As Way Opens
To: The People of Indianapolis
From: The Pastors, Clerk of the Meeting, Clerk of Ministry & Counsel, and Clerk of Witness & Service, Indianapolis First Friends
Re: Join us for a Peace Church Response
Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we have watched recent events unfold. As our resources and patience were already heavily taxed by an unparalleled pandemic, we watched the senseless execution of George Floyd in streets of Minneapolis. While capital punishment in any form is an affront to Friends, execution without process—without charge, judge, or jury—is an affront to all free peoples. This happened in broad daylight, at the hands of law enforcement officers, while the cameras rolled. This kind of violence, hatred, and unlawful discrimination are on display in our nation today in a way that is ringing old alarm bells not just for Quakers, but for Christians and people of other faiths who have worked for peace for hundreds of years. Today, we issue a fresh call: join us as we accelerate our work for peace once again—particularly in our capital city of Indianapolis.
The homicide we witnessed this past week is not isolated, but rather reinforced by a broad narrative of suspicion and culture of exclusion we have cultivated in our nation. Many of us, even in historic Peace Churches, have occasionally let our guard down or assumed certain events are isolated. However, when a white woman in Central Park threatens to phone a man into police apparently for being black, or an Ahmaud Arbery is gunned down for jogging in Georgia, we are reminded that these crimes against our brothers and sisters are not only connected by a common thread of ignorance, but a propagation of fear and violence against God’s creation. This is untenable, unbiblical, and un-Quaker.
As we did during our fight against slavery, our support for abolition, and during our cooperation in the underground railroad (which was unlawful at the time), we are prepared as a faith community to reignite this dialogue even in the face of strong opposition. We will no longer stand silently by while officers purporting to uphold the law extinguish the light of God in our fellow men or women; nor will we accept without resistance encroachments into our liberties—including the First Amendment—for which so many have worked and even perished. For example, we watched with disbelief as press have been arrested on-the-air, in direct contravention of well-established freedoms. The hour during which the cameras were unable to capture the escalating violence is further salt in the wound to our freedoms of expression.
Quakers reject violence in all circumstances—whether in instigation or response. Our traditional testimonies of Simplicity, Integrity, Peace, Equality, Community, and Stewardship aren’t just words; they are core beliefs by which we as Friends continue to stand today. We are joined not just by our Brethren and Mennonite brothers and sisters in Christ, but also the wider church. Please join us for an urgent conversation this Wednesday at 5p via Zoom to coordinate a Peace Church response among leaders of similarly-minded faith communities here in Indianapolis who have worked for peace in the face of violence. We anticipate that this conversation will be led by the representatives of our Indy-area historic Peace Churches, but all faith leaders are invited to attend this conversation. We also invite faith communities of color to join and inform us at this critical moment. We understand these concerns are not unique to Quakers, so we humbly wish to host—not own—the dialog, and sincerely look forward to your participation.
Friends: we are weary, but we must persevere. God’s voice speaks to Quakers and all of His children as clearly today as it did 400 years ago. We are called to reject violence, respect all people, and reconcile to God and one another as we build a future based on love, not fear. As Jesus taught us: we are to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned, and be merciful and forgiving; but he also encouraged us to instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, and comfort the afflicted. We, as the aforementioned leaders of the oldest and largest Quaker Meeting in Indianapolis, intend to follow these examples and renew our vows to these principles—without hesitation or fear—again today. We know we are not alone, so please join as we embark on this journey together. May the Light of God’s love surround all of his people, particularly his people of color, in these dangerous and sensitive times.
Joys & Concerns
We are excited to announce Krishan K’s Eagle Scout Project is complete in our Meditational Woods. He has identified all our trees and provided a wonderful map for you to identify them as well. Beth Henricks joined the group to give a blessing upon their work! Thank you, Krishan (and all who helped) for your service and for beautifying our property!
A BIG thank you to those who continue to serve the food pantry during these times. We served 69. Those helping were Bill and Kathy F, David B, Phil G, Alex D, Megan B, Virginia S, and Rik and Linda L. It was pretty hot in the parking lot where food was distributed! Thank you all for your efforts!
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Bread for the World ~ At our virtual Shalom Zone meeting earlier this week, we hosted a representative from Bread for the World. Bread is an organization that focuses on food insecurity and lobbies government representatives to fund food needs for both international and US folks in need. The main thing that Bread focuses on is having organizations and individuals write letters/emails which Bread aggregates and then delivers to the representatives in bulk in order to make a big impression. Several of First Friends members participated in a letter writing endeavor last year at one of the Shalom Zone events. Since an “in person” event can’t be held at this time, and since the occurrence of food insecurity seems greater than ever, Bread is asking the churches in the Shalom Zone to ask their members to write letters and send them directly to their Senators/Representatives. The Shalom Zone will then report back to Bread the number of letters sent so Bread can use this information when talking with the Senators/Representatives. The Shalom Zone has a minimum goal of 10 individuals per church but we think that First Friends can more than double that number.
Bread has made it easy to compose and send letters/emails with this handy toolkit: https://www.bread.org/toolkit. Note that Bread recommends that you personalize the correspondence slightly to have a better impact. You may want to mention the increased need we see at the food pantry, a need that is likely to continue and that our Quaker faith compels us to help as we are able with this food insecurity issue. There are many other ways to personalize this message. Thanks for your help!
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Calling all First Friends Women ~ we will have a women’s gathering on Zoom on Sunday, June 7th at 12:00 noon. We will hear poetry from some of our women and welcome other poets (please let our office know that you would like to share a poem). We will create a picture collage. You will need a large blank paper, glue and magazines. Michelle T has magazines and will deliver some to your doorstep - please let the office know if you would like a delivery of magazines. To join, contact the office for the Zoom information.
Did you miss the premiere of our past Sunday Meeting for Worship? Watch it ANYTIME at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7JOQgJbda4. We hope you had a wonderful and safe Sunday! Keep an eye out in your email for details soon on the coming Sunday’s virtual service!
The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application will be June 30, 2020. For an application please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Quaker Life magazine is being offered to us for renewal at a group rate of $30.00 per year. Published by Friends United Meeting, issues come out quarterly, that will “inspire, inform and teach you.” It features articles from Quakers around the world and has featured writers including at least two familiar names, Ruthie Tippin and Bob Henry! The journal is normally priced at $40.00 annually. We keep one copy in our library. Please let the office know if you would like to join our group subscription. Thank you!
Meditational Woods Bird-of the-Month for June
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Sweeter Than a Robin, but Icky
What could be sweeter than a robin? I’m talking bird songs here. Take the song of an American Robin, “Cheerio-cheerilee cheerio-cheerilee”, sweeten it up, enrich it, and extend it. You will have the song of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak! I suggest you listen to both on “All About Birds” or some other website. The icky part is the grosbeak’s call of “ICK.” It is diagnostic, meaning no other bird does it, and it is the way I find them if they are not singing. It’s like hearing someone say a single word down the hall in the meetinghouse, and recognizing the person by voice immediately, even though it may have been quite a while since your last encounter.
I have drawn a rose-breasted male, and one can see how the species gets its name. The female is brownish with a brown-on-white striped breast. Notice the huge bill (GROS-beak).
This species came through in May, in fairly large numbers, and yes, each year at least one stops by the Meditational Woods anytime during that month. By the time you read this, most rose-breasted grosbeaks have migrated farther north, however, some stick around for the summer in larger woods around here. Probably not ours, but one never knows, especially with the wooded neighborhoods nearby. Hence it is the bird for June, just in case. Listen for that sweet warble or the special “ICK”.
One final note: As of this writing 90 species have been documented in the Meditational Woods or seen on or from the First Friends property. That is significant because just a few years ago, the woods was simply a lawn with some large trees. More about that later!! ~Brad J
Evidence of Elves and Gnomes in Community Garden;
More Tips for Tending Crops
“Fairies” and “gnomes” are weeding, mowing, planting and caring for the Community Garden’s communal spaces. They prefer to remain anonymous but we thank them and recognize their contributions.
Here are the latest tips for garden care:
Water well, but carefully. Since we use a cistern, water your plants from beneath to prevent contamination that can cause illness in humans. Raised beds drain fast and in a small plot every plant matters. Crops are more dependent on the gardener. Do check the soil underneath the surface so you do not overwater. Too much water can cause fungi. Once plants start developing fruit they need more water. Watering from overhead can cause plants to burn from the sun or, if late in the day, not dry completely so that they are more apt to develop disease. Watering well helps ensure strong root, pod and fruit development.
Thin direct-sown seedlings. For those tender-hearted souls who are hesitant, some seedling types can be eaten in salads so they are not wasted. Thinning seedlings results in less competition and produces stronger disease-resistant, pest-resistant plants.
Arrange serial plantings and harvests of crops like radishes, carrots and beets.
Stop slugs and snails. They love eating young plants. Stop them with pellets or sharp natural deterrents like egg shells, holly leaves and sweet gum balls. Place boards around the plot and check underneath early in the morning when sheltering pests can be removed.
Remove diseased plant growth and pests promptly. Remove yellowing foliage from plants such as zucchini, kohlrabi and kale. Dead plant growth makes a great hiding place for pests and fungi.
Tie in young cucumber stems and tomatoes to supports so they will not be weighted down with fruit later and break. Learn how to pinch off tomato plant growth so energy goes into fruit rather than leaves.
Harvest particular types of young plants before they become woody or too large. These include turnips, carrots, beets, okra and radishes. Radishes get too hot when grown too long.
Regularly pick and use salad crops, herbs, okra, beans and peas to encourage regrowth. You may pick the entire salad plant unless you want it to resprout or develop into a head if it is that type plant. In hot weather salad crops can become bitter. Shading them with other crops can be beneficial. Continuously pick the top growth off of salad crops and herbs so they do not bolt, stop producing and go to seed. Zucchini, beans, peas and okra need to be harvested often once the fruit develops.
Weed regularly before weeds become large and difficult to pull. Weeds can attract unwanted pests and reduce crop yields by stealing nutrients.
Join us from virtually anywhere in the world as the Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading book club discusses Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law by Preet Bharara. By the one-time federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, an important overview of the way our justice system works, and why the rule of law is essential to our society. Using case histories, personal experiences and his own inviting writing and teaching style, Preet Bharara shows the thought process we need to best achieve truth and justice in our daily lives and within our society. Preet Bharara has spent much of his life examining our legal system, pushing to make it better, and prosecuting those looking to subvert it. Bharara believes in our system and knows it must be protected, but to do so, we must also acknowledge and allow for flaws in the system and in human nature. The book is divided into four sections: Inquiry, Accusation, Judgment and Punishment. He shows why each step of this process is crucial to the legal system, but he also shows how we all need to think about each stage of the process to achieve truth and justice in our daily lives. (goodreads) Rik L will be leading the discussion in via Zoom starting at 7 pm on Tuesday June 30, 2020. To join the Zoom call, please contact the office for the meeting information.
Queries for the Week
(From self-led worship)
What am I doing with my life? – What are the motives that order my days?
What am I weighed down by during this pandemic and how do I embrace the fact that I already have what I am looking for?
How am I learning that being my true self is discovering myself in God?
(From virtual service)
How am I facing my reality and yet living with the hope of the future?
What hard thing is God calling me to do?
How can I face my fears of uncertainty?