CELEBRATE TRANSFORMATION:

Laundry & More

Do you enjoy doing laundry? I don't - it’s one of my least favorite household chores. Even though I can do laundry whenever I choose, sometimes spreading it out over a couple of days before I get four or five loads finished and put away and can close the laundry room door so I don't hear the noise, I still complain about it. It’s been many years since I’ve had to haul my clothes to a laundromat and had to get it all done in a few hours. I can't imagine doing that today, remembering how much of a pain it was, back when I didn’t have the luxury of my own washer and dryer. Even then, I rarely worried about how I would get to a laundromat or if I had enough change (it was nickels and dimes back then) to get it all done in.

The ability to do laundry is a privilege that folks living in poverty often struggle to obtain. Abby Vesga knows this first-hand from her personal experiences with poverty and homelessness. She also knows the health risks, the stigma, bullying and rejection that come from not having clean clothes. That is why she set out several years ago to start a laundry program in Lawrence. What began in February 2019 as a ministry of Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, officially became Laundry & More Inc. in March 2022 and was granted 501(c)3 status. Laundry & More exists to provide space, funds and supplies for those living in poverty in the city of Lawrence to do laundry on a weekly basis. More importantly, they seek to nurture the well-being of each person through relationship building, networking with community organizations and through the love of God. I came across this organization a few months ago, when I was researching community resources in Lawrence. Their mission so intrigued me that I had to learn more. So I attended their weekly Laundry Day yesterday.

Abby shared the organization's history with me. Before launching the program, she reached out to local laundromats but immediately encountered reluctance and resistance to the idea of inviting “that kind of people” together at their facilities. She ws told NO by four different businesses. The fifth connection was with the owner of Post Road Laundry at 42^nd and Post Road. After understanding that Laundry & More would be paying for all the washer and dryer usage, he asked Abby just one question, “when do we start?”.  In the beginning Abby expected the program to impact a handful of lives. Four years later, over 40,000 loads of laundry have been done, representing hundreds of relationships built. Some folks have become regulars, but it pleases Abby when there is turnover in the friends and neighbors from week to week. This is an indication that folks are moving on from needing the laundry assistance. She is amazed by the diversity represented each week. Each Tuesday at 10am begins with a brief prayer, followed by everyone present cheering “Let’s Do Laundry!” Abby insists that everyone is welcomed, and no one is judged. Requests for prayer are always accommodated, but neither prayer nor religion are ever forced upon anyone.

Laundry & More has formed over 200 partnerships, including  with the cities of Lawrence and Indianapolis, Lawrence Schools, Lawrence and Indiapaolis Police Departments, Community Hospital, Gallahue Mental Health Services, as well as a veteran’s organization and several organizations directly serving those experiencing homelessness.  Every Tuesday different organizations and church volunteers are at the laundromat, providing everything from snacks and sandwiches to mental and physical health screenings, to employment connections to legal aid services. Every Tuesday the laundromat is filled with the loud and constant roar of conversation across multiple generations, cultures, ethnicities and languages. The rest of the week, Abby accepts referrals from many organizations to help individuals escaping domestic violence and other trauma to get their laundry done on a different day, so that the folks can have a quieter environment for laundry and community connections.

Laundry & More has no paid staff (including Abby), but has a band of volunteers from the community.  Each Tuesday ten or so volunteers are checking folks in, loading quarters, laundry detergent pods and dryer sheets, as well as engaging with the many folks with their baskets and bags of laundry. Abby and her team maintain the needed combination of assertiveness and compassion to ensure all are treated fairly, with respect and neighborly love. There are also folks who work behind the scenes to help maintain program data and other administrative tasks. More volunteers are always welcome and needed, especially on Tuesdays to help balance the workload on laundry day. Individuals who speak Spanish would be welcomed. Haitian Creole is also a current translation need.

While spending almost two hours there, amidst the noise and the organized chaos, I witnessed examples of transformative actions that Jesus wants us to take and the welcoming love He wants us to show.  Visit Laundry & More’s website to learn more about them and how you can be a part of this amazing work being done in the Lawrence community.

Christ in the Passover

at Mohawk UMC

All are welcome to be a part of this free Lenten experience. Missionary Leia Brown of Jews For Jesus will take attendees through the deep meaning of the Seder meal, what is believed to be the last meal Jesus shred with His disciples. Note this is a symbolic experience and not a full meal. This experience is to enrich the Lenten journey and provide a greater understanding of the sacrament of communion.

The event will be Wednesday, March 29 at Mohawk UMC, 2045 W 400 N in Greenfield, in the Fwllowship Hall. Ample parking is available in the south parking lot.The event is free but reservations are requested by Sunday, March 26, so that seats for all are accommodated. Call 317-326-2460 or email mohawkumc@gmail.com to reserve seats.

Lenten Lunch Time

Today began the Central District's "Lenten Learning During Lunch Time". Each Wednesday during Lent, all laity, clergy and all who are curious are invited to join from noon - 1:00 pm via Zoom, to explore together The Lord's Prayer from Luke 11:1-4.

Zoom details:

https://inumc.zoom.us/j/99264704298...
Meeting ID: 992 6470 4298
Passcode: 704109

More Lenten Season Observances

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Johnson County Lenten Breakfasts

Saturday, March 25, Grace United Methodist Church is hosting breakfast at 8:00 am. Joseph Mulongo is the guest speaker.

Saturday, April 1, Greenwood Unitd Methodist Church is hosting breakfast at 8:00 am. Renae Furnee with Resources of Hope is the guest speaker.

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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 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.

• 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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Irvington Community Lenten Services

The Lenten "Soup Suppers and Services" are back this year on Wednesdays during Lent. Each week, soup suppers will begin at 6pm, with the services beginning at 7pm.

• March 22: Irvington Presbyterian with Fr. Frank Impicciche from St. Matthew's preaching
• March 29: Downey Ave. Christian Church, with Pastor Maureen Wilson from Irvington Presbyterian preaching

Upcoming Community Events

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Project Transformation Indiana invites you to Partners in Transformation breakfast on Saturday, March 25 at North UMC. This is an opportunity to learn more about what's happening with Project Transformation in the coming months, as well as to show support for this organization focused on transforming lives and communities.  Visit HERE to purchase tickets for this breakfast event.

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Beginning April 8, St. Andrew UMC is bringing back their Bread of Life Ministry on the 2nd Saturday of each month. All are welcome, no questions asked. If you would like a downloadable flyer to share with others, click HERE.

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Saturday April 15, 2023 is the 20th annual Warren Clean Up Day. All volunteers will gather at Warren Central High School and will then be assigned various locations in Warren Township, with bus transportation provided if desired. Old Bethel UMC and Faith UMC are among the sponsors of this year's event.

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April 23 through April 30: The Great Sneaker Recycle! Here's a chance to get rid of your old sneakers. North UMC's Green Team will be sending worn sneakers to a sneaker recycling company, with shoes in good shape being resold. You may drop off sneakers at North UMC, 3808 N. Meridian Street, or you may also reach out to Metro Ministries.  We would be glad to deliver your old shoes. Just send us an email or give us a call!

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Saturday, April 1 at 10am: Caslteton UMC.

All children 12 an younger are welcome!

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Chapel Hill UMC welcomes all to come see, hear, and experience the true stories of Easter! Beginning at 10 am, everyone is welcome to learn about the events that led up to Easter Morning. Guides will take you through the city of Jerusalem as characters recite the narrative. After the city walk, all will be invited to find Easter Eggs and participate in other games.

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Center UMC invites all to an Easter Egg Hunt on April 8 and 11am, followed by free hot dogs, chips and drinks. The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance!

 

Acton UMC invites all to come join the fun! Egg hunts for all ages including senior adults and youth. Crafts, Dake the Dragon, cake walk, hot dogs and more! All are invited to this free event. The event begins at 12:00 pm.

April 8 at 1pm: Community Easter Egg Hunt in North Salem

Sponsored by: Emmanel Baptist Church, North Salem Christian Church and North Salem UMC

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 Current Grant Opportunities

Diversity, Missions and Justice Ministries of the INUMC

Ministry with the Poor Grant: Does your ministry have a passion for serving and being in community with the poor? Applications for Ministry with the Poor HERE. This opportunitiy closes April 30.

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.

Church & Ministries

Job Opportunities

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East 10th Children & Youth Center

East Tenth United Methodist Children & Youth Center is now hiring Full-Time Early Childhood Educators! We are an Early Head Start Child Care Partner and a Level 4 Paths to Quality Provider on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis seeking passionate and energetic educators with strong communication skills to join our team. They are also seeking Summer Camp Counselors. Apply online at www.east10th.org/careers.

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Society of St. Andrew is seeking a Gleaning Coordinator VISTA. This is a one-year VISTA assignment and requires someone who is passionate about food access, agriculture and food waste, who is engaging and demonstrates compassion for others. This role will allow the opportunity to grow as a leader, network with farmers, volunteers and hunger relief agencies, engage in non-profit fundraising and explore educational avenues within various communities. The position also offers: camaraderie with several other VISTAs serving under the Indy Hunger Network umbrella, team engagement activities, including bi-weekly meetings to discuss projects, socialize, and hear from guest presenters, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and professional development trainings.

Click  HERE for more information on becoming a VISTA member.

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Calvary Brownsburg UMC: Director of Youth and Family Ministry

This is a part-time position, view details HERE.

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Christ UMC:

Media Technician

A  part-time professional position to develop and maintain online streaming for weekly church services. To view full job description or apply, visit the church website.

Facility Custodian

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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Smith Valley UMC: Music Director

Full job description for this part-time position is available on Facebook and on the church website.