WEDNESDAY WORDS

FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.

July 20,  2022

It seems far too soon to be praying over backpacks, but the time is here. Some schools in Central Indiana will be starting back as soon as next week, with others starting during the first and second weeks in August.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at a back-to-school event in Edinburgh last night, where school supplies were distributed to 60 families, and I will be at another event tomorrow evening in Whiteland where many more families will receive school supplies.

These are just two of many events that have already happened this month or will be in the coming days and weeks. Churches, community organizations and some school districts in Central Indiana hold such events to ensure that students have the supplies they need to start the new school year. Many of these back-to-school events have other community service providers on-site, including physical and mental health providers, insurance providers, and other children and family supports.

I met boys and girls from kindergarteners through high schoolers, some of the youngest ones excited to be headed to school for the first time, others excited to get back to their friends, and others just excited to get back in school. I met parents, grandparents, older siblings, and other caregivers, many with a mix of emotions around back to school time.

Kids were giving and receiving hugs with teachers and school staff, while others were going from table to table, chatting away with adults they didn't know. One third grade boy was helping his grandmother in her wheelchair; another boy was obviously excited to see his pediatrician, even though he couldn't tell her in words how glad he was to see her. There were two very little girls, perhaps kindergarten or first graders, who were overjoyed to have gotten insulated lunch bags from one of the service providers. One of the girls asked me to help her zip up the overstuffed bag. I tried not to crumble the Veggie Tales coloring page that was sticking out. 

I had many thoughts going through my mind last night, but first and foremost was that it is time for us to pray. May we pray for the children, their caregivers and their teachers, and pray that any needed connections be made between the families and the community resources. I know that while it may seem too soon for some, to be offering back to school prayers, it is time for me to ask you to lift up the kids throughout our communities, the kids and their families that I saw last night, the kids who will attend or have attended similar events and the kids who do not need school supplies distributed to them. May we pray for the kids' physical and mental health, for their safety, for their growth and their learning. May we pray that they be neither bullied nor bullies, that their self-confidence and curiosity grow and that they have safe spaces and safe places to be themselves. May we pray for their families, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other caregivers, that they love and nurture the children the best that they can, that they have the supports they need to thrive and the motivation and intention to access those supports. 

May we pray for the teachers, may we pray that they have, first, been able to rest and restore during these short summer months and have renewed energy for the new school year. May we pray that they have been able to to ready themselves for all that encompasses being a teacher. May we pray that they have the supports that they too need in order to thrive. May they too have their safe spaces and safe places. May they feel supported and BE supported by their families, their churches, their communities and their policymakers and legislators. May we pray these things at this beginning of a new school year. Amen.

Metro's Open Grant Cycle

For Central District Churches

There are just three and half weeks left before grant submissions are due for this Focus on Mental Health grant cycle. Have you been considering how your church can help address mental health crises in our communities? Do you have questions about what might be an appropriate project or program? Do you need direction in learning about specific mental health resources? Please reach out if you do!

Metro Ministries invites all Central District United Methodist churches to consider how grant funding may be able to help your church take action toward some of these or other mental health concerns. 

We invite you to check out our website for full details on this grant cycle, thoroughly read the Request for Proposal, review the timeline and consider the possibilities at your church. Then, we invite you to Apply by the August 14, 2022 deadline.

This grant cycle is intended for new and re-imagined programs and projects. If your church already has active programs and projects in place, we invite you to let us know so that we can share with others who are looking for ideas.

Central District Bowl-a-thon

Sign up today to Connect for a Cause with the Central District staff & Metro Ministries! We are looking forward to gathering with folks from across the District for time of fun, fellowship and some healthy bowling competition!

Registration information is available HERE. Individual bowlers and teams are welcome!

Registration for individuals is $30, which includes shoe rental and three games. Team sponsorship is $300, which will include shoe rental and three games for up to 5 people. Stay tuned for details on Lane Sponsorship as well.

All individual bowlers and teams will need to register IN ADVANCE by September 16th.

Net proceeds from this event will benefit Metro Ministries, Inc.'s Grants program. ALL are welcome to participate in the fellowship and fun while raising funds for Metro Ministries!

Upcoming District Listening Session

In response to inquiries that have emerged after Annual Conference, Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, Conference Superintendent for the Central and West districts, is offering another informational session to answer questions regarding the current realities in the United Methodist Church. The session will be via Zoom on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 6:30 pm. Meeting information:

Link: https://inumc.zoom.us/j/86056128741?pwd=RlRtOUkwUkliWmgrQ1dSM1p2Ry82dz09

Meeting ID: 

Passcode: 129225

This District Informational is open to all laity, clergy, and those who are curious. There will not be an open mic for debates, however there will be an opportunity to raise pertinent questions. Please share this information with your congregations and leaders. If you attended the in-person gatherings, the information will be basically the same, except for the updates related to the announcement regarding the Special Called Annual Conference.

HERE is the link to the announcement regarding the Special Called Annual Conference scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Metro's Anniversary Celebration: November 12, 2022

Mark your calendars for Metro's 99th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 2:00 - 5:00. Our host will be University United Methodist Church, 5959 Grandview Drive, Indianapolis.

We can't wait to see you all there! Registration details will be coming soon!

Employment Opportunities

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Outreach Coordinator, Part-Time

Grace United Methodist Church, Franklin, IN

Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin is seeking a person to fill the Outreach Coordinator Position. People serving as lay speakers, or lay servants, with a strong desire to serve in and for the community of Franklin and surrounding areas are encouraged to contact Andy Kinsey, the senior pastor, at andykinsey@franklingrace.org. Job description is available upon request. The position coordinates the outreach ministries of the church and works as a member of a multiple staff. Grace UMC is located one-mile west of I-65 in Franklin on SR 44. Cultivating partnerships with nonprofits, civic organizations, and other churches is a part of the description of this position. Go to www.franklingrace.org for more information on ministry.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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Fletcher Place Community Center

Multiple Saturdays, 9am - 12pm

Volunteers are needed each Saturday through the end of garden season.  Individuals and small groups are welcome to come once or multiple times throughout the summer. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Beth Opell at beth.opell@gmail.com. can stay as long or as little as able and should plan to take water, sunscreen, hats, etc. In case of cancellation due to weather, Beth notifies volunteers via email on Friday evenings.

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Servants at Work (SAWs)

Multiple Dates 

Volunteering with SAWs is an opportunity to help change someone's life. SAWs is a faith-based nonprofit that builds outdoor ramps for persons living with permanent disabilities in low-income households.

SAWs has multiple ramp building opportunities available this summer. Most opportunities range from 4 to 6 hours and do not require specific skill sets. There are builds planned throughout Central Indiana and beyond. Visit the Volunteer Signup page to view currently available opportunities. You will need to create a username and password if you have not volunteered with SAWs before, or sign in with your previously created sign in information.

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Back to School Community Resource Day at Barnes UMC

Saturday, August 14, 2022

You Feed Them Missional Food Pantry is in need of several volunteers to help during this year's Community Resource Day.  Check out the needs on the Volunteer Form.

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Society of St. Andrew Indiana Gleaning Opportunities

Multiple Dates 

Society of St. Andrew Indiana is seeking individuals and groups who are interested in produce gleaning opportunities. Those who are interested should sign up for email notifications by creating a profile HERE. Folks will then receive emails of upcoming gleaning opportunities.

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Wednesdays in July: Summer Kids Club at Acton UMC

Wednesdays 10am - 12 pm, 5650 Senour Road, Indianapolis

Kids preschool through 5th grade are invited on Wednesday mornings in June and July for adventure and fun.  Kids Klub includes games, lessons, crafts, lunch, and much more!  Kids do not have to come every week.  They can come on the Wednesdays they are available.  All are invited and this is a FREE EVENT! Children must sign up in advance HERE.

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July 20: Revival Week at Miracles and Blessings UMC

 4032 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46218

                                Click HERE for downloadable flyer.

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July 30: Charlottesville UMC Annual Yard Sale & Bake Sale

 8 AM - 3 PM, Lions Club, 10165 E 25 N, Charlottesville, IN 46117

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6 - 8 PM, 7963 N Girls School Rd, Indianapolis

Concert by Warner Williams Band, along with an ice cream social.

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July 20: Going Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations

6:30pm, Grace United Methodist Church, 1300 E. Adams, Franklin, IN

This is a documentary showing, followed by a time of discussion. The video will take people to Europe and various places in the U.S., including the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The video also covers the massive effort to deny the Holocaust. 

Contact Pastor Andy Kinsey to sign up for this video showing at andykinsey@franklingrace.org.

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July 21 - 23: Fish Fry at Castleton UMC

11am - 9pm each day, 7101 Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46256

Visit them for fried fish, hotdogs, fries, baked beans, and more homemade desserts than you could ever imagine!

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July 24: The Joint Worship Experience at University UMC

9am, 5959 Grandview Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46228

Join us with Bethel Cathedral AME, Crossroads AME, and Emmanuel Free Will Baptist in our joint worship experience at University United Methodist Church.

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July 29 & July 30: Fish Fry at Miracles and Blessings UMC

10am - 4pm each day, 4032 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46218

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July 30: Yard Sale at Miracles and Blessings UMC

9am - 4pm, 4032 E. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46218

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August 6: Touch-a-Truck at Mt. Auburn UMC

10am - 2pm, 3100 Stones Crossing Rd., Greenwood, IN 46143

                                 Click HERE for downloadable flyer.

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August 13: Community Resource Day

Noon - 4pm, 900 W 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

 

Registration for families is CLOSED. If you are registered, do show up so that your registration is not wasted! Many community service providers will be on hand. 

Please share this information and downloadable flyer with all who would benefit. 

Have Something to Share?

Do you have an event, volunteer need or job posting you would like included in 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.

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!