As Way Opens
Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you……
Henri J.M. Nouwen Daily Lenten Devotions
What my enemy deserves is not my anger, rejection, resentment or disdain, but my love. Spiritual guides throughout history have said that love for the enemy is the cornerstone of the message of Jesus and the core of holiness. For us fearful people, loving our enemy is the greatest challenge, because our fears make us divide the world between people who are for us and people who are against us, people to love and people to hate, friends and enemies.
All these distinctions are based on the illusion that others decide who we are and that our very being depends on their words, thoughts and actions. Loving our enemy thus compels us to unmask this illusion by acting according to the knowledge that God loves all human persons regardless of their sex, religion, race, color, nationality, age or intelligence - with the same bold, unconditional love.
When I am in the grip of my deepest fear and doubt, dear Jesus, show me how to love my enemies.
Beth
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Join us for our Easter Sunday Celebrations!
10:15 Meeting for Worship, message from Beth Henricks
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt after the Children’s Message
Easter Brunch following Worship
Please note that due to Easter, we are moving Monthly Meeting to Conduct Business to Sunday, April 23 after worship. As always, all are welcome to attend.
The Pastoral Search Committee invites you to contemplate and provide feedback on the following query this week: In your opinion, what else should we consider? Please provide your thoughts on the query (or past queries, or any other feedback on the search process) to the office at office@indyfriends.org or (317) 255-2485.
Our own Dan Lee has written an article for Friends Journal about the incredible exhibit that Nichole Matthews put together from art work from German children after World War I. The exhibit is called Giving Voice to Ghosts and features the drawings of German children receiving aid from the Quakers. An amazing history for us to continue to pursue today and tomorrow. You can read the article online here: https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-art-of-gratitude/
Eco-Film: ‘Bidder 70’ ~ The next eco-film will be shown on Friday evening, April 14 at 7 p.m. at First Friends. The film is Bidder 70 which is a story of how a college student managed to win a federal auction of 22,000 acres of pristine Utah land which was intended to be used for mining. But the student had other ideas for this land and was ultimately sentenced to two years in federal prison for his act of civil disobedience.
“The Gospel Mass” Good Friday Service ~ Irvington United Methodist Church invites you to a Good Friday service, April 14, 7:00pm, featuring ‘The Gospel Mass’ by Robert Ray. “VOCE” (of which Carolyn T. is a member) and “Sounding Joy” choirs will collaborate during the service. The traditional Mass is given a Gospel flavor by the composer. It features the choirs, soloist and a jazz combo of piano, bass and percussion. This event is free to the public. A free will offering will be taken. Located at 30 N. Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, 46219.
Western Yearly Meeting is having its annual Spring Retreat at Quaker Haven Camp on April 28th-April 30th. This year’s retreat will be led by Joyce Shroeder, M.S.. She was the keynote speaker at the Earlham School of Religion Leadership Conference in both 2012 and 2015. In 2014, She was the Plenary Speaker at New York Yearly Meeting’s Summer Sessions. Working as a consultant, she has a masters degree in Organizational Development and Leadership. She has been a member of Purchase Friends Meeting (New York YM) for nearly 20 years. This year’s retreat theme is Flex Your Mind, Build Your Body. For more information or to register, please visit https://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/wymretreat or contact Della Stanley-Green (dellasgwym@gmail.com). The registration deadline is April 15. JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER!!
College Care Packages ~ We ask for help to provide treats for our 10 college students as we will send a care box to our students as they prepare for finals. Or let Beth know that you want to contribute money to provide treats. Please bring contributions in by April 18.
Poetry Group ~ Our next Poetry Group meeting will be on Tuesday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Carolyn G. will present a program on Langston Hughes, poet, social activist, playwright, and columnist. A currently popular restaurant in downtown Washington D.C. "Busboys and Poets" serves great food and remembers Mr. Hughes.
You’re invited to RSWR’s anniversary jubilee!! You are invited to join others in the 50th anniversary celebration of Right Sharing of World Resources on April 23rd at First Friends at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided and you will hear about the exciting work of the organization and its future. Colin Saxton will give a message that evening. Please let Beth know if you can attend.
The Meditational Woods Committee is meeting Saturday, April 22 to tackle the invasive euonymus (winter creeper) and honeysuckle. Winter creeper is an invasive ground cover that smothers the native wildflowers that we are trying to restore to the landscape. Come join us from 9- 12 noon or any time you have to share. Contact Mary or Mindy for questions.
Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead will be held Tuesday April 25th at 7 pm in the Parlor. All are welcome! Carolyn T. will be leading the discussion. If you'd like to read ahead for next month, the May 30th title will be: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Asian.
Music Survey Results! We now have the results from the survey you filled out to help us find a new music director. The music committee is now in the process of writing up a job description. If you have any questions about this or know of anyone interested in the position, please contact me Mindy S or Carolyn T. To view the survey results, please visit https://goo.gl/cT4vFU.
Please clean your garden plots! It’s that time of year! Things are starting to warm up and greenery is starting to bloom! Nancy S and Sam R, co-coordinators for the gardens, would like to remind everyone to please clean up your garden plots! Please contact the office if you are interested in continuing to keep your garden plot, or if you don’t currently have one and are interested in signing up!
Would you like to start to garden? Do you wish you had a green thumb? Do all your plants die? Try the City Gardener Program! Purdue Extension-Marion County is offering a series of classes for new or inexperienced gardeners, with a focus on gardening in urban areas. You’re welcome to come to any single classes or attend the entire series. Sessions are on Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm from March 22-April 26, Discovery Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds. Fee is $5 per session or $20 for all 6 sessions. For more information, call 317-275-9286 or email: dschelsk@purdue.edu.
Our building is available for rent! Did you know that you can rent rooms at First Friends Meeting for your own events? Besides weddings, our building has been rented for meetings, seminars, performances, and more! Fellowship hall is great for large groups and presentations. The Parlor and other rooms can also be rented for smaller groups as well. There are discounted rates available for members! If you’re interested in booking our space, please contact the office.