Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens by Beth Henricks
I have a radical idea for you to consider - what if we were to embrace the path of Jesus without knowing the end of the story? What if we tried to set ourselves back in the time of Jesus and explore his life in the eyes of wisdom tradition? What if we could really consider his idea of total transformation of the mind, heart and soul? Would we follow him if we didn't know about his crucifixion and resurrection? I have been reading the book The Wisdom Jesus -Transforming the Heart and Mind by Cynthia Bourgeault and have been thinking about these questions in my own mind. What if I was living 2,000 years ago and heard the message of Jesus to love my enemy - that loving my friends means nothing because anyone can do that - but the awakening of my being and the real transformation would be evident in loving my enemies - can I really do this? We have many enemies identified in our personal life as well as our corporate life. Jesus calls each of us to see the Light of God in them, just as we search for the reflecting Light of God within each of us. If we really are committed to following Jesus and not just the theology of Jesus that has been established by the Church, we must confront these transforming ideas.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Community Soup is this Friday, Sep-5, from 5:30 – 6:15 pm. Note that the time for dinner has been shortened in order to accommodate the showing of “Friendly Persuasion” at 6:30pm, a 1956 film that tells the story of a pacifist Quaker family in southern Indiana during the American Civil War. It is a lighthearted film, appropriate for children, and has many enjoyable scenes dealing with traditional Quaker practice. The film will begin at 6:30 pm. Folks are invited to the dinner prior to the film or just come to see the film. Remember the Community Soup motto...no cooking, no cleanup, no charge!!!
Norma Wallman will lead a late summer wildflower walk at Holliday Park on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00-11:30. Join her as she shows how to distinguish one yellow composite from another. Asters and smartweeds will also be present. Call 327-7180 to register.
Sunday School Kickoff is this Sunday and we’d like to encourage you all to wear your Pajamas! We’ll have breakfast at 8:30 with classes beginning at 9:00. We want to see you comfy in your pj’s and slippers! The children’s classes are: preK - 2nd grade led by Kathy Rhyne and Ann Panah, 3rd - 5th grade led by Amanda Cordray, and 6th - 12th grade led by Dan Lee and Jed Kay, which will meet in the brightly colored Youth Room across from Fellowship Hall. The adult classes are: Quakerism in the Parlor, Seeking Friends in the Seeking Friends Room, Wired Word in the Coffee Circle Room, and of course, the Choir will meet for rehearsal.
Don’t miss the 2nd annual Festival of Faiths on Sunday, September 7, 1-5pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza (Meridian and Michigan St). One of the most exciting things about it is that so many Quakers are participating! First Friends, North Meadow Circle of Friends, Iglesia Amigos, WYM, AFSC, RSWR, and other Quaker meetings will have a ‘Quaker Booth’ at the Festival, including a Friends Worship Space. We intend to host a Quaker Sing-a-Long, Unprogrammed and Programmed Worship Times. Booths and activities will help us better understand and appreciate our neighbors from different religious traditions, as well. There will be a main stage outdoors with a grand opening ceremony. Special speakers will join in panel discussions. There’s something for everyone! For more info about the Festival, visit www.facebook.com/IndyFestivalofFaiths. To help, talk to Ruthie!
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 first one is next Friday, September 12th at 7:30 p.m. called “Thin Ice”. In recent years climate science has come under increasing attack, so concerned geologist Simon Lamb grabbed his camera and set out to explore the inside story of climate research. For over three years he followed scientists from a wide range of disciplines at work in the Arctic, Antarctic, Southern Ocean, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. The film puts a human face on the huge international effort and astonishing range of human activity and scientific endeavor required to understand Earth’s climate system. (74 minutes. thiniceclimate.org/)
The Quaker Affirmation classes begin on September 14th! Beth Henricks is looking for volunteers to help one Sunday a month for the upcoming classes for this group. If interested please email Beth Henricks at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org.
Sunday, September 14th will be a very special day for our Meeting, as we welcome new members. Each of these folk have submitted their request for membership to Ministry and Counsel, have been visited by the same, and have been approved for membership by our Monthly Meeting. We are thrilled to welcome Kathy Rhyne, John, Heather, Sam, and Ellie Arle and Dan, Jennifer, Paul, Bethany and Anna Lee. Come celebrate with us! A reception will be help after Meeting, hosted by Membership Growth and Participation.
Friends, Food & Fox! You're invited to discuss this and other "Foxisms" at the renewed Indy First Friends Young Adults Fellowship! Responding to a spoken desire to rekindle a fellowship group for 20-30 ‘Somethings’, the Indy First Friends Young Adult Fellowship will have their first meeting Wednesday, September 17, 7-9 p.m. at the Meeting House. Hope to see you there! Any questions, contact Jim or Leslie Kartholl at 317-945-5578 or by email at lkartholl@gmail.com and jkartholl8@gmail.com.
Calling all ladies! USFW is having a gathering of all the ladies of the meeting on Thursday, September 18th from 6pm-8pm and would love for you to join us. Norma Wallman will discuss her life and her walk with Christ. It is sure to be inspirational and full of flowers. Please join us for a fun filled evening in Fellowship Hall. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing office@indyfriends.org or calling 317-255-2485.
Babysitting at the Meetinghouse on Saturday, September 20th from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. will be provided for our families. We will provide dinner for the kids. Please let Beth Henricks know if you are joining us at henricksbeth2@gmail.com.
Discovering God in a Changing World. You are invited to an exciting 4-part program series with Dr. Dan Moseley right here at First Friends! This seasonal, year-long series will help you learn how to develop spiritual practices that will encourage and support the life to which God is calling you as an individual and a community. Sessions will consist of a Saturday retreat from 9-1pm, Meeting for Worship on Sunday at 10:15am followed by a luncheon and then a Q&A with Dan. The first session is September 27-28th, when Dan will focus on discovering gifts from the community and Christian tradition to help us adapt to change. There is no fee, but you are encouraged to pre-register with Amanda Bow in the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Don’t forget to bring in some undies for the 7th Annual Underwear Drive ‘Underneath It All’! Please donate NEW underwear, socks, t-shirts, and bras. All sizes are needed from Toddler sizes to Adult sizes for High School Students! If you don’t have time to shop, you can also donate by cash or check to First Friends, designated for Underneath it All. All donations will go to the John H. Boner Community Center, which serves some of the poorest neighborhoods in Indianapolis. Social Workers will distribute the donated items to families as needed. Please place donations in the labeled box in Fellowship Hall. Cash or checks may be placed in offertory plates if labeled as donations to the Underwear Drive. We will be collecting until just after Labor Day. Contact Linda Lee if you have questions.
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.