Outreach Ministry Team
Furthering Friedens’ mission to SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST NEAR AND FAR
The Outreach Ministry Team has the responsibility to oversee the major benevolent activities of Friedens UCC. The team publicizes opportunities for the congregation to participate in these activities through prayer, volunteering time, and financial giving.
Organizations have been selected based mainly on whether their mission/purpose aligns well with the Mission, Vision and Values of Friedens church, considering their particular needs and the impact our giving can have to enhance their ability to accomplish their own goals of service to people.
Our current team consists of Co-chairs - Tim & Ellen Tjarks with Terri Costello, Mike Hastings, Sharon Hedegard, Sue Reinhard, Joe Stuteville working together in various capacities. If you have questions, their contact information is available from the church directory or you may contact the church office to have one of the team get in touch with you by phone or email.
Click the title for more information.
Furthering Friedens’ mission to SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST NEAR AND FAR
The Outreach Ministry Team has the responsibility to oversee the major benevolent activities of Friedens UCC. The team publicizes opportunities for the congregation to participate in these activities through prayer, volunteering time, and financial giving.
Organizations have been selected based mainly on whether their mission/purpose aligns well with the Mission, Vision and Values of Friedens church, considering their particular needs and the impact our giving can have to enhance their ability to accomplish their own goals of service to people.
Our current team consists of Co-chairs - Tim & Ellen Tjarks with Terri Costello, Mike Hastings, Sharon Hedegard, Sue Reinhard, Joe Stuteville working together in various capacities. If you have questions, their contact information is available from the church directory or you may contact the church office to have one of the team get in touch with you by phone or email.
OUR GOALS
It is the goal of the OUTREACH TEAM to work together with the congregation and friends of Friedens to provide encouragement and support for the ministries and mission of our local and global partners. We welcome suggestions from the Friedens congregation, and will evaluate each recommended organization according to the stated criteria before agreeing to offer our support.
We also want to keep the congregation informed of what we are able to do for our various partners through Mission Moments at worship, articles in the church newsletter, regular reports to the Council Of Ministries and a published Annual Report.
OUR GIVING
The support we provide includes:
Monetary gifts from the church budget to local partner organizations, and to support our connected seminarians.
Special offerings/collections to offer the congregation opportunities to support additional giving (Denominational UCC offerings - One Great Hour of Sharing, Neighbors In Need, Christmas Fund for retired pastors) and occasional others as needs are presented and approved
Donations of food or other requested items for the groups we support
Encouragement to volunteer for members and friends to give their time to support the work these groups do. (Links to websites where volunteers can sign up)
Providing reminders to PRAY for the work, the workers and those who need their help.
WHO RECEIVES OUR GIFTS
Some of the support we provide stays in the LOCAL community. Currently, it includes:
Weekender Food Packs for over 70 food-insecure students at Glenns Valley Elementary School and Perry Township Preschool.
Hunger, Inc. (Local food pantry) - ongoing collection of peanut butter in addition to annual financial support. See www.hungerinc.org .
Exodus Refugee Immigration - yearly budgeted contribution, and additional giving every 3rd year from our Giving Tree and Christmas In July collections. See www.exodusrefugee.org
Wheeler Mission Ministries - yearly budgeted contribution, and additional giving every 3rd year from our Giving Tree and Christmas In July collections. See www.wheelermission.org
Perry Township Senior Services - yearly budgeted contribution, and additional giving every 3rd year from our Giving Tree and Christmas In July collections. See www.perryseniors.org
HOOP (Helping Our Own People) - Food for the homeless in Indianapolis. One Sunday each month, volunteers prepare meals with donated food, and others delivers to the homeless at several sites in the downtown Indianapolis area. See www.hoopindy.weebly.com
Garden Plot for community garden in partnership with St. Barnabas Catholic Church that provided fresh produce for St. Anthony’s Food Pantry in Indianapolis.
Free meeting space for several local non-profit groups, including a Boy Scout troop & a Cub Scout troop, 3 chapters of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a chapter of Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Hill Valley Homeowners Association, and others. (Several other groups pay a modest fee to use parts of our campus.)
We also provide financial support to the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST and to several of its ministries (Global Ministries, seminaries, residential facilities, etc.). This denominational support is financial and is part of the Annual Budget of our church. Of the amount we contribute to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC, 80% remains and 20% goes to the national office.
See www.ucc.org
Beyond the local community, Friedens provides support to NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL groups. These currently include:
Meeting space and sponsorship of a local chapter of BREAD FOR THE WORLD, an organization that has the goal of advocating political policies that reduce hunger, both within the US and around the world. Their main vehicle for this is through letter-writing events called “Offerings of Letters”. Friedens sponsors one event in the spring and one in the fall. Last November, Friedens’ chapter delivered over 300 letters from members and friends of the church. See www.bread.org or www.breadindiana.org
Meeting space for the U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY (Indiana Chapter)
Prayer support for our Global Ministry Partners working around the world - especially our partner Sean Amato in Cairo, Egypt.
We are always grateful to hear from the Global Ministries personnel and partners. Thank you to Kaitlin (a Global Ministries Intern) who was willing to share with the Treasure Seekers children’s ministries.
Christian Education Ministry
The Christian Education Ministry Team exists to support people of all ages in their exploration and discovery of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus through classes, studies, small groups, on-line/social media resources, action-reflection activities, creative activities, and seasonal gatherings. The team desires to support each person in growing in the faith of Jesus and to use his or her God-given gifts to share the love of Christ with others. We desire to help all people know and claim their identity as a loved and loving child of God.
The Christian Education Ministry Team exists to support people of all ages in their exploration and discovery of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus through classes, studies, small groups, on-line/social media resources, action-reflection activities, creative activities, and seasonal gatherings. The team desires to support each person in growing in the faith of Jesus and to use his or her God-given gifts to share the love of Christ with others. We desire to help all people know and claim their identity as a loved and loving child of God.
The presentation below was offered by Mr. Vahnie. We are grateful for Mr. Vahnie’s willingness to share about Burma/Myanmar and about how we can work and partner together as good local and global neighbors one to another. Mr. Vahnie is the Executive Director of the Burmese American Community Institute on Shelby St. in Indianapolis. This presentation was supported by the Outreach Ministry Team, the Just Peace Exploratory Team, and the Christian Education Ministry Team. We also want to express our thanks to Adam Hayden for moderating the conversation.
Music Ministry
Worship has been central to the life of the church over the years and continues to inspire with a traditional flavor. The rich traditions of sacred music and the arts have been nurtured with choirs and musical opportunities for young and old. The sanctuary is equipped with a 26 rank Schlicker pipe organ, an Estonia grand piano, hand bells, hand chimes, and a large Schulmerich carillon. Excellent choral music and congregational singing enrich worship each week.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir sings during the 10:30 worship service from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30. Our current 35 member choir ranges in age from early twenties to mid eighties, and anyone is welcome to join. Being able to read music is helpful but not necessary, and joining the choir does not mean you have to be at church every Sunday so don't let your schedule deter you from singing with us! If you enjoy singing, fellowship with friends, and having fun please some and give our choir a try!
Sounds of Peace Bell Choir
The Sounds of Peace Bell Choir plays one a month during the 10:30 worship service from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Rehearsals are at 6:00-6:50 on Wednesdays. We are always looking for new members or people willing to fill in as a substitute when needed. You do need to be able to read music to play, but we will teach you everything else you need to know!
Praise Makers Children's Choir
The Praise Makers Children's Choir sings every 6 to 8 weeks during the 10:30 worship service. Children practice their songs with their music leaders during the Treasure Seekers time at the 10:30 service, so there is no time commitment outside of worship services. This choir also leads the congregation in worship at the Family Christmas Eve service.
Friedens UCC Choral Scholar Program
Each year Friedens UCC hires a young person who is studying music at a local university. The Choral Scholar sings with the Chancel Choir weekly and lends a solo voice to both the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services periodically throughout the year. This program is funded by the Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund and is designed to give talented young people a safe space to refine their music skills and share their God-given talents. The Choral Scholar is paid a stipend that can be used for school expenses not covered by traditional scholarships. Our 2019-2020 Friedens UCC Choral Scholar is Rene Vazquez. Rene is working on a graduate degree in Vocal Music Performance at Indiana University and he hopes to sing in a professional opera company in the future.
Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund
The Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund was created to be the lasting memorial to Friedens' long time organist, Tom Williams. This fund is used to support the Friedens UCC Choral Scholar Program and to hire guest musicians at both the 8:30 and 10:30 services throughout the year. As a tribute to Tom Williams' legacy as both a music educator and church musician, the musicians sponsored by the Memorial Music Fund are primarily college students or emerging professional musicians. Donations to this fund can be made at any time with a check written to Friedens UCC with "Music Fund" written on the memo line.
Worship has been central to the life of the church over the years and continues to inspire with a traditional flavor. The rich traditions of sacred music and the arts have been nurtured with choirs and musical opportunities for young and old. The sanctuary is equipped with a 26 rank Schlicker pipe organ, an Estonia grand piano, hand bells, hand chimes, and a large Schulmerich carillon. Excellent choral music and congregational singing enrich worship each week.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir sings during the 10:30 worship service from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30. Our current 35 member choir ranges in age from early twenties to mid eighties, and anyone is welcome to join. Being able to read music is helpful but not necessary, and joining the choir does not mean you have to be at church every Sunday so don't let your schedule deter you from singing with us! If you enjoy singing, fellowship with friends, and having fun please some and give our choir a try!
Sounds of Peace Bell Choir
The Sounds of Peace Bell Choir plays one a month during the 10:30 worship service from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Rehearsals are at 6:00-6:50 on Wednesdays. We are always looking for new members or people willing to fill in as a substitute when needed. You do need to be able to read music to play, but we will teach you everything else you need to know!
Praise Makers Children's Choir
The Praise Makers Children's Choir sings every 6 to 8 weeks during the 10:30 worship service. Children practice their songs with their music leaders during the Treasure Seekers time at the 10:30 service, so there is no time commitment outside of worship services. This choir also leads the congregation in worship at the Family Christmas Eve service.
Friedens UCC Choral Scholar Program
Each year Friedens UCC hires a young person who is studying music at a local university. The Choral Scholar sings with the Chancel Choir weekly and lends a solo voice to both the 8:30 and 10:30 worship services periodically throughout the year. This program is funded by the Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund and is designed to give talented young people a safe space to refine their music skills and share their God-given talents. The Choral Scholar is paid a stipend that can be used for school expenses not covered by traditional scholarships. Our 2019-2020 Friedens UCC Choral Scholar is Rene Vazquez. Rene is working on a graduate degree in Vocal Music Performance at Indiana University and he hopes to sing in a professional opera company in the future.
Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund
The Thomas G. Williams Memorial Music Fund was created to be the lasting memorial to Friedens' long time organist, Tom Williams. This fund is used to support the Friedens UCC Choral Scholar Program and to hire guest musicians at both the 8:30 and 10:30 services throughout the year. As a tribute to Tom Williams' legacy as both a music educator and church musician, the musicians sponsored by the Memorial Music Fund are primarily college students or emerging professional musicians. Donations to this fund can be made at any time with a check written to Friedens UCC with "Music Fund" written on the memo line.
Health Ministry
Health Ministry actively promotes the physical and spiritual well-being of the members of Friedens. Health ministry focuses on prevention, helping people seek help for physical problems, and encouraging people to change unhealthy lifestyles. Activities include:
· Flu/pneumonia clinic in the early fall where people receive flu and pneumonia vaccinations at church. The clinic is open to the community.
· Monthly blood pressure screenings
· Provide and update three first aid kits at church. One of the first aid kits is designated for the youth to be taken off-site as needed.
· Present “Staying Healthy” to Cooperative Play Academy preschoolers
· Present “Using an AED” to senior folks at the First Tuesday Fellowship
· Blood drives
· Teaching a two-day Safe Sitter class to 6 young adolescents at Friedens
· Coordinating with the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing for their Promoting Healthy Communities program. In 2019, nine senior year nursing students helped with the flu and pneumonia clinic, blood pressure screenings, and did 2 projects, including a Health Fair a walking program for the congregation.
Health Ministry actively promotes the physical and spiritual well-being of the members of Friedens. Health ministry focuses on prevention, helping people seek help for physical problems, and encouraging people to change unhealthy lifestyles. Activities include:
· Flu/pneumonia clinic in the early fall where people receive flu and pneumonia vaccinations at church. The clinic is open to the community.
· Monthly blood pressure screenings
· Provide and update three first aid kits at church. One of the first aid kits is designated for the youth to be taken off-site as needed.
· Present “Staying Healthy” to Cooperative Play Academy preschoolers
· Present “Using an AED” to senior folks at the First Tuesday Fellowship
· Blood drives
· Teaching a two-day Safe Sitter class to 6 young adolescents at Friedens
· Coordinating with the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing for their Promoting Healthy Communities program. In 2019, nine senior year nursing students helped with the flu and pneumonia clinic, blood pressure screenings, and did 2 projects, including a Health Fair a walking program for the congregation.
Visitation Ministry
At any given time, there are 20-30 members of Friedens who are homebound or live in healthcare facilities. There are close to 20 people on the Visitation Ministry Team that visit church members monthly who are unable to come to worship. In December, they take them a poinsettia from the church. Many visitors also choose to send cards between visits. If the team members feel pastoral care is needed, they contact Pastor Marc. Some of the visitors have been visiting Friedens’ homebound for many years.
At any given time, there are 20-30 members of Friedens who are homebound or live in healthcare facilities. There are close to 20 people on the Visitation Ministry Team that visit church members monthly who are unable to come to worship. In December, they take them a poinsettia from the church. Many visitors also choose to send cards between visits. If the team members feel pastoral care is needed, they contact Pastor Marc. Some of the visitors have been visiting Friedens’ homebound for many years.
Meal Ministry
Volunteers for the Meal Ministry include over 20 women, who deliver complete and homemade meals to Friedens’ families as needed. For example, these would include times such as after the birth of a baby, after someone has had surgery, while someone is undergoing treatments, and so on.
In 2018, the Meal Ministry Team took 19 meals to families. However, in 2019, this number increased six fold to 115 meals delivered!
Volunteers for the Meal Ministry include over 20 women, who deliver complete and homemade meals to Friedens’ families as needed. For example, these would include times such as after the birth of a baby, after someone has had surgery, while someone is undergoing treatments, and so on.
In 2018, the Meal Ministry Team took 19 meals to families. However, in 2019, this number increased six fold to 115 meals delivered!