As Way Opens
As I have been thinking about the importance of sharing our stories and listening to one another, I returned to one of my favorite Quaker books, Spirit Rising: Young Quaker Voices put out by Quaker Press in 2010 (which is also available in our library!). A couple of my good F/friends were editors, compilers, and writers for this compilation of stories, poems, and prayers from teenage and young adult Quakers from around the world.
One of the main editors was Sue and my close friend, Sarah Hoggett. Sarah currently serves as one of the co-superintendents for the new Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting in the Northwest. Also, Sarah is an accomplished poet. A few years ago, Sue and I were asked to be readers and editors for one of her poetry books which was an absolute delight.
As I was perusing Spirit Rising again, I came across Sarah’s poem, The Journey Worth Taking. I have found this poem speaking to my condition on multiple occasions. Often, I have shared it at new member gatherings or even as part of worship, but it has always held a special place in my life.
As I came across it once again, I was struck at how it speaks so well to what I have been sharing in my sermons during the month of August. I share this beautiful poem as both a reminder and a challenge to us that the journey together is worth taking!
The Journey Worth Taking
By Sarah Katreen Hoggett
We come from far-off lands,
cultures apart, struggling to
understand a foreign tongue,
another viewpoint, another way to live,
to see, to hear God in different words.
We listen, opening to new sights, perspectives,
ways to love as we discover
we are unique parts of a greater circle,
distinctive expressions of the Divine Life.
Yet our voices together lift up the mountains.
Our chorus pulses the river down the outward
flow into a world needing to hear the rushing tide.
We are on a journey and it may not even
matter so much where we end up,
but that we rise up to take the voyage.
We speak the truth of our lives,
hear each other and are changed.
We can love without complete understanding,
walking the light together when miles apart.
If in the tension we can find
the one light we are birthed from,
the thread through our stories,
we may discover we are brothers, sisters all
of one skin, one laughter, music, lilting, free,
if we can just find the courage to come together
and take the journey.
May this be so.
Grace and peace,
Bob
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
IFCL -- Press Conference on Redistricting -- "Fair Maps: We Want to Have Faith in Our Legislature"
The All IN for Democracy redistricting coalition of which IFCL is a member is sponsoring an inter-faith press conference, "Fair Maps: We Want to Have Faith in Our Legislature."
The aim of this event is to portray redistricting not simply as a political issue, but a moral issue. The message to legislators: "This is a profound moment of choice for members of the Indiana General Assembly. A moral moment. Legislators, with the new district maps you enact, you'll be voting either for perpetuation of democracy in our state, or for erosion of democracy. Where do you stand?"
The press conference will be held at noon on Wednesday, September 1, at the Statehouse, outside Room 432 (which is the chapel on the fourth floor). Our own Beth Henricks will be among the six speakers from the Indiana faith community at the event. Please join us.
In addition, All IN for Democracy's contest for citizen-drawn legislative maps kicks off today. If you are interested in trying your hand at drawing district maps for possible consideration by the Indiana General Assembly, check this out for details. https://www.commoncause.org/indiana/press-release/all-in-for-democracy-launches-states-first-community-mapping-competition/
Contact the office with questions - office@indyfriends.org.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Artful Meditation ~ The Connections Program Meeting is offering 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.)
SUNDAY FUNDAY IS COMING AUGUST 29TH! Sunday Funday is an opportunity for everyone at First Friends to come together and worship through PLAY! We will gather this Sunday, August 29th at our normal Meeting for Worship time (10:15am) in the meditational woods. Please bring lawn chairs if you are able. Also be sure to bring the kids and the swimsuits, because after worship there will be a bouncy house, a giant slip n’ slide, and volleyball. In fellowship hall we will provide board games and puzzles for those wanting to stay out of the sun (feel free to bring your own games as well)! We will provide a lunch of individually wrapped Jimmy John’s sandwiches, sides, and beverages. Mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy worshipping through PLAY!
GLEANING Shalom Zone Event! ~ What is Gleaning? Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. Come learn about GLEANING, its benefits, and gleaning opportunities here in Indiana. Guest Speaker Dawn Barnes of the Society of St. Andrew will present and take any questions. All are invited to this free event, sponsored by the Shalom Zone, which will be held Tuesday, August 31st at 7 pm at Allisonville Christian Church and on their Facebook page. Join us in person at the church at 7701 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or on Facebook for a livestream at https://www.facebook.com/allisonville. Dawn Barnes of the Society of St. Andrew plans to speak. The program will include time for questions. We hope to see you there!
Participate in our "Sponsor a College Student" project! Just select a college student and send them notes, cards, treats, etc throughout the school year so they feel connected. Our college students this year are Sam A, Savannah B, Lena B, Ally H, Sam H, Sam M, Eli S, Isaiah S, Chelsea T, Kendal T, and Sam W. If you’d like to participate, please email the office at office@indyfriends.org or see the poster board in the Meetinghouse. Please consider connecting with our students this year!
Words from the Woods: Did you know that in June 2022, our Meditational Woods will be 20 years old? If you haven’t read the brief history of the Meditational Woods on the First Friends website, check it out and look how much it has grown up and changed (along with how some of us look a bit changed!).
Do you have a boggy area in your yard? Or an area that frequently floods with heavy rains? Your yard could benefit from installing a raingarden, that controls runoff and improves water quality.
Purdue extension has scheduled two Rainscaping Education Workshops for Fall 2021.
Harrison County (in-person) – Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, & 25, 5:30–7:30 pm– Corydon, IN
Register online at: https://cvent.me/vwBBKL or contact the Purdue Education Store at 765-494-6794.
Registration deadline is August 27.
Hancock County (in-person) – September 23 and 24, 9am–5pm– Greenfield, IN
Register online at: https://cvent.me/BQB4Pm or contact the Purdue Education Store at 765-494-6794.
Registration deadline is September 9.
https://extension.purdue.edu/rainscaping/
As Beth shared in last week’s Friend to Friend, we were in Colorado for our daughter Sarah’s wedding. Sarah now lives in the Denver area and one of the reasons she moved there was for the beautiful mountains and clean air. However, climate change, drought and extreme temperatures are altering that view. Most of the time, the skies were filled with haze and smoke from the California and Oregon wildfires and some days air quality was considered to be unhealthy while outdoors. We had physical evidence of a warming climate. When we returned home, I saw this guest opinion essay by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and Dr. Frederike Otto. I love Dr. Hayhoe because she is a scientist and an evangelical Christian who is helping people understand why we need to work together to make changes to slow & stop carbon emissions. Find the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/opinion/extreme-weather-climate-change.html
Joe Roberts to Speak on D. C. Stephenson of the KKK and the Indiana Trial that Helped Bring Down the Klan in the 1920s ~ Joe Roberts, retired attorney and Quaker from Noblesville Friends Church, will speak about the notorious D. C. Stephenson, former Indiana Grand Dragon, and the Ku Klux Klan, a notorious white supremacist hate group. He will speak on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 10 a. m. at First Friends in Indianapolis. His father, Justin Roberts, was Hamilton County Prosecutor at the time of the famous trial that convicted Stevenson of the abduction, rape and murder of a young state education official, Madge Oberholtzer. The aftermath of the trial helped rid Indiana of many corrupt politicians and aided in drastically reducing Klan membership by tens of thousands across the country. This is a fascinating personal story, told from a Quaker perspective, about local history that impacted the nation in the 1920s when Indiana was a stronghold of the KKK, a hate group which still exists today.
Looking for WYM Volunteers! Friends, we are looking for volunteers to fill two roles for Central Area representation for Western Yearly Meeting. See below for information on the roles. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the office at 317-255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org!
Quaker Men Representative - meets twice a year, once during the annual sessions and again in the spring. Objectives include bearing witness to Christ’s way of life in fellowship, business dealings, and social actions, and engaging in Christian service projects.
Peace & Christian Social Concern Board Member (term 2021-2023) CORRECTED– Please note the following corrected description: Responsibilities include the carrying out of activities in the areas of peace and Christian social thought and action. The committee strives to awaken or sensitize the consciences of members of the yearly meeting in these areas.
For more information or to volunteer for either of these positions, please contact the office at 317-255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org. Thank you for your consideration.
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. This fundraiser is soon coming to a close! Thank you to those of you who have already donated. We encourage everyone to examine your hearts and give as you are led. Please 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.
Queries for the Week
Where are we afraid of scarcity in our lives?
What does it mean to me to live in a spirit of generosity?
Where is God calling me to expand my giving of time and talents?