As Way Opens
Friends – I am happy to share a blogpost from Leslie Kartholl this week. As we met for worship in our Meditational Woods last Sunday, and considered the grace and goodness of being planted and nurtured by God as if by streams of living water, Leslie was reminded of this entry she’d written some time ago. Be blessed, as I have been.
Ruthie
TAKE ROOT
I had a "happy accident" a couple of weeks ago; while I was walking in the park behind my house I somehow ended up sliding down a muddy embankment. By the way, you don't outgrow clumsy. I made a feeble attempt to stop myself, but I was at the bottom on my bum before I knew it. In front of me was a creek, behind me was...a magic tree. At least it looked magic, or enchanted, or something. It was awesome, frankly; weird and otherworldly. I stood there gazing at it, fully expecting an elf or two to come strolling out of the hollow trunk.... continue reading at ManyWinters.com
Leslie Kartholl, manywinters.com
Considering the Quote: “How, then, shall we lay hold of that Life and Power, and live the life of prayer without ceasing? By quiet, persistent practice in turning of all our being, day and night, in prayer and inward worship and surrender, toward Him who calls in the deeps of our souls. Mental habits of inward orientation must be established. An inner, secret turning to God can be made fairly steady, after weeks and months and years of practice and lapses and failures and returns. It is as simple an art as Brother Lawrence found it, but it may be long before we achieve any steadiness in the process. Begin now, as you read these words, as you sit in your chair, to offer your whole selves, utterly and in joyful abandon, in quiet, glad surrender to Him who is within. In secret ejaculations of praise, turn in humble wonder to the Light, faint though it may be.” Thomas R. Kelly
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
The Quaker Religious Education Collaboration (QREC) invites you to Instilling Quaker Identity through Religious Education, a weekend gathering that includes a series of workshops, plenaries, interest circles, displays, fellowship, worship, and celebration. It is being held June 10-12 at the Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond. You can register online at http://www.quakers4re.org/2016registration. Questions? Contact registrar2016@quakers4re.org.
Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) will be showing a film this Friday, June 10th from 7:00-8:30 PM. The showing will be in the parlor. Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and The NRA tells the stories of how guns, and the billions made off of them, affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been affected by gun violence, including survivors and victims' families. Anyone is invited to attend this screening!
Indy Pride Parade - Everyone's invited to march in the Indy Pride Parade this Saturday, June 11th. We will meet outside the Phoenix Theatre at 9am and the Parade begins at 10am. Please bring water and wear your First Friends T-shirts! if you've always wanted to march in a parade through downtown Indianapolis, and wanted to show support for the LGBT community, join us this Saturday and email Janis at jcrawfor@butler.edu. See you Saturday!
Babysitting Co-Op happens this Saturday, June 11th!
June 11th will be our babysitting co-op evening from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. This is a free night of babysitting that is hosted by parents.
Michael and Katie Hostetler will be hosting. Dinner is provided for the kids! Please let Beth Henricks (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) know if you would like to attend.
IFCL Open Position - The Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) is accepting resumes for the position of lobbyist for the 2017 calendar year. This is a compensated position. Please contact the office if you are interested and we will put you in touch with the IFCL clerk, Bill Chapman. For more information about the work of IFCL visit www.quakerifcl.org
Friends Education Fund Scholars will be honored this Sunday, June 12th: A Quaker college scholarship program for African American students was created in the mid-1940’s by seeral members of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting who were the surviving governing board of the only orphanage for African American children in the state of Indiana. Since that time, a great number of scholarships have been awarded, and many students have gone on to academic life. Come and hear the story of how it all began, and celebrate with these fine young people – both in worship and Fellowship Hour.
School on Wheels looking for Volunteers! The School on Wheels is the charity for the RUN(317) Race on Broad Ripple on Thursday, June 16 at 7PM. They are in need of volunteers for a variety of jobs/stations during the run. Anyone interested in participating in the run can also register at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7489/run317-broad-ripple.
Sunday June 19th: Tom Hamm will be speaking in Meeting for Worship
Join us on Father’s Day, June 19th at 10:15 to hear Tom Hamm, who is among the world’s leading experts on Quakers in America. He teaches a variety of courses in American and British history. He has authored many books including: The Quakers in America (Columbia University Press, 2003)
Earlham College: A History, 1847-1997 (Indiana University Press, 1997)
The Transformation of American Quakerism: Orthodox Friends, 1800-1907 (Indiana University Press, 1988)
Quaker Writings: An Anthology, 1650-1920 (Penguin Classics, 2011)
"Hicksite, Orthodox, and Evangelical Quakerism, 1805-1887," in Oxford Handbook of Quaker Studies (Oxford University Press, 2013).
The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is June 19, 2016. For an application please contact the office at 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org.
Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions are coming up July 14-17 in Plainfield! We will be gathering for a time of fellowship and communion together...So that Faith, Truth, and Love Might Flourish! Come ready to hear about all the various ministry outlets WYM is involved with and how we are bringing the Light of God to the world! Registrations received by July 1, 2016 will be pre-registered for a fee of $10 per adult which includes a name tag and business packet. Those registering after July 1st will need to pay a Walk-In Rate of $15 per adult. You can register online here: http://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/wymsessions or contact the office if you are in need of a paper copy.
Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd - Westfield Parks and Recreation and Main Street Productions have partnered on this original musical production that follows one family on their journey from slavery to freedom in the pre-Civil War era. The premiere of "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd," on the lawn of historical Asa Bales Park, will take attendees along the Underground Railroad with only the "drinkin' gourd" (Big Dipper) to guide them. The special performance highlights the struggles, fears, and hopes that slaves experienced in their attempts to achieve freedom. Performances are June 17-19, with each performance will be approximately 2 hours in duration, including a short intermission. Adult tickets are $12. For event and ticket information, please visit http://www.enjoywestfieldevents.com/gourd or call 317-804-3184
Restorative Practice Event – You and your colleagues are invited to spend a day immersed in discussion and learning about restorative practices Wednesday, June 22nd. Peace Learning Center, Indianapolis Public Schools, and the Desmond Tutu center are putting together a day of learning, community building, and connections to help encourage participants to use their classrooms, community centers, homes, and more to help grow restorative justice movement right here in Indianapolis. This is a free event open to parents and staff in any school district interested (as well as our friends not affiliated with any school district!) Please contact the office for additional questions!
German Children's Relief Art Exhibition Marian University - Looking for information on the post WWI and II German Children's Relief Program (Quäkerspeisung) by the American Friend Service Committee. We have found a book called ‘Quiet Helpers - Quaker Service in Postwar Germany’. We are looking for more history or personal stories about the artwork or the program itself. The art work and poems sent back as Thank You’s to Friends will be featured in an Art Exhibit at Marian University. Exhibit Runs: August 29-October 7, 2016 ; Reception: September 1, 4-6 pm, 2016. Thank you in advance for anything you think would be helpful for the exhibit. Please contact Nichole: nmathews@hse.k12.in.us.
Jeff Rasley has a new book: Hero's Journey - John Ritter, the Chip Hilton of Goshen, Indiana; a Memoir. It's part memoir about childhood heroes and part biography of John Ritter. John was a star for the Indiana University Hoosiers and captain of Bob Knight's first Final Four team. His life later took a very unexpected turn. Jeff set out to discover what happened to John and why. The book is also a meditation on what makes a hero, why individuals and nations need heroes, and how they are used and abused. The eBook and paperback can be purchased through Amazon.