November 9, 2022

I don’t make a habit of listening to other people’s private conversations, but it was in a restaurant and the parties involved were a bit loud and their exchange was so delightful! A woman and her small daughter went to the counter to pay their bill. The waitress was chatty and asked the little girl, “Where did you get all those beautiful curls?” Without a moment of hesitation, the young innocent replied matter-of-factly, “All handmade by God!” It was a perfect response. The waitress was a bit stunned at the confident witness of the child, but recovered nicely as she responded, “Well, God does excellent work!” That lovely child believed her curls were indeed handmade by God! I wanted to thank her Mom for teaching her daughter such an awesome truth, but they were gone before I had a chance. I felt better after such a public declaration of faith.

As I sat enjoying the tiny theologian’s divine observation, my mind began to wander to things I’ve witnessed in recent days. Several nights in the last week or so, the sky has been filled with stunning color welcoming the end of day. Took my breath away - handmade by God!... Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending our Regional Assembly and was so blessed by the diverse and united people present - handmade by God!... Sunday morning, I was moved as we remembered the saints of the church in a special tribute honoring the great cloud of witnesses who had professed their faith so eloquently through the years - handmade by God! What a gift it was to hear Beth Guy bring the morning message with such joy and clear commitment - handmade by God!

James Forbes, a master of the spoken word, said in a sermon that the best piece of advice he’d ever received was to imagine, stamped to every forehead, the words - “Handmade by God!” It became impossible for him to think ill of any human being. I try hard to remember that each day. It’s helpful…. The man crippled by alcohol abuse - handmade by God! The child with eyes hollow from malnutrition - handmade by God! The person who has judged me unkindly - handmade by God! The teacher who challenges students to think beyond the obvious - handmade by God! The friend who calls you to be your best self - handmade by God! And, of course, little girls with an

abundance of curls - “All handmade by God!” It reminds me to celebrate the wisdom of that other restaurant theologian who proclaimed, “Well, God does excellent work!”

Amen.

Love,

John

Happy Wednesday, Allisonville!

Gosh, what a week this has been. With the time change that has destroyed my internal clock, voting, our congregational meeting announcement, preschool director interviews, and getting ready for the youth fall retreat- it feels like one LONG day. Not to mention my fighting with my leasing office about the ridiculous lease renewal they gave me. So, I need time to take a breath. I imagine some of y'all do too. 

As the sun sets earlier and the last of the colorful leaves fall to the ground, I invite you to take time to breathe and be present with what you need. I hope you can find a moment of calm before the storm with the holidays coming up.

Peace and blessings,

Josh

Youth Group Fall Retreat

This weekend is our fall retreat with the Geist Christian Church youth group! If you are attending, please plan on being at Allisonville at 6:00pm on Friday for us to ride down to Trafalgar. We will be back on Sunday by 12:00. If you would like to make a $25 donation to help with the cost, you are more than welcome to do so.

No Youth Group Sunday

And since we have the fall retreat this weekend, there will be no youth group this Sunday. We will have youth group on Sunday, November 20, for a Friendsgiving meal!

Youth Group Friendsgiving

For youth group on Sunday, November 20, we will have our own Thanksgiving lunch! Please plan on bringing a dish of your choice! Josh will be in touch with each of you to see if you are coming and what you are bringing, to make sure we don't end up with only mashed potatoes or only pumpkin pie.

A New Day Is Coming!

From the ACC Stewardship Team - Thank you very much to everyone who brought a 2023 Commitment Card to worship, or mailed that card to the church, or entered a pledge online at our website, allisonville.org. As a reminder, if you have not sent in or brought your commitment card, we are still gathering those pledges.

We will celebrate our successful stewardship campaign on Sunday, November 20 with an all-church lunch immediately following the second worship service and the Sunday School class hour. Everyone is invited as a thank you from your church for your commitments. Plan to join us!

Also on Celebration Sunday, you will have a chance to bring forward nonperishable food and paper goods in both worship services. This collection is part of our annual Christmas family event. See the article below for more information!

Celebration Sunday

We will be celebrating and show our thanks by bringing forward our gifts of nonperishable food items during worship on Celebration Sunday, November 20. These will be boxed up and delivered in December along with the Christmas gifts for the Family Promise families we will be shopping for.

Suggested items:

• Canned vegetables, fruit, pasta sauce, and tuna
• Boxed macaroni and cheese, noodles, and spaghetti
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Cereal
• Jiffy Corn Bread Mix and Bisquik Mix
• Toilet paper, paper towels, and liquid laundry detergent
• Dishwashing soap, bar soap, men's and women's deodorant
• Extra items could be cake mixes, cookie mixes, or pudding mixes

Let us celebrate and be thankful!

From the Region: Indiana Youth Council Reinstated

The Indiana Youth Council (IYC) is a group of young people from around the state who serve as representatives for Disciples youth throughout the region. IYC plans and coordinates all youth events in the region except summer camps. Those applying for IYC positions should be active in their local congregation, attend camps and/or other regional activities, show interest in being part of youth ministry in the region, and exhibit good leadership qualities. Applicants should review the IYC Constitution and Code of Ethics before they apply. (please make a hyperlink in "IYC Constitution and Code of Ethics that goes to this link: http://indianadisciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IYC-Constitution-Code-of-Ethics-2022.pdf 

Application materials are due: January 9, 2023. Talk to Josh Jackson if you have any questions.

Congregational Meeting and Combined Service - Sunday, December 4

Please join us for a combined Sunday worship service at 10:30 am on December 4. There will be only one service on December 4 in order to hold a Congregational Meeting immediately following the service to vote on a Senior Minister Candidate who will be presented by the Search Committee.

Please contact Ara Nelson-Mercer, ACC Council Chair, with questions

Buddy Bags

Thank you for helping to provide Buddy Bags for students at Clearwater Elementary, Eastwood

Middle School, and Northview Middle School. Please have your food donations to the church Narthex by this Sunday, November 13. Come join us in packing and delivering the bags on Tuesday, November 15, at 9:30am! Are you willing to help with some last minute shopping? Please let Loveta or Sandy know.

Contact Loveta Cain (tlc6383@comcast.net), Sandy Nagy (snag1221@yahoo.com), or Janet

Spaulding (janetmspaulding@gmail.com) with questions.

Thanksgiving Shalom Service - November 22

Please join us on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 pm in our sanctuary for the annual Shalom Thanksgiving Service. The churches that make up the Shalom Area will be joining us for worship as we look at how to be a grateful and thankful people when there is so much hardship in the world. A combined choir will bring us special music and our offering will go to "School on Wheels." Join us as we give thanks to God for the many blessings we enjoy!

Signup Genius Tutorial

Elders and Diaconate - are you struggling with using Signup Genius? Help is on the way! Russ Smith and Janet Spaulding have graciously volunteered to provide a short tutorial Sunday, November 13 between both worship services. If this will benefit you, please try to attend!

Turkeys for Linwood

The Thanksgiving Day dinner that the Callahan/Eskew/Ray family have sponsored on our behalf the last few years at the church is being canceled this year—for an excellent reason. The Mount Vernon HS Band of Marauders has been invited to march in the November 6 ABC Thanksgving Day Parade in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day. Clarinet player, Bryce Callahan, and proud band mom, Donna, will be part of the group going for an exciting weekend that will include the parade and a weekend in NYC.

A plan is being designed to provide turkeys that will be donated to Linwood Christian Church to distribute through their pantry Thanksgiving week. The Outreach Team is working on the details with Donna and the leaders of the Linwood Pantry.

In past years, there has been the opportunity to donate time, food, or money to the dinner. This year, if you would like to participate you can make a monetary donation by November 13th to ACC for Thanksgiving turkeys in the usual way that you donate to the church. Just be sure to indicate that it is for Linwood Pantry turkeys.

And as Thanksgiving approaches if there is someone you know who might not have a place to be on that day, consider extending an invitation to them to join you and your loved ones.

Christmas Family Shopping

This year, we will be shopping for 15 persons that are in the Family Promise Apartment Shelter Program. Mike from Family Promise will be sending the shopping lists to me on November 21st. We will need several people to volunteer to shop for these families. We will be spending $75 per person for gifts. Each family will also get a $50 gift card from Kroger. Also, the nonperishable food items and household necessities that we collect on Celebration Sunday will be taken to the families along with their gifts. Any money that you spend will be reimbursed to you when you turn in your receipts after you purchase the family's gifts. You will be responsible for taking the gifts to the family. If you have any questions or want to volunteer to be a shopper, please give Sherilee McLain a call at 317-403-2010 or by email at sherilee.mclain@yahoo.com. If you are not able to shop but would like to support the program, you can make a donation by check and put Christmas families in the memo line or you can make a cash donation.

I always look forward to shopping for a family. It helps put me in the spirit of the Advent Season.

Thank you for your support,

Sherilee McLain

Linda Belding's New Address

For those who don't know, Linda Belding has moved! Her new address is 6255 Eller Creek Way, Fishers, IN 46038.

November 12 & 13 | Indianapolis Women's Choir Performance

Allisonville Christian Church is pleased to announce that the Indianapolis Women's Choir will perform at our church! The first performance will be November 12 at 7 pm, and the second will be November 13 at 3 pm. Come out and join us!

November 13 | Coffee Cafe

Coffee Cafe this Sunday, November 13 will be in the Family Room. Come join us for coffee, treats, and fellowship! A note that we will not have Coffee Cafe on November 20, since we will be preparing for the Celebration Dinner.

November 17 | Mary Martha Circle

The Mary Martha Circle will meet November 17 at 1:00 pm in Room 14 at ACC. We will be studying Chapter 3, "Listening to the God of Covenant." Let's study together! Also, our December meeting will be December 8 at 11:30 am at Le Peeps on 82nd Street. Please let us know if you can attend!

November 26 | Hanging of the Greens

Please join us for our annual Hanging of the Greens on Saturday morning, November 26, at 9:00 am. We will decorate the church for Christmas and all are welcome to help out. Donuts will be provided by your WASL Team!! Hope to see you there

November 26 | All-Day Crafters Group

The Crafters Group will be meeting for an all-day session on Saturday, November 26 from 9 am until 5 pm. The meeting will take place in the Family Room!

November 29 | ACC Book Club

The Allisonville Book Club plans to read a murder mystery next - Maisie Dobs by Jacqueline Winspear. This is the first of about 20 books in the series. We will meet on November 29 at 7:00 via Zoom.

This book is a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, an Agatha Award Winner for Best First Novel, a Macavity Award Winner for Best First Novel, and an Alex Award Winner. Maureen Corrigan for NPR's Fresh Air program called it "Compelling...powerful. [Maisie Dobbs] testifies to the enduring allure of the traditional mystery...even though I knew what was coming this second time 'round, its final scene is still a punch in the gut."

December 3 | Men's Breakfast at Skillets Pancake House

The men's breakfast group will be meeting for breakfast and fellowship at Skillets Pancake House on Saturday, December 3 from 8:00 am until 10:00 am. Come out and join for some hearty breakfast food and good fellowship to jumpstart your weekend!

Seeking Virtual Scripture Readers

Virtual scripture readers are needed. Now scheduling for January and February 2023. Please contact John Quick (317-294-2709, qman21611@gmail.com) to sign up!

Youth Group Meal Signup

It's that time of year again! Weekly youth group is back, and if you would like to serve and help out with our youth ministry a great way to do so is to provide the weekly meal for the group. Josh will communicate instructions with you the week before, but please click the link below to sign up for a Sunday (or two) to bring lunch for our young people! If you have questions, talk to Josh.

Exploring Worship and Worship & Wonder Volunteers for 2022-2023

Would you like to be involved in our children's ministry next year? We are seeking volunteers for both Exploring Worship and Worship & Wonder. Here are brief descriptions of the roles we are needing to fill:

W&W Greeter - The Greeter helps to welcome the kids to Worship & Wonder and assists the Storyteller in crowd control and keeping the ministry flowing. 

W&W Storyteller - The Storyteller leads the lesson directly from the Worship & Wonder curriculum. We have access to the official W&W training. 

EW Teacher - The Teacher leads the activity for the day, such as the sharing of joys and concerns, reading the scripture for the day, etc.

EW Shepherd - The Shepherd assists the Teacher in getting the kids to the EW space and keeping the activity going smoothly. 

If you are interested in any of these roles or if you would like more information about them, please reach out to Josh!