As Way Opens
On Sunday, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our beautiful First Friends Meditational Woods. It was also Earth Sunday and as Quakers we took time to remember our testimony of stewardship to the Earth:
To protect and care for the Earth in a sacred trust.
To walk lightly on the Earth, recycle and reuse whenever possible, and reduce the amount of energy we consume.
To promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
To teach social justice and the need for equal access to resources.
We started our celebration inside the Meetinghouse singing, praying, and teaching our children about the care of the earth. Before Mary Blackburn shared her special Earth Sunday message, we were captivated by a video about the grand Sequoia trees in California. In her message, Mary shared the biblical and Quaker mandate to care for creation. She also gave the history of our meditational woods. Mary prompted us to consider what we can do in 2022, and how we might protect the future for the children in our meeting.
At the conclusion of the message, we entered Waiting Worship in silence and moved outside to the meditational woods. There we shared stories of how the woods had spoken to our condition. A handful of people shared moving stories, including former pastor and visionary for the meditational woods, Stan Banker. After our sharing, we rededicated the meditation woods with the following prayer:
In the beginning, God chose to express God’s creativity and companionship
God’s nurture, harmony, and blessing by creating a garden
In the end,
When all of God’s desires are fully fulfilled
There will be a garden
It is in this promise and grace
That we re-dedicate the use of the First Friends Meditational Woods
To the glory and use of the Creator God.
May it be a quiet place for those who need rest
May it be a joyful place, delighting the senses
May it be a peaceful place, for those whose ashes are scattered here
and those who come to remember them
May these flowers remind us to keep blooming
May these benches remind us to stop and take a rest
May these trees remind us to root ourselves in God’s Love
and shelter one another in grace
In every season,
may this Meditational Woods continue to welcome our neighbors
and draw us all to the goodness of our Creator. Amen.
To conclude, Eric Baker led us in singing an a cappella hymn in the woods before coming in for a special luncheon and cake to commemorate the day.
Our prayer is that the meditational woods will continue to be an inviting place of beauty and conservation in the city of Indianapolis for many years to come.
Grace and peace,
Bob
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
MLK Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House ~ You’re invited to join the board, staff, and volunteers of the MLK Center as they celebrate the reopening of their newly renovated space. A Ribbon Cutting and Open House will be held on Friday, April 29th, 3:30-6:30, but you can also schedule a short, small-group tour any day this week for a sneak peek and VIP treatment! First Friends has supported the programs at MLK Center through the Howard Taylor Fund. The Center provides programs to the community, including counseling through CTS, after school programs for K-8, the only Best Buy Tech Center in the state of Indiana and much more. Interested in tutoring in STEM and reading? They welcome volunteers! Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-center-ribbon-cutting-and-open-house-tickets-274927394237 for more information.
Honoring Our Graduates ~ If you or someone in your family are graduating this season, please let us know! We’d like to honor them in an upcoming service. If you have a high school, college, or advanced degree graduate, please contact us at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their exams at school. We are still accepting monetary donations if you’d like to support our kids. Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or donate online at www.indyfriends.org/support and choose “College care packages”. Thank you for your support!
Can You Help out a Friend? Our Friend Tony M (he recently celebrated his 50th with a big birthday bash!) is moving into a new apartment. He is in need of help moving the weekend of April 29. If you own a truck, and/or would otherwise like to help with the move, please consider lending a hand. Also, Tony unfortunately has to give up his pets—a well-trained, 8-year-old cat and a bird—if you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Babysitting Co-Op ~ Our babysitting co-op is happening Saturday April 30, 5:00 - 9:00, (please note the changed time) hosted by Tiffany Beaver and Beth Henricks. Dinner will be provided for the kids. Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you would like to have your kids join in the fun that evening!
A Small Ceremony in Memory of Linda Lee ~ After Meeting for Worship on Sunday, May 1, we welcome you to a brief ceremony in the Meditational Woods as we join Ed Morris in spreading the ashes of our beloved Linda Lee. Afterward we will join in a time of fellowship. Please be sure to bring water-resistant shoes in case of rain, and dress for the weather. If you’d like to volunteer to bring some cookies to share, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Mysticism in Our Ordinary Life ~ We hope to see you on Saturday May 7th for the Linda Lee Spirituality Retreat where we will examine and experience a mystical life in a practical way. The retreat will be a time of gathering together for teaching and small groups, as well as choices of individual experiences inside and outside the retreat center for reflection and contemplation. The retreat will be led by Carole Spencer, former Professor at Earlham School of Religion; Kathi Gatlin, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary; and Lynn Clouser Holt, Adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. The retreat will run from 10:00 – 4:00 at the Benedictine Center. Linda Lee’s books will be available. Retreat cost is $30. If you’d like to register, please visit https://forms.gle/S2iBVunJVq3bpTHw6. All registrations are due by THIS Sunday, May 1.
Woods from the Woods ~ Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Meditational Woods on April 24, 2022! It was a joyous day both inside and out! Thanks for the special music, children’s message, blessings, sharing and food.
Several people shared how the Woods has been a healing presence. Vicki Wertz told about a special time sitting with her aging mother in the Meditational Circle, being still and being present together. Her mother has been declining in her abilities over the last few years and has difficulty expressing her thoughts. Vicki later told me a special addition to her story. Her mother used to know the names of many trees and wildflowers and would press flowers and leaves in a book. "As we were sitting there quietly, all of a sudden my mother says “Well, this is absolutely beautiful…” And I’m telling you, Mary, she hasn’t been able to put a sentence together in weeks”. What a profound experience...
We are adding some new plants to the memorial mound plaque: wild petunia and butterfly milkweed are joining the recently planted blue eyed grass, and prairie dropseed. I wonder what pollinator friends they will attract? Add some plants to your native areas of your yards:
IUPUI Biology Dept is having a sale: For 25 years, the IUPUI Biology Club has grown and sold houseplants, succulents, annual and native perennial flowering plants, vegetables and herbs to the campus community every spring.
The sale will take place outside the Engineering Science and Technology Building-Science Building’s west entrance (or inside the lobby if it’s raining) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 to 29.
Proceeds from the sale support Biology Club activities, charities supported by the Biology Club, and student scholarships and grants.
Native Plants Unlimited starts its Spring sale on May 3. For more information:
https://nativeplantsunlimitedshop.com
The Last Day of Marian University Eco-Lab Native Plant Sale is April 30th! Order online at: https://www.marian.edu/about-marian/nina-mason-pulliam-ecolab/programs/community-programs/native-plant-sale
With love from the Woods, Mary B & Mindy S
Illuminate Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to the First Friends Bible study every Thursday at 7:30, by Zoom. On May 12 we'll begin a new 13-week study of several New Testament books; 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and 1, 2, and 3 John. Here's the link to the book: Illuminate: 1, 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; and 1, 2, 3 John (barclaypressbookstore.com). Just email the office for the Zoom link, which is the same each week.
Claim Your Vegetable Plot in the FF Community Garden ~ The daffodils are leading the way into springtime activity. Adorned in their showy frills they sway dance-like in the breeze, beckoning people to the First Friends Community Garden. If you would like to plant vegetables in a raised bed on the north side of the Meetinghouse, you can request a plot. You do not need to be experienced. It is an organic garden. Free seeds are available at local libraries. To keep your plots from last year, or to join the gardening community, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Resources for Earth Day ~ ENERGY STAR for Congregations: An average worship facility can save up to 30 percent on energy through no-cost actions, strategic investment, and smart operations and maintenance. These savings can verify the careful stewardship of member’s donations and can be repurposed to the mission and ministries of the congregation.
To get started now, download the free Action Workbook for Congregations. Next, learn why the powerful, free Portfolio Manager is the national standard tool for understanding baseline energy and water use and for tracking your savings and pollution prevention.
Quaker Earthcare Witness has resources to learn more: quakerearthcare.org/resources
Evangelical Environmental Network has resources: Creationcare.org
Afghan Family Update - The family is always gracious. Each time I arrive at their home, even to just pick them up, they welcome me inside and want me to sit. After a shopping trip last week, I was invited to join them for the evening meal to break the day’s fast. I was given the cushion and the family sat on the floor. The meal was delicious; tender chunks of meat, a sweet lime milk, homemade naan bread, seasoned spinach. The family tore pieces of naan and used it to eat the other dishes. They were thoughtful and gave me a spoon and fork, but I gave the naan try - I wasn’t greatly adept!
A birthday cake, complete with candles, was presented to the youngest son recently. He broke out in a huge grin when he saw the cake! Birthdays are not celebrated in Afghan culture, so we have shared cakes to introduce an American tradition. And the tradition seems to be much enjoyed!
We continue tutoring English & homework. We are helping the family prepare for the Eid celebration at the beginning of May. And we are working with the family to gain greater transportation independence.
As always, we are grateful for the many ways you have supported this family.
Barb D, Co-ordinating Committee
First Friends Afghan Project
Gnostic Gospel Group ~ A couple of weeks ago we dug into the ever controversial topic of resurrection and had a very lively conversation! Before taking a summer break, we will meet one more time on Thursday, May 26 at 6:30pm in the Parlor for our usual light meal before discussion. We will be discussing The Prayer of the Apostle Paul and The Second Book of the Odes to Solomon. We will also talk about possible plans for the fall. If you are interested in joining this group study on the non-canonical/Gnostic Gospels, contact the meeting office (office@indyfriends.org, 317-255-2485).
Queries for the Week
· What can I do in 2022 to keep God’s garden in order?
· As we consider the children in our meeting, what will you do to protect their futures?