As Way Opens
Last Wednesday, I began sharing with you about my recent spiritual retreat. One thing I did not share in last week’s As Way Opens, was the other aspect of my retreat. For 2-3 hours each night, I attended an Art Retreat at the Indianapolis Art Center in Broad Ripple.
The topic I explored was Intuitive Painting. If you are not familiar with Intuitive Painting, it is considered a tool for artists of all levels, where playful exploration and curiosity is encouraged. The goal is not to specifically make paintings for exhibition or to learn specific techniques. Rather, the goal is to allow yourself the space to be inside color, paint, and process while locating the inner core of your creative self. We were told it can be a wonderful mindful, meditative process.
At first this was hard to get used to for me, much like when people first experience Quaker silence or centering. Instead of setting out with a goal, concept, sketch, or developed plan, we began each day with considering individual marks, colors, emotions, environments, and non-traditional materials. Our instructor would begin class by reminding us of the four goals for the retreat: play, explore, share, expand.
Since over the years, I have found my practice of art evolving into what I consider a spiritual practice and even an expression of personal worship, I found this retreat enhancing the experience in a variety of new ways. I could not wait to arrive at my class each night, to center down with my materials, and see where my curiosity would take me. I found that I was longing to play, explore, share, and expand.
During the week, I was reading Brian McLaren’s latest book, Faith After Doubt and it was obvious that his words were influencing my evening experiences. The last evening class, we were given a larger canvas to work with and encouraged to take all that we had learned throughout the week and put it into our process for this final piece.
That morning, I had finished the final chapters of Faith After Doubt and continued to inwardly wrestle with all that I had personally journaled. The thoughts, concepts, and emotions were still very raw. As I sat at my studio space, I found myself choosing a color palette much different than my usual bright expressive colors. Instead of premeditating my marks or brush strokes, I allowed the process to become an expression of my overall week. Layer upon layer, scrape after scrape, and mark over mark unveiled an emerging new style for me.
As my instructor and I stood back at a distance to look at what had materialized on the canvas for the past two and a half hours, I simply was stunned. She mentioned that each mark was clearly intentional, that the color palette emoted a specific feeling, and that the techniques each came together to present a theme. Being aware that I had been on a spiritual retreat, when she came across the single word I included, but was not easily recognized, she said, “You nailed it.” The hidden word and title of the piece is Doubt.
I challenge you to think of your worship and spiritual practice in new ways this week. How will you play, explore, share, and expand this week?
Grace and peace,
Bob
Joys & Concerns
Food Pantry News ~ First Friends “hit a home run” with its recent fundraiser for the Mid North Food Pantry. Volunteers from First Friends were excited to present a check in the amount of $9,430.05 to the pantry last Wednesday. Matt Jennings, on behalf of the pantry, was so appreciative and thankful for this contribution from First Friends. Thanks to all who helped to make this fundraiser a big success!
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center will feature Vop Osili, President of the Indianapolis City-County Council, at its virtual annual meeting TONIGHT, Wednesday, May 12, at 7 pm. Working with his fellow public servants on both sides of the aisle, President Osili is committed to addressing the important issues of the day: equity, fair and affordable housing, homelessness, reentry, police/community engagement, inclusive urban development; the issues that impact daily lives of all Indianapolis citizens. A short business meeting will follow conversation with Vop Osili. If you wish to join, please rsvp to indypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com. A Zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP.
This Sunday is Meeting for Business! This Sunday, May 16 is our Monthly Meeting for Business. Everyone is welcome to attend to discuss important matters of the meeting, including a possible resumption of in-person services. We hold Monthly Meeting for Business every third Sunday of the month at 11:30. Feel free to join us at 11:00 if you would like to join us for weekly Fellowship Hour as well! We hope to see you there!
Help Us Honor Our Graduates! We are happy to soon be honoring our 2021 graduates! We plan on honoring high school graduates: Krishan C, Sam A, Lena B-K, Isaiah S; College graduates: Eli S, Elle A; Advanced degrees: Shawn H, Kristen K, Beth H. If you or anyone in your family is graduating this Spring, please let the office know at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485!
What’s Up in the Woods: The Woods team has been busily weeding, transplanting and planting in the Woods and courtyard. The courtyard was weeded prior to application of a new layer of mulch to discourage weeds and let the plants shine in their beauty. Amy Perry has been rearranging the entrance to the Woods by surrounding the Memorial entrance plaque with native wildflowers and moving the switchgrass to the back to provide a nice feathery backdrop. Thanks to Mindy Sommer, Linda Lineback, Amy Perry, Brenda Rodeheffer, Jan Hise, Kathy Rhyne, Terry Trierweiler, Mary Blackburn, Dan Mitchell and Larry Mills for all their work to keep these areas beautiful.
We have planted two sections of flag iris in the sun dappled and wet areas north of the meditational circle to commemorate the generous donation of Marjorie Wright to endow the Woods maintenance. Next year, look for the cheery blue flowers on slender stalks that will attract early butterflies.
Look for the graceful columbine in the woods that bloom in May. These native plants are valuable sources of nectar for spring insects and hummingbirds.
You may notice areas of new growth in the Woods. Where invasive euonymus and honeysuckle were cleared, we have planted a special mix of seeds prepared by a restoration company, Cardno, to fill in with plants that will nurture our native birds and insects.
It’s a great time to think about how you can care for the earth. Can you reduce the size of your lawn, so there is less to mow and more places for birds as you alter your landscape? For helpful hints, utilize your local soil and water conservation district- https://marionswcd.org/lawn-and-garden/
Also, did you know that trees communicate and protect each other? You can learn more about this fascinating topic by listening to this podcast: https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2021/05/04/993507176/fresh-air-for-may-4-2021-mother-tree-ecologist-suzanne-simard?showDate=2021-05-04.
Happy Planting!
Help Memorialize Our Departed Friends! As some of you know there was a period of time when our practice of writing memorials for deceased members fell by the wayside and many didn't get written. You may remember that for our purposes a memorial is much like an obituary but with a more personal touch and may give information about the person's connection and/or work at First Friends or in the larger Quaker world. If the writer knew the person pretty well there might be a little story or stories that illustrate something about that person.
Here is a list of memorials that are being written and need to be written. Take a who look at the list and see of there is a person that is not yet assigned a writer that you might like to write about. We might be able to help you collect information about the person if you like. If you are interested contact Ed Morris (emorri@earthlink.net). And a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has or is writing memorial(s) to honor our departed Friends!
Write with Friends: New Activity ~ Friends are invited to a small writing group where participants may write whatever they want to write—stories, memoirs, journaling, poems, etc. 10:00 AM immediately before Monday Meditation. Two prompts to get you started will be offered, but what is offered need not be accepted.
This will be a live activity in the parlor, socially distanced and masked. Please bring writing materials and a clipboard or notebook. Open to anyone around age 12 and over.
It’s not necessary to stay for the Meditation that begins at 11:15 and finishes at noon. Although we have a practice of sharing our meditational experiences afterwards. Meditation participants do not require that you stop writing. Join us 10-11 AM on May 17 & June 7, 21, 23.
Plastics: Impacts and Action ~ We are becoming more aware of the convenience of plastics in our lives, and also becoming aware of the problems of overuse. Cornell University has an online learning opportunity about plastics and how to design an action to reduce plastics pollution. The course, Plastics: Impacts and Action, is a 5-week online course open to anyone! This new course explores the multiple ways we interact with plastics, and uses plastics to investigate the complex dynamic systems shaping our planet and our lives. The course is largely asynchronous--meaning you can access the short lectures, readings, and other materials when it’s convenient for you. We also hold weekly webinars (recorded for those who can’t make it) as well as optional weekly office hours. The course will go from May 17 through June 20, 2021. If you’re interested, you can learn more and register here. Cost is $60 (strongly encouraged), though they also accept participants who are only able to pay less or who are not able to pay. Participants who complete the course are awarded a Cornell University certificate (PDF). Questions? Email CivicEcology@cornell.edu, Use “Plastics” in the subject line.
Men’s Threshing Together ~ We’re back! 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 in-person meeting on Thursday, May 20 at 7:00pm. See location(s) here.
Get a Meal, Support MSPC! Mark your calendars! On Friday, May 28th from 11am-2pm, the Maple Seeds Preschool Co-op (MSPC) will host the Black Leaf Vegan Food Truck in the First Friends parking lot. A portion of the proceeds will support the Co-op, so please consider coming that day! You can place a to-go order, or feel free to stay and make a picnic out of it! If you have any questions, contact MSPC at 317-767-3003.
Richmond Friends School is seeking a Head of School! Richmond Friends School is a Preschool-8th grade independent Quaker school founded in 1971 in Richmond, Indiana. Their multi-age classrooms are purposefully designed to have low student-teacher ratios allowing for customized instructions, expectations, and assessments that are tailored to the academic and social needs of each individual child. RFS is eager to find a leader who can continue our tradition of excellence in Quaker education! For more information on the job, qualifications, and how to apply, please visit https://www.richmondfriendsschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Advertisement.pdf
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for May
American Redstart – The Crying Voice
May is the month for warblers, both residents and migrants. Most male warblers are colorful, and this characteristic, along with a diagnostic song, is supposed get the attention of a female. Woe is the male that must attract a female from the depths of a thick, brushy river bottom. But wait! God has provided for this by endowing many deep forest birds with an extra-loud song. This month’s selection, the American Redstart, is a tiny jewel, dressed in reddish-orange on black (yellow on gray in the female). His song is a rapid, explosive, “Hurry up and quit!” Although the species migrates through our woods in May and September, and can nest in many different types of woodlands, it prefers the wet mosquito-filled backwaters of Geist Reservoir, and the Kankakee Swamp, and similar places farther north. I have depicted him with his tailed fanned, which is a habit. When I hear this tiny bird singing from afar in the deep swamp, I think, with apologies to Isaiah and John the Baptist, of “a voice crying in the wilderness.” I hope he is successful! -Brad J
Reopening Task Force Report. 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, larger groups of up to 30 people may meet in Fellowship Hall, with the same safety criteria and assumption of responsibility as smaller groups, including mask-wearing. Groups using Fellowship Hall will need to be trained to operate fans and switches, as well as shown how to open and reclose/relock the windows. Training sessions can be coordinated through the office.
The Reopening Task Force has prepared an updated recommendation for reopening for meeting worship indoors, based on input from the Christian Education Committee about how best to serve our children and young families. The recommendation is to be presented to a called meeting of Clerks Council on May 12. If the recommendation meets with approval from Clerks Council, it will be presented for full meeting review at the May 16 Monthly Meeting.
Note: For all in-person gatherings, indoors and out, members and guests will be required to maintain social distancing, wear masks and following additional CDC guidelines. Extra face masks will be provided for those who need them.
Ventilation:
· As reported in March 2021, the Trustees have shared the following messaging with the Reopening Task Force: “Trustees established fresh air ventilation is abundant in Fellowship Hall and the Meeting Room. First Friends was built without central air conditioning. Ventilation was an important consideration during construction planning. We are blessed with an excellent ventilation system in Fellowship Hall and the Meeting Room. There are fans and switches in both locations. When fans are running and windows and doors are opened, there is an abundance of fresh air available in each of those rooms. Any group requesting use of Fellowship Hall is required to use the ventilation system in place while meeting.”
· As a review, the Trustees presented a report in November 2020 on the ventilation at the First Friends building, based on assessment including: the HVAC system and filters, attic and exhaust; a 1950s report created by the First Friends Construction Committee; and measurements taken using a CO2 detector. Among the findings:
- In the Meeting Room, there are four windows that open, plus four ventilation fans in the ceiling. With windows opened, the fans can draw air through the Meeting Room to meet the CDC guidelines of six fresh air exchanges per hour.
- In Fellowship Hall, a fan on the west wall and an exhaust fan in the kitchen draw air outside. A fan near the entrance brings fresh air inside, heats and circulates it. There are 11 windows that open and two new air conditioning fans.
Silent Meeting for Worship Now Also in the Parlor~ Friends have returned to meeting in the parlor for Silent Worship, Meditation and Un-Programmed Worship. Appropriate social distancing and face covering is required. A laptop with the zoom will be available simultaneously to interact with Friends from home. The option to worship via Zoom is still available; those on Zoom will join those in the Parlor virtually.
Queries for the Week
(From virtual worship)
· Who am I, really?
· What about God am I most uniquely suited to reveal to others
· And how is that meaning in my life best lived out?