This week's Lenten Moment highlights a new program of STRIVE Worldwide that connects students from Indianapolis, Danville and Haiti and guides them through environmental action projects needed in their respective communities.
If you have not already given to Metro Ministries this Lenten season, consider a gift today to help us reach our $8,000. All donations will go towards Metro's 2023 Grants program.
For me, this Lenten season has been a season of reconnecting, a season of gathering in fellowship and worship that we have missed the past two years. I made a Lenten commitment, a small sacrifice of time, to attend multiple Lenten services, and I am so glad that I did.
I didn't realize just how much I have missed gatherings. I so appreciated the reminder of how much hope can be present in a room full of Christ followers. I was present in many spaces full of hope these past six weeks.
I am so grateful to every church that opened its doors for special worship services, churches that invited pastors from neighboring churches to share sermons, for the folks who prepared and served meals. I appreciate the people who planned the gatherings, the people who shared their faith journeys and the people who uplifted organizations like Special Olympics and One Body Ministries. I wish I could've been in multiple places at once so that I could've joined in all of the Lenten events, but I appreciate those who shared their experiences with me.
My appreciation and prayers are with all the clergy and church staff that are offering Holy Week services throughout this week. It is my hope that the joy of gathering and connecting will be multiplied and amplified come Sunday. And I hope that the joy continues well beyond Sunday.
National faith-based non profit Pathway to Health is providing a 4-day FREE Mega Clinic at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis April 17 - 20. All are welcome to take advantage of a multitude of medical, dental and vision services. No insurance or ID is required; however masks are required.
This multi-day event for folks who are uninsured, underinsured or with limited access to healthcare services had been planned for 2020 and is finally coming to Indy! Pathway to Health is a humanitarian service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, that brings free medical clinics to cities across the country.
Click HEREfor a flyer detailing all of the services that are available. Medical and vision services are first come, first serve. Pre-registration is required for dental services, these details are available HERE. Share this information with anyone who may benefit from these services.
Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis kicked off this year's #NightWithoutABed campaign on April 1, where they joined with churches and organizations to raise funds and to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in the Greater Indianapolis area.
Several United Methodist churches in and around Indy have partnered with Family Promise for a number of years, many having served as host sites until the COVID-19 pandemic suspended that temporary family shelter program.
The fundraising campaign officially launched April 1, with a challenge for churches, organizations and individuals in friendly fundraising competition. The campaign will conclude on April 30, with an opportunity to spend a night without a bed. University UMC will host a Community Sleepout in the church parking lot and on the church grounds. Beginning at 7pm, participants will hear first-person stories of families' paths from homelessness to housing. There will also be a DJ on hand, fire pits with s'mores, awards and more.
To participate in the sleepout at University UMC, email info@fpgi.org with your name and whether you need a parking space or if you will be bringing a tent and will need tent space. Click HERE for more information about #NightWithoutABed.
In response to many inquiries that are emerging, the Cabinet of the INUMC has decided to host District gatherings to help facilitate providing accurate information and answer questions that may emerge regarding the current realities facing the United Methodist Church.
The Central District Gatherings will be:
Saturday, April 30 at noon, Greenwood UMC
Sunday, May 1 at 3:00 pm, Lawrence UMC
Sunday, May 1 at 6:00 pm, Chapel Hill UMC
Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 pm, via Zoom (Zoom link coming)
These gatherings will be a time for worship, providing information and an intentional time of prayer. Each gathering will last no more than 75 minutes, and the same information will be presented at each gathering.
These gatherings are open to all laity, clergy and those who are curious. There will be no open mic for debates; however, there will be opportunities to raise pertinent questions.
SAVI and the Polis Center Seeking Central IN Partner
A funding opportunity is available through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Urban Institute. RWJF is granting up to 35 awards of $40,000 for nine-month projects working toward health equity. The awards are granted to nonprofits with university data partners.
The Polis Center and SAVI are looking for nonprofit partners who would like to collaborate on an application. If interested, contact Matt Nowlin at minowlan@iu.edu. Registration deadline is April 20. Contact Matt prior to the 20th to express interest. Registered organizations will receive invitations to apply by May 2, and the application deadline is May 26.
Details of the funding opportunity are HERE. Note this opportunity is open to all U.S. based non-profit organizations, so it is likely to be highly competitive.
Ministry with the Poor Grants
Applications accepted March 1 - April 30
Matching grants up to $2,000 are available to help create new ministries or enhance current ministries with economically disadvantaged families and individuals. Click HERE for full details.
Urban Transitional Community Grants
Application deadlines are June 1 and December 1, with Notice of Intention to Apply due by March 1 for the June 1 deadline or September 1 for the December 1 deadline.
Matching grants up to $20,000 are offered by the based on criteria in the INUMC Urban Ministry Comprehensive Plan. Before applying for a matching grant, applicants should become familiar with this plan.
If interested in applying, review all the information HERE.
Love God, Love Neighbor is the theme for this year's Indiana Annual Conference, to be held June 9 through 11 in person at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.
With the theme "Love God, Love Neighbor", the offering and service project focus this year is on our Afghan neighbors. Here are ways your church can participate:
Collect and bring a financial offering that will go to resettlement organizations for our Afghan neighbors.
Prepare and collect school kits comprised of THESE SCHOOL SUPPLY ITEMS and bring your church's collected kits to the Conference.
Have your church be a collection point for School Kits during the month of April and contact Jennifer Huff at jennifer.huff@inumc.org to arrange pickup in May.
Share stories of how your church has been present with and serving our Afghan neighbors. Contact Jennifer Huff at jennifer.huff@inumc.org for your stories to be shared during Annual Conference.
Consider co-sponsoring an Afghan family with other churches or organizations. Contact Metro Ministries for more information on this opportunity.
We hope to offer first names of our Afghan neighbors for churches to be in prayer for them.
Metro Ministries is aware of the following job opportunities within the Central District.
Indianapolis:
East Tenth United Methodist Children & Youth Center is seeking Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Afterschool and Summer Program teachers. Multiple positions are available, email the Center at jcasmirhill@east10th.org.
TeenWorks is hiring for its Summer Employment program. They are actively seeking to fill their supervisor(s) and assistant supervisor(s) positions. This is a great opportunity to serve our local high school students and introduce them to the workforce! Please share this with any prospective adults in your networks!
United Way of Johnson County: Helpline Associate - This f/t position is an entry level opportunity in social work/human services. This unique role directly connects Helpline callers to appropriate resources in and around Johnson County. Application is available on Facebook.
Grace UMC: Family & Children's Ministry Director (f/t): The qualified person will have good experience and personal skill in relating to children and families. A job description is available upon request by emailing Amber Whitman at grace@franklingrace.org. This person will work with the associate pastor, along with a dedicated Ministry Team. The position is part of a wider church staff.
Grace UMC: Outreach Coordinator (p/t): This person will oversee numerous ministries in the area of food insecurity, outreach, and partnership coordination. The person will work with the senior pastor and the Outreach Ministry Team, along with other committed volunteers. For more information, please contact Andy Kinsey at andykinsey@franklingrace.org.
INUMC Job Posting Board
View current openings throughout the Indiana Conference HERE. To post your open position(s), scroll down to the "Post a Job" button to add your church's open positions.
Did you miss the latest newsletter from Metro Ministries? Is there a specific article you are looking for? You can access past issues at www.indymetroumc.org/communications!
Community Compass is a tool created by Indy Hunger Network and has two key ways to connect individuals with food resources near them. The first is an app for smart phones that automatically provides food resources based on where the individual is. The second is the ability to text for food resources if an individual does not have a smart phone. Check out details of Community Compass. This very valuable tool now works in the donut counties as well as Marion County!
Listing of Central Indiana Food Pantries
We have updated the format of the food pantry list, making it easier to view when printed. You can download the updated listingHERE or from Metro's website's Resources Hub. Please let us know if you have food resources to add or update. We will make updates to this list on a quarterly basis.
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