As Way Opens
Today I am sharing a very personal message that my son Greg approved.
Two weeks ago I visited Greg for a few days in his town of Asbury Park NJ. We had a wonderful time and I was so moved by the experience that I asked him if he was comfortable in my sharing his story because it is his story. He said yes as he hopes that maybe someone needs to hear this.
Greg is an alcoholic. He has been sober for 19 months and moved to NJ to get sober. He lives in a sober house, is immersed in AA, hosts his home AA meeting, goes into rehab facilities to speak to individuals going through rehab, is enrolled in the community college to study business and has a part time job in a kosher restaurant to pay his bills. I know many of you knew he struggled for a number of years and our relationship was extremely damaged, and my life experience for a number of years was extraordinarily difficult. I prayed every day and was on my knees for years and saw nothing. Where was God? My light of hope diminished but something deep in my soul would not lose the glimmer of God’s hope.
God is at work in the shadow, the darkness, during our lowest moments, when we see nothing from God. On an intellectual level I knew God would not give up on Greg and loved Greg as he was. But that is not much to grasp during this journey of pain and tears. Yet I did not let go of God’s commitment to Greg.
AA saved Greg’s life. The more I learn about AA , talk to Greg and learn of the experiences of this community, I believe this might be the highest and most representative of God’s church we have. I met and spent time with Greg’s sponsor, his best friend who has been clean for 8 years, and his housemates. I listened to these young men, their experiences, their commitment to sobriety, the struggles, and their commitment to each other and the community. These young men go deep into their being to explore the depths of their soul. They live in the deep end of the swimming pool. They are not afraid to examine all of themselves, their strengths, their shadows, their ego. They also hold each other accountable and won’t sit quietly if they see concerns or avoidances. They are there for each other at any time of the day or night. They give themselves over to God (or a higher power in their language) knowing they alone are powerless. They work towards reducing their ego focus and embracing an understanding of the transcendence of their being in relationship to God and to the universe. They make amends to those they have harmed. I listened to story after story over these two days and I knew I was in the midst of holy ground.
This is the space of AA - it’s not about a belief system or a set of doctrines or style of worship or any of the myriad things we think about church. Yet it is a beloved community of love, acceptance, accountability and growth for those a part of it.
I pray that I can be part of a community where I offer no judgement, no shame, provide unconditional love and embrace people where they are today. It was Greg’s responsibility and work to immerse himself in recovery and AA. I could not do this work. But I have been standing outside of this work with encouragement and pride that Greg has come this far.
I think about the quote regarding the church from a favorite theologian and writer Bishop John Shelby Spong that passed away this week, “ The church is like a swimming pool. Most of the noise comes from the shallow end.” Friends, I want to swim in the deep end, I want our Meeting to swim in the deep end, having seen the power of the AA community swimming in that deep end, I know that all of the little noise things will appear unimportant and we can live out our testimonies, our faith, and the tenets of AA in the fullest way possible.
Beth
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
IFCL -- Redistricting Hearings and Rally September 16
An update regarding events regarding redistricting this Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Statehouse. That's the date of the primary House elections committee hearing on its proposed new maps for Indiana House and congressional districts. (Indiana Senate maps will be released Sept. 21 and public testimony heard Sept. 27.) The House hearing starts at 10:00 a.m. in the House Chamber in the State Capitol. Arrive early if you want to testify, but you don't need to testify to have an impact. Just showing up, being present, and being seen will send a message to legislators. Importantly, the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission will be presenting the winners of its public mapping competition at the Sept. 16 hearing, so it will be exciting to witness that: what maps drawn by the people, for the people should look like, in contrast to maps drawn by politicians and D.C. consultants behind closed doors.
Then after the 10:00 a.m. hearing, at about 1:00 p.m., the All IN for Democracy redistricting coalition of which IFCL is a part will be holding a rally on the Washington Street steps of the Statehouse. Some powerful speakers and Hoosiers from all walks of life will be there. Your presence there will re-enforce our call for fairness, transparency and accountability. Thanks for your continued interest in this crucial process for democracy in Indiana.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
A Prayer Service for the Season of Creation ~ St. Thomas Aquinas Church is holding a prayer service for the Season of Creation today, Wednesday, September 15 at 6:30 pm and they invite all to come. The church is located at 46th and Illinois in Indianapolis. The weather should be decent, so they plan to hold it outside in the grassy playground area just north of the church and south of 47th Street on Illinois Street. Even though it is outside, they are asking people to wear masks. Please bring folding chairs. (They will have extra masks and some chairs on hand as well.) This year's theme, "A Home for All? Renewing the oikos of God", invites us to reflect on the meaning of home.
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 next in-person meeting tomorrow, Thursday, September 16 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2021 here.
Join MSPC in supporting Afghan refugees! ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Co-op is supporting refugees from Afghanistan at Camp Atterbury right here in Indiana. Most of these people are coming into the country with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. First Friends is joining MSPC in an effort to collect donations that will be taken directly to these refugees. Click here for a list of the most needed items. Donations are being collected in a table in the hallway of the education wing at First Friends. Act quickly—donations need to be in by this Friday, September 17! If you would like more information about this program, or would like to help in other ways aside from donations, email ResettlementSupport@teamrubiconusa.org or call Team Rubicon at 310-640-8787.
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 this 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. We are asking everyone attending to wear masks. You might know Joe Roberts and his son Tom Roberts; they have played organ and piano at First Friends and duets at Western Yearly Meeting. We hope to see you this Saturday!
The upcoming preludes in this coming Sunday’s Meeting for Worship are:
1. “Rondo”, attr.to John Bull, is in honor and memory of organist emeritus Ruth Batt
2. “Meditation from ‘Thais’” is in honor of our First Friends member who requested opera pieces. Thais is an opera, premiered in 1894, by Jules Massenet. Meditation is the famous piece from its entr’acte, originally written for violin and orchestra, and arranged here by R. Thygerson.
Help Afghan Refugees with Us Through Exodus ~ Mark your calendar for Sept. 21st if you are interested in volunteering to help Afghan refugees. Many people at First Friends have expressed this desire. Some Friends have discussed working with the Exodus Refugee organization as individuals, part of a team or by simply donating.
We have invited Refugee Volunteer Coordinator Jericho Jones to speak at First Friends on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. He will give an introductory talk and show slides about Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. organization and its programs. He suggests that interested parties go to www.exodusrefugee.org before attending the talk. The introductory speech will take approximately 15 minutes and a Q & A session will follow. People interested in volunteering can stay for Refugee 101 training that will take about 45 minutes. All volunteers must go through this training session and pay $25 each for a background check. We also ask anyone coming to the talk in person to please wear a mask while inside the building.
Some Friends are already discussing becoming part of a First Friends Welcome Team for Afghan refugees through Exodus. Be sure to read the welcome team section on the Exodus website.
Health & Safety Update ~ Now that the Meetinghouse has reopened, the Reopening Committee has dissolved and health and safety policy is now agreed upon by Clerk’s Council. Here is the current policy:
· We ask folks to continue wearing masks while inside the building - if a small group is meeting and everyone is vaccinated, then folks can take off the masks. We continue to monitor the Covid numbers in Indiana.
· The choir will sing on Sept 26th, and will have singing masks.
· The kids will gather for children’s worship with masks for all.
· Fellowship hour will continue with individual snacks and coffee and water/coffee with individually poured drinks.
Shawn P’s Last Performances ~ As we say goodbye to Shawn as our organist at the end of this calendar year, we would like to share the dates that Shawn will be playing the organ at the Meetinghouse, in case you’d like to be there for some of his last days on the bench! Look for Shawn during Meeting for Worship on Sep 19; Oct 10, 17; Nov 14, 21; Dec 5, 12, & 19.
First Friends Financial Update: The Meeting continues to seek financial support throughout the year. To explore ways to assist, click on indyfriends.org/support/#givenow and scroll down to the Give Now section.
Additionally, First Friends is able to accept stock and planned gifts directly. For more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
USHERS and GREETERS Needed - Interested in serving the Meeting by volunteering as an usher or greeter? We are very short-handed at this time. Contact the office if you’re interested.
Gnostic Gospel Group by Ed M ~ Hello Friends! Lately I have been reading the Gospels with a mind to read ALL of them. By all of them I mean the non-canonical or Gnostic Gospels as well as the common ones we usually think of.
There are some very interesting facts about the so-called Gnostic writers. One is that generally they recognized the feminine aspect of the Divine much more than Catholic fathers.
I would like to get a study group together to study the Gospels with an emphasis on the Gnostic or newly discovered texts that we now have available. Would you like to join me? This would not be a Sunday school class so it would meet at a time that group members can agree on.
If you are interested in this possibility contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485). ~Ed M
Men’s Book Group, led by Kent F ~ A couple of years ago, we started a men’s book group at First Friends. We meet every two weeks, usually a group of four gathering on Wednesday or Thursday evenings at seven to catch up and discuss the portion of the current book we've agreed to read. We take turns recommending books, which has led to a wide variety including history, inspirational and fiction. We've all enjoyed reading books we would not have chosen for ourselves, that have turned out to be challenging and delightful. Plus, hearing other perspectives in our discussions has been insightful and rewarding.
We are excited to grow this group with new members, and look forward to the diversity you can add to the group. If you are interested, please talk with one of us about the group and the books we read.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for September
Turkey Vulture: Sanitary Worker
As a child I made friends with the workers who drove trucks through our neighborhood: the milkman, who gave us ice to suck on; the garbage man, who showed me how to work the handle to compact the trash; and especially the ice cream truck driver (no explanation needed). Sometimes I felt sorry for the trash worker who rode on the back of the truck, and lifted the trash cans, even in the pouring rain or 95 degree heat. I learned that there are some unpleasant jobs, and I learned to appreciate those who do them.
This month’s bird, the Turkey Vulture, can be seen any month from March to November, but especially now, soaring over the meeting property. It especially likes to perch on the high tension towers. As it soars, seldom flapping, it is using its large nostrils to try to smell a dead animal below, and if it does, oh boy…lunch!! Notice the bare head, which resembles in a way, the head of a turkey (hence its name). This lack of head feathers enables vultures to get right down into their meal. Any “material” left on their head will dry, and can easily be scratched off. Turkey Vultures search in groups, and will share a meal.
These birds do a great job in helping clear our property of dead rabbits, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and any similar creature!! Last month I laid the dead owl in the meadow near the towers. Now you know why. I would not want to be a vulture, but I sure do appreciate them!! ~Brad J
SAWS Ramp Build ~ The Shalom Zone is planning another SAWS (Servants at Work) ramp build for the morning of Saturday, October 2. If you would like to volunteer please contact the office as we are trying to identify all volunteers (10 – 12 are needed) from the Shalom Zone as soon as possible. Volunteers must complete the volunteer registration form before their first build. Indicate that you are with the Shalom Zone on your registration. This form can be found on the SAWS website: sawsramps.org. If you should have any questions or need further information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org. Thanks for your willingness to be part of the SAWS group.
Recycling Event! The Shalom Zone plans to have its yearly recycling event with Recycle Force on Saturday, October 16 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. If an item runs (or used to run) with a plug or a battery you can recycle it! This year it will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Rd. A $20 donation is required for TVs and appliances containing Freon (fridges, freezers, ac units and dehumidifiers). Other monetary contributions are greatly appreciated. This is a great opportunity to clean out your basement, garage, closets, attic and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics and appliances. For more information, view the flyer here: https://bit.ly/3nC7go3.
Save the Date: Potato Drop! ~ Mark your calendars, the Shalom Zone is having a “potato drop” at Epworth United Methodist Church on December 4th. A semi-trailer full of potatoes will be “dropped” at Epworth and folks will need to sort and fill bags of potatoes. More info will be forthcoming but for now—save the date!
Queries for the Week
What do I consider worship? What misconceptions do I have?
This week, how might I humbly let God, or the Divine teach and transform me?