As Way Opens
I received a devotional book of Mary Oliver poems from a friend for my birthday this year. What a delight to wake up each morning with a Mary Oliver poem.
This one spoke to my heart as I think about prayer and how I pray and its importance in my life and in others.
Whistling Swans
Do you bow your head when you pray or do you look up into that blue sky?
Take your choice, prayers fly from all directions.
And don’t worry about what language you use, God no doubt understands them all.
Even when the swans are flying north and making such a ruckus of noise, God is surely listening and understanding.
Rumi said, there is no proof of the soul but isn’t the return of spring and how it springs up in our hearts a pretty good hint?
Yes, I know, God’s silence never breaks, but is that really a problem?
There are thousands of voices, after all.
And furthermore, don’t you imagine (I just suggest it) that the swans know about as much as we do about the whole business?
So listen to them and watch them, singing as they fly.
Take from it what you can.
May we this day and this week see and hear the voice of God through creation. And may we pray to God in the tongue that is unique to each of us as God hears what is in our hearts.
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Coming Soon to Your Couch: Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission Public Meetings
We hear people say all the time, “I’m not interested in politics.” To which it can be replied, “Well, that’s really too bad, because politics are interested in you!”
In Indiana, we have a system in which elected politicians draw the legislative district maps used for state and congressional elections. Every ten years, they get together and literally place you into the groupings--districts--where they figure they are most likely to win based on voters’ Census data and voting records. By drawing made-to-order maps, your representatives are choosing you long before election day, when you are supposed to be choosing them. In this way the process called redistricting is the ultimate conflict of interest. If you sometimes doubt that your vote makes any difference, or wonder why in some elections you don’t even have a choice of candidates to vote for, our redistricting system is a big reason why.
This year is a redistricting year. It happens only once a decade. Would you like a voice in the process this time? The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) has been formed to demonstrate that redistricting done in a transparent way that encourages public participation will result in congressional and state legislative districts that are better for voters than districts drawn by incumbent representatives behind closed doors.
The ICRC is holding virtual public meetings to hear from Hoosier voters what they want in their new districts. Should districts emphasize compactness? What about competition--should maps be drawn to maximize competitive elections? Should current politicians have districts drawn around their residences, or should they be drawn “incumbent blind”? Also, what are the important communities of interest in Indiana, and should they be kept intact, or divided, in the new districts?
You are invited to this conversation. What do you think should drive redistricting where you live? There will be an ICRC public meeting for each congressional district. It is important that the ICRC hear from a broad range of Hoosiers, because the testimony from these meetings will be consolidated into a report the ICRC will give to state legislators before they begin redistricting this spring, so they will know what voters say they want their maps to look like.
Redistricting will impact federal and state elections for the next decade. It really matters that Hoosiers from all over the state are a part of this conversation. Including you.
Here is the schedule for the public meetings. Again, all virtual—you can participate from your own couch! Register in advance, either at www.allinfordemocracy.org, or by using the link following the meeting for your congressional district listed below. And feel free to share this; the invitation is open to all. Note that the meeting for the district including Indianapolis (district 7) is first, and the meeting for many Indy suburbs (district 5) is second.
Now is the time to make your voice heard! Please contact Phil Goodchild with any questions (goodch713@aol.com). Thank you.
February 24 – Congressional District 7, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jOCUnFlrSqqrITaeeTAKlg
March 3 – Congressional District 5, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bN5cRbOjRqmjk64-LT4_Qg
March 6 – Congressional District 1, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. CST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tfTusC9tQCe72z1DDzuCxQ
March 10 – Congressional District 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wnyJd97cRUuZuF_DQkzUxA
March 13 – Congressional District 3, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ujw84BSPStaPvW19xJc7hg
March 16 – Congressional District 6, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sz1D_NtNRleutD2o-ieeqQ
March 18 – Congressional District 8, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_euCRCwNkR8Kb2V_vmXxkEQ
March 23 – Congressional District 4, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1_Tn9F59Rj2zT5TBPXEu0Q
March 30 – Congressional District 2, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EDT
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5VQihioMQw2Mysl3HyK6kg
Joys & Concerns
Mid North Food Pantry News – Thanks to all the volunteers from First Friends for helping at the food pantry for the past several weeks. Many have braved the cold weather to help serve those who themselves endured the cold to come to the pantry for food. Susan and Matt at the pantry have mentioned how thankful the pantry is for the time and effort of all those from First Friends who help out at the pantry.
An Account: Birding With Brad in Saturday’s Successful Snow Stomp ~ Sixteen degree weather forecasts and a foot of snow on the ground could not stop the 13 snow stompers who showed up for Brad’s birdwatching tour of the Meditational Woods and Meetinghouse grounds last Saturday. Some of the walking was single-file since a path made it a little easier. It was an invigorating morning and many found it increased their energy, allowing them to explore other pursuits after the walk, resulting in a productive afternoon.
Brad has studied the birds on First Friends property for three years. He showed us the best spot to see and hear them. He noted the best direction to face a bench in order to birdwatch. He knows where the bluebirds hang out. He pointed out flight patterns of various species—how some undulate, some drop down into dives and more secrets known to true birdwatchers. People attended this walk for in-person companionship, sunshine, exercise and fresh air. Some are birders while others have a casual interest. Brad spent much time pointing and listening. He taught us how to distinguish among the different tappings to identify specific species of woodpeckers. He informed us about the colored markings and differences among birds. I learned that what I thought was a squirrel nest was actually a Cooper’s hawk nest. It was made from sticks rather than leaves.
Going birding in the winter is an excellent way to see birds since there is little foliage to hide behind. Brad pointed out that the winter singers are male. They are claiming territory and getting an early start enticing females. He said the robins are not harbingers of spring since they have been in Indianapolis all winter. He did know where many went in Indiana to stock up on berries. Brad can say exactly when various species will return to First Friends. He can debunk myths. He has many stories about the birds and an eagle eye to spot them. He is willing to do more birdwatching walks on our property and in nearby places. Saturday we learned there is a definite interest among Friends. Here is a list of birds we encountered:
· Mourning Dove
· Cooper’s Hawk
· Red-Bellied Woodpecker
· Downy Woodpecker
· Norther Flicker
· Blue Jay
· Carolina Chickadee
· Tufted Titmouse
· White-Breasted Nuthatch
· Carolina Wren
· European Starling
· American Robin
· House Sparrow
· House Finch
· Dark-Eyed Junco
· Song Sparrow
· Norther Cardinal
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
News from the Woods ~ Spring is just around the corner and nature is getting ready to spring forth! One of our early blooming trees is the Eastern Redbud. The eastern redbud typically grows to 20–30 ft. tall with a 26–33 ft. spread. It generally has a short, often twisted trunk and spreading branches. A 10-year-old tree will generally be around 16 ft. tall. The bark is dark in color, smooth, later scaly with ridges somewhat apparent, sometimes with maroon patches. The twigs are slender and zigzag, nearly black in color, spotted with lighter lenticels. The winter buds are tiny, rounded and dark red to chestnut in color. The leaves are alternate, simple, and heart shaped with a smooth edge 3–4.5 in. long and wide, thin and papery, and may be slightly hairy below. (Thanks Wikipedia!)
Here are two species that are dependent on our redbud trees:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_bee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callophrys_henrici
This spring we will be removing invasive English ivy and plant a grouping of native iris in its stead to celebrate the generosity of Martha E. Wright for her endowment of the ongoing maintenance of the Woods.
Be sure and think about your home landscape this spring. Please consider adding more native species to your home landscape, so you can help sustain our native birds, butterflies and other creatures. Our beautiful Earth requires your help! Genesis 1:29, ESV: "And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food." And our fellow creatures, as well!
Our Woods is now on the Map of the Homegrown National Park. Listen to Dr. Tallamy explain why using your yard is essential. https://homegrownnationalpark.org/tallamys-hub-1
Updates from IFCL Creation Care:
Call your State Senators about: SB 373 (to support a carbon credit bill), HB 1381 (to support pollinator friendly solar farms), SB 249 (to extend net metering), and oppose HB 1191 (removes local control over public health concerns.
Call your State Representative about: HB 1337 ( to oppose another bill removing local control of logging and factory farm siting near municipal boundaries), HB 1469 (to support a bil that protect our rivers and groundwater from coal ash contamination), and SB 389 ( oppose a bill that removes protection of isolated wetlands.
Read more in the Hoosier Environmental Council’s newsletter: http://bit.ly/HECnews02-21
Reopening Task Force Report ~ The Reopening Task Force’s most recent statement as of February 18, is available here. 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. Additionally, the Ministry and Counsel Committee is working on plans for outdoors Meeting for Worship to take place Easter Sunday, April 4.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for February
Blue Jay: Beacon or Bully?
It seems to be a human trait to categorize and label. In volunteer work at two charities, I am tasked with sorting. In one, different types of shoes, and in the other, various stamps; and in both after sorting I must label each pile for future reference. In nature, mankind wants to put a label on animals as well, calling some good and others bad, some cute and others ugly. In which of these would the reader put snakes, spiders, chipmunks, baby skunks, and turkey vultures? In truth, I find each of these interesting.
Blue Jays are noisy neighborhood dwellers who visit our woods year-round on a daily basis. They often travel in groups. Males and females are identical. The issue here is our perception of jay behavior. On one hand two or three blue jays can dominate a bird feeder, threatening all smaller birds, and therefore getting a “bully” reputation. On the other hand, they serve as a sentinel to warn all others (including those same smaller birds) of an enemy’s approach, whether that present danger be an owl, a hawk, or, as we saw on our recent bird walk, us! When our group was walking along Parker Street, two jays raised the alarm. Other birds, such as Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, and three species of woodpeckers all showed up to see what the trouble was. The relationship between Blue Jays and American Crows is also a mixed bag. If a hawk or owl is present, crows and jays are allies in driving the predator away. But if a crow comes near the nest of a blue jay, look out for the blue-feathered fury! I suggest not being quick to use the good/bad labels with birds; perhaps some careful study will reveal one of God’s nature secrets! ~Brad J
Changing Footprints Is Still Active! We are still collecting all types of gently used footwear for Changing Footprints. If you are not able to drop off shoes at First Friends on a Wednesday, you can go to changingfootprints.org, where there is a listing of our many community collection sites (Shoe Drops). Thanks for helping us to provide footwear to those who need it!
From the Friendly Library ~ During Black History Month you may want to read Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X Kendi, a National Book Award winner.
“My definition of a racist idea is a simple one: it is any concept that regards one racial group as inferior or superior to another racial group in any way.” He realized he himself also harbored racist ideas along with W E B Dubois, Booker T Washington, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and many more famous people both black and white.
Racism doesn’t always occur purposely. It is often subtle and unintentionally treating African-Americans (American-Africans) as superior in sport and music, inferior in intellect, for example. Kendi writes that slavery began in ancient times in many countries. He gives multitudinous examples from early US history to present time.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates is another National Book Award winner.
Writing a letter to his adolescent son, Coates weaves together personal history with national history from the earliest settlers up to our current crisis. “What is it like to live in a black body?” Coates tells us with passion, insight and skill. He writes his struggle not to introduce his own fears to his son, not wanting to rein him in even while fearing for that son’s safety.
Both of these books contain sorrow, pain, and hope. Both are likely to evoke compassion, regret, and desire for a truly equal society where people are viewed as an individual.
Contact the office if you would like to borrow one of these or any other book from our collection. Books can be mailed, picked up on a Wednesday or delivered by a volunteer.
Queries for the Week
(From virtual worship)
The next time you enter worship, either alone or in community, consider this query:
When thinking about our post-COVID-19 life, what will we—each of us—do to belong to one another, to be the change we wish to see?
(From self-led guide)
How am I experiencing the ongoing or continual revelation of God during this pandemic? In what ways?
What new revelations of the Divine am I struggling to embrace or consider?
Where might I need to lean on discernment and become more aware of my life situation, currently?