As Way Opens
I am reading a fascinating book called Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America by Fergus Bordewich. As Quakers and Hoosiers we probably know more than the average person about The Underground Railroad, but I’m not sure how in depth we go in our history lessons to understand how incredible this informal yet effective network was for many years. There might be a tendency to “romanticize” this organization but the courage, bravery, moral fortitude, religious inspiration and cleverness of abolitionists and blacks is heartening and hopeful.
It was the first organic racially integrated civil rights movement that defied society’s standards, that worked for the long term gain of equality and was likely one of the contributing causes of the Civil War. It started in Philadelphia. “At the turn of the nineteenth century, by the 1850’s the underground had developed into a diverse, flexible, and interlocking system with thousands of activists reaching from the upper South to Canada. The underground was a model of democracy in action, operating in most areas with a minimum of central direction and a maximum of grassroots involvement, and with only one strategic goal; to provide aid to any fugitive slave who asked for it.” It’s probably one of the reasons that the Quakers were such leaders in the organization. They came from a religious structure that was not hierarchal with minimal central direction. Many of the Quakers also felt strongly in their belief that there is that of God in each person and they could not look the other way when it came to slaves. Not all the Quakers were against slavery but because they were a fairly closed community, they would not report their neighbors assisting in the Underground Railroad even if they disagreed with the anti-slavery position.
When we visited the Levi Coffin house outside of Richmond, we learned that Indiana Yearly Meeting was not united on this issue and Levi’s own brother was not supportive of this cause. I think it was a difficult issue for many to engage in this civil disobedience, subverting the federal law and challenging the societal norms. Whenever there is cultural change taking place there will be resistance and many saying that we can’t push this hard and change will take time. Thank goodness there were brave and principled Quakers and others that made the decision that the time to act was right then, assisting thousands to freedom. As Levi said, “the dictates of humanity came in opposition to the law of the land, and we ignored the law.”
Beth
Joys & Concerns
Terry T is recovering from surgery and would like to say thank you to everyone who sent cards, calls, notes and meals!
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Unheard Voices in Christianity ~ In the study group for Early Christian Writings, we found that there were many voices that have not been heard as Christianity developed its orthodoxy. Many of the women who were instrumental in the early Jesus movement were under-emphasized or written out of the story altogether. If we are indeed created in God's image male and female, it is important for us to pay attention in the women in the Bible and other Christian writings. In our next round of study, we will pay attention to these women of the Bible and other important unheard or lesser known voices in Christianity.
We invite you to join us on Thursday September 8th for our first look at Unheard Voices in Christianity with an emphasis on women. Just as the people of the Jesus movement met to break bread before meeting and worshiping together, so will we. Join us at 6:30pm for a light meal in Fellowship Hall before we begin our study. If you have any questions or comments contact the office.
SEEKING FRIENDS begins again this Sunday at 9:00am at First Friends, led by Bob Henry. This year we are beginning the year looking at Peter Enns’ book, The Bible Tells Me So…Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable to Read It. Enns is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania. From the cover of the book:
“Christians have been defending scripture from attack for two centuries. In fact, argues Bible scholar Peter Enns, we have become so busy protecting the Bible that we are now unable to read it. In The Bible Tells Me So, he provides a revolutionary new perspective.”
We have ordered several copies of the book to have on hand this Sunday. You may also purchase or download online, or even borrow the book from the library. Our copies are $17.00 (scholarships available for any who need them). We look forward to you joining for this wonderful conversation each Sunday.
This Weekend: 2022 Fall Kickoff & Sunday Funday! ~ Please note some changes for this Sunday! We are excited for this year’s fall kickoff which will begin on Sunday, September 11th. Sunday School classes will start at 9:00am and we will serve breakfast starting at 9:30am. Please note a change: The choir will NOT meet this Sunday, but will start rehearsing the following Sunday, September 18th. At this time, there will be no Sunday school for children or youth. Also, due to weather, Sunday Funday has again been postponed to this Sunday. We will have a bouncy house and slip ‘n slide with lots of fun for the kids. So instead of pajamas—we encourage everyone to wear their swimwear for the slip-n-slide or wear your favorite sports team apparel. Please mark your calendars for that day! We hope to see everyone in their pajamas for a fun day! Please join us.
Please bring your unneeded footwear of ALL types to the Donation Station in Fellowship Hall. Changing Footprints is on track to provide 50,000 pairs this year from our North Indy location alone. Demand for footwear is increasing, and our supply is dwindling! In addition to many Indiana nonprofits, we recently have been supplying shoes for people affected by the Kentucky floods. This summer we have provided footwear to organizations in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks for your support!
Selling a Car? Help Someone in Need! One of our attenders, Rosita Moore is seeking a reliable and affordable used vehicle. If you have one, or know of someone who may have one for sale, please contact the office. Thank you!
Participate in our "Sponsor a College Student" project! Just select a college student and send them notes, cards, treats, etc throughout the school year so they feel connected. We still have 2 more students who need to be sponsored! If you’d like to participate, take a student off the posterboard in the Meetinghouse. Please consider connecting with our students this year!
Are You Interested In Gleaning? ~ The Shalom Zone is trying to find out whether there are folks in our Shalom Zone churches who have an interest in gleaning crops. Gleaning is the process of walking through a farmer’s field and picking up produce left behind by machines that harvest the crops. The “gleaned produce” can then be donated to a food pantry or other organization who can use it. Notice of a gleaning event is typically short...a few days to perhaps a week. The farms are usually located in counties adjacent to Marion County. We would anticipate that we would meet at First Friends and ride together to the gleaning location. If you would be interested in helping with gleaning, please notify the First Friends office. Our thought is to develop an email list of interested folks to use when gleaning opportunities arise. Notice can then quickly be sent out to determine whether there are folks who are able to help for a particular gleaning event that arises. Think of this opportunity as something that can not only provide food for the needy, but great exercise! Thanks for your consideration.
“Hijacking History” IPJC Event ~ The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center is delighted to invite you to their Speakers Event. The topic will be Hijacking History: How the Christian Right Teaches History and Why it Matters. Dr. Kathleen A. Wellman, Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at Southern Methodist University will draw on material from her book by the same title recently published by Oxford University Press, and will also address recent proposed legislation in the state of Indiana and debates about Critical Race Theory. There will be time for questions and discussion following her remarks. It will be held on September 14th at 7:00 pm on Zoom. If you’re interested, please RSVP to indypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com. A Zoom link will be sent to all who RSVP prior to the event. We hope you will join us!
Seasoned Friends Is Back! Seasoned Friends will gather again for the first time in a few years since the pandemic on Thursday, Sept 29th at 11:30. We will have a soup and salad lunch together and talk about the things we would like to experience together as a group over the next few months. This has been a wonderful gathering in the past for anyone over 50 that appreciates gathering for food, fellowship and interesting activities. We welcome anyone that considers themselves a Seasoned Friend to join us. If you’re interested, please RSVP to the Meeting Office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.
Indianapolis Festival of Faiths! Friends, the Festival of Faiths is coming around again and this time in person at White River State Park September 18th, 1:00 to 5:00pm! You can meet people of many different faiths, get "turbin-ized" by the Sikhs as Bob Henry did one year, join a drumming circle and maybe witness a Jewish wedding complete with the smashing of the wine glass. And of course, you can hang out with the Quakers and learn more about the Quaker Testimonies.
As in the past we expect to work with Fairfield Friends and perhaps another couple of local meetings. As always, we are looking for people to help us at the Quaker booth. Any amount of time is helpful but helping set up and take down are the times when we definitely need a minimum of two people.
If you would be willing to help with the booth, contact Ed Morris at (317) 691-5542 or at emorri@earthlink.net
FWCC Midwest Regional Gathering ~ You’re invited to the Friends World Committee for Consultation’s (FWCC) regional gathering. Friends from the Midwest Region (Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois) will meet in Plainfield at the Western Yearly Meeting site on Saturday, September 24 from 12:00 - 4:30pm. Come and meet Friends from the Midwest and hear from Shawn McConaughey (Superintendent of Western Yearly Meeting) and Robin Mohr (General Secretary of FWCC, Section of the Americas). For more information and to register, click here.
2022 First Friends Women’s Retreat: Kaleidoscope - The Magic of a Subtle Shift ~ Ladies, you’re invited to the 2022 First Friends Women’s Retreat! It will be Friday September 23rd beginning at 5:00 p.m. through 11:00 on Sunday Sept 25th. Rachel Doll O’Mahoney, the new pastor at Valley Mill Friends will be our retreat leader. We will gather at the Benedictine Center in Beech Grove and the Center will provide rooms and meals. We will gather together to talk about our lives the past 2 years and how our experiences are shaping our future. We will have workshops, free time, meals together and some fun activities. We invite you to reserve your spot by contacting the office. The following is the pricing for 2 nights stay, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and one lunch:
Single room with common bath - $158
Double room with common bath - $117
(Please note that only common bath rooms are left.) We will have scholarships available to ensure anyone can attend if they want to. Our previous retreats have been a rich time of connection and community. This is a retreat that is trans inclusive/LGBTQ supportive.
Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for September
Chipping Sparrow: As Common As Dirt?
The Chipping Sparrow does not get much respect in the world of birders. The feeling is not negative as with a House Sparrow or the European Starling. Every year in the spring we watch newly-arrived migrants, and make daily notes of species found. Unlike the oohs and aahs brought on by the sightings of Baltimore Orioles or Black-throated Blue Warblers, the first views of Chipping Sparrows are greeted by a matter-of-factness. They have a rusty-red cap, black-and-white stripes on the face, and white wingbars on a brown upper body. The song is a rapid-burst series of chips, from which it gets its name. So what is the issue? I believe it is simply “commonness”.
Yes, Chippies are everywhere! While found in most natural habitats, they have adapted well to suburban neighborhoods, baseball fields, cemeteries, and churchyards, even our own. So to a birder, it would be as if the pastor has announced a surprise performer, and you are watching and listening for the Beatles, Elvis, or even John Denver, and what you get is a pew-neighbor member of congregation singing “Kum-bah-yah”…again.
HOWEVER: The point is that our meeting welcomes special guests, and we learn much from them, but we also depend on our COMMON pew-neighbor members whose frequent well-done renditions of “Kum-bah-yah” keep us going each day.
- Story and photos by Brad J
Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading would like you to join us from virtually anywhere in the world as we discuss The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel (388 pages) Everyone is welcome!
Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books one morning when her eyes lock on a photograph in a magazine lying open nearby. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in sixty-five years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.
The accompanying article discusses the looting of libraries by the Nazis across Europe during World War II—an experience Eva remembers well—and the search to reunite people with the texts taken from them so long ago. The book in the photograph, an eighteenth-century religious text thought to have been taken from France in the waning days of the war, is one of the most fascinating cases. Now housed in Berlin’s Zentral- und Landesbibliothek library, it appears to contain some sort of code, but researchers don’t know where it came from—or what the code means. Only Eva holds the answer—but will she have the strength to revisit old memories and help reunite those lost during the war?
As a graduate student in 1942, Eva was forced to flee Paris after the arrest of her father, a Polish Jew. Finding refuge in a small mountain town in the Free Zone, she begins forging identity documents for Jewish children fleeing to neutral Switzerland. But erasing people comes with a price, and along with a mysterious, handsome forger named Rémy, Eva decides she must find a way to preserve the real names of the children who are too young to remember who they really are. The records they keep in The Book of Lost Names will become even more vital when the resistance cell they work for is betrayed and Rémy disappears.
An engaging and evocative novel reminiscent of The Lost Girls of Paris and The Alice Network, The Book of Lost Names is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of bravery and love in the face of evil.
We will gather in the Parlor and via Zoom starting at 7 pm EST on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 led by Carolyn T.
Oak Leaf is searching for 33 titles to pick for next year. Each book must have at least 10 copies available at the Indianapolis library. Please contact the office with your favorite titles to consider for 2023! We will gather them for October survey and have the big reveal at our annual lasagna dinner on November 29th! Everyone is welcome!
Adult Quaker Affirmation Coming Soon ~ We are glad to offer an adult Quaker Affirmation class series which will begin on Sunday, October 2, from 11:30-1:00. This is an 8-week study of what it means to be a Quaker. It will cover Quaker history, theology, and what Quakers are doing in the world today. Anyone is welcome! If you’re interested, please contact the office.
This Week’s Queries
1. Start by making a list of your current passions.
One might be a hobby.
One might be a relationship.
One might be a dream.
2. Next to each passion, write down whether or not you think you have to suffer for it.
Are your fingers nicked from failed attempts to accomplish a perfectly julienned carrot?
Does your significant other drive you crazy?
Are you wrestling with the title for the short story you’ve been sweating over?
3. Ask yourself if each passion is worth it.
Looking at your list, are there any that no longer give you that spark of excitement, curiosity, drive, and life force that they once did?