As Way Opens
As many of you know, I tested positive for Covid Sunday morning. Fortunately my symptoms have been pretty mild and I feel thankful that I have not been that sick. This time of isolation has given me plenty of opportunity for reflection. I realized that I had gotten pretty cocky about not getting sick. I have felt strong and resistant to Covid. I also realized that all my “busyness” the last 2 months had weakened my immune system which made me more susceptible to Covid. This busyness and setting boundaries is one of my spiritual challenges.
God spoke to me during our Mysticism retreat on Saturday. One of the workshops I attended was on a prayer practice called group lectio divina. This is an ancient practice of reading a short passage of scripture four times to first read it, then reflect on it, respond to it and rest in it. The Scripture selected was Luke 10:38-42.
“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him, and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it - it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her”
Two phrases stuck out to me as I kept reading the passage - that Martha was the one to welcome Jesus and also too worried about kitchen preparations. This is my Yin and Yang. Do I pay too much attention to preparations and activities and get worked up over these things while missing the opportunity to sit before the Master and seek the essential and eternal? My time of isolation has me taking stock and looking at the things I need to adjust to live in more fullness and joy.
Hope my test is negative on Saturday and I will be back at Meeting on Sunday.
Beth
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Come celebrate our graduates, teachers and volunteers! We invite you to join us this Sunday, May 15 for a special service in recognition of our graduates and teachers. After the service we will gather for a special time of fellowship—we hope you will join us!
Current Office Hours at First Friends~ Friends, we’d like to share a refresher on the current office hours. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 10am-3pm. Beth is in on Mondays, Rebecca is in on Tuesdays, Bob is in on Thursdays, and all three are in on Wednesdays. If you have an urgent need and are having trouble reaching someone in the office, Bob and Beth are available via cell phone. You can also leave a voicemail and someone will get back to you by the next office day.
Donations Needed ~ Leslie K works in a nonprofit residential treatment center for substance abuse disorders; many of the men who come in for treatment have come off the streets or have been incarcerated. If you've been doing spring cleaning and would like to donate gently used men's clothing, tennis shoes, books, Bibles, backpacks, duffles or unused musical instruments, any or all would be greatly appreciated by the residents. Donations can be left at the meeting house.
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 on Thursday, May 19 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2022 here. (Please note the corrected dates!)
Illuminate Bible Study ~ You are cordially invited to the First Friends Bible study every Thursday at 7:30, by Zoom. On May 19 (please note the changed date!) 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.
America’s Existential Crisis: Our Inherited Obligation to Native Nations ~ The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center (IPJC) invites you to “America’s Existential Crisis: Our Inherited Obligation to Native Nations”, a speaker event featuring our own Jeff Rasley! The title of this program is the title of Jeff’s 12th book, which is a historical narrative of the complicated relationship two ancestors of Rasley had with Native tribes in the 19th Century. One was an "Indian fighter" and troop leader at the Wounded Knee Massacre. The other was an honored friend of the Potawatomi in northern Indiana. Rasley will share the opposing stories of his two ancestors and will discuss the issue of reparations and recent progress the Biden Administration has made in addressing the USA's inherited obligation to Native nations. This event will take place on May 18th, 2022 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Please RSVP to indypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com. A zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP prior to the event.
Birdwatching with Brad ~ The early bird gets the worm and the early risers will see the birds with expert birdwatching guide, Brad J. Participants will gather in the Holliday Park Nature Center parking lot on Friday, May 20th. The actual walk will start at 8am. Bring binoculars, wear appropriate shoes for hiking and dress for the weather.
Brad knows his birds. His columns and drawings appear regularly in Friend to Friend. This is the third birdwatching walk Connections has arranged with Brad. Please call or email the office at (317) 255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org to R.S.V.P. It is not absolutely necessary, but Brad will know to expect you.
Connect to Friends Fair ~ Attend the CONNECT TO FRIENDS FAIR if you want to get involved in fun activities, deepen your spiritual journey, or engage in efforts to strengthen community or enhance global equity. In order to find out about these opportunities, be sure to attend the Fair after worship during Fellowship Hour on May 22 in Fellowship Hall.
Do you want to become a more active participant in First Friends Meeting and get to know others on a deeper level? Get connected by learning more about Meeting committees and ongoing small groups. Potential examples include Friday Singalongs and Oak Leaf Meeting for Reading. The Fair will give new folks and regular attenders a chance to see where they might be led to “Connect to Friends” and help serve at the Meeting. Representatives will be available to answer questions at each booth. The Fair is sponsored by Connections Program Meeting.
Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on Monday May 23, Tuesday May 31; Mondays June 20 & 27; and Mondays July 11 & 25 at 4:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Each session will last for an hour. This gentle practice will stretch and restore you. $10 suggested donation. If you have any questions, reach out to Kristyn at her cellular number 317-409-2116 by text or call. Hope to see you there!
Words from the Woods
We are in the midst of weather weirding with heavy rains in early spring and now temperatures in the 80s with no rain in sight.
If you have planted any trees or shrubs recently, please make sure that they get a good watering once a week if there is little to no rain.
We have a new addition to our wildflower habitat in the Woods- Quaker Ladies! These beautiful light blue flowers bloom in early spring and will “quake” in a gentle breeze. https://www.backyardecology.net/common-bluets-delicate-blue-flowers-of-spring/
Be on the watch for this invasive plant. They are deceptively beautiful, but multiply rapidly and will take over your garden. We have spent hours digging this out of the courtyard.
Nodding star-of-Bethlehem occurs in scattered locations in the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast and mid-Atlantic and has been reported to be invasive in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is adapted to floodplains, fields, waste places, abandoned gardens and grows in full sun to partial shade.
Nodding Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum nutans) and ...
Questions about recycling paper products? This blog from Circular Indiana has clear instructions and a nice graphic to help you decide what can be recycled. https://www.circularindiana.org/post/paper-how-to-recycle-right
Thanks to a hearty crew of volunteers who helped dig up invasives, tidy the garden and tend to the new plants in the memorial mound. Thanks to Mindy S, Amy P, Tim D, Norma W.
Claim or Reclaim Your Community Garden Plot ~ How does your garden grow? The land is ready to receive your gifts of seed. Raised beds are available to people wanting to be a part of the organic gardening community. The garden is located on the north side of the Meetinghouse, beyond the parking lot. You do not necessarily need to be experienced. It does take a commitment to keep up the plot by weeding and watering. It takes extra effort to defeat pests and disease when gardening organically. This mostly boils down to nourishing the soil and using responsible gardening practices. We have a cistern that supplies water when rain is scarce. If one has not gardened before, it helps to be curious and proactive in order to soak up new knowledge. A willing spirit is helpful if you want to help keep up the Hope plot that honors those experiencing difficult times or those who have died. We grow flowers there and people are welcome to pick them. Some volunteer labor is appreciated to keep up the food pantry plot. Harvested veggies from this plot are donated to the Mid-North Food Pantry. Free seeds are available through the Indianapolis Public Library to supplement your own. If you’re interested, contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for May
Ovenbird
Teacher Appreciation
It was a perfect day for birding in the Meditational Woods and the rest of the Meetinghouse property. After a nighttime soaking rain, the morning was cool and crisp, with little wind. Sounds, especially bird songs, carry well in these conditions. There was plenty of activity, birdwise, as first of May begins the two weeks leading up to the peak of spring migration. Perhaps today I will even find a species new to me for our woods.
Then I heard the loud song. I immediately stopped to listen again. This was an Ovenbird, a type of warbler, and this was my second encounter over the years with this species here in the Meditational Woods. The bird almost always sings while on or near the ground. Except for the black-bordered orange cap stripe, the bird resembles a miniature thrush, with a brown back, bold streaking, and a white eye-ring. The unusual name comes from its habit of building on the ground a domed nest with a side entrance, reminding the namer of the outdoor ovens of pioneer days.
What in the world does this have to do with the above subtitle of Teacher Appreciation? I do appreciate that loud song I heard, which is unmistakable. It needs a loud, diagnostic song because this small bird nests in large forest tracts, from Indiana all the way to the far north. It sings, “tea-cher, tea-CHER, tea-CHER, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR, tea-CHUR”. The song gets louder with each “teacher”. Some people say that the syllables are actually reversed, as in “Cher-TEA”. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!
Note: As it turns out I actually DID add a new species in the Meditational Woods today, but that story will have to wait for next month!! - Brad J
Save the Date: Organ Concert! We are so excited to announce an Organ Concert put on by our new organist, Wolff V. Join us on Sunday, June 5th at 4pm at Indianapolis First Friends. Be sure to save the date!
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
· Reflect on a woman who has been “a mother in Israel” to you. In what ways did she support, mentor, guide, inspire or challenge you to take a particular path, or nudge you to action you were hesitant to take?