Friend to Friend May 4, 2022

May 5, 2022

As Way Opens

The last couple weeks the weather has afforded Sue and I the opportunity to clean up and beautify the landscaping around our home. I find something spiritual about this process especially as it usually takes place around the time we celebrate Easter, Earth Day and resurrection.

As I look out the window in early spring, I begin to anticipate when life will return to Indiana. The reality is that part of that return takes some work on our part. The ground needs turned over, the dead growth needs trimmed back, and the dormant bulbs need replanted. To appreciate fully the resurrection that is to take place, means we must get a little dirty and put some real effort into the preparation.

The same is true for our spiritual lives. There are winter periods when we feel distant from the Divine, when there seems to be no life around us, and where we need to undergo some spiritual pruning ourselves. I am always reminded of the metaphor the writer of John uses of Jesus being a vine and the Father the gardener. He says,

“I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

In the Japanese gardening technique of open centered pruning the gardener cuts away not only the dead branches and foliage, but also often a number of perfectly healthy branches that detract from the beauty inherent in the tree’s essential structure.

Pruning of this nature allows one to see up and beyond the tree and into the sky, creating a sense of spaciousness and letting light back into the garden. It also enables an individual tree to flourish by removing complicating elements and simplifying the structure. To me open centered pruning seems very Quakerly.

I believe the Divine wants our essential nature to flourish, as well. The spiritual pruning we engage helps simplify our journeys and offer us the space needed to let the Light back into our lives. This week as you work within your natural spaces, take a moment to ponder how the Divine is helping prune you so that the Light may enter and help you flourish!

Grace and peace,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

Babysitting Co-Op a Success! ~ We had our first Babysitting Co-op of 2022 and we were thrilled to be able to hold this event again. The kids had a blast! Thank you to Beth Henricks and Tiffany Beaver for hosting and watching our kids! Also thank you to Sally for babysitting help.

Please hold in the Light those participating in this weekend’s "Mysticism in Ordinary Life Retreat” in honor of Linda Lee. We pray for safe travels for the retreat leaders coming from Oregon and the participants coming from the greater Indianapolis area as they make their way to Beech Grove. Overall, we hope this opportunity for spiritual growth will speak to the condition of all those in attendance in a special way.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Honoring Our Graduates ~ If you or someone in your family are graduating this season, please let us know! We’d like to honor them in an upcoming service. If you have a high school, college, or advanced degree graduate, please contact us at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Illuminate Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to the First Friends Bible study every Thursday at 7:30, by Zoom. On May 19 (please note the changed date!) we'll begin a new 13-week study of several New Testament books; 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and 1, 2, and 3 John. Here's the link to the book: Illuminate: 1, 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; and 1, 2, 3 John (barclaypressbookstore.com). Just email the office for the Zoom link, which is the same each week.

Claim Your Vegetable Plot in the FF Community Garden ~ The daffodils are leading the way into springtime activity. Adorned in their showy frills they sway dance-like in the breeze, beckoning people to the First Friends Community Garden. If you would like to plant vegetables in a raised bed on the north side of the Meetinghouse, you can request a plot. You do not need to be experienced. It is an organic garden. Free seeds are available at local libraries. To keep your plots from last year, or to join the gardening community, contact Nancy at starlite50@icloud.com.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for May

Ovenbird

Teacher Appreciation

It was a perfect day for birding in the Meditational Woods and the rest of the Meetinghouse property. After a nighttime soaking rain, the morning was cool and crisp, with little wind. Sounds, especially bird songs, carry well in these conditions. There was plenty of activity, birdwise, as first of May begins the two weeks leading up to the peak of spring migration. Perhaps today I will even find a species new to me for our woods.

Then I heard the loud song. I immediately stopped to listen again. This was an Ovenbird, a type of warbler, and this was my second encounter over the years with this species here in the Meditational Woods. The bird almost always sings while on or near the ground. Except for the black-bordered orange cap stripe, the bird resembles a miniature thrush, with a brown back, bold streaking, and a white eye-ring. The unusual name comes from its habit of building on the ground a domed nest with a side entrance, reminding the namer of the outdoor ovens of pioneer days.

What in the world does this have to do with the above subtitle of Teacher Appreciation? I do appreciate that loud song I heard, which is unmistakable. It needs a loud, diagnostic song because this small bird nests in large forest tracts, from Indiana all the way to the far north. It sings, “tea-cher, tea-CHER, tea-CHER, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR”. The song gets louder with each “teacher”. Some people say that the syllables are actually reversed, as in “Cher-TEA”. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!

Note: As it turns out I actually DID add a new species in the Meditational Woods today, but that story will have to wait for next month!! - Brad J

Gnostic Gospel Group ~ A couple of weeks ago we dug into the ever controversial topic of resurrection and had a very lively conversation! Before taking a summer break, we will meet one more time on Thursday, May 26 at 6:30pm in the Parlor for our usual light meal before discussion. We will be discussing The Prayer of the Apostle Paul and The Second Book of the Odes to Solomon. We will also talk about possible plans for the fall. If you are interested in joining this group study on the non-canonical/Gnostic Gospels, contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).

Save the Date: Organ Concert! We are so excited to announce an Organ Concert put on by our new organist, Wolff V. Join us on Sunday, June 5th at 4pm at Indianapolis First Friends. Be sure to save the date!

Queries for the Week

How am I incarnating Jesus to my neighbors?
What fears are getting in my way?

Comment

Friend to Friend April 27, 2022

April 28, 2022

As Way Opens

On Sunday, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our beautiful First Friends Meditational Woods. It was also Earth Sunday and as Quakers we took time to remember our testimony of stewardship to the Earth:

To protect and care for the Earth in a sacred trust.
To walk lightly on the Earth, recycle and reuse whenever possible, and reduce the amount of energy we consume.
To promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
To teach social justice and the need for equal access to resources.

We started our celebration inside the Meetinghouse singing, praying, and teaching our children about the care of the earth. Before Mary Blackburn shared her special Earth Sunday message, we were captivated by a video about the grand Sequoia trees in California. In her message, Mary shared the biblical and Quaker mandate to care for creation. She also gave the history of our meditational woods. Mary prompted us to consider what we can do in 2022, and how we might protect the future for the children in our meeting.

At the conclusion of the message, we entered Waiting Worship in silence and moved outside to the meditational woods. There we shared stories of how the woods had spoken to our condition. A handful of people shared moving stories, including former pastor and visionary for the meditational woods, Stan Banker. After our sharing, we rededicated the meditation woods with the following prayer:

In the beginning, God chose to express God’s creativity and companionship
God’s nurture, harmony, and blessing by creating a garden

In the end,
When all of God’s desires are fully fulfilled
There will be a garden
It is in this promise and grace
That we re-dedicate the use of the First Friends Meditational Woods
To the glory and use of the Creator God.

May it be a quiet place for those who need rest
May it be a joyful place, delighting the senses
May it be a peaceful place, for those whose ashes are scattered here
and those who come to remember them
May these flowers remind us to keep blooming
May these benches remind us to stop and take a rest
May these trees remind us to root ourselves in God’s Love
and shelter one another in grace

In every season,
may this Meditational Woods continue to welcome our neighbors
and draw us all to the goodness of our Creator. Amen.

To conclude, Eric Baker led us in singing an a cappella hymn in the woods before coming in for a special luncheon and cake to commemorate the day.

Our prayer is that the meditational woods will continue to be an inviting place of beauty and conservation in the city of Indianapolis for many years to come.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

MLK Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House ~ You’re invited to join the board, staff, and volunteers of the MLK Center as they celebrate the reopening of their newly renovated space. A Ribbon Cutting and Open House will be held on Friday, April 29th, 3:30-6:30, but you can also schedule a short, small-group tour any day this week for a sneak peek and VIP treatment! First Friends has supported the programs at MLK Center through the Howard Taylor Fund. The Center provides programs to the community, including counseling through CTS, after school programs for K-8, the only Best Buy Tech Center in the state of Indiana and much more. Interested in tutoring in STEM and reading? They welcome volunteers! Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-center-ribbon-cutting-and-open-house-tickets-274927394237 for more information.

College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their exams at school. We are still accepting monetary donations if you’d like to support our kids. Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or donate online at www.indyfriends.org/support and choose “College care packages”. Thank you for your support!

Can You Help out a Friend? Our Friend Tony M (he recently celebrated his 50th with a big birthday bash!) is moving into a new apartment. He is in need of help moving the weekend of April 29. If you own a truck, and/or would otherwise like to help with the move, please consider lending a hand. Also, Tony unfortunately has to give up his pets—a well-trained, 8-year-old cat and a bird—if you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening Saturday April 30, 5:00 - 9:00, (please note the changed time) hosted by Tiffany Beaver and Beth Henricks. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!

A Small Ceremony in Memory of Linda Lee ~ After Meeting for Worship on Sunday, May 1, we welcome you to a brief ceremony in the Meditational Woods as we join Ed Morris in spreading the ashes of our beloved Linda Lee. Afterward we will join in a time of fellowship. Please be sure to bring water-resistant shoes in case of rain, and dress for the weather. If you’d like to volunteer to bring some cookies to share, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Mysticism in Our Ordinary Life ~ We hope to see you on Saturday May 7th for the Linda Lee Spirituality Retreat where we will examine and experience a mystical life in a practical way. The retreat will be a time of gathering together for teaching and small groups, as well as choices of individual experiences inside and outside the retreat center for reflection and contemplation. The retreat will be led by Carole Spencer, former Professor at Earlham School of Religion; Kathi Gatlin, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary; and Lynn Clouser Holt, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. The retreat will run from 10:00 – 4:00 at the Benedictine Center. Linda Lee’s books will be available. Retreat cost is $30. If you’d like to register, please visit https://forms.gle/S2iBVunJVq3bpTHw6. All registrations are due by THIS Sunday, May 1.

Woods from the Woods ~ Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Meditational Woods on April 24, 2022! It was a joyous day both inside and out! Thanks for the special music, children’s message, blessings, sharing and food.

Several people shared how the Woods has been a healing presence. Vicki Wertz told about a special time sitting with her aging mother in the Meditational Circle, being still and being present together. Her mother has been declining in her abilities over the last few years and has difficulty expressing her thoughts. Vicki later told me a special addition to her story. Her mother used to know the names of many trees and wildflowers and would press flowers and leaves in a book. "As we were sitting there quietly, all of a sudden my mother says “Well, this is absolutely beautiful…” And I’m telling you, Mary, she hasn’t been able to put a sentence together in weeks”. What a profound experience...

We are adding some new plants to the memorial mound plaque: wild petunia and butterfly milkweed are joining the recently planted blue eyed grass, and prairie dropseed. I wonder what pollinator friends they will attract? Add some plants to your native areas of your yards:

IUPUI Biology Dept is having a sale: For 25 years, the IUPUI Biology Club has grown and sold houseplants, succulents, annual and native perennial flowering plants, vegetables and herbs to the campus community every spring.

The sale will take place outside the Engineering Science and Technology Building-Science Building’s west entrance (or inside the lobby if it’s raining) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 to 29.

Proceeds from the sale support Biology Club activities, charities supported by the Biology Club, and student scholarships and grants.

Native Plants Unlimited starts its Spring sale on May 3. For more information:

https://nativeplantsunlimitedshop.com

The Last Day of Marian University Eco-Lab Native Plant Sale is April 30th! Order online at: https://www.marian.edu/about-marian/nina-mason-pulliam-ecolab/programs/community-programs/native-plant-sale

With love from the Woods, Mary B & Mindy S

Illuminate Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to the First Friends Bible study every Thursday at 7:30, by Zoom. On May 12 we'll begin a new 13-week study of several New Testament books; 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and 1, 2, and 3 John. Here's the link to the book: Illuminate: 1, 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; and 1, 2, 3 John (barclaypressbookstore.com). Just email the office for the Zoom link, which is the same each week.

Resources for Earth Day ~ ENERGY STAR for Congregations: An average worship facility can save up to 30 percent on energy through no-cost actions, strategic investment, and smart operations and maintenance. These savings can verify the careful stewardship of member’s donations and can be repurposed to the mission and ministries of the congregation.

To get started now, download the free Action Workbook for Congregations. Next, learn why the powerful, free Portfolio Manager is the national standard tool for understanding baseline energy and water use and for tracking your savings and pollution prevention.

Quaker Earthcare Witness has resources to learn more: quakerearthcare.org/resources

Evangelical Environmental Network has resources: Creationcare.org

Afghan Family Update - The family is always gracious. Each time I arrive at their home, even to just pick them up, they welcome me inside and want me to sit. After a shopping trip last week, I was invited to join them for the evening meal to break the day’s fast. I was given the cushion and the family sat on the floor. The meal was delicious; tender chunks of meat, a sweet lime milk, homemade naan bread, seasoned spinach. The family tore pieces of naan and used it to eat the other dishes. They were thoughtful and gave me a spoon and fork, but I gave the naan try - I wasn’t greatly adept!

A birthday cake, complete with candles, was presented to the youngest son recently. He broke out in a huge grin when he saw the cake! Birthdays are not celebrated in Afghan culture, so we have shared cakes to introduce an American tradition. And the tradition seems to be much enjoyed!

We continue tutoring English & homework. We are helping the family prepare for the Eid celebration at the beginning of May. And we are working with the family to gain greater transportation independence.

As always, we are grateful for the many ways you have supported this family.

Barb D, Co-ordinating Committee
First Friends Afghan Project

Queries for the Week

· What can I do in 2022 to keep God’s garden in order?

· As we consider the children in our meeting, what will you do to protect their futures?

Comment

Friend to Friend April 20, 2022

April 21, 2022

As Way Opens

I am still living in the glow of a beautiful Easter Sunday that we had this past week. The flowers, the children, the music, the sharing, the breaking of bread together, sunshine, being with families, the reflection of forgiveness and resurrection are all glorious and the day can bring joy and inspiration. We live for these mountaintop experiences and pray that we will feel God in the most profound way. And that can happen.

But I have found that it is often during my deepest struggles that I find God. Sometimes we pray that God will take our pain and struggles away and yet it is through our struggles that we find strength and receive wings to the Spirit even while experiencing our deepest trials. I was reminded of this as I observed my rhododendron bush trying to bloom this Spring. Here is a picture of the snowflakes on the leaves prior to the beautiful blossoms exploding. I was worried that the blossoms would be destroyed and I would miss out on the beauty of this bush that only lasts for a short time. But sure enough late last week, it prevailed through the struggle of cold and snow to bring forth its shining glory.

It’s the same experience when one can watch a bird pecking its way out of the eggshell. The pecking can go on for a long time and if one listens carefully one can hear a cry of distress and anguish. But the bird keeps pecking away and eventually emerges bedraggled and wet but triumphant and living into the fullness of their identity.

I’ll never forget the one Sunday when our longtime friend Duffy Fankboner (whom we lost a number of years ago) spoke out of the silence during unprogrammed worship. Duffy suffered a lot of physical pain brought on by being exposed to agent orange during the Vietnam war. He had a lot of trouble with his feet and sometimes the pain in his feet was so bad at night that he could not sleep. One particular night the pain was intense and he began praying to God to take this pain away. During his prayers something shifted and he began to feel God through the pain. With tears in his eyes, he shared that his pain had become a portal to the fullness of God’s presence in that moment. The experience changed the way he approached his pain and he spent less time praying for the pain to go away and more time experiencing God directly. And for those who remember Duffy he was one of the most positive, Spirit filled, and beloved members of our community.

My prayer for all of us is to understand that we all struggle throughout life and we will experience individual and corporate trials. May we begin to discern that our growth, acceptance and Spiritual transformation are all tied into our challenges.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

We had a wonderful time this past Sunday as we celebrated Easter! We were thrilled to be able to join together in person and resume our traditional Easter activities. We had our annual Easter egg hunt and our kids had a blast! We also were able to resume our usual Easter brunch. Thank you to everyone who purchased flowers to help beautify our Meetingroom for the service. We’d also like to thank Fellowship committee for arranging a lovely brunch. And finally thank you to everyone who came and joined our special Easter Celebration! (Thanks to Beth K & Kim H for the photos!)

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Men’s Threshing Together ~ If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Join us for our next in-person meeting on Thursday, April 21 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2022 here. (Please note the corrected dates!)

Flood the Phones, Not Our Homes ~ Together we can make this month a turning point in our fight for health, climate, and God’s creation. From now until Friday, April 22, the Evangelical Environmental Network is hosting “Flood the Phones, Not Our Homes,” an opportunity for you to contact your Senators and urge them to act now by investing in crucial climate action.

Participating is easy! Simply call 1-866-531-4003 and enter your ZIP code. Use this sample message or feel free to personalize as you see fit!

This is a critical decade for climate change, and we must continue to act boldly and swiftly to address this pressing crisis. This April, join us by calling your Senator and urging them to get bold climate investments across the finish line! Let’s flood the phones, not our homes.

Call Now: 1-866-531-4003 (To call both senators, simply redial the number, and you will be connected with your second state senator.)

Nonviolence Training – We believe that Dr. King's vision for a Beloved Community is possible. We will achieve this by growing and living a culture of Nonviolence. You’re invited to a twelve-hour personal and professional development opportunity that will increase your knowledge, expand your perspective, and help you take action to build the Beloved Community with us. This is how we ensure our society and economy benefit everyone. This event is sponsored by the Indianapolis Martin Luther King Center. It will be held Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, 10am-4pm at Common Ground Church at 46th & Illinois. For more information, please visit https://mlkcenterindy.org/nonviolence/

Indy Creation Fest ~ You’re invited to Indy Creation Fest, Saturday, April 23, 2022, 11am-3pm at Christ’s Community Church, 13097 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana. Come join the Evangelical Environmental Network at the first annual Indy Creation Fest! Indy Creation Fest is an open-house-style celebration of our role as stewards of God’s earth. Learn about beekeeping and composting, sample vegan cooking and ethical chocolate and meet some adorable animals from local rescues. Discover what the Bible says about conservation and sustainability and find out how others in your community are caring for Creation as an expression of their faith. The festival includes activities for all ages, so bring the whole family for an unforgettable afternoon of fun and learning! For more information visit https://drivecleanindiana.org/event/april-23-2022-indy-creation-fest/

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice on Monday April 25th at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. It will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. If you have any questions, reach out to Kristyn at her cellular number 317-409-2116 by text or call. Hope to see you there!

Earth Sunday, Meditational Woods Anniversary, Selling Chocolates, & a Visit from Ruthie & Jon T This Sunday!! ~ We invite you to join us this Sunday, April 24 for a special Earth Day service! We are glad to welcome our own Mary B as our special guest speaker. Also, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Meditational Woods! At the end of the service, we will move out into the woods to gather for a special time of waiting worship surrounded by nature. Also, Ruthie and Jon T will be in town (for the RSWR board meeting) and will be joining us that day. We invite anyone that would like to see Ruthie (our former pastor before Bob) & Jon to join us in fellowship hour that day for a light soup and salad lunch (food will be provided). Also, be sure to bring your checkbooks! We will be selling chocolates and coffee during Fellowship Hour. All proceeds will go to the Linda Lee Spirituality Retreat Fund. We hope you will join us for this packed day!

College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their exams at school. We are asking that everyone help fill the boxes with goodies like candy, cookies, cards, and other treats. Please bring enough for all 12 of our college students. Don’t have time to shop? We will gladly accept monetary donations! Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or donate online at www.indyfriends.org/support and choose “College care packages”. If you’d like to donate items for the boxes, please bring them in on Sunday, April 24 (this will be the only Sunday the boxes are out!) We will continue to collect monetary donations through Sunday, May 1st. Thank you for your support!

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would love for you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss Let the Lord Sort Them: The Rise and Fall of the Death Penalty by Maurice Chammah. A deeply reported, searingly honest portrait of the death penalty in Texas—and what it tells us about crime and punishment in America

WINNER OF THE J. ANTHONY LUKAS AWARD

In 1972, the United States Supreme Court made a surprising ruling: the country's death penalty system violated the Constitution. The backlash was swift, especially in Texas, where executions were considered part of the cultural fabric, and a dark history of lynching was masked by gauzy visions of a tough-on-crime frontier.

When executions resumed, Texas quickly became the nationwide leader in carrying out the punishment. Then, amid a larger wave of criminal justice reform, came the death penalty's decline, a trend so durable that even in Texas the punishment appears again close to extinction. We meet Elsa Alcala, the orphaned daughter of a Mexican American family who found her calling as a prosecutor in the nation's death penalty capital, before becoming a judge on the state's highest court. We meet Danalynn Recer, a lawyer who became obsessively devoted to unearthing the life stories of men who committed terrible crimes, and fought for mercy in courtrooms across the state. We meet death row prisoners--many of them once-famous figures like Henry Lee Lucas, Gary Graham, and Karla Faye Tucker--along with their families and the families of their victims. And we meet the executioners, who struggle openly with what society has asked them to do.

We will gather in the parlor and simultaneously via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 led by Brenda R.

Can You Help out a Friend? Our Friend Tony M (he recently celebrated his 50th with a big birthday bash!) is moving into a new apartment. He is in need of help moving—the moving day is TBD but will likely be sometime the weekend of April 29. If you own a truck, and/or would otherwise like to help with the move, please consider lending a hand. Also, Tony unfortunately has to give up his pets—a well-trained, 8-year-old cat and a bird—if you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Ending Hunger: What’s God Got to Do with It? You’re invited to a workshop on the theological underpinnings of advocacy to change public policy, led by Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm and sponsored by Bread for the World. The workshop is designed to help clergy and lay leaders alike consider the call on faithful Christians to speak up for those who face food insecurity. As you know, churches often address hunger through food pantries and the like. But research shows only 15% of the need around us is met by all the charitable sources combined. Most folks don’t want to be 15% Christians. So, we are working to understand the root causes of hunger, and how to change the systems that allow hunger to flourish in the first place. This workshop begins to name what our faith has to do with advocacy. It’s a great way to introduce your congregation to this kind of public witness. The workshop will be held Tues., April 26, 7 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. It will be at Second Presbyterian Church’s Common Room (2nd floor) at 7700 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN. Registration is free, but required. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ending-hunger-whats-god-got-to-do-with-it-tickets-315575694397. The presentation will be available both in person and via Zoom.

Vote for a Green Indiana ~ If climate change and sustainability are important policies when you vote, we encourage you to check out Voters for a Green Indiana who have prepared a digest of the environmental views of candidates for office in Central and NW Indiana. Voters for a Green Indiana is a non-partisan, independent advocacy group of volunteer citizens for urgent action on climate mitigation.

Afghan Family Update ~ The Afghan committee has been active helping the family get settled into their home and community. Barb D has been working hard to get the boys involved in the sport of their choice. She found a soccer league for the younger son and he has begun playing with his new team. She is working on finding an appropriate volleyball team for the older son.

Several volunteers are working with family members on English conversation skills. The adults’ English is very minimal, so we are helping them with writing their names, recognizing letters, counting to 10, greetings, and simple sentences such as “This is a spoon.”

Some team members are exploring IndyGo with the intention of teaching the family members how to get places they frequent often, such as the pharmacy and grocery store. We are also exploring safe bicycle routes to frequently visited places since we have supplied the father and boys with bikes.

The family is looking forward to the Eid feast at the end of Ramadan. The team has purchased a new outfit for the men/boys. The mother chose to sew her own clothes, so we took her to Jo Ann fabric to select fabric and trim. The team will take the family grocery shopping and purchase the food for the feast.

Our team is very thankful for your continuing support of this refugee family.

Cindy C, Co-Clerk
First Friends Afghan Project

Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening Saturday April 30, 5:30 - 9:30, hosted by Tiffany B and Beth H. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact the office (office@indyfriends.org) if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!

A Small Ceremony in Memory of Linda Lee ~ After Meeting for Worship on Sunday, May 1, we welcome you to a brief ceremony in the Meditational Woods as we join Ed M in spreading the ashes of our beloved Linda Lee. Afterward we will join in a time of fellowship. If you’d like to volunteer to bring some cookies to share, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Mysticism in Our Ordinary Life – Registration Open! ~ Mark your calendar for Saturday May 7th for the Linda Lee Spirituality Retreat where we will examine and experience a mystical life in a practical way. The retreat will be a time of gathering together for teaching and small groups, as well as choices of individual experiences inside and outside the retreat center for reflection and contemplation. The retreat will be led by Carole Spencer, former Professor at Earlham School of Religion; Kathi Gatlin, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary; and Lynn Clouser Holt, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. The retreat will run from 10:00 – 4:00 at the Benedictine Center. Linda Lee’s books will be available. Retreat cost is $30. If you’d like to register, please visit https://forms.gle/S2iBVunJVq3bpTHw6. Feel free to share our flyer for the event for anyone who may be interested.

Queries for the Week

After all that I have been through these past couple of years, how might I dust myself off, gather again together, forgive without forgetting, remembering the divine Love that flowed from Jesus, and redouble my commitment to living out the resurrection life of Jesus in my community?

Comment

Friend to Friend April 13, 2022

April 14, 2022

As Way Opens

This Sunday is Easter and Quakers and Christians throughout the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, often considered the centerpiece of our faith. But over the years I have come to realize that Easter is more than just a day or a miraculous event. I want to challenge you this week to think about what happens when we consider resurrection a verb. When we do, the resurrection becomes a spiritual practice in our daily life.

Religious writer, Megan McKenna, saw it this way once when leading a study. She shares the following vignette in her book, Not Counting Women and Children: Neglected Stories from the Bible.

Once in a parish mission when I was studying this scripture (Luke 7: 11-17) with a large group, someone called out harshly, “Have you ever brought someone back from the dead?”

I had been saying that life happens when we are interrupted, and that some of the most powerful acts of resurrection happen to the least likely people; that we are the people of resurrection and hope, called to live passionately and compassionately with others, to defy death, to forgive, and to bring others back into the community, to do something that is life-giving, that fights death and needless suffering. And then this challenge from the back of the church.

My response was, “Yes.” I went on to say, “Every time I bring hope into a situation, every time I bring joy that shatters despair, every time I forgive others and give them back dignity and the possibility of a future with me and others in the community, every time I listen to others and affirm them and their life, every time I speak the truth in public, every time I confront injustice — YES — I bring people back from the dead."

My hope is that this Easter we would take time to consider Megan’s query, “Am I a person of resurrection and hope, called to live passionately and compassionately with others? This is the resurrection our world needs.

Easter blessings,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

We had a wonderful Palm Sunday here at First Friends! We were able to resume our yearly tradition with our kids marching in with palms as we sang Hosanna! We also enjoyed hearing our special guest Phil Gulley speak. We hope to see you next Sunday for our special Easter celebration! (See photos on our FaceBook page!)

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Welcome Wolff! We’d like to officially welcome Wolff as our new permanent organist! You’ve heard Wolff perform if you’ve heard the organ at any of our Sunday services the last few months. He is a wonderful organist and we are happy to have him on board!

No Seeking Friends/Monthly Meeting ~ Friends, please note, there will be no Seeking Friends Adult Sunday School or Monthly Meeting this Easter Sunday, April 17. We hope you will join us for our special Easter Celebration.

Words from the Woods ~ Thanks to our hearty volunteers who collected many bags of trash along Kessler Blvd and in the Woods. They also weeded the courtyard and helped transplant some prairie dropseed and blue-eyed grass to the Memorial Plaque mound. More plants will arrive in April and May.

If you walk in the Woods, notice the wildflowers peeping up. Can you identify the blood root, trillium, Jacob’s ladder, spring beauties, columbine and others?

We’ve already seen some early butterflies busy at work. ~Mary B

“Please say,‘ NO!’ To Mosquito Joe and similar mosquito services. The insecticides are indiscriminate in their action. They kill helpful insects as well as mosquitoes. Use mosquito repellent, long sleeves. Save a monarch or a firefly. https://blog.nwf.org/2020/09/what-you-need-to-know-before-spraying-for-mosquitoes/

Update on the Bobuskyi family from Ukraine ~ We have an update on the Bobuskyi family, Aaron T’s friend’s family from Ukraine. Recently we shared their GoFundMe to help them get out of the country. Last week, they shared this update:

Great news Vlad’s mother Natali Bobuska and younger sister Arine have made it safely to Olomouc, Czech Republic! They have some distant relatives there that have received them and are helping them get acclimated. Natali is currently looking for housing in the city. These basic needs of food, shelter, and travel to safety, are a direct result of your action thank you all so much! Now begins the hard work of being a refugee in a foreign land, finding work and learning to speak the language. Please continue to hold Vlad’s family in the light.

Opportunities to Worship and Pray for Ukraine ~ All are invited to join us for a virtual Meeting for Worship to pray for Ukraine and to pray for peace. People from all over the world will be joining via Zoom in solidarity for peace. Friends in the US are invited to join Kyiv Friends each Sunday for their late meeting, which happens at 1pm Eastern time. Please contact the office for the Zoom info.

Friends House Moscow (FHM) sponsors a Daily International Meeting for Worship for Peace. We hold in the Light all those affected by the events in Ukraine. Friends House Moscow is every day from12-1pm Eastern time. Please contact the office for the Zoom info.

Get ready for Community Gardening! It’s that time of year! Start thinking about if you’d like to keep your plot or get a new plot in our community garden. If you’re interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Afghan Family Celebrates Ramadan

Our Afghan family is celebrating Ramadan right now. If you’re interested in learning more about it, please keep reading! (Thank you to Monteze S for this research.)

Ramadan, Arabic Ramaḍān, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle. ….

Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr)— commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27th night—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Qurʾān, Islam’s holy book, “as a guidance for the people.” For Muslims, Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer (ṣalāt) in the mosque, and reading of the Qurʾān. God forgives the past sins of those who observe the holy month with fasting, prayer, and faithful intention.

Ramadan, however, is less a period of atonement than it is a time for Muslims to practice self restraint, in keeping with ṣawm (Arabic: “to refrain”), one of the pillars of Islam (the five basic tenets of the Muslim religion). Although ṣawm is most commonly understood as the obligation to fast during Ramadan, it is more broadly interpreted as the obligation to refrain between dawn and dusk from food, drink, sexual activity, and all forms of immoral behavior, including impure or unkind thoughts. Thus, false words or bad deeds or intentions are as destructive of a fast as is eating or drinking.

After the sunset prayer, Muslims gather in their homes or mosques to break their fast with a meal called ifṭār that is often shared with friends and extended family. The ifṭār usually begins with dates, as was the custom of Muhammad, or apricots and water or sweetened milk. There are additional prayers offered at night called the tawarīḥ prayers, preferably performed in congregation at the mosque. During these prayers, the entire Qurʾān may be recited over the course of the month of Ramadan. To accommodate such acts of worship in the evening, work hours are adjusted during the day and sometimes reduced in some Muslim-majority countries. The Qurʾān indicates that eating and drinking are permissible only until the “white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn.” Thus, Muslims in some communities sound drums or ring bells in the predawn hours to remind others that it is time for the meal before dawn, called the suḥūr.

Ṣawm can be invalidated by eating or drinking at the wrong time, but the lost day can be made up with an extra day of fasting. For anyone who becomes ill during the month or for whom travel is required, extra fasting days may be substituted after Ramadan ends. Volunteering, performing righteous works, or feeding the poor can be substituted for fasting if necessary. Able-bodied adults and older children fast during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk. Pregnant or nursing women, children, the old, the weak, travelers on long journeys, and the mentally ill are all exempt from the requirement of fasting.

Source: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (Invalid Date). Ramadan. Encyclopedia (accessed March 11, 2022)

Participating is easy! Simply call 1-866-531-4003 and enter your ZIP code. Use this sample message or feel free to personalize as you see fit!

This is a critical decade for climate change, and we must continue to act boldly and swiftly to address this pressing crisis. From extreme weather and fires to the poor health of our children and grandchildren, the harms of climate change are felt right now, across the country. This April, join us by calling your Senator and urging them to get bold climate investments across the finish line! Let’s flood the phones, not our homes.

Call Now: 1-866-531-4003 (To call both senators, simply redial the number, and you will be connected with your second state senator.)

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for April
Yellow-throated Warbler

Last month I described a bird that reminded us that spring was right around the corner. This month’s selection, the Yellow-throated Warbler, arrives in early to mid-April, and signifies that spring has arrived indeed. In college days I remember going on bird expeditions to Southern Indiana over spring break, and oftentimes this species was the first spring-arriving warbler we found. We always heard it before we saw it. The song is, “too-weet, too-weet, too-weet, too-weet, too, too, TUHWEET. The first part goes down in pitch, while the very last goes up. The bird, which favors sycamores and pine trees, may be a challenge to spot, but the song is loud, and with practice, unmistakable!!

As our Meditational Woods has both sycamores and pines, this bird is a good bet for visiting in the next couple of weeks. It will likely move on to a nesting habitat with a stream or river, but while it is here, let’s enjoy its angel-like herald of newly arrived springtime!

-Brad J

Queries for the Week

Will difficult times reduce me to my worst or raise me to my best?

Comment

Friend to Friend April 6, 2022

April 7, 2022

As Way Opens

Each morning I am reading some meditations from Howard Thurman's, Meditations of the Heart. Yesterday I was drawn to a meditation where Thurman quotes from the diary of George Fox, “Be still and cool in my own mind and spirit, from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord from whence cometh life; whereby thou mayest receive the strength and power to allay all storms and tempests.” Thurman goes on to say “It is a central stillness of spirit that is so vital that it can tame the wildness out of almost any tempest, however raging it may be. For it is in the quiet which invades us and which becomes a characteristic of our total respiration that we are most acutely aware of the operation of the presence of God.”

When we are in the middle of a storm the idea of being still and cool in my own mind is really hard. Our minds race to the problems, possible solutions, imaginations of what is to come, fears and a thousand other thoughts. It often seems like things speed up in the middle of a hurricane. Yet if we can practice stillness in the whirlwind, if we can be cool in our minds, that is when we will experience the presence of God most acutely and will feel a sense of calm in the midst of turmoil.

I know my heart was heavy with prayer concerns Monday morning and I joined our Monday meditation group for 45 minutes of stillness - it is in our stillness that we experience God’s heartbeat with ours and I felt a sense of Divine life with my concerns. It is one of the reasons that I have come to love unprogrammed worship - experiencing this life in community.

May we all take time this week to be still and cool our minds and spirits to feel God.

Beth

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

You’re invited to USFW’s Spring Gathering! The United Society of Friends Women Midwest Region invites you to their Spring Gathering on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. It will be held at Fairfield Friends Meeting, 10441 East County Rd 700 South, Camby, IN 46113. Registration starts at 9am and then the gathering kicks off with Meeting led by Jamie Lyon of Russiaville Friends, and then a time of business. A $10 lunch will be served (reservations required). For more information, please view their flyer here.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

No Seeking Friends ~ Friends, please note, there will be no Seeking Friends Adult Sunday School for the next two Sundays, April 10 and 17. This week Bob is switching pulpits with Phil Gulley, and the following will be our special Easter Celebration.

Gnostic Gospel Group ~ Everyone is invited to join us on Thursday April 7th in the Parlor or on Zoom at 6:30pm for a group study on the non-canonical/Gnostic Gospels. If you are interested, contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn Greenawald in a restorative yoga practice on Mondays April 11th and April 25th at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. It will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. If you have any questions, reach out to Kristyn at her cellular number 317-409-2116 by text or call. Hope to see you there!

Join us for Palm Sunday! We hope you will plan to join us this Palm Sunday, April 10. We will resume our tradition of having the kids march in with palms to kick off the Meeting! Also, we will welcome our special guest speaker, Phil Gulley! He and Bob have switched pulpits for the day. We are thrilled to welcome Phil to our Meeting, and hope you will join us.

Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, writer, and speaker. He is currently pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting in Camby, Indiana. He lives in the nearby town of Danville with his wife Joan and their two dogs, Ruby and Jack. They have two sons, and one granddaughter, Madeline, who rules the roost. Gulley has written 22 books, including his most recently published work of non-fiction, Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe, in which he describes the process of spiritual growth, especially the re-interpretation of the earliest principles we learned about God. You can also read Gulley’s essays in every issue of Indianapolis Monthly and The Saturday Evening Post. Several times a month, Philip ventures from his Indiana home to tell stories, lead workshops, and discuss spirituality.

Mid North Food Pantry ~ First Friends has begun its annual Mid North Food Pantry fundraiser. Mid North relies not only on the volunteers of First Friends and others, but also on financial assistance to purchase food and other supplies needed to operate the pantry. Since Mid North is able to purchase food at a much lower cost than you can, you can show your support for the pantry by making a financial contribution to the pantry. Checks should be made out to First Friends (with a note “food pantry” in the memo section) and sent to First Friends no later than THIS SUNDAY, April 10. Thank you for your consideration.

WINNER OF THE J. ANTHONY LUKAS AWARD

We will gather in the parlor and simultaneously via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 led by Brenda R.

Words from the Woods

Do you like digging in the dirt and transplanting flowers? Weeding a flower bed? Picking up trash along Kessler Blvd? Join us as we pick up trash, transplant prairie drop seed and blue eyed grass and remove wild onion on Thursday morning April 7 from 9:30-11:00 AM.

Have you heard of “No Mow May”? Some communities choose not to mow the month of May to allow native pollinators to thrive on clover, dandelions and sedges. Help our early butterflies and bees thrive. For more, https://beecityusa.org/no-mow-may/ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/28/travel/no-mow-may-wisconsin.html

Here's an interesting way to fight invasive species- feed them to your dog! I was reading Katharine Hayhoe’s book, Saving Us and here’s what Purina dog food has developed: https://rootlabpetfood.com/collections/invasive-species

So far, Emmett and Yogi find those Asian carp delicious.

A query for today. What actions can each of us take to keep our earth from further warming? Think of ways you can become more energy efficient and less fossil fuel dependent. Talk with friends and community members about your concern and hope for a healthier future.

Hortuscope has many opportunities to connect with local gardeners and native plant enthusiasts. See if there is an opportunity that “speaks to your condition.” Tending God’s creation renews the mind, body and spirit, so dig in!

https://hortusscope.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/HortusScope_Apr2022_rev2.pdf

May primary is May 3, 2022

The May primaries are coming up. Voting is both a privilege and an obligation for those who love this country. Early voting starts April 5 until May 2, 2022. You can vote absentee in person (early voting centers), mail-in ballot, or by traveling board for those who are homebound and need assistance. https://www.in.gov/idr/hoosiers-vote/vote-early/

Check your local newspaper for candidate information, or look for websites with the list of candidates and their voting record or political history.

Mary B, Co-Clerk of the Meditational Woods

The Meditational Woods is celebrating 20 years of service to our community.

Afghan Family Learning the Ropes; Volunteers Learning New Skills; More Drivers Needed!

First Friends Afghan Project volunteers are learning many fun, new technical skills like using Bing.com/translator. Working with interpreters and accompanying family members to ethnic markets and health appointments is an educational experience. We have gone beyond the original four commitments to provide a welcome home apartment; stock the food pantry; provide rental assistance and collect and set up furnishings and household goods.

We are helping the family learn to use benefits and handle money as we shop with them. They need internet and we are in the process of arranging installation. We are introducing them to the community as they learn about new venues and places to visit. Engaging them in conversational English and helping with homework prove to be lively interactions. We are helping them with employment issues and in finding sports activities. Buying food and clothing with them and transporting them, when needed, are other current activities. We are providing tools for self-sufficiency such as bicycles, a sewing machine and gardening implements. We have purchased prayer cushions and Afghan kitchen items specific to their culinary traditions. At times these extra activities can be challenging for both the family and the volunteers. Bureaucracy comes with the volunteer and resettlement territory, unfortunately.

The family is hospitable and friendly. They usually provide attractive trays of dates, nuts and chocolates to visitors. They serve delicious teas that far surpass those made from a tea bag. Sometimes they serve mouth-watering meals to volunteers. These include fresh, colorful vegetables and fruits served raw or cooked to perfection with tasty blends of herbs and spices. The food delights the eye as well as the tummy. The meals are quite nutritious!

Vetted Drivers Needed

We could use a little more help with transportation if inactive, vetted volunteers would like to be back-ups. Drivers need to submit proof of insurance and drivers licenses to Exodus. Contact me if you would like to reengage in this manner.

Nancy S., Clerk

First Friends Afghan Project

Participating is easy! Simply call 1-866-531-4003 and enter your ZIP code. Use this sample message or feel free to personalize as you see fit!

Call Now: 1-866-531-4003 (To call both senators, simply redial the number, and you will be connected with your second state senator.)

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for April
Yellow-throated Warbler

Last month I described a bird that reminded us that spring was right around the corner. This month’s selection, the Yellow-throated Warbler, arrives in early to mid-April, and signifies that spring has arrived indeed. In college days I remember going on bird expeditions to Southern Indiana over spring break, and oftentimes this species was the first spring-arriving warbler we found. We always heard it before we saw it. The song is, “too-weet, too-weet, too-weet, too-weet, too, too, TUHWEET. The first part goes down in pitch, while the very last goes up. The bird, which favors sycamores and pine trees, may a challenge to spot, but the song is loud, and with practice, unmistakable!!

Queries for the Week

· Does unity still matter to me?

· How might I build trust with my neighbors and fellow Friends that I disagree with?

· Where do I need to seek to listen better, have an open heart, and truly honor what others bring to the table?

Comment

Friend to Friend March 30, 2022

March 31, 2022

As Way Opens

Last Friday, I spent the entire day just outside my wife Sue’s Kindergarten class creating fun bulletin boards with an Encanto theme. I love offering my artistic gifts to brighten the hallways of the school and make the kids smile. Especially since this past couple of years has been difficult for teachers and students alike due to the pandemic. Through all that difficulty I was pleasantly surprised to find so much hope in that hallway.

As I painted non-stop from 9:30am to 3:30pm, I had an opportunity to engage teachers, students, and maintenance workers, but it was the children that won the day. They were so respectful, full of questions, and always excited to see what I was doing. On several occasions, I had a little boy from first grade who came and sat below me and just watched as I painted. He would show up out of nowhere, stay for a while, and then say, “Thank you for painting for us.”

On several occasions a class would walk through behind me and break out in singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from the movie. At other times, I answered questions about drawing, painting, or what I liked about Encanto. But it was the innocent grace of the students that spoke so deeply to my condition and gave me hope for our world.

It made me realize how often we adults lose the excitement and gratefulness for other people’s gifts and talents. How often we are first critical or even critiquing before being thankful. Maybe this is why people are often reluctant to share their gifts these days. Those children taught me to see the gifts around me, to celebrate them, and be respectful and grateful for the joy they bring.

Ironically, at the end of the day several classes broke out in cheering for my wife, who had been awarded Teacher of the Month, and I too was able to join in the celebrating and joy!

This week, take a moment to acknowledge the gifts around you and like those school children celebrate those gifts this week!

Grace and peace,

Bob

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

A Friend in Need of Rides ~ Mac G is an attender and friend of Ed M & Linda L. He’s taking part in our Affirmation Class and would love to join in more First Friends activities. Unfortunately, due to health conditions, he has had to give up driving. He leaves over by Eagle Creek. If you would like to help Mac and be on a rotating list of people he could call up occasionally for a ride to the Meeting, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Gnostic Gospel Group ~ Everyone is invited to join us on Thursday April 7th in the Parlor at 6:30pm for a group study on the non-canonical/Gnostic Gospels. If you are interested, contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).

An Easter Garden at First Friends Meeting! ~ In celebration of Easter, we invite you to become a part of it through the gift of a garden of flowers for our Meetingroom on Easter Sunday. If you would like to order flowers, there will be order forms available in the bulletin each Sunday morning for the next 3 weeks. Simply fill out the form and drop it in the offering plate or send it to the Meetinghouse along with your payment. Or send your order to office@indyfriends.org. All orders are due by Sunday, April 3.

Creation Care Notes: A work team of Kathy and Bill Farris, Amy Perry, Mindy and Paul Sommer, Mary Blackburn and David Beatty and Dan Mitchell helped load up and then unload leaf compost to get the mound ready for spring planting. Amy Perry proposed a new design that will be easier to maintain over time and provide habitat for native insects and birds. Thanks, volunteers!

The Meditational Woods will be 20 years young this year. First Friends transformed an urban acre of grass into a wildlife habitat for people and wildlife. Neighbors love to come through and enjoy our woods.

Spring is a busy time in central Indiana. Not only are the birds busy migrating, finding partners and building their homes, people are thinking about planting more native plants to protect our birds. Here are a few opportunities:

Don’t miss upcoming native plant sales being held by three local partners:

Indy Urban Acres Plant Sale: in person and pre- sale information available here: iuaplantsale.com

Native Plants Unlimited-in person and pre- order information available here: nativeplantsunlimitedshop.com

Marian University Ecolab has an online plant sale starting April 1 through April 30. https://www.marian.edu/about-marian/nina-mason-pulliam-ecolab/programs/community-programs/native-plant-sale

Spring Gardening Workshops from the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District/NRCS

Learn how to terminate cover crops and plant no-till vegetables! Join Kevin Allison for an in-depth tour of:

· Cover crop termination

· Use of tarps for bed preparation and weed control

· Use of compost and mulches

· No-till vegetable planting

· Growing Biodiversity

In-Person Sessions:
Let’s get together! Sign up for free sessions HERE.

Location: The SWCD Demonstration Garden, located within the larger community Mayor’s Garden at West 56th and Reed Road Thursday, April 14: 10am-11am; Thursday, April 14: 6pm – 7pm; Thursday, May 12: 10am-11am; Thursday, May 12: 6pm-7pm

Virtual Session: Terminating Cover Crops in a No-Till Garden Presentation via Zoom. Sign up HERE. Friday, April 8th 10am-11am

During the month of April, think of one action you can take to honor God’s creation. Is it planting native plants/trees/shrubs? Organizing a neighborhood trash pick-up.? Making your home more energy efficient? Installing solar panels?

Project Drawdown has a free video series with solutions that you can do to address the create a livable future for humans and our kindred creatures. Let me know if you would like to organize a watch party! https://www.drawdown.org/climate-solutions-101

Submitted by Mary B

Help Ukrainians in Need ~ Aaron Thornburg’s friend and classmate, Vladyslav B is from Ukraine. He is currently attending Indiana University and is trying to help his family back home in Ukraine. Aaron has set up a Gofundme to raise funds to help Vladyslav’s family get out of Ukraine and find a safe place abroad to settle down until the conflict is over.

Vladyslav’s family lives in Uzhhorod - a tiny city on the southwest side of Ukraine surrounded by a breathtaking mountain chain called the Carpathian Mountains. Right now, the city is actively preparing for any possible attack that it may have to encounter in the next few weeks. Russians have managed to capture some of the territories on the way to the capital, but the Ukrainian army right now is fighting to defend the citizens and their freedom.

The raised money will support and help Vladyslav’s mother and sister to get to a safe place abroad and settle down there until the conflict in my country is resolved. She already got directions from friends abroad as to where she can drive to, but the main concern is the financial support to establish herself somewhere for a while.

Time is of great urgency; please consider giving on Gofundme if you’re able. For questions, contact Aaron.

Quaker Haven Camp ~ It’s time to think about your kids attending Quaker Haven Camp in Syracuse, IN. If you are not familiar with Quaker Haven, check out their website (www.quakerhaven.com). Our kids have been going there for many years and have enjoyed it. First Friends will pay for half of the cost of camp – ask the meeting office for a code you can use at checkout for 50% off. If you need additional assistance, please contact the office. Here are the dates:

· June 5th - 10th Senior high camp (9th - 12)

· June 12th - 17th Junior high camp (7th - 8th grade)

· June 17th - 19th Beginner’s camp (kindergarten - 2nd grade with an adult)

· June 19th - 24th Adventure camp (5th - 6th grade)

· June 26th - July 1st Senior high camp (9th - 12th grade)

· July 10th - 13th Little Friends camp (2nd - 4th grade)

· July 17th - 21st Pioneer camp (3rd - 5th grade)

Queries for the Week

· How often do I see and feel, but neglect to act?

· In all human life “infinitely precious” to me?

· How might I take the “higher road” of compassion this week?

Comment

Friend to Friend March 23, 2022

March 24, 2022

As Way Opens

“How are you”? Is that not the greeting we give to each other all the time? We say hello and then automatically say “how are you?” And usually we answer- “fine how are you?” It has become a common pleasantry between strangers and friends. Yet I don’t think most people really want to know the answer to that question because it would take time. We were talking about this in a small group yesterday and shared that this is actually a very hard question. I can feel good about some things happening in my personal life but how can I feel good about what is happening in our world? While my heart is full, my heart is also broken. Every person’s life has joy and suffering. When we see someone, we really don’t know what is going on in their lives and how the Spirit is with them.

I remember when my husband was declining from his dementia, I would often be asked how is Jerry doing? It was always a depressing question because Jerry was not going to get better and life would just keep getting worse. Most people don’t want to hear an answer that ”things are not good”. I always knew the question was asked out of care and concern but having experienced this with Jerry I now try to say that I’ve praying for you, I have been holding you in my heart and could I come over and see Jerry?

That journey and others also taught me that in my pain and suffering I could experience God in a new and profound way. I’ve been reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World with a focus on seeing the sacred in our everyday life. There is a chapter on the practice of seeing God in feeling our pain. I love the poem she quotes from the Sufi mystic Rumi:

“The grief you cry out from draws you toward union.

Your pure sadness that wants help is the secret cup.

Listen to the moan of a dog for its master.

That whining is the connection.

There are love dogs no one knows the names of.

Give your life to be one of them.”

I want to be one of those love dogs. I want to be one of God’s love dogs. I want to engage in the practice of asking the question, how is your heart today? How is God’s Spirit with you today? Where do you find life today? And I want to take the time to really hear the answer.

How will each of us answer that question today?

Beth

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Men’s Threshing Together- DATE CHANGE ~ If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Please note the date has changed for this month to avoid the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. We will now meet on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2022 here.

A Friend in Need of Rides ~ Mac G is an attender and friend of Ed Morris & Linda Lee. He’s taking part in our Affirmation Class and would love to join in more First Friends activities. Unfortunately, due to health conditions, he has had to give up driving. He leaves over by Eagle Creek. If you would like to help Mac and be on a rotating list of people he could call up occasionally for a ride to the Meeting, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Mid North Food Pantry ~ First Friends begins its annual Mid North Food Pantry fundraiser on Sunday. Mid North relies not only on the volunteers of First Friends and others, but also on financial assistance to purchase food and other supplies needed to operate the pantry. Since Mid North is able to purchase food at a much lower cost than we can, it is best to contribute monies rather than food items. Checks should be made out to First Friends (with a note “food pantry” in the memo section) and sent to First Friends no later than Apr-10. Thank you.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would like you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson (536 pages)

When Jennifer Doudna was in sixth grade, she came home one day to find that her dad had left a paperback titled The Double Helix on her bed. As she sped through the pages, she became enthralled by the intense drama behind the competition to discover the code of life. Even though her high school counselor told her girls didn’t become scientists, she decided she would.

Driven by a passion to understand how nature works and to turn discoveries into inventions, she would help to make what the book’s author, James Watson, told her was the most important biological advance since his co-discovery of the structure of DNA. She and her collaborators turned a curiosity of nature into an invention that will transform the human race: an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA. Known as CRISPR, it opened a brave new world of medical miracles and moral questions.

The development of CRISPR and the race to create vaccines for coronavirus will hasten our transition to the next great innovation revolution. The past half-century has been a digital age, based on the microchip, computer, and internet. Now we are entering a life-science revolution. Children who study digital coding will be joined by those who study genetic code.

We will gather in the Parlor and via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 led by Nancy S.

Help Ukrainians in Need ~ Aaron T’s friend and classmate, Vladyslav Bobuskyi is from Ukraine. He is currently attending Indiana University and is trying to help his family back home in Ukraine. Aaron has set up a Gofundme to raise funds to help Vladyslav’s family get out of Ukraine and find a safe place abroad to settle down until the conflict is over.

Time is of great urgency; please consider giving on Gofundme if you’re able.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for March
Red-winged Blackbird: The Scout

My friend Steve had been in the process of moving to the area for several months. One day he told me he had been scouting around for a church. After visiting several, he had found one that was a good fit for his family. It was quite unlike our Quaker experience, with a top-down creed and rather narrow belief system, but it was good for Steve. He reported back to his family, and, having arrived, they now have become members.

Steve’s scouting reminded me of Red-winged Blackbirds and our meetinghouse property. During the last week of February and the first week of March I heard red-wings not only as single birds overhead, but also as one stopped to check out the fringe areas of the Meditational Woods and the vegetation along the powerline. These are scouts ahead of the main flocks, looking for suitable habitat for nesting territories. Unlike Steve, these males do not go back to the main flocks of blackbirds farther south to announce their findings. They simply find those areas, set up a territory, and when the newly-arrived blackbirds hear the pioneer scouts singing, they join them with nearby nesting sites.

Alas, however, the Meditational Woods and the field to the north are not prime real estate for red-wings. They hunger for shrubby stubble, and especially wet areas with cattail growth. So while we at Indy First Friends hear both the scouts checking us out in late February and all of March, and large flocks overhead all during the rest of spring, by June the only red-winged blackbirds we will hear are a few that may have found a place in the weedy powerline right-of-way south of Kessler.

The lesson here is that the Quaker path is wide, but may not be for everyone. At Indianapolis First Friends we certainly welcome at all times scouts looking for a home. Perhaps they will find that we are the “wetland cattails” of meaningful experiences, and decide to stay.

- Brad J

· June 5th - 10th Senior high camp (9th - 12)

· June 12th - 17th Junior high camp (7th - 8th grade)

· June 17th - 19th Beginner’s camp (kindergarten - 2nd grade with an adult)

· June 19th - 24th Adventure camp (5th - 6th grade)

· June 26th - July 1st Senior high camp (9th - 12th grade)

· July 10th - 13th Little Friends camp (2nd - 4th grade)

· July 17th - 21st Pioneer camp (3rd - 5th grade)

Queries for the Week

· Are you living out our text for today, “The Fruit of the Spirit” which is the embodiment, behavior and action of living out this faith - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

· Are you a believer who puts your distinct beliefs first, or are you a person of faith who puts love first?

· Are you a believer whose beliefs put you in competition or conflict with people of differing beliefs, or are you a person of faith whose faith moves you toward the other with love?

Comment

Friend to Friend March 16, 2022

March 17, 2022

As Way Opens

Many of you know that Fridays are my day off and I am religious about having this down time. What you may not know is that on Fridays, I try and do things that lift my spirits, allow me to relax, and let me engage my creative side. Sometime this takes the shape of organizing a closet or doing yard work, but this past Friday, my heart was heavy watching the news out of Ukraine.

After getting up, working out, and having breakfast, I decided to go read in my studio. As I sat to continue my reading, I noticed the last blank canvas on my easel. It was almost calling out to me. I returned the book to the shelf next to my chair, grabbed the canvas, and pondered what I would paint.

I did not have a plan or even an idea, but as I stared at that blank canvas, the people of Ukraine that I had seen on the news that morning were running through my mind. I was moved by their heroism, their desire to stand up for themselves, and to stand against their enemy. I was also moved by the sacrifice of many who were fighting a war that they never prompted.

Knowing that the Ukrainian National Flower is the sunflower, I decided to start there. I sensed a darkened theme for the background and muted colors, but also the beauty of a fragile glass vase holding them together. I had set the flowers and vase off center to show the disequilibrium of war. Then in the space to the side, I painted fallen petals to represent those who had lost their lives. In the background appeared a subtle Ukrainian flag.

Throughout the entire experience, I sensed my painting was a form of visual prayer. Each brush stroke was another cry to the Divine for protection, peaceful negotiations, and a quick resolution. Sometimes I believe our prayers cannot be expressed in words. Please continue to hold the people of Ukraine in the Light and pray that peace will prevail.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

You’re invited to USFW’s Spring Gathering! The United Society of Friends Women Midwest Region invites you to their Spring Gathering on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. It will be held at Fairfield Friends Meeting, 10441 East County Rd 700 South, Camby, IN 46113. Registration starts at 9am and then the gathering kicks off with Meeting led by Jamie Lyon of Russiaville Friends, and then a time of business. A $10 lunch will be served (reservations required). For more information, please view their flyer here.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Help Ukrainians in Need ~ Aaron Thornburg’s friend and classmate, Vladyslav is from Ukraine. He is currently attending Indiana University and is trying to help his family back home in Ukraine. Aaron has set up a Gofundme to raise funds to help Vladyslav’s family get out of Ukraine and find a safe place abroad to settle down until the conflict is over.

Time is of great urgency; please consider giving on Gofundme if you’re able. For questions, contact Aaron at aaronthornburg@indyfriends.org.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for March
Red-winged Blackbird: The Scout

- Brad J

· June 5th - 10th Senior high camp (9th - 12)

· June 12th - 17th Junior high camp (7th - 8th grade)

· June 17th - 19th Beginner’s camp (kindergarten - 2nd grade with an adult)

· June 19th - 24th Adventure camp (5th - 6th grade)

· June 26th - July 1st Senior high camp (9th - 12th grade)

· July 10th - 13th Little Friends camp (2nd - 4th grade)

· July 17th - 21st Pioneer camp (3rd - 5th grade)

Queries for the Week

Do I see myself in relation to the world, answerable not only to God but also to humanity and to history?
Who are the poor and oppressed in my life that I need to reach out to this week?
How at First Friends might we lean more into that second description of church from Phil Gulley?

Comment

Friend to Friend March 9, 2022

March 10, 2022

As Way Opens

If you are 60 plus years old (I guess that means we are seniors), you will remember the cold war with Russia in very specific terms. I was taught as a child that the Russians were not like me, they were not moral people, they were to be feared and were not as human as I was. I remember air raid drills in school where we would all gather in the hallways and sit down against the walls and lockers and put our head in our hands.

It created a deep-seated fear in me and I thought all Russians were bad, they didn’t believe in my God and were intent on destroying America and our way of life. This narrative was reinforced in our government, in our churches, in our culture and yes in my family.

These deeply rooted influences as youngsters carry with us for many years. I remained fearful of Russians (such a difference between the people and the government) for many years into my young adulthood. And then I met a young woman named Masha Rawley from Ukraine when I was in my 30s. Her mother helped to arrange the adoption of two Russian girls for my husband’s sister, and Masha came to the United States to live with my sister in law and attend community college in Illinois. She showed up at our home for our annual Thanksgiving dinner and we all fell in love with her. She was kind, funny, talented, religious, hardworking (she cleaned the entire kitchen from Thanksgiving dinner) and a brilliant mathematician. We developed a relationship with her and it became clear that she needed to move beyond a community college for studies. Jerry and I helped her go to the University of Illinois where she received her degree in Engineering, met her husband (also an engineer), married and has two beautiful children all living in Pittsburg.

She has been like a member of our family for 25 years. After meeting Masha, I knew that I had been brainwashed to think all Russians were bad. The people of Russia were so much more like me than anything I had imagined. Her family was so thrilled when Ukraine became its own country pursuing democracy - this had been their wish for many years.

Her parents live in occupied Kherson and cannot leave. As of today, they have food and water. Masha’s brother’s wife and children left on Sunday for Italy as Kyiv is not safe. Her brother must remain in Ukraine even though he is no soldier (he is an accountant). The fear and horror I hear from Masha in her emails and texts is devastating. She said things are much worse than what we see on TV.

Her last email said, “please continue praying——I feel like now when the original shock settled people are going to stop praying and just accept it as something normal.” I am praying that we do not step into this place of acceptance. I am thankful we have an opportunity to help the family of Aaron Thornburg’s roommate leave the country for safety. I have felt helpless and when I watch this on the news each evening, I am moved to tears.

I have a fervent belief that God is at work in our darkest situations. We may not see evidence but there is a moving of the Spirit among people. This is my faith and I have seen it happen time and again.

May we always see the Divine in each person whether they are declared as enemies or allies. May we never dismiss other humans as less than us even though we hear a narrative that speaks a different message.

Beth

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

IPJC Virtual Speakers Event~ The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center is delighted to invite you to their March 15th Virtual Speakers Event. Jane Henegar will present “How do we get to a More Perfect Union?” The ACLU of Indiana and all people of goodwill are looking for a path that will lead our country toward better fulfilling its promises of freedom, fairness, and equality for all. There are clearly obstacles ahead. What are the issues affecting civil liberties and our democratic values that the ACLU of Indiana anticipates in the 2022 Indiana General Assembly? More broadly, what is the state of our democracy? And how are the ACLU of Indiana, the national ACLU, and our partners working – in the courts, in legislatures, and in the streets – on behalf of everyone, especially those whose rights are most vulnerable? Jane Henegar has served as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana since 2012. Join us March 15th, 2022 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Please RSVP to indypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com. A zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP prior to the event.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 am!! This means that we “spring forward” in time as we anticipate the wonderful weather to come with it. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward for Sunday morning!

Aaron has set up a Gofundme to raise funds to help Vladyslav’s family get out of Ukraine and find a safe place abroad to settle down until the conflict is over.

Time is of great urgency; please consider giving on Gofundme if you’re able.

Gnostic Gospel Group ~ Everyone is invited to join us on Thursday March 10th in the Parlor at 6:30pm for a group study on the non-canonical/Gnostic Gospels. If you are interested, contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).

Mysticism in Our Ordinary Life ~ Mark your calendar for Saturday May 7th for the Linda Lee Spirituality Retreat where we will examine and experience a mystical life in a practical way. The retreat will be a time of gathering together for teaching and small groups, as well as choices of individual experiences inside and outside the retreat center for reflection and contemplation. The retreat will be led by Carole Spencer, former Professor at Earlham School of Religion; Kathi Gatlin, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary; and Lynn Clouser Holt, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. The retreat will run from 10:00 – 4:00 at the Benedictine Center. Linda Lee’s books will be available. Retreat cost is $30. Feel free to share our flyer for the event for anyone who may be interested.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for March
Red-winged Blackbird: The Scout

- Brad J

· June 5th - 10th Senior high camp (9th - 12)

· June 12th - 17th Junior high camp (7th - 8th grade)

· June 17th - 19th Beginner’s camp (kindergarten - 2nd grade with an adult)

· June 19th - 24th Adventure camp (5th - 6th grade)

· June 26th - July 1st Senior high camp (9th - 12th grade)

· July 10th - 13th Little Friends camp (2nd - 4th grade)

· July 17th - 21st Pioneer camp (3rd - 5th grade)

Queries for the Week

· What questions or queries am I hiding in my heart? and why?

· What queries do I need to engage and wrestle with throughout this week and possibly share with a fellow Friend?

· How may my doubt and questioning help First Friends become a more thriving and progressive Quaker Meeting?

Comment

Friend to Friend March 2, 2022

March 3, 2022

As Way Opens

This past Sunday morning I found myself heading to the emergency room. A place for the past two years I have tried to avoid…”like the plague” (literally). Unlike most pastoral visits I make to packed emergency rooms or hospitals, this morning I was the only patient in the entire waiting area. It seemed very calm and peaceful even though I personally didn’t feel so. Since everything is digital these days due to Covid, I signed in on my phone and before I even finished the process, I was taken back to my room and hooked up to monitors.

Sundays are usually busy days for me. Starting with rising early for some meditation time, running through my sermon, and making sure that I am in a centered place to facilitate study and worship. At the time I was being run through all the tests, I would normally be heading out to the facing bench for Meeting for Worship.

Sunday morning also happened to be my 49th birthday. This is the third time I have been at the hospital on my birthday. The first was the day I was born. The second was in high school when I turned 18 and had a bad case of Mono. And the third was my 49th birthday where I had an unusual spike in my blood pressure causing sinus tachycardia.

Well, after all the tests were done, I was cleared and sent home to rest. I slept most of Sunday and all through the night. On Monday morning, it was wonderful going through all the birthday and well wishes that I received from many of you. THANK YOU!

When I turned to my morning mediation that I should have read on Sunday morning, I was a bit surprised. I have been reading “Peace is Every Step” by the late Thich Nhat Hanh. That day’s reflection had a clear lesson for me. Hanh said,

“I must take care of my body, treat it with respect as a musician does his instrument.

I apply nonviolence to my body, for it is not merely a tool to accomplish something.”

I am sure we can all glean some wisdom from Hanh’s words. May we strive to treat our bodies or as the scriptures say, “the temples of the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 6:19) with respect, nonviolence, and not just as tools. Again, thank you for holding me in the light and sending love as I recover.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

FCNL Legislative Priorities ~ Friends Committee on National Legislation (“FCNL”) is, again this year, requesting that Friends’ Meetings submit national legislative priorities to FCNL for the coming two years. Your input and wisdom are needed to determine the legislative priorities that are important to First Friends Indianapolis. Please visit our survey at https://forms.gle/Za3t1r3yZpVkAT4c9 and list the 5 most important issues that you would like FCNL to address as it determines its priorities for the next two years. If you’d prefer to turn in a paper copy, they will be available during Meeting for Worship this upcoming Sunday. The 7 most popular issues will be brought to Monthly Meeting in March for consideration to be submitted to FCNL. Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

New Sermon Series Update ~ Due to Pastor Bob’s unplanned absence this past Sunday, the schedule for our new sermon series "To Be Thriving & Progressive Quakers in 2022" has been updated. Please see the new schedule below. We hope you will join us on Sundays at 10:15am in-person or virtually on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/firstfriends

You’re invited to MSPC’s Silent Auction! You’re invited to Maple Seeds Preschool Coop’s annual fundrasing event. The online-only auction begins Friday, March 4 at noon and ends Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10pm. The funds raised from the silent auction allow the school to offer scholarships to participants, as well as to purchase new equipment for their classrooms. This year they have over 100 auction items to bid on! Find the auction page at https://www.32auctions.com/mapleseedsauction2022. For more info, visit MSPC’s website at https://www.mapleseeds.org/.

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice next Monday March 7th at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. It will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. Hope to see you there!

You’re Invited to First Friends Kokomo’s Community Series ~ All are invited to attend any or all of the sessions being offered during the “Six Mondays During Lent 2022” Faith and Our Community Series. The series of talks is sponsored by First Friends Meeting of Kokomo in conjunction with the Carver Community Center and The Howard County Supervision Program. All sessions are free and will be offered each Monday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Carver Community Center located at 1030 North Purdum St. in Kokomo, IN. The first session will begin on Monday, March 7th. For more details, view their flyer here.

· June 5th - 10th Senior high camp (9th - 12)

· June 12th - 17th Junior high camp (7th - 8th grade)

· June 17th - 19th Beginner’s camp (kindergarten - 2nd grade with an adult)

· June 19th - 24th Adventure camp (5th - 6th grade)

· June 26th - July 1st Senior high camp (9th - 12th grade)

· July 10th - 13th Little Friends camp (2nd - 4th grade)

· July 17th - 21st Pioneer camp (3rd - 5th grade)

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