As Way Opens
This past Easter morning I woke up early and walked out of my bedroom to make coffee (always the first thing I do in the morning). As I left my doorway to walk into the upstairs hall, I gasped. A stream of Light was coming in through the blinds like nothing I have ever seen in my life. The Light was direct but also diffused. I stood silent for a moment to let the amazement of what I was seeing sink into my being. Here it was Easter morning and the ubiquitous Light that Bob spoke about in the resurrected Christ was right here in my room. I thought about Moses seeing God in the burning bush and recognizing that he was standing on holy ground. I felt the same thing that morning and knew I was witnessing something holy and sacred. And then in 2 minutes it was gone.
I know many of us collectively are feeling the weight of this pandemic and the sadness of being apart from our friends and family. Easter is such a beautiful time of gathering friends and family for a meal, games, laughter, eggs and sharing. But this Easter we left meals on porches, delivered baskets to front lawns, did Zoom calls with extended family and worshipped together electronically. We don’t know how we are exactly going to get back to normal and that we will likely have a new normal in how we work, play, eat and be together. We are grieving a way of life that we probably won’t return to for some time.
But then I think about this Light. This Light of Christ that loves, that plays, that cries, that laughs, that grieves, that breaks through our darkest times. While I know intellectually and emotionally that the Light is always here, once in a while I need to see the miracle of Light and experience the power and sense of awe that I saw Easter morning to reassure me that I am not alone and that God is here to comfort, care and love us in this time. I need to see the resurrected Christ is with us beyond darkness, beyond death and beyond the burdens of this world.
Beth
Joys & Concerns
A Cross-Country Car Road Trip During the Coronavirus Calamity ~ Jeff Rasley has written an article, which was featured on GoNomad.com! The article chronicles the road trip Jeff and his wife Alicia were on while the Coronavirus pandemic was just starting to take hold of the United States. How did the trip go, with restaurants and sights closed, and social distancing taking place? Find out here! https://www.gonomad.com/160925-traveling-across-the-us-during-the-pandemic
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Please note: The fountain in Meditational Woods will be turned off for a week for maintenance. Thank you!
Did you miss the premier of our Easter Sunday service? Watch it ANYTIME at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIn051SySvg. We hope you had a wonderful and safe Easter! Keep an eye out in your email for details soon on the coming Sunday’s virtual service!
Join us for Unprogrammed Worship by Zoom! We are now gathering for unprogrammed worship on Mondays at 12:15 and Wednesdays at 6:45pm by Zoom.
On Mondays, you can join us at 12:15, and on Wednesdays, log on with us at 6:45pm. We’ll spend 15 minutes to share joys and concerns and then have our hour-long worship. Many thanks to Kathy R, who is hosting this worship. To join the Zoom worship please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org for the Zoom meeting info.
Monthly Meeting for Business ~ We will hold Monthly Meeting for Business virtually through Zoom on our normal third Sunday of the month, Sunday, April 19 at 11:30am. To join the meeting that day, simply contact the office for the Zoom info at office@indyfriends.org. For a walkthrough of how to join a Zoom meeting, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting for a helpful video. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Serenity Now! Support Group ~ The next series of book-based support group meetings, Serenity Now, will meet the third Thursday of every month from 1:30-3:30 p.m. This small group is for those experiencing family and relationship challenges and will focus its discussion for the next four to six months on Harriet Lerner's Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone When You're Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate. We are a very small group and new members are welcome, BYOB(ook). The first meeting of this session will be Thursday, April 16, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. We will discuss chapters 1-4, pp. 1-50:
1. "Finding Our Voice"
2. Voice Lessons from My Father
3. Our First Family: Where We Learned (Not) to Speak
4. Should You Share Your Vulnerability?
For questions, help getting a book, the Zoom invitation link, or more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Dishwasher free to a good home! Jeff R has a 10-year old dish-washing machine he is happy to give to anyone in the Meeting or anyone connected to the Meeting that can use it. It works well, but they are remodeling and are replacing it. Jeff does not have a truck so if you are interested, you would need to arrange pickup. If you’re interested, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Material Aid / Food Pantry Fundraisers ~ This is the time of year that First Friends has held its fundraiser for the Mid North Food Pantry. You may have seen this in last week’s Friend to Friend newsletter. The food pantry is busier than ever and needs the financial support that First Friends has provided in the past. There’s also another area of help that we need to address...the First Friends’ Material Aid Fund. This is a fund that is used to provide emergency assistance to members and longtime attenders of First Friends. Due to the limited amount in this fund, the assistance provided is not on-going but rather for one-time emergency needs...rental assistance, a utility bill, a new tire, etc. This fund has historically maintained a balance of $3,000 – $4,000 but, due to several recent needs, is now down to a few hundred dollars.
Many folks at First Friends are not aware of the existence of the Material Aid Fund. This is understandable since distributions from this fund are not publicized. Given the current coronavirus situation, the need for both the pantry and the Material Aid Fund are expected to substantially increase. Your help is needed. Hopefully, over the next month or so, we will receive “stimulus monies” from the federal government. Some folks will need such monies (and possibly more) for food, rent and other basic living needs. Other folks may have less of a need or no need for such monies. Please consider donating some or all of such monies that you may not need to these outreach endeavors. With your help, the pantry will be able to provide food for the needy and the Material Aid Fund will be available for our neediest members. Checks can be written to First Friends with a notation of how you would like your contribution split between the 2 funds...50% FP/50% MA or however you are led. You can also give by text! Simply text the keyword and amount you’d like to donate to 317-768-0303. Use keyword “material” for the Material Aid fund or “pantry” for the Mid-North Food Pantry. Thanks for your consideration.
Inspired to Garden: A Healing Spirit of Joy
The word inspire means to have a spirit enter into a being. Our gardeners are inspired and becoming inspired through the spirit of joy offered in the gardening experience. In ancient Hebrew and Greek, the word for spirit also means breath. In these stressful times, mindfully breathing and inhaling fresh air outdoors in the company of Mother Nature can be healing. Gardening can be—in the words of a well-known hymn—breathing in the breath of God.
Sam and I have reordered and renumbered plots for this season’s garden. Sam repainted numbers that had faded. She sent out a new map. We have communicated with former and new gardeners and will soon send out an updated contact list. We are using Marco Polo, a virtual chat method that records video and is not live so a person can answer a Marco message with a Polo message at their leisure. Through this method gardeners can post personalized audiovisual messages for specific gardeners or all gardeners simultaneously. In this way we have learned of compost and soil donated for all through the generosity of the Frames and an offer of cilantro seedlings from Jennifer.
We have one plot remaining. If you want it please contact us through text, phone, email or Marco Polo. We can create more plots if needed. Contact office@indyfriends.org.
In the spirit of encouraging joy, hope and healing through gardening in the age of Coronavirus, I would like to share this beautiful poem written by Leslie K. I think The End of Winter speaks to our condition and Leslie is willing to let us print it here. ~Nancy
The End of Winter
You run your plow across my shoulders
the skin breaks smoothly, evenly -
furrows form as my tender flesh unfurls
blood flows down my back thickly, easily
and I sit in the warm puddle
and wait for the planting
I wait for the seed to fall.
I wait for something rich and fresh
to explode from me -
something pulsing and alive -
for chunky green hands of corn
to push through the lifeless rows -
for birds songs and apple blossoms,
eggs and nests and caterpillars
to hear in that mysterious language
of root and sun and fruit
that this ground is not barren
and you are not finished.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for April
White-throated Sparrow: Same Song, But with Different Words
In the hymnals we use during worship there are hymn texts that can be sung to different melodies. The carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is sung to at least three different tunes. The reverse is also true. A single melody may be used with different hymn texts. Such is also the case with this month’s sparrow.
Birders often put words to the notes of a birdsong to help learners remember to which species that song belongs. For the white-throated sparrow we say, “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody.” (It helps if you listen to the song on the internet.) That Old Sam phrase is not universal, however. If you are a Canadian birder, you will claim the lyrics to be, “Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada.” It fits just as well.
The white-throated sparrow visits our woods anytime from mid-March to mid-May on its way northward, and may appear again in the fall on its way southward. I had hoped to see one here this spring, and one day recently I was along Parker Street near the north end of the white fence. I saw a bird dart into a bush across Parker Street, and it suddenly popped up, and there it was: a white-throated sparrow in full sunlight. I could see the black and white stripes on the head, the white throat, and the yellow lores. Although this bird was silent, at that same moment I heard a song from far to the east near the Meditational Woods: “Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody.” There were two individuals visiting at one time. In my mind I heard the Old Sam lyrics, but in the spirit of international understanding, you are welcome to use the Canadian lyrics if you choose to do so. ~Brad J
New Ways to Support First Friends! As we all learn to navigate this new world of social distancing together, we are happy to share new and easier ways you can continue to support the Meeting while stuck at home! First Friends now accepts online giving. Please visit www.indyfriends.org/support for more information or to give. You can now also make donations by text! Simply text GIVE to 317-768-0303 to sign up. Once you enter your payment method via a secure online portal, you can give any time instantaneously by simply sending a text! No more writing checks or driving to the post office—you can give anytime from the safety of your own home! If you have questions or would like to be walked through how to do it, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or call 317-255-2485. Thank you for supporting First Friends, especially during these times!
Calling all sewing Friends! Deb S who works at IU North said they are in need of masks. If you are able and willing, please make some that we can get to Deb. You can drop them by the Meeting office on Wednesdays. We are providing a link for one guide for making masks, but there are many out there if you Google them: https://www.madeeveryday.com/fabric-face-mask-free-pattern/ Thanks for your help.
Youth Group Skyzone Night: Cancelled ~ Please note that the Youth Group activity scheduled for Friday, April 24 at Sky Zone has been cancelled, due to the ongoing pandemic and continued restrictions on social gatherings.
From your Creation Care Team~ Have you noticed that the horizon over Indianapolis no longer has that yellowish color? Our air quality has improved tremendously since many of us are not driving as much. While many of us are protecting our community by staying at home, here are some ideas for reducing your carbon footprint, courtesy of Climate Forward.
Program your thermostat: Although an estimated 41 percent of Americans have programmable thermostats, just 12 percent actually program them. By setting yours to automatically change with the time and season, Brenda Ekwurzel, director of climate science at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said you could reduce “heating and cooling emissions by 15 percent.”
Get cleaner power: Research solar panels (some companies are promoting contact-free installations) and community solar. Or, if you live in a deregulated energy state, look into switching to a green provider.
Kill energy vampires: Nearly 5 percent of our total residential electricity usage comes from devices that stay plugged in when they’re not being used. So Dr. Ekwurzel suggested putting devices on a single power strip that you can easily switch off.
Adjust your water heater: According to the Department of Energy, lowering the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit from 140 degrees (or to about 50 Celsius from 60) could reduce its annual energy usage by as much as 22 percent.
Experiment with climate-friendly recipes: Going vegetarian could reduce your food-related footprint by a third — but even if you’re a devoted carnivore, Dr. Ekwurzel said simply eating less meat “makes a big difference over the long run.” To stay stocked on produce, search for farmers’ markets near you; many remain open or are offering online ordering. (GrowNYC has a list of area farmers with delivery or pickup.) Adding frozen veggies to your grocery list isn’t a bad idea, either.
Join a C.S.A.: As another way to avoid “buying agricultural products that have been flown around the world,” Laurel Hanscom, chief executive officer of the Global Footprint Network, recommended subscribing to a community supported agriculture program. (Just note that, if spring hasn’t yet sprung in your region, it may be a while before your first delivery!)
Compost: The Environmental Protection Agency says food is the biggest single contributor to our landfills, constituting an incredible “22 percent of discarded municipal solid waste.” Keep your scraps out of the landfill by (finally!) starting a compost pile.
Go paperless: Spend 20 minutes registering for digital statements from all of your accounts. While you’re at it, reduce your unwanted junk mail, too.
Buy carbon offsets: Remember when traveling was a thing? Well now is the perfect opportunity to purchase offsets for prior adventures.
Get educated: Use your downtime to catch up on climate change books, documentaries and podcasts.
Make your voice heard: Ms. Hanscom urged readers to “encourage your representatives to fight for climate-forward policies in the bailouts and stimulus packages.” (Luckily, you can do that from the couch.)
How to Vote in the Indiana Primary Election 2020 ~ This year, voting in Indiana's Primary Election may be difficult. The Primary election date has been changed, and, because of health risks, many people won’t want to go vote at the polls. It’s likely that there will be fewer physical polling places than there have been in past elections. It is important that all Hoosiers vote in the June 2 Indiana Primary Election. Indiana Vote by Mail wanted to inform you about how you can easily vote with an Absentee Ballot (but don’t worry, absentee ballots do not cause voter fraud).
Important Things to Know:
1. Governor Holcomb has made it possible for everybody to vote by Absentee Ballot. But, you must first complete an Absentee Ballot Application. This application must be returned by May 21 by 11:59 pm. This application is good for any county in Indiana, just check for the return mailing address for each county on page 2 of the application.
2. The Indiana Primary Election has been moved to June 2, 2020. Voter Registration deadline for the June 2 Primary is Monday, May 4. To confirm you are registered to vote or to register to vote, visit https://indianavoters.in.gov/
3. Once your Absentee Ballot Application is received and processed, you will be sent an Absentee Ballot. Your Absentee Ballot is due June 2 (Election Day) at Noon.
4. We need your help educating others about voting by Absentee Ballot. Please make this educational campaign go viral by emailing this message to everyone (friends, family, colleagues, associates in your religious, social or other groups) to spread the word. It is unlikely that Indiana will be able to spend money to educate the public.
5. It is important we all vote in the upcoming Primary Election, so that our voices are heard.
Find instructions for how to complete the primary ballot application: https://bit.ly/2Kdijzv
And also find the Application for the 2020 Absentee Ballot for the Primary Election: https://bit.ly/3b6airQ
Join us Each Day at Noon!
Dear First Friends Family,
I have been having several conversations about offering a set time each day for us to come together, from wherever we are, to meditate and pray for 5-15 minutes for the healing of our globe.
My friends at the Fishers Multi-Faith Community for Compassion and St. Luke’s Healing Partners have come together for this same purpose and have invited us to join with them.
I believe that as Quakers we know how important it is to take time to enter silence, center down, expectantly wait, and send God’s light, love, and healing to our world. So I am asking you, and your families, to join with us each day at noon (wherever you are) as we collectively meditate and pray.
This may be a good break from all the technology, e-learning, and binge TV and movie watching taking place. Mindfulness exercises of this nature are so important for adults and children alike, so make sure to invite your kids (if you have them) to participate.
To help you in centering down, we are offering this very simple prayer that people of all faiths can join together in praying:
We pray for love over fear,
faith over doubt,
empowerment over victim hood.
We pray for all humanity as well as all creation.
Our plan right now is to join together in meditation and prayer for one month. Remember, it is amazing the power of even 5 minutes of mindful meditation and prayer. I look forward to joining together each day at noon.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob Henry
Overcoming Darkness through Poetry and Dance
All women are invited to attend a gathering on Overcoming Darkness through Poetry and Dance from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3rd through Zoom. We intend to destress by shedding the toxicity of these unprecedented pandemic times. As we spend time together virtually, we will shine our light into the darkness. We will learn how to delve into our inner selves by using blackout and highlighter poetry. The whole idea is to free up one’s Muse. No need to be professional or perfect. One doesn’t even need to be a poet. This will be a safe place to exorcise one’s hidden demons, express gratitude or develop whatever each individual feels led to create. It need not be shared unless one wishes to do so.
First we will eat together virtually (BYOBrunch). Nancy S. will discuss the logistics of the workshop.
Then we will hear poems written by women from the Meeting, including Linda L., Leslie K., Amy P. and Nancy S.
After some of these readings Nichole M. and Amy P. will use interpretive dance and their own personally chosen music to inspire us. We may have some physical movement exercises to help loosen us up.
Nancy will explain the process of creating blackout poetry in which a person blacks out all unwanted words from pages of books, magazines or newspapers so that the remaining words create a poem. In highlighter poetry the person uses a marker to highlight the words that appeal and creates a poem by using only those words selected. In both techniques one goes from start to finish using the chosen words in the same order in which they were found. Mary Ellen L., Michelle T. and Nancy will show examples of ways they have enhanced their poems through the use of stickers, stencils, shapes, drawings, textures and colors.
The workshop is a free-spirited exercise open to a broad range of interpretation and opinions. Bring your preferred media and printed materials. Be sure to have a dark marker or instrument for blackout poetry and a yellow or light marker or tool for highlighter poetry. You may want glue, scissors, stencils, stickers, chalk, pastels, paint, pencils, colored pencils, an eraser, glitter, pens, etc. You may prefer to put your ordered words on a separate piece of paper—or not. You may wish to have construction, plain or lined papers on hand. Some people cut the pages and or words and pictures out of the printed source. It is your choice. Think ahead about your work space so you can create, communicate and watch via Zoom.
Come join in the fun and creativity. Our creations may be dark, light-hearted or funny. Who knows? You reap what you sow in this gathering. You may find out what you did not know about yourself. We will reflect and overcome some of our pandemic-imposed isolation!
Queries for the Week
(From self-led worship)
How is the “life of Jesus” seen in and through my life?
What temporally-based expectations of mine still need transformation so I can truly live?
In what ways am I being called to be a reconciler of humanity in these difficult times?
(From virtual Easter Sunday service)
During this difficult time, how have I begun to aerate those compacted areas of my spiritual life?
Am I listening and looking for where the Resurrection Light is entering my life?
How am I embodying the Resurrected Light and sharing together with my neighbors the hope that it brings?