Friend to Friend June 1, 2022

June 2, 2022

As Way Opens

As we reflect on those we have loved and lost over Memorial Day weekend, I want to share a beautiful tribute that Leslie K wrote about her brother whom she lost to Covid in March. -Beth

My brother died recently from COVID. It was quick and unexpected, we barely had time to process that he was sick before we were attending a funeral. He was vital and tall and funny and introspective, and with his broad shoulders and deep dimples, he was the crush of all my high school friends. An athlete, a traveler, a collector of guitars and lover of motorcycles and, as he discovered when his son became an actor, musical theater.

When I heard he was sick it was already serious; breathing problems sent him right into ICU. I felt helpless and disoriented and incredibly sad, so I did what I have always done for as long as I can remember; I asked for people to pray. Everyone I knew, friends and relatives, co-workers and my church family. My friends asked their friends and their churches, and on and on and I was comforted in the knowledge that there were a great many people praying for a common cause.

I was taught early on that God answers prayer, and that “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” With that in mind, I would present a hopeful shopping list of wants and needs to God, try hard to behave myself and wait for the response. Although I was also taught that sometimes the answer is "no" I frequently felt like my requests disappeared in the ether and no one was listening at all.

Somehow my prayer life evolved or devolved, depending on your point of view, and for a long time I couldn’t pray. When I picked it up again, it looked nothing like it had in its past incarnations, and oftentimes my prayers today consist of a single word or thought. And while at times it does seem God responds directly to a prayer, I have settled into the belief that outcomes are beyond my grasp and my understanding, and I am content to allow life to unfold as it will.

I continue to pray, because even though I may not understand the modus operandi of prayer, I have learned that the heart of prayer is connection. When I am praying, and you are praying, and he is praying, and they are praying connection happens; something electric and beautiful and mystical arcs across those physical spaces that separate us and we are no longer alone in our fear, alone in our sorrow, alone in our joy, alone in our hope. A cosmic current creates a circle of unity with the spirit of Love, and I am “held” in the warm Light of transcendence. And by this I am comforted, and by this I am renewed, and by this I have peace.

I miss my brother. I don’t know why he is gone. I hoped and prayed he would heal and come home but that did not happen. I am bereft but I am not defeated, because all the time we were praying for him, I was constantly reminded that I was not alone, in my grief or my confusion. And he was not alone. There is a chain that emanates and returns to the Source of all that is and links us together in holy unity. And for me, that is the real power of prayer.

Leslie K

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Artful Meditation ~ Join our instructor Shawn H on Saturday, June 4, from 10am-11:30 in Fellowship Hall as we make art while exploring the theme of joy. For this session jars will be prepped for painting and decorating. Also, Shawn will set up a watercolor station and show some cool techniques that can be used. This is open to all ages. Shawn says, "Those that wish to attend will only need to bring themselves and their thoughts of what brings them joy in their everyday lives."

Organ Concert! We hope you will join us for an Organ Concert put on by our new organist, Wolff von Roos. We are very excited to hear him play a concert for us! Join us this Sunday, June 5th at 4pm at Indianapolis First Friends.

HIV Survivors Awareness Day Celebration ~ You’re invited to a celebration honoring long-term survivors and community advocates of HIV and celebrating their stories. It will take place on Sunday, June 5th, 3-5pm at Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E 29th St, Indianapolis 46205. It will feature keynote speaker Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, Ph. D, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, Christian Theological Seminary. There will be musical entertainment as well as survivor testimonies. For more information, visit https://broadwayumc.org.

Night of 1000 Comics! (Give or Take a Few) ~ You’re invited to a night of clean comedy on Sunday, June 5 at 7:00pm at Epworth United Methodist Church (6450 Allisonville Road). Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, with 25% of proceeds benefitting Society of St Andrew – Feeding America’s Hungry. Featured comics include Paul Aldrich, Robert G. Lee, and Gordon Douglas. To buy tickets and for more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-of-1000-comics-give-or-take-a-few-tickets-289003295637.

Words from the Woods ~ The next Woods Work Day is June 6 from 9-10:30 AM. Bring gloves, your favorite weeding tool and sun protection. We will do some weeding around the meditation circle, Peace pole and other places. We will remove dead limbs from some of the shrubs and perhaps transplant some wild ginger on the west side of the courtyard. We’re still figuring out the best way to keep the grasses trimmed up, so bear with the transition from the old mowing service to the new!

Creation Care Updates:

Saturday June 4, 2022 from 11:00-5:00 PM is the Annual Earth Day event in Garfield Park. This free event has live musical performances and youth activities. For more information, visit Indiana Earth Day.

Hoosier Interfaith Power & Light (HIPL.org) a faith based organization whose mission is to make houses a worship a hub of creation care and education, has merged with a regional organization to increase their efficiency and resources. Check out Faith in Place and consider getting on their newsletter. Anyone interested in forming a Creation Care Green Team? https://www.faithinplace.org

The Hoosier Sierra Club created an eye opening report on the Indiana General Assembly’s actions on creation care. See how your legislator worked to either to support or undermine God’s beautiful creation. Sierra Club Legislators Scorecard.

As a volunteer at Hoosier Environmental Council, I (Mary B) have learned a lot about coal combustion residuals and its effect on groundwater. Additionally, as I have advocated for a transition to cleaner forms of energy to protect our earth, I’ve also learned about the adverse health effects of fossil fuel extraction and refineries on poorer communities, causing increased respiratory ailments like asthma, lung and heart diseases, cancer and premature births. A concerning case is before the Supreme Court that seeks to weaken the regulations of the Clean Air Act. Many of us can remember the toxic clouds surrounding the communities of Gary and East Chicago on the way to visit the Museum of Science Industry as children before the EPA was created. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss has a short video raising awareness of this momentous decision: West Virgina vs. EPA.

VBS: Sign-Ups Open & Volunteers Needed! This year we are having Vacation Bible School from Sunday June 26th through Thursday, June 30th. Registration is now open! We invite you to sign up your kids and grandkids, and invite your neighbors as well! This year’s theme is Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. We are also in need of volunteers for crew leaders and people to bring snacks during one of the weeknights. This is a wonderful event that children look forward to each year and we are able to offer it free of charge thanks to volunteers like you! If you can help, please contact the office.

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

Meditational Woods Birds of the Month for June

Wilson’s Snipe: Is the Joke on You?

This month I am celebrating a bird that made an appearance last month. In fact, it was one of the most unusual avian visitors ever to grace our property. After circling through the Meditational Woods, I made my way northward under the high tension lines above the meadow. One of our neighbors to the east has a reddish-brown fence, and it was on the ground along this fence that I spied what I thought was a mammal: perhaps a slender cat or large ground squirrel. Then it turned its head, and I saw the view in my drawing. The slender head with an enormous bill and long-ways head striping identified this as a Wilson’s Snipe!! Although a few other shorebirds have long bills, the lack of a body of water here narrowed the choices. That bill is used to probe the grass and mud for food. Recent rains had made the ground sloshy, and perfect for picking worms and insects.

As I made my way back through the parking lot, I met one of the supervisors of children on the playground. She asked me what birds I had seen that morning. I told her that I had just seen a snipe. She remarked, “I thought they did not really exist!” Readers who are my age may recall an old prank played by kids on other kids, in which the victim is told that the group is going on a “snipe hunt.” The weapons for the hunt are a sack (burlap bag?) and some sort of stick. The instructions are to walk around, hitting the bag with the stick, yelling, “Here, snipe!! Here, here, snipe!!” When no snipe are found, the practical joke is revealed by telling the participant that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SNIPE!!

The TRUTH IS that snipes DO EXIST, that long ago they were hunted as a source of food, and in May one showed up at Indianapolis First Friends meadow. Instead of a paper sack and stick, I had binoculars! -- Brad J

Your Talent is Needed! ~ The choir has gone on break for the summer. Please see the signup sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway to sign up for summer music! We are hoping you will come share your talent with the congregation while our choir takes a break. Be it with your voice by singing or by playing an instrument. Sign up now for any or several Sundays over the summer. Thank you for sharing your God-given gifts!

Donations Needed ~ Leslie K works in a nonprofit residential treatment center for substance abuse disorders; many of the men who come in for treatment have come off the streets or have been incarcerated. If you've been doing spring cleaning and would like to donate gently used men's clothing, tennis shoes, books, Bibles, backpacks, duffels or unused musical instruments, any or all would be greatly appreciated by the residents. Donations can be left at the meeting house.

Mark Your Calendars! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar again at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, July 30th all day. Please consider volunteering for either a morning or afternoon shift for this major fundraiser for our youth programming. More details to come!

The Gospel of John: Illuminate Summer Speaker Series ~ You’re invited to join Barclay Press & Pendle Hill for a series of evening discussions with authors of the Illuminate Friends Bible Study summer curriculum on the Gospel of John. The series will kick off on Monday, June 13 at 7:30, and will take place the 2nd and 4th Mondays, June through August, from 7:30pm - 9:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom. Speakers will share insights from their studies as they prepared this summer’s lessons and “Friendly Perspectives.” This quarter’s Illuminate introduces us to the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus in this unique gospel, the most theological of the four gospels in the Bible. “Friendly Perspectives” accompany each week’s lesson, showing Jesus’s encounters with a variety of people, and prompting us to consider what it means to be a Friend of Jesus in this time. The basic fee for the series is $125, or $25 per single session. Financial assistance is available. For the schedule and more information as well as registration, visit https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/.

Changing Footprints ~ Changing Footprints is a nonprofit that collects new and gently used shoes for distribution to homeless, disaster-stricken, or underprivileged people. They are on track to distribute a record 50,000 pairs this year just from the north Indy location alone. They provide gently used footwear to local nonprofits as well as refugees and the needy in foreign countries. Please bring to the Donation Station in Fellowship Hall any footwear that you no longer need. They collect all types, and are very grateful for your past contributions! Thank you.

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on Mondays June 20 & 27; and July 11 & 25 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Each session will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. Hope to see you there!

“I Am Spiritual but Not Religious!” ~ “Spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) is a popular phrase and initialism used to self-identity a life stance of spirituality that does not regard organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. First Friends Meeting of Kokomo invites you to a series of events focusing on examining this idea. The series begins with an evening of worship on Friday, July 8 at 6:30pm. On Saturday the 9th there will be a BBQ picnic at 5pm followed by a Talk on Kenya, Africa. Then on Sunday at 10:30am they will have Meeting for Worship with guest speakers Shawn McConaughey, General Superintendent of Western Yearly Meeting and Oscar Mmbali, Pastoral Minister of Belize City Friends. Join Kokomo Friends at 1801 Zartman Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902. For more information, view the flyer here or contact kokomofirstfriends@gmail.com.

Birdbath Tips from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

When it comes to birdwatching, there’s no place like home. Colorful birds are a delight for the eyes—and it’s easy to make a bird haven right outside your window:

· Put Up a Bird Feeder. The 3 bird-food staples are black-oil sunflower, nyjer, and suet, but there are plenty of additional options. Here's a handy tool that matches common birds with their favorite foods, so you know just what to buy.

· Give Them Water. A quick sip and a place to bathe will bring birds to your yard—including species that won’t visit feeders. Download our full set of birdbath tips.

· What About Squirrels? Those crafty critters are incredibly good at getting to your seed—download our top squirrel suggestions here.

We hope you enjoy the birds around your home!

Queries for the Week

· Am I afraid of entering the wilderness?

· What do I need to face in the wilderness?

· What in my soul needs to quietly emerge?

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Friend to Friend May 25, 2022

May 26, 2022

As Way Opens

I don’t know about you, but I have had an abundance of helicopter seeds this year that hang on top of my gutters, cover my driveway and flower beds and have traveled to other driveways and lawns. I’ve never seen this amount of seeds and decided to do some research on the cause of this phenomenon.

These seeds are often called whirly birds, twisters, whirligigs or whirlinuts. Their technical name is Samara Fruit and they hold the seeds of the mighty maple tree. Because only a few animals eat the seeds and carry them elsewhere, these helicopters are winged in a perfectly shaped dimension to be able to fly and travel. When there is a year of abundance of the seeds, it means that the tree has experienced stress and wants to produce more seeds to ensure that if part of it dies, another tree will grow somewhere else.

What an analogy to our experience. We are coming out of such a stressful time and we need to be sure we are spreading seed for the future. We may never see the outcome of this planting and should not be concerned about that. Our calling is to fly on wings to send out seed in many places for others. As Thomas Merton says in his book, Seeds of Contemplation, “Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them; for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom, spontaneity, and love.”

We don’t know the soil where we spread seed but that doesn’t matter. Spreading seed brings vitality to our own soul. And some of these seeds will find fertile soil and flourish far beyond us.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Mid-North Food Pantry—Over $7,000 Raised! Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Mid-North Food Pantry (MNFP) fundraiser. We were very happy to present a check in the amount of $7,187 to Matt Jennings of the MNFP. We send our thanks to all who helped to make this a successful fundraiser. There were about 100 families helped at the pantry on that day!

Connect To Friends Fair! ~ A huge thanks goes out to those who participated in the fair last Sunday during Fellowship Hour. Many committees and groups were represented and the booths were amazing! We are blessed to have so many faithful Friends doing such meaningful work here at the Meeting.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

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).

No Meditational Worship Next Week ~ Friends, due to the holiday there will be no Meditational Worship next Monday, May 30. The office will also be closed that day. We hope you and your family have a good Memorial Day!

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would like for you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss Hamnet: a Novel of the Plague by Maggie O'Farrell (373 pages) A New York Times Notable Book (2020) Best Book of 2020: Guardian, Financial Times, Literary Hub, and NPR.

Drawing on Maggie O'Farrell's long-term fascination with the little-known story behind Shakespeare's most enigmatic play, HAMNET is a luminous portrait of a marriage, at its heart the loss of a beloved child.

Warwickshire in the 1580s. Agnes is a woman as feared as she is sought after for her unusual gifts. She settles with her husband in Henley street, Stratford, and has three children: a daughter, Susanna, and then twins, Hamnet and Judith. The boy, Hamnet, dies in 1596, aged eleven. Four years or so later, the husband writes a play called Hamlet.

Award-winning author Maggie O'Farrell's new novel breathes full-blooded life into the story of a loss usually consigned to literary footnotes, and provides an unforgettable vindication of Agnes, a woman intriguingly absent from history.

We will gather in the Parlor and simultaneously via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 led by Loryne C.

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on Tuesday May 31; Mondays June 20 & 27; and Mondays July 11 & 25 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Each session will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. Hope to see you there!

View our Bloopers! We always work hard to put forth a nice, polished video service each Sunday. But did you know that it took a lot of time and tries to get things just right? We put together a second short blooper reel to share! View it on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/Xqp0aKg2MmA for a good laugh!

Artful Meditation ~ Join our instructor Shawn H on Saturday, June 4, from 10am-11:30 in Fellowship Hall as we make art while exploring the theme of joy. For this session jars will be prepped for painting and decorating, Also Shawn will set up a watercolor station and show some cool techniques that can be used. This is open to all ages. Shawn says, "Those that wish to attend will only need to bring themselves and their thoughts of what brings them joy in their everyday lives."

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

Tell Your Senators: Climate Can’t Wait ~ This is a critical decade for the climate crisis, and together we can make this season a turning point for the health of our families and God’s creation. Join with the Evangelical Environmental Network as we “Flood the Phones, Not Our Homes” by calling your Senators and urging them to act now by investing in crucial climate action. 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.)

VBS: Sign-Ups Open & Volunteers Needed! This year we are having Vacation Bible School from Sunday June 26th through Thursday, June 30th. Registration is now open! We invite you to sign up your kids and grandkids, and invite your neighbors as well! This year’s theme is Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. We are in need of volunteers for crew leaders and people to bring snacks during one of the weeknights. This is a wonderful event that children look forward to each year and we are able to offer it free of charge thanks to volunteers like you! If you can help, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Afghan Family Update

I joined the team of folks assisting our second Afghan family over 3 weeks ago, helping primarily with transportation. It has been a very rewarding and educational experience so far and we will be continuing to help them beyond the initial 90 days. The funds donated by First Friends members and attenders and community members has been most helpful and essential in helping with transportation needs such as bicycles, and equipment, rain gear, bus passes, etc., in addition to many other living expenses. Our goal is to help them to function independently, but coming to a new country when they have lost almost all that they owned, as well as experiencing deep personal losses has required a lot of assistance for this to happen. I remember having the sense one day when I was assisting a family member that it must feel like having landed on another planet, not knowing the language, culture or local geography, nor having any extended family support.

In regard to transportation, I found a 2019 WalletHub evaluation of public transportation in America that ranked Indianapolis last of 100 cities in the U.S. An example of this was when I looked up directions on my phone to the father’s place of employment which indicated it would be 8 minutes by car, 22 minutes by bicycle and 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus. While going by bus in Indy can be helpful at times, at others it could be described by, “You can't get there from here”, so there are still some challenges to be met.

I am very grateful for the chance to help this family, all of whom are friendly, respectful, appreciative, ready to laugh and to support each other. I am also grateful for our great team who are very supportive of each other and our family. Last but not least, I am grateful to everyone at First Friends who has contributed to this project and I know that our Afghan family members are very grateful also.

Dana F
First Friends Afghan Project
Team Member

Help Barclay Press! Barclay Press publishes and sells Quaker writers and other books of interest to seekers and those who wish to let their lives speak. BP is having a hard time financially and is seeking donations to help it transition into a self-supporting enterprise, as it is no longer funded by Northwest Yearly Meeting. Friends here deem it to be a worthy organization which operates on a shoestring. If you need more information about BP, you may email publisher Eric Muhr at emuhr@barclaypress.com. Here are some things you can do to help:

CHOOSE BARCLAY TITLES: Do you lead a book study group or First Day School class? Instead of selecting from Amazon, choose a Barclay book. Click this link to see the many enlightening titles sold by BP, including Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman, I'll Push You, A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Friends and a Wheelchair, by Patrick Gray, et al, So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, many wonderful books of poetry and more. Click here to go to their shopping page, where you'll find a search bar in the upper right corner. All Books (barclaypressbookstore.com)

SHOP BARCLAY BOOKS: Birthdays, graduations, Father's Day, Christmas... go to the previous link to search the nearly 400 available titles. You can also search for BP titles on Amazon if you find it easier, but remember that Amazon takes a big cut of sales, so be sure to order directly from BP. When you shop, consider rounding up to the nearest five or ten dollars to make a small donation to BP.

DONATE: Click the DONATE button now on this page: BARCLAY PRESS to make an online donation or send a check to the address at the page of the same web page.

Queries for the Week

· When I am in the thick of the storms of life, do I take Jesus’ advice or simply push on?

· Do I find a quiet place to rest?

· Do I intentionally find time to recover and renew my life?

· Do I, while everyone else is frantic around me, have the personal awareness and fortitude it takes to find a place stop the madness around me and really rest?

Comment

Friend to Friend May 18, 2022

May 19, 2022

As Way Opens

This time of year, as many things are coming to a close, graduations are happening, and summer adventures and new pursuits are finally upon us, I find myself reflecting.

This reflection is more about my awareness than it is a simple reminiscing. John Philip Newell wrote of this in the epilogue of his book, “The Rebirthing of God” (a favorite that I often glean wisdom from). He begins by quoting one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, and then turns to some very Quakerly thoughts. He says,

“Mary Oliver says of the way of awareness that we need to learn “to be astonished.” We need to see the Light that is within all life the way a child views the brightness of a new day with open-eyed wonder. We need to see with radical amazement the almost unbelievable gift of every moment. For this to happen we need to die to the calloused ways in which we handle the so-called ordinary encounters of everyday life. Jesus says, “You must be born anew.” Rebirth will happen when we see again the glowing luminosity of the numinous in each created thing.”

I think sometimes in our busy lives we lose the child-like ways and not just become calloused but block ourselves from the opportunities to be astonished. We lose the beauty found in the ordinary aspects of life.

For me, summer has always been that time of rebirth. I again begin to see the beauty in nature, in my family, in the lives of those around me. I see the luminous glow in the beautiful goldfinches in my backyard, the vibrant rose buds opening, as well as the late-night conversations under the stars, the laughs while on road trips, and moments that I wish could last forever around a crackling fire.

This summer, join with me in looking for ways to be astonished. Let’s put off our calloused ways and enter as children with open-eyed wonder. I guarantee we will be born anew!

To read Mary Oliver’s poem “Messenger” click here.

Happy Summer!

Bob

Joys & Concerns

We had a wonderful time this past Sunday! The First Friends Children’s Choir under the direction of Barbara K shared a beautiful song, “May There Always Be Sunshine” in worship. Thank you, children for a beautiful song, and thanks to Barbara’s leadership! Also during the service, we honored our high school, college, and advanced degree graduates as well as our volunteers! Congratulations graduates, and thank you to our wonderful volunteers! (Thank you to Sue H & Anna R for photos).

Congratulations Mary Ellen L! We celebrated our Friend Mary Ellen completing her Spiritual Direction Program and we made sure to do it in true “Mary Ellen” and unique Quaker fashion! Thanks to Kathy R, Bob H, and our waiter at Lou’s for taking photos!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Sunday School & Choir Notice ~ Friends, please note that Sunday School and Choir will have their last meetings this Sunday, May 22, before taking their usual summer break. We’ll see you again in the fall!

America’s Existential Crisis: Our Inherited Obligation to Native Nations ~ The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center (IPJC) invites you to “America’s Existential Crisis: Our Inherited Obligation to Native Nations”, a speaker event featuring our own Jeff Rasley! The title of this program is the title of Jeff’s 12th book, which is a historical narrative of the complicated relationship two ancestors of Rasley had with Native tribes in the 19th Century. One was an "Indian fighter" and troop leader at the Wounded Knee Massacre. The other was an honored friend of the Potawatomi in northern Indiana. Rasley will share the opposing stories of his two ancestors and will discuss the issue of reparations and recent progress the Biden Administration has made in addressing the USA's inherited obligation to Native nations. This event will take place on May 18th, 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.

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, May 19 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2022 here.

Illuminate Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to the First Friends Bible study every Thursday at 7:30, by Zoom. On May 19 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.

Birdwatching with Brad ~ The early bird gets the worm and the early risers will see the birds with expert birdwatching guide, Brad J. Participants will gather in the Holliday Park Nature Center parking lot on Friday, May 20th. The actual walk will start at 8am. Bring binoculars, wear appropriate shoes for hiking and dress for the weather.

Brad knows his birds. His columns and drawings appear regularly in Friend to Friend. This is the third birdwatching walk Connections has arranged with Brad. Please call or email the office at (317) 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org to R.S.V.P. It is not absolutely necessary, but Brad will know to expect you.

Connect to Friends Fair ~ Attend the CONNECT TO FRIENDS FAIR if you want to get involved in fun activities, deepen your spiritual journey, or engage in efforts to strengthen community or enhance global equity. In order to find out about these opportunities, be sure to attend the Fair after worship during Fellowship Hour on May 22 in Fellowship Hall.

Do you want to become a more active participant in First Friends Meeting and get to know others on a deeper level? Get connected by learning more about Meeting committees and ongoing small groups. Potential examples include Friday Singalongs and Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading. The Fair will give new folks and regular attenders a chance to see where they might be led to “Connect to Friends” and help serve at the Meeting. Representatives will be available to answer questions at each booth. The Fair is sponsored by Connections Program Meeting.

Your Talent is Needed! ~ The choir goes on summer break after this Sunday, May 22. Please see the signup sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway to sign up for summer music! We are hoping you will come share your talent with the congregation while our choir takes a break. Be it with your voice by singing or by playing an instrument. Sign up now for any or several Sundays over the summer. Thank you for sharing your God-given gifts!

Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on Monday May 23, Tuesday May 31; Mondays June 20 & 27; and Mondays July 11 & 25 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Each session 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!

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

VBS: Volunteers Needed! This year we are having Vacation Bible School from Sunday June 26th through Thursday, June 30th—mark your calendars, parents! This year’s theme is Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. We are in need of volunteers for crew leaders and people to bring snacks during one of the weeknights. This is a wonderful event that children look forward to each year and we are able to offer it free of charge thanks to volunteers like you! If you can help, please contact the office.

First Friends Financial Update: As a friendly reminder, the Meeting continues to seek and welcome financial support. To donate online, visit indyfriends.org/support/#givenow, or text to give at 317-768-0303. Other means of helping include automatic giving, stock gifts, estate planning, and donation of IRA Required Minimum Distributions. For more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

We will gather in the Parlor and simultaneously via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 led by Loryne C.

New Leadership for Community Garden

Ben F is taking on the leadership of the Community Garden. I have enjoyed this role for many years but feel it is time to turn it over to someone else. I will still garden, but Ben is going to do the organizing and has energy and ideas for our community. Samantha R has also led the garden effort with me in the past and I appreciated our fun partnership. It has been a pleasure to work together with others and a joy to watch our garden grow. It was a respite during the pandemic and will probably still serve that purpose.

If you are interested in having a raised bed in the First Friends organic garden, now is the time to condition the soil and get those plants in the ground before the weeds take over the world! Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

—Nancy S

DONATE: Click the DONATE button now on this page: BARCLAY PRESS to make an online donation or send a check to the address at the page of the same web page.

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, email, call/text Ed Morris (emorri@earthlink.net, 317-691-5542) or contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).

Afghan Family Update

For a few weeks, I’ve been helping out with the Afghan family that First Friends is serving. It has been a pleasure getting to know the parents and their children. All of them have such welcoming smiles every time I have been in their home. If, as Friends often believe, the light of God is within each person, it shines clearly from the faces of these four people who I've been working with. This cheerfulness is especially remarkable given all the struggles that they have been (and continue to go) through. Learning a new language is not an easy thing to do, and neither is getting around Indianapolis without a car, but these are both challenges that the family enthusiastically faces.

First Friends has obtained bicycles for the family that they can use to get to work or the pharmacy. The Meeting has also secured Internet for the family, and set up ELL (English Language Learner) classes via Zoom. I have tried to learn a few words in Pashto and these two languages are very different from each other! I am very impressed with the parents’ persistence as they participate in the classes three times a week, an hour and a half at a time. They are really trying hard to learn English. I have greatly enjoyed tutoring four members of the family in their efforts with the new language and have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations, as well as my own learning about Afghan culture.

Several times the family has fed me lunch, and always offers delicious tea and treats. I have been amazed by their commitment to hospitality, offering to provide for me when they have so little. I am so proud of First Friends for our own efforts to display hospitality to this sweet family.

Beth F
First Friends Afghan Project
Team Member

Claim or Reclaim Your Community Garden Plot ~ How does your garden grow? The land is ready to receive your gifts of seed. Raised beds are available to people wanting to be a part of the organic gardening community. The garden is located on the north side of the Meetinghouse, beyond the parking lot. You do not necessarily need to be experienced. It does take a commitment to keep up the plot by weeding and watering. It takes extra effort to defeat pests and disease when gardening organically. This mostly boils down to nourishing the soil and using responsible gardening practices. We have a cistern that supplies water when rain is scarce. If one has not gardened before, it helps to be curious and proactive in order to soak up new knowledge. A willing spirit is helpful if you want to help keep up the Hope plot that honors those experiencing difficult times or those who have died. We grow flowers there and people are welcome to pick them. Some volunteer labor is appreciated to keep up the food pantry plot. Harvested veggies from this plot are donated to the Mid-North Food Pantry. Free seeds are available through the Indianapolis Public Library to supplement your own. If you are interested, contact the office.

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

Queries for the Week

· Am I passionate and falling madly in love with this life?

· How might I introduce myself to my “shadow side” this week?

· In what ways do I need to work on embracing “otherness”?

· How am I transforming my suffering into something that brings life?

Comment

Friend to Friend May 11, 2022

May 16, 2022

As Way Opens

As many of you know, I tested positive for Covid Sunday morning. Fortunately my symptoms have been pretty mild and I feel thankful that I have not been that sick. This time of isolation has given me plenty of opportunity for reflection. I realized that I had gotten pretty cocky about not getting sick. I have felt strong and resistant to Covid. I also realized that all my “busyness” the last 2 months had weakened my immune system which made me more susceptible to Covid. This busyness and setting boundaries is one of my spiritual challenges.

God spoke to me during our Mysticism retreat on Saturday. One of the workshops I attended was on a prayer practice called group lectio divina. This is an ancient practice of reading a short passage of scripture four times to first read it, then reflect on it, respond to it and rest in it. The Scripture selected was Luke 10:38-42.

“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him, and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it - it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her”

Two phrases stuck out to me as I kept reading the passage - that Martha was the one to welcome Jesus and also too worried about kitchen preparations. This is my Yin and Yang. Do I pay too much attention to preparations and activities and get worked up over these things while missing the opportunity to sit before the Master and seek the essential and eternal? My time of isolation has me taking stock and looking at the things I need to adjust to live in more fullness and joy.

Hope my test is negative on Saturday and I will be back at Meeting on Sunday.

Beth

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Come celebrate our graduates, teachers and volunteers! We invite you to join us this Sunday, May 15 for a special service in recognition of our graduates and teachers. After the service we will gather for a special time of fellowship—we hope you will join us!

Current Office Hours at First Friends~ Friends, we’d like to share a refresher on the current office hours. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 10am-3pm. Beth is in on Mondays, Rebecca is in on Tuesdays, Bob is in on Thursdays, and all three are in on Wednesdays. If you have an urgent need and are having trouble reaching someone in the office, Bob and Beth are available via cell phone. You can also leave a voicemail and someone will get back to you by the next office day.

Donations Needed ~ Leslie K works in a nonprofit residential treatment center for substance abuse disorders; many of the men who come in for treatment have come off the streets or have been incarcerated. If you've been doing spring cleaning and would like to donate gently used men's clothing, tennis shoes, books, Bibles, backpacks, duffles or unused musical instruments, any or all would be greatly appreciated by the residents. Donations can be left at the meeting house.

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.

Do you want to become a more active participant in First Friends Meeting and get to know others on a deeper level? Get connected by learning more about Meeting committees and ongoing small groups. Potential examples include Friday Singalongs and Oak Leaf Meeting for Reading. The Fair will give new folks and regular attenders a chance to see where they might be led to “Connect to Friends” and help serve at the Meeting. Representatives will be available to answer questions at each booth. The Fair is sponsored by Connections Program Meeting.

Words from the Woods

We are in the midst of weather weirding with heavy rains in early spring and now temperatures in the 80s with no rain in sight.

If you have planted any trees or shrubs recently, please make sure that they get a good watering once a week if there is little to no rain.

We have a new addition to our wildflower habitat in the Woods- Quaker Ladies! These beautiful light blue flowers bloom in early spring and will “quake” in a gentle breeze. https://www.backyardecology.net/common-bluets-delicate-blue-flowers-of-spring/

Be on the watch for this invasive plant. They are deceptively beautiful, but multiply rapidly and will take over your garden. We have spent hours digging this out of the courtyard.

Nodding star-of-Bethlehem occurs in scattered locations in the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast and mid-Atlantic and has been reported to be invasive in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is adapted to floodplains, fields, waste places, abandoned gardens and grows in full sun to partial shade.

Nodding Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum nutans) and ...

Questions about recycling paper products? This blog from Circular Indiana has clear instructions and a nice graphic to help you decide what can be recycled. https://www.circularindiana.org/post/paper-how-to-recycle-right

Thanks to a hearty crew of volunteers who helped dig up invasives, tidy the garden and tend to the new plants in the memorial mound. Thanks to Mindy S, Amy P, Tim D, Norma W.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for May
Ovenbird
Teacher Appreciation

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

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

· Reflect on a woman who has been “a mother in Israel” to you. In what ways did she support, mentor, guide, inspire or challenge you to take a particular path, or nudge you to action you were hesitant to take?

Comment

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.

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

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

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

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?

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