THE TORCH: News & Updates

November 12 | 2021

Friday Blessings

Oftentimes on Fridays, my ritual of getting out the door includes sending a short note of updates to the URC board, and then that expanded to includes others around the area, then RFPUSA friends and, at least this time I'm sending it as the Friday Torch for this week!

The URC is lucky--blessed, really--to be a part of a great local, national and even international community of devoted people and to have provided some connections to people in need in our community. These engagements make our coming plans to receive refugees and those fleeing injustice from places like Afghanistan feel less overwhelming than they should. We are glad to have you engaged, and hope you'll learn more about our efforts in this short update.

Shabbat Shalom, Jummah Mubarak, Happy Sabbath, and may this weekend be a safe and joy filled one for you and your loved ones!

Farewell to Rev. Matthew Cowden!

Fr. Matthew Cowden has served as pastor at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church since 2009. He was recently called to serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of West Virginia, and will take over there in December.

Fr. Matthew has been a good friend, to URC and to me personally. I was lucky to meet him and his family before their arrival, and his and spouse Melissa's children and my kids were near each other in age. I know that I'll miss having them close, and also know how lucky the Episcopal Diocese in W. Va. is to have them join their ministry.

Thanks for your friendship, Matthew, and peace and blessings to you in your new work!

TREES PEAK, RAIN COMES: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE?

Your editor has declared that the peak of color was achieved on Tuesday, Nov 9, at the exact moment that the photos (below) were snapped; what a coincidence.

See to the end (after reading these updates!) to learn about the winners.

URC Affiliation with Church World Service

Afghan Placement Assistance (APA)

The local community is preparing to receive a number of Afghan families via the Afghan Placement Assistance (APA) program. A team of volunteers and professionals affiliated with URC has been gearing up for some time, and the URC website is being updated to adapt to needs for volunteers and household items. The link below will take you there and it's being updated regularly (honestly!).

Key areas of help will include:

Temporary housing
Household goods
Donations of funds

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE: APPLY BY NOVEMBER 19

The URC Advocacy Center has provided over $475,000 in help from the Emergency Rent Assistance (ERA) Program since March, 2021. This is in addition to funds provided by member congregations, including a special grant from the Islamic Society of Michiana, and grants from the United Way COVID Relief Fund and Heat for Homes.

PLEASE HELP friends, family, and congregants to apply; here is the site:

https://sjcindiana.communityos.org/initial-tenant

Maple Tree and Bushes Update: Nov 12

As Chief Arborist for the URC, your editor determined that the sunny day on Tuesday seemed a fitting day to declare the highest level of fall peak-edness (not to be confused with 'pique', which occurred later in the week).

The declared winners of the contest are Rabbi Karen Companez and new St. Margaret's House Executive Director Dr. Katie Elliott, mostly because they were the only ones to comment! A suitable prize shall be forthcoming to each.

(Your editor apologizes for not knowing how to change the orientation of a photo uploaded to our constant contact system...please be careful while turning your monitor 90 degrees to the right...)