Several years ago, I read Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time by Dorothy C. Bass. Maybe some of you have read it; it was a popular group study book back then.

Bass reminds us of some of the basics of living as God’s people in chapters like, “Experiencing the Fulfillment of Time, “This Is the Day That God Has Made,” “Receiving This Day,” and later in the book, “Living in the Story This Year.”

It is a good book to touch base with, in this particular moment, as we are continuing to figure out how to receive each day “these” days!

Before the pandemic we had a pretty good rhythm going, living the life of faith in what now seems like “a good old” time. We didn’t have all the answers, but we knew pretty much what to expect day by day as we worshiped and worked and shared in the community.

Bus since the disruption of last year’s March we’ve had to learn a whole variety of new rhythms, haven’t we? That learning continues today which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Each day we live is “the day that the Lord has made,” and our call is always to receive it and do with it the best we can, rejoicing with gladness that we have another day in which to live and to serve.

Bass’s chapter entitled, “Living in the Story THIS Year (emphasis mine), seems especially meaningful right now, as we live the story of the Good News through the seasons of the Christian year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time and back around to Advent again. How we live it as a congregation, and how we live as individuals – God’s people, followers of Jesus Christ, in the world – is informed by our practice of living God’s story each year.

Since Lent 2020 we’ve learned to live the story in all kinds of new ways, even as we grieved the loss of beloved and familiar experiences like a candle-lit sanctuary on Christmas Eve, sharing the bread and cup around tables on at church Maundy Thursday, a musical march into worship on Palm Sunday, trumpets and timpani filling the church with sound and motion on Easter morning . . .

But guess what, we haven’t let our grief impede our witness, and we are continuing to live the story each day we are given. We will continue that witness however we can, wherever we are.

Today, I’m offering some questions for you to ponder:
How am I living the story of faith THIS year with all its challenges and complexities?
What has changed? How have I adapted?
How are we together, ACC, living that grace-filled, love-laced story? How might we continue to adapt not just to adjust, but to take advantage of this year’s challenges?

Dear Church, I’d love to hear your thoughts, and let us continue, no matter what, to live the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ for each and all of God’s children on THIS day and every day as best we can. Hold each other up in the dark times, all the while sharing the goodness of knowing what it means to be called and claimed by God.

We can do this.
Peace & Grace, Diane
Sunday Morning Covid Guidelines

Here are the latest updated Covid Guidelines for gathering as a congregation.
  1. Worshipers are now seating themselves and all pews are open. If you would like to be seated apart from others, please tell one of the Diaconate members on duty and they will be happy to help you find a good seat.
  2. Though all pews are now open for seating, we do ask that you maintain a social distance of approximately three feet between you and other worshipers in your row.
  3. We ask that you wear a mask whenever we are gathered in the church building for worship or for any other reason.
  4. You no longer need to make a reservation to attend worship. *Since we will still need record of all in attendance, we will begin using new pew cards for everyone to fill out – members and visitors – with names and primary contact information. As an added feature there will be a place for you to share any prayer concerns or other comments you’d like the minister(s) and/or prayer team to know about. At the end of worship please take the card with you and place it in the offering plate at the door on your way out.
  5. Classes and other groups that want to meet in person may reserve space to do so by calling the church office or use the reservation link below.
  6. We are making plans to re-open the nursery for the care of our youngest ACC’ers very soon. We will reconvene Children Worship and Wonder and Exploring Worship on the Sunday after Labor Day. If you would like to assist with either of those important programs, please let Pastor Diane know.

We celebrate that we are making progress toward a more normal worship experience even as we are also continuing to care for those among us, including our young children, who are not yet vaccinated.

A heartfelt thank you to the members of our Reopening Committee for their care, wisdom, and faithful perseverance!
Joys

We celebrate that Sunday School starts again for all ages this Sunday at 9:30

Concerns
  • We pray for the family, friends, and congregation of Rev. Morgan Parks, associate minister at Collierville Christian Church in Memphis, TN, who passed away from COVID on September 2.
  • We surround in prayer the family and friends of Bobbie Bishop White who passed away on August 16.
  • We remember Ray Jones, whose memorial service will take place this Saturday at 1pm at Memorial Park Cemetery.
  • Joey Lee who is undergoing treatment for cancer
  • Continued prayers for Lois Nahre
  • Jerry Caress following a hospitalization this week. He has been released but is scheduled for more tests.
  • Our love and condolences to Jane and Gary Lawrence in the death of their brother-in-law, Wayne Luttrell, and continue our prayers for Dan Dunn
  • Tim Escue
  • Donna Crimmins, having heart surgery on September 21st
  • Jackie Cramer, hospitalized last week
  • the Kalala family
  • Ann Ellerbrook
  • Elaine Akermann
  • Bill Ross
  • Lee Ridoux
  • Linda Stires
  • Mandy Reed
  • Robert Keltner
  • Gene Ray
  • Liz Nelson, Theron Nelson-Mercer’s mother
  • Geoff Higgins, Chris Higgins’ dad
  • Cindy Method, Ruth Wolff’s mother
  • Mack Hunter

For all who are grieving
For those affected by Covid, their families, and caregivers

For all frontline medical workers who are being exhausted by this third wave of Covid
For educators who are facing multiple challenges this year
For our work, and all work, to be an anti-racist church and people
For the people of Haiti
The families of the thirteen US service people who lost their lives this week in Afghanistan and for the great number of Afghans who lost their lives too; we continue to pray that everyone who needs to leave the country will be able to
For those affected by Hurricane Ida

Our Global Mission Prayer Partner is Jamaica
Well, Sunday is the big day! We are starting Sunday School back up again, yay! I know many of y'all are looking forward to it, and I am too. It will be so special for all of our classes to be able to gather once more, enjoy fellowship with one another, and dig deeper into this thing called faith. We have some pretty exciting curriculum and discussions planned for each of our classes and have a rockin' slate of teachers ready to help lead the classes and dive deeper into our faith. For now (until we resume two services), Sunday School will take place at 9:30 and end before worship starts at 10:30. I know, I know, that is early and that is different for some of our classes- but if you think about it, so many things are different now. I think this is an opportunity to try something new and still get to engage in an important part of our church life together. I'm excited to begin and continue this journey in faith formation with y'all! Sunday School teachers, class members, or intrigued guests alike, I am here for you to walk alongside you on this faith journey. If you aren't involved in a Sunday School class yet and you would like to be, which I would highly recommend, send me a note! I'd love to chat with you and figure out what class might be a good fit for you (or your kids). Spoiler alert, they are all wonderful and offer a place for everyone who walks through our doors (or clicks on our website).

Peace and blessings,

Josh
ACC Building Pandemic Update

Since we have had a couple of "near misses" with regard to Covid-19 in the office, we are asking:

  1. that you be sure to wear a mask when you are in the building for any reason or length of time;
  2. if a meeting with the ministers or with Ruth can be done by phone or Zoom, please choose one of those options rather than coming in person;
  3. if you know or suspect you have been exposed to Covid please refrain from coming to the church building until you know you are clear;
  4. if you are meeting with a group who can meet outdoors, please choose that option. If you need to meet inside, be sure to wear masks at all times.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us prevent the spread of the virus, and we continue our prayers that all in our society will do all they can to halt the pandemic.
September 12 | Lemonade Cafe

Weather permitting, we will continue Lemonade Cafe by the bell on Sunday.
UPDATE! September 12 | ACC Golf Outing
 
ACC GOLF OUTING ON SEPTEMBER 12 AT SAHM GOLF COURSE. 

If you thought you missed your chance and still want an opportunity to play, reach out to Toni Medlen ([email protected]) to find out if spots are available.
September 12 | Food Pantry Sunday
 
Please bring your food pantry items this Sunday, 12 - 2pm.

The most critical needs for this month:
  • Adult diapers & wipes
  • Sanitary pads
  • Canned Pasta meals (e.g. ravioli, Chef Boyardee, etc.)
  • Peanut butter
  • Individually wrapped candies (for Halloween bags)
  • Laundry detergent, fabric softener & dish soap (large containers which they dispense into empty water bottles)
  • Individual serving applesauce
  • Kraft Barbecue sauce is on sale at Kroger for 49 cents - this is a buy 5, get $1 off deal. 
NEW! September 12 | Sunday School Kickoff

We are so excited to start Sunday School back up again THIS Sunday at 9:30am. This Sunday we invite classes to gather in their respective locations, which will be listed below, to reconnect with one another and talk about the semester ahead. Sunday School teachers, please watch your emails for a note from Josh tomorrow with more details. As a reminder, everyone is required to wear masks inside the church building.

Chi Rho (6th-8th Grade): Children's Chapel
CYF: Retreat House
Faith Class: Fireplace Room
L.I.F.E. Class: Room 15
Pathfinders: Door 2 Entry (Southex)
Seekers Class: Room 14
ATTENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS

The 2021-22 Stewardship campaign will begin shortly. That means it’s budget time!

All committee chairs are asked to submit their 2022 budget requests to Tim Armstrong by October 1, 2021.

Thank you for your attention to this important annual process.

Tim Armstrong, Treasurer
September 10 | Summer/Fall Ladies Social

ACC Ladies Social will be held on Friday, September 10 at 7:00 p. m. The location is the home of Toni Medlen at 4305 Glenview Drive South, Indy 46250. Weather permitting, we will have everyone outside so just walk around to the back, please. We will be providing snacks/desserts. If you would like to share a beverage, you may bring a bottle of wine or soft drink. Once again, we want to continue to support The Coburn Place (an organization and location that supports victims of domestic violence). Their most urgent need right now is gas cards and grocery store gift cards. We will have a basket available to collect your donations of these cards, whatever amount you feel you can give of either kind of card. If you have any questions, you may contact Linda Belding or Toni Medlen.
NEW! September 11 | Men's Breakfast

Join us for fellowship and breakfast. Any and all ACC men welcome! We typically meet on the first Saturday of the month at 8am. Join us at Skillets Pancake House, located at 9546 Allisonville Rd. The first Saturday of September landed on a holiday weekend, so our next meeting is coming up this week on September 11. Join us!
Updated! September 19 | Sunday School Celebration

On September 19, we will have an all-class blessing and celebration to formally start Sunday School back up again! At 9:30am, all teachers and members of each class are invited to gather in the sanctuary for a brief welcome, celebration, and blessing before departing for each of your Sunday School locations to begin the year. If you have any questions, reach out to Josh. 
NEW! September 19 | Blood Drive

The Blood Mobile will once again be in the ACC parking lot from about 8:30am - 12:15pm for a Blood Drive. If you are interested in donating, please contact Curt McCollister at 317-842-5655.

Please leave a message when calling. Appointments are encouraged and are scheduled every 10-15 minutes with the last appointment beginning at about noon.

Your donations give life!
September 19 | Fall Pastor's Class

On Sunday, September 19th from Noon to 4pm Diane will offer a Pastor’s Class to think about faith, baptism, and church membership with any of our children who are in 4th, 5th, or 6th grades or are in that general age group. Lunch and afternoon snacks are provided.

At this point we have five students signed up and possibly one more so it will be a great group to join if you are thinking about what it means to be baptized. Parents, if you have not already responded for your child, please give Diane a call or send her an email and she’ll be glad to answer any and all questions.
September 28 | ACC Book Club

Next month we will meet Tues., Sept. 28th at 7:00. Our book is The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu.

The Three Body Problem is set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. 

Join us — we’d love to have you. The zoom link is: 
Help Us Solve a Mystery!

We recently received a contribution from an organization, The Blackbaud Giving Fund, which arrived anonymously in the mail. If you have recently authorized a donor-advised gift to ACC through this company, please contact one of us so that you can be credited for your contribution to Allisonville. Thank you very much!
October 16 | Shalom Zone: Electronics Recycling Event

SAVE YOUR UNWANTED ELECTRONIC ITEMS FOR RECYCLING

The annual electronic recycling event will be held 10-16-2021 at Epworth United Methodist Church. Please save any item with a cord or battery that you wish to recycle. Recycle Force will be present to take these items. This organization is a 501(c)3 social enterprise offering some of the most comprehensive and innovative recycling services while providing life-changing workforce training to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Virtual Scripture Readers | Seeking Readers for November & December

Virtual scripture readers are needed!! If you would like to participate please email John Quick ([email protected]) or call or text me (317-294-2709).
NEW! September 19 | Blood Drive

Join us for a blood drive at ACC on September 19. Sign up by calling Curt McCollister at 317-842-5655. Plan to leave a message when you call with your name and phone number. The drive begins just after 9am and will run until just after noon.
Youth Group Meal Signup

Youth group continues to meet on Sundays from 12:00-2:00. Each time we gather, we share a lunch together. We need volunteers from the church to provide food for the youth group! Please click on this signup and fill in your name on a date (or dates) that you'd like to bring lunch for the youth. Thank you so much to those of you who have already signed up! But, we are still in need of 10 more volunteers, so there is plenty of room for you to help us out! If you have questions, talk to Josh.
Worship and Wonder Volunteers

We are excited to start Worship and Wonder this fall on Sunday, September 12! We are looking for some more volunteers to make sure it can happen! If you are interested in being a storyteller or a greeter, please reach out to Josh and let him know! We need two more storytellers and could always use more greeters in rotation.
IHN/Family Promise | Seeking Co-Coordinator

The last 5 years Kimberly Amos has served as my IHN co-coordinator. Kimberly has informed me that due to job requirements and health issues she will no longer be able to fulfill this position. We want to thank Kimberly for her last 5 years of service to IHN and also thanks to her daughter Amanda who came with her Mom many evenings and helped with the babies and small children. She told me she still hopes to be a volunteer when time allows.

Thank you again Kimberly!! If you see or talk to Kimberly be sure to thank her for her service. We will need a new co-coordinator. We have our first IHN rotation coming up September 12. If you are interested in filling this position and want to find out more of what is involved you can contact me at 317-403-2010. Below you can find a guide to hosting IHN families at our church and it includes coordinator’s duties. I would be more than happy to meet with anyone in person who would be interested in fulfilling this position.

Being an IHN coordinator is a special Blessing to me. When you see the families coming into ACC you want to immediately want to make them feel at home.

Blessings,
Sherilee McLain
Worship Flowers: Oct 17 Available

Please click the link below to sign up to provide flowers for worship.

The flower arrangements for a Sunday will be $40 and payment may be made to Allisonville Christian Church.
Vaccination Reminder

ACC members can offer rides to vaccination locations, so we invite you to call the office at 317-849-3957 if you would like assistance.
September 11 | Opera in the Park

Lesley Salmon's nephew, Ganson Salmon, will be performing at Opera in the Park on September 11. The performance will take place at MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park located at 2450 Conservatory Drive.

Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. The show is free, but has a suggested donation. Space is limited, so reserve your tickets early! Description of the event from the Indianapolis Opera:

Our 4th annual Opera in the Park performance at Garfield Park will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021. This outdoor concert will feature an all-Indiana line-up of music superstars, including international opera soprano Angela Brown and Maestro Alfred Savia, along with special guests, our featured pianist, Joshua A. Thompson ("Sock Joplin") and, Indianapolis' very own opera tenor, Ganson Salmon. This season's talented Resident Artists and the Indianapolis Opera Chorus will also be featured throughout the evening. Enjoy the very spacious park while picnicking with friends and family and wonderful music.

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