As Way Opens
This past week I was on vacation in the south New Jersey Shore staying in a cute house at Bradley Beach (near Asbury Park). My son Greg lives nearby and it was a wonderful chance to spend time with him and his girlfriend Fernanda. Fernanda is from Colombia and her mother Nancy was visiting from there for the week. We had a great time getting to know each other, breaking bread together and having some time by the ocean.
There was one slight difficulty - Nancy does not speak any English and my Spanish is almost non-existent. I think we were both a little nervous about how we would communicate with each other. I was reminded in such a beautiful way that communicating love does not always require words. I think back to the Gary Chapman book about the 5 languages of love that include acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation and physical touch. We hit on almost all of these affirmations of love during the week. Nancy brought me a beautiful carving of a scene typical to Medillen Colombia where she lives. She hugged me every day to welcome me and say goodbye. Her eyes were kind and her smile generous. She and Fernanda made us a delicious lunch that was typical of a meal in Medillen. Through Greg and Fernanda's translation, she shared words of affirmation for me and appreciation I was so touched and realized that through our love of God and our children we could share love with each other even though we speak a different language.
Sometimes I realize that I just need to stop talking and start acting out of love. That is certainly the way that Jesus taught us to love.
Beth
Joys & Concerns
Friends are invited to a memorial service for Lowell R. It will take place on Saturday, June 25th at 11am, with a light lunch to follow. It will be at First Presbyterian Church, 512 7th St, Columbus, IN 47201. As you might recall, Lowell passed away peacefully in his home on December 20, 2020, just a few days after having celebrated his 100th birthday. Everyone is invited to attend.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
No Monthly Meeting in June! ~ Friends, please note that there will be no monthly meeting in June due to the Father’s Day holiday as well as generally the busy event schedule. Thank you!
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, June 16 at 7:00pm. See locations for 2022 here.
The Overman Family Scholarship, in memory of Jess and Mark Overman, is available again this year. High school seniors through graduate students are welcome to apply. Undergraduate students will be given first consideration. The scholarship fund is designated to support the members and attenders of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting. Scholarship funds may be applied to any school related expense, i.e. books, supplies, tuition, housing, computer, etc. The deadline for application is THIS SUNDAY, June 19th. For an application, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Help Washington Township Students~ Teachers and school social workers in Washington Township are sponsoring “block parties” for students at several apartment complexes in Washington Township this summer. Needed items to be handed out at these block parties are as follows: 1) Sunscreen, 2) Insect repellant, 3) Reusable water bottles, and 4) Hygiene/personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine products. First Friends (and the other Shalom Zone churches) will be collecting such items through July 3. Please place items in the box in the foyer of the meetinghouse. Thanks for your support.
Words from the Woods:
It’s hot out there and the trees and other plantings can suffer in this heat. Please give your trees several gallons of water this week. Even though we have had rain, sometimes the actual amount of rainfall can be spotty. Check your rain gauge and if it’s been less than an inch, water your trees and shrubs. They will thank you with CO2 removal, UV light protection, cool shade and life giving oxygen.
Carmel Green had these updates to share:
2040, a film documentary Join us this Thurs. June 16, 7:30 p.m. at Midtown Plaza in Carmel for the FREE screening of the uplifting documentary about climate solutions that exist today and what the world could look like in 2040! We’re excited to announce the Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens Climate Lobby and CHS Green Action Club will be there. This is a great opportunity to get involved at CHS as well as the city, state and national levels!! Watch the trailer! Read more.
Carmel Students Call for Climate ActionYoung people are worried about how climate change will impact their future! These amazing students have met with Mayor Brainard and Carmel City Councilors to share their concerns and ask for a climate action plan. To support our young people, we’re collecting signatures on this petition which will be presented to the mayor and council members. Adults and youth are encouraged to sign! Please share with friends and family. Read more.
AES Indiana and the Petersburg Power Plant
Petersburg is one of AES Indiana’s power plants 125 miles southwest of Indiana. Most of its energy comes from burning coal and is one of 22 "Super Polluter" coal plants that release some of the most toxic pollution and greenhouse gases in the U.S. Exposure to these kinds of toxic emissions has been implicated in increased respiratory and heart problems, as well as premature births.
The Indianapolis Star reported in June 2020 that AES violated its water permit 120 times polluting the White River, a major source of fresh water with boron, selenium, cadmium and mercury. Groundwater monitors have identified heavy metals in the coal ash ponds that are leaching into groundwater.
In 2019 AES announced plans to keep burning coal at Petersburg until 2042 in its two remaining coal towers, despite requests from the mayor and the City-County Council to replace all of its coal with affordable renewable energy, Climate scientists have determined that carbon emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 to keep the worst effects of climate change from occurring.
Read More at https://coal.sierraclub.org to understand the problem. I will bring petitions on June 26 if anyone would like to let AES know that its customers want more clean renewable energy in its portfolio. Or consider submitting a customer concern through their website. You can reach out to Megan Anderson, coordinator, at Indiana Beyond Coal on Facebook.
Mary B, Creation Care Advocate
FUM and WYM Projects for 2022
The Quaker umbrella organizations, Friends United Meeting (“FUM”) and Western Yearly Meeting (“WYM”) each promote a fundraiser each year to assist in their mission work around the world. Here are the projects for 2022.
WYM: The WYM project is to raise $15,000 to help purchase a good used 4x4 vehicle for Friends Theological College, located in Kenya. The vehicle will be used to 1) transport students who go out to preach and work in the villages, and 2) to haul food, supplies, and other resources as needed. The total vehicle cost is estimated to be $45,000 – $49,000.
FUM: The FUM project is to “cultivate seeds of new life” for its various missions. Such missions include 1) the work of Getry Agizah who serves as Programme Coordinator in the Africa Ministry Office, 2) the work of Nicholas and Dorcas Otieno, FUM Living Letter missionaries serving in Tanzania, and 3) the pastoral ministry of Oscar Mmbali who has initiated outreach programs in Belize in connection with the Belize Friends School.
This is the one time during the year that First Friends promotes a fundraiser for Quaker missions outside the United States. Thank you for whatever support you are able to provide to these worthwhile projects.
First Friends Financial Update: As a friendly reminder, the Meeting continues to seek and welcome financial support. To donate online, visit indyfriends.org/support/#givenow, or text to give at 317-768-0303. Other means of helping include automatic giving, stock gifts, estate planning, and donation of IRA Required Minimum Distributions. For more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.
Opportunities for Community Garden Volunteers; Free Plants ~ June is bustin’ out all over and the gardeners are creating new life in conjunction with our Creator. The plots are beginning to speak of their work. If you would like to have a plot or if you want to help plant, water or weed without making a commitment to a plot, contact Ben, Community Garden Clerk, at ben.frame@gmail.com.
The School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has once again gifted the Garden with plants ready to rehome. Please help yourself to the plants by the cistern, including tomatoes, squash, herbs and eggplant. Donated flowers are awaiting willing hands to root them into the Hope plot. They are potted and waiting in the plot. The Hope plot is dedicated to those who have died or are experiencing difficult times. Flowers may be picked once the plot is growing robustly.
Volunteers are invited to help plant, weed and water the Mid-North Food Pantry plot(s) as well as the Hope plot. Help beautify our grounds and fill up hungry tummies. Have your own plot, help others with their plots, or help keep up the community plots. Do as much or as little as you want. Soak up sunshine and breath fresh air as you exercise. What a deal!
INSIDE, OUTSIDE AT MID-NORTH FOOD PANTRY: OPPORTUNITIES!
Want to help at the food pantry but can't stand the hot sun?
In the olden days, pre-COVID, clients used grocery carts to serve themselves from shelves of food products inside the Mid-North Food Pantry, 3333 North Meridian Street. The First Friends volunteers who assisted them then were many of the same people who, post-COVID, learned to dress for all kinds of weather so that food could be provided to the needy, outdoors, without interruption.
Meanwhile, other volunteers from First Friends work a weekly shift inside the pantry, receiving, weighing, sorting, and packaging foods for distribution. Ruth Kelly, shown sorting many, many pounds of onions, and Barbara Oberreich work this shift every Monday. Corinne Imboden works the same shift on Wednesdays. Pantry manager Susan McMahon is hoping we may send a few more volunteers her way for indoor duty on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and perhaps one or two others who could do some heavy lifting. It is all happy work!
And, in a new collaboration with The Cooking Matters Program of the Indy Hunger Network, Mid-North Food Pantry will host free cooking and nutrition classes for pantry clients and community. Participants will learn to prepare and eat healthy foods on a budget. Susan would love to have a volunteer from First Friends to assist with the one-hour classes, the first of which will be held on Wed., July 20, at 1 pm, with four more to follow in August. Perhaps you could help with one or two of them?
If you have been wishing you could join the First Friends pantry volunteers, who always seem to be having a great time, these are your opportunities!
VBS: Sign-Ups Open & Volunteers Needed! This year we are having Vacation Bible School from Sunday June 26th through Thursday, June 30th. Registration is now open! We invite you to sign up your kids and grandkids, and invite your neighbors as well! This year’s theme is Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness. We are also in need of volunteers for crew leaders and people to bring snacks during one of the weeknights. This is a wonderful event that children look forward to each year and we are able to offer it free of charge thanks to volunteers like you! If you can help, please contact the office.
Your Talent is Needed! ~ The choir has gone on break for the summer. Please see the signup sheet on the bulletin board in the hallway to sign up for summer music! We are hoping you will come share your talent with the congregation while our choir takes a break. Be it with your voice by singing or by playing an instrument. Sign up now for any or several Sundays over the summer. We still have many Sundays available! Thank you for sharing your God-given gifts!
Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on Mondays June 20 & 27; and 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. Hope to see you there!
Mark Your Calendars! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar again at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, July 30th all day. If you’d like to volunteer for a morning or an evening shift, please contact the office.Please consider volunteering for this major fundraiser for our youth programming!
“I Am Spiritual but Not Religious!” ~ “Spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) is a popular phrase and initialism used to self-identity a life stance of spirituality that does not regard organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. First Friends Meeting of Kokomo invites you to a series of events focusing on examining this idea. The series begins with an evening of worship on Friday, July 8 at 6:30pm. On Saturday the 9th there will be a BBQ picnic at 5pm followed by a Talk on Kenya, Africa. Then on Sunday at 10:30am they will have Meeting for Worship with guest speakers Shawn McConaughey, General Superintendent of Western Yearly Meeting and Oscar Mmbali, Pastoral Minister of Belize City Friends. Join Kokomo Friends at 1801 Zartman Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902. For more information, view the flyer here or contact kokomofirstfriends@gmail.com.
Queries for the Week
· What Light/love does my own heart and soul most need right now?
· Where in my life am I seeing the Light/love shine most brightly?
· Into what darkness might God be nudging me to shine Light/love?