Celebrate Transformation: INUM Children's Home in Lebanon, Lenten & Community Events...
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
WEDNESDAY WORDS
FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.
March 15, 2023
CELEBRATE TRANSFORMATION:
INUM Children's Home in Lebanon
Did you know the Indiana United Methodist Children's Home in Lebanon has been caring for children for nearly 100 years. The original home was founded by Miss Angie Godwin in 1915 in Greencastle, and with her leadership and persistence, was moved to its Lebanon location in 1924. What began as an orphanage serving Indiana children, began transitioning to a residential treatment facility for youth in 1959. Today the home provides residential care to up to 52 youth between the ages of 14 and 19 from all 92 Indiana counties, with many from Marion and surrounding counties.
The Home follows the Teaching Family Model, an evidence-based model of care for youth who, for a number of reasons, are in need of dedicated care. Married couples and single individuals are hired as family teachers who provide daily care and supervision while teaching important social skills and functional alternatives to behaviors that caused youth to be placed out of the home environment. This is not a group home environment nor is it institutional, rather it reflects a family environment throughout the six identical modern ranch-style homes on the campus. Up to 52 youth can be served at a given time, with no more than 10 youth residing in each of the six homes on campus. Youth who are referred are currently unable to live with parents/legal guardians, or who need transitional services in a restrictive environment before returning home or to indpendent living. Many of those servesd are victims or witnesses of neglect or abuse and many experience behavioral and/or academic difficult in school. The Home accepts referrals from the Indiana Department of Child Services, Juvenile Probation, Department of Corrections and from other sources.
In addition to the houses and administrative buildings, the James E. Davis School, an accredited 8 through 12 grade school, is on campus, where youth receive education based on Indiana Core 40 curriculum. The school is where, in mid-February, I encountered the transformation that happens here. The school runs on twelve week trimesters, beginning in August, November and late February. At the end of each trimester, a graduation and awards ceremony is held. The program is led by the school principal, with many teachers and other staff participating in award presentations. Five people graduated this trimester, and two of these young men spoke of their experience and their gratitude for the school and their overall experience. After the diplomas were distributed, the school's award ceremeny commenced. Each student received at least one award, with many students receiving multiple awards. Some awards were based on academic achievement, others were based on core skill development, teamwork, leadership or other personal characteristics such as integrity, confidence, endurance, or goal setting and attaining. I have never witnessed anything like the fifty or so students being repeatedly recognized and cheered for by their classmates, teachers, mentors and family members who were also in attendance. From the very beginning to the end of the two-hour ceremony, it was abundantly clear that each teacher and staff member cares deeply about the education,the safety and the positive, healthy development of all the youth served.
I encourage you to learn more about the transformational work of the administration, the staff and especially the youth, of the Indiana United Methodist Children's Home. Information on tours, details about their programs, and ideas for how you and your church can support them can all be found HERE.
Project Transformation Breakfast
Project Transformation Indiana invites you to Partners in Transformation breakfast on Saturday, March 25 at North UMC. This is an opportunity to learn more about what's happening with Project Transformation in the coming months, as well as to show support for this organization focused on transforming lives and communities. Visit HERE to purchase tickets for this breakfast event.
Lenten Lunch Time
Today began the Central District's "Lenten Learning During Lunch Time". Each Wednesday during Lent, all laity, clergy and all who are curious are invited to join from noon - 1:00 pm via Zoom, to explore together The Lord's Prayer from Luke 11:1-4.
Saturday, March 25, Grace United Methodist Church is hosting breakfast at 8:00 am. Joseph Mulongo is the guest speaker.
Saturday, April 1, Greenwood Unitd Methodist Church is hosting breakfast at 8:00 am. Renae Furnee with Resources of Hope is the guest speaker.
_______________
Southeast Churches Men's Lenten Breakfasts
All are invited to participate in this longstanding Lenten season tradition. Each host church has invited a different speaker to highlight mission needs in the Central District and beyond. All breakfasts begin at 7:30 am.
March 11: Edgewood UMC, 1820 E. Epler Ave., Indianapolis
March 18: St. Andrew UMC, 2560 Villa Ave., Indianapolis
March 25: Christ UMC, 8540 US 31, Indianapolis
April 1: Rosedale Hills UMC, 4450 S. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis
_______________
Crossroads "Cluster" Lenten Worship Services
All services begin at 6:30 pm. Food will be served after all services except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Sunday, March 12, Pastor Debb Ebersole at Fairview UMC
Sunday, March 26, Rev. Colin Cress at Mt. Lebanon UMC
Maundy Thursday, April 6, Pastor Jan Bond, location TBD
Good Friday, April 7, Pastor Kristen Hanson, Morristown UMC
_______________
Irvington Community Lenten Services
The Lenten "Soup Suppers and Services" are back this year on Wednesdays during Lent. Each week, soup suppers will begin at 6pm, with the services beginning at 7pm.
March 8: Our Lady of Lourdes, with Rev. Denise Robinson from Irvington UMC preaching
March 15: Irvington UMC with Fr. Rick Ginther from Our Lady of Lourdes preaching
March 22: Irvington Presbyterian with Fr. Frank Impicciche from St. Matthew's preaching
March 29: Downey Ave. Christian Church, with Pastor Maureen Wilson from Irvington Presbyterian preaching
Upcoming Community Events
_______________
Sunday, March 19: Society of St. Andrew, along with Bread for the World and Central Christian Church invite all who are concerned about food insecurity to the viewing of the new documentary. The Working Hungry on Sunday, March 19 at 12pm. For more information on the film and to download a viewing guide, visit HERE.
_______________
Beginning April 8, St. Andrew UMC is bringing back their Bread of Life Ministry on the 2nd Saturday of each month. All are welcome, no questions asked. If you would like a downloadable flyer to share with others, click HERE.
_______________
April 23 through April 30: The Great Sneaker Recycle! Here's a chance to get rid of your old sneakers. North UMC's Green Team will be sending worn sneakers to a sneaker recycling company, with shoes in good shape being resold. You may drop off sneakers at North UMC, 3808 N. Meridian Street, or you may also reach out to Metro Ministries. We would be glad to deliver your old shoes. Just send us an email or give us a call!
_____________
Saturday, April 1 at 10am: Caslteton UMC.
All children 12 an younger are welcome!
______________
April 8 at 1pm: Community Easter Egg Hunt in North Salem
Sponsored by: Emmanel Baptist Church, North Salem Christian Church and North Salem UMC
_______________
Current Grant Opportunities
Diversity, Missions and Justice Ministries of the INUMC
Ministry with the Poor Grant: Does your ministry have a passion for serving and being in community with the poor? Applications for Ministry with the Poor 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.
Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana
The Lilly Endowment has announced Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative to help advance the academic, physical and social development of Indiana youth. This initiative is offering grant funding on a competitive basis to established youth-serving organizations whose programs further one or more of the following purposes:
Enhancing the welfare and safety of youth.
Identifying and addressing the social and emotional needs of youth.
Delivering educational experiences for youth that supplement classroom learning.
Developing character traits and leadership skills in youth.
Providing safe and enriching out-of-school time learning environments for youth
Visit lillyendowment.org for full details of this initiative, including eligibility requirments and the applicaiton process.
The Lilly Endowment has provided grant funding to Indiana Youth Institute to provide data, training, consultation and other resources that are specific to the SYPI initiatives. Learn more and request information at iyi.org.
Americorp Vista Opportunity with Society of St. Andrew
Society of St. Andrew is seeking a Gleaning Coordinator VISTA. This is a one-year VISTA assignment and requires someone who is passionate about food access, agriculture and food waste, who is engaging and demonstrates compassion for others. This role will allow the opportunity to grow as a leader, network with farmers, volunteers and hunger relief agencies, engage in non-profit fundraising and explore educational avenues within various communities. The position also offers: camaraderie with several other VISTAs serving under the Indy Hunger Network umbrella, team engagement activities, including bi-weekly meetings to discuss projects, socialize, and hear from guest presenters, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and professional development trainings.
Click HEREfor more information on becoming a VISTA member.
Local Church Job Opportunities
_______________
Calvary Brownsburg UMC: Director of Youth and Family Ministry
A part-time professional position to develop and maintain online streaming for weekly church services. To view full job description or apply, visit the church website.
_______________
Smith Valley UMC: Music Director
Full job description for this part-time position is available on Facebook and on the church website.
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.
.png)
.PNG)
.png)
.png)
