As Way Opens
The week following Christmas, I usually find myself reading a book or two, because I have not been afforded much time to read during the Holiday Season. This year was no different. I received several books for Christmas, and decided to start with Rob Bell’s new book, Everything is Spiritual: Who We Are and What We’re Doing Here.
As I cracked the book open, I found it a bit different than Rob’s previous titles. It is both memoir and spiritual thought. At one point Rob stops to ask some queries. The queries have continued to speak to me as I have been trying to process all that is going on in our world.
Rob starts having the reader consider the following.
“Think of the most obnoxious person you know. Someone who has the supernatural ability to get under your skin. Picturing them? Good. Now, imagine that they’re your teacher. That they’re here in your life to teach you something. I know it is so hard at first. It’s like a muscle, it takes a while to build it up. Let’s imagine they’re here to show you something, to teach you how to more fully participate in the wonder and mystery and vitality of your life.”
He then poses some queries:
Why do they annoy you?
What is it about them that gets under your skin? Can you name it?
Now, is that present anywhere within you? Are you completely free of it?
Or is there some fear lurking within you that you have this same whatever-it-is within you?
Is this why they have this unique ability to provoke you like they do?
Have they come to help you see what you’re terrified about, might be true about you?
Do they provoke you because they’re holding up a mirror to you, and you do not like what you see?
After posing these queries Rob says, “What a gift this person is.” Wait…What? Did he say a gift? But then he goes on and says,
“Or maybe not. Maybe it’s something awful they do and it is nowhere in you.” And then continues with some more queries:
Why do you care so much? Lots of people do awful things.
Why this person, and these things? Does this person ignite these energies within you because this is something you are here to do something about, but you aren’t doing it?
Have they been sent to wake you up to your work in the world?
Again, he says, “What a gift that person is.” Really, a gift?
Rob still poses some more queries:
Or does this person crank you up because they are free in some way you aren’t free?
You resent them, because they cut the cord and now, they fly, and you’re still tied down? Is it fear? You don’t want to disappoint someone? You might fail? People might not understand if you step into the fullness of who you are here to be?
Is this why they agitate you like they do?
Rob concludes, ”What a gift.”
As I start this new year, I am pondering who are the “gifts” in my life that are trying to teach me more about who I am and how to more fully participate in the wonder and mystery and vitality of life. I have continued to reflect on these queries and must be honest, they have had me looking at those around me in a new way as I begin 2021. Take some time this week to ponder these queries with me and hopefully you, too, will find these special “gifts” in your life this year.
Happy New Year,
Bob
Joys and Concerns
Let’s give a BIG thanks to our Mid-North Food Pantry volunteers last week: Linda and Rik L; David B; Barbara O; Ruth K; Kathy and Bill F; Phil G; Derek S; Brenda R; Christie M; Corinne I. A special thanks to Krishan Coffman who helped Bill Farris pick up food from 2nd Helpings and deliver it to the Mid North Food Pantry. Also, a special “welcome aboard” to Brenda R who helped with the Wednesday group. Our First Friends volunteers braved the cool January weather to provide food to less fortunate folks who rely on the pantry. Thanks to all!
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Adult Sunday School Notice: Friends, as a reminder, Seeking Friends Sunday School class is returning This Sunday, January 17th. To join use the same Zoom link as before. We hope you’ll join us!
Watch out for email scams! We’ve been made aware that email spam/scammers may use “First Friends Church” in their email to get your attention. Please be mindful of emails you receive. First Friends office email will either come from an “@indyfriends.org” address or from “@simplechurchcrm.com”. If you’re not sure if an email is legitimate, feel free to call our office at 317-255-2485.
Praying for Peace: Be a Light in the World
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matt 5:14
During these challenging times, people of faith cry out to God seeking guidance, nurture, and safety. Join together as a Meeting as we pray for wisdom and safety for all our leaders, both nationally and locally.
Starting on January 19 at noon, we will have a live Zoom service to begin our 24-hour vigil for peace. At 6:30 PM, we will have a 30-minute outdoor service to pray as a community. Please dress accordingly. Fire pits will be lit for warmth.
Members and attenders are encouraged to sign up for a 30 or 60-minute time slot over the 24-hour period to pray. Devotional materials will be available on-line for participants to use for inspiration. Keep an eye out for an email coming soon with the Zoom and signup information.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil: 4:6
Creation Care Update ~ “By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches… the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.” Psalm 104:12-13
The Indiana General Assembly is in session and many bills have been introduced. I (Mary B) volunteer with the Hoosier Environmental Council, a non-partisan advocacy organization that seeks to make Indiana a healthier and more resilient state for all Hoosiers.
Many scientists believe that climate change is the most concerning crisis for the earth. It has a profound effect on weather patterns, drought, heat, and diversity of organisms. The good news is that reducing the carbon in our atmosphere can stop the rise in global temperatures.
I will post bills coming up in the IGA for your consideration and if you feel led, you can contact your legislator to advocate for your position. For more information, click here.
Items of concern:
The IGA is only allowing citizens to give testimony when they go into the Statehouse physically, not allowing remote testimony during the COVID pandemic. Please remember that the Statehouse is typically very crowded and has not mandated wearing masks. Please let your legislator know that citizens should be able to access their statehouse safely or give testimony about bills remotely.
Call your representative to oppose removing local government’s ability from prohibiting unhealthy energy resources in their community. HB 1191 is before the Utilities committee on 1/13/21.
Support Rooftop Solar. If more citizens choose to invest in solar systems, they can help reduce the need to expand fossil fuel plants by selling back any extra energy to their local utility.
Support SB 249 by Ron Alting (R), to extend net metering for another 2 years.
Learn more about why HEC is concerned about coal ash ponds.
This Thursday, January 14 at 6:30 pm Central / 7:30 pm Eastern, HEC will present the first in a series of online legislative forums, beginning with the issue of coal ash.
Coal ash is the toxic waste product of burning coal and it is a ‘forever pollutant’ that does not break down over time.
Indiana has started approving plans to leave millions of tons of coal ash in the floodplains of Lake Michigan and Indiana’s rivers where it is contaminating groundwater, threatening those waterways, and endangering communities. In the next few weeks, we have an opportunity to turn this around as the Indiana legislature discusses bills on safe coal ash disposal.
Our January 14th forum is a collaboration between HEC, Earthjustice, and Just Transition NWI.
RSVP: To learn about the coal ash bills and how you can help, please register for our forum!
You can also find the Marion Count Soil & Water Conservation District newsletter here!
First Friends Pledges: If you’ve not yet had a chance to submit financial pledge information for 2021, please click here to submit your information. If you would like to have a pledge card mailed to you, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485.
Reopening Task Force Report ~ The Reopening Task Force will be reconvening shortly to review when and how to reopen Meeting for Worship. Detailed information is to be shared with First Friends members and attendees at or before Monthly Meeting.
Currently, the Meetinghouse is open to small groups, with requirements for face coverings and social distancing protocol. Participants assume responsibility for risk of COVID-19 exposure. To check on availability of small groups, including Zoom options, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for January:
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Named for a Least-Seen Characteristic
Birds are traditionally named for a prominent feature (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher), outstanding color (Painted Bunting), or location (Carolina Wren). In the latter family, the reason for the name is somewhat apparent: Winter Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, and even House Wren. Wait a minute!! Does the House Wren name come from the fact that it nests in a bird house or that it lives around people’s houses? Both ideas are true, but I digress. This month’s bird, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, lives in or near our Meditational Woods year-round. It may be found on any trip through the woods, but is not guaranteed. I usually hear it before I see it: “Kwir-kwir-kwir” or “chug-chug”. The male has a short powerful drum in the spring.
Let’s talk about its plumage. The reddish-orange cap and zebra-striped back are very noticeable. Either might make a good name. However, it is a red-BELLIED woodpecker. What? Where is the red belly? Some individuals of this species show a quarter-sized pale reddish patch on the belly. But if even the bird has it, the observer might not notice it. I have drawn the male, with its full reddish-orange cap. The female has the reddish-orange on the forehead and on the back of the head, but the center of the cap is gray. If you look on the internet for pictures of this bird, also check out Red-headed Woodpecker while you are there. It has a much different plumage, but people see that name and confuse the two species.
This brings to mind the name “Quaker”. Is it our “red-bellied” misnomer? Do we really quake? Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing Quaker this or that because of the history and distinctives behind the term. However, when I arrive at a gathering for silent meeting for worship, and someone greets me with, “Hello, Friend!” that is really special. Hopefully it refers to our best-seen characteristic. ~ Brad Ja
Retired Ministers Fund Update and Information ~ The WYM Retired Ministers Fund provides a modest retirement benefit to 23 retired ministers and their spouses. These Friends have served in pastoral ministry in WYM Meetings, on the WYM staff and with Friends United Meeting missions/ministries.
Meetings (and individual Friends) of Western Yearly Meeting are encouraged to make an end-of-year contribution to the WYM Retired Ministers Fund to continue to thank and support the Friends who have offered themselves in ministry over many decades.
Click here to read about Keith and Judy Kendall and how they continue to serve in ministry during their retirement. The list of all Friends receiving the retired ministers’ benefit is included.
Check contributions to the Retired Ministers Fund can be made out to WYM Retired Ministers Fund and sent to WYM, PO Box 70, Plainfield IN 46168.
Looking for an easy project to get you through the winter? Stamping for Dollars, S4$, a small group from First Friends meets weekly to process used postal stamps which will be sold and the profits used to support Right Sharing of World Resources, a Quaker woman’s self-help group. We could really use some help with the trimming of the stamps, neatly trimming the stamps to a 1/4 inch border. Easily done while watching TV! Mindless work but a contribution to a good cause. Older children can help! You will support women in Kenya, Sierra Leone, and India and learn a lot of cool stuff about postal stamps from all over the world.
You can work from home! Contact the office if you’re interested: office@indyfriends.org.
Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would like you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead ~ Winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction ~ In this bravura follow-up to the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. When Elwood Curtis, a black boy growing up in 1960s Tallahassee, is unfairly sentenced to a juvenile reformatory called the Nickel Academy, he finds himself trapped in a grotesque chamber of horrors. Elwood’s only salvation is his friendship with fellow “delinquent” Turner, which deepens despite Turner’s conviction that Elwood is hopelessly naive, that the world is crooked, and that the only way to survive is to scheme and avoid trouble. As life at the Academy becomes ever more perilous, the tension between Elwood’s ideals and Turner’s skepticism leads to a decision whose repercussions will echo down the decades.
We will gather via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.
Queries for the Week
(From virtual worship)
Are there any persons, ways, and areas I am currently placing limits on God's grace?
How can I distribute God's grace to myself, my loved ones, my friends, my faith community, and my world?
How may I need to adjust my soul, my words, my attitudes, and my actions in order to fully offer God's love without limit?