As Way Opens
It is strange and wonderful to come back together for our Vacation Bible School program this week. The joy of being together again has been significant and parents, volunteers and kids are living in the delight of joining in to sing, dance, learn about how much God treasures each and every one of us and explore some of the important characters and stories of the Bible that demonstrate how important we are to God.
I know this is an important concept for all of us to reflect on as this pandemic has isolated us and might make adults and children feel insignificant and without human connections. Each of us is a gem, a treasure, a beloved child of God and it’s been a great reminder to me this week.
The last 16 months have been such a surreal experience and it is hard to get back into a routine when everything normal for us was turned upside down. I know I felt out of rhythm working on putting the week’s details together and forgot several normal processes that we follow every year.
Yet our kids are so resilient! Much more so than we are as adults. The kids have come back together and they are running around, talking, laughing, sharing their incredible insights, being savvy about what is going on and totally into singing and dancing to the songs of this VBS program (Treasured Discovering You’re Priceless to God). VBS is always a week of the year that gives me hope as I watch our precious kids discover their value and share their unique personalities with all of us.
You are treasured!
Beth
Joys & Concerns
Dan R Memorial Service ~ A service in memory of Dan R has been scheduled for Saturday, August 21st at 1pm at First Friends. We lost Dan in February of last year but have been unable to hold a service due to the pandemic. All F/friends are invited to attend the in-person service next month.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
No Monthly Meeting for Business ~ Friends, please note that there will be no Meeting for Worship this coming Sunday, July 25th (neither in-person or virtual). We encourage everyone to attend Western Yearly Meeting’s annual sessions either in person or virtually (see more information below!) We will still hold 9am unprogrammed worship in the Parlor, but at 10am we hope you will join in Western Yearly Meeting’s worship service (held both at Plainfield and via live stream). Also please note that there will be no Fellowship Hour with us that day.
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 7:00pm - Quaker lecture by Colin Saxton
Saturday 7/24 7:00pm -Missions gathering
Sunday 7/25 10:00am - WYM meeting for worship
Other events 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. To register and for more information, please visit https://www.westernyearlymeeting.org/2021newthing.
Men’s Threshing Together ~ Hey Men! Threshing Together will return in August. We are taking July off due to VBS and Yearly Meeting Sessions. We are planning several months out and have posted the locations here. Plan to join us on the third Thursday of each month at 7pm. For those interested, Threshing Together is a gathering of 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.
NOTICE: New Directory ~ Please note that due to LifeTouch Church Photography shutting down, our online directory is changing. You can now access updated addresses and contact information on our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/private. Once you access the portal just click “Access the Online Directory.” If you have any questions, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
Monday Meditational Worship Time Change ~ Please note that the Monday mid-day meditational worship has returned to its original time of 12:15pm. Hopefully, this will allow some more people to join us for that time. We hope you will join us!
Fellowship Hour ~ We will begin holding fellowship hour in Fellowship Hall after worship each Sunday (although please note there is no Fellowship Hour this Sunday, July 25th as we participate in worship with Western Yearly meeting; see above). We will offer some individually wrapped snacks and drinks for this time. We hope you will join us!
Western Yearly Meeting Mission Project ~ The 2021 annual mission project for Western Yearly Meeting is to provide technology (e.g. laptops, desktop computers, internet services) to several Quaker groups. The Kisumu Kenya Office (which is the hub of all Quaker activities in Africa), Friends Theological College, and Belize Friends School will all benefit from the funds raised during this campaign. The WYM goal is $15,000. Checks should be made to First Friends with a notation “WYM Mission Project”. Or you can donate securely on our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/support. Just choose “WYM Project” as the fund. Or text “WYMProject” to 317-768-0303. Please examine your hearts and give as you are led.
The members of the First Friends Bible study group invite you to "Hearing God," the theme of the upcoming study book. This small group meets by Zoom at 7:30 pm each Thursday. The Samuel study will begin Thursday, July 29 and last 13 weeks. You are welcome to drop in and try out the group. To receive a Zoom link, contact the office. To order a study book, go to Illuminate: 1, 2 Samuel (barclaypressbookstore.com)
Mini Urban Homestead Tour & Artful Meditation ~ The Connections Program Meeting is offering two new events:
The Mini Urban Homestead Tour offers tips on raising chickens, beekeeping, growing flowers and creating edible landscaping throughout the yard. Carrie Sample answers questions and takes participants on a guided tour of her urban homestead. It will take place at 6:30pm on Wednesday, August 4th. Snacks will be provided. Please RSVP to the host at carriesample1974@gmail.com. She will respond with the address where the tour will take place. (The rain date will be Monday, August 9th at 6:30pm.)
ARTFUL MEDITATION is a workshop guided by ART THERAPIST Shawn Haymaker. It will take place on Saturday, August 28th from 10-11:30am at First Friends in Fellowship Hall. Participants of all ages are invited to join in and experience. Shawn will introduce alcohol ink processes to adults and youth and conduct watercolor exercises for young children. No experience is necessary. (Please note: this is art meditation, not art therapy.) More details will be announced closer to the date.
You’re Invited! We're super excited to invite you to Samantha and Gabe's baby shower happening Sunday, August 22nd! 👶Join us as we get ready to welcome baby Von Letscher into the world with raffles, don't-put-down-the-babe games, and all kinds of shower-friendly shenanigans designed by Sam's strange siblings. This party is completely co-ed (all are welcome!) and will be held at Miriam and James's place in Woodruff.
Feel free to swing by Sam and Gabe's baby registry to pick up a special tchotchke for the babe. And don't forget to come with a pack of diapers for automatic entry into the raffle! To RSVP, contact the office for instructions. Hope to see you there!
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for July
Chipping Sparrow: A Common Friend
This time of year, the number of birds singing decreases, as does singing itself. Nesting is coming to an end, and males no longer need to defend a territory. One bird that does continue to sing is the Chipping Sparrow. This species can be found anywhere in the woods, but most likely along the western edge near the parking strip. They can be in any of the trees in the front yard of the meetinghouse, or in those that line the meadow.
From April, when they arrive from the Gulf coast, through October when they leave, one can hear the song made of a string of rapid chips. This song is unlike any other Indiana bird, except for Pine Warbler (found in large pine woods), and Worm-eating Warbler (found on the slopes of the deep woods of Hoosier National Forest). Chippies are more associated with people, and have adapted to the changes in the landscape brought by humans.
Note the reddish-brown cap, black eye-stripe, clear breast, and wingbars, which help one identify this rather small bird.
I want to dedicate this month’s article to Linda Lee, who always had a bird story or question, often asked during our $tamping 4 Dollar$ sessions. Like the Chipping Sparrow, she was well-known to all and seemed to be ever-present. Her “song” was unique and special. Unlike the bird, Linda was quite uncommon. If I may share one final story: Linda and Ed came to a couple of the Indiana Stamp Club meetings to help auction off our stamps. I watched her as she made the rounds of the tables in the room, talking to the folks she encountered. Later she told me about many of the people she had met. Linda remembered names and details. I must admit that I have an awkward shy streak that appears in social situations like those meetings, but Linda had met and befriended more people in two hours than I had in two years! I will miss her! ~Brad J
Queries for the Week
· Can you recall a time when someone genuinely called you “special” (in a positive way)? What effect did it have on you?
· What does it mean for you to know that you are treasured in God’s eyes?