What's the Buzz at ACC?

A Word from Diane

Next Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent.

To be exact, there are 47 days in the season, though Sundays are technically exempt because every Sunday is considered by the church a resurrection day. In so being, Sundays aren’t a part of the fasts and self-discipline that for many centuries was central to Lent. In other words, you can’t celebrate the resurrection and fast at the same time. That’s why it is said that if you give up something you love for Lent you can indulge on Sundays!

That might be more meaningful this year than most, since nearly everyone is living a more stripped-down, austere version of life right now due to the pandemic. Even those who can go out to do their work are dealing with limitations and adaptations, and others have significantly restricted their lives to protect themselves or the community at large.

So, it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the biblical theme of “Wilderness Times” to see what we might learn from the communal experience we’re currently having.

What is a wilderness time?

There are many definitions of wilderness to consider.

Wilderness is:

“an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region”

a “wild” place

“any barren, empty, or open area”

“a large, confused mass or tangle”

“a desolate area,” “wasteland”

“Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion”

I can’t count how many times someone going through an illness, a grief, a job loss, or the breakup of a relationship has described it like being in a wilderness or a wilderness time.

And no wonder! Look at the words in that list – inhospitable, wild, barren, confused, desolate, wasteland, bewildering, perilous; a time with more questions than answers.

There is biblical precedent for understanding hard times in “wilderness” terms including the forty years of wandering in the wilderness by God’s people after they were rescued from bondage in Egypt, many psalms where people cry out from the wilderness of pain or fear, and we can’t forget Jesus’ forty days of temptation in the wilderness after his baptism.

This Lent we will look to scripture and experience to help us make sense of our wilderness time, and to discern any lessons we might take away from it. I invite you to examine your own experience as we see what we can glean from our Wilderness Time. We ARE in it together however long we are physically apart!

Peace & Grace, Diane

Prayer Joys and Concerns

JOYS

Ben Hinton continues making improvements and may be completely weaned off a ventilator soon
Lori Corken received good news about health concerns last week

CONCERNS

Joyce Little has entered hospice care
Bob Burrows recovering from surgery
Gene Ray and Margie Ray who have Covid
Amanda Wilson’s grandma, Louise Mullen, ill with Covid
Liz Nelson, Theron Nelson-Mercer’s mother, undergoing tests and in rehab
Phil Young
Chris Johnson, Pam and Larry Rahn’s son
Paul Ayers in rehab
Mack Hunter in rehab
Steve Belding
Joyce Jones
Karen Bayne
Jerry Fourman
Joey Lee
Bonnie Ross
Bev Goforth and Davis Goforth
Michael Smith, Kathie Meyer’s son in law

All who are ill with Covid-19, their families, and caregivers

All who are working toward a nation and world without racism

Our Global Mission Prayer partner is Fiji.

Update about Joyce Little

ACC, let's offer Joyce Little some specialized care. In recent months, Joyce has had Covid-19, her dementia has worsened probably in part due to the isolation, and she has had several other serious health issues. As of this week, Joyce is now in hospice care.

I'd like to remind her of her church family's love. Would you send her a card or note in care of her daughter at the address below? It would be helpful if you referenced your connection to her through church or add a detail that might help her to place you.

Joyce Little

C/o Leslie Michael

PO Box 321

Carmel, IN 46082

Thank you for reaching out!

Diane

Welcome, Brenna!

This week we are excited to introduce the Allisonville family to our new contemporary lead singer, Brenna Pfeifer. Brenna is a musician and educator who has worked with musicians of all ages through her years of experience as a teacher, performer, and church worship director and singer. Brenna has taught as an adjunct professor at Millikin University, as a general music and choir director at Belzer Middle School, and as a clinician for several other schools, ensembles, and at vocal music festivals. She has served several churches as a singer, praise band leader, and choir director.

Brenna now works as an Assistant Director and lessons instructor at Bach to Rock, where she is continuing to pursue her passion for helping developing singers and musicians find their voice and gain confidence, healing, and self-acceptance through music.

Outside of work hours, Brenna can be found recording music in her home, which she shares with her partner Tucker, and her wonderful dogs Olive and Scoot!

Brenna is excited to be joining the worship band team at Allisonville Christian Church and getting to know this church community! I know you will be blessed by her singing in many worship services to come - welcome, Brenna!

Church Council Update

A brief summary of the Church Council meeting held on February 3, 2021 via Zoom:

Financial reports were reviewed with the new budget now in place for one month. Ministry chairs were asked to make sure the line items connected to their area were correct as submitted. Income is off to a good start for the new budget year. The PPP loan was officially forgiven by the SBA and is now considered income for the 2021 budget year.
The Financial Secretaries mailed out year-end statements last week. Please contact them if you find any discrepancies.
Pastor Diane reported that the church Re-Opening committee will resume meeting soon.
The Worship and Spiritual Life team reported on plans for Lent. The theme is “Wilderness.” Please sign up to share a Lenten devotion with the congregation if you haven’t already done so. More writers are needed! Folks are encouraged to send in pictures of their pancake meal on Fat Tuesday and watch a special on-line service on Ash Wednesday. Thanks to all who have served as Scripture readers on Sunday mornings. Please contact John Quick if you are interested in this activity.
The Mission Building Team continues to meet periodically. A new cost estimate is being prepared as costs have increased during the pandemic.
The Property team remains active on various items around the church. The team continues to search for a person to serve in the Building Maintenance position. If you know of any qualified and interested persons please contact Kendal Nagy or Dave Stansifer.
Preschool has reopened after a brief time off in December. Classrooms are full to the current reduced capacity with a waiting list. Registrations for next year are underway with more than normal inquiries. Thanks to the church for all the help given and to Kendal Nagy for keeping the sidewalks clear of snow!
Elders will be continuing the Elder Encouragement program at least through Lent.
The Membership Team continues with the online Coffee Café most Sundays at 11:30 a.m. New folks are always welcome and encouraged to join in. The team is beginning to have preliminary discussions on what changes will take place in coffee hour once we return to church. As we learn more about the timing of return to church, membership activities will resume with all necessary precautions.
Mission Outreach reported the sponsorship of another Second Helpings culinary graduating class. A video of some of our youth sharing their “congratulations” was played. Donations to the Linwood food pantry continue to be collected on the first Sunday of the month at church.
Pastor Doug commented that we continue to be cautious with any youth gatherings. He continues to stay in contact with them individually as much as possible. During Lent he will be leading a prayer time using both Facebook and phone contacts. Additional children’s classes will be held during Lent led by Jane Lawrence, Suzanne Snapp, Larry Rahn, and Alberta Lathan. Thanks to these wonderful teachers!
Pastor Diane announced the hiring of Brenna Pfeifer as our new lead vocalist with the Praise Band. Both she and Chris are thrilled to have found someone with her talent. She also thanked Toni Medlen for her work with Coffee Café, seconded the call for Lenten devotional writers, and expressed her concern for all those who are struggling right now with the Wilderness Times we find ourselves in. She encouraged everyone to watch the special Ash Wednesday service. This Sunday marks the 9th anniversary of her time as Senior Minister at ACC. She was truly moved by all of the things we were able to accomplish together this past year. We are still going and going well! She will once again have the privilege of praying for each of us during Lent. If you have a special prayer concern please share them with her. Please watch the Buzz each week for updates on our prayer concerns within the congregation.

Pastor’s Prayers for Lent

This Lent as usual Diane will be offering prayers for each person in the congregation. It’s been her practice to pray for several people or families each day and send them a note or email letting them know they’ve been remembered in prayer.

If you have concerns or joys you would like her to include in her prayer for you, please send them to her via email or through the mail so she can shape her prayers especially for you.

You can email her at [email protected] or send mail to her at home, 8435 Cleat Ct., Indianapolis, IN 46236 by or soon after Ash Wednesday, February 17th.

Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday 2021-Style!

Since we can’t gather for our annual pancakes and ashes this year, we are planning new ways to mark Fat Tuesday, February 16th, and Ash Wednesday, February 17th.

One aspect to this year’s situation is that we can easily celebrate the Fat Tuesday part of our annual event on Tuesday! You may also know that day by its other name, Shrove Tuesday, so called because people went on that day before Lent began to confess their sins and to receive absolution. It was said that in that process they were “shriven.” The idea of pancakes came into being because that same day people would also use up all the fat and eggs in the house to prepare for their Lenten fasts which featured a more austere diet.

One way we can share this year in that celebration is to take photos of our individual pancake feasts and either post them on our ACC Facebook Group or send them to either Pastor Doug or Pastor Diane who will post them for you.

Then on Ash Wednesday evening we will have a special online service produced by Andra Moran and Suzanne Castle of Brim, with a welcome and a few words of homily added by Diane. Andra and Suzanne’s service offers a beautiful, thoughtful entry into the coming season of Lent in this moment when we can’t easily mark one another’s heads with ashes but still want to mark the day.

Make a note on your calendars for February 16th and 17th.

Prayers for the Wilderness Times

Dear friends, as we traverse the wilderness of Lent and beyond, I'm excited to announce a weekly prayer group in which members of ACC will lead prayers for those in need of God's presence and strength each week of the season. There are two ways to participate: for those who prefer to call in, starting February 22, you can dial in on Mondays at 6:30pm to (317) 559-5570 for a brief reading of scripture, meditation, sharing of prayer concerns, and a prayer. All are welcome. We'll also be streaming prayers on Facebook Live. To participate, visit facebook.com/allisonville on Thursdays at 6:30 starting February 18th. You can add your own prayer concerns in the comments and together, we'll pray and connect with the divine.

If you'd like to submit a prayer request to be included in these virtual gatherings, you can send them to Pastor Doug at [email protected], or add them to the comments section if you're joining in via Facebook. We look forward to this opportunity - see you there!

Lent Devotionals - Thank You!

Thank you to all who signed up to write a Lenten devotional! We appreciate you so much. Please send those in to Ruth at [email protected] by Thursday night to give her enough time to prepare the online and the paper versions of this year's devotions. Thanks to all!

Week of Compassion Offering 2021

February 21 and February 28

“Let Love Flow” is this year’s Week of Compassion theme, based on Isaiah 49:8-12, with verse 10 serving as a focus verse.

“Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,

shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,

For the Compassionate One guides them,

Takes them to the best springs.”

That verse sounds like what we believe and live at ACC, and it represents the Week of Compassion’s work beautifully. WOC is the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

Even in this pandemic time disasters have not ceased. Clean water is still desperately needed in many parts of the world, and Week of Compassion’s work of every kind goes on.

Each year Allisonville Christian Church has been a leader in giving to the Week of Compassion Offering and we hope this year will be no different even though we aren’t passing out offering envelopes with our bulletins at the door!

You can give any time, but the two Week of Compassion Sundays are February 21 & 28. If you give online on our website, there is a dropdown directory under “Designation” that includes Week of Compassion. Just click on it and your gift will be directed to WOC. You can, of course, also send a check to the church marked for WOC or use online giving through your bank.

This year we have something special to share. One of our members has offered to add a special gift in the amount of 20% of our total WOC offering! What a generous gift to increase the congregation’s usual generosity. We thank them and look forward to “letting love flow” in our WOC giving!

Book Club: February 23

Our next ACC Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to join us to discuss the historical novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan. From Amazon:

"When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters.”