Brightwood Community Center SPARK Summer Program, Kids Count Resources, Bowl-a-thon...
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.

 

WEDNESDAY WORDS

FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.

August 24,  2022

give%20now-teal%20bold%20segue%2044.JPG

Brightwood Community Center SPARK Summer Program

BCC%20SPARK%20SUMMER%20CAMP%202022-EDITED.jpg

As you walk into a room that is smaller than most of our fellowship halls, you can hear laughing, talking, reading, and game playing.  From 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there are 15 kids and 15 youth ranging in age from 4-18 years old.  This was the sight at Brightwood Community Center all summer long.  The SPARK Youth Summer Enrichment Camp took place for six-weeks this summer.  The goal of the program is to increase reading and comprehension skills, overall academic skills, prevent summer learning loss, teach teamwork, build character, and create successes, even seemingly small ones. It also teaches motivation for lifelong learning and creates interest in helping others in their community.  This summer was a reboot coming out of COVID, and a lot of magic happened this summer.

Each day started with prayer and breakfast.  The kids lead the prayer time as they learned about how it is an honor to say, “thanks God” for waking me up, for food to eat, and for keeping me safe.  Throughout the morning, campers did math, writing, spelling, reading, science, learning games, and current event topics.  Some kids could not write their names when they came, but by the end of the summer, they were able to do that.

SPARK was able to collaborate with TeenWorks, with youth from that program developing  the weekly curriculum each week.  One of the days we stopped by, the kids were getting ready to learn about photosynthesis.  After learning, they would head outside for movement.  This included volleyball, basketball, and movement with Miss Kiki.  Each week the campers went swimming at Fredrick Douglas Park.  At the beginning of the summer, most kids were in life jackets and would barely put their toes in the water, but by the end of camp, they were jumping in the deep end, going down the slide, and jumping off the board. 

Breakfast and lunch were cooked and served in the center and sometimes included culinary arts.  The campers designed and baked their own pizzas and cookies.  One unexpected highlight was when a batch of cookies burned, and the fire department came by the center.  The firefighters were amazing and allowed the kids to walk through the fire trucks and blow the horn. 

The teens helped the kids build volcanoes, robots, taught math games, and musical chairs (the favorite game).  Miss Shonna Majors, the executive director, led a circle time discussion each day that included asking kids and teens about their emotions, how to respond when frustrated or upset, appropriate hygiene, body awareness and touch, how to walk away, how to say “I’m sorry,” and conflict resolution.  We heard many positive things that the teenagers were learning that they could apply to working with the kids and in their school and family life.    

Each week a different adult speaker came in and talked to the camp about vocational and career learning.  There was a lawyer from IU McKinney School of Law; the Assistant Chief from IMPD came and talked to the campers and served them lunch; a local business owner came in and shared his redemption story; Indiana Plan came to share about the trades programs and internships; and a community activist came to talk with the campers as well. 

As you can see there was a huge impact made on the lives of these kids and teenagers this summer, as well as on the adults who worked with them.  Even folks in the community noticed a difference.  Neighbors in the neighborhood would sit on their porches to wave and talk with the kids while they were walking to the park.  There were some huge steps taken this summer to rebuild, recreate, and rejoice in what God is doing at the Brightwood Community Center and in the Brightwood-Martindale neighborhoods. 

Metro Ministries is proud to have supported Brightwood Community Center’s reimagined SPARK program this year. Thanks for all the hard work that everyone put in to make this summer memorable and a stepping-stone to a bright future!


Children & Youth Well-being from Indiana Youth Institute

KIDS%20COUNT%20INDIANA%202022%20RANKED%2019.png

Metro Ministries follows several local, state and national organizations that provide insight, data and training for children and youth workers, for families and for those who are curious about how to impact the lives and futures of our children and youth. Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is one of those organizations. Information and links contained in this article were taken from the August 12 email update from IYI.

Each year, IYI makes available the INDIANA KIDS COUNT® Data Book. This is parsed from the annual 50-state report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation which shares household data and analysis of how children and families are doing across four domains: economic wellbeing, education, health, and family and community factors. States are then ranked according to how well children are fairing overall. This year's report states Indiana ranks 28th in overall children and youth well-being. Indiana ranked 29th in the three previous years' reports. While ranking 19th in economic well-being and 17th in education reflects relatively better than the majority of other states, ranking 31st in health as well as in family and community factors indicates Indiana can clearly do more for our children and youth.

With a new school year having kicked off these past few weeks, IYI shares a list of tips and tools from the National Association for the Education of Young Children that can be used by early childhood educators or anyone who works with Indiana kids:

  • Uphold the unique value and dignity of each child and family 
  • Recognize each child’s unique strengths and support the full inclusion of all children 
  • Develop trusting relationships with children and nurture relationships among them while building on their knowledge and skills 
  • Consider the developmental, cultural, and linguistic appropriateness of the learning environment and your teaching practices for each child 
  • Involve children, families, and the community in the design and implementation of learning activities.  
  • Actively promote children’s agency 
  • Scaffold children’s learning to achieve meaningful goals 
  • Design learning activities using language(s) that the children understand 

Additional insights are available in the full email above and also here.

IYI’s 2022 KIDS COUNT® Conference is coming up, November 1 and 2 and will be held in person at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. This conference is a great learning and networking opportunity for K-12 educators, frontline children and youth workers, mentors, coaches, health care workers and others. The earlybird registration cost for this two-day conference is $180 through August 26th. While the full agenda of speakers, workshop sessions and booth representation is still in progress, IYI announced yesterday that LeVar Burton, award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and renowned literacy advocate, will be a keynote speaker.

Resources mentioned here have been added to Metro Ministries, Inc.'s Resources Hub. Metro's executive director plans to attend this year's conference and share other resources gleaned from the there.


Central District Bowl-a-thon!

Connecting%20for%20a%20Cause%20(Instagram%20Post)%20(1).png

Have you registered yet? We are busy preparing for this event! Each registered bowler will get a Swag Bag, and there will be gift certificates awarded to: 

  • The highest scoring bowler
  • The church with the most participants
  • The youngest registered bowler

Registration information for the Bowl-a-thon is available HEREIndividual bowlers and teams are welcome! All individual bowlers and teams must register IN ADVANCE by September 16th. Multiple bowlers can be registered at one time, either as a sponsored team or as individuals. Registered bowlers should be ages 10 and up, but folks of ALL ages can cheer on their favorite bowler(s)!

Registration for individuals is $30, which includes shoe rental and three games. Team sponsorship is $300, which includes shoe rental and three games for up to 5 people.

Let's fill 20 or more lanes on September 24th!

Contact Tina McAninch at metrodirector1923@gmail.com or (317) 946-0251 with questions. Also, please let Tina know if wheelchair accessible lanes are needed.


Meet and Greet with Metro's Board Members

meet%20and%20greet%202021%20image.jpg

 

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. 


Learning Opportunity for Growing Community Ministry

7CreativeModels_1080x1080-v2%20(1).png

 

Church and outreach leaders are encouraged to sign up for this webinar series. The series will be held on Tuesdays, beginning September 6 at 11am and will continue through October 18.

The hosts will offer a glimpse of what could work best in your context and the resources to help get you started towards meeting your congregation's goals for community engagement. Each weekly session is an hour long and will provide an opportunity for questions, feedback, and sharing ideas with participants and panelists. These sessions will also be recorded if you are unable to attend all of them. Recordings will be made available only to those who have registered.

The series is provided by Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church. The cost to register for the series is $50. Registration is available HERE 


 CHILDREN MATTER MOST ALL IN EVENT

cmm%20all%20in%20cropped.png

Mark your calendars! Children Matter Most - All In! is an opportunity for all who care about children to come together to learn, be inspired, and go back to their community with action steps to help children thrive. 

When: October 1, 2022, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Where: Grace UMC, 1300 E. Adams Dr., Franklin IN 46131

Cost: $10 for 1 registrant; $15 for 2 registrants; $20 for 3 or more registrants.

Complete registration HERE.

Event organizers are seeking interest in presenting and/or staffing a booth. at the event. Click HERE to express interest in either or both. 

To sign up for childcare, contact Jen Huff at jennifer.huff@inumc.org.

For more information contact Emily Krach at emily.krach@inumc.org or 734-883-4581.


INUMC Matching Grant Opportunity

Urban%20Transitional%20Community%20Matching%20Grant.png

This grant is a component of the Urban Ministry Comprehensive Plan to invest in ministry that meets the needs of the under resourced and economically depressed parts of our cities. The Intent to Apply form for this grant is due September 1. For more information please click here.


Employment Opportunities

job%20opportunities.png

__________

Associate Director of Leadership Development - Laity & Discipleship
INUMC

The vision of Leadership Development in the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church is to discover and develop fruitful leaders who empower others for intentional transformation that they might accomplish the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

This critical role within Leadership Development team and INUMC staff  may be filled by either a lay person or clergy. The full job description, requirements, qualifications and application details are on the INUMC website.

__________

Program Coordinator
Society of St. Andrew Indiana
SOSA%20log.PNG

SoSA Indiana is searching for a Program Coordinator! This position is full-time with benefits and can start immediately. You get to work with farmers, agencies, donors, and  volunteers to create partnerships throughout the state! Apply today! https://buff.ly/2GsXQ9W https://buff.ly/3oP8Pi5.                                   


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

volunteer%20sign.png

__________

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.

__________

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

Corn Gleaning in Pittsboro!

Come out and glean corn with Society of St. Andrew on Friday, August 19, 2022 in Hendricks County - Pittsboro from 8AM-10AM.Pantry volunteers are highly encouraged to come out! Pantries that send volunteers are given top priority for distribution. Sign up HERE.

Multiple Dates

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.

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

metro%20std%20for%20newsletter%202022%20(4).png

 

Please note: we are shifting the start time of Metro's Annual Celebration to  better accommodate our part-time local pastors and instructors who will be in Course of Study on Saturday, November 12. The event will begin at 3:30 pm with a time for food and mingling. The program will begin at 4:15 pm. Full details and registration information will be published in a few weeks.


upcomingevents%20%26%20activities%20(1).png

                                          ___________________                                                           .                                

                         August 26-28: Scott UMC's G2G 2022

2153 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. and on Facebook Live

g2g.jpg

Plan to visit this three-day event one or more days for amazing presentations and workshops! Also meet Scott UMC's new Senior Pastor, Pastor Jeffrey D. Postell

                                          ___________________ 

August 27: University Heights UMC Kids' Sensational Saturday

12 - 3 pm, 4002 Otterbein Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46227

uumc%20kids%20sensational%20saturday.png

Join for a Saturday afternoon of fun, crafts, music, games and snacks. Your child will find a place to feel safe, special loved and welcomed; a place to learn about God's love, being a part of God's family and get an introduction to the Bible. Register HERE.

                                       ___________________  

September 9 & 10: Castleton UMC Parenting Workshop

7101 Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis; Friday 7-9pm; Saturday 9am-Noon

If you're a parent of any age kid(s), or a grandparent, or plan on being a parent someday...then you don't want to miss this. (Or if you know any parents, let them know about this.) Parenting is not for the faint of heart. Society and culture are constantly changing with an ever-increasing amount of challenges. Admit it, we all need all the help we can get. This workshop is designed to equip us with a framework and tools to parent thoughtfully and strategically. The cost is $20 per person through August 28. After August 28, the cost is $25 per person. Childcare provided. Click here to sign up!

____________________

September 11: Franklin Grace UMC Music Event: The Happy Enchiladas

6 pm, 1300 E Adams Drive, Franklin, IN 46131

happy%20enchiladas.jpg

                                           ___________________

 

September 17: Good Shepherd UMC Craft Fair

9am - 3pm, 2015 S. Arlington Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203

good%20shepher%20umc.jpg

Good Shepherd UMC is sponsoring a craft show, with Edward’s Dashboard Diner Food Truck, on Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 3p.m.
Vendors may reserve a booth space by completing the application from the church website: gsumcindy.org. Booth spaces will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis with a completed application and payment of $25 which includes an outdoor 11’ X 11’ foot vendor space and a table and two chairs. Questions: call the church office at 317-356-3787.

                                            ___________________

September 24: Revival at Southport UMC

3 - 6pm, 1947 E. Southport Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46227

southport%20revival.jpg

Come and bring your friends to SUMC's Tent Revival on Saturday, September 24. The afternoon will be filled with spiritually uplifting live music, a message of grace & hope, and food!

                                           ___________________

September 30: Fletcher Place Community Center's CELEBRATE 150!

                  6 - 10pm Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St.

Fletcher%20Place%20150%20yr%20celebration%20093022_001.png

 Tickets may be purchased HERE. Tickets include a cocktail reception and a seated dinner followed by live music and dancing. A single ticket is $150; a VIP Experience ticket is $250 and also includes early museum access with a VIP reception at 5:30 at the Major Taylor exhibit. A silent auction will also be held during the event.

                                         ___________________                                                            .                                 

October 8 & 9: Hamilton Series Creation Care Conference at North UMC

9am - 2pm 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

north%20church%20creation%20care%20conf.jpg

The Richard E. and Anna Lee Hamilton Series on Theology and Contemporary Issues brings speakers, seminars, and special musical events to North United Methodist Church on various issues. The theme for 2022 is “Creation Care and Stewardship for the Earth,” and on Oct. 8-9 it will present a Creation Care Conference at North UMC, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Full details available on North UMC's Facebook page.

                                         ___________________

October 22: Craft Fair at Acton UMC

9am, 5650 Senour Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46239

acton%20craft%20fair.jpg

                                        ___________________


Have Something to Share?

Something%20to%20Share.png

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.


This email was sent to mcanincht@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe.