As Way Opens
‘The Imitation of Christ’ was written in the 1300’s by a monk named Thomas Haemmerlein from Kempen, about 40 miles north of Cologne, Germany – forever known to us as Thomas a Kempis. Actually, it was most likely edited by a Kempis, and is most plausibly the diary of Gerhard Groote, who founded the lay brotherhouse, The Brethren of the Common Life. The writings are now known as a devotional classic, and one of a ‘supreme call and guide to spiritual aspiration’. Friend Douglas Steere, when he first read it, was both drawn to it and repelled by it, and writes about its great importance to all of us. I have recently begun studying it devotionally, and am enjoying the challenge and the journey. The ‘Imitation’ is divided into four ‘books’ – Admonitions for the Spiritual Life, for the Inward Life, for Inward Consolation, and for the Sacraments. This particular writing was especially lovely: ‘By two wings is a man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reacheth towards God, purity apprehendeth Him and tasteth Him. No good action will be distasteful to thee if thou be free within from inordinate affection. If thou reachest after and seekest nothing but the will of God and the benefit of thy neighbor, thou wilt entirely enjoy inward liberty. If thine heart were right, then should every creature be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile but that it showeth us the goodness of God.’ May God bless you as you practice God’s presence in your life.
Ruthie
Considering the Quote: ‘Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord God, whereby thou wilt receive his strength and power from whence life comes, to allay all tempests, against blusterings and storms. That is it which moulds up into patience, into innocency, into soberness, into stillness, into stayedness, into quietness, up to God, with his power.’ ~ George Fox, 1658
Announcements, Reports & Opportunities
Service Appreciation Dinner ~ All are invited to share memories and stories about several of our treasured members who have admirably served First Friends over the years. Please reserve Sunday, May-22, 5:30-8:30, for this exciting free dinner and program. You need to sign up to attend. See the sign-up sheet on the table in the hallway or call the office for your reservations 317-255-2485. Deadline to reserve is Sunday, May 15. Please note that we are still in need of volunteers to help serve and clean up for this event. Please contact us if you may have any youth interested in assisting. Volunteers will need to arrive at the Meeting by 4:30 that day.
“Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery”, or so they say! Take a look at the new website for Western Yearly Meeting, and compare it to ours at First Friends Meeting! It’s awesome! Kudos to Andrew Heald for his great imitation of the original… Jeff Goens! We love it Andrew!
http://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/
All of the boards of Western Yearly Meeting are meeting Saturday, May 21 at 9:30 AM in Plainfield. For more information, visit www.westernyearlymeeting.org.
Books, Books, Books! Our Meeting Library is overflowing with books, and we have even more in boxes! We need help! If you would like to help us sort, catalog and put our library holdings to good use, we would LOVE it! Many of these books can’t be found anywhere else! Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
“Friends of Nature Kids” ~ Four Seasons~ Pick a place to look at and think about how each season affects it. What happens to it in the winter? What about in spring and fall? Do certain things start to grow? Do other things die? What other changes does that patch of land go through?
From 52 Nature Activities by Lynn Gordon, Chronicle Books, San Francisco.