As Way Opens
Dan Mitchell gave a gift to each of the women on staff this Christmas: a glass jar and a paperwhite narcissus bulb – with instructions. “Fill jar with water to base of bulb. Wait.” I did. I waited until after I returned from vacation to fill my jar with water and set the bulb, sprouting already from its dead brown skin. Before long, strange white tentacles erupted downward into the water, lengthening slowly. Within a week, something else became quite noticeable… the sprout was greening and stretching upward. The further the roots descended, the more the sprout gained in height. It won’t be long before more and more stalks will appear and the narcissus will bloom into full flower.
So it is with each one of our spiritual lives. We each, seemingly dry dormant bulbs, are filled with God’s spirit of life and the capacity for growth and newness. When nurtured, our souls stretch deeply and become rooted in life giving energy. That is when the evidence of God’s life in us becomes apparent. The deeper our experience, the stronger the mark of God’s presence. The fruit and flower of God’s work in us is revealed, while our rootedness is hidden, known only to God.
Dormancy is a necessary part of life… we need times of rest and conservation of energy. But we also must remember our need for nurture – the Quickening Source that feeds us. What nurtures your soul? It may be prayer, study, scripture, nature walks, worship groups, journaling, drawing, volunteering, poetry, reading… God, our Present Teacher, is eager to lead each of us to deeper and greater growth. Let us be willing to put ourselves in a nurturing place, and then… wait.
Ruthie
Joys & Concerns
A big thank you for all the donations received for Right Sharing of World Resources from the sale of cookies and soup in a jar! We raised $209 to support women in India, Kenya and Sierre Leone.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Monthly Meeting will gather this Sunday, January 15th. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Beth’s Sunday School parenting class will meet in the parlor at 9:00 this Sunday, January 15. We will be studying Dr. Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion and Connection. Beth is a big fan of Brene Brown and this is a new series she has developed so Beth hopes parents of all ages will join.
The Eternal Promise is the study for Seeking Friends this quarter. Join Ruthie and others as we move through this collection of short essays by Friend Thomas R. Kelly. The Wired Word continues in the Coffee Circle class, covering current events with a spiritual point of view.
The Pastoral Search Committee invites you to contemplate and provide feedback on the following query this week: In your opinion, how can our new pastor best develop and lead adult educational programs? Please provide your thoughts on the query (or any other feedback on the search process) to Carolyn T., who will be looking forward to hearing from you just outside the Meeting Room after Meeting for Worship this Sunday, Jan 15!
We still need volunteers for the Mid North Food Pantry! ~ Due to the holidays, several of the “regulars” will not be able to volunteer at the food pantry on Wednesday, January 18. These are all days that First Friends regularly staffs the pantry. If you are in town and available during any of these dates, please consider volunteering. Let the office know if you are interested. Thank you for your assistance!
Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening on Saturday January 28th from 5:30 - 9:30, hosted by Michael and Katie H. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact Beth if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!
Job Opportunity! “A bite of Energy Snacks and Vending” operates and stocks vending machines on a route that serves multiple counties throughout central Indiana. They are looking for a competent, dedicated, and friendly employee to transport product and assist in restocking machines. For a full job description, visit https://goo.gl/Belrfo. If you know anyone looking for a job, please share!
Hey Guys! Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is expanding the book group to everyone (both men and women) interested. Come discuss the Pulitzer Prize Winning novel: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen, which will be led by Kristyn G. on Tuesday, January 31st at 7 pm in the Parlor. If you’d like to have your name added to the email list, please contact the office ~ looking forward to February 28th’s discussion, Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance.
Scout Sunday February 12th ~ Current and former Scouts, please submit your information to the office so we can recognize you on February 12th. Please send the office your name, Scouting Organization, Troop number and Scout rank.