FOOD PANTRY NETWORKING

Did you know there are nearly 200 food pantries in Marion County, with an additional 50 or more in the surrounding counties? Many of these are housed in and/or operated by local churches.

Some are open monthly, others weekly and some multiple days of the week. Many have geographic restrictions, and some serve specific populations, such as senior citizens or veterans. And some may either duplicate efforts or have gaps in service due to not coordinating their efforts with other pantries in their community.

Indy Hunger Network (IHN) exists to help food pantries collaborate with other pantries, increase their effectiveness, and adopt best practices. Over the next two weeks, IHN is hosting community meetings at four food pantries in Marion County.  Anyone who volunteers, works at or helps lead a food pantry is welcome to attend one of these sessions.

Each meeting will start with a tour of the hosting pantry, followed by a time of Q&A, collaborating and shared learning. Some of the content may be specific to the township communities; however most information should be generally relevant for pantries outside these areas. Here is the meeting schedule:

• Wednesday, 2/1, 9:30-11am: Franklin & Perry Townships (S/SE Marion County) at Hornet Park Community Center (5245 Hornet Ave, Beech Grove, IN 46107)
• Monday, 2/6, 1-2:30: Warren & Lawrence Townships (E/NE Marion County) at Old Bethel United Methodist Church (7995 East 21st St, Indianapolis, IN 46219)
• Monday, 2/6, 5:30-7pm: Washington & Pike Townships (N/NW Marion County) at HOPE Worldwide (6001 W. 52nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46254)
• Tuesday, 2/7, 5:30 - 7pm: Wayne & Decatur Townships( W/SW Marion County) at River of Life Church (6001 Kentucky Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46221)

If your church operates or partners with a local food pantry, I encourage you to share this with your pantry leadership. Visit Indy Hunger Network's website for more information about their work.

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 churc!

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

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.

Church & Community Outreach Survey

SURVEY CLOSES NEXT WEEK!

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!

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.