As Way Opens
This past week my family was vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We were staying in the town of Kill Devil Hills, where in December of 1903, the Wright Brothers took their first flights over its sand dunes. Even though it was a beautiful day when we visited the Wright Brothers National Memorial, there was a strong breeze blowing. I found myself sensing the thrill of those first flights as the wind blew past me in this space.
Our family has been to many national monuments and parks over the years. One thing they always communicate well is the challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome for there to be success. On this visit, we learned that even the science that the Wright brothers were working with had a learning curve and needed completely rethought.
The brothers made many trips from Dayton, Ohio to Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina until the science was figured out and success was finally achieved. Yet, as we were taught, the real success for the Wright brothers came through their consistency and not giving up.
When I was going through some really difficult times in ministry, I was given some advice by my Yearly Meeting Superintendent that what would see me through these difficulties would be the same thing – staying consistent and not giving up. Consistency is not always easy and often we just want to throw the towel in and move on. Yet, when we stick it out and learn the rhythms and patterns of the lives we live, we find new possibilities – ones that may take us even to new heights.
We are reminded of this in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NCV)
So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Do not let anything move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.
Currently, we are going through some difficult times in our country and the challenges seem to be mounting for many of us. Like the Wright brothers I find myself questioning at times what I thought I already knew. But when it comes down to it, I find that staying consistent, and not letting things move me, allows me to stay focused on hearing and following the leadings of the Divine in the present moment.
I pray as the difficulties arise in your life, you too would lean on consistency and not give up, so that you may soar to new heights with the leadings of the Spirit.
Grace and peace,
Bob
Joys & Concerns
Happy Birthday, Arlene! Arlene S will have her 90th birthday on July 4th! Please join us in showering her in cards!
A note from Leslie K: “Thanks so much to all who have donated to the addiction treatment center; the shoes, clothing and books are deeply appreciated! This is an on-going need; many of our patients are coming straight from jail or have been homeless. Just let Jim or Leslie Kartholl know if you have any men's clothing or shoes, books or Bibles that you would like to pass along.”
We are sad to share the passing of William A. William dedicated much of his time to the upkeep of the area, plants and trees around the Meetinghouse. There will not be an obituary or service. We appreciated getting to know William during his time with us at First Friends. He is now in the arms of God’s love and light.
Quaker-Affiliated Organizations
Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation -- Meeting Saturday, July 9, 2022 at First Friends
After its customary meeting hiatus during the legislative session, IFCL will meet again in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Our special guest will be Indiana State Senator J.D. Ford (District 29). He will receive IFCL's annual Legislator of the Year award, and spend some time with us answering questions and discussing priorities. (We've invited our other awardee, Senator Ron Alting (District 22) to be a guest at our fall meeting.) A Zoom option will be available, but we hope you to see you in person. Refreshments will be served, so please RSVP to avoid food waste. All are welcome! Members and attenders, Friends, friends and guests--anyone interested in talking about issues that affect Hoosiers. Any questions and RSVPs please forward to the office at office@indyfriends.org. Thank you.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Special Service this Sunday ~ This coming Sunday (July 3) we are planning a special Meeting for Worship. Many of you have shared the need for us to take a moment, reflect, and even lament some of the decisions and situations going on in our world, currently. Thus, our Meeting for Worship will be a time for “Lament and Hope.” The worship time will consist of songs, prayers, times for reflection, and silent prayer in the manner of Friends. The service will be more contemplative in nature and offer more time to pray and listen for the Divine’s leading. Please join us in person or virtually at 10:15am this Sunday morning.
No Monday Meditational Worship & Office Closed ~ Friends, please note that on Monday, July 4, we will not be holding Meditational Worship. The office will also be closed that day. We hope you have a wonderful Independence Day!
You’re Invited to Lewis’ Graduation Celebration! Pastor Bob and Sue are excited to celebrate Lewis’ high school graduation. We would like to extend an open invitation to the people of First Friends and hope you will join in helping us celebrate Lewis. It will be held on Saturday, July 9 from 12-4pm at the Henry’s home.
VBS Sunday! ~ We hope you will join us for VBS Sunday, where we hear about what our kids learned during Vacation Bible School and watch a special slide show presentation. It will be held Sunday, July 10 at 10:15am both virtually on our YouTube channel and in-person. We hope you will join us!
WYM Annual Session Registration Is Open! Everyone is invited to join Western Yearly Meeting (WYM)’s annual sessions. They will be held both online and in person starting Friday, July 22. As usual, the sessions will conclude on Sunday July 24 with worship from 10am-12pm featuring speaker Paul Anderson. This year’s theme is “Better Together in Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13). More information will be coming, but for now you can find details on the Western Yearly Meeting website. If you have questions, please reach out to the WYM office at office@westernyearlymeeting.org or 317-839-2789.
Restorative Yoga ~ Please join friend Kristyn G in a restorative yoga practice session! These sessions will take place on 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. Hope to see you there!
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.
Sign Up for the Dairy Bar Now! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar again at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, July 30th all day. We very much need volunteers for the evening shift 3:30-10pm. Volunteers will get free ice cream and sandwiches! If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Beth H. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming, so please consider volunteering!
Creation Care
We just got through our prolonged heat wave, so we hope your plants are thriving with the extra water you provided. Hoosiers will be using more electricity to stay cool in this more frequent heat waves, so remember to conserve electricity in some simple ways. Use Energy Star LED lightbulbs: turn off lights when you leave the room or put them on timers or motion detectors to save electricity. Put your computer and printer on a power strip and turn off the power to them at night. Electricity is drawn by your devices even when the device is turned off.
AES is in the news over requests for price increases for the cost of buying more expensive fossil fuels. From the Indy Star:
“Customers can submit comments to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) here: bit.ly/3xEGnDm. Cause No. 38703 FAC‐136.
In addition, other interested parties may intervene, then the IURC will hold an evidentiary hearing and evaluate evidence submitted in relation to the statute's requirements, according to Stephanie Hodgin, spokesperson for IURC.”
Here is a link to information by Citizen’s Action Coalition. High fossil gas prices increase AES rates.
With climate change causing increasing weather instability and higher average temperatures, consider signing the petition to AES Indiana’s CEO, Kristina Lund, to move more quickly to cleaner energy sources. They currently plan to delay closing their coal fired Petersburg plant until 2042. Our earth requires that they move more quickly to 2030. There are petitions in Fellowship Hall.
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.
Queries for the Week
· Am I more of a complainer than a dreamer?
· What Monumental Dreams has God put on my heart for the world?