Prayer for Shooting Victims and Families, Summer Reading Programs, Self-Care Plan, ...
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
WEDNESDAY WORDS
FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.
May 25, 2022
A Prayer for All
I have struggled today with how to acknowledge the tragic losses of precious lives we have learned of recently. After two mass shootings in the news in less than two weeks, words of hope and encouragement to share with you are not readily available. So I will share a prayer instead.
I pray for the hurting and the grieving that there be some sense of comfort for them ahead, as difficult as that is to imagine. I pray for those traumatized by violence to someday feel safe somewhere again. I pray for leaders and policymakers at all levels to do better and to truly work on behalf of those they serve. And I pray that each of us individually and all of us collectively can be better, more committed peacemakers. Lord, hear my prayer, Amen.
I regret to inform you that this summer's Project Transformation Indiana summer reading program has been cancelled.
In light of this, I want to share some summer reading resources.
For families in Warren Township in Marion County, a Summer Reading Cafe is available through the Morehead Community Resource Center. Click HERE for a downloadable flyer. This program is limited to Warren Township residents.
Many libraries offer fun ways for kids, youth and adults to track their reading, as well as other summer programming. See below for links to local libraries:
Please let me know if you are aware of other summer reading programs or projects that can be shared.
Mental Health Awareness
For this last week in May's Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share a tool that I think we can all use. I'm sure you are familiar with the idea of putting "your oxygen mask on first". This comes from flight attendants' instructions to us when we board commercial flights, that if there should be a sudden drop in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from above us and we should put our own masks on before we attempt to help others with their masks.
In the world of mental health, this is known as self-care. If we are to be present for our friends and family in their times of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual struggles, we must attend to our own health - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. At the Mental Health First Aid training I attended a few weeks, ago, we were given this SELF-CARE PLAN.
As someone who doesn't always "practice what I preach", I finally completed my plan earlier today. I didn't spend a great deal of time, just spent a few minutes brainstorming things that work for me. I encourage you to complete a plan for yourself and keep it handy, as a reminder to take care of yourself.
IMPACT 2818 Needs Your Help!
Camping season is just around the corner. Unfortunately, IMPACT 2818 is experiencing an extreme shortage of volunteers and staff. The shortage is almost to the point where programming may need to be cut if positions are not filled very soon.
You are invited to pray about volunteering or filling one of the staff openings. Also share this with folks you know who may be interested. Visit THIS PAGE for what help is needed at each camp location and the contacts.
On Saturday, June 25, 2022, the Central District is hosting a District ON MISSION Work Day at Scott UMC. This work day is to assist one of the district's predominantly black United Methodist congregations to "spruce up the place".
There will be all types of jobs for the young, the young and heart, and everyone in between. Some jobs will require specific tools or supplies, such as hardware to repair kitchen drawers and a stripper and waxer for stripping and waxing the floors. If you have such supplies, YOU ARE NEEDED!
If you, your youth group or missions group would like to be a part of the day, please contact the Central District at central.district@inumc.org for more detailed information.
The Work Day will be 10:00 am - 2:00 pm on June 25th, and the church is located at 2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Let us join in service to assist our brothers and sisters at Scott UMC!
Volunteer at Fletcher Place Community Center's Garden Project
Fletcher Place Community Center's Garden Project is in full swing, especially after the sunshine and rain we have had these past several days. Every Saturday morning, weather permitting, volunteers gather between 9am and noon at 1637 Prospect Street on the southeast side of Indianapolis, to help with weeding and planting, and in a few weeks, harvesting and distributing early crops, such as broccoli and cabbage, from the bodega to folks in the neighborhood.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Beth Opell at beth.opell@gmail.com. Volunteers are welcome any Saturday and can stay as long or as little as able. Volunteers should plan to take water, sunscreen, hats, etc. In case of cancellation due to rain, Beth notifies volunteers via email on Friday evenings.
Contact Beth to be added to the weekly email notifications! Note that getting on the email list does not commit you to volunteering every week, it just keeps you in the communication loop. Won't you consider helping out one or more Saturdays during this garden season?
Here are several upcoming events and activities throughout Central Indiana:
__________________________
June 5: Night of 1,000 Comics at Epworth UMC
25% of all funds will go to Society of St. Andrew!
June 6 at 7:00 pm: Worship Concert at Franklin Grace UMC
Grace UMC is hosting the Youth Choir and Ringers from Church of the Savior UMC in Cincinnati, OH. This is the nineteenth summer tour for the singers and ringers Alive worship concert. This is a free event open to the community.
____________________________
June 10: Greenfield Strawberry Festival Hosted by Bradley UMC
The 38th Annual Strawberry Festival will be Friday, June 10, open 11 am - 7 pm. Pre-sale tickets are $6.00, $7.00 at the door. Tickets are available at Bradley UMC and several Greenfield businesses. Proceeds will go to support many Hancock County organizations.
____________________________
June 11: Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Community Baby Shower for Dads-To-Be
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- UPDATED April 2022
We have made several updates to the food pantry listing. 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.
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
