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Friends at ACC,
One of my favorite things is the first day in spring to open your windows and let the fresh air in. It comes with an incomparable excitement and newness.
Whenever I crack a window and feel the breeze, I am reminded of the inspiring words from the Second Vatican Council: "Throw open the windows of the church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through." This call to refresh and renew our faith practices is part of the continual new life that we are called to as Easter people.
As we prepare freshen up at Allisonville and the exciting addition of a new kitchen, it is time for us to do some more tangible cleaning up as well! We are planning to gather on Saturday, April 27 at 9:00 AM to clean up and clear out parts of ACC. We hope that you join us because many hands make light work! Let us know if you can join us by clicking the link below.
Peace,
Isaac
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Joys:
- We are awestruck by the power and majesty of God's creation, witnessed in the solar eclipse.
- We are grateful for the work of the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), meeting this last weekend in Chicago, where Pastor Beau was representing us.
- We celebrate with Charlie Young’s team who won the Boys and Girls club basketball tournament.
- We are especially thankful that Thelma Wyatt is home after her hospitalization on Sunday.
Concerns:
- We pray for the Spaulding family at the passing of Janet's Aunt Linda.
- We pray for John Hinant as he is hospitalized for a respiratory ailment.
- We pray for Margie Ray on the loss of her brother Dennis.
- We pray for Gary Hume's daughter Gretchen as she prepares for gallbladder surgery.
- We also continue our prayers for Paige Cox, Vernon Scott, Christy Keltner, Davis and Bev Goforth, Sandy Zimmerman, Alex Hofer, Lori Corken-Young and David Cartwright.
We pray for all who are grieving. We pray for a meaningful and lasting end to gun violence in our city and around the world.
We continue to pray for our work and all work to be an anti-racist church and people.
Our Global Ministries Prayer Partner this week is Puerto Rico.
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2024 Summer Special Music | |
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If you would like to offer special music during the months of June, July, or August, please complete the form linked below and Chris Higgins will reach out with potential dates.
Click Here to Sign Up for Special Music
If you have any questions or would like help selecting music, let Chris Higgins know or indicate as such in the form.
By the way: this is NOT an ACC-only opportunity - if you know someone who would like to share their talents in worship, forward this email to them or complete the form on their behalf (but ask permission from them first)!
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Nominations for Council Officers | |
It is time for nominations of Council Officers, Elders and Deacons. Self-nominations are welcome! Cindy Coble is again chairing this process and would welcome your thoughts by email at clcoble@icloud.com | |
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When: April 23 at 7:00 PM
Where: Room 14 and ACC's Zoom
We'll be discussing This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Fleeing the Depression-era school for Native American children who have been taken from their parents, four orphans share a life-changing journey marked by struggling farmers, faith healers, and lost souls.
If you'd like a library copy of the book, please contact Audrey Pelsor
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We will have a brief congregational meeting at 10:30 AM on May 5th in the sanctuary. The purpose is to review and approve those nominated as officers, elders, and deacons for next year. Please plan to linger for a few minutes after first service or arrive a bit early for second service that day. We will NOT be having Coffee Café that morning because of the congregational meeting. | |
Informational Meeting to Review Proposed Bylaws Revisions | |
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Please join us in the sanctuary or on Zoom on Sunday, May 19 at 12:15 PM for an information session covering proposed bylaws revisions that will be considered by the Church Council in June.
Ara Nelson-Mercer, ACC Council Vice-chair, has been leading a revision of the bylaws to make updates to better reflect current practices and needs. The bylaws were last revised in 2014, so a revision every decade or so seems prudent.
The Executive Committee, Elders, and Council have already provided input. We would now like to provide an opportunity for the congregation to provide feedback.
The proposed bylaw revisions will be emailed out prior to the May 19 meeting to allow members time to review the proposed changes before the meeting. At the meeting, major changes will be highlighted, and then, there will be a time for questions/feedback from members.
Currently, ACC Bylaws state that bylaw revisions are voted on by Council and then brought to the Congregation for notification. In an effort to have greater opportunities for congregational participation, we are holding this meeting prior to Council’s vote in June.
If you are unable to attend and have feedback or questions, please send it to anelsonmercer@gmail.com and bunderwood@allisonville.org by May 20.
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Bible Study with Beau Resumes May 16 | |
Our weekly look at scripture starts again at both 9 am (in person) and 7 pm (via Zoom). We'll dig back into Genesis, but newcomers are welcome. There's no homework involved or prior knowledge required. The goal of our study time is understanding the biblical story - and how it connects to our stories - better. | |
Please join the Indiana Region as we send our Associate Regional Minister Carolyn Casey Reed off to a wonderfully deserved retirement, we are planning a reception on May 18th at Geist Christian Church Promise Road Church from 2-4 PM. | |
Get ready for some laughter and camaraderie at our first-ever Allisonville Allies Awards! Right after our second service on June 2, we invite everyone to join us for a pitch-in lunch followed by an awards ceremony with a twist—each award is designed to bring a smile and a little bit of fun. | |
Youth Group Spring Retreat | |
The Spring Retreat for our youth ministry will take place May 3-5 here at the church. Register now for a time of rest, fun, and faith formation with some adventures here and there! The cost is $25 per youth but funds are available if cost is an issue. Please use the button below to register. | |
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Church Camp registration has officially opened for the summer! Josh sent out an email with all of the details about each camp and how to register. ACC will cover half the cost of camp for each camper, additional support is also available if needed. Click the button below to access all the different camp registrations! If you are interested in counseling any camp, please reach out to Josh and he will talk with you about making that happen.
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Come join us for a delightful Sunday with our final session of "Science with Larry" on May 5. We have children ages 4-8 in mind but know that big kids love science too!
We'll have lunch at noon with the rest of the youth. Then, at 12:30 PM, we'll dive into the fascinating world of Einstein's Gravity. We wrap up the fun at 1 PM.
This is a perfect chance for both kids and parents to connect, learn, and create lasting memories before our summer break. Join us and be part of the excitement!
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Young Adult Outdoor Movie Night | |
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When: April 24 at 7:00 PM
Where: Guest House Behind the Church
Attention all young adults in your 20s and 30s! Grab your favorite chair or a cozy blanket and join us for a special outdoor movie night at church. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful evening under the stars with friends.
Whether we’re blessed with clear skies or a bit of April showers, the show will go on. Any changes due to weather will move our gathering indoors to the Retreat House.
Contact Josh, Rebecca, or Kat if you have any questions .
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Children's Bell Choir
On Sunday, May 19, the Allisonville Christian Church Children’s Bell Choir has been asked to play for both church services. This is a very special day as it is Pentecost Sunday and also Youth Sunday. We would love it if your child (children) would be part of our group. Please sign-up at the link below. We have begun practicing on Sundays at 10:40 in the Little Rainbows classroom. We've received so many wonderful comments about the bell choir's involvement in the Easter service, and it would be great to bless the congregation once again on Pentecost.
Please let Josh know if you have any questions.
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Psalm 24: 1-2
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Since 1970, millions of people in hundreds of communities throughout the world gather on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. This day is a reminder of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet.
Click on the link below to support this year’s theme, Planet vs. Plastics.
https://www.earthday.org/social-2024/
As stewards of our beautiful planet entrusted to our care, take time this month to honor and celebrate the splendor of creation in all its forms. Celebrate our good Earth.
Here are some local activities to celebrate Earth Day:
- Volunteer in the ACC Creation Care Garden - Contact Kendal Nagy, Janette Smith, or Jean Tatum
- Join a Community Cleanup - Sahm Park Cleanup, April 21, 2-4 PM, 6801 E 91st St.
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Explore Local Trails For a map of all Indy Parks trails, click here: https://citybase-cms-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/719597f3d55f45b787d574f593b91284.png
- Plan a Nighttime Stargazing Event
- Plant a Pollinator Garden
- Attend Earth Day Indiana Festival at Garfield Park, on June 1st, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. - 100 exhibits, live music, food trucks.
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Night Without A Bed donations are now live! This event is the primary fundraising campaign to support Family Promise's Apartment Shelter Program--a model birthed in Indianapolis in the pandemic that now has spread to at least twenty other cities. Allisonville Christian Church has donated $500 - can individuals in our congregation match this amount? Join ACC's fundraising team at https://www.givegab.com/teams/allisonville-christian-church-32c37924-382c-4b3e-98db-330ecf34b465. Contact Sherilee or Pastor Sarah for more information! | |
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Our next Allisonville Forum will be on April 24 at 7:00 PM.
Sylvia Thomas is an internationally recognized poet and activist from Indianapolis, IN. Her writing centers Queer theory, Gender theory, and their relationship with the Midwest. She has self-published three works: DIVINE (2018), Twirl: A Collection of Poetry by a Queer and Transgender Hoosier (2021) and VIGIL (2023). In her artist practice she uses music and performance to capture compelling storytelling. She is working with Step-Up Inc. to provide the first Transgender led Syringe Exchange with Step-Up Inc and Aspire Indiana at their Willowbrook Parkway Location She is also working on a project funded by the Herbert and Simon Family Foundation where she is creating poetry and works of art about the lives of LGBTQ+ Hoosiers.
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Mark Saturday, June 8 on your calendars for Indy Pride! ACC will once again participate in the parade and in the vendor village. Are you interested in being involved? Not sure if you can, but still want to help? Fill out this short Google Form to let Pastor Sarah know you're interested in helping out in one way or another - the more helpers the merrier! | |
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If you’re interested in participating on the garden team this year, please send an email to Kendal Nagy (kendal@kjcomm.com), Janette Smith (janettebsmith@gmail.com), or Jean Tatum (tatum.jean@gmail.com) and they’ll get you plugged in.
Here's a photo form Janette Smith on some of the little plants that need your help to grow.
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Disciples Women's Ministries | |
Sarah Circle
We will meet at Rosemary Irvin's house at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 8. We will be discussing chapters from our Dessert First study book.
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Mary Martha Circle
The Mary Martha Circle will meet on Thursday, April 25 at 12:30PM in Room 15 at ACC. We will be discussing Chapter 3, Offering Yourself to God. We look forward to listening to each of you on this topic.. Emily Hunter will lead us. We hope you can join us!
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Check out the photos from April's Prime Timers at Olive Garden. Stay tuned for details about the next Prime Timers on May 8 at 11:30. | |
Men's Breakfast
The next men's breakfast is this Saturday May 4 at 8:30 AM. We meet at Metro Diner (3945 E 82nd St.) on the first Saturday of the month. Please call or text Don B (317-697-6011) by Friday if you plan to join. We must request seats in advance.
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Arts at Allisonville
CALLING ALL MUSIC AND DRAMA LOVERS! It’s time to get Arts at Allisonville rolling again. We are in the planning process for the next 12 months or so. Won’t you join us? If you love the arts, we want you. Contact Steve Caress (stcaress@yahoo.com), Shari Jacobs (slj1114@gmail.com), or Chris Higgins (chiggins@allisonville.org) and let us know. We want to start meeting soon to discuss/plan some exciting events.
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Faith Formation Ministry
If you are interested in any Sunday School class or other faith formation opportunity, please reach out to Josh (jjackson@allisonville.org) and read more at allisonville.org/sundayschool.
Here's a brief rundown of our offerings:
- Worship and Wonder (9:30 and 11:00 in Room 12): Open to kids 3 years old through 1st grade
- Children's Sunday School (11:00 in Room 1): Open to kids in 2nd through 5th grade
- Youth Sunday School (11:00 in the Retreat House): Open to youth in 6th through 12th grade
- Adult Sunday School (11:00 Faith Class in the Fireplace Room, LIFE Class in Room 15, and Pathfinders Class in the Chalice Room)
- Middle and High School youth meet in Room 14
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We are in need of scripture readers and are scheduling for May, June and July. This is a meaningful way to contribute to our worship experience, and we invite more members to consider participating. Please contact John Quick (317-294-2709, qman21611@gmail.com) to sign up. | |
April - May Events
April 23 7:00 PM ACC Book Club
April 24 7:00 PM Allisonville Forum
April 24 7:00 PM Outdoor Movie Night at Retreat House
April 25 12:30 PM Mary Martha Circle
April 27 9:00 AM ACC Spring Clean
May 3 - 5 6:00 PM Youth Group Spring Retreat
May 4 8:30 AM Men’s Breakfast
May 5 10:30 AM Congregational Meeting
May 5 12:30 PM Science with Larry
May 8 11:30 AM Prime Timers
May 8 7:00 PM Sarah Circle
May 16 9:30 AM Beau’s Bible Study at Church
May 16 7:00 PM Beau’s Bible Study on Zoom
May 18 2:00 PM Carolyn Reed Retirement Party at Geist Promise Road
May 19 Pentecost Offering/ Youth Sunday
May 19 12:15 PM Bylaws Meeting at Church
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