Bowl-a-thon Highlights

Last Saturday's Central District Bowl-a-thon was a success! We gathered for fellowship, fun and some friendly competition. Laughter and cheering was shared across the lanes. 

Metro Ministries thanks everyone who participated, whether as a bowler, a team sponsor or a spectator. We also thank everyone who couldn't be there but made a donation supporting Metro's Grants programs. Last but not least, we are grateful to Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright for envisioning this experience and for choosing Metro Ministries to support in connecting for a cause.

From the smiles and laughter, it seemed that everyone had a great time. Now, we cannot wait for the next occasion to gather with you all from across the Central District!

Metro's 2022

Grant Workshop Sessions!

Metro is pleased to launch the 2023 Spring Grants Program by announcing our 2022 Grant Writing Workshop. As in past years, interested applicants must attend a workshop session to be eligible to apply for a Spring 2023 grant from Metro Ministries. Two sessions are available: Thursday, October 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm or Friday, October 28, 2:00 - 3:30 pm. Workshop registration is available HERE. The content will be the same at both sessions, so please register for one session only. Both sessions will be held at St. Andrew UMC at 2560 Villa Avenue, Indianapolis.

Please review the Request for Proposal, which contains grant criteria and this cycle's timeline. We also ask that workshop attendees have a basic idea of the program or project to be funded prior to workshop attendance. Please reach out to Tina McAninch if you would like to brainstorm on project ideas.

If you are interested in applying during this grant cycle but are unable to attend either workshop session, please contact Tina McAninch by October 10, 2022 so that a makeup session can be scheduled.

Now Accepting Missioner of the Year Nominations

As we head into the last quarter of 2022 in a few days, we are beginning to reflect on the highlights of God's Work through individuals, groups, churches and organizations across the Central District. For many years, Metro Ministries has been recognizing individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding missional work, through our Missioner of the Year awards presented at the Annual Celebration. We are excited to seek this year's nominees!

We need your help in identifying individuals and churches/groups/organizations that are going above and beyond the missional call. We invite you to nominate an individual and/or a collective from within the Central District for this year's Missioner of the Year. We will be accepting nominations through October 18th and will then send out a ballot  with summary information about each nominee.

We invite you to complete the Online Nomination Form, or if you prefer, complete this PDF form and email to metrodirector1923@gmail.com, or mail to Metro Ministries, Inc., 2560 Villa Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203. Nominations must be received by October 18 to be included on the ballot.

Nominations should be based on the following criteria:

• Goes beyond the church walls to join WITH people where they are
• Builds relationships based on love, empathy and respect.
• Steps outside one's comfort zone to walk alongside individuals and/or communities that may look, sound, live or believe differently.
• Engages in risk-taking mission and service, without consideration for whether or not individuals served will enter one's own church doors or any church doors.
• Continually bears the light of Christ, through words and actions.

Who do you know that exemplifies the above criteria? Please share the nomination form and link with others. Flood us with nominations!

Peace with Justice Grant from INUMC'S Diversity, Mission and Justice Ministries

The Peace with Justice grant is designed to help a local United Methodist church, district, or other affiliated organization or ecumenical group support their peace and justice program or project that is relevant to changing systemic issues of injustice.

The Peace with Justice Grant is not intended for charity ministries, but for ministries that seek to change or address the root problems. Examples include advocacy projects, raising awareness about issues of injustice, prison/jail ministries, gambling concerns, etc.

Applications are due October 15. To apply, visit inumc.org/peacewithjustice.

_________

Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis

The Kiwanis Foundation of Indianapolis has opened its grant application process to nonprofits that shares it mission to serve children. Deadline is Sept. 30. Apply for community grants that will be distributed in 2023.

Potato Drop at Carmel St. Mark's UMC

Partnering with Society of St. Andrew, St. Mark's is offering FREE potatoes to those in need. Any food agency, pantry, church, kitchen or individual needing potatoes is invited to pick up potatoes.

Food agencies/pantries are asked to reserve potatoes by contacting St. Mark's Missions Coordinator, Stephanie Cohen, at scohen@stmarkscarmel.org or 317-846-4912 ext 215, with the agency name and the number of potatoes your agency would like to reserve. Be sure to also provide contact person and cell phone number of the driver who will be picking up. Potatoes must be picked up on October 8.

Individuals or families do not need to make reservation, simply come through the line to receive bag(s) of potatoes.

Click HERE to download a PDF flyer for distribution.

Meet and Greet with Metro's Board Members

Have you considered joining Metro's Board of Directors? If you are curious and would like to learn more, we are offering a Meet and Greet with several of Metro's current board members. This will be held  Monday, October 10, 2022, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, at St. Andrew UMC, 2560 Villa Ave., Indianapolis 46203.

If you would like to attend, please register HERE so that we know how many folks to expect. This will be an opportunity to gather informally and learn more about serving with Metro Ministries. Please register by October 3rd to attend.

As we prepare to celebrate Metro's 100th anniversary in 2023, we are seeking folks to help with financial and operational oversight, to help us grow our fundraising efforts to expand the impact of our grants program, to help guide our vision for our next century  and to help us build new and enhance existing relationships with churches and community organizations.

If you are unable to attend but are still interested, please reach out to Tina McAninch via email or phone, metrodirector1923@gmail.com or (317) 452-4786. 

Brightwood Community Center College Information Sessions

Attention Parents & Teachers! Brightwood Community Center is hosting College Information Sessions for current high school students. Current college students will be on hand to share about their college experiences.

On Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 4 - 5pm, juniors and seniors are welcome to attend to hear from the college students as well as get help applying to college and applying for scholarships.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022 from 4 - 5pm, freshmen and sophomores are invited to explore careers and to take career assessments, to look at college and scholarship opportunities as well as talking with current college students.

These are FREE events, and food will be provided!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

__________

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.

__________

Society of St. Andrew Indiana Gleaning Opportunities

All volunteers must sign a waiver. These are family-friendly events open to children of all ages. Those who are interested should sign up for email notifications by creating a profile HERE. Folks will then receive emails of upcoming gleaning opportunities.

Apple Gleaning in Sheridan!

Apple gleaning in nearby Sheridan on Friday mornings 9 - 11am, beginning September 23 through October. Pantry volunteers are highly encouraged to come out! Pantries that send volunteers are given top priority for distribution. Sign up HERE. 

Farmers Markets

There are two ongoing opportunities in Indianapolis throughout this Farmer's Market season: on Wednesdays at 1pm at Original Farmers Market at City Market downtown, and on Saturdays at noon at Garfield Park Farmers Market. Email notifications will not be sent for these recurring opportunities; however volunteers are asked to sign up for the date(s) wanted. 

Metro Ministries, Inc.'s 99th Anniversary Celebration

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.