As Way Opens
During Sue’s Fall Break last week, we took a day road trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum. It was a beautiful day to take in the beauty of this wonderful and free museum. About half-way through our visit, we came across Charles T. Webber’s 4x6 ft. 1893 oil painting, “The Underground Railroad.”
As the museum label for the painting reads,
This dramatic painting shows a group of fugitive slaves arriving at a country farm on a blustery winter morning. The farm is a stop on the Underground Railroad, the secret system by which slaves made the long journey North to freedom. On the border of the slave-owning South and a free state, Cincinnati was a major stop. The scene is from the 1850’s, before the abolition of slavery. The artist Charles T. Webber included three famous Cincinnati abolitionists in the painting: Levi Coffin, the reputed “President” of the Underground Railroad (at right on the cart), and his wife Catharine (standing at center), as well as Hannah Haydock (far at left). The site could be the Coffin farm, which was located between Avondale and Walnut Hills.
What is amazing is that Webber painted “The Underground Railroad” in 1893, only 28 years after the end of the Civil War. Over time, it has become one of the most iconic paintings in the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection. It seems appropriate to be in Cincinnati, the home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which our Quaker Youth Affirmation class visited a couple of years ago.
Even though Webber was known for befriending, supporting, visiting in-person, and painting portraits of Quaker abolitionists of the day, this painting would be a much bigger statement. When the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition was announced, the Chicago World’s Fair scheduled to celebrate Columbus’s arrival in the New World. Webber instead chose to catch the attention of critics and the media with his bold subject, “The Underground Railroad.” It would be displayed alongside works by renowned artists like Frank Duveneck, T.C. Steele, Douglas Volk, Henry Farny, and others. Even though Webber’s work stood out and was even published in a Chicago newspaper, it was never purchased, most likely due to the subject.
When the painting was finally purchased and given to the Cincinnati Art Museum, it was quickly withdrawn and put on loan at Woodward High School where it would hopefully be forgotten. Historians considered the subject of the painting not worthy of the art museum in 1930. It would be 31 years later when the painting would return to the museum, yet it still would not be displayed. Not until the 1970’s when it was rediscovered and fully restored would it finally find its historic value and recognition in the Cincinnati art community. Today, it is considered a beacon of hope in dark times.
I am grateful that Charles T. Webber was willing to make such a bold statement with his art, especially as the Jim Crow Era was making its rise in our country. As we in the United States face the dark realities of the ongoing impact of the Jim Crow Era on our black friends and neighbors, how might we, like Charles T. Webber, use our God-given talents and gifts to be a lasting Light to our world?
Grace and peace,
Bob
Joys & Concerns
Welcome to the world, baby Lana R V! Sam & Gabe are thrilled, exhausted, and amazed to welcome their new baby to their family. She came into the world on October 16, 2021 at 12:49 am weighing 6lbs 12.3 oz., and the family is all healthy and well.
FGC Clerks Introduction ~ The Gathering clerks for FGC's Gathering of 2022 introduce themselves in a YouTube video you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF6j_vCzJk0
Artful Meditation, Part II participants are happy with treasures reaped from Shawn Haymaker’s Saturday workshop. They shared meditational intentions they wrote down at the beginning of the workshop and discussed their insights and compositions afterward. They shared technical discoveries and collaborated in the making of the art. They compared the process to life experiences. Shawn shared helpful tips and enlightening ideas. It was a relaxing and fun-filled morning of laughter and sharing. Some people left their creations behind so Sunday worshippers could view them after Meeting for Worship.
The workshop was encouraged through Connections. If you have ideas for activities, please share them with Clerk Jim K or Connections Program Meeting members. (Thank you to Nancy S for the photos.)
We had a great time at our first Singalong back in person last Friday! It was great to be able to join together in person again (with masks and social distancing). We had a wonderful time! Thanks to Jim and Jesse for this event! (Photos submitted by Nancy S).
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
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 in-person meeting tomorrow, Thursday, October 21 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2021 here.
USFW Dedication Celebration ~ United Society of Friends Women (USFW) is planning to hold a dedication celebration of their new Midwest Region of USFW virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, October 26 at Sycamore Friends Meeting in Greentown, Indiana. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by a program. Because the Midwest Region is comprised of women from all around Indiana, eastern Ohio, and western Illinois, part of the program will include a time of getting acquainted. They will also hear an update on the Pad Project that women have been participating in for a number of years and see the video of Katrina McConaughey handing out the completed pads to girls in Africa. The business will include approving the creation of this new group and of the officers put forth by the nominating committee. This will be followed by an installation of the officers. Even if you haven’t been active in the “old” USFW, please plan to attend and help us make the new one a vital ministry. Please RSVP to midwestregionusfw@gmail.com by tomorrow, October 21st if you can come.
Fall Festival! ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Co-Op (MSPC) will be hosting their annual Fall Festival this Saturday October 23rd from 4-6pm. It will be held here at First Friends—All MSPC and First Friends families are welcome to come and be a part of this fun evening. There will be a make-n-take art experience, a fairy dance party, and mindful kiddo exercises. There will be a food truck (RSVP via Rallyhood to order your meal), hot coffee, and goodie bags for the kids to take home. Kiddos can come in costume! Masks are mandatory. View the flyer here.
Community Gardeners’ Harvest Festival ~ Get ready for the 2021 Community Gardeners’ Harvest Festival immediately following worship on Sunday, October 24. There will be games, contests, food, door prizes and fun—pandemic style. Bring your own lawn chair. Individually packaged sandwiches and snacks will be available. S’more kits will be provided for those wanting to roast them over fire pits. Bring your own hot dogs if you want to roast them. Drinks will include coffee, cocoa and cider. Participants may engage in basketball games, badminton, and corn hole. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided.
Connections Program Meeting is helping to put on this event. In case of rain people will move indoors and events and games will continue in a socially distanced manner. Come one, come all!
Hold Me Tight: Class for Couples ~ All are invited to a group experience that helps create lasting positive change in your relationship. The class meets weekly for 8 weeks from Tuesday, October 26 through November 30, 2021. Class is free to couples already in therapy at the Christian Theological Seminary (there is not a requirement to be enrolled in the CTS counseling program to participate). All meetings are held online through telehealth. You can view the flyer here. If interested please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would like you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
The New York Times and USA Today bestseller!
In 1936, tucked deep into the woods of Troublesome Creek, KY, lives blue-skinned 19-year-old Cussy Carter, the last living female of the rare Blue People ancestry.
The lonely young Appalachian woman joins the historical Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky and becomes a librarian, riding across slippery creek beds and up treacherous mountains on her faithful mule to deliver books and other reading material to the impoverished hill people of Eastern Kentucky.
Along her dangerous route, Cussy, known to the mountain folk as Bluet, confronts those suspicious of her damselfly-blue skin and the government's new book program. She befriends hardscrabble and complex fellow Kentuckians, and is fiercely determined to bring comfort and joy, instill literacy, and give to those who have nothing, a bookly respite, a fleeting retreat to faraway lands.
Inspired by the true and historical blue-skinned people of Kentucky and the brave and dedicated Kentucky Pack Horse library service, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek showcases a bold and unique tale of the Packhorse Librarians in literary novels—a story of fierce strength and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere—even back home.
We will gather at the Meeting House and via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 led by Ruth K.
First Friends Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to study the life of Jesus via the gospel of Matthew in a 13-week series beginning October 28 (please note the corrected date), with the First Friends Bible study. The group meets by Zoom at 7:30 pm on Thursdays. You can drop in any time; you can join any time. You can order the book from Barclay Press using the supplied link. The study guide also is available instantly as an ebook. To receive the Zoom link, contact the Meeting office.
Illuminate: Matthew (barclaypressbookstore.com
First Friends Financial Update: The Meeting seeks financial support. We are experiencing a considerably larger deficit than in past years, and your help is needed to close the gap. To donate online, go to: indyfriends.org/support/#givenow, or text to give at 317-768-0303.
Other means of helping are available through automatic giving, stock gifts, estate planning, and donation of IRA Required Minimum Distributions. For more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
A New Issue of the Stamping Newsletter Is Available! The Right Sharing of World Resources Stamping team here at First Friends has released a new issue of their newsletter, Stamping for Dollars. To view the newsletter, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pCBxbIGapSUdf8CgSPqRlKSSS0NzqRoj/view?usp=sharing
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for October
Great Blue Heron: The Awkward Stranger
“She was standing, alone, in the narrow part of the parking lot beyond the last car. Was she there for First-Day Worship? To me she was a stranger, as I did not know her personally; perhaps a first-time visitor. Then I noticed her awkward appearance! She was tall with skinny legs and knobby knees. Her overly-long neck seemed to hang in a curve due to gravity. Her black cap looked like a lady’s old-fashioned Sunday hat, and sat atop a face accented by a huge beak!! I tried to put her rather unusual appearance aside, as I moved closer to welcome her to our meeting. Alas, as sometimes happens, my enthusiasm to greet a visitor was too off-putting, and she started moving away. Suddenly, literally jumping into the air, she stretched out her long wings and took flight, perhaps to go on to a different worship setting. Once again I was amazed by her appearance, but in the opposite way! Her flight was graceful, with her legs extending beyond her tail, showing great toe point. Her neck formed a perfect S curve. The elegant wing motion was like the oars in a rowboat, with wingtips gently dipping with each beat. She was not awkward at all!! I had sorely misjudged her, based on my pre-conceived notions. Beware of first impressions!!”
Great Blue Herons nest at Fort Harrison State Park, and can often be seen flying over Binford Boulevard and Allisonville Road, as they move between Geist, White River, and the many ponds in our area. This one, in early October, had stopped by our parking lot after a rainy week to look at the neighbor’s flooded backyard, hoping for a meal of a crawdad or a last-of-the-season frog. ~Brad J
Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice on Mondays Nov 1st, Dec 6th and Jan 3rd at 4:00 pm and last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. Hope to see you in the parlor.
We’d like to write a friendly reminder to everyone regarding the East door. The door is having issues latching and when someone enters or exits, often the door will not latch which means it is slightly ajar, and therefore unlocked. It has even gone unlocked like this overnight. We’re reminding everyone to please be mindful and check that the door has latched after you enter/exit. You’ll want to either pull/push the door closed until you hear a “click.” We are working on a long-term solution for the door, but we will all have to be mindful in the meantime. Thank you.
Overman Scholarship Fund Drive ~ We are kicking off a fund for the Overman Scholarship! This fund, in memory of Jesse & Marilyn Overman and Mark Overman, awards scholarships to members of First Friends attending higher academic or vocational/Quaker institutions. If you’d like to support this worthy cause, we encourage you to donate. For the next 5 years, the Overman family will match donations up to a certain amount. Checks can be payable to Indianapolis Monthly Meeting of Friends Trustees.” In the memo line, note "Overman Scholarship Fund.” Or you can donate securely on our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/support. Just choose “Overman Scholarship Fund” as the fund. Or text “Overman” to 317-768-0303.
First Friends is working with Exodus Refugee to create a Welcome Team and sponsor an Afghan family. There was a zoom training last Wednesday that Volunteer Coordinator Jericho Jones wants all volunteers to watch if they did not participate. He suggested people who attended the in-person training review it. If you missed it there is a link to the recording listed below as well as some other links for volunteers. Only people wanting direct contact with refugees need to fill out applications and have background checks.
1. Background check Link
2. Confidentiality Agreement Form
3. PDF
4. Session Recording
If you have questions contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Volunteer Opportunity with Easterseals! Indianapolis First Friends has partnered with Easterseals Crossroads to support community needs several times over the last few years. The support received from First Friends has impacted neighborhood lives in tangible ways. The pandemic has significantly affected the Respite program through which we offer free childcare for families who have a child with a disability or diagnosis. We are actively seeking new staff as well as volunteers for our Respite events which are held on Friday evenings four times a month from 6-9pm and twice a month on Saturdays from 10am-2pm at our main location at 52nd and Keystone. Volunteers join staff for a meal and instruction before each event. If you know of someone who would be interested in volunteering (or joining our Respite team) please have them contact Kristyn Greenawald at kgreenawald@eastersealscrossroads.org or by calling 317-409-2116 (cell). Thanks for your consideration!
Celebrating Shawn P ~ Please mark your calendars for Sunday, November 14th when we will gather in Fellowship Hall after Meeting for Worship to have a goodbye celebration for Shawn! We will have food and an opportunity to give Shawn a card, note or gift to thank him for his years of ministry. We hope you’ll join us!
Queries for the Week
· Are we like the Ninevites, ready to listen to God’s word and change our ways?
· Or are we like Jonah, demanding justice for others even as we plead for mercy for ourselves.
· What prophecy is God calling to you today?