As Way Opens
The month of March is Women’s History Month and I would like to highlight one of our great Quaker leaders and a personal hero for me, Lucretia Mott. Lucretia was born in 1793 in Nantucket Massachusetts. Nantucket was a whaling town so the men of the town would be out at sea for months at a time. This meant that the women basically ran the town. They were the shopkeepers, political and religious leaders and provided all of the services the town needed on a day by day basis. Lucretia grew up in an environment, where women were leaders out of necessity and they did an amazing job in these roles that, in other communities, women were never given a chance.
Lucretia went to a Quaker school and became a teacher. She found out that she was making substantially less than the male teachers and she knew that was wrong. Her future husband James was one of those teachers and he probably was the one to share his salary versus hers. This sent Lucretia on a lifetime journey of seeking equality for women in all parts of society as well their right to vote and was a significant participant at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. She was also an abolitionist and a reformer and tirelessly worked against slavery. She was a great writer and an even greater speaker.
What I appreciate about Lucretia is that she was not just a reformer, abolitionist and feminist, but she was a wife, a mother, a hostess that welcomed so many people into her home, a great cook and a woman that did this through the transformational power of Christ. She was moved to her work through the Spirit and her power came from God. She gave a message about the Likeness to Christ to Cherry Street Meeting in Philadelphia in 1849. Here are some excerpts:
“It is time that Christians were judged more by their likeness to Christ than their notions of Christ. Were this sentiment generally admitted we should not see such tenacious adherence to what men deem the opinions and doctrines of Christ while at the same time in every day practice is exhibited anything but a likeness to Christ… they are adhering to old church usages, and worn out forms and exhibiting little of a Christ-like disposition and character….Jesus bore his testimony - doing always the things which pleased his Father. He lived his meek, his humble and useful life - drawing his disciples around him, and declaring great truths to the people who gathered to hear him. His apostles and their successors were faithful in their day - going out into the world, and shaking the nations around them. Reformers since their time have done their work in exposing error and wrong, and calling for priests of righteousness in place of vain forms.”
Lucretia challenged the power structures of the day. I’m sure she heard the words that you are going too quickly, we are not anti-women and appreciate our wives but they are not ready to vote or be in position of power, slaves are not ready to be citizens or take care of themselves or their families etc… These words today sound shocking but this is our history. Change and reform always bump up against tradition and the way things are. We continue to wrestle with the issues the Church faces today. May we turn to our inward Christ that speaks to us and leads us into action.
I was thrilled to sit in Lucretia’s bench at Arch Street Meeting in Philadelphia during our Affirmation trip with Lucy Kay, Kwali Thornburg and Sue Henry. May we all embrace the courage, vision and hospitality of Lucretia Mott.
If you would like to learn more about Lucretia Mott, we have 2 great books in our library that you could borrow - Valiant Friend: The Life of Lucretia Mott by Margaret Hope Bacon and Lucretia Mott’s Heresy: Abolition and Women’s Rights in Nineteenth-Century America by Carol Faulkner. You can request these two books or any others in our library and we will mail them to you. Just contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Update on Redistricting Meetings
Virtual public meetings by the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Committee continue this week and through the end of March. The ICRC is a model redistricting body established by the All IN for Democracy coalition, of which the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation is a member. At public hearings around the state, it is listening to what citizens have to say about how to make redistricting by the Indiana legislature fairer and more reflective of our state’s electorate. The public input will be the basis of a report the ICRC will present to the legislature, advocating for a more open and transparent map-drawing process.
Want your vote to count for the next decade? Register for at least one of the remaining meetings. If you can’t attend the meeting scheduled for your congressional district, feel free to register for another. Upcoming meetings are:
March 10, 7-9 p.m. -- Congressional District 9
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wnyJd97cRUuZuF_DQkzUxA
March 13, 3-5 p.m. -- Congressional District 3
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ujw84BSPStaPvW19xJc7hg
March 16, 7-9 p.m. -- Congressional District 6
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sz1D_NtNRleutD2o-ieeqQ
March 18, 6-8 p.m. (Central Time) -- Congressional District 8
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_euCRCwNkR8Kb2V_vmXxkEQ
March 23, 7-9 p.m. -- Congressional District 4
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1_Tn9F59Rj2zT5TBPXEu0Q
March 30, 7-9 p.m. – Congressional District 2
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5VQihioMQw2Mysl3HyK6kg
Hundreds of Hoosiers have already spoken up by attending the first three ICRC meetings earlier this month. Join them in letting your legislators know you expect a fairer process and better maps this year.
Joys & Concerns
Thank you to our Mid-North Food Pantry Volunteers! Phil G, Linda and Rik L, Mara S, Christie M, Bill F, David B, Virginia and Derek S, Jim D. We welcomed back Mara S who brought with her beautiful weather (for a change!). Thanks to all.
Congratulations to Shawn P as he has decided to retire from teaching at the end of this school year after 33 years. Shawn has been a great teacher and mentor to so many students at Hamilton Southeastern High School as well as Pike High School. One of our most treasured Sundays during advent would be the Sunday that Shawn would bring his show choir to Meeting and we would listen to their glorious voices and Christmas music. Shawn and Brett have also sold their home in Indianapolis and have bought a home on Lake Lemon. Shawn will continue to come to First Friends and play the organ once we are back to our Sunday service in the building. Many exciting changes for Shawn and we wish him the best.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
China Relations at the Periphery: Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan ~ As the Biden administration moves to re-set U.S. policy toward China, join us for a probing discussion of three recent hot spots in China with three China experts from local universities. All are invited to this Zoom virtual presentation, sponsored by the Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center. You need to sign up to be included for this discussion which happens TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Hope you can make it for what will be an interesting discussion of important happenings in China. If you wish to join, please rsvp to indypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com. A Zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP.
First Friends Friday Singalong!! Warm up your voices and break out your tambourines because it's time for another virtual singalong with your hosts Jim, Jesse, and Matthew. Watch the premiere on Friday, March 19, 7:00-7:30pm. Keep an eye out for Friend to Friend next week for the link, or check our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZfU5zoW_wKzWzMWhXAZvQ.
Coronavirus Vaccine Age Limit Now 50! The Indiana State Department of Health has now lowered the age threshold for Covid vaccines to 50 and up. If you’d like to sign up, please visit https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov/.
FWCC, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas (from Canada to South America) will hold a Section Meeting virtually from March 12th through March 21st. FWCC’s purpose is to bring Friends together from all styles of worship and diverse theological perspectives. Two session will be open to all, not just yearly meeting representatives. Saturday, March 13 starting at 6pm there is an open program led by the FWCC Traveling Ministry Corps and on Sunday, March 21 at noon there will be a worship service. The links are not yet available but you can go to FWCCamericas.org to find out more about FWCC and the 2021 Section Meeting.
Why I Do $tamping for Dollar$ for RSWR ~ A long, long time ago, when I lived overseas as a boy and letters were basically the only way our family had to communicate with friends and relatives back in the States, I collected postage stamps. I was fascinated by the reflections of history, culture and national pride in each country’s stamps, advertisements by governments to their people and to the world of what matters to them. And stamps were beautiful works of art in miniature.
Fast forward to the 21st century, stamps and snail mail are practically anachronisms. As a board member of Right Sharing of World Resources, I was vaguely aware of the tiny-but-mighty efforts of a few to raise money for RSWR by soliciting stamp donations, then selling them to collectors. The devotion of the “Stampers” didn’t really register with me until First Friends became the hub of these efforts. I began hearing more about the camaraderie of Amy Perry’s merry band of Stampers, the sheer volume of stamp donations they methodically transform into funds for RSWR, and the fun they have doing it.
But it took the pandemic to really draw me in to this caring circle. Undaunted by disease, they figured out safe and responsible ways to carry on their mission, and volunteering with them, especially this past winter, has been a life-affirming gift of fellowship and service for me in a dispiriting time. I’m admittedly the least efficient, most occasional member of the Stampers crew. But I know that RSWR is grateful for the Stampers’ constancy and support of RSWR and its women partners in India, Kenya and Sierra Leone. And I’m still captivated by the power of tiny bits of multi-colored paper, vestiges of innumerable individual human intentions, to help someone else’s tomorrow. ~Phil G
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.
Notes from the Woods: Look up and you will see the maple trees budding and swelling, so blooms will be happening soon! From WildAdirondacks.org: “The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) is a large, slow-growing, deciduous tree which flourishes in well-drained soil in the Adirondack Mountains. It is a member of the Soapberry Family. The Sugar Maple is one of about twenty species in the genius Acer which occur in North America. This species has a life span of 200-300 years, with some specimens in old-growth stands persisting to nearly 400 years ”
The sugar maple hosts the Cecropia Silkmoth and Rosy Maple Moth. The Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Evening Grosbeak feast upon the seeds, buds and flowers. The sap is a food source for Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.
Do you enjoy weeding and planting?
Here is our work plan for March and April:
All times are 10 AM-12 noon, reschedule if weather conditions aren’t good. As soon as everyone is immunized, we could go out to lunch afterwards :)
March 12: reseed areas in the understory in the Woods, remove invasive grass from the butterfly garden, apply Hollytone to acid loving plants, like azaleas and dogwoods. We are watching the weather. If its raining, feel free to stay home and join us on March 25.
March 25: It’s time to cut back the perennials after allowing native insects to overwinter in the dead stalks. Consider rearranging some of the plants in the butterfly garden.
April 1 & 8th: Its English ivy pulling time in the northeast section of the woods. Wear long sleeves and pants and have work gloves with no holes in them! There could be some poison ivy hidden in the area, so keep yourself safe. I’ll bring some Fels-Naptha soap, so everyone can wash their hands well when we’re done. We’ll be planting some native flag iris to join the the river of blue that Terry has been creating at the bridge. The iris will be in dedication to Marjorie Wright’s gift to the ongoing support of the Woods and are due to arrive at the end of April.
April 15 & 22 & 29: To be determined
IFCL Creation Care updates:
We are halfway through the 2021 Indiana General Assembly session, which was supposed to focus primarily on the budget and COVID-19 relief. If you would like to be on the IFCL mailing list, let me know. Mary.blackburn4@gmail.com
Here is a bill (HB 1283) to support urban agriculture that has crossed over to the Senate. It’s great to have a bill that focuses on helping people grow their own food in the city by having urban agricultural zones. Here’s a digest of the bill.
http://184.175.130.101/legislative/2021/bills/house/1283#digest-heading
HB 1191 would deprive local governments and universities control over utilities deemed harmful to the community. You can read more about it in the HEC newsletter below. At the end of the email, I’ve been put in the spotlight as a regular volunteer. ~Mary B.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M4YW4kyOzcOgiizils8o_vObR0s_m1zd/view?usp=sharing
The Covid19 virus and updated facts
Written by Erin T, a member of First Friends Youth Group
What should you do about the virus?
Covid19 has been happening. You are probably asking yourself, “How do you handle this shocking time?”Most of us know that you should always wash your hands for 20 seconds. You probably already know this one from kindergarten. You can think about what other things you can do to defeat the virus such as avoiding being in crowds, wearing a mask whenever you’re out somewhere.You can make an effort to try to make yourself healthy. You have to watch your social distancing and stay 6 feet apart from people that you don’t live with. However, I thought that it was a useless rule to do that. I started gathering information and research about Covid, I found out that Doctor Fauci knows his stuff about Vaccines, you can research him when you have your own free time. There are vaccines for adults, so you should schedule your vaccine at the Indiana state website.
How to stay positive during this time
You can try to think about the positive things that make you happy. For example, if you like to draw, you can doodle on your sketch pad. You can also go on a bike ride with friends or your siblings. One thing that I learned is that I can spend more time with family and my cousins. You have more time to go rollerblading with each other and/or take the dog on a walk. You can also exercise your amazing body that God made.
Personal Experience
My personal experience is that I have had some good days and some bad times. Life is a highway because life can go up and down. Wherever you go there will always be someone who looks out for you, and helps you get back up on track. You can be that person. You can do this. You can unite with one another to help each other when you fall. You will always fall, but you will get up more times.
You can be the change, it starts with us. If you want to change the world, start by changing it with yourself. God will always be the light at the end of the tunnel. You will always see the light.
If you want to learn more about Covid or the vaccines
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• IU Health North Hospital - Carmel | IU Health
• https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/08/world/covid-19-coronavirus
Mark Your Calendars – We are excited to share that we will be holding an outdoor service at the Meetinghouse grounds on Easter Sunday, April 4th at 10:15! Keep an eye out for more information, coming soon!
Youth Group Meetup ~ Youth Group will be meeting in person at the Meetinghouse grounds on Sunday, April 11th for an outdoor picnic and games. Please mark your calendars, and contact Beth if you’re interested in joining! office@indyfriends.org.
Adult Quaker Affirmation Coming Soon ~ We are glad to offer an adult Quaker Affirmation class series which will begin on Sunday, April 18, tentatively to be held on Sundays from noon-1:30 (times may be adjusted in accordance with participants’ availability). This is a 9-week study of what it means to be a Quaker. It will cover Quaker history, theology, and what Quakers are doing in the world today. Spots are limited, so if you’re interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Queries for the Week
(From virtual worship)
· How can I apply the Testimony of Simplicity to my own life?
· Are there ways I can simplify my dress, speech/behavior, or overall quantity (and relationship with) my material possessions for the benefit of my neighbors and world?
(From self-led guide)
· As I enter this season of hope and new beginnings, what spiritual “spring cleaning” should I be addressing? Where am I struggling to see the hope and new life springing forth in my life? What changes do I want to make? What new challenges do I want to take on?