March 8, 2023

Dear ACC,

Ministers enjoy an awkward relationship with social media. It's an important tool for communicating about the work of the church. In our virtual age, social media can be the "front door" through which many people first "attend" worship. These platforms also make it easier for members to connect with one another, hopefully strengthening a sense of belonging within the community. 

Yet, there are more than a few drawbacks as well. Almost every pastor winces at a congregant whose behavior on social media looks dramatically different than their offline professions of piety. More than one clergy friend has told me a story about a church member challenging their leadership based on something they read on Facebook, Twitter, etc from a less-than-trustworthy source. Plus, there's always the temptation to doomscroll during worship rather than listen to the sermon. 

There are also tensions at the personal level. Like everyone else, pastors want to express their thoughts and feelings but such direct communication (without an editor or filter) can also undo a pastor who tweets too hastily or overshares in a Facebook post. The alternative is for pastors to become like politicians and other public figures by carefully cultivating their image on social media and staying "on message" in a way that reduces their authenticity and approachability. 

These are real conundrums that I have not solved. My general policy is to see social media as a platform for teaching, celebrating, and promoting church life, while using it less for personal sharing that risks letting many "friends" that are closer to strangers into the intimate details of my life. I'm mindful of the Proverb that "to watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble" (21:23).

I'm also intentional about how I handle friend requests on Facebook. I'll gladly accept any requests that come from ACC members but I do not initiate such requests. I don't want church members to feel like their pastor is spying on them through social media. At the same time, I want to treat all members the same and provide equal access to whatever thoughts and wisdom I might offer on such mediums. 

The truth is that social media is a poor substitute for in-person conversations and deep relationships. I'd always prefer to meet in person or talk on the phone instead of just reading an update. That allows for both the listening and responding that generates true understanding. Even at its best, social media is rarely (if ever?) a true two-way interaction. It allows us to share, to opine, to lament, and even to rant. It doesn't always lend itself well to building relationships, which are essential to Christian community.

Steadfast in hope,

Beau

Josh Out Rest of Week

Josh was invited to participate in a summit/conference about Excellence in Ministry, the Pension Fund Program partnered with FLOURISH! He will be out this afternoon through the rest of the week.

Church Council Minutes

If you are interested in receiving the minutes of our church council meetings electronically, please reach out to Haley Receveur (hreceveur@allisonville.org) and she will provide them for you!

Nominating Committee Needs

The nominating committee is taking recommendations for Elders and Deacons through Sunday, April 2. Please submit names to any member of the nominating committee--Cindy Coble, chair (clcoble@icloud.com); Steve Caress (stcaress@yahoo.com), Gary Hume (ghume6@gmail.com), Sue Shadburne Call (shadcall2@sbcglobal.net), or Liz Young (elizpowell@gmail.com). 

We are still in need of 1-2 more people to round out the nominating committee. The committee's work only lasts 4-6 weeks. Please contact Ara Nelson-Mercer (anelsonmercer@gmail.com) if you would be willing to help with this important work.  

Easter Flowers

ACC is selling flowers to help decorate the sanctuary for Easter! We will have pots of:

• Tulips, $10 each
• Daffodils, $10 each
• Azaleas, $15 each
• Hydrangeas, $15 each

Order forms will be in the bulletin for the next three Sundays. Filling this out will be the only way to place your orders. These can be turned in to Sue Hanna, Pam Rahn, John Quick, or Haley Receveur and we will be sure to get your orders processed. Thank you all in advance, and we are looking forward to your help making the sanctuary bloom!

Indy Fuel Faith and Family Night

The Indy Fuel, Indianapolis' own East Coast Hockey League team, is hosting Faith and Family Night on March 17 at 7 pm. Come watch as the Fuel take on the Toledo Walleye. We are trying to get a group together, and need at least 15 for the group rate. March 17 is also the Fuel's "All You Can Eat" night. Burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn will be free with the purchase of your ticket! If you are interested in joining, please contact Rebecca Reid (rareid94@gmail.com) or Kat Seiple (Seiplek@gmail.com) ASAP! We hope to see you there!

Inter-Generational Mission Trip Opportunity

Irvington Churches Mission Trip is a local ecumenical mission trip group that has been doing disaster recovery trips for many years. This year's service opportunity is in western Kentucky, helping to rebuild in the wake of the December 2021 tornadoes. This is an inter-generational mission trip. Due to onsite construction, the recommended age is 16+; However, there have always been exceptions to age requirements for families and youth. (No construction experience necessary!)

Where: Princeton, Kentucky

When: July 1st – 7th, 2023

Cost: $200 per person

Please contact Brian Schoen if you are interested or want more information.

Baptism Class Starts Sunday

The 2023 baptism class starts on Sunday. The group meets at 10:45 am in the Little Rainbows room in the preschool and will be over by noon. The group meets for 4 weeks, with the last class taking place on Palm Sunday (April 2). It is not too late for you or your child to join: contact Josh (jjackson@allisonville.org) ASAP.

Flocking

Our Flocking fundraiser has returned! If you want to participate in a fun, active way to support our youth mission trip to Los Angeles, click the link below for details on how to Flock someone! A gift of $25+ allows you to send the flamingos to someone's yard, $50 can give you insurance to prevent your yard from being Flocked, and after you are Flocked $50 will reveal who did it to you! Feel free to send the flamingos to your ACC friends and community - but also feel free (and encouraged) to Flock your friends and neighbors who might not go to ACC. Maybe send them to someone who you might want to invite here? Click the link below for more details.

Youth Group on Sunday

We will have youth group again on Sunday. We will meet for fellowship at 12 pm. Lunch will be provided!

Youth Group Spring Retreat

Our youth ministry is hosting a spring retreat this year! It will be April 28-30 and we will head to Camp Bedford, the Disciples of Christ church camp south of Bloomington. It is $25 per person. Financial support is available if you need it to go on the retreat! Talk to Josh if you have any questions.

Buddy Bags

Just 12 more days until spring is officially here! This means it is time to start planning for the

Buddy Bags for Spring break. We will be providing Clearwater Elementary, Eastwood, and

Northview Middle Schools with 90 bags. Please consider a food or monetary donation to help

make one of these bag recipients’ break a little more enjoyable.

Sign-ups for food donations and shopping volunteers begin this Sunday, March 12. Monetary

contributions may be given at the sign-up table, placed in the offering plate, mailed to the church

with a designation of “Buddy Bags,” or made by giving online by choosing Buddy Bags from the

pull-down designation menu.

Please have food donations to the church Narthex by Sunday, March 26. We will be packing

and delivering the bags on Tuesday, March 28 at 9:30 am. Come and join us!

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

Spaulding (janetmspaulding@gmail.com) with questions. Thank you for your generous support!

ACC Ministerial Scholarship

Allisonville Christian Church Ministerial Scholarship applications are being received for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. The Ministerial Scholarship was established to nurture, encourage, and support those who are considering or preparing to enter professional ministry.

A maximum scholarship of $1,000 per year may be granted to an individual. Awards may be considered for renewal with a new application. The applicant must be entering or attending a

qualifying undergraduate school or a graduate seminary as a full-time student and be an active

member of a church affiliated with Disciples of Christ. Scholarship application forms may be

obtained in the church office or from Larry Rahn (email plrahn@comcast.net, phone or text 317-

379-3898).

Scholarship applications are due in the church office or may be received by a Scholarship Committee member by April 2, 2023. Potential applicants should also feel free to contact the Memorial and Endowment Committee chair, Theron Nelson-Mercer, at tnelsonmercer@gmail.com.

The form can be downloaded by clicking the button below!

General Assembly Registration OPEN

The 2023 General Assembly Kindom of God, Within Us, Among Us, is a call for Disciples to strengthen their relationship with God, both as individuals and as a part of God’s community through an expansive gathering of the church in Louisville. The past two years, we have had to be separated but we have also innovated new ways for God’s limitless love to be revealed in our church, our communities, and around the world. God’s limitless imagination holds so many possibilities for our church.



This four-day event will encourage Disciples who gather to celebrate the way that God’s expansive love connects each of us as “kin” and to be part of the larger Kindom of God. Join us July 29-August 1, 2023 for worship, workshops, Bible study, opportunities to explore Louisville, mission project, and the sacred work of the church for children, youth, and adults across the life of the church.

March 14 | Damaris Circle

The Damaris Circle will meet on March 14 via Zoom. Beginning at 6:30 pm, members will begin to gather and "catch up." The discussion will begin at 7 pm and last until 8 pm. This month we will be discussing chapter 5 "Holy of Holies 101" in Anne Lamott's book Plan B. Contact Janet Cooper (jcooper543@aol.com) to join the study!

March 21 | Young Adult Book Study

Our Young Adult Ministry is beginning a book study! The group will be reading and discussing "Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved" by Kate Bowler. We will meet every other Tuesday, starting March 21, at 6:00 pm in the Retreat House. Bring a friend, and reach out to Josh or Beau if you need a copy of the book!

March 21 | Shalom Zone Seminar

Over 800,000 Hoosiers are food insecure. Most of these are working families, and their hunger is hidden from those around them. In a time of low unemployment and food abundance, why is this happening and, more importantly, what can be done?

The five churches of the Shalom Zone, Allisonville Christian Church, Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, Epworth United Methodist Church, First Friends Meeting, and St. Pius X Catholic Church are presenting the PBS film, The Working Hungry. This film discusses food insecurity in Indiana. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion.

The presentation will be held on March 21, 2023, at 7:00 pm at Allisonville Christian Church, 7701

Allisonville Road.

March 23 | Mary Martha Circle

The Mary Martha Circle will meet on March 23 at 1 pm in Room 15 at Allisonville Christian Church. We will be discussing Chapter 4, "Listen to God When All is Lost." We look forward to listening to each of you on this special topic, and hope you can join us!

March 28 | ACC Book Club

The ACC Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. If you need the zoom link, please contact Karen Bayne at kbayne5900@gmail.com. This month, we will be reading Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Sue Hanna will have hard copies at church on Sunday if you would like a copy. 

TheWashington Post says that it is “ A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits.” Amazon calls it: "The dazzling reader-favorite about the choices that go into a life well lived."



Happy reading!

April 1 | 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, April 1 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Come out and join for some hearty breakfast food and good fellowship to jumpstart your weekend!

April 1 | Crafters Group

The ACC Crafters Group will meet on Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm for a morning of starting, continuing, and finishing projects. Feel free to join and flex your creative muscles!

April 8 | Community Easter Egg Hunt

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 am. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place that day, rain or shine (we will move inside if weather is a problem). There are separate egg hunts for each age group. This event is open to all kids fifth grade and below. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors with younger kids for a morning of games, snacks, and, of course, the famous egg hunt. Stay tuned for ways that YOU can help out with this fun community event. Contact Josh (jjackson@allisonville.org) if you have any questions.

Seeking Virtual Scripture Readers

Virtual scripture readers are needed. 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 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!