As Way Opens
This past week I traveled to Portland Oregon for the Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) board meeting and a visit to Jon and Ruthie Tippin's home in Kalama Washington. It was so good to catch up with Jon and Ruthie and hear about their new life out west. The QVS board meeting was intense and inspiring as the board provides oversight and direction for the organization’s mission of providing young people a transformative year of service, intentional community and deepening spiritual practices. The whole trip was a whirlwind including trying to get adjusted to the 3 hour time difference (and then leaving to come home after finally getting my sleep clock on west coast time). I took an Uber ride to the airport early Sunday morning. The prior couple of days had been damp, dreary, cloudy and cool (some might say typical Oregon weather). It was still cloudy and cool when I hopped into the Uber driver’s Prius. During the short ride to the airport I had my head down in my phone trying to catch up on emails. Just before arriving at the airport, the driver told me to look up and there in the cloudy sky was an amazing breakthrough of Light. It was not a sunrise but just magnificent beams of Light breaking through the clouds. I had an overwhelming sense of hope and peace staring at the flash of Light. I felt God’s spirit speaking in that Light saying that even when things seem dark, uncertain and troubling, the Light is there and will break through.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that Light in the sky and the sense of assurance and calm I felt that morning. It does feel like we are living in some dark times, but the Light is there and we have to be looking for it. I almost tragically missed it because my head was down and I was focused on the busyness of daily life and responsibilities. I pray that we all keep our head up looking for this Light today.
Beth
Joys & Concerns
Was this a joy or concern? Our first snowfall of the season and Brad J beautifully captures the moment in our meditational woods.
Greetings from Jon and Ruthie T in Kalama Washington. Beth H traveled to Portland for the Quaker Voluntary Service board meeting this past weekend and got to spend a couple of days with Jon and Ruthie.
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Help Support Nikki Holland ~ Nikki Holland and her family are in Belize because of the generosity of Friends who have committed to this ministry. If you would like to help support the work of Belize Friends Ministries, please visit: https://donorbox.org/nikkiholland to make a safe and secure online donation. You can read Nikki’s testimony at: https://www.friendsunitedmeeting.org/journal/ministering-as-a-young-mother.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Seasoned Friends invites you! All Friends of retirement age are invited to our next Seasoned Friends luncheon and wiener roast which will be Thursday, November 21 at 11:30am here at First Friends. If you are able to bring a dessert to share, please do so. After our luncheon we will hear from guest speaker Bill Henry who will tell about the history of Quakerism. Bill Henry is a graduate of Earlham College and a life-long Quaker who has been active in the FGC for over 50 years. He has served as the Mayor of Marion from 2000-2004. He started his Quaker journey as a member of First Friends Church in Marion, Indiana. If you would like to come, please RSVP with the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
Used Toys Needed ~ Linwood Christian Church, a lower income church on the eastside of Indianapolis, is in need of used toys/books for their Christmas sale for their families. Any used toys/books that you have would be appreciated. Please put them in the box at the meetinghouse.
Indy Winds Flute Choir will have their winter concert on Sunday, December 15th at 3:00 at Roberts Park United Methodist Church and we encourage folks to attend. Carl B and Lynda S are both members of the flute choir.
Men’s Threshing Together ~ If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Join us for our next meeting Thursday, November 21 at 7:00pm. See locations here: http://bit.ly/ThreshingFall2019.
College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their exams at school. We are asking that everyone help fill the boxes with goodies like candy, cookies, cards, and other treats. Please bring enough for all 4 of our college students. Don’t have time to shop? We will gladly accept monetary donations—and we will do the shopping for you! Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or send your donation to the office. Please make sure all donations are in by Sunday, November 24. Thank you for your support!
Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s 6th Annual Lasagna Dinner will be this Tuesday night. It will be hosted by Ruth K in her home on November 26th at 6:30 pm. We will be discussing Educated by Tara Westover led by Carrie Sample. Please bring a covered dish (see below) and a book for our 6th Annual Holiday Book Swap. If your name ends with the letters: A-L Salads/Covered Dishes and M-Z Fruit Dishes/Desserts. Please RSVP to the office at office@indyfriends.org by Sunday, November 24th. Hope to see everyone there, feel free to bring a friend if you’d like! The deadline to vote for 2020 Oak Leaf book titles is Thursday the 21st at noon. Please click here today to VOTE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XTL5Z
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at First Friends! On Tuesday, November 26th at 7pm, First Friends will be hosting the Shalom Zone Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. Join us for a night of giving thanks, singing, and sharing! Pastors from Allisonville Christian, St. Pius X, and Cross & Crown will be participating in the service, as well a combined choir from all of our churches led by Eric Baker. An offering will be taken and all proceeds will benefit the School on Wheels. Afterward we will enjoy fellowship time and some light snacks. This is always a wonderful event for our community to give thanks together!
Please Help Us with Memorials! Memorials are articles written for our Memorial Book about a passed away member of the Meeting and are often written by members or attenders of the meeting. A memorial is like an obituary, but more personal and is signed by the writer. it should contain some information about the person’s roles or participation within the meeting (committees served on, member of the choir, care of grounds, etc.) Recently we have had a number of people pass away that we do not have memorials for—see below for a list of names. We need help catching up on these. Please review these names and see if there is one you would like to volunteer to write a memorial for. Below you will find a link that will give you a general idea of what a memorial would look like. If you are willing to do one, let the office know at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485. Thank you for helping to honor our departed Friends!
People needing memorials: Alice Thatcher, Janet Stimson, Bonnie Hollingsworth, Mark Kishego, Phyllis Hurley, Charles Johnson, Bob Davis, Duffy Fankboner, Ed Thomas, Hugh Grimes, Bob Coffin. Example: http://bit.ly/34RqLg4.
Meditational Woods Bird-of-the-Month for November
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: The Busy Friend
Recently I met a Friend (of the Quaker variety) who had a noticeable quality. She spoke quickly, moved quickly, and got things done. Hustle and bustle. I’m not objecting; in fact, I think every organization needs at least one of these people to keep things moving. However, sometimes I am worn out by the constant movement!!
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet visits our woods in April and May on its way northward, and again in October and the first bit of November while returning to the south. This tiny bird is constantly on the move. By the time I have my binoculars on its location, the kinglet has moved nearby. The motion is continuous, and, in addition, as it inches its way across the branch, the bird gives its wings a flick with each inch. The ruby-crowned has one of most impressive songs, especially for its size. All I heard last week, however, was the call, “gee-dit”.
I have pictured a male, with its tiny, hard-to-see red crown patch. The female lacks this mark. Its cousin, the golden-crowned kinglet, has a different eye pattern and crown patch, but has the same movement.
I admire the energy of these Friends, both human and avian, but whew!! Take a moment to rest!! ~ Brad J
Directory Feedback Requested! We are asking all members and attenders of the meeting to fill out a short survey regarding the First Friends pictorial directory. Whether you participated in the photoshoots or not, we are hoping you will take a couple of moments to answer a few questions. This will greatly help the office in future directory endeavors, as well as give you a chance to voice your thoughts! Find the survey here: https://forms.gle/brcxacSzhA7RwNp76. Thank you for your time!
Community Garden Update
Thank you to Ben for one last weed eating session around the Community Garden plots timed for the season’s close. Thanks to Dan M. and Ed K. for help in starting the Monarch garden. Thanks to Ed M., Linda, Ed K., Jackie, Sam and Nancy for working to clear and fertilize extra plots. Thanks to all the hardworking gardeners who made this season a success!
Thanks to Paula K, we have one more requested recipe from the Harvest Pitch-In that you might want to use for Thanksgiving. According to Paula, “It is easy to adapt as needed/desired and seems to be a hit!”
Three Bean Salad Makes 6-8 servings
1 1-pound can cut green beans 1 1-pound can cut wax beans
1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans ½ C. chopped green pepper
¼ C. onion, finely chopped
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½ C. sugar 2/3 C. vinegar
1/3 C. salad oil ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Make the salad a day in advance. Keep refrigerated in a covered container until time to serve, except for the several times you will remove it from the frig to stir it.
Drain green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans. Thoroughly rinse then drain the kidney beans or any other vegetables that are canned in a thick liquid. As they are draining, mix the sugar, vinegar, salad oil, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Combine the beans, green pepper, and onion in a large bowl. Pour the contents of the saucepan over the vegetables. Stir gently but thoroughly.
Notes: I will freely substitute for the yellow beans or kidney beans if they are not available. I have used cans of corn, carrots, chickpeas, or black beans as whimsy or need indicates. The green pepper I used in the harvest meal pitch-in was from the Meeting’s garden.
Queries for the Week
When have I experienced a Life Selah? How did I respond?
How might I develop a better discipline of rest in my life?
How might we encourage opportunities for rest at First Friends?