As Way Opens
Many of you know I lost my brother Dave a little over a week ago. His death was not unexpected as he had been declining but it was still a shock. I thought I had more time with him. I had planned to visit him over the Fourth of July and didn’t do enough checking with him to make sure I had all his user IDs, passwords and information to handle things after his death. As we know, almost everything is online, so it is crucial to have all of this information to access a loved one’s data. The last week has cautioned me to make sure I have all of this information available for those that will handle my affairs after I’m gone.
Most of us don’t like to talk about this. We all think we have more time and we don’t want to think about our death or the death of any of our loved ones. We figure that we will get to this someday down the road. But the reality is that all we have is today and nothing more. We should not be afraid of this but embrace today. My experience has taught me that I do not need to fear death and can feel joy in the idea of only today as God is present with me always. As Psalms 139:8-12 shares, “If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night, even the darkness is not dark to you; for night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.” What a promise that God is with us always!
Friends, hug your family and friends today. Reach out to them and say that you were thinking about them today. If you have broken family relationships, consider how you might begin the work of reconciliation. All we know is that we have today. And we don’t need to be afraid to talk about death. God provides bread for this journey.
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Quaker Voluntary Service Annual Supporters’ Briefing ~ You’re welcome to join QVS’s annual supporters’ briefing, whether you’re a(n) alum, supporter, past or current spiritual nurturer, or Friend who’s curious to learn more about QVS. Quaker Voluntary Service is a fellowship program dedicated to equipping young adults for whole lives rooted in Spirit-led social change. The virtual event will take place on Thursday, June 17, 2020, at 7pm ET. There will be interactive opportunities to connect with one another, so we hope you can join us on the day-of.
This event will center on storytelling. We’ll hear stories of impact from QVS Fellows, alumni, and partnered Friends. Meanwhile, QVS board members and staff will share about the numbers that make up QVS and what those numbers mean! You will leave with a deeper understanding of our 2020 milestones, about the 2021 vision ahead, and how you can get involved. For registration, questions, or to ask for a recording, click here.
"Engaging With Ecological Grief" is an article that appears on the front page of the new quarterly Quaker Earth Care Witness. This article addresses the shock and grief caused by the results of climate destruction resulting from forest fires, floods, and overdevelopment, to name a few. Other articles include, "Rebuilding Infrastructure", "A National Black Climate Agenda", and "Advocating on Sustainable Energy and the Environment". Although this excerpt is depressing, Joanna Macy and others write that "Releasing our unaddressed grief and fear about climate change frees up energy we need to deal with the magnitude of the problem. Pain is the price of consciousness in a threatened and suffering world... It is an absolutely necessary component of our collective healing." The excerpt below may inspire or reinspire you to become a witness for the environment and/or subscribe to Earthcare Witness.
~ Sylvia A - "Befriending Creation Newsletter" liaison
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 in-person meeting TOMORROW, Thursday, June 17 at 7:00pm. See location(s) here.
No Meeting for Business in June ~ Friends, please note there will be no Monthly Meeting for Business in June. Please enjoy this summer “sabbath” and we look forward to seeing you all in a future Monthly Meeting.
JUNE JUBILEE - The Connections Team would like to invite you to a fun outdoor gathering on SATURDAY, JUNE 19, from 4pm to 7pm, in the north parking lot of the Meeting House. Let's celebrate our reopening this month with campfires, hot dogs, s'mores, cornhole, volleyball, basketball, and other surprises. Bring your own food and drinks, lawn chairs, and masks (just in case) as we follow social distancing protocol. The weather is looking good for Saturday but it might be a bit warm. Stay hydrated. If the weather changes for the worse, please check your email or the First Friends Facebook page for an announcement about postponement. Hope to see you there!
New Birdwatching Event THIS TUESDAY! Everyone is invited to a birdwatching walk this Tuesday, June 22nd from 8:30am to about 10:30am, led by Brad J. We will meet in front of the Nature Center at Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd, 46260. Please dress for a potentially muddy walk. It will be postponed in case of a hard rain. We hope you will join us!
Free Book Available ~ The Library has recently been the recipient of several large donations. As the Library already has two copies of the following title, there is a free copy up for grabs that we’d like to give a new home:
Thornburg, Opal. Earlham The Story of the College 1847-1962. The Earlham College Press 1963.
If you’re interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 7th all day. This is a major yearly fundraiser for our youth program! We plan to have two shifts, 9:30am-3:30pm, and 3:30-10:00pm. It is fast paced but lots of fun! Volunteers will receive a free ticket to the State Fair for that day, as well as unlimited ice cream, shakes and cheese sandwiches. Please let Beth H know if you’re interested in volunteering!
Volunteers Needed for VBS! We can’t believe summer is already approaching, but we sure are looking forward to Vacation Bible School this year! We will hold VBS in person July 18th-22nd. The Sunday session will be held after Meeting for Worship and Monday-Thursday will be held in the evenings. We will need group leaders, station leaders and folks to prepare a snack for a night. For more information, here is the link for the intro for the VBS program: https://www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/childrens-ministry/vbs/treasured.do. This year’s theme is “Treasured: Discovering You’re Priceless to God.” If you’d like to help with VBS, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Woods Update ~ Last Wednesday, Dawn Slack of the Nature Conservancy, Director of Stewardship and Chair of the Invasive Plant Advisory Committee returned to our Woods for management update. She was happy to see so many violets, wild strawberries, and sedges serving as groundcover. As I’ve posted in past articles, these same changes are supporting so many pollinators. (Great spangled fritillary is one of several fritillary butterflies that use violets as a larval food source. Wild strawberry’s spring flowers attract bees and butterflies).
Dawn was excited to see our 19 year old woods and the wonderful variety that it provides for birds, animals, insects and plant species. She did, however, give us some assignments to continue to improve the habitat and keep the invasive plants under control.
To that purpose, a mighty band of peaceful Quaker warriors, armed with loppers, shovels, gloves, saws and the fantastic weed wrench, did battle with several of the top priorities on Dawn’s list. Dan Mitchell was expert in privet and larger honeysuckle shrub removal. Brad Jackson and I took a team approach to white mulberry treatment: he sawed and girdled the trunk, and I carefully applied brush killer to be absorbed by the xylem down into the roots, minimizing any negative effect on the environment. Amy Perry, Linda Lineback and Terry Trierweiler pulled honeysuckle, wild onion, and burning bush.
While not everyone finds this a fun way to spend 2 hours on a hot day, we had a delightful time, as you can tell from these photos. We invite you to join us next time or have fun tackling your own invasives in your backyard. For more information, see:
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Marion/article/32299
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XWtXDIrBKAd486-uxcExB0YawlzBixVX/view
Newly Available Audiobook by Jeff Rasley ~ While beliefs and faith can inspire beautiful art, cathedrals, hymns, and glory on the battlefield and athletic arenas, they are also the cause of toxic polarization, hatred of the other, and wars. Godless - Living a Valuable Life beyond Beliefs is now available as an audio book narrated by the well known voice of George Utley (also in paperback and eBook). The book explains how and why religious and political beliefs, not based on facts, are the sources of so much pain and suffering in the course of human history. The book makes the case that, when people recognize their shared values, peace, prosperity, and progress follow, if individuals, religious organizations, and governments express those values in actions and policies. The book draws on the philosophy of American Pragmatism, the Quaker values Jeff learned here at First Friends Indy, and the animism and environmentalism of the Rai people of Basa, Nepal to describe how to live a values-based life. It's available through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Godless-Living-Valuable-Beyond-Beliefs/dp/B08YF69516 or, on Audible at https://www.audible.com/pd/Godless-Audiobook/B08YFBJB5H
Tips for Community Gardeners and Organic Gardening
1. SOIL with rich nutrients is one of the most important components when creating a healthy organic garden. Use organic soil but no unprocessed animal manure because it can cause disease and spread weeds. Check the internet for proper ratios of ingredients or simplify the process by purchasing organic raised bed soil.
2. Handpick and remove grubs and roly-poly BUGS. Some grubs become beetles. These pests will eat seedlings, roots, and plants. They also feed on sap and may bore into stems.
3. Scatter washed (to avoid attracting curious canines) crushed eggshells or rough items like sweetgum balls around plants to prevent slug and snail infestation. The PESTS delicate tissues cannot tolerate ragged, cutting edges.
4. Because our cistern WATER is runoff from the garage roof it may contain unhealthy bacteria that should not be poured directly on edible plant parts. Our agricultural agent assures us it is safe to use when applied at the base of plants so always water the soil—not the plant. Backsplash can transfer bacteria from soil onto plants and cause fungal infections so water gently.
5. WATER your plot in early morning and late afternoon when sun will not scorch wet leaves. Avoid watering too late so plants can dry naturally and the possibility of fungal infection is lessened.
6. Plan ahead and even diagram a garden plan. Follow proper seed and plant SPACING guidelines so a crowded plot will not promote disease and so you have room to care for your plants. Raised beds are meant for compact growing that crowds out weeds but remember your plants will grow much larger. Inexperienced gardeners often plan too little space for plant growth. Thin seedlings when needed. It helps prevent pests and disease.
7. WEED when weeds are small and easy to remove—before their roots become deeper. Weeds spread rapidly—even into your neighbors’ plots. Make good use of fingers, hoes and trowels.
8. SANITIZE your tools after use and before working on a different plot. Pests and disease can be spread by tools. Use the galvanized trash can by the garage door and coat your tools with the sand and mineral oil found inside. It helps to preserve your tools as well.
9. In addition to buying seed and plants, consider using the Community Garden Seed Library stored in a shoebox shelved in the garage. Experiment by trading seeds and plants with fellow gardeners. Use the Indianapolis Public Library branches’ FREE SEED libraries. Claim the YOUNG PLANTS located between the cistern and garage. We thank the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for donating them to us!
10. RESOURCES: If you have questions, ask fellow gardeners. Refer to the red three-ring notebook shelved in the garage and use internet and library sources.
11. CARE for your plot(s) responsibly and ask for help if you need it. Be respectful of fellow gardeners. Ask permission before messing with someone else’s plot. They have their own plan and what you identify as a weed may be an unfamiliar variety of produce. Your watering may result in overwatering or fungal growth because of backsplash. Get permission before picking plants outside of your plot. Don’t let your plants stray into another bed. Keep aisles clear for mowing.
12. Help maintain the Hope and Food Pantry plots. Ask Nancy for guidelines first so you are familiar with the plot design and plan. Volunteer to deliver produce to the Mid-North Food Pantry.
Thank you for taking part in our organic Community Garden. Remember, all gardening is an experiment. Enjoy! ~Nancy
Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions ~ All are invited to Western Yearly Meeting’s (WYM’s) annual sessions which will be July 23-25, 2021. This year’s theme is “See I am Doing a New Thing” (Isaiah 43:19). Most events will be held online, with 3 in-person events at the WYM Meetinghouse with online streaming so friends can view remotely:
Friday 7/23 evening - Quaker lecture by Colin Saxton
Saturday 7/24 evening -Missions gathering
Sunday 7/25 morning - WYM meeting for worship
Other events held online will be held online in an interactive format (zoom) with the opportunity for friends to gather and participate virtually. There is no fee to participate, though donations are welcome. Please register by 12 Noon on Monday, July 19. To register and for more information, please visit https://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/2021newthing.
Your Talent is Needed! ~ As we reopen our Sunday Meeting for Worship, we are looking for vocalists or instrumentalists who would like to perform during Meeting for Worship over the summer. Simply pick a Sunday in June-August and let the office know which day you would like to perform. Eric is available for accompaniment and to help you with whatever your performance needs are. If you’re interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485 with the date you had in mind. Or, use the sign-up sheet in the office hallway. We look forward to hearing from you!
Pair of Binoculars found! A pair of binoculars were found on the property recently, along with another personal item. If they’re yours, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485 to reclaim them! We’d like to get these items back to their owner!
Reopening Task Force Report. First Friends resumed indoors meeting for worship on June 6. The reopening plan, approved at Monthly Meeting on May 16, addresses specifics including social distancing, mask-wearing, ventilation and accommodations for children. The plan also details outdoors meeting for worship and future Monthly Meetings. Click to read the re-entry plan.
Trustees arranged for an air quality assessment during the June 6 meeting for worship and determined that CO2 levels were considerably better than CDC recommendations for inside air quality. The Reopening Task Force will be reviewing this data and other factors to determine next steps in the reopening process.
Note – in the meantime, until further notice:
· The re-entry plan continues to include a mask-wearing requirement, despite recent new directive of the CDC. The issue of mask-wearing can be revisited as appropriate in the near future, mindful of children’s ability to be fully vaccinated. Extra face masks will be provided for those who need them.
· Virtual worship services will continue to be offered each Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Online worship is to continue as a permanent alternative to in-person worship to ensure availability of worship options.
Currently, the Meetinghouse is open to small groups, with requirements for face coverings and social distancing protocol. A recent development is that, for groups of 10 or fewer, participants may remove face coverings if all have been fully vaccinated. 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.
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.
Queries for the Week
What celebrations have I missed during this pandemic? And how has it affected me?
How might I seek a greater balance in my “doing and being” this week?
In what ways do I plan to celebrate my being in this present moment?