As Way Opens
Friends, I have been thinking about my words for a few weeks- we are living in a time that is dramatic, unsettling and divisive.
As a white woman that grew up within the city of Detroit, I pushed back against the idea of white privilege for many years. I never felt that I had privilege as I was raised within an urban city and part of an interracial community. I embraced everyone regardless of color. I could not understand the idea of reparations or blaming me for the actions of predecessors that I never knew. We had a culture of slave labor in the south but I was a person living in the north and that was not representative of me. I embraced the idea that all lives matter. Of course, my grandparents that came to Detroit from Canada were completely racist. They came to Detroit to work at Henry Ford’s Rouge plant and even while living in an urban community that was multi-racial they rejected the equality of people of color. They even believed that there was different heaven for black people versus white people. We dismissed their views but those views were prominent among white folks in the 1900’s and certainly impacted the treatment of people of color.
In the last few years I began to read and study and discuss the idea that there are systemic privileges that white folks have that our black brothers and sisters do not enjoy. My eyes started to glimpse this idea that the systems and structures of our government and community do not give equal access to those of color - community building, education, policing, health care, housing, lending access to capital, and many other areas.
And then I developed a close relationship with a black man. And I began to step into the life and experiences of every black man in America. Last week a Crime Scene Investigator showed up at my next door neighbor - I was a bit stunned that she was in full uniform and went into the house (turned out that she was a family friend that does house sitting). While she was in the house, my friend Kevin became concerned about leaving my house - what? He knows that police view black men differently than white men. And he is a successful IT professional working at a hospital as well as having an IT consulting business, is a retired military veteran, an umpire and homeowner. However, it doesn’t matter how successful a black person is - the police may approach them differently because of the color of their skin. Several years ago, Kevin was driving in Ohio on a sales call for his employer and a police officer pulled him over. The officer approached the car and said “Boy, your car was drifting in the lane." One man calling another man boy can start an escalation (Kevin did not respond to the comment). This is more than an isolated incident and we can hear similar stories of every black man that we know and don’t know.
I know that many police officers abhor this behavior and join us in calling for police reforms. The officers that use wit, wisdom, de-escalation and dialogue to engage citizens should want to support these reforms because the racists and quick to pull a trigger officers make police officers look bad. I remember being in a waiting room with Ann Rodino’s brother (Ann was having surgery) who is a police officer for 30 plus years. He is a beautiful soul and as we sat there for hours talking about many things including his role as a police officer, he shared with me that in 30 years he had never fired his gun. This is the training and practice that we need to support!
As Quakers we embrace non- violence and that is the core of my being. I will never support violence to achieve change and believe the significant changes that happened in the 1960’s were because of the non-violent actions of MLK’s movement. Yet I do understand the frustration and anger of folks that have been waiting so long for change. And violence is such a part of our American life. There is no stronger lobbying group than the NRA. We invade countries with violence to take out leaders and seem to believe that violence and guns will solve our problems.
I am praying that we will share our Quaker testimony of peace, equality, and integrity to stand up in this pivotal moment. I am praying that we all look inside our own hearts and see where we hold resistance and violence. I am praying that we open our ears, our eyes and our heart to really listen to the experience of those that face oppression, prejudice and brutality. And I pray that we won’t remain silent but do the actions that God is calling each of us to do.
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS) is a fellowship opportunity for young adults excited by the intersection of justice and Quaker spiritual deepening. This year, 36 Fellows are participating in this experiment, working at nonprofits in one of our five program cities, living in community together, and considering how their spirituality is integrally connected with community and justice. Fellows work with those experiencing homelessness, engage with climate change issues, support individuals in navigating the immigration system, teach in classrooms, work at neighborhood health centers, and so much more. Meanwhile, Fellows meet monthly with a Spiritual Nurturer and worship with Quaker communities. The current focus on the racial justice movement, global health pandemic, and economic crisis brings into even sharper relief QVS’s call to provide Spirit-grounded service opportunities for young adults.
This summer, QVS will celebrate the end of the eighth program year and the nearly complete four-year fundraising campaign to raise an additional $2.2 million to deepen the program offerings and seed an endowment. We have just $80,000 left to raise!
We welcome contributions from you as you consider how you are led to steward your financial resources. There is so much need in our local communities, in this country, and in the world right now. QVS is an opportunity to make change in all of these levels. Young adult Fellows work at local nonprofits before continuing into whole lives dedicated to spiritually grounded social change. If you are able to make a financial offering, please visit the QVS website for ways to give. This is truly the best way you can help QVS Fellows and the vulnerable communities they serve right now.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Reopening Task Force Statement
June 29, 2020
Dear Friends, attenders, and anyone who values the community that is First Friends:
I thought I’d provide a brief update on the progress of the reopening committee. We are a really heavy group in terms of our specific strengths to address this task, our cohesion, and our collective light.
We are pulling on the best evidence and most reliable data we can find regarding the specifics for building access, use, and risk mitigation. This area is a real strength of our group and I’m confident we are going to get it right. I’ve received many emails from members regarding specific ideas, and please know those ideas are being heard and discussed. Feedback and direct communication with myself is authentically welcomed and appreciated.
We are currently formulating a timeline and staging system for reopening which we plan to formalize and share within the upcoming week or two. At the same time, we’re working on that vast gray area between being fully closed, as we currently remain, to being fully open.
“Business as usual,” the final stage of reopening, a return to the way things were prior to the pandemic, isn’t happening any time soon, within or without our meeting. This is a sobering fact; science is real.
With that in mind, we’re focusing on reopening in safe and creative ways, such as small group gatherings, both private and potentially meeting-endorsed alike. We’re early in that realm of discussion but seek to facilitate and nurture safe and effective ways to meet the vast burden of what is lost through the pandemic, which is community and connection.
We are currently allowing access to individuals and considering requests to building access and utilization on a case by case basis, and we’re incorporating the best-known safety measures, education, and communication with those cases.
We are planning to exploit and promote outdoor, small gatherings, within the context of initial stages of reopening, using the meditational woods and a proposed tent or canopy which would allow for more outdoor space. That discussion is underway.
We have a tentative date for a partial reopening for unprogrammed worship July 12. We have a lot of work to do and discussion remains widely open on this plan, but we seem to have unanimity on that proposed plan. Such a proposition would require that we’d have all risk mitigation policies and procedures in place and effectively communicated along with a lot of other leg work. However, I have no doubt in my mind we’re up to such a task!
Your Friend,
Andy C
Interested in our men’s small group? Last Spring Kent F helped start a men’s book club small group at First Friends. In the last year we’ve covered “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl (Biography), "Let Your Life Speak" (self-help) by Parker Palmer, “Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemmingway, “Billy Budd” by Herman Melville, “Shane” (a Western) by Jack Schaefer, and “Freedom’s Forge” (History), and we are currently finishing up “Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work” by Alex Pattakos. The group is currently meeting on alternating Thursday nights at the home of Derek S to take advantage of great weather and have space to spread out, with the garage and Zoom being our backups. Our plan is to return to the Meeting House when it reopens. If you would like to help us choose our next book and/or join us for the next group of discussions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org. We’ll begin sharing the next book on July 23rd.
Sign up NOW for VBS! Registration is now open for Vacation Bible School! This year’s theme is “Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through!” It will be held from July 26-30. This year we will have VBS virtually, including daily premiered videos on YouTube as well as live Zoom calls. Supplies and goodies will be sent to your door! If you would like to sign your kids up or have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions! The WYM annual sessions are happening virtually this year. The draft schedule is available here. Please note that many details are yet to be worked out and the schedule is subject to change. All sessions will be held through various technological platforms. The Sunday worship service may be a combination of live and Zoom. This year our own Bob Henry will be recorded! If you have any questions, you can contact Western Yearly Meeting westernym@sbcglobal.net.
Are You Being Called to Serve? Next Monday, June 29th, is the Nominating Committee for Western Yearly Meeting. The following committees have openings: Christian Education, Christian Ministries and Evangelism, Christian Outreach, Meeting Development and Nurture, American Friends Service Committee, Finance, Property Trustee. If you’re interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Did you miss the premiere of our past Sunday Service? This week we had a special Prayer Service of Lament for Race & Injustice. Watch it ANYTIME at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aZamrPEO3c. 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!
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for July
Northern Parula
Just Visiting, and Why?
When visitors are introduced at worship here at First Friends, I try to listen carefully to their words, and think of a connection, perhaps something about where they are from, perhaps a Quaker tie, or even a family connection. I want to have something to say if I see them after worship. It is sometimes tricky to find a balance between being friendly and “smothering.” I wouldn’t want to “scare” the visitor away. Without a connection, I’ll be sure to smile and say hello, and let the Friend know that I can help with questions or directions.
Similarly, in the natural world, we want to enjoy seeing a bird without scaring it away. One such avian visitor was singing in the Meditational Woods on June 17th. Although Northern Parulas do nest in the area, they prefer streamside woodlands, and so can be found at Holliday Park or any of the woods along Fall Creek. The closest habitat we have to that here is the muddy soil in the brushy northeast corner of the woods. So the male I found there in mid-June was not likely to stay. He was searching for insects and spiders in the sycamores and cottonwoods.
This beautiful warbler is a bold blue on the head, wings, and tail, with a strange mossy-colored triangular patch on his back. Most notable is the yellow chin and breast, with a black-on-chestnut necklace. Note the broken white eye ring. He is a stunning jewel to see. His song is a rising “ziziziziziziziziZIP”. If one hears that “ZIP” hook at the end, the identification is secure.
I wanted to ask him what he was doing at First Friends. Why was he here? What were his intentions? Would I see him every time I visited the woods? Did he have a female and a nest elsewhere? But alas, these are not questions to be asked aloud of this visitor. Anything outside of a silent welcome might frighten him away. I welcomed him with a smile, being glad he was here, in the Meditational Woods, on that day.
Spice Up Life by Growing Herbs: Annual & Biennial
Be heart healthy by using less salt and replacing it with herbs. They are easy to grow and can help you create delectable dishes. They can be used fresh or dried and stored for later. Herbs can decorate indoors and outdoors. They don’t need to take much space and can be grown in beds and containers. Gardeners use some herbs in borders. They can be picked fresh and used throughout the growing season or even all year when grown inside. They are versatile and tasty, able to enhance many types of cuisine. The obliging cook can master their use after a little research and practice.
You may combine herbs in beds or containers. Most need rich, well-drained soil in a sunny location. Usually they do not need fertilizer. You may direct sow them or buy small plants to transplant. Water them well and be sure to hand-pick weeds so the herbs are not smothered. Scatter slug pellets or eggshells to protect them from pests. Pinch off tops and flowers to encourage bushiness and a longer harvest. When you harvest, use scissors or a sharp knife. You may place the stems in shallow water until you are ready to use them. Discard twig-like stems; soft stems are usually tasty. If you intend to use fresh herbs, pick them when you are ready to eat because they don’t last more than a day or two. Herbs grow quickly so more will be ready in the garden.
Biennial Herbs
Coriander and cilantro come from the same plant! It is a biennial herb, meaning it lives for two years. Of course, if left to seed it can reproduce itself. In the U.S. the leaves and stems are called cilantro and the seeds are named coriander. Some cultures call the entire plant cilantro, including Spanish-speaking areas. Another name is Chinese parsley. The entire plant is edible. It has flat, scalloped leaves and should be harvested once or twice a week to avoid bolting. Once it bolts, small white flowers form and seeds grow. A few scalloped leaves remain at the bottom but new leaves are light and feathery, almost like a completely different plant. Surprisingly, people experience the plant’s flavor according to their gene makeup! To some it is distasteful and soapy-tasting; others love its spiciness. Use the cilantro in soup and enchiladas. Dry the seeds by roasting them in a pan. Pulverize them for use in salsa, juice, curries, chutneys, bread (including gingerbread) and hummus.
Parsley comes in flat and curly varieties that look like miniature trees. The curly type is a favorite garnish in the U.S. The first year parsley forms a rosette of tripinnate leaves. The second year it has sparser leaves and a stem with a yellow flower. Flat leaf parsley has a stronger flavor than the curly type. Root parsley is used as a snack or vegetable in central, eastern and southern Europe where it flavors soups, stews and casseroles. Some cultures enjoy serving dishes with fresh green chopped parsley served on top. Middle Eastern bulgur salad uses parsley as the number one ingredient to create tabbouleh.
Annual Herbs
Basil comes in many delightful varieties. It is an annual herb meaning it grows for one season. I have experimented with Greek, lemon, cinnamon and Thai. Yes, they do taste like their namesakes. The lemon even smells like lemon and your cuisine can taste like an exotic dish from another country. Basil can be used in stews, casseroles, roasts, infusions, pesto, butter, stir-fry, seafood, soup, tomato sauce and much more. Try it as a garnish!
Dill is a tall plant with feathery leaves and a distinctive odor. Think pickles! Although it is an annual, it spreads easily from year-to-year because it is self-seeding. The wide, airy flower spreads out like Queen Anne’s Lace. Both the leaves (dill weed) and the seeds can be eaten. Both can be used as garnish. The leaves have a mild aniseed taste; the seeds are more pungent but similar in taste to caraway. Seeds can be used in acidic dishes like pickled carrots, beets and fish. They combine nicely with legumes like lentils. Dill weed complements fish, potato salad, dips and coleslaw. Seeds and leaves make extravagant vinegars and salad dressings.
Midwesterners can liven up our diets by using many more herbs on a regular basis. Have fun experimenting!
~Nancy
Sources include Wikipedia and Small Plot; Big Harvest by Lucy Halsall
What’s Blooming Around the Meetinghouse? ~ Today Mindy and I (Mary B) were weeding around the Meetinghouse and the pollinator garden and were treated to the sight of a widow skimmer dragonfly. Two dark wing patches on the Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) technically qualifies its being called the two-spotted skimmer. These insects are normally found around lakes and marshy areas, but we saw him moving amongst the wet flowers in the pollinator garden. We also saw hoverflies and bumble bees drinking the nectar of the bee balm (monarda, sp.) and coneflowers that are now blooming.
If you are at the Meetinghouse, please stop and see the native plants at the south and courtyard entrances. We have moonbeam coreopsis, geranium, echinacea, beebalm, and Annabelle hydrangea blooming. Our common milkweed plants in the pollinator garden are taking off, along with the Joe Pye Weed (It’s not really a weed). Then take a walk in the woods and admire the new signage that Krishan Coffman installed as his Eagle Scout Project.
First Friends not only nourishes souls, we nourish nature!
Join the Peace Church Conversation ~ After a deep discussion with other area Peace Churches this month, we have decided to grow the conversation online as we work together for "Positive Peace.” Please join our First Friends group today—within the larger Peace Church Alliance network—by clicking here: https://www.peacechurches.org/share/3LbkpLtX76sA4iPe?utm_source=manual The introductory page is available at www.peacechurches.org but please use the longer link above to sign up because it will connect you directly to our First Friends group. Thanks again for your support, participation, and action at this critical and sensitive time!
Queries for the Week
(From online service)
How can I nurture the seeds of peace within myself, my community, and the world?
How can I be more open to seeking the goodness in people who act with violence and hatred?
How can I increase my understanding of nonviolence and use it in all my interactions?
(From self-led guide)
Do I recognize that I can be a perpetrator as well as victim of violence? How do I deal with this? How can I support my neighbors, friends, and family so that healing may take place?
What am I doing to understand the causes of violence in my world and to work toward peaceful outcomes locally, nationally, and internationally?
How do I support institutions and organizations that promote peace?