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A message from Dr. Rachel Metheny

Dear Mary Sue,

Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, not because of a late coffee or a sugary snack, but because a problem weighs heavily on your mind? Members of the MS Housing Justice Task Force know this feeling well. Many lose sleep worrying about the growing number of children and adults in unstable housing situations—whether they’re couch surfing, living out of their cars, or huddling for warmth on a city sidewalk. Is this how we want our neighbors to live?

Why are so many forced into these conditions? It could be a lost job, mental health struggles, an eviction record, or a wage that simply can’t cover the cost of living. Instead of being lifted up, they’re often pushed down further, causing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being to deteriorate. Children in these situations struggle in school, families feel isolated, and the joy of community fades.

Pastor Rachel recently shared about the many forms of joy: God’s joy in each of us, the personal joy deep in our hearts, and the joy found in community. Remember, “joy is not a solo act!” But for those facing eviction or living in unstable conditions, that sense of joy can feel out of reach.

To learn more about how you can help vulnerable individuals in Indy, visit the Meridian Street Housing Justice Task Force page. Consider attending an eviction court session or reaching out to advocate for those who need a voice. Together, we can make a difference.

Here is a link to Sunday's: Bulletin & Prayer Card: 10/27/24

To join online worship via Livestream, click the play button in the middle of the screen to launch the broadcast. The Livestream link is also available in the worship reminder email and on the church website.

Thanks to all of you that have turned in estimates of giving for 2025. We are now at 90% of our goal!  Those of you that haven’t turned in your estimates yet can help get us to the top. We Can Do It!

Use the buttons below to to review the Dream Budget

and/or to make your pledge for 2025.

New This Week

Trunk or Treat 2024

Bring the whole family to Trunk or Treat 2024 this for Sunday, October 27th from 3 - 5 PM!

We still have a few spots that are needful of volunteer help! Could you do any of these for us??

• man the welcome/information table
• set up help--specifically with a vehicle that can move the haybales from the church garage to the north parking lot
• help during the event as a floater and candy refresher
• help with clean up at the end of the event
• help at the food station

If you are able to assist with any of these, please note your preference on this Sign-up Genius or email Deb Way

P.S. - Please continue to bring in that candy!!!

All Saints Day Recognition 

All Saints Day is right around the corner. Please notify the church office if you have a loved one who passed away this year.

We also invite you to bring an unframed 5x7 photograph or a framed photograph of your passed loved one to Sunday service on November 3rd.

Open Chapel

Do you need a spiritual boost in the middle of the week?

The Chapel is open for prayer and meditation on Wednesdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Truth Seekers Bible Study Class

This Sunday we will continue with the parable of the Sower and the Seed. We have now studied the parable in all three Synoptic Gospels. In William Barclay's commentary on the Gospel of Mark, he states that "what we must look for in a parable is not a situation in which every detail stands for something but a situation in which one great idea leaps out and shines like a flash of lightning." Is this parable meant as a message to the sower or for our understanding of the seed and how it is received? This week we should complete our study of this most important and fundamental parable. We gather at 9:00 AM in the Conference Room and break up in time for the 10:00 AM church service. Bibles of various translations are available or feel free to bring your own favorite translation. Hope to see you on Sunday.

In Other News

Coming up! Fletcher Place Christmas Store  

Are you ready to start the best kind of shopping there is? Christmas shopping! It may seem a bit early, but our support to the Fletcher Place Community Center’s Christmas store requires a little advanced prep. Through our gifts, the Christmas Store serves struggling families in our city, helping them provide their children with Christmas gifts.  

Partner organizations (like Meridian Street UMC) are asked to collect very specific items. This allows Fletcher Place to provide a nice Christmas for each family while ensuring the Center is not overloaded given its limited space and volunteer capacity.  

UPDATE on FAMILY PROMISE

Remember last August when we collected personal care items for Family Promise? These items were received with much enthusiasm at the Day Center. Food stamps don't cover things like soap, shampoo and body wash. Feminine hygiene products aren't covered either. We'll be collecting these items again, the first two weeks of November. This is one effort that requires little effort and relatively small amounts of cash. If you can pick up one item when you go to the grocery or drug store, all of those items collected together can add up to a lot - and they are much appreciated by those who receive them. Thank you!

Community Serving Volunteer Opportunity

A neighborhood resource fair is being held for ISP School #43 on Tuesday, October 29 from 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM. Click here for details about the event, and if you can volunteer to help that evening, email Dick D’Alton or call at 317-439-2436 to join the Meridian Street team. 

Church-wide Birthday Reception Invite

You are cordially invited to join in celebrating Cyrena Gilman on her 80th birthday on Saturday October 26, 2024, from 1 PM to 4 PM in the parlor at Meridian Street United Methodist Church! 

In lieu of gifts, Cyrena kindly requests that you consider contributing to Chihuahua Rescue Indiana, Inc. or Meridian Street United Methodist Church. 

UMCOR US DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY 

Support relief efforts from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton by donating to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts.

Donate here!

Hanging of the Greens 2024!

Do you LOVE decorating for the Holidays? Join us at church to transform it into a beautiful Winter Wonderland! Sign up here!

Family and Youth Ministry News

Sunday Morning Parent Sign-up

Do you have one Sunday a month when you could volunteer in Kids Church or 4Twelve? Our Child Protection Policy requires two adults be present during children's and youth programming and having you be that "second adult" not only helps us meet our requirements, but also gives you and your child(ren) the opportunity to expand your family involvement. Please prayerfully consider offering a Sunday to this meaningful ministry and be prepared to sign up for a week when you pick your children up in the Welcome Center after church on Sunday.

4Twelve Save the Date for Upcoming Service Day

If you’re looking for serving opportunities as a family or simply as a 4Twelve member, save November 24 on your calendar. We will caravan as a group to shop for any missing items on the Fletcher Place Christmas Store request list for our church. We will also have lunch together that day.

Please let us know if you are participating through this Sign-up Genius.

Next Week's Calendar

Click on the calendar image below for a printable version of the calendar. Zoom links can be found below.

Zoom Links:

Truth Seekers - Pastor's Scripture Study - Trustees - Mission Committee

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3172533237 Passcode: 5500

Meridian Street Yoga

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89231774181?pwd=ZVpEYVZseTBFM3RSREJjQ3Y5YklXUT09

 Meeting ID: 892 3177 4181 Passcode: 825056

Lunchtime Book Study

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89123681096

Meeting ID: 891 2368 1096 Passcode: 809435

Weekly Worship Online Service

https://meridianstreet.online.church/ 

Because We Care

Prayer Concerns

• Roger and Candace Dearnaley, who are experiencing health concerns.
• Barb Hucek, Kathy Jenkins’ sister, who is experiencing health issues.
• Mitzi Boilanger, who is recovering from knee replacement.
• Peggy Marshall, who is recovering from surgery for a broken toe.
• Carol Klinestiver, who is recovering from infection following hospital care.
• Guatemala Work Team
• Those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton
• All first responders
• For peace in Ukraine and the Middle East
• People of the world for are impacted by violence, natural disaster, and war

Ways to Support the Ministries of Meridian Street

• Drop your offering in the offering plate.
• Go to meridianstreet.org/giveonline or scan this QR code.
• Enroll in Easy Giving – regular direct withdrawals from your bank or to make a contribution of stock, contact Robin Outcalt at finance@meridianstreet.org.
• Legacy Gifts: Imagine having an everlasting impact on the lives of families at Meridian Street by remembering the church with a legacy gift in your will. Estate gifts help us build a solid foundation for future generations of parishioners. There are many enduring benefits to remembering the church with a legacy bequest, and it does not have to cost you anything today. If you have already named the church in your estate plans, we would love to know.

If you have questions, you can reach Robin at 317-253-3237, ext. 113; or finance@meridianstreet.org.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, domestic violence, substance use, or suicidal crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to connect with a trained crisis counselor.