As Way Opens
Blessing For a Leader
~ from To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donahue (1956-2008)
May you have the grace and wisdom
To act kindly, learning
To distinguish between what is
Personal and what is not.
May you be hospitable to criticism.
May you never put yourself at the center of things.
May you act not from arrogance but out of service.
May you work on yourself,
Building up and refining the ways of your mind.
May those who work for you know
You see and respect them.
May you learn to cultivate the art of presence
In order to engage with those who meet you.
When someone fails or disappoints you,
May the graciousness with which you engage
Be their stairway to renewal and refinement.
May you treasure the gifts of the mind
Through reading and creative thinking
So that you continue as a servant of the frontier
Where the new will draw its enrichment from the old,
And you never become functionary.
May you know the wisdom of deep listening,
The healing of wholesome words,
The encouragement of the appreciative gaze,
The decorum of held dignity,
The springtime edge of the bleak question.
May you have a mind that loves frontiers
So that you can evoke the bright fields
That lie beyond the view of the regular eye.
May you have good friends
To mirror your blind spots.
May leadership be for you
A true adventure of growth.
Ruthie
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Please note: There will be no Yoga class November 11, 18 and 25. Yoga classes will resume Friday, December 2.
Follow the North Star! Please contact the office if you would like to join us. We have made a reservation for 16 to attend the Connor Prairie interactive experience called Follow the North Star on November 18th at 7:15 p.m. This is a powerful immersion experience of being a slave trying to escape. You must be at least 12 years old to attend this event. The cost is $20 (funds are available for support). We will leave from First Friends at 6:30 or meet at Conner Prairie at 7:00 p.m.
Poetry Group ~ You may know Michelangelo as a painter and sculptor, but as a poet? Norma W. will present a very special program on his poetry in the Parlor at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15. Norma presented this program quite a number of years ago--it was so well-received that we asked her to share it with us again.
Thanksgiving with Mid North Food Pantry ~ Witness & Service is sponsoring a food awareness drive at First Friends during the month of November. The Meridian Street Preschool Co-op is also partnering with First Friends to bring in donations of food and money to the Mid-North Food Pantry. Krishan C. is working on one of his scout requirements and will head-up this food pantry drive on behalf of Witness & Service. As was done last year, W&S is soliciting cash contributions rather than food items from adults since Mid North is able to purchase from Gleaners Food Bank more than 10 times the amount of food that an individual is able to purchase, for the same amount of money, at a grocery store. We think it is beneficial for the children at First Friends to continue to contribute food items. MSPC will have a box labeled ‘Mid North Food Pantry’ that will be available in the hallway by the classrooms. Additional boxes for food are in the children’s classrooms. We hope that everyone at First Friends will work together to share their blessings during the month of November. Checks should be written to First Friends with a notation for Mid North. Thanks for your help.
Friends are invited to join the Clerks Council this Saturday, November 12th at 9 am, as we consider steps in our search for a new pastor. We will review the previous pastor's search, review the previous meeting survey, and discuss other pertinent information at that time. Suggestions and interest in the search are much appreciated! If you would like to be considered as a potential member of the Pastoral Search Committee, please submit your name to Dan Rains, Clerk of the Meeting. Clerks Council will be bringing names forward for approval for this Committee at our next Monthly Meeting on November 20th.
~ Ed M., Clerk of Ministry and Counsel & Dan R., Clerk of the Meeting
One of Gary R.'s writings of his experience in Vietnam was accepted for Writing Home: The Stories of American Veterans in Words, Dance, & Theater. There will be four performances over Veteran’s Day Weekend through the spoken word and movement performed by Dance Kaleidoscope; veterans, and actors will evoke a sense of wonder, understanding, and appreciation for all. For dates and times visit the website www.spiritandplace.org or contact the office for more info.
Fairfield Friends invites you to Books n' Brunch! The event is Saturday, November 12th from 9am-1pm. Brunch type items will be served, as well as vegetarian options. The cost is Adults $7, ages 3-18 is $3, under 3 is free. There will be crafts, a book sale, and Phil Gulley will have signed books available as well. Funds from the book sale will go to their library and other proceeds will benefit outreach/mission projects (through USFW and their Outreach Committee). Fairfield Friends is located at 10441 E. County Rd. 700 S. in Camby. Hope to see you on Nov.12th!
All are welcomed to the Parents Appreciation Banquet sponsored by Nur-Allah Islamic Center (Daud’s Mosque). This will be a dinner for all to set aside some time to honor parents and parenthood. It is being held Sunday, November 13 from 4-7pm at the Sterrett Center, 8950 Otis Ave. (One block north of 56th & Post Rd). Tickets are $40 for adults (or $75 for a couple), $35 for Seniors (62 & older) and $25 for college students & children under 13. Please contact the office if you’d like to RSVP for a ticket. For more information call 317 753-3754 or visit www.nurallah.org.
Join us on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 20th as we welcome Jackie Stillwell from Right Sharing of World Resources in Meeting for Worship. We will celebrate our blessing of being a blessing, and share together in a “World Meal”, experiencing what people around the world encounter when they come to their tables each and every day. Meeting for Worship to Conduct Business will follow immediately afterward.
Tuesday evening, November 22nd at 7:00 is the date and time set for our annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Allisonville First Christian Church. Everyone is welcome! First Friends, Epworth, Cross and Crown, Allisonville Christian, and St. Pius congregations will join together in worship and song, as we give thanks to God for the many gifts and graces we receive. We also have a chance to share with others – an offering will be taken to benefit Schools on Wheels – a ministry to homeless children. Join us in thanksgiving!
Grief Gathering on Sunday November 27th after Meeting for Worship - Circle of Care is hosting a lunch and discussion for those who have experienced a loss of a family member or cherished friend. This lunch and time together is a tangible way our Meeting is demonstrating our care for each other during times of sadness. We invite anyone that is interested in gathering with others to share and reflect on the experience of loss. Feel free to bring any family members. Please contact the office (office@indyfriends.org) if you plan to attend. This event is sponsored by our Circle of Care.
Christmas Caroling! ~ Please join us for Christmas caroling on Sunday, December 11, in the late afternoon. Specific details will be announced later. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Donahue.