Celebrating at Bethel UMC

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure to attend Bethel UMC and present Bill and Laura Tincher with their 2022 Missioner of the Year Award. You may recall the awards were announced during Metro's Annual Celebration last November, and the Tinchers were unable to attend that event.

The Tinchers were nominated by a fellow Bethel congregant for their commitment to Bethel's local mission work and their commitment to Bethel's commission team. When I arrived on Sunday, it took me all of about thirty seconds to meet Bill and Laura. They were staffing a table in the narthex, where they were collecting new hats, scarves and gloves to be given to clients of the Pike Township Trustee's Office. Laura and Bill introduced themselves, and we talked about how relational and impactful it can be to partner with a local township trustee.

Later during the service, as I read a snippet from the Missioner of the Year nomination form "Laura and Bill make sure there is a scripture verse or encouraging note attached to reflect God’s goodness and grace when baby blankets are given out, in appreciation baskets for firefighters, food baskets for the hungry, sock collections for Veterans and schools supplies for needy families.", I said to them and to the congregation that I bet there would be encouraging words included with all of the scarves, hats and gloves too. Laura smiled as she nodded enthusiastically. 

Thank you, Laura and Bill, for all that you do at Bethel UMC and for your humble service in your community!

Lenten Season Kickoff Breakfast

Metro Ministries is excited to share this year's Lenten Season theme "CELEBRATE! TRANSFORMATION". We hope you will join us at Old Bethel UMC Saturday February 25 at 8:30 am, as we hear from folks with Indy Urban Acres who have transformed unused land on Faith UMC's property to The Faith Farm, and how the harvest from the farm has been transforming lives through Old Bethel and Partners Food Pantry, by helping address food insecurity in this community.

Register HERE to attend this event! Registration is $20/person, and table sponsorship is $150/table (with 8 seats). Please register by February 10.

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation toward Metro's Lenten Season fundraiser, you may do so HERE, or you may send a check to Metro Ministries, Inc. at 2560 Villa Avenue, Indianapolis, 46203.

We look forward to starting this Lenten journey with you, as we fellowship together and celebrate both new and old relationships.

Remembering Kim Powell

Kimberly Kay Powell, wife of retired elder David Powell, went to be with Christ after a yearlong journey with cancer on December 29, 2022. The Powells served faithfully throughout Indiana,including at Danville UMC, Chapel Hill UMC, Zionsville UMC, and Greenwood Honey Creek UMC. The Powells retired to North Port Florida in 2020.  

Services will be at North Port Community United Church of Christ (North Port, FL) in late February and January 28 at Danville UMC (Danville, IN). Visitation at Danville will start at 11:00 a.m. with services following at 12:30 p.m.

She is survived by her father, Bob; husband, Dave; son, Mike (Morgan); step-son, Ben; and granddaughter, Amelia Grace.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Mission Haiti Medical or the mission of your heart.

Online condolences may be offered here. 

Grant Opportunities

Diversity, Missions and Justice Ministries of the INUMC

Applications will be accepted beginning February 1, 2023 for grants from the Bishop's Christmas Offering. Details are available HERE.

Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) 

Check out current grant opportunities through Central Indiana Community Foundation HERE. These include opportunities for grass roots organizations in Marion and Hamilton counties, as well as throughout Central Indiana with the Elevation Grant program.

Church & Community Outreach Survey

Can you spare just a few minutes to complete a brief survey? Metro wants to know what your church's outreach work looks like and to consider how we might be able to help in your community outreach efforts. We would also like to hear about the work that you are currently doing, so that we may share your successes with others. 

Please share the survey link with others in your church, so that we have a full picture of your church's current work and aspirations.  The survey will close on February 1, 2023.

We will then evaluate the feedback received and report back through the newsletter and/or to churches directly, as appropriate. Note that the survey does require church name, but individual's name and contact information are optional. Thanks in advance for your input!

Equalization Members

Willingness to Serve

The District Equalization Members Willingness to Serve form gathers names of those willing to serve as an equalizing member at 2023 Annual Conference. To express your willingness to serve, fill out the form here. (Deadline is February 1 at 11:59 p.m.)

Here are a few church community events coming up:

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February 4: University UMC's Valentine's Celebration

11am - 2pm, Fay Biccard Glick Center

2990 W 71st St., Indianapolis

Join  University UMC for their Love Is in the Air fundraising event. There will be live music, brunch and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the church facade renovation. For a downloadable flyer, click HERE.

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February 19: CHARITY AUCTION at Mohawk UMC

Meal at 11AM, Auction begins at Noon

2045 W. 400 N., Greenfield

The auction will include items such as farm and home machinery, tools, homemade food and baked goods, homemade items, gifts baskets, toys, games and much MORE! Proceeds from the auction will help fund Mohawk's missions and ministries in 2023.

Have Something to Share?

Do you have an event, volunteer need or job posting you would like included in Metro's weekly e-newsletter? Send us an email at metrodirector1923@gmail.com with the details. We will need to receive by Tuesday morning for inclusion in the current week's newsletter.