As Way Opens
2020 has brought several changes to my life. Not only have I committed to losing weight by eating healthier and exercising daily, I have also decided to lose some “weight” spiritually, while finding a better plan for the intake of spiritually beneficial food. Several years ago, I realized how watching TV shows like CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) made me unable to sleep at night. Lately, the same has become true of starting off my day with news channels that send my soul-searching while often dashing my hopeful anticipation for a good day.
Instead of the hour I dedicated to watching the news each morning, I have replaced it with physically working out. Obviously, I need to stay up to date with what is going on in the news, so I limit myself to just a recap of the day’s headlines online or on TV while enjoying my first cup of coffee. This leads me into my time of meditation and devotion. At first, I was reluctant to the idea of returning to a more formal meditation and devotion time. Too often those leave me bored or lacking spiritual stimulation. I realized for a change I would need to choose carefully a tool or text that would speak to seeing things from both positive and beautiful perspectives.
I have always been a fan of science and nature, especially taking adventures and exploring new places. One of the locations that has always intrigued me has been the Galápagos Islands – the volcanic islands on the equator west of continental Ecuador. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that Charles Darwin studied and were the impetus for his Theory of Evolution. Since I am not making any plans to visit anytime soon, I decided to let Brian McLaren in his latest book, The Galápagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey whisk me away. In the style of the late Anthony Bourdain, each morning Brian takes me “on location” for spiritual reflection and a new view of the natural world. It positively awakens my soul and centers me for the day.
What I am trying to say is that little changes can really make a difference. Sometimes the weight of the world gets us down. Being aware of our intake (physically, mentally, & spiritually) is so important. I encourage you to find something this week that helps you reflect and center, and positively awakens your soul.
Grace and peace,
Bob
Joys & Concerns
Many thanks to our Mid-North Food Pantry Volunteers: David B; Phil G; Beth F; Mara S; Kathy and Bill F; Linda and Rik L; Carol and Jim D. We were very busy as we served 115 families. Thanks to our volunteers and to all who provide support to the pantry.
Thank you to the Scouts who helped with Scout Sunday! You all did a fantastic job! As you will notice “Peacekeepers come in all sizes”! (Thanks to Beth Henricks for capturing these moments during Meeting for Worship)
We had a great turn out for our Seasoned Friends Valentine event! After a wonderful meal of Moroccan Stew and a variety of Valentine Desserts, we watched the 1942 classic, “Casablanca.”
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Wednesday Worship CANCELLED ~ Please be advised that due to potentially hazardous weather, we are cancelling Wednesday Unprogrammed Worship TONIGHT, February 12. Please stay safe on the roads this evening!
Notice: No Gentle Yoga ~ Please note there will be no Gentle Yoga on Friday, February 14th. Happy Valentine’s day!
2019 Giving Statements are out! Everyone’s giving statement for 2019 was emailed on January 29th. If you did not receive this email, or would prefer a printed copy, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485. Thank you for supporting First Friends and allowing us to accomplish so much in 2019! Here’s to another wonderful year in 2020.
Free Choir Concert ~ The Hamilton Southeastern Choirs, under the direction of Shawn P and Danielle M, will hold its 28th annual Jesse Eastwood Memorial concert on Friday February 14. Concert takes places at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on 86th and Meridian Streets and begins at 7:00 pm. Music includes all genres from patriotic to classical to spirituals to folk. Admission is free so bring your Valentine for an evening of upbeat and uplifting music if you don’t already have plans!
Experiment with Light ~ Friends, our monthly Experiment with the Light (EWL) is Tuesday, February 18, at 7 pm in the parlor. All are welcome, whether this is your first time or you’re a regular. Attenders find it a remarkable experience. Please join us. We begin promptly at 7 pm and end at 8:30. Peace and love, ~Mary Ellen L.
Living Well with a Serious Medical Condition ~ All are invited to this online class which helps attendees learn how to thrive despite serious medical conditions. In this team-taught class, you’ll work at your own pace, using materials provided. You will be accompanied on this journey by your classmates and instructors who have been through, or have worked extensively with, this life altering transition. During life altering transitions one can tap into tools, resources, and the support network they already have. Six-week sessions start February 19th. For more information on the class and information on registering, click here: http://bit.ly/2Slcpj9.
The Green Team would like to call attention to the following: Councilor John Barth has introduced Proposal 1 which, if passed on March 3, would implement the Thrive Indianapolis Plan. It would also gather info from environmental experts to advance sustainability for Indianapolis.
Check out ways that you can personally make a difference at: www.thriveindianapolis.com. Ideas range from turning off the lights when you leave the room to driving an electric car or planting a pollinator garden to attract bees and butterflies.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Needs Your Help! KIB needs your help to keep Indianapolis beautiful. Even a few hours can make a big difference! Every year KIB relies on nearly 20,000 volunteers to help carry out a mission to help people and nature thrive together in our city. Whether you are interested cleaning up litter, building pocket parks, creating greenspaces, planting trees, preparing mail, or assisting with special projects, there's a way you can help. If you are interested, please visit https://www.kibi.org/projects for more information and to volunteer.
Have a Room to Rent? A Friend is looking for living space to rent. Just a room is needed, with bathroom access. If you have a room available to rent, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org with details and price. Thank you!
Please send us your bios! We are asking everyone who is comfortable, to share a short, 2-3 sentence bio about themselves. This bio will be used by the office in the bulletin when you serve on Facing Bench, or have news to share via Friend to Friend, social media, etc. It should be a short introduction about yourself so that everyone can know who you are, and maybe learn a little bit about you. Send us your info at https://forms.gle/XL89uH7uUoMJR9Pv5.
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 on Thursday, February 20 at 7:00pm. See Winter/Spring 2020 locations here: http://bit.ly/ThreshingSpr2020.
Jim and the Band on the Third Friday ~ Singing Friday will be showing up on the calendar on the 21st of February. Jim, and probably Jesse and Luke will also be with us again. If we have as good a time as last month, everyone will have an enjoyable, relaxing evening. You may learn a new song or a few. Gather in the parlor from 7-8:30 or so.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for February:
The “Snowbird”: Dark-eyed Junco
Some retirees in our meeting are able to escape the harshness of our Indiana winters by migrating to Florida, Texas, or some other warm spot at the first cold winds of autumn. We welcome these “snowbirds” back with the warm cloak of late spring.
In the world of nature there is a bird which has this same nickname of “snowbird.” It does not winter in Florida. In fact, the Dark-eyed Junco travels from its nesting grounds in Michigan and Canada to spend the winter with us here at First Friends Meeting. I often see flocks of from five to ten birds in the bushes and trees which flank the sidewalk entrance to the Meditational Woods. On several occasions I have been near the courtyard, when suddenly a flock drops down from overhead, to feed in the shelter of that patio. Each individual announces its presence with a rattle-like call. They are a boisterous bunch in the air, but feed quietly on the ground.
In appearance, the bird is small in size, like a sparrow, with a black head and grayish back, a white belly, and a pink bill. When in flight, the white outer-tail feathers flash, and get our attention.
As these avian winter-lovers leave in April for their northern nesting territories, we human Friends will be welcoming back our own snowbirds from their balmy sojourns. ~Brad J
FWCC Sustainability: An Online Conference with Friends Worldwide ~ All are invited to join Quakers around the world to gather the Quaker voice on sustainability. It is being held online on Saturday, February 22, 2020; there will be an online conference spanning 11 hours. You will be able to join one of three start times, for a duration of 3 hours. These start times include 9:00am and 11:00am EST. Each start time will have 45 minutes of videos with 5 speakers. The speakers will come from each of the four FWCC sections and represent diversity of Quaker traditions, ages, and gender in order to represent the fullness of who we are across the world. After hearing from the speakers, there will be two hours for worship sharing. For more information and to register, please visit http://fwcc.world/sustainability/conference2020.
Reclaiming Our Democracy, One Dinner Table at a Time ~ The Indianapolis Peace & Justice Center (IPJC) invites you to come play politics! As social creatures, humans need to play. The IPJC has designed a game aimed at giving a conversational, problem-solving “booster shot” to help open discussion. Based on conversations around a family dinner table, each participant will play a role as we tackle some of the thorny issues we face moving into this critical election year. This event will be on Tuesday, February 25 from 7:00-8:30pm in the First Friends Fellowship Hall. The event is free and open to the public, but please RSVP at 317-288-0408 or 2.john.clark@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.centerforinterfaithcooperation.org/event/play-reclaiming-civility-one-dinner-table-at-a-time.
The next women’s gathering will be on Friday March 6th. We’ll be going to see Ruth K’s photography on First Friday. She is the featured artist in March at Full Circle Nine Gallery, 1125 Brookside Ave Suite B21 inside the Circle City Industrial Complex. If you would like to come, please let the office know you are going— office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485. We will meet around 6:00 there - if folks want to carpool they should let the office know and we will leave at 5:30 from the Meeting. We can decide after we see the artists if we want to go to dinner afterward.
Queries for the Week
1. What am I doing to help train “peacemakers of all sizes” at First Friends and in my community?
2. How can I promote a more genuine and nobler patriotism which recognizes justice and reasonableness in the claims of others and which leads our country into comradeship with our own communities and our world?
3. How is First Friends leaving a legacy of peacemaking at First Friends?
