Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens by Beth Henricks
I have been very thankful that Linda Lee started a Monday meditation group that meets in our parlor at 12:15 with a time of gathering for lunch and discussion at 1:00 with whomever can stay (all are welcome to join us). It has been so good to start the week with unprogrammed worship and our conversations have been interesting and varied. We were talking about the Kingdom of God this past Monday and it got me thinking about the great legacy of Quaker historical figures that were change agents in this world and who acted out of a belief that the Kingdom of God was at hand. George Fox opened up our direct experience of the Inner Teacher, John Woolman spent 30 years encouraging Quakers to live out the equality testimony by denouncing slavery, Elizabeth Fry challenged the prison system and changed it forever, William Penn established a new type of society and welcomed all including Native Americans. Many Quakers did not condemn Indian religious practices but saw "that of God in them". The equality of women and the very early acceptance of female leadership within the Quaker denomination are all amazing examples of being on the leading edge of social change. But this all came about because certain Quakers believed deeply in the proclamation from Jesus about the good news of God; ‘the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the good news.’ (Mark 1:14-15)
What might we do today if we really believed that the Kingdom of Heaven were at hand? What leadings do you have that will continue this tradition of seeing that of God in each person and believing that we must act to ensure all are loved and accepted and treated with equality and respect? God is calling each of us to live in the Light and participate in creating the Kingdom of God here in Indianapolis, our country and the world.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Participate in our "Sponsor a College Student" project! Just select a college student off the board set up in the meetinghouse and send them notes, cards, treats, etc throughout the school year so they hear from someone at the Meeting and feel connected. We will continue to send care packages before finals in December and in May. Please let the office know at office@indyfriends.org if anyone is missing from this list of students: Amelia Calley, Helen Calley, Maggie Crawford, Natalie Donahue, Emma Faulkenbach, Adrian Firsich, Glennis Henderson, Greg Henricks, Lori Heusel, Portia Mastin, Will Mastin, Grace Miller, Christine Panah, Holly Pennington, Tyler Rodino, Lee Schilling, Mitch Snyder, Ben Wertz, Grif Williams, Nick Wilson, and Samuel Wilson.
Please join us for Community Soup on Friday, Oct. 3rd, anytime between 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Enjoy soups, bread, and dessert in a relaxed atmosphere. No cooking, no dishwashing, and no charge. You are welcome to bring your favorite soup if you choose. After dinner, we’ll show “The Life A House Built”, a film about the 25th Anniversary of the Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project, Habitat for Humanity. Bill Chapman has personal experience with Habitat’s founder, Millard Fuller, and will make a brief presentation regarding his experience. There may be a local Habitat organizer in attendance to share a brief presentation concerning local Habitat efforts. Please join us for this special evening!
Sign up for Softball! We’re trying to get a team together to play. Date and location TBD. Contact Coach Jim Donahue or Batboy Dan Mitchell if interested in playing.
Gathering Group is Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 7:00 pm. Friends gather to do all kinds of handwork: crochet, knitting, rug working, whatever you want to do. All are welcome to join in and create.
Join us for an Eco-Film Series at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road, at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The next one is Friday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. called “Rock the Boat”. When a government agency decides that the Los Angeles River is not worthy of environmental protection, a biologist becomes a whistle blower, a writer trades pen for paddle, and together with others they change the course of history in a local battle with national significance. With climate change and an impending worldwide water crisis, we are now forced to examine the impact on nature of our urban lifestyle. With striking images of the L.A. River, insightful interviews and a soft spot for humor, Rock the Boat documents the intrepid fight to renew the river and the city itself, and affirms the power of committed individuals to jump-start that change. (54 min.) www.rocktheboatfilm.com
Looking for some family-friendly fun this fall? The Meridian Street Preschool Co-Op is hosting their annual Fall Festival here at First Friends! Join us on Saturday, October 18th from 4-6pm for a chili cook-off, family photos, a costume contest, a bounce house, and family-friendly games and activities. You are welcome to add your best chili recipe into the contest – there will be prizes!
The 35th annual Indianapolis CROP Hunger Walk is on Sunday, October 19th. Indianapolis area congregations of all faiths, civic groups and other organizations are invited to participate. Walkers cover a designated route beginning and ending at the Christian Theological Seminary on 42nd St near Michigan Rd (near Butler University). Funds raised from this walk are channeled through Church World Service to help fight hunger around the world. Registration starts at 1:30 and you begin walking immediately, setting your own pace. We are putting together a team of people to participate in CROP walk. If you are interested please contact Jim Donahue at jdonahue@indy.rr.com or Beth Henricks at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. If you would like to donate to the cause, we will have a table set up at the Meetinghouse collecting donations before the event. For more information, please visit http://www.indycropwalk.org/.
Ladies! Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be discussing Elizabeth Clines’ Overdressed on the third Tuesday of October, the 21st, at 7 pm in the Parlor. If you would like to be on the email list or need a copy of the book list for 2014, please contact Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com. Listening to the Light, by Jim Pym is our upcoming book for November.
Would you like to receive a copy of each First Day’s sermon? Simply sign-up for Wednesday Word by sending an email request to office@indyfriends.org or call the Meeting Office at 317-255-2485.