As Way Opens
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! May you be richly blessed as you remember God’s faithfulness and provision for your needs during this past year. Even in times of struggle and loss, remember God’s presence and help. As you gather ‘round the table with family and friends this season, take time to ‘count your blessings’ and name each one you can think of. It’s surprising to think of all the things God has done and is doing through the power of the Holy Spirit, in each one of our lives… and God has yet to do and to be, much, much, more!
I’d like to share a lovely prayer, written by Samuel F. Pugh, that was shared at our Ecumenical Service this week. As we consider our blessings, let us always remember others.
O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help,
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.
Ruthie
Joys & Concerns
A big thank you to our food pantry volunteers! They were all needed as we served a near record 116 families!
Much appreciation to all who contributed to the Mid North Food Pantry during November. $1,320.00 has been collected! Thanks to all who donated funds and thanks to the children who contributed food items.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Please note: There will be no Yoga class November 25. Class will resume Friday, Dec 2.
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. This event is sponsored by our Circle of Care.
Hello Oak Leaf Ladies! Come to our 3rd Annual Oak Leaf Holiday Pot Luck on November 29th at 7 pm hosted by Ruth K. in her home. We will be discussing “The Friendly Persuasion" by Jessamyn West. Be ready to eat lasagna! Bring a side dish and a book from home to swap. People who haven't previously attended our meeting for reading are MORE than welcome to come join us! Please feel free to invite a friend, the more the merrier! Contact the office for info on how to RSVP.
This past Thanksgiving Sunday we heard from Jackie Stillwell, General Secretary of Right Sharing of World Resources, a Quaker organization concerned with receiving blessings and multiplying them again and again through income-generating projects in developing countries. Friends raised $400 in donations for RSWR. We were reminded that 20% of the world’s population consumes 80% of the world’s resources. What part do we play in sharing the riches of God’s blessings with those less fortunate?
A simple way to share is to save our stamps! Over $70,000 has been raised for RSWR through the donation of cancelled stamps. Save all your Christmas Card Stamps, and donate them! Here’s how: Stamps should be cut from envelopes with 1/8” to 1/4” of paper around the stamp. For foreign mail include the envelope as well. There are many dealers who collect foreign envelopes. Save the envelopes of domestic mail postmarked prior to 1946 too. Bring your stamps to the Meetinghouse, or send them to: Earl Walker/Quaker Missions West, 650 Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.
Babysitting Co-Op on Saturday, December 3! December 3rd will be our babysitting co-op evening from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. This is a free night of babysitting that will be hosted by Kathy R. and Cindy K. Please let the officeknow if you would like to attend.
VOCE (Carolyn T. is a member), presents the 2nd Annual Madrigal Dinner on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 6:00 -9:30 pm at the First Friends Church 3030 Kessler Blvd E. Drive, Indianapolis, 46220, in Fellowship Hall. Featuring a homemade authentic recipe five-course Renaissance meal, Madrigal music by VOCE, costumes, merriment and holiday cheer. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased November 1, 2016 – December 1, 2016 on the VOCE website - www.voceindy.org.
Legislative Priorities for FCNL - 350 Quakers from around the country met in Washington DC for the annual meeting of Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)on November 10th - 13th. Several from First Friends attended and the legislative priorities for FCNL over the next 2 years were approved (see them here: https://goo.gl/Zukhzo). We also lobbied our Senators and Representatives on supporting passage of Criminal Justice reform for non-violent offenders in the lame duck session. If you are interested, call your Senators and ask them to support Senate Bill S2123 and your Representative to support bills in the house HR 3713 and HR 759. More information about this legislation is on the FCNL website: https://www.fcnl.org/
Crown Hill Woods Petition - The Dr. Laura Hare Charitable Trust (LHCT), a private foundation whose primary purpose is to protect and preserve ecologically significant land, has made a negotiable offer to purchase Crown Hill Woods, a 14.75-acre parcel currently owned by the VA. The LHCT intends to make the site open to the public for passive recreation while preserving the forest intact-- if they are allowed to purchase the property. If you’d like to urge the VA to be a willing seller, you can sign the new Crown Hill North Woods petition here: https://goo.gl/THtChl
Christmas Celebrations at First Friends Meeting
Vespers Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 4th at 5:00 pm
Complimentary Light Buffet following the concert
Choirs, Cookies, and Carols!
December 11th, 2016
‘Royal Sensation Choir’ in Meeting
Christmas Tea just following Worship
Christmas Caroling
Children’s Christmas Pageant
December 18th, 2016 in Meeting
Christmas Eve Service
‘Finding the Christ Child’
December 24th, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Christmas Morning Worship
Brunch, Caroling, and Waiting Worship at 10:15