Friend to Friend September 25, 2019

September 25, 2019

As Way Opens

This past weekend 25 women from First Friends gathered together at the Benedictine Inn Center to relax, reflect and engage with each other and consider the Enneagram as a tool to understanding ourselves and those within our orbit.

What an amazing time we had together as we enjoyed snacks (everyone brought their favorite snack), considered our Type in the Enneagram profile, thought about the people we love and their type and just enjoyed being with each other. We determined that it has been 9 years since our last women’s retreat, and we don’t want another 9 years to pass before we gather together again for a retreat.

I encourage everyone to investigate the Enneagram and how this profile identifies us and connects us spiritually. I identify as a Type 2 and journeyed deep in what that means for me. I faced the shadow side of Type 2 and considered the basic fear that I have of being unloved. Every type has their gifts, their temptations, their desires and their fears. Each type also has a wing type that we lean into as well as a type that we revert to when stressed and a type that feeds our essence and helps make us our best selves. I think we all left the retreat with much to reflect on and consider in exploring ourselves.

The best part of the weekend was just being together. We had a diverse group of women - young and old as well as long-time members and newer attenders to First Friends. We reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and deepened our relationships. I know that every room I walked into during the weekend had a wonderful “hum” of conversation and energy. We ended the weekend together with a beautiful and holy worship and prayer time.

I am thankful for the community of women at First Friends and how I experience God’s love and light through everyone here. This is a very special place and I am thankful to be a part of this faith community.

Beth

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Buddy Bags are here again this year! We are collecting food for the kids at Allisonville Elementary School Fall Break. We are going to have 30 bags this year and they will be delivered on October 2nd. What we need from you are the following donations: Microwaveable entrees, chicken salad with crackers, small jars of peanut butter, 4/packs of fruit cups, vegetables cups, pudding cups, and applesauce: small boxes of raisins, packets of oatmeal, boxes of Pop-Tarts, protein or granola bars, packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit roll ups and bags of goldfish. If you do not want to purchase food, cash or check donations will also be accepted. We all pulled together last year to make this work so we can do it again this year! Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org with any questions.

Soup & Service ~ You are invited to join our First Friends community for our Soup & Service event immediately after Meeting for Worship on Sunday, September 29. We always hold Soup and Service whenever there is a 5th Sunday in a month. During this informal luncheon we will enjoy fellowship as we learn more about one of Witness & Service’s outreach projects. You are invited to bring a dessert to share, but it is not necessary. Please plan to attend.

Support Group, Anyone? ~ Jan H would like to start a book-based support group at the meeting for those experiencing family or relationship challenges (even if that challenging relationship is with yourself). In harmony with the ideas that relationship difficulties are nearly always a two-way street, healthy relationships begin with healthy communication, and that our personal histories shape our present relationships, here are a few books to consider:

1. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz

2. “The Mastery of Love” by Don Miguel Ruiz

3. “How to Hug a Porcupine” by June Eding and Dr. Debbie Ellis

4. “The Dance of Intimacy” by Harriet Lerner

5. “The Dance of Anger” by Harriet Lerner

6. “The Dance of Connection” by Harriet Lerner

7. “How to Hug a Porcupine” by John Lund

You are also welcomed to invite other friends to participate in the group. If you might be interested in such a group, please follow this link to complete the brief interest and scheduling survey and recommend other book titles to consider: https://forms.gle/Mj7axyhnvJYbGXncA. If you cannot access the survey, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for September:

Swainson’s Thrush: The Quiet Friend

We Quakers are known for our moments of silence, particularly during worship. Hopefully we will speak up when the time is right, and we are ready! When Swainson’s Thrushes migrate through our woods in May, they are numerous, and the song of the males indicates their presence: “Pur-reer reer ree ree ree” (flute-like, and rising in pitch). By mid-May they are gone from here on their way north.

In September and October Swainson’s are on their way back south and often quiet. Recently I was about halfway down the walk towrd the fountain, when I stopped to scan the small trees on the south side. I was startled to see, just a few feet from me, a Swainson’s Thrush sitting silently, having seen me long before I saw her/him. Yes, the genders look alike, and the species is recognized by the thrush (robin) shape but smaller, olive color on the back, and a buffy cheek. The eye rings are connected by a pale stripe over the bill: known by birders as “spectacles”.

Warning: Your next walk in the Meditational Woods may be monitored by a “quiet friend”!! ~Brad J

SPICES: A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in the Community Garden

6. Stewardship - This is the final article discussing the Quaker Testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship (SPICES) as practiced in the Community Garden. One reason for these articles is to portray the Garden as a microcosm of life. We can all practice these Testimonies at any time wherever we may find ourselves.

The last Testimony, stewardship, is one we take seriously in our Garden. We practice organic gardening so we can avoid introducing toxins into the environment and our bodies.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own;19 you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.20” —1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, Revised Standard Version

Planting local is a wonderful way to practice stewardship since it reduces our carbon footprint. We use less fuel to obtain a portion of our food and we pollute less. The plants we grow create oxygen and contribute to Earth’s supply of clean air.

We delight in the leadership of environmentally conscious active youth. One young steward in our midst is Chelsea, who is working on her Gold Star project for Girl Scouts. She is constructing an improved recycling bin for us. It will be self-rotating and she will instruct gardeners in best practices for its use. We are continuing to learn from one and all in our garden as we experiment. In addition, we allow ourselves to take risks and sometimes make mistakes. We know we can learn from experience.

Community Garden stewardship practices include enriching spent soil with new, healthy earth and using cover crops like oats and clover. We also rotate crops, sanitize tools and battle pests and disease using organic methods. Some techniques include handpicking bugs and using safe pesticides/fungicides like neem and soapy water and spreading sharp objects like holly leaves to discourage small animal pests.We use organic starts and seeds when possible; practice companion planting; use our own cistern and plant flowers to attract pollinators.We are planning a milkweed plot to support the only plant where monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and which their caterpillars will eat.

Friends gardeners seek to enhance our environment and improve this marvelous gift we are privileged to call home, our precious Earth. Let us cherish and preserve it together. If we each act as stewards we are less likely to become an extinct species anytime soon. Our progeny are counting on us!

The Friends gardeners offer heartfelt thanks to you for supporting the Community Garden. Remember to attend the Harvest Pitch-In on November 3rd after Meeting for Worship. You are invited!

—Nancy

Youth Group Dates & Events! We are excited for another year of Youth Group! We will have a series of fun outings and events, along with sessions held in the basement after Meeting for Worship until 1:00, with lunch provided. Here is the complete Youth Group schedule for the rest of the year.

October 13th – Putt-putt golf at Birdies in Westfield

November 3rd - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
December 6th - Annual Christmas party in the basement
January 12th - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
February 2nd - Bowling at Woodland Bowl
March 8th - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
April 17th - SkyZone Glow Night
May 3rd - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle

We will also be planning a trip to Kings Island next summer. We hope your kids can join us for any or all of these dates!

Experiment with Light! Friends, all are invited as we start our own program. This is a continuation of the lovely meditation experiment presented by Jaime Mudd in June.

We will be gathering at the Meeting House on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, starting October 15, at 7:00 pm for 90 minutes. To register, please contact the office at 317-255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org. Please register by October 8th. If you have any questions, please contact the office. They'll send your questions to one of the facilitators. Facilitators: Jill Frame, Ed Morris, Mary Ellen Lohr and Sam Ryan. For those who expressed interest before, it would be great if you would confirm your interest with the office. That will help us properly set up the room, prepare materials, and so forth. It's an amazing opportunity to grow both individually and as a community. Hope you join us.

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Friend to Friend September 18, 2019

September 18, 2019

As Way Opens

The Ministry of Showing Up

This past Saturday I was in St Augustine FL attending the ordination of my dear friend Karla from Earlham’s seminary. Karla and I met during my first 2-week intensive class three years ago and as part of a small group we shared our hearts, our beliefs, our faith, our prayers and our heartaches. Karla is my spiritual friend and we have remained connected through God’s thread even though we live many states apart. I promised her that if possible, I would attend her ordination. It took some doing to make this happen, but I felt it was important to show up on this most important day that she had worked so hard and for so many years to achieve.

I realized the importance of the ministry of showing up when my dad passed away 14 years ago. I had never been one to attend many funeral or memorial services of friends’ family members because I never thought it would mean that much to them. I was wrong in my thinking because I was incredibly moved by the number of people that showed up for my dad’s (and my mom’s) service. It really meant something to me that friends would take the time to be present and hug me, hold my hand and tell me that they were holding me in the Light. They didn’t have to say anything more than that. It was their presence that held my spirit and grounded my being.

I remember taking Helen Davenport to see Ann Kendal when she was in the hospital in Anderson. It was near the end of her life and I don’t know that Ann even knew we were there. But the way Helen held Ann’s hand, whispered in her ear, touched her hair and kissed her on the forehead was one of the most beautiful things I have experienced.

I think showing up is more important than saying the right thing or providing the right counsel. Sometimes we just need to be present. Where do you need to show up this week?

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Right Sharing of World Resources Project Update! You will be happy to know that we have now received the six-month report from our sponsored project with Right Sharing, Keyo Friends Women Group in Gambogi, Kenya. Although the women have only just begun their businesses, it looks like this project is off to a good start and the business activities are doing well. And they also seem to be putting a special emphasis on savings by the women. Recent research has indicated that micro-enterprise projects with a strong savings component are the most successful. If you’d like to read what they’ve been up to during these six months, read about it at http://bit.ly/KeyoFriends6Month. If you’d like to read a transcript of the group’s original report, please visit http://bit.ly/KeyoReport6Month.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Sunday Morning Unprogrammed Worship ~ As the summer winds down and we return to Sunday School, please be mindful that unprogrammed worship goes on in the Parlor each Sunday morning from 9-10am. As you greet others before the service, please remember to keep noise to a minimum in the hallways. You are more than welcome to greet one another in the foyer, meeting room or Fellowship Hall. Thank you for being respectful!

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 meeting on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00pm. See locations here: http://bit.ly/ThreshingFall2019.

The Festival of Faiths is coming again! It will be held September 22, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and more. All together celebrating religious diversity and freedom. We always help host a Quaker booth each year at this festival. If you’d like to come sit in the Quaker booth for a period of time, help with either set up or tear down, and/or sit at the booth and represent Quakers to curious festival attendees, please consider volunteering! To sign up, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Buddy Bags are here again this year! We are collecting food for the kids at Allisonville Elementary School Fall Break. We are going to have 30 bags this year and they will be delivered on October 2nd. What we need from you are the following donations: Microwaveable Entrees, Chicken Salad with Crackers, small jars of peanut butter, 4/packs of fruit cups, vegetables cups, pudding cups, and applesauce: small boxes of raisins, packets of oatmeal, boxes of Pop-Tarts, protein or granola bars, packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit roll ups and bags of goldfish. If you do not want to purchase food, cash or check donations will also be accepted. We all pulled together last year to make this work so I know we can do it again this year! Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org with any questions.

1. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz

2. “The Mastery of Love” by Don Miguel Ruiz

3. “How to Hug a Porcupine” by June Eding and Dr. Debbie Ellis

If you might be interested in such a group, please follow this link to complete the brief interest and scheduling survey and recommend other book titles to consider: https://forms.gle/Mj7axyhnvJYbGXncA. If you cannot access the survey, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

October 13th – Putt-putt golf at Birdies in Westfield
November 3rd - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
December 6th - Annual Christmas party in the basement
January 12th - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
February 2nd - Bowling at Woodland Bowl
March 8th - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle
April 17th - SkyZone Glow Night
May 3rd - Youth group with Aaron and Michelle

We will also be planning a trip to Kings Island next summer. We hope your kids can join us for any or all of these dates!

SPICES: A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in the Community Garden

5. Equality ~ God provides an equal opportunity for all our gardeners in our space behind the Meetinghouse. Equality and fairness are traits stressed in the Bible and by the Quaker Testimony of equality where treating people in a respectful and equal manner is important.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 44 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.45” ~Matthew 5:44-45 (King James)

There are several ways we demonstrate the Testimony of equality in the Community Garden, mostly in small ways. Small ways make a difference too and add possibility to the creation of a better world.

All persons have an equal opportunity to view the beautiful flowers in our Community Garden. Our Hope plot is dedicated to those who have passed on before us and those who need hope for today. Anyone is welcome to take some of the colorful Cut and Come Again Zinnias. They make lovely bouquets. There are many marigolds throughout the garden and people may ask and cut them with the owner’s permission.

Participating in the garden community is an equal opportunity open to those who choose to partake. Even lesser-abled people have been assisted by other gardeners when some tasks were too difficult for them. Everyone in the Meeting and people in the wider community are welcome to work individual plots in the Garden.

Mid-North Food Pantry clients have benefited from delicious Community Garden produce. We share what we grow with relatives, F/friends and neighbors. If anyone wants some of the produce, they may ask individual gardeners about it. We always have a little extra. Some of it may be available at the Harvest Pitch-In after Meeting for Worship on November 3rd. Be sure to mark it on your calendar and join us!

Experiment with Light! Friends, all are invited as we start our own program. This is a continuation of the lovely meditation experiment presented by Jaime Mudd in June.

We will be gathering at the Meeting House on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, starting October 15, at 7:00 pm for 90 minutes. To register, please contact the office at 317-255-2485 or office@indyfriends.org. Please register by October 8th. If you have any questions, please contact the office. They'll send your questions to one of the facilitators. Facilitators: Jill F, Ed M, Mary Ellen L and Sam R. For those who expressed interest before, it would be great if you would confirm your interest with the office. That will help us properly set up the room, prepare materials, and so forth. It's an amazing opportunity to grow both individually and as a community. Hope you join us.

This Week’s Queries

Do you know anyone who has left organized religion or is close to doing so? What has driven them away?
How have belief systems influenced your view of God and neighbor? Have you made any changes over time?
Where have we migrated or where do we need to migrate at First Friends?

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Friend to Friend September 11, 2019

September 11, 2019

As Way Opens

Last year, our fall focus was on slowing down. If you remember, we explored how to cultivate community in the patient way of Jesus as described in the book, Slow Church. Over the entire year, not only did we teach and learn about what a slow movement could look like for First Friends, we began to implement it into almost every area of ministry. Whether it was offering hospitality around the tables in our homes, getting to know our surrounding community and its history, sensing gratitude for our many assets, or simply slowing the pace of life to embrace the rhythms of sabbath, in each we found an intentionality and presence in our coming together. Also, we spent time introducing ourselves to new attenders and learning more about those who have been around for a while. Through it all, I believe First Friends found itself becoming a faithful presence in Indianapolis. Taking the time to slow down helped us learn a lot about who we are and what we value. Yet, just because we know doesn’t mean that we keep this to ourselves.

I often find myself surrounded at conferences or Quaker gatherings with people whose attitude exude that Quakerism is dead or at least on life support. That is not what I see at First Friends. On numerous occasions I have been approached and asked why I am so passionate about Quakerism and its relevance today. Most of the time, people who ask those probing questions are not expecting my response. I am energized by all the possibilities that Quakerism offers our world. I believe too many Quakers and Christians today have pushed “pause” or “cruise control” on their faith and practice and stopped seeking a better way to live and grow. And this is why I believe it’s time to get moving!

This Sunday I am introducing our fall sermon series, where we will explore what a moving, breathing, and life-giving Quakerism can (and should) look like today. To do this, I will be asking you to be open and join me in exploring, questioning, and possibly making some needed changes. As we approach the end of November, my hope is that we will be discovering a better way to be Quaker, today!

Want to continue the conversation? During this sermon series, we are going to offer a place for further discussion, question, and dialogue after Meeting for Worship. Join those interested in the Seeking Friends room down the hall after the service, where the queries from Meeting for Worship will be provided. (Normally we will meet in the Parlor, but as this is a business meeting day, we will instead hold it instead in Seeking Friends.)

Bob

Joys & Concerns

Mid-North Food Pantry ~ It was a record-breaking number of folks who were helped at the Mid North Food Pantry last Wednesday! We served 122 families!!! While we were kept very busy, we had a great crew from First Friends: David B, Ray G, Bill F, Dan H, Mara S, Christie M, Beth F, Linda and Rik L, Tom F, Kathy R, and Carol and Jim D. We needed all of our volunteers to allow things to move fairly smoothly. Thanks to all who help support the food pantry.

In this brand new QuakerSpeak video, our own Eric B speaks candidly about the ethos of First Friends that drew him from being an Evangelical to being a Quaker. His words speak honestly to who we are and why what we are doing is so important in our world, today. Watch the video at https://quakerspeak.com/how-i-came-to-quakers-from-evangelical-christianity/. Thanks, Eric, for your words.

Congratulations to Damian and Taha! Our own Damian was married yesterday, September 10th to Taha. Congratulations to the happy couple!!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Rise Up Sing Along! ~ Join us for a night of singing and music! Last month we had a veritable jamboree with guitar, cello and banjo playing! Join the Sing Alongers in the Parlor on the second Friday, September 13 at 7:00pm for another evening of free fun. (Note the date change, due to the women’s retreat.) Please join us!

Shalom Zone invites you to a showing of the film, Paris To Pittsburgh. This eco film shines a light on the many forgotten communities and people who have been affected by climate change in our country, as well as solutions for how we can fight back and reduce our carbon footprint. Join us this Friday, September 13 at 7:00pm at Allisonville Christian Church – 7701 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis. Watch the trailer: Paris to Pittsburgh. Discussion will follow the film.

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! All registrations must be in by TOMORROW, September 12! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. Come join the retreat, full of fellowship, reflection and interaction with each other. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

Helping the Food Pantry Go Green ~ As part of the Women’s Retreat in September we are undertaking the project of making reusable grocery bags for the pantry. They’re made from tank tops, gathered at the bottom.

To that end we are collecting tank tops. They must be regular tank tops, not racer-back, spaghetti strapped, or have gigantic armholes. There will be a box by the Women’s Retreat sign up table to collect donations. Thank you, in advance, for your donations.

Did you miss the directory photo shoots? It’s not too late to get in the directory! If you’d like to submit your own photo, simply send a copy of the photo file to the office at office@indyfriends.org. If the image can fit into an email, go ahead and email it directly. Of course, the higher resolution the better it will print in the book, so if the file’s too large to email, you can use a service to share the file, such Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive, or bring the photo physically into the office on a CD or flash drive. If you need assistance sending your photo, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485. All photos must be submitted no later than Wednesday, September 18th. We hope you will be a part of our directory!

The Festival of Faiths is coming again! It will be held September 22, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and more. All together celebrating religious diversity and freedom. If you’d like to come sit in the Quaker booth for a period of time, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

SPICES: A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in Our Community Garden

4. Community ~ In today’s world community really matters. Isolation is not healthy for humans. Shared interests connect us. Community stabilizes and strengthens us when we experience tolerance and respect. We learn about our commonality and our differences when we work and play together. We learn about adaptability and flexibility—sometimes grudgingly. Individuals’ gifts can blossom in a nourishing environment and strength in numbers can lift up everyone.

Sometimes community gardeners work together on a project like building raised beds or rototilling. Other times they work alone or side by side.

There is also diversity. Individuals may prefer growing specific types of crops like tomatoes or sunflowers. Gardeners may want to plant using specialized methods. Someone may wish to plant a Native American style “Three Sisters” plot of squash, corn and beans; another person may want to create an arbor overhead for vines to grow up while plants needing a cooler temperature can bask in the shade below.

By definition, there is some conformity in a community garden. There are certain guidelines to make the work easier for all. Examples might include construction materials and plot sizes for raised beds. Paths may need to be a certain width so mowers can pass.

It is a joint venture or common outcome that draws a community together. Crops. Food. Food pantry offerings. Fresh air. Sunshine. Exercise. Lowering stress. Learning or teaching. Ecological responsibility. Common values.

Experiencing fellowship and a sense of belonging can be an anchor in an unstable world of shifting sands. Sharing is necessary for life to persist. Knowing that interdependence is key to thriving on our fast-paced planet is a lesson from the garden—Mother Nature Herself. What a precious, loving Mother! Let’s work to preserve Her bounty and learn Her lessons as a matter of self-interest and self-preservation.

Our little spaceship Earth is a community of one. The astronauts say it is beautiful, fragile and small—worth saving. That takes all of our best efforts. Just like the effort of that one “smallest of all” Who, JoJo, in Whoville (from Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Suess) who had to add his one last voice to everyone else’s so the population of Whoville, living on a speck of dust, could be heard by animals who didn’t believe persons could be living on a speck of dust. They thought Horton the elephant couldn’t be telling the truth.

“We are here,” the Whoville population screamed as they made all the noise they could, banging and playing instruments. Finally JoJo joined in.

“Yopp!” he shouted as loud as he could so that they were finally heard and saved from annihilation. It was a last ditch (successful) community effort.

Experiment with Light! Friends, all are invited as we start our own program. This is a continuation of the lovely meditation experiment presented by Jaime M in June.

For those who expressed interest before, it would be great if you would confirm your interest with the office. That will help us properly set up the room, prepare materials, and so forth.

It's an amazing opportunity to grow both individually and as a community. Hope you join us

This Week’s Queries

How are you a peacemaker in your communities?
Are there people in your life that you need to embrace shalom?
Do we harbor violence in our hearts that prevents the wholeness and completeness of shalom?

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Friend to Friend September 4, 2019

September 5, 2019

As Way Opens

This past Sunday was our first ever Sunday Funday, where we gathered in the woods for music and sharing from our youth affirmation trip and then shared a meal together and played games, jumped around in a bouncy house, played volleyball, slid down a slip-n-slide and just talked and laughed with each other. Our youth discussed having a Sunday like this earlier this year and Bob had experienced a Sunday like this at the Meeting in Oregon so we said let’s try this.

Unfortunately, the clear skies predicted earlier in the week turned into clouds and rain and we had to make a call at 9:50 whether we would worship in the woods (we did and it was lovely—but a clap of thunder shortened our unprogrammed time). The rain came and went during our time together but that didn’t stop our kids and adults from participating in our outside activities. I loved watching Bill Heitman, Janice Hise and Jed Kay get soaking wet sliding headfirst down a ramp into a pool of water.

Play is an important spiritual practice and we adults are not that good at it. We used to be when we were kids and experienced pure joy in so many activities and experiences. But then we grow up and become responsible and self-conscious and serious and lose the sense of excitement and wonder that play opens within us and the deep connection with God these feelings bring about. I am not saying that we shouldn’t be responsible and accountable because we all know people that seem to play all the time and show a lack of responsibility. But I think many of us are too busy to plan play into our schedules and don’t understand how important this is to our health and our spiritual development. I know that I showed up Sunday not in a playful mood having had a tough weekend and worried about all the logistics of the day. I was not thinking about how much I needed this play time. Then we started singing together in the woods and the tears flowed and I felt overwhelmed by God’s presence. And then to see these beautiful faces of joy experiencing the touch of God in the water, the air and the rain, I was renewed.

May we all take time for play and build this into our spiritual practices.

Find more photos at https://www.facebook.com/Indyfriends.

Beth

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held this Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Sunday School Kick-Off! Our Sunday School kick off will be this September 8th. We will start the morning with coffee and snacks for everyone starting at 8:30. We encourage everyone to come dressed in your favorite sports team apparel! Our classes will begin at 9:00 am as follows:

All children - join us in the nursery with Lori H for fun and games!

6th - 12th grade - in the basement with Beth H.

The following adult classes will be offered:

Seeking Friends - Bob will lead the group through Rob Bell’s book, What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything. In this book Bell goes deep into the Bible to show how it is more revelatory, revolutionary, and relevant than we ever imagined—and offers a cogent argument for why we need to look at it in a fresh, new way.

Wired Word (in Coffee Circle classroom) - will be led by Harold M to talk about current events from a spiritual perspective.

Choir - will be meeting in the old children’s library. Anyone that has a heart for singing is welcome to join.

Nursery care will be available during Sunday School. We hope to see you this Sunday!

Participate in our "Sponsor a College Student" project! Just select a college student off the board set up in the meetinghouse and send them notes, cards, treats, etc throughout the school year so they hear from someone at the Meeting and feel connected. Please consider connecting with our students this year!

The Underneath it All Grand Underwear Donation Blitz ~ The children at Boner Center are soon going to be delighted with your donations. Thank you. We will be ending the requests after Sunday September 8th, so there is still time to donate. We request donations of new underwear for school children from kindergarten up through high school. If it is not convenient for you to shop, you can leave a check made out to First Friends Meeting with a note that it is for Underneath it All. There is a box in Fellowship Hall for your donations. The underwear we donate goes to the John H. Boner Center where social workers pass it out when families come for assistance. We have done this for many years but have never tried to compress it into such a short time. Questions? Ask Linda L. Thank you for your generosity!

Little things that you can do to enrich the soil and your neighborhood!

Thursday, September 5, 6-8 pm; Vermicompost for Farm, Garden or Home; Lawrence Community Garden, 9240 E 46th St, Indianapolis

Keeping worms is a great way to manage your kitchen waste and generate compost for your garden or farm. Visit Lawrence Community Garden to see a worm bin system they have been tending this season. Learn management tips and get step by step directions to build your own worm composting system. Bring your own buckets (2) or Rubbermaid bins (2) to create a home-scale bin system and leave with your starter "livestock”!

Here’s a fun family outing!

Saturday, September 7 Nature Daze (Nashville) Nature Daze is an outreach program of the Brown County Native Woodlands Project (BCNWP) to help landowners better understand the importance of managing their property to create a resilient native habitat. Activities for the day include talks and interpretive hikes led by resource professionals, a native plant sale, a children’s program focused on forest ecology, door prizes, and a free picnic-style barbecue lunch. Spend the day learning, exploring, and having fun in the beautiful hills of Brown County! Program topics for the day: Planting Natives for Lovely Landscapes & Beautiful Birds; Neighborhood Invasive Plant Control; Muskrat Love...and Hate: Wildlife in your Pond; Ice Age to Oak Tree: Forest Succession & Natural Disturbances; The Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Downy Hill; and Low-Tech Invasive Plant Control. 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Camp Rancho Framasa, 2230 Clay Lick Road, Nashville. For more information and to register, visit www.bcnwp.org. Questions answered at 812-988-2211 or minfo@bcnwp.org.

Ask your lawn service (or whoever in your household mows the grass) if they have a mulching mower. Keeping mulched grass clippings keeps nitrogen rich grass clippings out of the waterways and helps decrease algae bloom and you save money on fertilizer. Win-Win!

Shalom Zone invites you to a showing of the film, Paris To Pittsburgh. This eco film shines a light on the many forgotten communities and people who have been affected by climate change in our country, as well as solutions for how we can fight back and reduce our carbon footprint. Join us Friday, September 13 at 7:00pm at Allisonville Christian Church – 7701 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis. Watch the trailer: Paris to Pittsburgh. Discussion will follow the film.

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! All registrations must be in by September 12! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. Come join the retreat, full of fellowship, reflection and interaction with each other. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

Community Garden Update

SPICES - A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in Our Community Garden

3. Integrity - Taking part in a community garden means the responsibility of participating is a communal commitment. If I weed my raised bed on a regular basis, it helps to keep weed seeds from blowing into my neighbors’ plots. If I share soil, labor, seeds, plants, produce and knowledge with fellow gardeners it improves the beauty of the entire garden—beyond my own carved out space. It contributes to the camaraderie of the gardeners and helps create bonds of friendship that can grow beyond that space of earth and into the wider community. If one gardener mows the grass around all the plots, it creates a tamer, less buggy and weedy space for everyone so that all benefit. Even the Meetinghouse grounds is improved because it is cared for and tidy. There is an inviting order that attracts dog walkers, joggers, families with baby buggies and children, bicyclists, police officers on break, elderly walkers, and neighborhood folks who tell us they love seeing the garden grow. They anticipate it. They show it to their children and use it as a teaching tool.

Garden participants practice integrity when they work alone and together in this manner, giving of their best selves. Gardeners are disciplined and demonstrate integrity when they respect individual’s spaces and crops, only picking what is theirs or what has been given them. They are practicing integrity when they borrow, sanitize and return tools. They are practicing integrity when they chip in and help one another, including keeping the garage and grounds orderly. When gardeners are honest and trustworthy with one another the whole is attended to—not just one plot. Integrity is a testimony of inclusion because one is thinking of others and consciously building relationships.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” —from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:12, King James Version

“Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell.” — Matthew 7:12, Living Bible

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a complementary 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. Can’t make it in for a photo that week? Contact the office for other options so you can still be included in the directory! Office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

The Festival of Faiths is coming again! It will be held September 22, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and more. All together celebrating religious diversity and freedom. If you’d like to come sit in the Quaker booth for a period of time, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Helping the Food Pantry Go Green ~ As part of the Women’s Retreat in September we are undertaking the project of making reusable grocery bags for the pantry. They’re made out of tank tops, gathered at the bottom.

Thank you, in advance, for your donations.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s pick for the month of September is Lab Girl by Hope Jahren! The discussion will be led by Carolyn T on Tuesday September 24th at 7 pm in the Parlor. New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/29/books/review-lab-girl-hope-jahrens-road-map-to-the-secret-life-of-plants.html. Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’d like to receive email updates.

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Friend to Friend August 28, 2019

September 3, 2019

As Way Opens

It is interesting that as an Indianapolis Colts fan, I have not felt it necessary to post anything about the retirement of Andrew Luck on social media. Actually, I have had many mixed feelings since reading the news before bed last Saturday night. Yes, I felt the initial shock and let down of a promising season, but I also knew that something more was at play – that what Andrew was going through was genuine and deeply personal.

Watching the news, I found myself rather unsettled observing Andrew try and process all of his feelings in front of the camera for all the world to scrutinize. There were the haters booing him, the sports analysts trying to explain him, all while I began realizing I actually understood him. Not because I have been a professional football player, rather because I have been where Andrew Luck found himself in life. And I know many others who have been there, as well.

Unlike Andrew most of us do not have a 24.5 million dollar retirement plan. There is no escape plan or deal to be made. Instead, we often have to suffer along trying to make some needed changes or tweak life in ways that will help us endure. And most of the time, we are told that working to tolerate the pain and suffering is good for us. Mentors and relatives have taught us that sticking it out shows courage, endurance, and stretches us for the better. Yet, it is easier for someone else to say those things, when they themselves are not going through the difficulties, the pain, and struggle. Then when we see someone have a “wake up” call like Andrew Luck, we don’t know how to process it, calling him confused, cowardly, or even a quitter.

I will be honest, there have been times when all I wanted to do was walk away, to lay it down, to stop and take time to reset my priorities, to come up for air and enjoy life again. Through tear-filled eyes, Andrew’s words at the press conference hit me hard because I have said almost the same words,

“I’ve been stuck in this process…I haven’t been able to live the life I want to live. It’s taken the joy out of this game. The only way forward for me is to remove myself from football.”

I also find it a bit ironic that Andrew Luck’s announcement came at the end of the week that I preached a sermon on The Freedom of Detachment (sermon link). Much like I explained in the sermon, Andrew Luck was getting “out the whip and clearing his temple.” He was having a “wake up call” and facing the bondage that had him missing out on life. And Andrew did what many of us simply cannot or won’t allow ourselves to do – he DETACHED and LET GO!

Just maybe we need to be reviewing our lives like Andrew Luck…Where are we “stuck in the process”? What is keeping us from living the life we want to live? What is stealing our joy? Is it time to detach and let go so we can find true freedom?

Grace and peace,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

Thank you Food Pantry Volunteers - We had a great group of volunteers who welcomed 109 folks at the food pantry last week. Volunteers were: Christie M, Kathy and Bill F, Phil G, Mara S, Dan H, Beth F, Linda and Rik L, and Carol and Jim D. Thanks to all!

Tyler R is getting married - We are excited to learn of Tyler R’s engagement to Valerie G. They will be married on September 26, 2020 in Nashville, TN. We send congratulations to the entire family on this joyous news!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

SUNDAY FUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY! Earlier this year, our Youth Affirmation Students brought the idea of having our first-ever Sunday Funday to the business meeting. To their excitement, it was well-received and approved. Sunday Funday is an opportunity for everyone at First Friends to come together and worship through PLAY! Be sure to bring the kids and the swimsuits, because there will be a bouncy house and a giant slip n’ slide! For those interested, Dan M is preparing a net for a rousing game of volleyball. In the fellowship hall we will provide board games and puzzles for those wanting to stay out of the sun (feel free to bring your own games as well)! As most Labor Day Weekends, we will gather at our normal Meeting for Worship time (10:15am) in the meditational woods – starting with some singing, waiting worship, and hearing from our Affirmation Youth about their trip to Philadelphia. As a last hurrah to summer, we will have a PITCH-IN picnic so plan to bring a dish for sharing! (A-L: Salads and sides; M-Z: Desserts). We will provide the main dish, BBQ! Mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy worshipping through PLAY!

SPICES - A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in Our Community Garden
Peace - It is relaxing to plant seeds and later gather the harvest. It can be hard work preparing soil and weeding. It isn’t easy to problem-solve pest invasions in an organic garden. Sometimes the rain postpones planting or drowns seedlings and even bigger plants; other times the heat scorches and the humidity wrings all the moisture from a melting gardener. But overall, a deep satisfaction can be achieved while battling these obstacles. Being in nature frees one to slow down and notice the cravings of the soul. Through gardening one may become more open to the whisperings of the spirit, better able to hear the still, small voice. With fewer distractions we can notice the wonders of nature through our senses and recognize what is truly important in life. There is healing. There is the continual cycle of life, death and life. There is song to hear, a breeze to feel, a puffy cloud to see overhead, a sweet scent to experience and perhaps a fresh new exquisite taste to enjoy. There is peace to be found when absorbed in a field of green plants and colorful flowers. There is peace in the buzzing and fluttering of nearby insects. There is peace when one loses oneself in a different world for a little while. One can appreciate quiet thoughts of the inner life and let go of everyday stresses. Like the birds of the air, one can soar and fly, taking new found peace back to the “other” world and one’s friends in and beyond the garden. For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce. And the heavens will give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to inherit all these things. —Zechariah 8:12 These are the things which you should do: Speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. — Zechariah 8:16. —Nancy

Shalom Zone invites you to a showing of the film, Paris To Pittsburgh. This eco-film shines a light on the many forgotten communities and people who have been affected by climate change in our country, as well as solutions for how we can fight back and reduce our carbon footprint. Join us Friday, September 13, 2019 at 7:00pm at Allisonville Christian Church – 7701 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis. Watch the trailer: Paris to Pittsburgh. Discussion will follow the film.

The Underneath it All Grand Underwear Donation Blitz ~ We request donations of new underwear for school children from kindergarten up through high school. If it is not convenient for you to shop, you can leave a check made out to First Friends Meeting with a note that it is for Underneath it All. There is a box in Fellowship Hall for your donations. The underwear we donate goes to the John H. Boner Center where social workers pass it out when families come for assistance. We have done this for many years but have never tried to compress it into such a short time. Let’s try to accomplish this by September. Questions? Ask Linda L. Thank you for your generosity!

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Sunday School Kickoff – Save the Date! ~ All are encouraged to join us for our Sunday School kickoff which will be Sunday, September 8! Starting at 8:30, we will have coffee and snacks to help you start your morning. Classes & choir practice all begin at 9am. We hope everyone will come dressed with your favorite sports team apparel for our kick off. Please join us!

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. Come join the retreat, full of fellowship, reflection and interaction with each other. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a complementary 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Thank you, in advance, for your donations.

The Festival of Faiths is coming again! September 22, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and more. All together celebrating religious diversity and freedom.

This Week’s Queries

At First Friends, how can we answer the “Kingdom Call” to be bearers of the abundance of God?
What part do you play? In what way will you make visible God’s abundance in someone else’s life this week?

Comment

Friend to Friend August 21, 2019

August 21, 2019

As Way Opens

I spent the last 2 weeks in Richmond IN attending an intensive class on the Gospel of Peace offered through the Earlham School of Religion and the Bethany Seminary. This is part of my journey towards my master’s in divinity. This class was unusual as we “zoomed in” with students from Nigeria and a professor at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria. We spent 4 hours a day studying and reflecting on scripture with the complicated and nuanced focus of peace, violence and war in the Bible.

These two weeks were a rich dialogue in cultural differences between the United States and Nigeria, different theological perspectives and real-life experiences shared. When we in the United States talk about Peace, God’s Shalom and the idea of loving our enemies, we often speak from a place of security and bounty. It is much easier to speak of peace when we do not experience the potential of violence daily and personally. The experiences shared by our brothers and sisters in Nigeria were so different - many of them have direct experience of the violence of Boko Haram, the militant Islamic group that has terrorized Nigeria for 18 years. Our Nigerian friends talked about turning each cheek towards the enemy and having no cheeks left as they have been destroyed.

But every single Nigerian kept coming back to the hope and promise of the Gospel of Peace or Shalom. The word Shalom is much more than the absence of war. Shalom means to be whole and complete and that all begins in our hearts. The violence in our world starts with the violence in our own hearts and the good news of the way of Jesus is all about a heart change. As difficult as it is to love our enemies and pray for them, this is the way for our own shalom. Every single one of our Nigeria friends testified to this principle and the way to live. The work of peacemaking is difficult, slow, heart breaking and challenging but it is the key to our wholeness.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Congratulations to the H Family! Kim and Becki’s H’s son, Aaron, & Kristin W welcomed Tobias James Heusel into the world on August 19th. He was born at 11:23 am, 19.5 inches long, 6 lb 3 oz. We welcome “Toby” and wish happiness on him, Aaron, and Kristin!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Village of Merici Invites You: Wednesday Jabbers ~ Sister Noella Poinsette, newly appointed Director of Justice and Peace for the Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters, will discuss her experience with Catholic Charities at the border in Loredo, Texas. Several Oldenburg Franciscans experienced firsthand the assistance that Catholic Charities provides to those migrants crossing the border into the United States. We are inviting everyone to attend Sister Noella's timely presentation which will begin in the Multi-Purpose Room at Merici Village Apartments today, August 21, 5-6pm. The address is 5707 Lawton Loop E Dr, 46216. For more information or for contact info please visit http://bit.ly/30rdWY5.

A Fair Shot for All Children ~ All are invited to A Fair Shot for All Children: Feeding Children Creates Productive Citizens. This program was created to generate an urgency to address child hunger in Indiana, to engage more Hoosiers in creating solutions to end child hunger, and to encourage Senator Young to tackle child hunger as a key aspect of his agenda. Did you know:

1 in 6 Hoosier children are food insecure
Indiana ranks 42nd in infant mortality
Every public university in Indiana has a food pantry for students

The event will be held tomorrow, Thursday, August 22, 4:15-5:45pm at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St, Noblesville, IN 46060. Speakers include experts in pediatrics & nutrition, public educators addressing hunger in our school systems, and Senator Todd Young himself. We are trying to have over 300 folks show up to demonstrate the importance of food insecurity to Senator Young. We hope that this event will raise awareness and that Senator Young will be motivated to encourage Federal government support for food assistance to those in need. Will you join us?

Changing Footprints Needs Your Help! ~ Carol D and Witness & Service invite you to a “Changing Footprints and shoe sorting experience” this Sunday, August 25, from 1 – 3 pm. Changing Footprints, located at 9302 N. Meridian St., is an all-volunteer organization that collects and re-distributes used shoes to many organizations around Indianapolis and around the world. After Meeting for Worship, grab a bite to eat and then join us in this “sole-saving” experience. Folks of all ages can help.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is this coming Tuesday night! Nancy S will be leading Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L Friedman on the 27th of August at 7 pm in the Parlor. Click link for the New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/books/review/thomas-friedman-thank-you-for-being-late.html. All are welcome!

SPICES: A Series on Quaker Testimonies as Practiced in Our Community Garden

1. Simplicity ~ It seems unfathomable that a seed as small as a speck of dust can produce a radish or a mustard plant. The unflinching miracle is that it can, and it does. A simple tiny seed becomes part of the dinner on your table. A plant grown from a seed is also dinner for insects, birds, animals—the whole food chain. Living in harmony with nature is one way to live simply and to be in tune with the changing seasons.

“[God’s Kingdom] is like a mustard seed—smaller than any seed on earth,31 yet, when planted, it springs up and grows up to be larger than any plant, producing such large branches that the birds of the air can nest under its shelter. 32” Mark 4:31, 32

SUNDAY FUNDAY IS COMING SEPTEMBER 1st! Earlier this year, our Youth Affirmation Students brought the idea of having our first-ever Sunday Funday to the business meeting. To their excitement, it was well-received and approved. Sunday Funday is an opportunity for everyone at First Friends to come together and worship through PLAY! Be sure to bring the kids and the swimsuits, because there will be a bouncy house and a giant slip n’ slide! For those interested, Dan M is preparing a net for a rousing game of volleyball. In the fellowship hall we will provide board games and puzzles for those wanting to stay out of the sun (feel free to bring your own games as well)! As most Labor Day Weekends, we will gather at our normal Meeting for Worship time (10:15am) in the meditational woods – starting with some singing, waiting worship, and hearing from our Affirmation Youth about their trip to Philadelphia. As a last hurrah to summer, we will have a PITCH-IN picnic so plan to bring a dish for sharing! (A-L: Salads and sides; M-Z: Desserts). We will provide the main dish, BBQ! Mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy worshipping through PLAY!

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. Come join the retreat, full of fellowship, reflection and interaction with each other. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a complementary 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month: Gray Catbird
Watching the Children Grow Up

From mid-May to mid-August, the Meditational Woods is filled with the sounds of youngsters, quite like summertime in the human world. In the latter, the month of August means the start of school, and for many children, a new school experience: the first day of kindergarten, middle school, high school, or university. So too, there are steps in the life of the avian youngster: hatching, life in the nest, life outside the nest as a juvenile, and, finally, becoming an adult.

This summer, among the 15 or so species that nested on the meetinghouse property, two pairs of Gray Catbirds put on an interesting display, especially once the youngsters were out of the nest, but still being fed by the parents. This is a couple of weeks filled with danger, and the parents were quick to scold me about my presence. The one of the pair that nested in the courtyard called from a cherry tree or the gutter, and both parents of the pair that nested just inside the woods entrance warned me to move along the walk. I circled back and sat on the Zink/Wyne bench (my favorite) so I could blend into the background, and still watch the action. I am happy to report that as of today, at least two babies from each family has survived!!

With catbirds, the genders look alike, with a gray body, black cap, and a rusty undertail covert. The name comes from one of its calls, which sounds like a cat’s “Mew”. ~Brad J

This Week’s Queries

What might be revealed or driven out of your “temple," if you asked God to help you clean house, today?
Where has your temple become a “marketplace” of attachments, possessions and busyness (chaos)?

Comment

Friend to Friend August 14, 2019

August 14, 2019

As Way Opens

Just before school started for Sue and after yearly meeting sessions, we took a very brief trip to Brown Country, Indiana. We started at the Indiana artist, T.C. Steele Historic Site just outside of Nashville in the town of Belmont. The 211 acres of land is gorgeous and awe-inspiring, often bringing to life the visions and sites of some of T.C. Steele’s paintings. I found myself wondering as we walked down the pathways, if the T.C. Steele painting hanging in our parlor at the Meetinghouse was represented in one of these actual locations. Then as we were preparing to head out, we happened across a sign on the side of a smaller studio which read,

“To a people these sanctuaries of the spirit are necessary for sanity and growth and I use the word “sanctuary” advisedly; for they are places not only for recreation and enjoyment but inspiration.”

Since I read that sign, I have pondered the “sanctuaries of the spirit” in my own life, often asking,

Do I have places I can retreat which are necessary for my sanity and growth - places that not only bring recreation and enjoyment, but inspiration as well?

I first thought of my morning walks around the ponds by my home. Watching the ducks with their ducklings, the majestic Great Blue Heron, and the unexpected fish whose jump produces ripples in the water that shimmer in the morning sunrise.

I also thought of the breaks I take in my week spent in our Meditational Woods. Where I am always greeted by a sense of the holy, and where the tree limbs create a beautiful dome to give refuge and protection for my thoughts and dreams.

Or how on some Fridays, I enter my sabbath rest at Newfields, sitting before some of my favorite paintings and works of art. Taking time to gaze deeply and be inspired by the rough brush strokes of Vincent van Gogh, the soft edges of Marc Chagall, the tricky illuminations of James Turrell, and the simple nature of Georgia O’Keefe.

As well, there are those sanctuaries of the spirit like my favorite chair at Hubbard and Cravens, the hammock in my backyard, my commute in to work, the isles of Luna Music, or simply sitting in our meetinghouse as the morning sun comes through our Quaker stained glass windows.

Do you have places you can retreat to which are necessary for your sanity and growth - places that not only bring recreation and enjoyment, but inspiration as well? I encourage you to take time to find one this week.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

Let’s Give a Big “Thank You” to our food pantry volunteers! Christie M; David B; Kathy and Bill F; Rik L; Phil G; Mara S; and Carol and Jim D. Extremely busy as we served 113 families. Several of the families said “thank you” to First Friends for helping with the pantry’s work.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Watch out! We have had the cracks in the asphalt of our parking lot repaired today. If you are coming to Wednesday night worship or stopping by the meetinghouse within the next two days, please be mindful and don’t park anywhere that may be marked off. Feel free to park along Parker street or in the grass if there’s no suitable parking spots. 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 at our next meeting tomorrow, Thursday, August 15 at 7:00pm. See locations here: http://bit.ly/2YOxCqV.

Rise Up Sing Along! ~ Join us for a night of singing with Jim and Jesse. Jesse has been showing up on Sundays and in the garden. He and Jim gave us a high energy, highly enjoyable evening in July. Join the Sing Alongers in the Parlor on Friday August 16th at 7:00pm for another evening of free fun. 18 people were enthusiastically singing in July. Please join us!

A Discussion on 5G Cellular Antennas ~ It has come to our attention that some utility poles within a block of the Meetinghouse are being used by wireless carriers for cellular antennas and may be early test sites for a new type of 5G “Millimeter Wave” transmission over antennas known as “Small Cells.” Indianapolis has been designated a test market for this new technology, and some health and legislative concerns have been discussed at sites including www.pause5g.org and elsewhere on the web. This apparently has been decided with little public notification or consent.

The Meeting is not prepared, without further scientific data and input from Members, to take a position on this rollout—which is why you’re invited to attend Meeting for Business this Sunday as we discuss the following question as new business:

“Should First Friends host a community discussion on the following question: should our community consider pausing local 5g Small Cell/Millimeter Wave rollouts until sufficient scientific data is made available to reasonably ascertain whether any risks to public health, property, and legislative processes are acceptably balanced against the proposed benefits?”

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

See Norma W in Friends Journal! Norma W’s photo and comments appear in the August edition of Friends Journal, an issue focusing on QuakerSpeak. QuakerSpeak is a series of videos with a mission “to communicate Quaker experience in order to connect and deepen spiritual lives.” If you’d like to read the Friends Journal article, it can be found here: https://www.friendsjournal.org/meeting-for-viewing/. The original video that Norma is in can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=UWvkxMretAM. If you’d like to see more of QuakerSpeak’s videos, they can be found on their website at QuakerSpeak.com.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month: Gray Catbird
Watching the Children Grow Up

This summer, among the 15 or so species that nested on the meetinghouse property, two pairs of Gray Catbirds put on an interesting display, especially once the youngsters were out of the nest, but still being fed by the parents. This is a couple of weeks filled with danger, and the parents were quick to scold me about my presence. The one of the pair that nested in the courtyard called from a cherry tree or the gutter, and both parents of the pair that nested just inside the woods entrance warned me to move along the walk. I circled back and sat on the Zink/Wyne bench (my favorite) so I could blend in to the background, and still watch the action. I am happy to report that as of today, at least two babies from each family has survived!!

With catbirds, the genders look alike, with a gray body, black cap, and a rusty undertail covert. The name comes from one of its calls, which sounds like a cat’s “Mew”. ~Brad J

Number One Community Gardener: Mother Nature ~ Mother Nature is a superb educator on how to live an extraordinary life. She has retained her resilience and thrived for 3.8 billion years. “Nature is restless, always exploring, inventing, trying, and failing,” according to Tom Lovejoy, environmental science professor at George Mason University. “Each ecosystem, and each organism, is an answer to a set of problems,” Lovejoy says.

We can learn from Mother Nature. Failures are inevitable and part of the exploratory journey of life’s discovery process. If an experiment does not work, it is simply a steppingstone to the next risky venture (or safer venture because of the ground gained during the failure). Mother Nature flourishes amidst diversity and adapts as needed. We humans are part of this GRAND plan. We can approach life in the same vivacious manner as the Mother that Lovejoy describes. We are a part of the interdependent, connected LARGER reality.

The Community Garden has challenges and successes too. The cannas are still battling this year’s Japanese beetle attack. The tomatoes are doing well since cover crops, rest and crop rotation enhanced the soil. Purple peppers are appearing and a new crop in our garden, tomatillos, is thriving. Try something new and something familiar. In this process lose your fear. Trust that you have the resources and support needed since you are a part of this amazing creation and Creator—Mother Nature. In the plant world, a void is an empty space full of potential opportunity for whatever is ready to fill it.

God be between you and harm in all the empty places you walk. —Egyptian blessing

1 in 6 Hoosier children are food insecure
Indiana ranks 42nd in infant mortality
Every public university in Indiana has a food pantry for students

The event will be held on Thursday, August 22, 4:15-5:45pm at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St, Noblesville, IN 46060. Speakers include experts in pediatrics & nutrition, public educators addressing hunger in our school systems, and Senator Todd Young himself. We are trying to have over 300 folks show up to demonstrate the importance of food insecurity to Senator Young. We hope that this event will raise awareness and that Senator Young will be motivated to encourage Federal government support for food assistance to those in need. Will you join us?

Changing Footprints Needs Your Help! ~ Carol D and Witness & Service invite you to a “Changing Footprints and shoe sorting experience” on Sunday, August 25, from 1 – 3 pm. Changing Footprints, located at 9302 N. Meridian St., is an all-volunteer organization that collects and re-distributes used shoes to many organizations around Indianapolis and around the world. After Meeting for Worship, grab a bite to eat and then join us in this “sole-saving” experience. Folks of all ages can help.

SUNDAY FUNDAY IS COMING SEPTEMBER 1st! Earlier this year, our Youth Affirmation Students brought the idea of having our first-ever Sunday Funday to the business meeting. To their excitement, it was well received and approved. Sunday Funday is an opportunity for everyone at First Friends to come together and worship through PLAY! Be sure to bring the kids and the swimsuits, because there will be a bouncy house and a giant slip n’ slide! For those interested, Dan Mitchell is preparing a net for a rousing game of volleyball. In the fellowship hall we will provide board games and puzzles for those wanting to stay out of the sun. As most Labor Day Weekends, we will gather at our normal Meeting for Worship time (10:15am) in the meditational woods – starting with some singing, waiting worship, and hearing from our Affirmation Youth about their trip to Philadelphia. As a last hurrah to summer, we will have a PITCH-IN picnic so plan to bring a dish for sharing! (A-L: Salads and sides; M-Z: Desserts). We will provide the main dish. Mark your calendar and plan to come and enjoy worshipping through PLAY!

Thank you, in advance, for your donations.

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a complementary 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

This Week’s Queries

When and where do you experience delight?
Why do you so often flee from delight?
How might you seek a sabbath of delight, wonder, and joy this week?

Comment

Friend to Friend August 7, 2019

August 7, 2019

As Way Opens

It seems almost ironic, or maybe I should say poignant, that at the height of all the current racial tensions in our country, Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Laureate novelist and a voice of national conscience, Toni Morrison died on Tuesday at the age of 88. Many of Morrison’s books have already become modern classics (The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Beloved) and are considered mandatory reading in high schools across America. Honestly, I think we all would be better people if we took the time to read her body of work and allow it to help process the struggles in our country and in our own hearts.

If you have ever read Toni Morrison’s books, you know that they depict an unfiltered view of African American life and history. They overwhelmingly engage, with integrity and redemption, the darker side of humanity that needs acknowledged and faced for change to take place.

This week I challenge us to turn off the news channels, talk radio programs, and social media. Then honor the life of this giant in American literature by going to our local library, e-reader, or bookstore to find a Toni Morrison book to devour, ponder, and, most importantly, have a conversation with someone about. Please note: Morrison’s books are not easy reads and often deal with disturbing subjects, but I guarantee they give us new perspectives to wrestle with and consider.

“The function of freedom is to free someone else”

-Toni Morrison-

Grace and peace,

Bob

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a complementary 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Do you have a couch you need to get rid of? We are looking to give our Seeking Friends room a fresh look! If you have a gently-used couch you are looking to get rid of, please contact our office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485. The couch should be in good condition, without stains or pet hair, and come from a smoke-free home. 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 at our next meeting on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00pm. See locations here: http://bit.ly/2YOxCqV.

Rise Up Sing Along! ~ Save the date for singing with Jim and Jesse. Jesse has been showing up on Sundays and in the garden. He and Jim gave us a high energy, highly enjoyable evening in June. Join the Sing Alongers in the Parlor on Friday August 16th for another evening of free fun. Mark your calendars!

The Community Garden is a great place to find pollinators at work. In the last Friend to Friend we pictured a yellow tiger swallowtail butterfly; this time we found a black swallowtail. Many types of bees and moths visit and live in our plots. We harvest among the wildlife. Bees are busy going about their business—too busy collecting pollen to feel threatened by busy gardeners minding their own business. No stinging in this bright, oxygen-supplying piece of land (not that we recommend cornering bees)!

Gardeners are harvesting and sharing tomatoes, zucchinis, herbs, squash, cucumbers, radishes, onions, carrots, greens and more. Hope you are enjoying your summer and healthy, nutritious produce. Eating well is part of caring for God’s creation—being a steward. You are made in God’s image and are precious to your Maker and Provider.

“Thus for every piece of your property, you are to provide for the redemption of the land.” —Leviticus 25:24

“You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary; I am the Lord. If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.” —Leviticus 26:2 – 4

Degrees of Change ~ Climate change is in the news. Europe has experienced the highest summer temperatures in recent history and the ice sheets on Greenland are melting at an accelerated rate. In my new neighborhood, a few older spruce trees were removed due to disease. Even though they weren’t healthy, I immediately could feel the temperature difference when they were gone. Shade trees can cool the air beneath by 8 degrees! Instead of 90, 82 degrees feels pretty good.

So plant a tree and care for it. For more information, read this blog from Science Friday on things you can do to make a difference: https://mailchi.mp/sciencefriday/degrees-of-changeclimate-change-affects-every-community-differently-301913?e=22430bedd7

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s pick for the month of August is Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L Friedman! The discussion will be led by Nancy S on Tuesday August 27th at 7 pm in the Parlor. New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/books/review/thomas-friedman-thank-you-for-being-late.html. Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’d like to receive email updates.

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. Come join the retreat, enjoy Fellowship, and learn more about yourself. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

Queries to Help Nurture Simplicity

1. Will I own this thing, or will it own me?

2. How large of an ecological footprint does this item leave?

3. How much does creation have to pay for me to have this item?

4. Are there ways to make purchases further the Kingdom of God?

5. Are there purchases I can make that will help charities (double the good)?

6. Am I buying things for their usefulness, not their status?

7. Do I reject anything that may be producing an addiction in me?

8. Am I developing a habit of giving things away? (i.e. de-accumulate and/or downsize)

9. Am I simply believing all the hype and not seeking the Truth?

10. Am I learning to enjoy things without owning them? (using the library, borrowing tools or sugar from a neighbor)

11. Am I developing a deeper appreciation for creation?

12. Am I rejecting anything that will breed the oppression of others?

13. Am I shunning whatever would distract me from my main goal?

Comment

Friend to Friend July 31, 2019

July 31, 2019

As Way Opens

I attended most of the annual session of Western Yearly Meeting last week. One of the highlights of our time together was listening to Dwight Wilson, a Quaker living in Michigan that is a writer, activist, speaker, former head of Friends school and a volunteer that rocks babies every week at the local hospital. Dwight challenged us to follow Jesus and embrace the Holy Spirit in leading us to do the right thing in our daily lives. Dwight read from his book Modern Psalms, In Search of Peace and Justice. a lament to God for justice and an expression of love and joy in the midst of brokenness. Here is Psalm 3 and 4 from his book:

Psalm 3
Beneath the half moon,
we realize that Your desire
is for our whole heart.
When complete is possible
never are You satisfied
with tiny bits of effort.
We remove our eyes
from that which is lurking
in the shadows of the Center.
Blessed is obedience
to the One who is our all.
Through serving You we understand
that all creation is worthy of respect,
the future as well as the past and present,
our neighbors as well as our families,
our enemies as well as our friends.

Psalm 4
We dug in our heels,
two steps from the brink
of yet another chasm.
The fear of a concentrated push made us tremble - but not surrender.
Denials of access did not hurt us most.
Our pain was born of the lie
that the playing field was level.
Trying another way, we discovered
walls that were constructed
high and venomously.
Still we prepared to scale the bulwark.
You arrived riding an ocean of love.
Proudly we sing Your praises.
We have been chosen as the ones
to help build a pathway to the stars.

May we recognize that God has chosen us to help build a pathway to the stars!

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Thank you to our First Friends volunteers who assisted in building a ramp with SAWs this past weekend! David Beatty, Derek Snell and his daughter Melanie all volunteered. Thank you for your service!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Check out our newly filtered water fountain! The water fountain down by the classrooms is now filtered! If you try the water now, we’re confident you’ll find it tastier than ever! Feel free to try it out next time you’re here.

Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 10th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. We still need volunteers from 3:30-10:30pm. It is fast-paced but lots of fun! Volunteers will receive a free ticket to the State Fair for that day, as well as unlimited ice cream, shakes and cheese sandwiches. Please let the office know (office@indyfriends.org) if you’re interested in volunteering!

Say "Cheese!" Did you know that First Friends publishes a pictorial directory every 4 years? This is a great way to get to know the names and faces of the members and attenders of our Meeting. It's also a great opportunity for a family portrait. Photographers will be at First Friends September 11-14 for the photoshoots. Schedule your photoshoot now! The photography session is free and you will have a fresh new photo for you and your family for the directory! Along with a free copy of the directory, each family will receive a free 8x10” printed photo. To book your photoshoot, please visit https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0ckk62y/. If you have any questions, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

ESR Leadership Conference ~ Earlham School of Religion invites you to their 2019 Leadership Conference, Strategy & Ethics for Quaker Business. It will be held Friday-Saturday, August 16-17 and will feature Anne Houtman, President of Earlham College and Luvisia Molenje, President of Mastermind Media Corp. They are extending a special offer for First Friends members and attenders- you can register now at their student rate of $50. This fee covers registration for the Conference as well as all meals (Friday night dinner, Saturday breakfast and lunch). If you’re interested in signing up or want more information, please visit: https://esr.earlham.edu/leadership-conference-2019

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Changing Footprints Needs Your Help! ~ Carol D and Witness & Service invite you to a “Changing Footprints and shoe sorting experience” on Sunday, Aug-25, from 1 – 3 pm. Changing Footprints, located at 9302 N. Meridian St., is an all-volunteer organization that collects and re-distributes used shoes to many organizations around Indianapolis and around the world. After Meeting for Worship, grab a bite to eat and then join us in this “sole-saving” experience. Folks of all ages can help.

Western Yearly Meeting and Friends United Meeting 2019 Projects ~ Thank you to everyone who has already donated to either or both of our 2019 summer outreach projects. Your generosity helps us reach those in need far across different corners of the world!

The WYM project is "Education for Esther" and involves child education for girls among the Samburu and Turkana people groups in Kenya. Girls in such areas typically don’t have the funds to go to school and this project will provide scholarships to enable some girls to further their education. Each scholarship costs only $400. Find more information here: http://bit.ly/2NLfx98.
The FUM project is "Everyone Welcome" and involves raising money for physical improvements to the Ramallah Friends School so that special needs kids can fully access all areas of the school. You can read more information about the project here: http://bit.ly/2JGkTgq.

First Friends relies on both Western Yearly Meeting and Friends United Meeting to recommend mission projects each year and the folks at First Friends have always responded in a most generous manner. Please help as you are able to support these most worthy mission projects. Please indicate in the memo section of your check which project (or both projects) you would like to support. Thanks for your prayerful consideration.

Friends World Committee on Consultation (FWCC) was created to increase communication and understanding among the variety of Quaker expression. We have been separated from each other based on theological understandings. In plain speech, each branch felt that the other had gone down the wrong spiritual path and we lost much of our strength as a movement. Recently, FWCC has been trying to raise the awareness of climate impacts on our Quaker family throughout the globe. FWCC leaders are encouraging Quakers to learn how to communicate our shared passion for Creation Care. This is not a liberal or conservative issue- it is a universal concern.

Adrian Halverstadt of Barclay College gave some helpful Biblical lessons as we reach out to Evangelicals about Creation Care.

He emphasized the love of Jesus: Jesus said, “I have come so you can have the life God intended” (John 10:10) “For judgment, I have come into the world.” (John 9:39). He explains that “judgment” in Greek is “Krisis” which means, “to make right; to reestablish to an original state of being.” Additionally, he outlined the original design for the world in Genesis 1:26, 28. The word dominion has been incorrectly translated from the Hebrew word, “Radah”. “Radah” means “bearing responsibility to bring about the purpose of God.” God saw what God created and "it was good". Therefore, we have a responsibility to care for the marvelous creation that God has created for us and our fellow creatures. This is a very different understanding of how dominion has been interpreted.

What should we do to care for creation? Talk about your concern about climate collapse. Find ways to reduce your consumption: plan menus to reduce food waste, increase the amount of plant based meals you eat, drive fuel efficient cars, buy carbon off sets when you fly, be energy efficient in your home and consider, do I really need to buy this?

Share your thoughts with our Creation Care Team: Mary Blackburn, Kathy Farris, Ed Morris and Dan Mitchell.

Community Garden Update ~ Dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies, hawks, house wrens, goldfinches, ladybugs and a hummingbird are just a sampling of last Saturday’s garden visitors.Our garden is thriving despite late plantings and haphazard weather conditions. The cistern ran dry Sunday, so hopefully the thunderstorms have relieved that situation.

Shout outs to:

those helping out-of-town gardeners by tending their plots
Ed K. for cutting the grass around the plots
the mystery person who weeded the Hope plot

Needs:

additional volunteers to harvest and deliver more frequently to Mid-North Food Pantry including weeks First Friends isn’t volunteering there. Contact Nancy or Sam

The world is a better place when people help one another and collaborate like we do in our Community Garden!

“Be good to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
—Ephesians 4:32

“You just call on me brother when you need a hand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.”
Bridge from “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

This Week’s Queries

Where have you seen God this week?
How has God been good to you?

Comment

Friend to Friend July 24, 2019

July 25, 2019

As Way Opens

A few years ago, when I was in the Northwest Yearly Meeting, I was moved to speak out of the silence at the end of our Annual Yearly Meeting sessions. I shared my hope for our Yearly Meeting through a blog post that I had written originally for my own meeting. The post’s lyrics and phraseology resembled Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream" speech only with my own thoughts and words about our Yearly Meeting. This week as I have been preparing for Western Yearly Meeting Sessions, I returned to that post and decided once again to update it for my current situation. May it inspire us to dream, come together, and think about a hopeful future as Quakers in Indiana and Illinois.

Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the Spirit of God.

I have a dream that one day soon our Western Yearly Meeting of Friends will rise up and live out the gospel (good news) without shame, fear, or hesitation.

I have a dream that one day people who we have offended, and those who have offended us will be able to sit down together at the table of reconciliation.

I have a dream that one day our local meetings will be a place known for freedom and a place of justice for ALL people – no matter their race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, life circumstance, financial status, or capacity to understand and comprehend God’s mysteries.

I have a dream that our children and youth will not be judged on external factors like appearance, special needs, skills, or abilities, and instead be judged by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day as I look out over our Yearly Meeting gathered I will be able to see women and men, young and old, ALL ministers; each and every one a worshiper of God involved in the work of the ministry, not out of guilt but out of a deep love that was modeled by Jesus Christ.

I have a dream of a Yearly Meeting that is passionate about sharing their Quaker faith and its distinctives with those hopeless and broken in our neighborhoods and communities here and abroad. A dream that we would not be fearful, but compassionate, articulate, giving, and loving as we live out the good news through service to our neighbors.

I have a dream that we would, each one of us, take seriously our obligation to study the Bible and other great resources that support our faith, so that we may be able to love God and love our neighbors to the fullest extent.

I have a dream that this Yearly Meeting would rise up above its struggles and divisions to become a shining light to the Midwest and to the world. Not for the recognition by the community, nor for the praise of other Quakers, nor for the glory of our Yearly Meeting, but for the glory of God and God alone!

And on our way to that day, we will be able to join hands and sing the words of the worship anthem:
"There is no one like our God. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this [Yearly Meeting], greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here.”

Grace and peace,

Bob

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

Tim Grimm Free Concert! IFCL is sponsoring a concert by Tim Grimm at 7:30pm on Saturday, July 27. Put aside political cares and come hear this native son paint stories with music that tickles and moves the spirit. This free concert will be at the historic meeting house of Plainfield Friends at 105 S. East Street in Plainfield. See the flyer here: http://bit.ly/2JDoHAo. Contact Phil Goodchild (pgoodch713@aol.com; 317-790-9054) with any questions. We hope you will join us!

Joys & Concerns

We are thankful for our Mid-North Food Pantry Volunteers: Linda and Rik L, Christie M, Kathy R, Mara S, Carol and Jim D. We were very busy and served 97 clients. Thanks to all who support the Pantry!

Here’s what’s blooming in the Butterfly Garden this week! Joe Pye Weed, tall yellow coneflower and lavender hyssop.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Western Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions ~ This weekend, July 25-28, all are encouraged to attend Western Yearly Meeting’s Annual Sessions, this year themed “Unleash the Love, Release the Power.” This year on Sunday we will enjoy Music from Around WYM & Hymn Sing at 9:30, and then a worship service at 10:30 with singing, a worship message by Ron Bryan, and silent worship. We will also hold a retirement reception for Wanda Coffin Baker. For the full tentative schedule, please visit Western Yearly Meeting’s website at www.westernyearlymeeting.org.

If you are staying local this weekend, this Sunday, July 28, there will not be a full service but we will hold unprogrammed worship here at First Friends in the Parlor at 10:15am (Please note, there will be no unprogrammed worship service at 9am.) Childcare will be provided.

Men! Quaker men! Are you the kind of guy who likes to rise early, do a little work then eat a nice hearty breakfast of pancakes and eggs? Are you a lumberjack kind of guy? If so, I have just the event for you. There is a tradition that the Quaker Men prepare a pancake and egg breakfast for attendees during the Western Yearly Meeting sessions. This year the breakfast will be on Saturday July 27. Volunteers will need to be at the WYM facility in Plainfield between 6:30 and 7:00am, ready to go to work. If you would like to participate in this fun, robust, masculine fellowship contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is coming this Tuesday night! Kathy R will be leading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah on the 30th of July at 7 pm in the Parlor. Click link for the New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/books/review-great-alone-kristin-hannah.html All are welcome!

SAWs Ramp Build ~ The Shalom Zone is planning another SAWS ramp build for the morning of Saturday, July 27. SAWS is an organization that builds ramps for low income folks who need a ramp to enter/exit their homes. If you would like to volunteer to help or need more information, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org. Since we need to plan the work crews from among the Shalom Zone churches, let us know as soon as you are able that you plan to assist. Volunteers must complete the volunteer form before their first build. This form can be found on the SAWS website: www.sawsramps.org.

Shalom Zone Garage Sale ~ On Saturday, July 27, from 8 am to noon (set up beginning at 7 am) the Shalom Zone churches will be sponsoring “garage sale’ and “craft sale” opportunities for individuals in the Cross and Crown parking lot at 79th and Allisonville Rd. You will be able to reserve a space for $10 in advance ($15 day of sale). The rest is up to you – bring your own table or use the trunk of your car. You get to keep whatever you earn. The adjoining neighborhood of Ivy Hills will have its annual garage sale the same day so there should be no shortage of folks looking for a deal. The Shalom Zone will donate the reservation fees to School on Wheels, a voluntary program which tutors homeless children throughout Marion County. For more info or to reserve a space contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Shalom Zone 5th Tuesday Presentation ~ The Shalom Zone invites you to their 5th Tuesday Presentation: “Strengthening your relationship with God.” This will be an evening of relaxation and imagination. The facilitator will be Father Jim Farrell. It is being held Tuesday, July 30, 7:00-8:30pm at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E 56th St (east of Emerson on 56th St. – next driveway east of Cathedral). All are welcome! For more information, please contact Mary Gault at maryhgault@gmail.com.

Calling all ice cream lovers! First Friends will be working at the Dairy Bar at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, August 10th all day. This is a major fundraiser for our youth programming. We still need 1 more volunteer from 9:00-3:30am, and 3 volunteers from 3:30-10:30pm. It is fast-paced but lots of fun! Volunteers will receive a free ticket to the State Fair for that day, as well as unlimited ice cream, shakes and cheese sandwiches. Please let the office (office@indyfriends.org) know if you’re interested in volunteering!

It is harvest time! We are enjoying reaping and eating the produce God has given as well as sharing some with Mid-North Food Pantry. According to Carol, pantry clients are “pleased to get” the fresh veggies and they go quickly!

Living Well, Dying Well ~ All are invited to a free event hosted by Epworth United Methodist Church. “Living Well, Dying Well, Once You are Eligible for Medicare” is a free program that helps people plan for matters such as Medicare, wills, funerals, assisted living, and more. It is being held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-noon. Throughout the day there will be different sessions on a variety of topics led by guest speakers and experts. Join us that day at Epworth United Methodist Church, at the corner of 65th St and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. For more information see the flyer at http://bit.ly/2Y2XkIZ.

Western Yearly Meeting and Friends United Meeting 2019 Projects ~ First Friends’ annual campaign to raise funds for the 2019 WYM and 2019 FUM mission projects began with the luncheon hosted by Witness & Service a few weeks ago.

The WYM project is "Education for Esther" and involves child education for girls among the Samburu and Turkana people groups in Kenya. Girls in such areas typically don’t have the funds to go to school and this project will provide scholarships to enable some girls to further their education. Each scholarship costs only $400. Find more information here: http://bit.ly/2NLfx98.

The FUM project is "Everyone Welcome" and involves raising money for physical improvements to the Ramallah Friends School so that special needs kids can fully access all areas of the school. You can read more information about the project here: http://bit.ly/2JGkTgq.

Registration Open! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ All women are invited to join us for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. There are still spots available! The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove. For more information and to register, please visit http://bit.ly/FFWomensRetreat. Scholarships are available—please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org to inquire about scholarships.

This Week’s Queries

Where have you seen God this week?

How has God been good to you?

Comment