Lenten Season Kickoff Breakfast, Lenten Services, Housing Our People Resource Fair...
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WEDNESDAY WORDS
FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.
February 8, 2023
Celebrating During Lent?
Ash Wednesday is only two weeks away, when we will begin this season of Lent. Lent is a time of self-examination and repentance, fasting and preparing for the coming of Easter. Along with reflection and fasting and sacrificing, I suggest that Lent can also be a season to think about transformation, on how these and other observances can be transformational in our individual lives.
We hope that you are planning to fellowship with us on the first Saturday of Lent, as we hear from folks with Indy Urban Acres, Faith UMC and Old Bethel and Partners Food Pantry. We will hear how Indy Urban Acres came to transform unused land on Faith UMC's property into The Faith Farm, and how the harvest from the farm has been transforming lives through Old Bethel and Partners Food Pantry. We invite you to then journey with us throughout this season as we continue to celebrate transformational work that we see.
If you have not alread register, you may do so HERE. Registration is $20/person, and table sponsorship is $150/table (with 8 seats). Online registration will remain open through February 17.
If you haven't already shared this event with your church, we ask you to share his printable FLYERand POWERPOINT SLIDEin your church communications and/or worship announcements. We would love for you to use either or both of these resources to help us fill the Fellowship Hall at Old Bethel UMC!
Please call our office with any questions you have, at (317) 452-4786.
More Lenten Season Opportunities
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Southeast Churches Men's Lenten Breakfasts
All are invited to participate in this longstanding Lenten season tradition. Each host church has invited a different speaker to highlight mission needs in the Central District and beyond. All breakfasts begin at 7:30 am.
March 4: Woodside at Christ UMC, 8540 US 31, Indianapolis
March 11: Edgewood UMC, 1820 E. Epler Ave., Indianapolis
March 18: St. Andrew UMC, 2560 Villa Ave., Indianapolis
March 25: Christ UMC, 8540 US 31, Indianapolis
April 1: Rosedale Hills UMC, 4450 S. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis
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Crossroads "Cluster" Lenten Worship Services
All services begin at 6:30 pm. Food will be served after all services except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Ash Wednesday, February 22, Pastor Steve Brackney at Fountaintown UMC
Sunday, February 26, Rev. Heather Cress at Charlottesville UMC
Sunday, March 12, Pastor Debb Ebersole at Fairview UMC
Sunday, March 26, Rev. Colin Cress at Mt. Lebanon UMC
Maundy Thursday, April 6, Pastor Jan Bond, location TBD
Good Friday, April 7, Pastor Kristen Hanson, Morristown UMC
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Grace United Methodist Church
ShroveTuesday Pancake Dinner and Talent Show
Grace UMC and Roots Youth Ministry are excited to bring back their Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Talent Show, after the past few years of "COVID Pause." Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 pm, Members of Grace's Roots Youth Ministry will be serving the evening's dinner and thosting the alent show. Folks from Grace are signing up now to bring their talents forward during this time of fellowship.
Housing Our People Resource Fair
Has your church talked about or prayed about the issue of homelessness in our communities? Have you struggled with how your church could possibly help address the many layers and causes of homelessness? If you have, I invite you to stop by Christ Church Cathedral after Metro's Lenten Breakfast on February 25.
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.
Loving, Learning, Leading
2023 brings a series of opportunities to learn and grow leadership and to equip churches alongside nationally recognized leaders and Bishop Trimble. The first offering is coming up on March 15 and 16 at Epworth UMC, 6450 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis.
March 15 will include worship followed by words focused on Change within the Church from Olu brown Pastor and Author, March 16 will feature guest presenter Andy Yung , author of Growing Young. This is a free event, and registration is open for either or both days with options to attend in person or to livestream. Registration is required to attend. Click here for full details.
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. This grant cycle will close on February 28.
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.
Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana
The Lilly Endowment has announced Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI), an initiative to help advance the academic, physical and social development of Indiana youth. This initiative is offering grant funding on a competitive basis to established youth-serving organizations whose programs further one or more of the following purposes:
Enhancing the welfare and safety of youth.
Identifying and addressing the social and emotional needs of youth.
Delivering educational experiences for youth that supplement classroom learning.
Developing character traits and leadership skills in youth.
Providing safe and enriching out-of-school time learning environments for youth
Visit lillyendowment.org for full details of this initiative, including eligibility requirments and the applicaiton process.
The Lilly Endowment has provided grant funding to Indiana Youth Institute to provide data, training, consultation and other resources that are specific to the SYPI initiatives. Learn more and request information at iyi.org.
Local Church Job Opportunities
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Calvary Brownsburg UMC: Director of Youth and Family Ministry
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
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.
Check out these upcoming church events:
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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.