It was such a blessing to see folks Saturday morning at Castleton UMC! The tables were lovely, the food delicious and the fellowship together was LONG overdue.
We were honored to hear from Carolyn Marshall, Executive Director of Lucille Raines Residence. She spoke of the continual support of others and the love of God showered on the men and women residents who are on their recovery journeys.
Then Carolyn introduced us to Christina. Christina shared her personal recovery journey with an openness that was amazing and inspiring. She told us how she has found a safe space to work through the challenges of overcoming addiction, how she feels appreciated and respected and also held accountable at Lucille Raines Residence. She told us of her current accomplishments at her job, at getting her driver's license back after several years and of having her own vehicle again. She told us she is working on the next steps in her recovery and, most importantly, she has gained a relationship with God while on her journey. Christina was an inspiration to every one present, and we are so very grateful to her and to Carolyn.
Thank you to everyone who attended and thank you for the generous donations collected, both on Saturday and over the past few weeks leading up to the event. Your financial support of both Metro Ministries and Lucille Raines Residence is greatly appreciated.
If you were not able to attend, we missed you! And you missed a wonderful morning, gathering in love, faith and hope to begin this Lenten journey.
We invite you to journey with us through these coming weeks of Lent and into the Easter season, as we share a video each week about programs and projects implemented by Metro's 2021 grant recipients.
During these next eight weeks, we hope you will see how Metro has connected with churches and organizations to make a difference in our neighbors' lives and in the communities around us. We hope you see how churches and organizations have effectively served those around them.
We begin with a story of a grant recipient from 2019, that was just able to see their project come to fruition at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, thanks to the pandemic.
While you are on this journey with us, we ask that you consider a gift to Metro Ministries to support next year's grants program. Our goal for this Lenten Season is to raise $8,000. We are well on our way thanks to folks who donated towards the Lenten Kickoff Breakfast, where we raised over $4,800 which we have shared with Lucille Raines Residence. We hope to raised an additional $5,600 by the end of April. Help us reach our goal by clicking HERE.
We hope you enjoy these videos. And please reach out if you have any questions about any of the programs and projects you learn about in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
Did your church grow a garden in 2021? Did you share your harvest with your neighbors? If so, Rev. Jake Ohlemiller, the INUMC's new Creation Care Coordinator, wants to hear from you!
The Diversity, Missions and Justice Team wants to know how God used your investment to reveal hope and a future to the world around you. At the 2022 Annual Conference, three local churches will receive "Anathoth Awards", in recognition for their work through community gardens.
Click HERE to learn more about the award opportunity, including why the name "Anathoth" awards and how to submit your church's garden for consideration. Submissions must be made by March 13, 2022.
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.
The Society of St. Andrew Indiana is seeking someone for a Gleaning Coordinator VISTA. This full-time year-long Americorps VISTA opportunity will be located in Indianapolis, from June 2022 - June 2023. Details on this opportunity including duties, benefits and application process are available HERE.
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 deadline to submit petitions or resolutions for the 2022 Annual Conference Session is TOMORROW, March 10, 2022.
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.
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.
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