WEDNESDAY WORDS
FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.
_________________________________________________
to support Metro Ministries, Inc.'s 2021 Grants Programs
February 3, 2021
Messy Prayers
Do your prayers ever look like this? When my prayers get this messy, it usually is a reflection of all that I have on my plate with work, coupled with concerns for others that are weighing on my heart and then having the weight of our noisy world poured on and stirred up with my already messy stuff.
At these times, my prayers make no sense to my ears. Yet, God understands. Sometimes God provides guidance right away to help me sort things out and figure out where focus needs to be. Other times the guidance isn't immediately apparent, yet I am calmed and relieved to be able to lay my messiness out there.
Regardless, it gives me comfort that God knows, understands and loves me, even when - especially when - my prayers are this messy.
Focus Groups Participants Wanted!
Does your church host or support a local food pantry or a community meal? Do you or someone you know find it challenging to provide food for the family? If yes to either question, please keep reading and share this downloadable flyer.
Is it ever a challenge to feed your family? Do you live in a household with young children aged 0 - 8? If so, you are invited to share your opinion and experience with Indy Hunger Network. You will receive a $30 Walmart gift card for participating. Please contact Claire Crosby at 985-264-5022 (via text or call), or email at ccrosby@indyhunger.org to be signed up to participate in the Focus Groups.
Indy Hunger Network (IHN) is working with researchers from IU to evaluate the SNAP program in Indiana. IHN is currently planning focus groups to discuss the SNAP program and ways to improve it. The focus groups are 90 minutes long. Participants do not have to be using SNAP currently, they just need to be experiencing food insecurity and have young children in the household.
Lenten Season 2021
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 20th. Metro Ministries is planning a Virtual Lenten Kickoff event and will be announcing details and registration information next week. Stay tuned!
Congratulations Rev. In Suk Peebles
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Bishop Trimble has announced the appointment of Rev. In Suk Peebles as the Conference Superintendent serving the Southeast District. Click here for the full announcement.
Rev. In Suk has been serving as the Senior Pastor at Greenwood UMC in the Central District since September 2011. She also served 21 years in the United States Air Force Reserve (air national guard) as a chaplain, retiring in 2019 as lieutenant colonel.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Rev. In Suk in her new appointment and many blessings to her and her family.
February Is Black History Month
Check out this web portal of resources, a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Central District Book Study
The Central District's anti racist commitment continues with a new study around the book Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. The sessions will be via ZOOM and will convene during February, Black History Month. Meetings will be held from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Sundays, February 7, 21, and 28. The ZOOM link is here or you may dial in via phone 888 788 0099 US Toll-free, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582.
Other Central District News and Events
2021 Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Training (S/PPRC)
The last option for this year's S/PPRC training, will be held via ZOOM, Saturday, February 6, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom Link is here or you may dial 888 788 0099, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582.
Lay Leader Training
The 2021 Central and West District Lay Leader Training will be held via ZOOM and presented by the District Lay Leaders. This training session is for those who serve as local church lay leaders (the Book of Discipline position). An effective lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.
Saturday, March 6
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
ZOOM Link here or dial by your location, 888 788 0099 US Toll-free, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582
Central District Conference
Please mark your calendars for the Central District Conference. It will be held on ZOOM Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 AM ET. Click here for more information about District Conference.
CENTRAL DISTRICT LAY SERVANT ACADEMY
February 21 & 28, 2021
Online via Zoom
"Life Together in The United Methodist Church" (polity)
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A 2021 EQUALIZATION MEMBER?
The deadline for submitting your Willingness to Serve form is quickly approaching. Please click below for more information and to submit your form by February 14.
Children and Youth resources shared in prior weeks:
- Indiana Summit on Out of School Learning
- Indiana Youth Institute's 2021 Indiana KIDS COUNT Data book
- 40 Developmental Assets
- 50 Ways to Engage Local Schools
- Helping Kids and Families Cope with the Stress of COVID-19
- Directory of Services for Children and Families
- Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
- ACEs Primer Video
- "What do I do?" Trauma-Informed Support for Children
- Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID-19 Crisis
Please let us know if you have resources to share!
These Food Resources will continue to be shared weekly here and will also soon be available on Metro's website. Please note the information on these linked pages is subject to change frequently. For the most current information, use the links rather than printed documents.
For Food Pantries and Community Meal information in Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan and Shelby counties, click HERE.
Note: Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Morgan County February pantry dates are February 8th and February 19th, 2 - 6 pm.
