As Way Opens
I was reminded this week how grateful I am for humor. Who would have ever thought that a photo of a bundled, mitten-clad, mask-wearing Senator Bernie Sanders sitting on a folding chair would captivate the world and have us all laughing? The following photo may have even ended up on our Facebook page this week to bring some Quaker laughs.
What it did do was make evident our dire need for humor during this ongoing pandemic and the continued unrest in our nation. Illustrating, once again, the words of Mark Twain,
"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
Too often, we, Friends default too easily to a serious and pious tone and have a hard time emerging from the “weight of the world” surrounding us. It was our own, Elton Trueblood, the Quaker philosopher who over 40 years ago presented the idea of humor back into the religious world by writing the book, The Humor of Christ. In the book, he reminded his readers,
“Once we realize that Christ was not always engaged in pious talk, we have made an enormous step on the road to understanding.”
As a child, one of my favorite depictions of Jesus was “The Laughing Christ” by Ellen Wallace Douglas. For some reason, those bloodied, seriously pious, or judgmental looking versions of Jesus simply turned me off. Looking again at the “The Laughing Christ” you can almost imagine a computer screen in front of him with a Bernie Sanders meme on it.
Join me this week in finding some humor and let’s allow our hardnesses, irritations, and resentments to be replaced by a sunny spirit!
LOL!
Bob
Joys & Concerns
Many thanks to our MNFP volunteers from First Friends last week: Linda and Rik L; David B; Barbara O; Ruth K; Kathy and Bill F; Virginia and Derek S; Christie M; Corinne I; Carol and Jim D. Our faithful volunteers braved the cold weather to serve about 60 families. Thanks to all.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
SUPER BOWL TAILGATE! The Connections Team will host a Covid-safe, outdoor Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 7, 3:00-5:00 pm, at the meeting house parking lot. You'll watch the game on your own later that evening but we're going to get "fired" up pre-game. Yes, once again we will have fire pits to help keep you warm.
What should I bring? - face covering, lawn chair, tailgate food (hot dogs, s’mores) and drink
What are the super bowl activities?
- wear gear supporting your favorite team even if they are not in the big game (e.g., the COLTS)
- share a special Super Bowl snack with Friends (safe, individual packaging, please)
- answer Super Bowl questions correctly and win a prize
- play our Super Bowl "Punt, Pass, and Kick" game and win a prize
- predict the score (or come close) and win a prize (awarded later)
What is Love to you? Friends, we’re asking you to send in photos of yourself to us so we can use them in our upcoming Valentine’s Day service. We want you to fill in the blank: “Love is...” Write your answer and take a photo of yourself and your answer on a piece of paper. Then send it into the office at office@indyfriends.org. We can’t wait to see you and your answers!
Reopening Task Force Report ~ The Reopening Task Force’s most recent statement is available here. Currently, the Meeting-house 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.
Message from Creation Care:
“The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1
Now is the time to start thinking about your spring landscaping. Before you know it, spring will be here. Be sure and register for the 51st Annual Meeting of the Marion County Soil & Water Conservation District where Dr. Doug Tallamy will give a presentation on how we can create places for wildlife in our yards. He is a polished and inspiring speaker. Its free, so sign up today!
Did you know that our Indiana wetlands
provide valuable service to us and our fellow creatures? This infographic from Indy Land
Stewardship helps illustrate how important wetlands are to our health and well-being. Please click here on the HEC environmental alert to understand about a bill moving through the state legislature (SB389) that would remove all protections from our remaining Hoosier wetlands.
Benediction ~ Friends, here is the Benediction from last Sunday’s Meeting for Worship.
Bennaucht (Blessing) by John O’Donohue
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
The Stamp Project Needs Your Help! 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. This is a great way to keep busy over winter. Easily done while watching TV! Plus, you’re making 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 to be a part of this cool project: office@indyfriends.org.
MSPC Early Enrollment ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Coop is accepting new students for 2021-2022! First Friends Families are invited to apply before enrollment opens to the public at the end of the month. If you are interested in signing up your child(ren), please use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1XW3Qw9Q0jR1J2O93gKgV8LGXN11wx9KpjXbcdm6O0max0A/viewform Questions? Contact info@mapleseeds.org.
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.
Queries for the Week
(From virtual worship)
· Are we contradicting ourselves? Do we act contrary to that in which we are called by God?
· Are we truly being ourselves?
· Are we trying to do good?
· Are we being rich in helping others?
· Are we extravagantly generous?
(From self-led guide)
· Have I been able to name the tensions that are causing my anxiety in this difficult time?
· How is the Divine, “steadying the pillars,” as the “earth totters”?
· How am I practicing love and standing up to the evil of this world?