Meet Metro's New Board Members

It is my pleasure to introduce you to these folks who have agreed to join Metro's Board Of Directors this year: Jana Buckler, a member of Irvington UMC; Elizabeth Mason, a member of Old Bethel UMC; Pastor Jeffery Postell, Senior Pastor at Scott UMC; and Stephen Moore, a member of University UMC.

We welcome them to Metro and we thank them for saying "Yes!" to helping Metro be the very best we can be for and with our churches and communities.

Visit indymetroumc.org and click on their individual images to read their brief bios.

SURVEY CLOSES TODAY!

SURVEY CLOSES TODAY! Please share your church's outreach work with Metro!

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.  

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!

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.

Lenten Season Kickoff: Help Get the Word Out!

Help us get the word out about the Lenten Season Kickoff Breakfast by sharing this printable FLYER and  POWERPOINT SLIDE in your church communications and/or worship announcements. Please share with others in your church!

Contact Metro's office at (317) 452-4786 with any questions you have about this event.

Loving, Learning, Leading

2023 brings a series of opportunities to learn and grow leadership and to equip churches alongside nationally recognized leaders and Bishop Trimble. The first offering is coming up on March 15 and 16 at Epworth UMC, 6450 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis. 

March 15 will include worship followed by words focused on Change within the Church from Olu brown Pastor and Author,  March 16 will feature guest presenter Andy Yung , author of Growing Young. This is a free event, and registration is open for either or both days with options to attend in person or to livestream. Registration is required to attend. Click here for full details.

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.

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.

Local Church Job Opportunities

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Calvary Brownsburg UMC: Director of Youth and Family Ministry

This is a part-time position, view details HERE.

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Christ UMC: Part-time Custodian

A position with direct and shared responsibility for the general cleaning and light maintenance of the church interior and the CUMC Preschool, apply HERE.

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Gateway Comm Church of Fortville: Family Ministry Lead 

Details of this part-time position are HERE.

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Grace UMC: Coordinator of Congregational Care

Seeking a committed person to Christ who is able to demonstrate care and love to people in the life of the church. This is a part-time position. The person chosen will work within a large staff environment and will need to possess computer, organizational, and relational skills, as well as be willing to be part of Stephen Ministry and have knowledge of support groups. To learn more about this position, contact Dr. Jenothy Irvine at jenothyirvine@franklingrace.org.

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Smith Valley UMC: Music Director

Full job description for this part-time position is available on Facebook and on the church website.

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.)

Housing Our People Resource Fair

Center for Congregations is hosting a resource fair for church congregations to meet representatives from several organizations that can help your congregation address housing issues. The resource fair is February 25, 10am - 3pm at Chirst Church Cathedral.

Check out these upcoming church events:

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February 4: Guys Pies and More

4:30 pm, Chapel Hill UMC

Join Chapel Hill UMC for a fun evening to support Mission Haiti Medical. Beginning at 4:30 pm, sip on Mocktails while shopping in the Haiti Boutique. Dinner will start at 5:30 pm. During Dinner, Mission Haiti Medical rwill give a Video Talk, followed by the Dessert Dash and Dessert Auction. The evening will close with a comedy show from 4 Course Comedy. Click HERE  for details and to purchase tickets. Tickets for adults are $25, free for children.

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2990 W 71st St., Indianapolis

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.