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WEDNESDAY WORDS

FROM METRO MINISTRIES, INC.

_________________________________________________

 

February 10, 2021


Metro Ministries, Inc. invites you to join us in this season of Lent in three ways.

First, join us on Saturday, February 20th for a virtual event. We invite you to join us in this time of fellowship, music and a very special Lenten message from none other than John Wesley, as portrayed by Rev. Bert Kite. 

Second, watch for the next several editions of our e-Newsletter, as we will be sharing weekly devotions and stories of impact about our 2020 Grant Recipients. 

Third, we ask you to consider a financial gift to Metro Ministries. During this season of Lent, we hope to raise $4,000 towards Metro's 2021 Grants programs. Would you consider setting aside at least $1/day for the 40 days of Lent? If just 100 people each give $40, we will reach our goal! Our 2021 Grant areas of focus are: supporting the health and well-being of children and youth, engaging in ministry with under-resourced persons, Christian leadership development and racial equity and justice. Any amount is appreciated and will help make an impact on the lives of men, women and children throughout Central Indiana this year.


Metro Welcomes Associate Director of Diversity, Missions and Justice

On February 1, Rev. Annettra Jones stepped into her new role with the Indiana Conference as the Associate Director of Diversity, Missions and Justice. Rev. Annettra fills the position vacated by Tom Heaton in October 2020 to lead in the areas of Missions and Justice Ministries, with an added emphasis around diversity and anti-racism action. We look forward to getting to know Rev. Annettra and are excited to work alongside her here in the Central District.

For full details of Rev. Annettra's appointment, click HERE.


Ministry With the Poor Matching Grants: Application Window Opens Soon!

The Mission and Justice Ministries Team is making Ministry With the Poor Matching Grants available for Indiana Conference churches. The 2021 application window will be March 1 - April 30, 2021. 

For criteria and more details visit THIS PAGE on INUMC's website.


Focus Groups on Food Insecurity

Does your church host or support a local food pantry or a community meal? Do you or someone you know find it challenging to provide food for the family? If yes to either question, please keep reading and share this downloadable flyer.

Is it ever a challenge to feed your family? Do you live in a household with young children aged 0 - 8? If so, you are invited to share your opinion and experience with Indy Hunger Network. You will receive a $30 Walmart gift card for participating. Please contact Claire Crosby at 985-264-5022 (via text or call), or email at ccrosby@indyhunger.org to be signed up to participate in the Focus Groups.

Indy Hunger Network (IHN) is working with researchers from IU to evaluate the SNAP program in Indiana. IHN is currently planning focus groups to discuss the SNAP program and ways to improve it. The focus groups are 90 minutes long. Participants do not have to be using SNAP currently, they just need to be experiencing food insecurity and have young children in the household.


Food Box Drive-Thru Distribution in Johnson County

Each Friday in February, food boxes are being distributed at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin. This distribution is part of the USDA's Farmers to Families program, initiated in April 2020. in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The distribution will be drive-thru only with face masks and social distancing required. 


Black History Month

Check out this web portal of resources, a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.


Central District Book Study

The Central District's anti racist commitment continues with a new study around the book Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. The sessions will be via ZOOM and will convene during February, Black History Month. Meetings will be held from 6:00 - 7:30 pm on Sundays, February 7, 21, and 28. The ZOOM link is here or you may dial in via phone 888 788 0099 US Toll-free, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582.


Other Central District News and Events

Lay Leader Training

The 2021 Central and West District Lay Leader Training will be held via ZOOM and presented by the District Lay Leaders. This training session is for those who serve as local church lay leaders (the Book of Discipline position). An effective lay leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.
Saturday, March 6    
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
ZOOM Link here or dial by your location, 888 788 0099 US Toll-free, Meeting ID: 937 710 6582

 

 

 

Central District Conference

Please mark your calendars for the Central District Conference. It will be held on ZOOM Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 AM ET. Click here for more information about District Conference. 

 

CENTRAL DISTRICT LAY SERVANT ACADEMY
February 21 & 28, 2021
Online via Zoom

"Life Together in The United Methodist Church" (polity)

Read more and register here.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A 2021 EQUALIZATION MEMBER?

The deadline for submitting your Willingness to Serve form is quickly approaching. Please click below for more information and to submit your form by February 14. 

Find out how you can serve.

 


Children and Youth resources shared in prior weeks:

Please let us know if you have resources to share!


These Food Resources will continue to be shared weekly here and will also soon be available on Metro's website. Please note the information on these linked pages is subject to change frequently. For the most current information, use the links rather than printed documents.

For Food Pantries and Community Meal information in Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Johnson, Morgan and Shelby counties, click HERE.

Note: Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Morgan County remaining February pantry date is February 19th, 2 - 6 pm.

 

Metro Ministries, Inc.   2560 Villa Avenue   Indianapolis, Indiana 46203
metrodirector1923@gmail.com    (317) 452-4786   www.indymetroumc.org
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