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Friends,
Spring has sprung! As we prepare buddy bags, finish up our Easter Egg Hunt and get ready for Holy Week, the business of spring is palpable. It's in this busyness that our moments for grounding and orienting ourselves become incredibly important. It's easy to skip over a moment for silence, prayer or devotion when your to-do list is a mile long, but we must not forget why we do what we do.
I'll leave you with a devotion from the Salt Project that I've been sitting with this week. May it bless you and challenge you as we move into spring.
Peace,
Isaac
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As we approach Holy Week, the time is right to reflect on the nature of genuine love: what it is, what it’s for, and how it connects to the joys and sufferings of our lives.
Toward the end of his life, James Baldwin gave a television interview in which he was asked to reflect on the essential subject of his classic, groundbreaking novel, Giovanni’s Room. Baldwin’s answer is an extraordinary meditation on love, and in particular, how it can serve a kind of educational purpose in our lives. Here’s what Baldwin said, laid out as a poem for your reading pleasure.
To see and hear Baldwin deliver these words, watch the interview excerpt here.
What’s the novel, Giovanni’s Room, about? Baldwin’s answer:
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It’s about what happens to you
if you can’t love anybody.
It doesn’t make any difference
whether you can’t love a woman,
or can’t love a man —
if you can’t love anybody,
you’re dangerous.
Because you’ve no way
of learning humility.
No way of learning
that other people suffer.
No way of learning
how to use your suffering,
and theirs, to get from one place
to another.
In short, you fail the human
responsibility, which is
to love each other.
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Joys:
- We celebrate with Betty Duggan, who turned 100 on Friday!
- We share Don and Sue Call’s joy at the birth of two new great grandbabies this past week, Everett Lee Mockler and Gracelyn Ann Smith.
- We have gratitude for Mike McDonald’s successful knee surgery with prayers for his recovery
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We celebrate Tim Burkholder as the volunteer of the month at Second Helpings!
Concerns:
- Paige Cox asks for prayers that her pain following surgery last week will lessen.
- Mandy Wakefield asks for prayers for Joey, the 4-year-old son of a good friend, who has been hospitalized with an unidentified, dangerously high fever.
- We pray for those affected by tornadoes around the country last week.
- We continue to pray for a lasting peace and a just response to the atrocities in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, the Sudan and anywhere else that violence continues.
- We also continue our prayers for Christy Keltner, Cora King, Davis and Bev Goforth, Sandy Zimmerman, Cindy Levi, John Quick, Alex Hofer, Lori Corken-Young and David Cartwright.
We pray for all who are grieving. We pray for a meaningful and lasting end to gun violence in our city and around the world.
We continue to pray for our work and all work to be an anti-racist church and people.
Our Global Ministries Prayer Partner this week is Myanmar.
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We are planning to stream all of our Holy Week services! We welcome you to join us in person and online at our typical times for Sunday services at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will both be at 7:00 PM. | |
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Our next Church Council meeting is Wednesday, April 3rd at 7 pm via Zoom. One of the agenda items is consideration of revisions to ACC's bylaws. If you'd like to attend, please contact Isaac for the meeting details.
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Office Closed for Eclipse | |
The church office will be closed on Monday, April 8 for the total solar eclipse (of the heart). Be careful and enjoy the celestial dance! | |
Nominations for Council Officers | |
It is time for nominations of Council Officers, Elders and Deacons. Self-nominations are welcome! Cindy Coble is again chairing this process and would welcome your thoughts by email at [email protected] | |
We are pleased to announce the most exciting day of the year will be April 27. Save this date to help us clear out the old and make 7701 Allisonville Road a little less cluttered. We'll have sign-ups and tasks in upcoming newsletters. | |
We will have a brief congregational meeting at 10:30 AM on May 5th in the sanctuary. The purpose is to review and approve those nominated as officers, elders, and deacons for next year. Please plan to linger for a few minutes after first service or arrive a bit early for second service that day. We will NOT be having Coffee Café that morning because of the congregational meeting. | |
Worship Inclusiveness Survey | |
At ACC we emphasize God's inclusive love and recognizes existing barriers that hinder full participation in worship and community life. As many of you know, we received a grant from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship to address the needs of neurodivergent and disabled individuals. An essential part of this initiative involves collecting feedback from these communities through a brief survey. Please share this same survey with your family, friends, and co-workers who are disabled, neurodivergent, or have family members who are. Our goal is to hear from as many perspectives as possible so that we can identify common themes and patterns. | |
Youth Group Mission Trip RSVP | |
If your youth would like to go on mission trip, or if you would like to encourage a grandkid or a teenager you know to join in on this incredible experience to North Carolina, please let Josh know by Sunday at the latest. If you have any questions reach out to Josh! | |
Youth Group Spring Retreat | |
The Spring Retreat for our youth ministry will take place May 3-5 here at the church. Register now for a time of rest, fun, and faith formation with some adventures here and there! The cost is $25 per youth but funds are available if cost is an issue. Please use the button below to register. | |
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Church Camp registration has officially opened for the summer! Josh sent out an email with all of the details about each camp and how to register. ACC will cover half the cost of camp for each camper, additional support is also available if needed. Click the button below to access all the different camp registrations! If you are interested in counseling any camp, please reach out to Josh and he will talk with you about making that happen.
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Not every church has a Larry. It's hard to find someone with a PhD in physics who can relate well to kids and is passionate about their faith. But, Larry is that guy! So, I realized we needed to make sure these science lessons were offered to other kids who might enjoy learning from Larry as well.
Thus, we're going to try out a monthly "Science Lessons with Larry" that's aimed at kids ages 4-8 (or so). The plan will be to eat lunch with our youth group at noon on a Sunday and then begin the lesson about 12:30 with the intention of wrapping up at 1 PM. Parents are welcome to join in both the eating and the learning.
Our second installment of Science with Larry will be on April 7th to talk about the eclipse happening the next day. Send Beau ([email protected]) a message to RSVP.
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Join in the fun of Easter with our Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23, at 10:00. There will be snacks, games, a bounce house, the Easter Bunny, and more! Invite your friends and neighbors with kids in 5th grade and below for a safe, fun Egg Hunt with over 4,000 eggs! If you would like to help make it happen, please click the button below. Let Josh know if you have any questions!
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Young Adult Ministry at TopGolf | |
This Friday, our Young Adult Ministry will gather at TopGolf in Fishers at 6:30 PM for a night of fun! Please RSVP to Josh Jackson at [email protected] ASAP to ensure we have enough bays reserved. Bring someone new with you! We are asking each participant to contribute $10 toward the cost of the bays, but it is okay if you can't. If you have questions, reach out to Josh, Rebecca Reid, or Kat Seiple. | |
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LENTEN REFLECTIONS ON CREATION CARE
God calls us to care for His creation. Creation Care is about loving God and loving His creation, caring for it with compassion and gentleness. During this Lenten season, as we reflect on creation care, consider contributions you or our church can make to ensure we are protecting and preserving God’s Garden of Creation.
Consider choosing a few small steps to begin your creation care story. Enlist the help of others in your household. Below are some ideas for home and church:
- Practice the 5 R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle
- Reduce plastic waste – Eliminate plastic water bottle usage
- Change to LED light bulbs
- Unplug electrical appliances when not in use
- Reduce food wastage
- Compost food scraps
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products
- Practice meatless Mondays
- Join ACC Green Chalice ministry
- Volunteer for ACC Creation Care Garden ministry
Contact Sarah Zuniga, Janette Smith, or Jean Tatum to learn more about Green Chalice opportunities.
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Every first Sunday of the month we collect items for the Linwood Food Pantry. They often tell us that they couldn't do what they do without ACC's support. This month they are looking for the following items:
- Diapers size NB, 1, 2, 3, 4
- Toilet Paper
- Peanut Butter
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Corn
- Individually wrapped snacks for kids
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Thank you for your generosity in helping to provide Buddy Bags for 90 students at Clearwater Elementary, Eastwood Middle School, and Northview Middle School. Please have your food donations to the church Narthex by this Sunday, March 24. Come join us in packing and delivering the bags on Tuesday, March 26, at 9:30am!
Contact Loveta Cain ([email protected]), Sandy Nagy ([email protected]), or Janet Spaulding ([email protected]) with questions.
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National Faith & Climate Summit at ACC | |
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If you believe in the moral responsibility to care for creation for the sake of our faith, our congregations, our families, communities, and future generations, join the National Faith + Climate Forum on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from 12 PM noon to 5:15 PM Eastern!
Changes in our climate are increasingly impacting congregations, and clergy and lay leaders, like you, are searching for ways to be part of the solution. Deepen your understanding on how to engage your congregation in creation care, work toward just and equitable solutions, and connect with other faith leaders locally and nationally.
ACC is one of the host locations, and we are trying to have at least 15 people registered to attend in-person at the church. Pastor Sarah will be facilitating in-between sessions, and there will be refreshments provided.
For more information, including a draft agenda, and to register for FREE, please visit https://nationalfaithandclimateforum.org/ and be sure to select that you are attending in-person at a host location (Allisonville Christian Church), or if you are unable to join in-person at the church, you can live-stream the forum.
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It's that time again. During church on April 7 we will have the opportunity to donate blood to save lives. To sign up, find Curtis in the next few Sundays. You'll recognize him by his white beard and clipboard! The next ACC blood drive will be July 14. | |
Disciples Women's Ministries | |
Damaris Circle
Damaris Circle will meet on April 9. We will discuss Anne Lamont's Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. We meet at 6 PM at Allisonville Christian Church inside door 1. Bring your own meal and visit until 6:30. If there isn't any DWM business, we keep on visiting. Around 7 PM we start talking about what we have read for this meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Cooper.
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Sarah Circle
Sarah Circle will meet via Zoom on Wednesday April 10 at 7 PM We will be discussing chapters from our Dessert First study book.
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Mary Martha Circle
The Mary Martha Circle will meet on Thursday, March 28th at 12:30 PM in Room 15 at ACC. We will be discussing Chapter 2, Amazed by Grace. We look forward to listening to each of you on this topic. Linda Hunt will lead us. We hope you can join us! Reminder: Park on the south side of the building.
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Our next Prime Timers' Lunch is Wed. April 10 at 11:30 AM. It will be at Olive Garden 6130 E. 82nd, Castleton. Emily Hunter and Lesley Salmon are the coordinators. Please RSVP to them if you plan to come.
Emily Hunter - 317-435-5691 [email protected]
Lesley Salmon - 317-238-9307 [email protected]
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This month's book is The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.
The riveting story of a young Black musician who discovers that his old family fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius: when it’s stolen on the eve of the world’s most prestigious classical music competition, he risks everything to get it back.
Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 PM.
Meeting in room 14, and over zoom
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April 18 — CTS Faith & Action Spring Conference
Thursday April 18 Christian Theological Seminary will hold their spring conference. This years theme is on Economic Disparities. Click the graphic below to learn more and register.
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April 24 — Allisonville Forum
The next Allisonville Forum will be April 24 at 7 PM with artist and activist Sylvia Thomas. Sylvia will be performing poetry, join us for an evening of storytelling!
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Arts at Allisonville
CALLING ALL MUSIC AND DRAMA LOVERS! It’s time to get Arts at Allisonville rolling again. We are in the planning process for the next 12 months or so. Won’t you join us? If you love the arts, we want you. Contact Steve Caress ([email protected]), Shari Jacobs ([email protected]), or Chris Higgins ([email protected]) and let us know. We want to start meeting soon to discuss/plan some exciting events.
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We are in need of scripture readers. This is a meaningful way to contribute to our worship experience, and we invite more members to consider participating. We are now scheduling for April, May and June. Please contact John Quick (317-294-2709, [email protected]) to sign up. | |
Faith Formation Ministry
If you are interested in any Sunday School class or other faith formation opportunity, please reach out to Josh ([email protected]) and read more at allisonville.org/sundayschool.
Here's a brief rundown of our offerings:
- Worship and Wonder (9:30 and 11:00 in Room 12): Open to kids 3 years old through 1st grade
- Children's Sunday School (11:00 in Room 1): Open to kids in 2nd through 5th grade
- Youth Sunday School (11:00 in the Retreat House): Open to youth in 6th through 12th grade
- Adult Sunday School (11:00 Faith Class in the Fireplace Room, LIFE Class in Room 15, and Pathfinders Class in the Chalice Room)
- Middle and High School youth meet in Room 14
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March - April
March 20 7:00 pm Allisonville Forum
March 21 9:00 am Beau’s Lent Study at Church
March 21 7:00 pm Beau’s Lent Study on Zoom
March 22 6:30 pm Top Golf for Young Adults
March 23 10:00 am Community Easter Egg Hunt
March 24 5:00 pm Josh’s Lent Study on Zoom
March 25 2:00 pm Sarah’s Lent Study at Church
March 25 6:30 pm Sarah’s Lent Study on Zoom
March 26 9:30 am Buddy Bag Packing and Delivery
March 26 7:00 pm ACC Book Club
March 28 12:30 pm Mary Martha Circle
March 28 7:00 pm Maundy Thur. Service
March 29 7:00 pm Good Friday Service
March 31 Easter
April 3 7:00 pm Church Council Meeting
April 4 6:00 pm Young Adult trip to Newfield's
April 6 8:30 am Men's Breakfast
April 7 Linwood Food Pantry Sunday
April 7 Blood Drive
April 7 12:30 pm Science with Larry
April 8 Solar Eclipse - Office Closed
April 10 7:00 pm Sarah Circle
April 24 7:00 pm Allisonville Forum
April 24 7:00 pm Young Adult Outdoor Movie Night at Retreat House
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