Pastor Short Course:
You scream. I scream. We all scream for ice cream. Yes, we all like ice cream, but we may all like a different flavor. When it comes to serving up scoops of outreach to our community, we need to remember people may have different tastes. If you’ve only been serving “chocolate moose tracks,” you’re missing the strawberry, vanilla, and butter pecan folks. “31 Flavors” is all about the variety of ways to meet the needs of every sweet tooth in Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the world. This year's date for Short Course is July 5-8 with "Outreach in 31 Flavors" as the theme. Please plan to attend (or encourage your pastor to attend). Click HERE for more information on the theme (including some homework to consider before coming and an example of what that can look like).
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About a month ago, we shared that the IYM office is working at stream-lining communications and we asked you to send your info to a different email address. We have had to change that address to IYMCommunicator@gmail.com. We apologize for the confusion but there were some technical difficulties with the other email address. Thank you for understanding.
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IYM Church News:
Hemlock Friends recently offered a 4-week class on Friends history and testimonies called “Friends 101” based upon curriculum resources available at www.iym.org. The church also used Pi Day (3.14) to make connections with the Hemlock community by giving away complimentary mini pies. Both efforts were enthusiastically received.
Shirley Friends will participate in the Community Good Friday Service to be held April 15, 6 pm, at the Warrington Church of the Nazarene. You are invited.
Charlottesville Friends is welcoming back their pastor, David Deem, after missing 13 Sundays in the pulpit from having Covid. Three men in the church did a great job filling in for David. The church will hold a Good Friday service, April 15 at 7 pm.
Portland Friends has resumed their outreach Bible-Study at Portland Place (senior living facility). They meet at Portland Place on the third Thursday of each month at 6 pm. This is a blessed time of singing, snacks, and study of the Word. Also, Portland Friends will have a Good-Friday Stervice at 6:30 pm on April 15 followed by pie and coffee in their Christian Unit. On Easter Sunday they will have a Son-Rise service at 8 am followed by a carry-in breakfast, then Easter Service at 9:30 am. (No S.S.)
Sycamore Friends will participate in Good Friday Services at Greentown Wesleyan Church, April 15, at 7 pm. Brandon Bogue will be the speaker. On Easter morning, they will serve an Easter breakfast at 9 am. There will be no Sunday School.
Wabash Friends is sponsoring a time of playing games, crafting, reading stories, and having wonderful conversations with kids from all over the world at International House Summer Camp in Fort Wayne, June 6-10. Fort Wayne is home to people from over 60 different nations, and International House Summer Camp provides an amazing opportunity to begin building relationships with families who are learning to navigate a new life in the USA.
West River Friends will participate in services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, both at 7 pm at Hagerstown Methodist. On Easter the church will hold "Flowering of the Cross" service at 9 am, breakfast served following the 9 am service, and traditional Easter Service at 10:30 am. Saturday, May 7, they will hold their annual Pork Chop Dinner, held as a "drive-thru."
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Marion First Friends:
Nothing precedes purpose. The starting point for every church should be the question, “Why do we exist?” Until you know what your church exists for, you have no foundation, no motivation, and no direction for ministry. If you are interested in studying Purpose Driven Church and some of the foundations for reclaiming a direction for your church, we hope that you will consider joining us. Pastor Dwight Elliott is going to preach five messages, with Sunday Evening Book Studies that will follow along with the series. If you can’t participate, please keep us in your prayers as we consider “Why do we exist?” and study more about the Purpose Driven Church.
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IYM Sunday is a day the Yearly Meeting asks our churches to set aside to talk about the virtues of us being together in the work God calls us to collectively. This year, we are recommending April 24th for IYM Sunday observance. If that Sunday does not work for your church, feel free to pick another Sunday. Click HERE for an electronic packet of material that can be used to make a great IYM Sunday.
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Our Next Pastor's Gathering will be held Thursday, April 14 (tomorrow) at Mooreland Friends from 10-11:30 am. The topic will be "Becoming a welcoming Church-Part 2." We hope all our pastors can join us!
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The Communications and Publications Committee of IYM is pleased to announce that after two years of working and planning with Karla Moran Jay, the IYM Faith and Practice has been successfully translated into Spanish and is available on the IYM website. A big thank you goes to Karla and to Jorge Luis Pena, Cuban editor. We appreciate all of their hard work in helping us to make this available to our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ. Click HERE to go to the IYM webpage to access the Spanish Faith and Practice.
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The Evangelica Amigos Iglesia has a great passion to share the Gospel throughout central America. After back to back Cat 4 hurricanes about a year and a half ago the eastern part of Guatemala had much critical damage. Since that time the church, led by the Yearly meeting and its pastors, has worked steadily in their communities to recover. Many of the pastors themselves are yet to have their homes repaired. A work team is forming to serve June 18-25 to work on the home of Pastor Ramirez and family while spending time experiencing the community. If anyone would like more information, to join the team, or donate to the material costs contact, John Key at 7651661-4034 or john@csiministries.net.
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From the IYM Advancement:
We are in the midst of raising funds to support the 2023 IYM budget. Right now, almost $48,000 has been raised -- giving from our IYM membership. In a couple of weeks, IYM Sunday will take place. We hope you will enjoy the focus on our IYM ministries and efforts as we give thanks to God for leading us. We are grateful for your giving and your support and your participation in the life and vibrancy of Indiana Yearly Meeting.
From the Christian Service Committee:
It is encouraging to learn of how our churches are caring for their communities. Our IYM faith community serves our communities in sacrificial ways. The love of Jesus Christ is being lived out in our service and support of people in our lives. Keep serving well!
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Quaker Haven Camp is looking for servant-hearted high school and young adults (at least 18 years of age) to be a part of their Summer Staff. They have openings in Food Service and Lifeguarding. You will live and work with others learning how to be a team and reflect the heart of God as a group. For more information please click on the link below: https://www.quakerhaven.com/employment
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This year's spring Youth Invasion will be an Explosion, Saturday, April 23, from 1-8 pm. Youth will join with local partners in the Wabash area to serve for several hours before returning to the church for food, games, and worship. Unlike past Invasions, this Explosion will be held on a Saturday so we can get more time for our youth to engage with other Friends from around IYM. Contact Ross Smedley for information.
Barclay College Online is offering a free class, if you enroll as a full-time online student for the fall semester. The free class will start on May 2. Receive a fully accredited, quality education at a very affordable price. Transfer or start your gen-eds. Four-year, fully accredited degrees are offered in Criminal Justice, Business Management, Psychology, Christian Leadership, and Biblical Studies. For more information email distancelearning@barclaycollege.edu, or learn more at www.barclaycollege.edu/online/.
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Upcoming Events:
April 14, Pastor Gathering at Mooreland Friends; 10-11:30 am
April 23, Representative Council at Walnut Ridge Friends, 9:30 am
April 23, Youth Explosion at Wabash Friends, 1-8 pm
April 24, IYM Sunday
May 10, IYM Committee Day at Marion First Friends, 6:30 pm
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Good Morning!
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:8-11
As we walk through the Passion Week yet again this year, this passage speaks loudly. Here was a group of people who were very vocal about what they were witnessing, and here was Jesus, a man who had made quite a reputation for Himself throughout the region. He had been known to heal, to forgive, to offer compassion. The people were seeing the intense need for that Presence, so much so that they were actually shouting, "Hosanna!."
I believe they were actually hungry for that Presence. And, maybe, up until that point, they did not even know how much they hungered for it.
I wonder how often, in our own hunger, we try to fill ourselves with things that will not satisfy. What we are really hungry for is the Presence of the living Christ, and all that He offers. But, what we often do is fill that space with whatever is convenient…TV, books, work, or a tablet or smart phone. But what our very beings long for is so much more satisfying.
May we all, in this season of Resurrection, allow the hunger we have for the living Christ, and all He brings to us, be filled! May we experience Resurrection to such a degree that it not only fills us up but it actually transforms us!
-Pat Byers
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