All events are open and drop-ins are welcome, unless otherwise stated. If no contact person is listed, call 317-545-6005 or email the office at office@allsoulsindy.org with questions.

Upcoming Service: Sunday at 10:00am

Join us this coming Sunday!

Join Dr. Elías Ortega, President of Meadville Lombard Theological School, and Rev. Katie Romano Griffin for this service which will explore  the connections between our nurturing our spiritual growth, community engagement, and acts of generosity. Our personal faith journey and commitment to our shared Unitarian Universalist values inspire us to entrust our community generously with the gifts of our time, treasure, and talent. We do so by holding to the promise that our individual and collective spiritual growth fosters a culture of generosity that sustains our congregation and promotes justice in the world. Special Musical Guests the Aurora University Choir!

• Stream our service live on Youtube
• View last week's recorded service here
• Give to All Souls here.

What's Next in Faith Formation

March 2

Kids RE - Makerspace

11:30am

• All Voices Ensemble Rehearsal (Music Room)
• Soul Matters Discussion (Library)

March 9

Kids RE - Soul Matters/Spirit Play

11:30am

• Adult Forum (Beattie Room)
• Multigen Makerspace

All Souls is going Lean and Green on Sunday mornings as part of our work to become Net Carbon Zero by 2024! To move us in that direction, we are encouraging people to use the QR Code provided to access the digital order of service.

Are you new to this process?

Here is a short video tutorial from Rev. Katie to get you started.

Sign up to sponsor Sunday sanctuary flowers here.

You can view our Inclement Weather Policy here.

Please reference our COVID policy for our guidelines. How to Submit to In The Know! Do you have a submission you want to publicize in In The Know? We collect all submissions via google form. Click here to submit your info. 

Intentionally Erased Film Viewing, Feb 29th (registration link now included)

During the past several years, All Souls has joined the UU Association and other UU congregations in a commitment to dismantling the systems of oppression that have shaped our organizations and individual lives. Opportunities to expand awareness and knowledge of the lived experiences of oppression is a key to this commitment. Please join the Welcoming Congregation Team and Nancy Olson, Acting Director of Faith Formation, in a viewing of the film “Intentionally Erased”.

Intentionally Erased is a documentary film from A Call to Men - an organization that has mobilized thousands of men and male-identifying individuals to become aspiring allies to women and girls around the world. This film spotlights Black trans women in conversation with Black cisgender men in a series of honest, heart-wrenching interactions that uplift the experiences, challenges and humanity of Black trans women in the US.

A facilitated reflection and conversation in small groups will follow the viewing of the 60 minute film. Thurs, February 29, 6:30-9 pm in Harris Hall. Please let us know you will be attending by using this link.

First Friday Chat - March 1

Join us for an informal time for women to get acquainted, share interests, discuss concerns and develop friendships. First Friday of every month, 11:30 am, Olive Garden on East Washington St, Indy. Contact Cindy Cook: cindy4178@att.net.

Spiritual Growth and Community Workshop - March 2

Dr. Elías Ortega, President of Meadville Lombard Theological School will be joining All Souls members and friends as well as friends from UUI on Saturday March 2nd from 9-3pm in Harris Hall as we hold an all day workshop focused on Spiritual Growth and Community. Food and childcare will be provided! The description of the event is as follows: Growing our spiritual life is an individual and communal practice. It is a deeply personal experience in which we strive to enrich and deepen our self-understanding. But spiritual growth is not only a personal endeavor; it also has a communal dimension. Our internal work equips us to engage with others and in the world fueled by the lessons of compassion, self-love, and ethical clarity we gain in our spiritual journey. In this workshop, we will explore how cultivating spiritual growth calls us into action. We will reflect on how our spiritual lives connect to areas of membership engagement, stewardship, and community outreach.

Spiritual growth is a fundamental aspect of our individual and communal lives. It is a journey of self-discovery and self-understanding that enriches us personally and equips us to engage with others compassionately and ethically. This workshop will explore the personal and communal dimensions of spiritual growth and how they intersect with our congregational mission. Through a dynamic and engaging approach featuring interactive discussions and practical exercises, we will investigate the connections between our spiritual growth, community involvement, and ability to take action in areas such as membership engagement, stewardship, and community outreach.

Additionally, we will examine how our volunteer work and financial contributions play a vital role in creating a culture of philanthropy (congregational stewardship) that is essential for sustaining the congregational mission and creating meaningful community.

Please register here.

Join Us for the Spring Fest & Egg Hunt Team Meeting from 9:30-11:30 am on Saturday, March 2

Spring Fest/Egg Hunt Team is meeting Saturday, March 2nd, 9:30-11:30 am. Join us as we finalize our plans for this fun, community event! Contact Nancy at faithformation@allsoulsindy.org for more information.

Post-Service Pitch In! This Sunday (March 3)

Bring your favorite dish to share this Sunday for a post-service pitch-in and stewardship campaign kick off! Dr. Elías Ortega will be present as will the Aurora University Chorus! Please keep an eye out for an email from REALM to help you get your account set up correctly before Sunday.

If you missed the campaign announcement email, you can read it HERE.

1,000 Eggs Filled with Candy?!

That's right! That's what the egg hunt team from last year has recommended for this year - 1,000 filled eggs! That's a whole lotta eggs and candy. We will be collecting candy and egg donations on Sunday March 3rd and 10th. There will be a container in Harris Hall. We welcome your donations of regular size plastic eggs and candy that will fit in those eggs. The Easter Bunny thanks you in advance.

Soul Matters Discussions March 3 at 11:30am

Have you been curious about our Soul Matters monthly themes? Would you like to explore with others how the themes relate to your daily life and UUism? Join us in the library from 11:30-12:30 on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month for a facilitated discussion. These small groups are open to all and you may drop in when you like, no need to register. This is a great opportunity to meet others, try out a small group and perhaps deepen your connection to this month's theme of Transformation. Questions? Contact Pat Fisher: patf88@aol.com or Crystal Francis: francisfrick@sbcglobal.net.

All Souls Virtual Town Hall - TUESDAY, March 5; 7:00-8:00 pm

(NOTE CORRECTED DATE!)

Via ZOOM (use this link to join the meeting)

There has been a LOT going on lately, especially with building issues, and we wanted to provide a time to give you some updates and give you a chance to ask questions. 

Additionally, we are planning, per Rev. Katie’s contract, for her to take a sabbatical leave from June - August of 2025. That’s a long way off, and yet it isn’t! We have the opportunity to apply for a “Clergy Renewal” grant from the Lilly Endowment, and we want to fill you in on that, too!

We hope you can join us on March 4! 

Believing in you,

Rev. Katie, Jean Miller & Julia VanDeren

New Poetry Group Forming - First Meeting is March 5th

Beginning March 5, a poetry group hosted by Kathy Toney and Crystal Francis will meet in person on the first and third Tuesdays of the month for six weeks at 10:00 a.m. until noon.

Good Poems, edited by Garrison Keillor, will be the primary source material.

Please sign up by contacting francisfrick@sbcglobal.net or kathleenarney@comcast.net.

Labyrinth Making Workshop, Sat, March 9

Labyrinth Making Workshop. Saturday, March 9, 9 am-4 pm Nathan Wiles, professional labyrinth builder and owner of Innate Creations, is coming to All Souls to guide us in creating our own 24x24 canvas labyrinth! This workshop is part of our Mental Health Grant programming for 2024. We will paint our Chartres design, learn about labyrinth history and uses as a tool for spiritual exploration and deepening, Space is limited to 14 people, please register by March 4th. You can register here.

Questions? Contact Nancy at faithformation@allsoulsindy.org.

Mark Your Calendars for May 18th

All Souls, Heartland, Oaklandon and Unitarian Universalists of Indianapolis (UUI) congregants are invited to a summit from 9 am to 3pm on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 at All Souls Unitarian Church. This seminar will be led by the Rev. Sharon Dittmar of the UUA MidAmerica Region. Together, the four Indy Metro congregations will consider how our congregations' shared and overlapping histories shape our present and future. We will examine how working together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant, and engaged UU presence in the Indy Metro area while honoring each congregation's unique identity. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Please register by May 1st!

Take Me Out to Ball Park... June 18th

It’s time for All Souls to play ball! Join your All Souls friends or make friends at the spacious and welcoming Victory Field in Indianapolis as our home town heroes the Indiana Indians battle it out with the Iowa Cubs on June18th at 7:05; gates open at 6:30. Tickets are $15 dollars each, and full scholarships are available. It’s also DOLLAR MENU night! Bring your appetite and devour hot dogs, peanuts, potato chips, popcorn, Cracker Jack® and churros, all available for just a buck. Here's a link to gluten free & vegan menu options.

This is an all ages event! Click here to register! If you would like a scholarship, please select that option!

Check Out All Our February Programs Here

Are you on Realm Yet?

We will be using Realm for our Pledge Campaign this year. If you haven't signed up for Realm, check you email for a new account email link before services on Sunday. You can also reach out to Office@allsoulsindy.org for Realm Assistance.

Need a copy of your 2023 Pledge Statement?

Please email the office administrator for copies of your 2023 Pledge Statement. The email address to use for this request is Office@allsoulsindy.org.

Do you have questions about Article 2?

Check out these resources and don’t hesitate to reach out to Rev. Katie with questions!

Orders of Celebration Will Be Going Digital

As noted above and as part of our commitment to be net carbon zero by 2040, All Souls will be transitioning to a digital Order of Celebration. We will begin this process in March by going digital only on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. We will switch over to all digital in April. Order of Celebrations will be available through a QR code that will be displayed in several locations and a handful remain as printed for accessibility purposes. You will also be able to find the digital link in the Sunday emails. This switch to digital will save trees and help keep printing costs down.

Please note that there are likely to be some formatting changes over the next few weeks as we attempt to make the Order of Celebration better suited to a digital only resource.

Indianapolis Women's Chorus Events Coming Up (March 9 & 10)

March 9, 1:00-3:00 Lea Morris Song Workshop (at UUI, 615 W. 43rd St.) Singers and song-leaders of choirs, choruses, and other groups are invited to join renowned singer-songwriter-songleader Lea Morris in an energy-packed afternoon of singing and learning. Lea will share and teach a number of her songs and discuss with the group how they might be used in a variety of settings. The workshop is free, with an optional donation of $10 suggested to help IWC defray some of the costs of bringing Lea to Indy. See more information and registration HERE.

March 10 "Awakening" Concert (at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St.) Awaken your ears and your heart with the moving Soul-Folk music of international singer, songwriter, and composer Lea Morris. This special concert will feature Lea singing some of her solo works, a new "Awakening" spoken-word piece and other works by local artist Manòn Voice, and performances of some of Lea's choral arrangements by Indianapolis Women’s Chorus. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door, with a "Pay What You Can" option as well. See here for tickets.

Save the Date: MidAmerica Regional Assembly April 19 & 20

The MidAmerica Region is coming together - both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly! Our Keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. There will be workshops, the Annual Business Meeting of the MidAmerica Region, and opportunities to meet many UU Leaders from across our faith tradition. For those who are in person, there will even be opportunities to tour this historic church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. But most importantly, it is a time for us to come together as Unitarian Universalists from across the MidAmerica Region. 

Register today at https://uua.wufoo.com/forms/q15hy8g61be3aym/.

Toddler Story Hour

Toddler Story Hour has picked back up again. Led by congregants and staff, Story Hour take place each Thursday from 10am - 11am at All Souls in the nursery. We provide story book reading, activities, fun and community for children and caregivers!

Carolyn Meagher - Memorial Gathering and Service Information

Carolyn Meagher, friend of All Souls and OWL facilitator for our youth, passed away suddenly on February 22. Her memorial gathering and service will be this Saturday, March 2, at Flanner and Buchanan, Washington Park North. There will be a card in Harris Hall this Sunday to sign for the family.

Our Community Mourns 3 Recent Losses

As a community we mourn the loss of All Souls members Carol Miller, Deb Ellman and Carolyn Meagher, who have all passed this month. We grieve with their families and hold them in our hearts. May their memory be a blessing.

Welcome New Members!

All Souls offers a warm welcome to 3 new members! Rex Anderson, Ed Choate, and Karen Godfrey Choate all signed the book on Sunday!

Send Caring Thoughts Faith Long's Way

Faith Long has pulled a muscle in her left arm and is wearing a brace. She will have physical therapy, along with the brace, for the next 4 weeks. Please send caring thoughts her way.

If you have a joy or concern to share with the community, please use this link.

If you need Pastoral Care, please call 317-210-0124.

Join the AV Team

Looking for a way to serve on Sunday mornings? Want to learn a new skill? The Audio Visual Team is seeking additional volunteers to run the sound, livestream, and camera! An orientation event will be held on April 7th (With pizza provided for lunch!), and a sign up table will be available after service starting on March 10th. We hope you will join us! (For any questions, please email teddyrayhill@gmail.com and/or revkatie@allsoulsindy.org)

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

We need volunteers to help with coffee hour for 2024 dates. Helping with the coffee hour is a great way to connect with fellow congregants and to help make Sundays a great experience for visitors. Sign up here.

Indiana's Eviction Crisis

Last Sunday (February 25), during Adult Forum, Rabbi Spiegel from the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance (GIMA) provided a chilling presentation about Indiana’s Eviction and Housing Crisis. Here is the Powerpoint of his presentation which highlights the severity this problem, and outlines its overall causes.

Rabbi Spiegel’s presentation ended with the sad reality that “most Indiana residents have no idea about the evictions crisis in the state!” Nor does everyone realize, the degree for which housing insecurity adversely affects public health, mental health, and student learning while also contributing to crime, increased poverty, malnutrition, domestic violence, and naturally homelessness.

In addition to learning more about Indiana’s eviction crisis by reviewing Rabbi Spiegel’s presentation, All Souls congregants are invited to also participate in an important program by volunteering as an eviction court watcher through the Indiana Eviction Justice Network. Follow this link for details: https://inevictionjustice.org/

You can also check out the GIMA website at https://www.indymultifaith.org/current-focus which will offer additional details on Indiana’s abysmal eviction record.

If there are things you would like to see included in this section, please reach out Lynn Martin, Dorian Condre, and/or Julia VanDeren.

2024 UU General Assembly - Registration is Open

The 2024 UU General Assembly meeting slated for June 20 - 24th will be entirely virtual, and registration is already open! Here is the link so you can go ahead and enjoy early registration savings.

List of All Souls Groups and Contacts

Check out this list of All Souls Groups! A hard copy of this list was shared at the Congregational Meeting last Sunday. It is available to help you get connected. Getting connected may mean knowing the right person to ask questions of or offer suggestions to. Or it may mean finding an activity that you want to get involved in. Either way, this is a handy resource for staying connected at All Souls.

How to Submit to In The Know! Do you have a submission you want to publicize in In The Know? We collect all submissions via google form. Click here to submit your info. 

For announcements, joys and sorrows, and events happening in the next 3-4 weeks, submit your notice for the In the Know E-mail Blast by Monday 5pm using this link .

I

Items submitted for In The Know will be added as space allows in Sunday Orders of Service. Priority for inclusion in the OOS is given to soonest upcoming and to congregational matters.