This week's Lenten Moment is from Pastor Sunil Kotian, where he shares about God's works through us. We were glad to have been able to join in one of NeighborLink Indy's service projects last fall as well as support them through Metro's grant program.
Over the next several weeks as we reflect on Metro's connection with multiple programs and ministries, please consider a gift to Metro Ministries to support next year's grants program. Our goal for this Lenten Season is to raise $8,000. Help us reach our goal!
Thank you to everyone who has given to Metro Ministries during this Lenten season!
We hope you enjoy these weekly videos. Please reach out if you have any questions about any of the programs and projects that you learn about.
Here are upcoming events and activities during this season of Lent:
Weekly Lenten Devotion with Rev. Dr. Aleze
Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, our Conference Superintendent, invites you to join in a weekly Lenten Learning during Lunch Time, to explore how to see God in plain sight via the book Lent in Plain Sight (the book should be purchased).The weekly discussions will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays, beginning March 9 from noon - 1:00 pm and will continue through April 13, the Wednesday of Holy Week.
This Saturday, March 19 from noon - 3 pm, new and gently used shoes are being collected at Southport UMC. The shoes will go to international students who are in need of shoes to be able to attend school in their homelands.
Scott UMC wishes to invite everyone to help honor Dr. James Anyike, who has served as the senior pastor at Scott UMC since 2008, as well as having served in the Central District at University UMC and Wesley UMC as Associate Pastor in the past.
In addition to his servant leadership at Scott UMC, Dr. Anyike is the founder of radio show "Soul Liberation Radio" which airs Sundays at 9:00 pm on 95.1 FM and 1310 AM. He is also the organizer and leader of one of the most successful Kwanzaa celebrations in Indianapolis.
Dr. Anyike will be relocating to Zimbabwe, Africa later this year. The folks at Scott UMC are planning a Celebration of Ministry in support of his future work in Zimbabwe. The event will be Saturday, April 16. 2022, 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the Jewel Event Center in Indianapolis. Tickets are $65 for in person or $25 for virtual livestream participation and are available on Eventbrite or by contacting the church office at 317-925-1997.
All proceeds from this celebration will go to support Dr. Anyike's future work in Zimbabewe.
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.
Notice of Intention to Apply must be received 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.
As you have likely heard, the 2020 General Conference has been postponed until 2024. Visit this page for Bishop Trimble's response and for more information.
If you do not already subscribe to the Central District newsletter, this would be a great time to do so, in order to stay current on news and announcements. Sign up for this newsletter and other communications from the Indiana Conference HERE.
Annual Conference 2022
Agenda Published!
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.
The agenda for the 2022 Annual Conference is availableHERE.
Registration for the Annual Conference will open April 4 and will continue through May 26.
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 excited to announce INUMC's Children Matter Most All In! event is back on the calendar, for October 1, 2022. This all-day event is an opportunity for all who care about children to come together for a day of learning and sharing. Folks who already work closely with children are invited as well as those who are seeking to learn how to make a difference in the lives of children throughout Indiana.
When: October 1, 2022, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Grace UMC in Franklin
Registration Cost: $10.00 for one registrant; $15 for 2 registrants; $20 for 3 or more registrants
Event organizers are seeking interest in presenting and/or staffing a booth. at the event. Click HERE to express interest in either or both. NOTE: If you submitted interest in presenting or staffing a booth earlier, you do not need to resubmit.
Contact Jen Huff at jennifer.huff@inumc.org with questions or to sign up for child care.
Did you know the Indiana Conference website has a job posting board of open church staff positions and beyond?
Did you know that churches can post staff job opportunities on the INUMC Conference Job Board?
View current openings HERE, and 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.
.PNG)
.PNG)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
