This week's Lenten Moment is from Debb Ebersole and highlights the mentoring program of Ascent 121, a faith-based organization who provides a safe space for healing for youth and children survivors of human trafficking.
If you have not already given to Metro Ministries this Lenten season, consider a gift today to help us reach our $8,000. All donations will go towards Metro's 2023 Grants program.
I have taken the opportunity this Lenten season to participate in several of the events scheduled throughout the Central District and have been so blessed through each gathering I've attended.
As we approach Holy Week and the celebration of Easter in the coming days, I hope you have had moments of reflection and pause and have participated in at least one Lenten service. Here are the remaining Lenten activities that Metro is aware of:
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.
Do you have a couple of hours available Saturday morning, to help out a group of middle schoolers?
STRIVE Worldwide has a great volunteer opportunity to assist Indianapolis Middle School CFI 27 with their community impact project on Saturday, April 9, 10:00 am to noon. The students will share what they have learned about ecological concerns surrounding plastic pollution in our waterways, through their participation in STRIVE's Community Impact Academy program. They will then guide a 2-hour cleanup event along the White River. Please sign up HERE to participate in this brief service project.
STRIVE Worldwide Inc. is an Indianapolis-based non-profit with global reach. STRIVE facilitates environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives with community partners around the world, using these initiatives to foster cross-cultural engagement, understanding and knowledge exchange.
STRIVE received a Metro grant for their Community Impact Academy In a few weeks, we will share how STRIVE brought together three middle schools: CFI-27, Danville Middle School and the National School of Plaine de L'Arbre in Haiti, by guiding students through planning and executing environmental action projects. The Community Impact Academy connected youth to learn together through their individual cultural experiences and to share ideas. Stay tuned for more on this amazing program!
Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis kicks of this year's #NightWithoutABed campaign on April 1, where they join with churches and organizations to raise funds and to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in the Greater Indianapolis area.
Several United Methodist churches in and around Indy have partnered with Family Promise for a number of years, many having served as host sites until the COVID-19 pandemic suspended that temporary family shelter program.
The fundraising campaign officially launched April 1, with a challenge for churches, organizations and individuals in friendly fundraising competition. The campaign will conclude on April 30, with an opportunity to spend a night without a bed. University UMC will host a Community Sleepout in the church parking lot and on the church grounds. Beginning at 7pm, participants will hear first-person stories of families' paths from homelessness to housing. There will also be a DJ on hand, fire pits with s'mores, awards and more.
To participate in the sleepout at University UMC, email info@fpgi.org with your name and whether you need a parking space or if you will be bringing a tent and will need tent space. Click HERE for more information about #NightWithoutABed.
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.
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.
Direct all questions to sctmet1@sbcglobal.net.
All proceeds from this celebration will go to support Dr. Anyike's future work in Zimbabewe.
Bishop Trimble shared about his vision and hopes for the United Methodist Church and the Indiana Conference, and he spoke about the delay of General Conference and how we can serve faithfully moving forward. The Bishop also welcomed a time for questions.
In response to many inquiries that are emerging, the Cabinet of the INUMC has decided to host District gatherings to help facilitate providing accurate information and answer questions that may emerge regarding the current realities facing the United Methodist Church.
The Central District Gatherings will be:
Saturday, April 30 at noon, Greenwood UMC
Sunday, May 1 at 3:00 pm, Lawrence UMC
Sunday, May 1 at 6:00 pm, Chapel Hill UMC
Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 pm, via Zoom (Zoom link coming)
These gatherings will be a time for worship, providing information and an intentional time of prayer. Each gathering will last no more than 75 minutes, and the same information will be presented at each gathering.
These gatherings are open to all laity, clergy and those who are curious. There will be no open mic for debates; however, there will be opportunities to raise pertinent questions.
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, with Notice of Intention to Apply due 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.
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.
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.