match of $1,500.00) which are given for this project. Checks may be written to “First Friends” with a notation of “FUM-Power to Pastors”. Your support is appreciated. This is the final week for this campaign so if you desire to support this project, please do so this week.

Please join us for Community Soup (Salad) this Friday, August 5, anytime between 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Since it is summertime, we will serve, and are asking folks to bring salads rather than soups. No cooking, no dishwashing, and no charge.

MSPC has an opening! Meridian Street Preschool has an available spot for a child in the Tuesday/Thursday 3/4 class for the 2016-2017 school year. Interested families can email Christy Sommer at ccarlson24@hotmail.com.

Library Committee Update: This committee was formed to work with the meeting library. It came out of a request by Ruthie Tippin for volunteers to assist in organizing the current meeting library and plan for its future. Several individuals have volunteered to assist in updating the excel record of library holdings. Library archival material has been removed to an area of the library that has constant climate control. The committee is working on a donation policy for the library, straightening up the current adult library area and adding relevant items to the collection.

The committee is looking forward to input from monthly meeting and meeting members on library operations. Questions that need to be considered include:

1.   What is the purpose of the meeting library?
2.   What should be in the collection?
3.   How should it be used?
4.   Where should it be located?
5.   What financial resources should be allocated to it?
6.   Who should have oversight of it?

Committee members thank meeting members who have worked diligently on the meeting’s library in years past and looks forward to receiving a fuller understanding of the meeting’s library history and role in the life of the meeting.

SAWS PROJECT - The Shalom Zone is taking applications for the “SAWS” project (Servants At Work). This is a project (much like Habitat for Humanity) that constructs ramps to homes for low income disabled folks. The materials are pre-cut and delivered to a site where 6-10 volunteers assemble the ramp for the homeowner. No special skills are required. The ramps typically take 5-6 hours to assemble and are assembled on a Saturday that works for the group. Several Saturday dates are typically provided from which the group will choose one (or two...if there are enough volunteers) that work for them. Volunteers need to sign-up ahead of knowing which dates will be assigned and it is just fine if the date doesn’t work for a particular volunteer. The idea is that there be a volunteer pool from which a sufficient number of folks will be able to work on a particular Saturday date. If you would like to help with this project, please sign up at the SAWS website...www.sawsramps.org and advise the office that you have signed up. We would like to have folks from each of the Shalom congregations participate in the initial build so that each congregation can have someone who experiences the ramp build. Contact the office with any questions you may have.

Sing for a Day – Sunday, August 14th - Ladies Only! No men allowed!!!
Okay girls – have you been longing to sing, but just haven’t had the chance? Well, now you do! You’re all welcome to join Ruthie and prepare a choral piece to sing in Meeting for Worship on Sunday, August 14th. No experience necessary! Just bring your voice, and lift it to the Lord! We will practice Thursday night, August 11th at 6:30, and then again Sunday morning at 9:30. Come once, or twice for practice, but come ready to sing!

Earlham School of Religion is receiving an evaluation committee from its accreditor, The Association of Theological Schools, on September 19-22, 2016. In preparation for and as a requirement of that evaluation, the school invites comments in writing to the school and/or to the Commission concernting the institution’s qualifications for accreditation. Comments may be sent to Earlham School of Religion, Attn: Jay Marshall, 228 College Ave., Richmond, IN 47374 prior to September 16, 2016. The school will appreciate any help that can be provided.

The Indy Festival of Faiths is coming up on Sunday, September 18th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s War Memorial. The Indy Festival of Faiths is an annual gathering in downtown Indianapolis designed to recognize, highlight, and celebrate the diverse religious landscape in central Indiana. Let’s represent Quakerism! We are looking for volunteers to help with our booth. If you are interested in assisting or want more information, call Ed Morris at (317) 691-5542 emorri@earthlink.net or Bill Chapman (317) 255-4739 drchapman@earthlink.net.

Quaker Life has a whole new look… and lots more to offer!
The new digest has all of the same quality, but many more articles, spiritual and devotional content. 80 pages of great imagery, poetry, stories and Quaker insights to help move us inward and forward in faith. Take a look the next time you’re at the Meetinghouse, and consider a year-long subscription that will come quarterly. Groups of five persons can get a discount at $30.00/year. Individuals? $40.00

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we make our water supply last?
Tip #1: We can turn off faucets so they don’t drip.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

July 27, 2016

July 28, 2016

As Way Opens

This week we have been living in a cave in fellowship hall, learning about how Jesus is the Light of the World through our Vacation Bible School program. This is always one of my favorite weeks of the year as we experience the excitement, the wonder and the insight of our children. This year’s theme has felt very Quakerly as we have talked about how God lights our way through the darkness.

I was particularly drawn to the Bible point from yesterday - Jesus gives us courage. The Bible verse was from Mathew 14:27 “Take courage, I am here!” We heard about the disciples being in a boat in the midst of a terrible storm and saw Jesus walking on the water toward them and they became even more alarmed thinking this was a ghost. Jesus spoke to them and said “take courage, I am here.” Only Peter spoke to Jesus and said “If it is you Lord, ask me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus did just that, and Peter stepped into the storm on the sea and started walking towards Jesus. Only when he took his eyes off of Jesus and turned his attention to the strong wind, did he start to sink into the sea. Jesus reached out his hand to pull him out of the sinking water and asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?”

Our kids shared the things that they fear. What is it that grabs each of us in fear? Being alone? Sitting in the darkness? Getting sick? Losing a relationship? Losing a job? The future of our country? What grabs our attention that takes away our sight of the Light of Jesus and we just start sinking? Jesus calls us to take courage and know that Jesus is here for every single one of us within our fear and darkness. Jesus grabs our hand and pulls us out of the storm and says “Why did you doubt - I was here all along.”

I was reflecting on the need for courage in our world today. It feels like we are wrapped in fear and are sinking into the troubled storm. The violence, the hatred, the divided political system and the pain in so many corners of our world. I know that my fear is being alone right now and I feel Jesus’ hand pulling me out of the storm and telling me that I am not alone - Jesus has been here all along.

I pray that we all feel the sense of Jesus’ presence in our lives and that this experience will give us the courage to face our fear. Jesus has been here all along, holding our hand and giving us the courage to walk on water.

Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

A Celebration for Beth’s Recording! Beth Henricks has been recognized as a Recorded Minister by WYM, and it’s time to celebrate! Join us after worship on Sunday, August 14th as we honor Beth, and give thanks to God for this wonderful accomplishment.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Do you get hungry on Wednesday nights? Join Friends at Marsh’s Soup and Salad Bar at their store on the corner of Keystone and Broad Ripple Avenue from 5:30 on for a yummy meal and great fellowship. Then, head over to the Meetinghouse for a wonderfully satisfying ‘feast in the Spirit’ in Meeting for Worship held in Silence at 7:00. (Is this what they call double-dipping?)

Trunks of Treasures - Shalom Zone Garage Sale - On this Saturday, July 30 from 8:00 am to noon the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more information, contact the office.

VBS Sunday! Don’t miss the chance to go spelunking with our kids this Sunday! Bring your family and friends and join us for Cave Quest, an adventure in discovering the Light!

Please join us for Community Soup on Friday, August 5, anytime between 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Since it is summertime, we will serve, and are asking folks to bring salads rather than soups. No cooking, no dishwashing, and no charge.

Sing for a Day – Sunday, August 14th - Ladies Only! No men allowed!!! Okay girls – have you been longing to sing, but just haven’t had the chance? Well, now you do! You’re all welcome to join Ruthie and prepare a choral piece to sing in Meeting for Worship on Sunday, August 14th. No experience necessary! Just bring your voice, and lift it to the Lord! We will practice Thursday night, August 11th at 6:30, and then again Sunday morning at 9:30. Come once, or twice for practice, but come ready to sing!

Earlham School of Religion is receiving an evaluation committee from its accreditor, The Association of Theological Schools, on September 19-22, 2016. In preparation for and as a requirement of that evaluation, the school invites comments in writing to the school and/or to the Commission concernting the institution’s qualifications for accreditation. Comments may be sent to Earlham School of Religion, Attn: Jay Marshall, 228 College Ave., Richmond, IN 47374 prior to September 16, 2016. The school will appreciate any help that can be provided.

The Indy Festival of Faiths is coming up on Sunday, September 18th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s War Memorial. The Indy Festival of Faiths is an annual gathering in downtown Indianapolis designed to recognize, highlight, and celebrate the diverse religious landscape in central Indiana. Let’s represent Quakerism! We are looking for volunteers to help with our booth. If you are interested in assisting or want more information, contact the office.

Quaker Life has a whole new look… and lots more to offer! The new digest has all of the same quality, but many more articles, spiritual and devotional content. 80 pages of great imagery, poetry, stories and Quaker insights to help move us inward and forward in faith. Take a look the next time you’re at the Meetinghouse, and consider a year-long subscription that will come quarterly. Groups of five persons can get a discount at $30.00/year. Individuals? $40.00

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.

How can we make our water supply last?

Tip #1: We can turn off faucets so they don’t drip.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

July 20, 2016

July 25, 2016

As Way Opens

We cannot avoid it. No matter where we turn, we find politics. Even when traveling, we find newscasts on televisions in airports, on radios in our cars, in prompts on our computers. Whether it’s the European Union and Brexit, a failed coup in Turkey, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions for the Presidency, or our own choices for positions on various Meeting Committees, choices are being made that will affect policies for various groups of people – large and small. We can try to avoid politics – we can look away, turn off, drop out, etc but in the end, the policies others make without our participation will eventually affect our lives.

I remember sitting at the dinner table some years ago with my parents and extended family. We broke the cardinal rule of talking about religion and politics, but then, that was no big surprise for us. What was a surprise was that political lines had become hardened in intervening years. I was, and am an Independent, and shared about the research I’d been doing regarding candidates – listening to various sources about each one, reading articles, etc. My family was shocked. First of all, they didn’t think I was that interested in such things, and secondly, they didn’t think I knew as much as I did. Nowadays, it’s hard not to know what’s going on. It’s hard not to form an opinion, considering the barrage of ‘talking heads’ giving us information and viewpoints. It’s hard work to discern, for ourselves, what choices to make.

Perhaps some advice from an old Friend might help. Edward Burrough was raised in the Church of England, later became a Presbyterian, and when hearing George Fox preach in 1652, immediately converted to what would become the Religious Society of Friends. He was in his late teenage years. Rejected by his parents, Edward became a major voice in the Society, preaching as one of the ‘Valiant Sixty’ and writing pamphlets supporting the life and testimonies of Friends. He spoke with King Charles II on behalf of Quakers who were being persecuted in New England by Puritans there. He was later imprisoned, where orders for his release from Charles II were ignored. He died at Newgate Prison at the age of 29. He felt the physical and spiritual brunt of politics, and what it meant for his country and for his personhood. Here is one of the many things he wrote:

“We are not for names, nor men, nor titles of Government, nor are we for this party nor against the other… but we are for justice and mercy and truth and peace and true freedom, that these may be exalted in our nation, and that goodness, righteousness, meekness, temperance, peace and unity with God, and with one another, that these things may abound.” [1659]

For more about Burrough go to http://www.hallvworthington.com/Burrough/Memoir1.html

Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

Congratulations Beth! Beth Henricks was recognized as a Recorded Minister of the Gospel this past Sunday, July 17th during the final gathering for worship at Western Yearly Meeting. Both she and Katherine Murray were honored for their work and recognized for their call to ministry with presentations of the recording certificates. Each of these women were put forward for recording by Indianapolis First Friends. We’re so thankful for the ministry that God has done and will continue to do through their lives. A celebration is being planned!

Sara Edgerton has received the Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Control Award from the Indiana Cancer Consortium. A news report says: “Sarah Edgerton’s professional career began 35 years ago as CEO of the Indiana Community Cancer Care. The organization focused on working to provide cancer programs for rural and underserved hospitals… Sara’s well rounded education served her well in an unusual career path that allowed her to live out her Quaker philosophy of living a life of service to others.” We congratulate Sara for this remarkable award, and know and have seen the fruit of her life in the many ways she serves in our own Meeting. Congratulations Sara!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Wednesday Supper before Worship - Since the closing of the Broad Ripple MCL, Friends have been searching for a new location to meet to eat before Unprogrammed Worship on Wednesdays. For those interested, Friends will be meeting for supper Wednesday evenings between 5:30 and 6:00 pm at the Marsh Supermarket's Soup and Salad Bar at 2350 Broad Ripple Avenue, at least through the month of July before Silent Worship. The worship gathering begins at 7:00 in the Parlor.

YOU are invited! - The Ish group at Indianapolis First Friends invites you and your family to join us on Saturday, July 23 for an all ages evening of music and fellowship. We will gather early to share food, beverage and connection and then stay for the 8pm show put on by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and their special guest Michael Cavanaugh. The theme for the evening is the music of Elton John and Billy Joel. Have the perfect Rocket Man snack or Piano Man punch recipe? Bring snacks and beverages to enjoy and/or share with others. Please RSVP so that we can be on the lookout for you and share if you know what you might bring. Parking is free. Plan is to meet at the front entrance at 6:30 to stake our spot. (You can always join us later as well if that's too early.) Evite: http://evite.me/jhTTqBt84P or contact the office.

Oak Leaf Meeting for Reading women will be gathering Tuesday July 26th in the parlor at 7 pm. Catherine will be leading the discussion for the novel Lila by Marilynne Robinson. If you are interested in being on the email list please contact the office or Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com.

Future 2016 Oak Leaf novels will be:
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

Trunks of Treasures - Shalom Zone Garage Sale - On July 30 from 8:00 am to noon the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more information, contact the office

Sing for a Day – Sunday, August 14th - Ladies Only! No men allowed!!!
Okay girls – have you been longing to sing, but just haven’t had the chance? Well, now you do! You’re all welcome to join Ruthie and prepare a choral piece to sing in Meeting for Worship on Sunday, August 14th. No experience necessary!
Just bring your voice, and lift it to the Lord! We will practice Thursday night, August 11th at 6:30, and then again Sunday morning at 9:30. Come once, or twice for practice, but come ready to sing!

Save the Date! IFCL Film showing! IFCL Presents the documentary film “Quakers – That of God in Everyone”. This 90-minute documentary will introduce you to untold stories of Friends from the American Heartland who profoundly influenced the course of American history, simply by seeing that of God in everyone. The IFCL will be showing the film on Friday, August 19 at 7:00pm in the parlor. Quaker scholar and author Paul Buckley, who provides commentary throughout the film, will lead us in discussion at the conclusion. For more information, contact the office.

Earlham School of Religion is receiving an evaluation committee from its accreditor, The Association of Theological Schools, on September 19-22, 2016. In preparation for and as a requirement of that evaluation, the school invites comments in writing to the school and/or to the Commission concernting the institution’s qualifications for accreditation. Comments may be sent to Earlham School of Religion, Attn: Jay Marshall, 228 College Ave., Richmond, IN 47374 prior to September 16, 2016. The school will appreciate any help that can be provided.

Picture it: A Jewish wedding – “l'chaim, mozeltov!” Buddhists chanting, a turbaned Sikh on a large white stallion, dancers, songs and prayers in different languages........and a large array of Quakers with messages of peace, love and light. These are some of the things you might see and hear at the Festival of Faiths on September 18 at the Veterans War Memorial from 1:00 – 5:00pm.

The idea is to have a large Quaker presence including First Friends Meeting, Plainfield, Fairfield, Valley Mills and others as well as AFSC, FCNL, IFCL and other Quaker organizations.

We are inviting everyone to attend and we are asking people to help with the Quaker area representation. We need a few people to help set up, take down and attend the booth. It is not necessary to be present the whole time. Come anytime that works for you and any time you can give will be appreciated. If you are interested in helping or want more information contact the office.

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we best use the Earth’s gifts?
Tip #1: We can appreciate our food, and try not to waste it.
Tip #2: We can take care of our toys and games and share them when we are done with them.
Tip #3: We can wrap presents with the Sunday news comics to reduce the number of trees cut for paper.
Tip #4: We can visit local parks and wildlife preserves to learn how to enjoy and protect our environment.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

July 13, 2016

July 14, 2016

As Way Opens

Dear Friends,
I have reflected on this message and struggled with what to say today with the continued gun violence and death of officers and victims and the significant personal mourning that I have been experiencing over the last week. I tried to separate these feelings but I just can’t write anything today that doesn’t bring all of this together.

We are mourning the death of so many - the officers in Dallas and victims killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota. We have no idea of the number of deaths every day in each state that are the result of guns, hatred, drugs and a lack of understanding of being a beloved child of God. I don’t know what to do. There is a sense of hopelessness. And then I am hit with a deep sense of personal mourning related to the projected selling of our home that we built 19 years ago (which no one has shown interest in), the loss of memories, the loss of my husband, the sense that I am no longer married and disappointments in some relationships. I am mourning on a national and personal level. It can be hard to move forward with the weight of this reality. I have struggled to find balance. I realize that I am grieving personally and collectively.

I have found that when we are down, God often gives us a book, a call from a wise friend or an insight that is just what we need at that moment in time. I experienced this over the weekend as I started reading Anne Lamott ’s book Traveling Mercies - Anne is deeply spiritual, full of simple insight and irreverent in her comprehension of our lives. This book was what I needed over the weekend. In particular I was touched by her concept of grace: “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.” Wow - that is the kind of grace I need right now. I will be transformed by this grace and my life won’t be what it was because God’s grace has found me.

How do we move forward with the realities of this evil world? How do we live with the grief of our losses and changes? How do we know that we are going to be safe?

We put one foot in front of the other with the grace of God that will give us a glimmer of hope in our darkest of times. Even when we don’t see any way forward, there will always be a third way. We must have faith in this possibility because of grace. We can have this faith because we have experienced it and seen it before. When we experienced many dark moments, we can look back and see that a way opened that we could not have expected. We must hold onto the idea that even when we feel despair, there is a third way.

I am praying that we can all experience God’s grace that changes hearts and minds and gives us a way forward that we could not have imagined. Do not lose hope, because grace is powerful.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

I’m home, and glad to be so! It was an honor to travel to sessions of Friends General Conference and United Society of Friends Women International during these past ten days, presenting workshops and messages at each one. I look forward to sharing about these visits with you all! -Ruthie

A big thank you to Maltie and Larry who hosted 22 of us at the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana last Sunday. We had a wonderful learning and sharing experience of this ancient religion. The Hindu’s have a variety of shrines that are different representations of the Deity and based on one's family background and location, one worships a specific representation of God. It is interesting that we all have a bit different representation of God and create our own image to worship based on many factors. A reminder that our different world religions are more alike than we can imagine.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Please note! Due to Western Yearly Meeting there will be no Monthly Meeting this Sunday.

Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions are coming up this weekend July 14-17 in Plainfield! Here’s a schedule of some of the major events you might enjoy coming to. Check out the WYM website here for more information.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 9:30: Scott Wagoner, North Carolina Yearly Meeting will speak; Scott presented at WYM Spring Retreat

Thursday, July 14th:
7:00 Piano/Organ Concert by Joe and Tom Roberts
7:30 Quaker Lecture with Jonathan Vogel Borne; ‘The Mark of True Discipleship – The Flourishing of Faith, Truth, and Love Among Us’
You’ll find information about Jonathan here: http://www.pacificyearlymeeting.org/2014/documents/about-jonathan-vogel-borne-and-his-keynote-address/

Friday, July 15th:
1:45-3:15 Alternatives to Violence/Help Increase the Peace Workshop with Jonathan Vogel Borne and his wife Minga Caggett Borne. An interactive and informative time together.
7:00 Dessert and Dialogue at the Conversation Café; Young Friends will host a discussion about topics to strengthen our multi-generational relationships and the Yearly Meeting.
Saturday, July 16th:
6:00 Mission Banquet USFW will gather in the Dining Hall. Quaker Men will gather at Friends Apartment Homes on the Yearly Meeting Campus.

Sunday, July 17th:
9:30 Faith, Truth, and Love in Music! Ruthie Tippin and Shawn Porter will lead a concert of Yearly Meeting Friends, including Jim and Leslie Kartholl and Jon Tippin from First Friends Meeting.
10:30 Meeting for Worship; Scott Wagoner speaking. Recording Recognition of Beth Henricks and Katherine Murray.
Back at First Friends, Amy Perry will convene unprogrammed worship in the parlor this Sunday from 10:15 - 11:15. Children are welcome to head to the nursery with Tom and Lori Heusel for games and play outside.

Drivers needed - We have invited children from Iglesias Amigos (Quaker Spanish Church) to join us for Vacation Bible School. They have come the past couple of years and it has added to our experience. This year, Karla Moran is not able to drive them because she is getting married in Kansas. The children have no way to get to First Friends. We are looking for anyone who is available to pick up kids in the Westfield area around 6:00pm and bring them to First Friends and take them back to the church in Westfield at 8:30 (Monday - Thursday)? We also need a pick up kids from the Irvington area at 6:00 to bring them to First Friends. Beth will take this group of kids home each evening (Monday - Thursday). Please let Beth (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you could help in this way.

Wednesday Supper before Worship - Since the closing of the Broad Ripple MCL, Friends have been searching for a new location to meet to eat before Unprogrammed Worship on Wednesdays. For those interested, Friends will be meeting for supper Wednesday evenings between 5:30 and 6:00 pm at the Marsh Supermarket's Soup and Salad Bar at 2350 Broad Ripple Avenue, at least through the month of July before Silent Worship. The worship gathering begins at 7:00 in the Parlor.

Vacation Bible School is only twelve days away! It will begin on Sunday, July 24 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 24th. We welcome all our kids, grandkids and friends of our kids to participate in this fun and special time of learning that Jesus is the Light of the World. We’re registering now! To sign up your kids, there are registration forms in the hallway! Contact Beth with any questions at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org.

Oak Leaf Meeting for Reading women will be gathering Tuesday July 26th in the parlor at 7 pm. Catherine will be leading the discussion for the novel Lila by Marilynne Robinson. If you are interested in being on the email list please contact the office.

Future 2016 Oak Leaf novels will be:
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

Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday August 13th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. We plan to have two 6 hour shifts, 9:30am-3:30pm, and 3:30-9:30pm. It is fast paced but lots of fun! Please let Beth (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you’re interested in volunteering!

Trunks of Treasures - Shalom Zone Garage Sale - On July 30 from 8:00 am to noon the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more information contact the office.

Vegetable Garden - We are in need of a galvanized garbage can to help our vegetable garden! This garbage canister may be large or small but it will need to have a tight lid. It will be used to sanitize tools and will need to keep fumes inside. Our community garden also has flowers if anyone is interested in helping with those. If you’d like to help out, please contact the office. We’d also like to extend our thanks to the gardeners who are weeding and mowing!

Save the Date! IFCL Film showing! IFCL Presents the documentary film “Quakers – That of God in Everyone”. This 90-minute documentary will introduce you to untold stories of Friends from the American Heartland who profoundly influenced the course of American history, simply by seeing that of God in everyone. The IFCL will be showing the film on Friday, August 19 at 7:00pm in the parlor. Quaker scholar and author Paul Buckley, who provides commentary throughout the film, will lead us in discussion at the conclusion. For more information, contact the office.

Take me out to the BALL GAME! Join First Friends on Sunday, August 7th at 1:30 PM to see the Indianapolis Indians! This is a time of fun for anyone to join in from First Friends and ticket costs will be free! Contact Beth if you’re interested (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org).

Picture it: A Jewish wedding – “l'chaim, mozeltov!” Buddhists chanting, a turbaned Sikh on a large white stallion, dancers, songs and prayers in different languages........and a large array of Quakers with messages of peace, love and light. These are some of the things you might see and hear at the Festival of Faiths on September 18 at the Veterans War Memorial from 1:00 – 5:00pm.

The idea is to have a large Quaker presence including First Friends Meeting, Plainfield, Fairfield, Valley Mills and others as well as AFSC, FCNL, IFCL and other Quaker organizations.

We are inviting everyone to attend and we are asking people to help with the Quaker area representation. We need a few people to help set up, take down and attend the booth. It is not necessary to be present the whole time. Come anytime that works for you and any time you can give will be appreciated. If you are interested in helping or want more information contact the office.

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we best use the Earth’s gifts?
Tip #1: We can appreciate our food, and try not to waste it.
Tip #2: We can take care of our toys and games and share them when we are done with them.
NEW TIP: Tip #3: We can wrap presents with the Sunday news comics to reduce the number of trees cut for paper.

From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

July 6th, 2016

July 7, 2016

As Way Opens

Unconditional Love - this is a term that is frequently used to describe our most sacred and intimate relationships and a standard of love that might be our ideal. But what does this term really mean? I was recently accused from a family member that I was not showing unconditional love. I think this charge was leveled because I was not giving the person what they wanted and they could not see beyond their own situation and only wanted help to solve an immediate problem. I am figuring they thought a charge of not showing unconditional love would sting enough to change my mind.

I started thinking about what this concept means and do we find it in the Bible and does this ideal describe God’s love? The words unconditional love are not found anywhere in the Bible and Google tells me it is a concept shaped as our society has developed methods of psychology, sociology and ways to describe different types of love. The definition often includes love without limitations or conditions. I like this one definition I found that describes unconditional love as a state of mind in which one has the goal of increasing the welfare of another, despite any evidence of benefit for oneself. Unconditional love as a state of mind and selfless! While the Bible never uses this term, I embrace the idea that God loves us without limits or conditions. God loves us in our brokenness, our failures and our darkness. This love encompasses us yet doesn’t stop us from making bad choices, feeling resentment, being falsely accused, experiencing loss and pain, and living with consequences. God’s unconditional love doesn’t make our life easy and pain free. But this love changes how we view ourselves and how we can view all others. Jesus challenged us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, to love our enemies, to love as God has loved us. I think what Jesus really challenged us to do was love without any evidence that we will receive any benefit from our expression of love.

We all have relationships with family, friends and colleagues that are disappointing, challenging, full of despair, unjust and painful. Can we offer unconditional love to those that bring us to our knees? It is the challenge of our life and Jesus example of living into this kind of love is what the Christian experience is all about. When we finally understand that we cannot change anyone’s behavior, decisions and attitudes and only can change ourselves do we finally understand this idea of unconditional love. It is not about the other person - it is about us!

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Ruthie has been spending time with Friends – from FGC! Jon and Ruthie traveled to St. Joseph, MN to participate in the Friends General Conference Gathering there. Ruthie presented at a workshop for Friends Committee on National Legislation entitled “Faith Powering Up the Activist Within”. Deep sharing, large and small group activities, journaling, song, and silent worship were a part of the morning spent together. Ruthie will move on to Cedar Rapids, IA where she will be leading the Study Sessions for the United Society of Friends Women International Gathering this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please keep Ruthie in your prayers as she seeks to follow God’s leading.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions are coming up next week July 14-17 in Plainfield! Join us at Yearly Meeting on Sunday, July 17th for a great morning together! At 9:30 - Concert of Gifts and Talents led by Ruthie Tippin; Jim and Leslie Kartholl and Jon Tippin performing. At 10:30 - Meeting for Worship with Scott Wagoner speaking; Recording Recognition of Beth Henricks and Katherine Murray. We will be gathering for a time of fellowship and communion together...So that Faith, Truth, and Love Might Flourish!

Hindu Temple Visit—Friends will be visiting the Hindu Temple (www.htci.org) at 3350 N. German Church Rd this Sunday July 10th. We will meet at the Temple at 9:15 and get a tour and will join their service at 10:00. Maltie who is a member of the Temple will join us there. If you would like to caravan from the Meeting, please be in the parking lot at 8:45 a.m. Let Beth know if you want to attend—beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. Hindu Temple has also shared with us a wonderful link with more information about their temple and Hinduism! Feel free to read it here! https://www.htci.org/images/VisitorsGuide2012.pdf

Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday August 13th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. We plan to have two 6 hour shifts, 9:30am-3:30pm, and 3:30-9:30pm. It is fast paced but lots of fun! Please let Beth (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you’re interested in volunteering!

Quaker Kids Book Club! Join the club – check out a book! The Children’s Library has been moved to a great new spot, and we have LOTS of wonderful books for kids to read. Be sure to watch for the red Quaker “Q”, showing books about Quakers! They’re great. If you sign out a book, you’ve joined the club! Here’s a bit about one of our new books: Maria’s Comet, by Deborah Hopkinson. “Loosely based on the childhood of Quaker Maria (pronounced ma-RYE-ah) Mitchell, America’s first woman astronomer, here is an exquisitely told story of a girl who yearns for adventure beyond her limited circumstances, and sets out to follow her heart.” Check it out!

Vacation Bible School is only a few weeks away! It will begin on Sunday, July 24 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 24th. We welcome all our kids, grandkids and friends of our kids to participate in this fun and special time of learning that Jesus is the Light of the World. We’re registering now! To sign up your kids, there are registration forms in the hallway! Contact Beth with any questions at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org.

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 IFCL clerk, Bill at drchapman@earthlink.net. For more information about the work of IFCL visit www.quakerifcl.org

Vegetable Garden - We are in need of a galvanized garbage can to help our vegetable garden! This garbage canister may be large or small but it will need to have a tight lid. It will be used to sanitize tools and will need to keep fumes inside. Our community garden also has flowers if anyone is interested in helping with those. If you’d like to help out, please contact Nancy the office.

FUM Summer Mission Project: Power to Pastors - This year’s FUM Summer Mission Project is to support Friends Theological College (“FTC”) located in a rural area in western Kenya. One of the challenges FTC has is frequent power blackouts. This inhibits the ability of students to check out library materials, access items at the library, do research, and use the computers. FTC plans to install 32 solar panels (costing $1,500 each) to help alleviate this power shortage problem. Friends United Meeting (a global organization of which First Friends is a part) has set a goal of $20,000 to help FTC acquire the needed solar panels. Please help as you are able. Witness & Service will match all contributions from folks at First Friends (up to an aggregate match of $1,500.00) which are given for this project. Checks may be written to “First Friends” with a notation of “FUM-Power to Pastors”. Your support is appreciated.

Take me out to the BALL GAME! Join First Friends on Sunday, August 7th at 1:30 PM to see the Indianapolis Indians! This is a time of fun for anyone to join in from First Friends and ticket costs will be free! Contact Beth if you’re interested (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org).

Picture it: A Jewish wedding – “l'chaim, mozeltov!” Buddhists chanting, a turbaned Sikh on a large white stallion, dancers, songs and prayers in different languages........and a large array of Quakers with messages of peace, love and light. These are some of the things you might see and hear at the Festival of Faiths on September 18 at the Veterans War Memorial from 1:00 – 5:00pm.

The idea is to have a large Quaker presence including First Friends Meeting, Plainfield, Fairfield, Valley Mills and others as well as AFSC, FCNL, IFCL and other Quaker organizations.

We are inviting everyone to attend and we are asking people to help with the Quaker area representation. We need a few people to help set up, take down and attend the booth. It is not necessary to be present the whole time. Come anytime that works for you and any time you can give will be appreciated. If you are interested in helping or want more information contact the office.

Leave a green footprint! ~ The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we best use the Earth’s gifts?
Tip #2: We can take care of our toys and games and share them when we are done with them.
From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

Comment

June 29th, 2016

June 29, 2016

As Way Opens

Hello Friends! After two weeks of travel, Jon and I have returned home. We had an incredible trip, revisiting some places and seeing new sites that we’d never seen in England, Scotland, the Isle of Barra (in the Outer Hebrides), and the Isle of Man. It was wonderful to see again the places where George Fox and the early Friends gathered, to visit castles and coastlines, to meet new people and make new friends. Wherever we went, there was always one conversation going - Brexit. It didn’t matter where we were – the news broadcasts and personal conversations were centered on the referendum of the United Kingdom's membership in the European Union. What would it be… to Leave or Remain?
On Friday morning, June 24th, Jon and I woke up at Dylan and Elspeth MacNeil’s home on the tiny island of Barra – now a bed and breakfast – to discover that the UK had voted to leave. After breakfast, the news came that the Prime Minister had resigned. So much change in just a day! We couldn’t believe it. Dylan and Elspeth were surprised. I think everyone was. Scotland voted to remain, but the UK had chosen to leave. ‘Many Britons are scrambling to apply for passports from countries within the E.U., as a way to stay in the bloc even as their country waves goodbye.’ Their world was topsy-turvy.
This all stands to remind me of how interconnected we are – politically, economically, personally… Even when we part company, relationships matter. How do we disentangle reliance and interests we’ve held with others? Hopefully, with grace and care. Friend Joshua Rowntree wrote in 1913: “All enlargements of the circle of man’s life bring their fresh difficulties. The early Friends worked ever from the centre of life to the circumference. Their work came out splendidly true, and it was never shallow.’
It is our work to do to respond rather than react to change. The Quaker ideal of remaining centered regardless of the shifts in our personal lives or the lives of our community, our nation and our world depends on our willingness to listen, until we’ve heard God speak. What does our experience of God teach us? What does our understanding of ourselves in a larger context tell us? Are we rehearsing our own thoughts or are we truly listening for God’s voice? How do we connect, even in times of stress? How do we hear what others are saying?
Whether we’re on the Isle of Man or in the island of our own family and friends, we are connected. Regardless of the results at the ballot box, we are all a part of humankind – God’s created expression of the image of God. In this time of partisan politics, hate speech, and cruel acts against those considered ‘other’, we must remember to live and work from the Center out, and not from the circumference in. The closer we come to the Center, the closer we become to one another. I vote to remain in the Center.

Ruthie

Considering the Quote:
In the afternoon the people gathered about me, with several of their preachers. It was judged there were above a thousand people; to whom I declared God's everlasting truth and Word of life freely and largely for about the space of three hours. I directed all to the Spirit of God in themselves; that they might be turned from darkness to Light, and believe in it; that they might become the children of it, and might be turned from the power of Satan unto God, and by the Spirit of truth might be led into all truth, and sensibly understand the words of the prophets, of Christ, and of the apostles; and might all come to know Christ to be their teacher to instruct them, their counsellor to direct them, their shepherd to feed them, their bishop to oversee them, and their prophet to open divine mysteries to them; and might know their bodies to be prepared, sanctified, and made fit temples for God and Christ to dwell in. In the openings of heavenly life I explained unto them the prophets, and the figures and shadows, and directed them to Christ, the substance. George Fox, 1652 at Firbank Fell

Joys & Concerns

Happy 4th of July! We hope you have a fun and safe Independence Day weekend! Please note the office will be closed Monday, July 5th in observance of the holiday.

Pray for Istanbul. Pray for the World. Not only glass and metal, but families have been shattered, lives have been lost, and the pervading fear of terrorist attacks continues. We pray for those who were injured, and whose families have lost loved ones in the bombing of the airport in Turkey. We pray for an end of terror and fear. And, we continue to work for peace. Let us be courageous.

This past Sunday, 16 adults and young people from First Friends and from the Muslim community joined together to serve clients and stock shelves at the Mid North Food Pantry. A big thank you for all who helped serve. The leaders of the Food Pantry were so pleased to see our faith communities come together in support of helping the clients of Mid North.

nnouncements, Reports, & Opportunities

Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday August 13th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. We plan to have two 6 hour shifts, 9:30am-3:30pm, and 3:30-9:30pm. It is fast paced but lots of fun! Please let Beth (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you’re interested in volunteering!

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 IFCL clerk, Bill at drchapman@earthlink.net. For more information about the work of IFCL visit www.quakerifcl.org

Vegetable Garden - We are in need of a galvanized garbage can to help our vegetable garden! This garbage canister may be large or small but it will need to have a tight lid. It will be used to sanitize tools and will need to keep fumes inside. Our community garden also has flowers if anyone is interested in helping with those. If you’d like to help out, please contact the office.

FUM Summer Mission Project: Power to Pastors - This year’s FUM Summer Mission Project is to support Friends Theological College (“FTC”) located in a rural area in western Kenya. One of the challenges FTC has is frequent power blackouts. This inhibits the ability of students to check out library materials, access items at the library, do research, and use the computers. FTC plans to install 32 solar panels (costing $1,500 each) to help alleviate this power shortage problem. Friends United Meeting (a global organization of which First Friends is a part) has set a goal of $20,000 to help FTC acquire the needed solar panels. Please help as you are able. Witness & Service will match all contributions from folks at First Friends (up to an aggregate match of $1,500.00) which are given for this project. Checks may be written to “First Friends” with a notation of “FUM-Power to Pastors”. Your support is appreciated.

Hindu Temple Visit—Friends will be visiting the Hindu Temple (www.htci.org) at 3350 N. German Church Rd on Sunday July 10th. We will meet at the Temple at 9:15 and get a tour and will join their service at 10:00. Maltie who is a member of the Temple will join us there. If you would like to caravan from the Meeting, please be in the parking lot at 8:45 a.m. Let Beth know if you want to attend—beth.henricks@indyfriends.org.

Seasoned Friends for all folks somewhere around retirement age will be Wednesday, July 13. This is our annual picnic with fried chicken, potato salad and other salads provided. Please RSVP to Kathy (kathyfarris@hotmail.com) so we can know how much chicken to buy. While you're marking your calendar, put October 12 down for the fall seasoned friends with our annual weenie roast!

Vacation Bible School is only a few weeks away! It will begin on Sunday, July 24 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 24th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher/leader and would like to help, please contact Beth at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. We welcome all our kids, grandkids and friends of our kids to participate in this fun and special time of learning that Jesus is the Light of the World. A sign up sheet will be in the hallway starting next week.

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.

Shalom Zone Garage Sale – Mark your calendars! On July 30th from 8:00 am to noon the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more information contact the office.

Take me out to the BALL GAME! Join First Friends on Sunday, August 7th at 1:30 PM to see the Indianapolis Indians! This is a time of fun for anyone to join in from First Friends and ticket costs will be free! Contact Beth if you’re interested (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org).

Save the Date! The Indy Festival of Faiths is coming up on Sunday, September 18th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s War Memorial. The Indy Festival of Faiths is an annual gathering in downtown Indianapolis designed to recognize, highlight, and celebrate the diverse religious landscape in central Indiana. For more information, visit www.festivaloffaiths.com.

Shalom Zone Recycle Force Event - Our friends at Recycle Force will be picking up used electronic and appliance items at St. Pius X on September 24. If it runs (or used to run) with a plug or a battery you can recycle it! Larger items can be dropped off and stored in the First Friends garage prior to September 24 (contact the First Friends office to do this). More info regarding this event will be provided closer to that day.

Quaker Kids Book Club! Join the club – check out a book! The Children’s Library has been moved to a great new spot, and we have LOTS of wonderful books for kids to read. Be sure to watch for the red Quaker “Q”, showing books about Quakers! They’re great. If you sign out a book, you’ve joined the club! Here’s a bit about one of our new books: Maria’s Comet, by Deborah Hopkinson. “Loosely based on the childhood of Quaker Maria (pronounced ma-RYE-ah) Mitchell, America’s first woman astronomer, here is an exquisitely told story of a girl who years for adventure beyond her limited circumstances, and sets out to follow her heart.” Check it out!

NEW ~ Leave a green footprint! ~ For the next 16 weeks, we will be featuring “16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth.” Each week we will be a new tip that you can try with your children to help keep the Earth healthy!
The Earth is an amazing and beautiful place. All its riches will last, so long as we learn to use only what we need.
How can we best use the Earth’s gifts?
Tip #1: We can appreciate our food, and try not to waste it.
From 16 Things Kids can do to Help Care for the Earth, by Dana Kester-McCabe, 2006.

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June 22, 2016

June 23, 2016

As Way Opens

Last year I met a woman named Gilda that came into our lives through an agency that provides companion care for individuals in their home. We initially met around our dining room table with the agency owner, Gilda, my husband Jerry and me. Gilda had beautiful hair and such a clear complexion for being in her 60’s. She was African American and had worked in several doctor’s homes as a housekeeper for over 30 years. She didn’t have much education but she was really smart. And her smile and laugh lit up the room.

Jerry was having a lot of trouble with words and he was trying to share with her a story that I had heard a hundred times before but she couldn’t understand it at all. It’s a story about how Jerry’s dad displayed some prejudice in his life but he wanted to ensure that his son had none in his life. After struggling for several minutes he came out with the words “I love black people" and started crying. It moved all of us around the table and we all had tears in our eyes. That was the start of our relationship with Gilda. For many months she came over and stayed with Jerry, cooked for him, looked at his thousands of pictures and took care of unpleasant tasks with a smile. Even though our backgrounds and life experiences were very different, Gilda and I were connected in the heart. We shared hopes, dreams, our faith and fears together.

As time went on, it became apparent that Jerry would need to move into a memory care unit. We said goodbye to Gilda but she and I stayed connected through texting and sharing how things were going etc. And then one month after Jerry moved, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Our beloved Gilda was given less than 6 months to live. I started visiting her in her home and the hospital. She started taking chemo but it was difficult and she kept getting sick. But every time I would see her, we would laugh and cry and she was most concerned about the burden she was to her husband and daughter. She was not afraid of dying and her faith was strong.

I texted her 3 weeks ago and never heard back from her. I heard from her daughter last week that she had passed away. The daughter realized after the funeral that she should have contacted me but I was not in the circle of their family. Our relationship was unique and special and we both said that God brought us together.

God speaks to us and shows us the capacity of love in the ordinary, in the common place and in relationships that don’t make sense on paper. I am thankful that God brought Gilda to me and I will honor and cherish her life and the love she gave us. How has God spoken to you in the routine of life and the people we come in contact with? Who are you thankful for today? Tell them that you love them.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

A big ‘Thank You’ to Tom Hamm! He was our guest speaker this past Sunday, June 19th. He shared with us some important Quakers in Indiana history, how they made a difference for the better, and what we can learn from them! Our sincerest thanks to Tom!

Our friend Phil Goodchild recently had a letter to the editor published in the Indianapolis Star on June 11th. He wrote about our mass incarceration problem. Read his letter here or find it in the paper!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

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 IFCL clerk, Bill Chapman at drchapman@earthlink.net. For more information about the work of IFCL visit www.quakerifcl.org

Excel, Anyone? If you have a little bit of time, and know how to do data entry on an Excel spreadsheet, we’d appreciate your help. Books have been donated to the Meeting Library, and need to be added to our catalog. Please let the Office know, and we’ll be in touch. Thank you.

Garden News – Looking for anyone who can help around the meeting house with gardening and clean up. Please join Terry at the meeting house 10AM -Noon on Saturday the 25th. Learn a new plant, ask gardening questions, take care of a bed of flowers- should be an enriching volunteer experience!

Our member Marshelle will be speaking in Meeting for Worship this Sunday. Marion Superior Court Magistrate Marshelle is originally from Richmond, Indiana, as is her husband and high school sweetheart, Jonathan. A Butler grad, she earned her law degree from IU. Marshelle spent her first seven years as an attorney at the Marion County Public Defender Agency. She then worked for the City of Indianapolis and briefly in private practice before being appointed to the bench. She currently presides over domestic violence and domestic relations cases. We look forward to hearing from her! Please join us on June 26th!

FUM Summer Mission Project: Power to Pastors - This year’s FUM Summer Mission Project is to support Friends Theological College (“FTC”) located in a rural area in western Kenya. One of the challenges FTC has is frequent power blackouts. This inhibits the ability of students to check out library materials, access items at the library, do research, and use the computers. FTC plans to install 32 solar panels (costing $1,500 each) to help alleviate this power shortage problem. Friends United Meeting (a global organization of which First Friends is a part) has set a goal of $20,000 to help FTC acquire the needed solar panels. Please help as you are able. Witness & Service will match all contributions from folks at First Friends (up to an aggregate match of $1,500.00) which are given for this project. Checks may be written to “First Friends” with a notation of “FUM-Power to Pastors”. Your support is appreciated.

Vacation Bible School is only a few weeks away! It will begin on Sunday, July 24 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 24th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher/leader and would like to help, please contact Beth at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. We welcome all our kids, grandkids and friends of our kids to participate in this fun and special time of learning that Jesus is the Light of the World. A sign up sheet will be in the hallway starting next week.

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.

Shalom Zone Garage Sale – Mark your calendars! On July 30th from 8:00 am to noon the Shalom Zone churches (Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, Epworth, First Friends and St. Pius X) will be sponsoring "garage sale" and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Road. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you - bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more information contact Jim Donahue or Bill Chapman.

Save the Date! The Indy Festival of Faiths is coming up on Sunday, September 18th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s War Memorial. The Indy Festival of Faiths is an annual gathering in downtown Indianapolis designed to recognize, highlight, and celebrate the diverse religious landscape in central Indiana. For more information, visit www.festivaloffaiths.com.

Shalom Zone Recycle Force Event - Our friends at Recycle Force will be picking up used electronic and appliance items at St. Pius X on September 24. If it runs (or used to run) with a plug or a battery you can recycle it! Larger items can be dropped off and stored in the First Friends garage prior to September 24 (contact Jim Donahue, Bill Chapman or the First Friends office to do this). More info regarding this event will be provided closer to that day.

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.

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Sentence Search ~ Someone says a sentence, like “This is fun.” Then everybody else tries to find things that begin with the first letter of each word. In this case, maybe you’d find a thistle (T), an iris (I) and a fountain (F). Start with short sentences and then try some longer ones.
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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June 15th, 2016

June 15, 2016

As Way Opens

I am sitting in my office today, watching the rain pour from the sky and feeling sadness and pain as I continue to read more and more about the violent tragedy in Orlando this weekend. What do we do when faced with this kind of horror? How do we reconcile the belief there is that of God in each person with the evil we saw on display in this shooting rampage?

Wanda Coffin Baker shared a wonderful devotional about the Presence in the Midst paintings to a Quaker religious education gathering I attended in Richmond over the weekend. Most of us are familiar with the original Presence in the Midst painting by J. Doyle Penrose painted in 1916 of Jordan’s Meeting House outside of London. A contemporary artist name Ron Waddam reimagined the painting and presented Christ in the Midst of Quaker Meeting in an abstract form. Waddam was born in 1920 and he started working at a London commercial art studio in 1937. He was drafted into military service and served from 1940-1946. He continued his work as a graphic artist after the war and became a Quaker in 1978. The images of war that he experienced made him stop painting for some time. But as time went on, he began to feel inspired to express his values and concerns through his art. He saw the possibility of living without conflict when we are able to recognize that Christ is in our midst and painted his depiction of the Jordan Meeting House gathering.

I have been sitting with this painting the last couple of days. The fluidity, the connection, the circle joined together with Christ in the center gives me hope of a new possibility. I don’t want to become planted in a place that says we can’t change things and this is our new normal. The presence of Christ in our midst changes everything. Even through tragedy and pain, Christ in our midst holds us together, circles us with love and calls us to action. I like what Stephen Colbert said on his show Monday night that love is a verb. It is an action word and requires us to do something. May we show our love today in big and small ways. And may we hold in the Light the families and friends that have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May they see the presence of Christ in their midst.

Beth

Joys and Concerns

Ruthie is on vacation the next two weeks! Ruthie left for England this past weekend with her husband Jon. She did arrive safely, and even spent the night at Swarthmoor Hall last evening! She will be returning Tuesday, June 28th. As you will find below, we will have guest speakers during Meeting for Worship the next two Sundays in her absence. We wish Ruthie and Jon the most fun and relaxing vacation!

Our hearts are heavy for the unimaginable tragedy that happened at Pulse in Orlando in the early hours of Sunday, June 12th. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected. Please pray for the shooting victims and their families as we grieve over this heartbreaking loss of life.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

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

Excel, Anyone? If you have a little bit of time, and know how to do data entry on an Excel spreadsheet, we’d appreciate your help. Books have been donated to the Meeting Library, and need to be added to our catalog. Please let the Office know, and we’ll be in touch. Thank you.

Garden News – Looking for anyone who can help around the meeting house with gardening and clean up. Please join Terry at the meeting house 10AM -Noon on Saturday the 18th and the 25th. Learn a new plant, ask gardening questions, take care of a bed of flowers- should be an enriching volunteer experience!

School on Wheels looking for Volunteers! The School on Wheels is the charity for the RUN(317) Race on Broad Ripple tomorrow, 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 expert historians on Quakers in America. He will be speaking about specific times in Indiana History when Quakers made a difference for the better.
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 this Sunday, June 19, 2016. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.

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!) For more information click here or contact the office!

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.

Vacation Bible School is only a few weeks away! It will begin on Sunday, July 24 from 12:00-2:00pm and will continue Mon.-Thurs. from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Lunch will be provided for all who attend on the 24th. We are currently looking for volunteers to help! If you are interested in being a teacher/leader and would like to help, please contact Beth at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. We welcome all our kids, grandkids and friends of our kids to participate in this fun and special time of learning that Jesus is the Light of the World. A sign up sheet will be in the hallway starting next week.

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

“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Touch Ten ~ With a pencil and paper, wander around and find ten different things that have different textures. Write down the name of the object and a word to describe the texture. See if you can find another ten things with ten new textures. What is the weirdest one to touch? Which thing has the texture you like the most, and why?
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

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Beth

Joys & Concerns

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Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

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Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

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Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

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Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

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Beth

Joys & Concerns

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

As Way Opens

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

As Way Opens

Ruthie

Joys & Concerns

nnouncements, Reports, & Opportunities

As Way Opens

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

As Way Opens

Beth

Joys and Concerns

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities