Last Sunday’s first in-person/online hybrid worship experience with ACC was absolutely wonderful! That’s not to say there weren’t a few glitches, but the Spirit was powerfully present, and our spirits were filled with joy!
Though the at-home congregation experienced some sound difficulties just as worship began, our crack technical team quickly ironed them out, and though those of us in the building missed singing we were blessed by the music presented on the screen. We look forward in coming months to be able to join our voices together again in the sanctuary and will do that as soon as it is safe.
The in-person worshipers were patient with the COVID adaptations we’ve implemented and entered the sanctuary with happy hearts and crinkly eyes betraying smiles behind their masks. A big thank you to our Diaconate, our staff, and worship participants for making it all possible!
Though we were thankful for them, many of us found that the handy-dandy prepackaged Communion sets aren’t completely easy to open, but as I reminded everyone at the end of worship, all are welcome to bring their own elements of the Lord’s Supper to worship. A cracker and a grape in a baggie will work beautifully to signify the bread and the cup.
For those of us who gathered it was so good to be back in the sanctuary, and I’ve heard from several at-home worshipers that it was good even to see the sanctuary as they worshiped from afar!
The highlight was, of course, seeing and worshiping with so many of our ACC family in person, but another great gift of the day was the beautiful art that filled the Sacred Space in the front of the sanctuary.
Cristi Billue, talented artist and teacher, created for us it to signify and celebrate Easter, resurrection, spring, and a new beginning for us all – one step closer to a great gathering in the sanctuary to worship God.
In the meantime, we are united in spirit by the work of God’s Spirit – the greatest gift of them all.
Peace & Grace, Diane
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Click the button below to register for in-person worship for any dates through the end of May. Be prepared to include the names of anyone attending with you. For those unable to sign up online for any reason, please call the office at 317-849-3957 and speak with or leave a message for Ruth Wolff. |
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
Among our Joys:
We celebrate three additions to the ACC family since our last in-person worship: Lucy and Addison Auble, and Rosemary Wilson.
Among our concerns please pray for:
- Karen Bayne, recovering from two surgeries, one last week and one this past Monday
- Carol Lu Knox’s son, Brad Bond, recovering from surgery he had Monday
- Joyce Coalson, having surgery tomorrow (Thursday, May 6)
- Liz Nelson, Theron Nelson-Mercer’s mother, recovering from a seizure Sunday
- Steve Belding, in the hospital recovering from surgery
- Linda Belding as she continues recovery
- Chris Higgins’ father, Geoff Higgins
- Ruth Wolff’s mother, Cindy Method
- Jessica McCracken’s step-father who in hospice care, Richard Solberg, and her mother giving him care, Linda
We continue prayers for:
- Paul Ayers
- Ben Hinton
- Dan Pickerell
- Mary Caress and Jerry Caress
- Bev Goforth and Davis Goforth
- Lee Ridoux
- Mac Hunter
We remember those among our community who have died this year since we last gathered in-person:
- Bob Mattox
- Herb Gillen
- Vicki Holland
- Mary Ruth Stoner
- Bill King
- Bob Bates
- Nela Holtz
- Ray Jones
- Joyce Little
Among our Global community concerns:
-We continue our prayers for all those whose daily lives are burdened by the sin of systemic racism, and for a spirit of courage in our pursuit to be actively anti-racist in all we do and believe.
-We lift up all who are combatting COVID-19 and its effects in all areas of life around the globe, and in particular this week, for India as they weather a vicious surge in virus contractions and deaths.
-We hold in our prayers our Global prayer partners, this week in Indonesia.
Information for visiting or contacting Ben Hinton:
Ben Hinton's new address is 12999 N Pennsylvania St, Carmel IN. He loves phone calls - please call him at: 317-810-5236
Visitation Rules:
30 minute visits per person (one person at a time)
You must have a negative Covid test weekly
Call (317) 848-2448 and ask for Kimberly Taylor to schedule an appointment.
If you don't want to get a Covid test, then you can visit with Ben outside his window. The facility will be opening outdoor visits after April 2, which you can also do without a COVID test.
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Associate Minister Search Update
We are happy to share that the Associate Minister Search Committee is ready to present a candidate to the Council. Council Chair Tim Armstrong will be calling a special Council meeting soon.
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Vicki Holland Memorial Service
Our dear sister Vicki Holland who passed away last June 27 will be remembered at a memorial service in our sanctuary on Saturday, May 15th at 1pm. If you plan to attend please sign up by following the link below.
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Send-Off Celebration for Doug Collins - May 8
Join us for our send-off celebration for Doug Collins on Saturday, May 8, from 1:00-3:30. It will be a drive-through activity with opportunities to say good bye and God speed to Doug.
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Thank you!
The Property Ministry wishes to thank all who helped in the All Church Workday on May 1st. Much was accomplished and we appreciate all the help.
Thank You,
Dave and Kendal
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Great News!
Our Refugee family, Prince Kalala and his family, have secured new housing.
Please update your directory with their new address:
952 E. Tabor Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
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ACC Book Club
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. via zoom.
We will be reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
Outstanding.... [A] rich, rewarding read about family ties, perseverance, and women's friendships and fortitude." ― Booklist (starred review)
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LIFE Class Update
The LIFE class is on hold so as not to interfere with in-person worship. We are working on a change of time and venue. Stay tuned for the announcement of when the LIFE class will resume meeting.
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Virtual Scripture Readers
Virtual scripture readers are needed. Please contact John Quick ([email protected] or 317-294-2709) if you would like to record scripture.
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Coffee Café Schedule
No Coffee Cafe on Sunday, May 9. On May 16, (weather permitting) after worship, there will be a Coffee Cafe, also known as Lemonade Cafe, behind the church around the firepit/outside worship area. Please Bring Your Own Container and we will provide lemonade and water. Look for confirmation in the Buzz next week and on the ACC Facebook page.
Thank you, Toni Medlen
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Save the Date and Register for In-Person VBS Today!
Mark your calendars for VBS 2021: Discovery on Adventure Island! We'll be convening for in-person VBS this year July 5-8 from 5-7:30pm for children 5 yr - 5th grade. In following CDC guidelines, registration will be limited, so be sure to sign your child up today. You can do so at www.allisonville.org/vbs. Those who wish to volunteer for the event can also sign up there. We hope you'll join us on a quest for God's light and love! See you there!
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Notice from Membership
Greetings from your Membership Committee! It was a disappointing year for us, having to cancel so many (actually ALL) fellowship activities. We are looking forward to the time when we can once again safely gather for fellowship. We will need to use a new approach to planning our usual events and activities. We hope to gradually begin having in person Coffee Café (the first one may be happening on May 16th outside, if weather permits). We also hope to soon resume our senior lunches and men’s senior breakfasts; a golf outing in the fall and maybe even an all church picnic late summer or early fall. Some of these events will look very different from the way they have in the past. For example, instead of bringing food to share at a picnic, we might need to have a “bring your own sack lunch and drink” kind of picnic. That first Coffee Café may need to be a “BYOC” (Bring your own container) while we provide water and lemonade. Sorry … no more open bowls of donut holes. As one volunteer pointed out, even though we at ACC have always enjoyed sharing food and drink, the most important thing about fellowship is just being able to spend time together with our church family. Our evening together at Conner Prairie is not likely to happen this summer. Symphony On The Prairie has not even announced any kind of a schedule yet. So please be patient with us as we try to resume planning events. Much depends on the COVID numbers which means we will need to take one week at a time. Any plans made may have to change. This is a “new normal” we are approaching and we are just not sure what it will look like. Be assured that Don Burrell and Toni Medlen, as co-chairs of Membership have not forgotten our ministry and the purpose of the Membership Committee.
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Outreach Co-Chair Needed
Allisonville Christian Church is justifiably pleased by the amount of Outreach we, as a congregation, contribute to the community and our world each year. Without the generous monetary contributions given by our members, we would not be able to do these things. So many of you also volunteer with your time, but right now we need folks to step up to the plate and bring their leadership skills to our Outreach Ministry. Kathie Meyer and Janette Smith have been chairing Outreach together for several years now, but Kathie has moved to Florida. Kathie will continue to help with the Administrative part of Outreach for 2021 or until a new co-chair can be named, but Janette needs “boots-on-the-ground” help to continue coordinating all the moving parts of this ministry. If you are interested in ministering to the less fortunate in our world, please contact Janette Smith or Kathie Meyer and let one of them know. We will ease you into the process, and you will get back so much more than you give. If you don’t want to chair the Ministry, we can find a place for you to help.
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Help for ACC members and family to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations
Currently to sign up for the Covid-19 vaccine you can go to the state of Indiana website: https://vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov and sign up for a vaccination or you can call 211 to sign up. 211 is a helpline phone call. But for anyone still having difficulty in getting signed up for their COVID-19 vaccination, there will be help from ACC members. If you or a family member needs help, call the church office at: 317-849-3957. Leave a message for Ruth Wolff, providing your name and phone number, and an Allisonville CC member will call you back to help get you started. A reminder that right now this is for people who are 16 and older.
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Vaccinations for Homebound Seniors
ACC has been informed that there is a path to vaccination for those who might be unable to leave their homes to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
Contact the Indiana Department of Aging and Disabilities with FSSA: 317-803-6131
You will be asked to give them your zip code and other information, such as date of birth and address. This is so that they know if you are in their service area. You may have to make an appointment for someone to get back with you, but reports are that they will follow up with you.
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Family Promise: Night Without a Bed |
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How many apartments will we be able to rent as shelters this June? The answer is up to you!
Last April, Greater Indianapolis rallied to help Family Promise raise an unexpected $125,000 to rent 10 apartments as shelters for 12 months. It meant our shelter never had to cut capacity while congregations could not host families. We're pleased to share more than 73% of families either took over the leases (and we rented new apartments) or found permanent housing elsewhere. As of today, 100% of the families that left shelter successfully have retained housing!
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Allisonville Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
(317) 849-3957
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