Metro Does Double Duty on Sunday, Metro Grant Cycle, Bowlathon, District Gathering
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WEDNESDAY WORDS
FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.
July 13, 2022
Metro Pulls Double Duty on Sunday
Metro Ministries was blessed to serve at both the east and the west sides of the Central District on Sunday morning! We were invited to speak about Metro Ministries at Geneva UMC on the same day that I (Tina) was asked to serve in pulpit supply at Pittsboro UMC.
Deanne Heidrich graciously agreed to speak at Geneva UMC about the ways in which Metro works with Central District churches. Geneva UMC has only been in the Central District since July 2020, so this was a great opportunity for Deanne to introduce them to Metro Ministries. It was also a chance for us to connect with a new organization. Deanne learned about Beloved Collective, Inc. a non-profit based in Columbus, Indiana, who supplies children transitioning into foster care with duffel bags stocked with items to meet their urgent physical and emotional needs. The congregation blessed 16 blankets on Sunday to be included in Beloved bags.
I had the opportunity to preach about the Good Samaritan parable. I shared with the folks at PUMC that I was there, not as a preacher, but simply as a Christ follower with a passion for seeking ways to be the Hands and Feet of Christ in our local communities. After the service, I met both the current and prior mission chairpersons, and I am looking forward to talking more with them about their thoughts and dreams for outreach in the Pittsboro community.
Thanks to Rev. William Nickrand with Pittsboro UMC and Pastor Kristen Hanson with Geneva UMC for inviting Metro Ministries, and thanks to both congregations for your gracious hospitality!
If you are seeking a speaker at your church or church group, or you are in need of someone to serve in pulpit supply, let us know!
Metro's Open Grant Cycle
For Central District Churches
Where do churches fit in with addressing mental health crises in our communities? Have you thought about your church's role in decreasing suicide numbers for children and youth, in the active military, for veterans, or in the homes of often isolated seasoned adults? What can your church do to help prevent school shootings, to stop bullying, to help children and adults recover from unspeakable trauma? How can your church be a safe place for individuals recovering from addictions of all kinds?
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.
Please reach out if you have questions or would like to learn more about this grant opportunity. I am always happy to engage in "what if?" thinking and conversations.
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:
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 Signuppage 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 17 - July 20: Revival Week at Miracles and Blessings UMC
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
Noon - 4pm, 900 W 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Families of children ages 4 - 17 are welcome to register at www.youfeedthemmfp.org to receive supply-filled backpacks and new shoes. Many community service providers will be on hand as well. Pre-registration is required by July 15, 2022.
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!
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- UPDATED April 2022
We have made several updates to the food pantry listing. 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.