Advent Week 3, Metro Year in Review, Center for Congregations Grant, Dec. Events...
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WEDNESDAY WORDS

FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.

December 14,  2022


Joy Is...

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One of my favorite things about the season of Advent is taking a few moments to reflect on what joy looks like for me. I'd like to share those reflections with you today.

Joy is receiving a comforting hug from a friend, even greater joy is in a comforting hug from someone I don't know very well. Joy is the sound of ridiculously loud laughter from of a group of folks signing Christmas cards and stuffing envelopes together, and joy is seeing the smile on the face of the person responsible for the card signing and envelope stuffing.

Joy is in watching It's a Wonderful Life for the first time and for the twentieth time. Joy is in driving all backroads on my way to speak at a church on a Sunday morning, especially when the sun is shining behind me, or when it's snowing, or when there's a light fog, or when someone is accompanying me. Joy is in watching the sun rise over an island beach and in watching the sun set from my kitchen window.

Joy is in listening to a story from a kindergarten teacher going from discouraged to hopeful, when a child struggling with the most basic tasks has a breakthrough, even as this teacher admits there will be more discouragement to come; she now knows this child can and will make continued progress. Her joy gives me goosebumps.

Joy is in seeing a sparkle in the eyes of someone who thought she had lost the capacity to feel joyful. Joy is laughing out loud, when someone shares a funny story that I had not heard before about a lost loved one. Joy is in the hug from a little girl who decides to give everybody at church a hug on Sunday morning.

Joy is in planting tomoato seeds and in nurturing them to seedlings. Joy is in transplanting the plants, in watering and weeding them, in picking their fruit, in making and preserving marinara sauce and in preparing and eating a meal from that sauce. Joy is in sharing a jar of the sauce with a neighbor.

These are the joys that came to mind for me this morning. I wonder, what are your examples of joy today?


Metro Year in Review

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It has been a busy and amazing year for Metro Ministries, Inc.! We were able to gather with many of you in person for both this year's Lenten Season Kickoff Breakfast and for our 99th Anniversary Celebration last month, as well as attending this year's Annual Conference and joining in fellowship and fun at the Central District Bowl-a-thon.

We have cheered on Brightwood Community Center’s new Executive Director Shonna Majors as she and BWCC’s board of directors have reimagined the center’s work in the community. This summer saw a revitalized SPARKS program by partnering with TeenWorks, bringing Indianapolis teens together with children from the Brightwood-Martindale neighborhood. Each week of the eight-week program was led by different teens, with focus on relationships, self-care and reading, math and science skill building.

We celebrated three churches’ pilot summer programs this year: Miracles and Blessings UMC’s Chess Camp, Irvington UMC’s Summer Camp and Shirley-Wikerson UMC’s BMX Bike STEM Camp. Metro also partnered with Lambswear, Inc. to support their Undie 500 and Sock-tober clothing drives. In addition, we celebrated STRIVE Worldwide’s launch of the Community Impact Academy, bringing together groups of middle school students from Indianapolis, Danville and Haiti. This new program was over two years coming to fruition because of the pandemic but is about to complete its second semester and is gearing up for 2023.

Metro supported all of these programs through our grants, and our grants are possible only because of the support of folks like you. We have had amazing support this year, and we thank everyone who has shown their support. We have seen a great response from churches and individuals to our Year End Ask but are still a little over $5,000 short of our $35,000 goal for the year. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to make a gift towards our 2023 grants program today.

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You may give online by clicking on the above button, or you may mail a check to our office at 2560 Villa Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203. We appreciate all support - no gift is too small.

As we continue towards celebrating Christ's birth, may you experience joy and peace in the moments and days ahead and hope for the coming year.


Grant Opportunity

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This Mental Health Initiative is an education and grant initiative designed to assist Indiana congregations in addressing mental health and wellness among their members. This opportunity includes educational sessions and a grant of up to $40,000 to fund expenses and activities that support mental health programming in congregations. 

The Center for Congregations is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and therefore encourages congregations of color and rural congregations to apply. 

As a result of participating in this Mental Health Initiative, your congregation will: 

  • Understanding ways that their congregation can benefit from the intersection of mental and spiritual wellness.
  • Harnessing their congregation’s spiritual practices and faith claims to promote healing and mental well-being.
  • Understanding cultural dynamics that can limit the discussion of mental health in congregations.
  • Equipping themselves to identify and offer mental health resources to support their faith community.
  • Finding rejuvenation and healing while learning how to offer it to their own congregation.
  • Learning ways to support clergy people and their spiritual and mental wellness.

This grant awards 90% funding up to $40,000 and will require a 10% commitment from each participating congregation. This is a competitive process with a a cohort of 30 congregations across 29 Central Indiana counties. Information sessions about this opportunity are available in December and January. Visit the  Center for Congregation's Mental Health Initiative webpage for full details. Note the applicaiton deadline is January 27, 2023.


 

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December 16: Unwrapping Christmas, Old Bethel UMC Puppeteers
7 pm, 7995 E 21st St., Indianapolis
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Mark your calendars and invite your friends and family to this fun Christmas puppet show. There will be great music and a wonderful message. All are welcome to this FREE event!
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December 17: Breakfast with Santa at Faith UMC
9:30am, 9031 E 16th St., Indianapolis
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All are welcome at this free event for the community.
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December 18: Comfort and Hope at North UMC
5pm, 3909 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis
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This simple service of silence and song, scripture and prayer will acknowledge the gift of letting go and celebrate the gift of holding fast to hope.

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December 18: Christmas Celebration at University UMC 
3pm, 5959 Grandview Drive, Indianapolis
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Celebrate with guest churches Bethel Cathedral AME, Crossroads AME, Scott UMC, and True Victory Church of God in Christ. Featuring music from Ivan Moreland and Joe Heyward.

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December 25: Christmas Dinner at Grace UMC
4 - 6 pm, 1300 E. Adams Dr., Franklin
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This is the 14th year Grace UMC has offered Christmas dinner for the community. Delivery will be available but must be requested by December 20 by calling 317-736-7962. Carry-out requests will be filled from 2 - 4pm and in-house dinner will be served 4 - 6pm.


 

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Check out these holiday events and activities throughout the Central District, beginning as early as this weekend!

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Now thru December 23: Lawrence Winterfest
Multiple events in the city of Lawrence
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Check out the full calendar of events HERE.

Featuring free pictures with Santa, live reindeer, free hot chocolate & cookies, and craft vendors.

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December 24: Children's Museum Free Admission
10am - 2pm, 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis
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Admission is free between 10am and 2pm, but tickets are required. The museum will clost at 2pm. Tickets will be available beginning December 14 and will go quickly. More information is available HERE.

 


Have Something to Share?

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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.


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