Indiana Yearly Meeting Sessions

July 29-August 1, Quaker Haven   

“Testimonies…Stories of Faith” will be the theme for Yearly Meeting this year. These sessions will once again include
“The Feast of Faith” a Saturday evening event that last year drew the largest crowd at yearly meeting in years.
We encourage you to think about bringing carloads of Friends from your meeting to yearly meeting sessions in July.

     Aaron Dicken has concluded his ministry as youth pastor at New Castle First Friends.

    The benefit concert to support Haitian Relief Work on May 22, hosted by Richmond First Friends, has been cancelled.

    Wabash Friends is sponsoring a mission trip to India through Global Access for four of their members, June 5-17.         

Tax tidbit
The IRS recently announced that “As a result of changes made by the recently enacted Affordable Care
Act, health coverage provided for an employee's children under 27 years of age is now generally tax-free to the
employee, effective March 30, 2010.” This standard replaces the earlier lower age limit and the necessity to claim a
child as a dependent to qualify. “Employers with cafeteria plans may permit employees to immediately make pre-tax
salary reduction contributions to provide coverage for children under age 27, even if the cafeteria plan has not yet been
amended to cover these individuals.” If you would like to learn more about this and other tax laws affecting church
employees, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at
765-319-3244.

    Pastors Short Course is scheduled for July 5-8 at Quaker Haven Camp. Terry Walling of Leader Breakthru in
California will be this year’s featured speaker (see www.leaderbreakthru.com for more information). Child care and a
separate children’s program will be available. Pastors, be making plans now to attend what promises to be an enjoyable
and spiritually impacting edition of Pastors Short Course. Registrations are on their way.

     Steve Pedigo (Western Yearly Meeting) and Doug Shoemaker (IYM) would like to see meetings generously support
the ministry of Quaker Haven by sponsoring hole in the June 19 Quaker Haven Golf Scramble. Your meeting can
sponsor a hole with a $100 contribution. Each sponsored hole will include a sign acknowledging the sponsor. Please
help your superintendent have the “bragging rights” of having the most holes sponsored by his yearly meeting. To
sponsor a hole, download the form from
http://quakerhaven.com/wordpress/wp-content/uplands/2010/03/2010-Golf-Flyer-Reserv.pdf. Fill out the form and
mail with your meeting’s contribution.

      Sam and Becky Barber, FUM field staff in Belize, are beginning to plan their travels and visiting of churches this
summer to share about Belize Friends School. If you would like to schedule a visit from them to your meeting contact
them at slbisme@hotmail.com or becbarber@hotmail.com. The Barbers plan to be in the US by mid-June through early
August. 

    Young Adult Friends (aged 18-35) will gather in Wichita, Kansas, May 28-31, from across North America for a
gathering entitled “Bearing Witness to the Word Among us -- Witness, Testimony and Transformation.” Following the
weekend an opportunity for a service project will be June 1-3.

    Turkana, Africa, is experiencing severe flooding. Lodwar Friends and the Friends School is sheltering many people
whose homes have been washed away. Several people have died as well as their animals. Please pray for them.
Donations may be sent to FUM.

Gift Grant Announcement
The IYM Evangelism and Outreach committee has been able to assist many meetings through their “Gift Grants”
project in recent years. In order to preserve the Gift Grant Fund, E&O announces that they will no longer be able to
provide financial assistance for capital projects (roofs, furnaces, etc.) via Gift Grants. Growth Grants and Gift Grants
for special programs promoting evangelism and outreach are still available.

Our Sympathy
Earl Prignitz (94), former Indiana Yearly Meeting pastor and resident of Richmond, passed away, May 4. Earl
pastored three meetings in IYM: Williamsburg, Spiceland, and Dublin. Memorial contributions may be made to Dublin
Friends, Dublin, IN 47335 or to the Friends Ministers’ Fund through Friends Fellowship Community, 2030 Chester
Blvd, Richmond, IN 47374.

The father of Rose Drage (husband Ron Drage, pastor of Spencerville Friends) recently passed away. Also Lola
Sparks, the mother of Susie Schoeff (Susie is the wife of Rick Schoeff, pastor of Greenfield Friends) passed away
May 6 in Anderson. Our sympathy to these families.

Dates to Remember

May 24 -Deadline for Early Bird Registration for campers

June 1 - Deadline for State of Society Reports

June 1 - Deadline for Advance Reports

             (All the above due in IYM office.)

June 1 - Deadline for collecting televisions for camp

   (Will receive them at Quaker Haven or at the IYM office.)

June 1 - Deadline for Certificate of Recognition Nominations

             (Due to Peggy Caldwell, 142 S 1000 W, Morristown, IN 46161)

June 15 –Deadline for Pastor’s Reports due in IYM office.

July 19 -Deadline for Yearly Meeting Sessions Registration for meals or housing

Good Morning!

    A few years ago I traveled to Chicago for a meeting in a part of the city I’d never visited before.
With map in hand I was confident I was heading in the right direction, but I was wrong. Only after
discovering my mistake was I able to finally reach my destination. I sincerely thought I knew the
way, but I was wrong; sincerely wrong.

    In a day when it is popular to believe there are many paths to God, those who suggest that there
is only one way are increasingly regarded as narrow-minded and even bigoted. Jesus is no bigot,
yet in John 14:6 He was quoted saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me” – a very exclusive claim. Other ideas about how to find God may be
very sincere, yet sincerely wrong.

    Young George Fox had a number of spiritual openings that shaped his life and the Society of
Friends. None was any more important than the inward voice he heard that declared, “There is
one, even Christ Jesus, who can speak to thy condition.” Fox heard that there was one path, not
several equally valid options.

We Friends continue to embrace and publish the Good News that there is only one way to know the
Father, and that is through Jesus Christ. We’ve carried this message across the globe and seen it
transform lives in many places over many years. We may need to adjust how that message is
packaged, but we must never compromise the message itself. To do so would be sincerely wrong.

- Doug Shoemaker                              

IYM Upcoming Calendar

5/23        Retirement party for Dan Bauer, Quaker Haven

5/31        Office closed for Memorial Day

6/3          Richmond Area Ministers Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 p.m.

6/7          IYM Executive Committee, Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 p.m.   

6/13-18   Junior High Camp, Quaker Haven, registration, 3:30-5:00 p.m. on 13th

6/14        Nominating Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 p.m.

6/19        Quaker Haven Golf Outing

6/20-25   Senior High I Camp, Quaker Haven, registration, 3:30-5:00 p.m. on 20th

6/25-27   Beginners Camp, Quaker Haven, registration, 3:30-5:00 p.m. on 25th

Representative Council

Saturday, April 17, 9 am, Friends Memorial

(Please park in the parking lot just east of Liberty St, accessed from Jackson or Adams streets.)

     Dublin Friends will host the Doris Palin Memorial Euchre Tournament, May 1, 2 pm at the Dublin Village
Apartments ($10). All funds will be used to send kids to Quaker Haven. Call 765-478-4074.

    Kennard Friends hosted Sunrise Service with Kennard Christian Church followed by breakfast. The meeting
is offering classes for those interested in becoming a member, and some are planning for Olympic games with
surrounding churches.

    Penn Friends Community Church will host David Meece in concert, Sunday, May 2, 6:30 pm. Admission is
free; a love offering will be taken. David will also present music ministry in both morning services.

    Richmond First Friends is seeking pastoral leadership which will challenge and nurture their experience of
the spirit, community, and outreach. For more information go to www.ffri. org. Direct inquiries to Annelies
Sizelove sizeloveannelies@gmail.com or David Johns johnsda@earlham.edu. Direct a cover letter, references,
and résumé to Pastoral Search Committee, First Friends Meeting, 2010 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, IN 47374.

    Winchester Friends will soon plant their Compassion Garden. The proceeds will support the education and
living expenses of a 14-year-old girl in Uganda. The meeting has given over $100,000 since 2001 from a trust
income to ministries in order to make Christ’s Kingdom visible in their community and world.

Quaker Haven Camp Summer Opportunities:

Assistant Cook needed for summer youth camp program between the months of May and
Sept. 6^th, 2010. If interested please call 574-834-4193.

Calling All Nurses:  Would you be interested in a volunteer “Job-Sharing” opportunity? 
Quaker Haven Camp provides a camp nurse during the summer youth program for the months of
June and July. At this time we may have a part-time nurse willing to work several camps but would
be interested in sharing this great opportunity with others. We will be taking interviews within the
next few weeks. Please call the office to set up an interview today at 574-834-4193. 

Aaron Hughs is available, April 18, & 25 and May 2, 16, & 23 for a Camp Sunday at your meeting.
Contact him at aaronhughs@iym.org or 765-284-6900.

Tri-County Quarterly Meeting, Sunday, April 25, 6 pm

Sycamore Friends, Meal and Meeting

John & Laura Key will share about their recent trip to the Holy Land.

John Muhanji is available to speak at your meeting, May 9, 12, 14, 22, 29. 

John Lomuria is available to speak at your meeting, April 26, 28, 29, 30.

Contact FUM for more information at kims@fum.org.

     Sam and Becky Barber, FUM field staff and principals of Friends Boys School in Belize, are planning their
visitation of churches this summer (mid-June through early August). Sam and Becky would be excellent speakers
for your young people and adults too. At the school in Belize, they provide quality education and life skills,
helping young men to succeed with their schooling and become attractive candidates in the work force. If you
would like to schedule a visit from them contact them at slbisme@hotmail.com or contact Kim Schull at
kims@fum.org.

     Tax tidbit – Health Savings Accounts and health care reform: A number of IYM pastors have or are considering
a high deductible health insurance policy coupled with a health savings account, or HSA. “The health care
reform legislation approved by the 111th Congress will likely have a modest impact on consumer-driven health
plans,” says Roy Ramthun, who led the U.S. Treasury Department's initial implementation of HSAs and now
heads up HSA Consulting Services. He does note, however, that beginning with 2011, expenses incurred for
over-the-counter medications will no longer be eligible for payment or reimbursement from health care accounts
and that that the tax penalty on HSA withdrawals not used for qualified medical expenses will be increased from
the current 10 percent to 20 percent. If you would like to learn more about the impact of health care reform on
HSAs, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich at matt@iym.org or at 765-319-3244.

     What is a program assessment? The Communications and Publications Committee now has a new brochure
explaining what program assessments are, how they are used, and how individuals and monthly meetings benefit
from membership in Indiana Yearly Meeting. This brochure is now on the yearly meeting website and printed
copies are available for anyone interested. Please contact Rowena Holliday at iyminfo@iym.org or 765-284-6900
to get yours today!

     Congratulations! Matt (IYM Ministerial Advocate) and Heidi Hisrich are the proud parents of Lily Elise, born
April 1. She is joined by sister, Anna. 

     White’s Sunday! The “congregation of children” at White’s is unable to maintain the ministry that feeds
their souls. So could you please help maintain White’s Chapel program? The contributions of God’s people make
this ministry possible – it is the sole means of support. During your service on either April 18 or 25, could your
meeting take a special offering for this mission to children. This should be an extra offering above the regular
offering made through bulletin insert envelopes that White’s will provide. For more information or envelopes,
contact dana.brady@whietsrfs.org or barb.baum@whitesrfs.org.

    Tim and Ann Kendall have been appointed by North Carolina Yearly Meeting as the co-directors of the
MOWA Choctaw Friends Center beginning May 1st. They will be sharing some of their experiences in Haiti,
especially with the great earthquake, and will also touch on their dreams for the Friends Center. Ann will share
with West River Friends, April 20, 6 pm. They both will share at Winchester Friends, April 21, 5:30 pm and with
Friends Fellowship Community, April 22, 2 pm in the Library Lounge. For more information contact Keith
Kendall at kjkendall@parallax.ws.

Important Events Coming Soon:

**Dewart Lake Community Friends and Quaker Haven are sponsoring a "For Girls Only" Retreat (7th to 10th grades), April 16-17 at Quaker Haven Camp. 

**Revival services at Little Blue River Friends, April 18-21 with Doug Shoemaker speaking, 6:30 pm.

**Fundraiser “Harvest Helpings,” as a part of Walnut Ridge Friends missions, Friday, April 23, 7-9 pm, 9462 N, Carthage Pike.

**Quaker Men work day at Quaker Haven, Saturday, April 24.

**John Lomuria will speak at FUM for “Tune in on Tuesdays,” April 27, 6 pm.

Good Morning!

        I was sitting in a Panera Bread recently and noticed some college students “studying.” They were studying
the underlying socialistic currents of economic capital asset pricing models in Batswana compared to South
Africa and how bi-lateral movements of natural resources were causing a schism of open market competition
with the uprising markets of free pattern growth without . . . actually, I  couldn’t tell you what they were studying,
they lost me at underlying socialistic currents. I asked them if this would help cure cancer, would it put man back
on the moon or better yet, would it help my Kansas City Royals win a World Series and the only answer they could
give me was, “Dude, I don’t know about all of that but as of right now, this is all I need to know.”
        John 14:6 says, “Jesus replied, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.”
       We are given so much information in today’s day and age that we sometimes lose sight of what is important to
us as a body of believers. Those words in John give us a firm and clandestine truth that first and foremost, we
should want and need Jesus. With that thought in mind, this summer’s theme at Quaker Haven is
iGod: The Only Thing You Need. So join me in prayer, and maybe even in service, and let our youth know that
Jesus should be the only thing we need.                       Aaron Hughs

IYM Upcoming Calendar

4/14        Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

4/17        Representative Council, Friends Memorial, 9:am

4/21        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Richard Martin’s home, 8:30 am

4/26        IYM Prayer Meeting, Center Friends, 1:30 pm

4/26        Recording Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 pm

5/18        Committee Day, Friends Memorial, 6:30 pm

He is Risen - He is Lord!

Representative Council

Saturday, April 17, 9 am at Friends Memorial in Muncie

    Farmland Friends has called Bill Bruneau to serve as senior pastor.

    Walnut Ridge Friends has called Gary Jones to serve as pastor.

    Anderson First Friends will host the Melody Masters for a hymn sing, Sunday, April 11, 6:30.
These hymn sings began 18 years ago, meeting once a month at various churches throughout
central Indiana. People from 35 to 55 different churches attend, praising God together.

    Little Blue River Friends will hold revival services April 18-21 with IYM Superintendent Doug
Shoemaker speaking. The Sunday morning service will be at 10 am followed by a carry-in meal.
The evening services will be at 6:30 pm. Lanee Marshall will share in music.

    Maple Run Friends invites men to a retreat, “36 Men, 36 Hours. No    Excuses!” as part of the
Year of Discipleship. An emphasis will be on men (36 only) taking leadership in spiritual matters.
After arriving, all cell phones, etc. will be relinquished and focus will shift to the retreat with no
coming or going. Leaders will include staff from CSI and Marc Siler from Wabash Friends. There
will be times of prayer, reflection and commitment. There will also be good fellowship and plenty
of food. Maple Run men would sure like for you to come. The cost is $20. For more information
contact pastor John Key at john.k.key@gmail.com or 765-384-7774.

    Penn Friends will present an Easter musical, “Raise the Crown,” April 3, 7 pm and Easter
morning, 10 am. This extraordinary story presents some of the most passionate and inspired songs
created for the Easter season.

    Richmond First Friends will host John Epur Lomuria, presiding clerk of Lodwar Monthly
Meeting in Kenya April 27. He is also reading clerk of the young people’s program of East Africa
Yearly Meeting and the clerk of the Young Quakers Christian Association. John will speak following a simple meal.

    Walnut Ridge Friends has as one of its missions, the Blue River Community Harvest, Inc. which
provides food, clothing and other assistance to their community. They will hold their first annual
fundraising event, “Harvest Helpings,” Friday, April 23 from 7-9 pm at The Harvest, 9462 N
Carthage Pike, Carthage. There will be entertainment, prizes, dessert bar and a short program.
They seek partnerships with individuals and businesses which can provide permanent support
for its mission. For information on ticket sales or sponsorships, call 317-696-0785.

     Camp Sunday: Want to have a Camp Sunday to kick off the summer early? Aaron Hughs is
available April 11, 18 & 25 and May 2, 16 & 23 to come to your monthly meeting to share about
what is in store for the upcoming summer camping season and also show the 2010 camp
promotional video. To schedule a Sunday, contact Aaron at the IYM office, 800-292-5238 or
aaronhughs@iym.org.

    White’s Sunday: White’s invites your meeting to choose a Sunday in April to bring attention to
their ministry by your prayers and financial support. They are blessed to share the Gospel with 300
at-risk youth each year through their Chapel Ministry. Also, through a variety of programs, they
minister to nearly 3,000 who are in “out-of-home” care due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Jesus promises that as we care for the least of these, we are caring for Him.

    Tax tidbit – Housing allowances are still subject to self-employment tax, but pastors can reduce
their income tax by taking advantage of this tool. This amount must be established in writing in
advance with the monthly meeting and can be as high as the pastor’s entire salary as long as it is
reasonable compensation for services and is used for housing. If you have questions about this or
any other issue related to the tax treatment of pastors, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate
Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym. org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Quaker Men have scheduled a work day at Quaker Haven for Saturday, April 24. Work will
begin at 8 am and end at 4 pm. The camp will provide lunch so please let the camp know if you
want to be counted for a meal. Friends Disaster Service is planning to work with Quaker Men in
this ministry to the camp.

    Friends United Meeting would like for you to watch for their “Spring Information Packet,”
which includes the “Summer Mission Project,” the schedule for “Tune In on Tuesdays” that they
are starting April 27 at 6 pm and will include a guest speaker once a month. The first speaker will
be John Lomuria from Turkana. John Lomuria and John Muhanji will both be available for
speaking engagements or workshops during the next couple of months. Information about John
Lomuria may be found above in this newsletter. John Muhanji is FUM’s Africa Ministries
Representative. He works with the Richmond office to coordinate all of the ministries and assist
groups of Friends visiting FUM’s missions. There are 16 FUM member yearly meetings in East
Africa and seven project partners, including Friends Theological College, Kaimosi and Lugulu
hospitals. To schedule a speaking engagement for these men, contact FUM at kims@fum.org or
765-962-7573.

 Good Morning!

     A Kentucky coalminer had lived hard, worked hard, and drank hard most of his life. When
sober he was loving and beloved but when he was drinking, he would disappear for weeks at a time,
choosing whiskey and brothels over wife and family. His granddaughter sat at his deathbed telling
him about forgiveness available through Jesus. She was surprised to hear him assert that he didn’t
think he had ever sinned. “But Grandpa,” she continued, “we've all done bad things. Can't you
think of just one thing you've done that was wrong?" In a minute he said, "I take it back, I have
sinned once. I voted Republican one time."

     You may not consider voting Republican a sin, but many of us struggle to know how to allow
our Christian faith to influence our politics without confusing the two. A 2008 study by the Pew
Forum indicates many conservatives have changed their position on churches speaking out on
political issues. Four years ago, just 37 percent of conservatives felt the church should stay out of
politics. Today, 51 percent share this view. This virtually matches the views of moderates and
liberals (52 percent).

     Should churches keep silent on governmental issues?  When Jesus walked this earth there was
much expectation that He would be a political savior, but He was much more concerned with
introducing the Kingdom of God than reforming the kingdoms of this world. Once he resolved a
ticklish political question by looking at a Roman coin. Maybe we would be well served by looking
at our coins and being reminded that it is in God that we trust.      Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

4/2          Good Friday, office closed

4/8          Richmond Area Pastors’ Gathering, First Friends Richmond, 3 pm

4/12        Nominating Committee, IYM office, 6 pm

4/13        New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, location ???, 8:30 am

4/13        IYM Trustees Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

4/14        Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

4/17        Representative Council, Friends Memorial, 9:am am

4/21        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, at Richard Martin’s home, 8:30 am

4/26        IYM Prayer Meeting, Center Friends, 1:30 pm

4/26        Recording Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 pm

     Dave Phillips has announced that August 8 will be his last day as Senior Pastor at Wabash
Friends. The meeting has called Alex Falder who will be joining the church staff on a full-time
basis beginning April 1 as Lead Pastor Elect. Following a sabbatical, Dave will serve on a part-time
basis at Wabash Friends as a Pastor of Pastoral Care beginning in 2011.

     The Center Friends Worship Center has been blessed with a Sunday attendance of 50. They
participated in the FOAM project (Fasting Once A Month) and gave the amount spent on one meal
a month towards the project, as well as the FISH project - providing food for community families
in need. Other events of Center Friends include a Valentine’s Movie and Just Desserts for an
evening of Christian fellowship; Spirit Night at the Waffle House helping raise money for the
People of Haiti; a free community breakfast one Saturday a month and an Awakening Revival to
be held May 2-5.

    Lynn Friends will host former Teen Ambassadors to visit with each other on Saturday, June 26
starting at 2 pm until they get tired. If you are a TA, they encourage you to come and bring your
family. Dale Lewis will be there on Sunday, June 27. TA’s will visit from 1-5 pm, practice and eat
from 5 to 6:30, then sing with Dale directing at 7 pm. For more information, you may contact
LeRoy Ward walkingtaco53@gmail.com  or by phone at 419-523-3371.

    New Castle First Friends will host ESR professor and Quaker author, Michael Birkel, who will
lead them in a two-day retreat on Holy Listening, March 27-28.

    Sycamore Friends holds Wednesday evening Bible studies called “Family Night.” The evening
includes gymnastics and a Bible study for 1-4 grades; Master Builders & Bible study for 4-6 grades;
Master Chefs & Bible study for 7-8 grades; plus high school youth group and adult Bible studies.
Masters Builders build items such as tool boxes, bird feeders, desktop nativity scenes, etc, earning
tools. Master Chefs learn to prepare all kinds of food. These programs involve around 60 people.

    Summer Camp 2010 – We need your help! This summer’s Camp Program Staff is looking for
gently used tube televisions, 32 inches or smaller. To donate your used TV, you can drop it off at
the IYM office or at Quaker Haven Camp. For more details, contact Aaron at the IYM office.

     Tax tidbit - Accountable reimbursement plans: If your meeting pays pastors or other staff for
mileage or other expenses, it is best for the individual and the meeting to reimburse these expenses
after the individual submits a mileage log or receipts. Allowances are wages and are subject to
taxation. Amounts paid under a written accountable reimbursement plan, on the other hand, not
only increase transparency but they are not wages and are therefore not subject to taxation. If you
have questions about this or any other issue related to the tax treatment of pastors, please contact
IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Quaker Haven will host the Lake Area Players who will present “Christ’s Passion,” March 26 &
27, and April 2 & 3 at 7 pm and March 28 and April 3 at 2 pm (buffet served). Ticket are $7, and
for ten or more they are $6. For tickets call 574-834-4193. Quilt Camp at Quaker Haven is
April 19 - May 2. For more information go to www.quakerhaven.com or info@quakerhaven.com.

    Small-Town Pastors’ Conference will be held April 19-21 in Morton, IL. This conference is
tailored to pastors and spouses in town and country settings. It will feature Calvin Miller and
HB London with many outstanding seminar leaders. For more information call toll-free
866-263-2350 or go to info@rhma.org or www.rhma.org.

    A celebration of Clyde Johnson's decades of faithful Christian witness will be held, Sunday,
April 11, 2-4 pm at the ESR. A short program will begin around 3 pm. Clyde's Ichthys House
ministry to the Earlham campus and Richmond-area Friends has touched many lives. A book of
appreciations will be collected and presented to Clyde at the event. If you wish to write an
appreciation to be included, please send it as an e-mail attachment to Trish Eckert,
eckerpa1@ earlham.edu.  

    ESR will host the annual Willson Lectures, April 5 & 6 on their campus. In honor of ESR's
50th Anniversary, this year's theme will be The Road to ESR, presented by Tom Hamm, Earlham
College Professor of History and Archivist. 

    Friends Disaster Service needs volunteers to help at Camp Gideon, Carrollton, OH, April 12-17.
If you can help, please email Trish at trish@friendsdisasterservice.net or phone (330) 704-9980 
ASAP. Web site: www.efcer-fds.org.

    The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO) suspended operations in October
2009. CCCO was founded in 1948 to advise CO’s who were not associated with the historic peace
churches (Friends, Mennonites & Brethren). This organization’s work is being taken over by the
GI Rights Hotline. Phone: 877-447-4487; Website: www.GIrightshotline.org.

With Our Sympathy: Rosalie Prignitz, wife of former IYM pastor

Earl Prignitz, passed away February 16.

Good Morning!

    Have you noticed that our culture is becoming increasingly biblically illiterate? Tonight Show
host Jay Leno frequently does "man-on-the street" interviews, and one night he collared some
young people to ask them questions about the Bible. "Can you name one of the Ten
Commandments?" he asked two college-age women. One replied, "Freedom of speech?"
Mr. Leno said to the other, "Complete this sentence: Let he who is without sin..." Her response
was, "have a good time?" Mr. Leno then turned to a young man and asked, "Who, according to
the Bible, was eaten by a whale?" The confident answer was, "Pinocchio."

   Many of us remember a day when even most non-believers knew the teachings of the Bible,
whether they embraced them or not. That day is gone. I hope I’m wrong, but I worry that the
lack of biblical literacy is as much of a problem inside the church as outside. While we Friends
rightfully emphasize the Spirit who inspired the scriptures, we grievously err when we neglect the
Bible itself.

    In my bookcase is a book written in 1976 by Harold Lindsell, The Battle for the Bible. It observes
that only in the last century and a half has the reliability of the Bible been seriously questioned.
This has proven to be true in the Society of Friends as well. While we have always emphasized the
Living Word, from our earliest days Friends embraced the Written Word as well, recognizing both
to be necessary and compatible. Today, however, some Friends struggle to remain true to the
teachings of the Bible. How is it in your meeting? - and in your life?            -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

3/17        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Sycamore Friends, 8:30 am

3/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Penn Friends, 1:30 pm

3/29        Executive Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm (change of date)

3/30        IYM Trustees Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

4/2          Good Friday, office closed

4/8          Richmond Area Pastors’ Gathering, First Friends Richmond, 3 pm

4/12        Nominating Committee, IYM office, 6 pm

4/13        New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, location TBA, 8:30 am

4/14        Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

4/21        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, at Richard Martin’s home, 8:30 am

Committee Day

Saturday, March 6, 9 am

Friends Memorial, Muncie

      Amboy Friends celebrated the conclusion of their 11th season of “Upward Basketball” with an awards ceremony,
February 24, with over 200 people present and 75 young people in the program. The ceremony speaker was basketball
sensation Tanya Crevier. They also celebrated Tracy Dubois who has been the coordinator for the last four years, and
who is leaving this position this year. Amboy Friends is very grateful for Tracy and her family for all their hard work.

    Dublin and Spiceland Friends recently partnered to raise money for Haiti relief through a concert featuring several
artists. They raised nearly $4000 from the evening of music with 200 people attending. They would be willing to help
other congregations interested in doing a weekend concert with these musicians and to raise money for Haiti relief.

    Friends Memorial is reaching out to the community by holding a free neighborhood supper, Friday, March 12,
5-6:30 pm.

    New Castle First Friends will host ESR professor and Quaker author, Michael Birkel, who will lead them in a
two-day retreat on Holy Listening, March 27-28.

    West Richmond Friends is getting a new roof. A generous, anonymous donor contributed half of the cost for which the
congregation is very grateful.   

    In February, another four meetings were awarded grants from the Ministerial Excellence Fund. These grants will
help provide health insurance, retirement, financial planning, and contribute toward expanded ministry. Has your
meeting considered applying for a grant for your pastor? For more information, contact IYM Ministerial Advocate
Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Tax tidbit - Pastors may not be able to file electronically: The IRS has not yet decided whether they will be accepting
worksheet 3 of the Clergy Worksheet, for Form 2106 calculations, electronically. If the IRS does decide to support
electronically, the change will not be in place until at least the end of March. Filing a paper return may make sense,
but expect a longer wait on any refund. IRS refunds from paper returns are currently running anywhere from 12-16
weeks. If you have questions about this or any other issue related to the tax treatment of pastors, please contact IYM
Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Andy & Lisa Stout have been appointed field directors for CSI Ministries in Belize. CSI will have a Partners in Christian
Service meeting on Monday, March 8 at Sirloin Stockade in Marion from 6-8 pm. Everyone buys their own buffet dinner,
and then there is a time of fellowship and a short program to hear what is going on at CSI. There will be an additional
PICS meeting on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 pm at Wabash Friends Church (no meal). The Stouts will share both of those
evenings and would like to invite you to learn more about their new position. Please RSVP to CSI (800-286-5773) by
March 5 if you would like to attend the March 8 meeting in Marion. No RSVP is necessary for Tuesday.

Quaker Haven News:

“Christ’s Passion” presented by the Lakes Area Players at Quaker Haven,

March 26, 27, April 2 & 3 at 7 pm and March 28 and April 3 at 2 pm

For tickets call 574-834-4193

Buffet Reservations available on April 3, 4:30-6pm

Tickets: $7 general and $6 groups of 10 or more

Quilt Camp, April 29-May 2

For more information call 574-834-4193

Or go to info@quakerhaven.com

A box of Quaker books/pamphlets for sale: If you are interested, contact:
Doug Dafoe,
38 Wright Road
West Milton, OH 45383
937-698-4742

     Position Announcement: Friends United Meeting has initiated a search for a new General Secretary following the
retirement announcement of Sylvia Graves, July 2011. Resumes and written nominations must be submitted by
September 1, 2010. For more information or to send resumes and nominations, contact Kelly Kellum, 800 Quaker
Ln, High Point, NC 27262 or kelly@highpointfriends.org.  Also, FUM announces that they are in the process of
identifying a new organizational structure that would better facilitate their mission.

    Small-Town Pastors’ Conference will be held April 19-21 in Morton, IL. This conference is tailored to pastors and
spouses in town and country settings. It will feature Calvin Miller and HB London with many outstanding seminar
leaders. For more information call toll-free 866-263-2350 or go to info@rhma.org or www.rhma.org.

With Our Sympathy

John Hoss passed away February 20.

He was a member of Greenfield Friends and former trustee of Indiana Yearly Meeting. He and his wife, Mary,
owned and operated the Greenfield Granite Company for over 50 years.

IYM Executive Committee Meeting has been changed from March 15 to Monday evening, March 29, 6:30 pm
in the IYM office.

Camp registrations will be in the mail the week of March 8.

Good Morning!

    In a Rob Portlock cartoon a pastor is shown addressing the congregation with these words: “We have a special gift for
 a lady that hasn't missed a service in forty-five years. Eleanor Smith! Where is Eleanor sitting? Eleanor? Eleanor ..."

   You may have noticed that Eleanor isn’t the only one missing church in recent days.  Many churches of all
denominations struggle with declining attendance.  Is yours one of them?

   The AP recently ran a story about the Michael Tristani family from Miami, Florida, who had moved to the North
Dakota town of Hazelton a few years ago, responding to an offer of free land and cash to families who would relocate
to this small town of 240. After four years the Tristanis have decided to move back to Florida concluding that they had
never really been accepted in their northern town. Feeling that they had been treated as outsiders by long-time residents,
Tristani observed, “It hasn’t been easy.  No one really wants new people here.”  The Tristanis were prepared for
Hazelton’s bitter winters, but not the small-town drama they encountered there.

   Is it possible that visitors attending your meeting may feel the same way?  When guests sense that they are intruding
upon someone else’s turf they seldom are eager to return. They aren’t necessarily rejecting Christ, they just understand
that they don’t fit into a tight-knit clique that claims to welcome visitors, but seldom really accepts them. What would it
take to make your church a place where visitors feel hopeful that they might be warmly embraced into a genuine
community as insiders?                                Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

3/4          Richmond Pastors’ Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 pm

3/6          Committee Day, Friends Memorial, 9 am

3/6          USFW Board Meeting, IYM office, 9 am

3/8          Nominating Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 pm

3/9          New Castle Area Pastors Breakfast, Spiceland Friends, 8:30 am

3/11        Stewardship & Finance Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

3/17        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Sycamore Friends, 8:30 am

3/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Penn Friends, 1:30 pm

3/29        Executive Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

3/30        IYM Trustees Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

Committee Day

Saturday, March 6, 9 am

Friends Memorial, Muncie

     Bill Bruneau has announced his resignation from Penn Friends affective around the end of May. 

    Amboy Friends is sponsoring a Tenderloin Fry for Missions, Wednesday evening, March 3, 4:30-7:00 at the
Converse Borderman Gym in Converse, IN. Proceeds will benefit Amboy Friends’ mission Trip to Honduras in July.
Adults,  $8 ($8.50 at the door); children 6-12, $5 (5 and under, free).

    West Richmond Friends will host Somebody's Brothers, Friday, February 26, 7-10 pm. Phil Baisley, pastor at
Williamsburg Friends and Brian Rodgers from West Richmond Friends, will be the featured performers of this
group at Common Grounds Coffee House in the basement of West Richmond Friends. They will perform a mix
of original songs, oldies, gospel, and Irish tunes. Admission is free - donations accepted. Beverages and snacks
will be provided.

    Clyde Johnson of the ICHTHYS House in Richmond will be honored for more than 40 years of ministry there on
Sunday, April 11, 2-4 pm. ESR will host the event.

    Sam and Becky Barber, FUM field staff in Belize, are beginning to plan their travels and visiting of churches this
summer to share about Belize Friends School. If you would like to schedule a visit from them to your meeting contact
them at slbisme@hotmail.com or becbarber @hotmail.com. The Barbers plan to be in the US by mid-June through early
August. 

    Update on Carl Bennett (former Mooreland Friends pastor): Carl has Myelodysplastic syndrome, a very serious
condition needing immediate care. He is waiting on test results to determine the course of treatment. The Bennett family
contact information is: 107 Silver Sage Pl, Homedale, ID 83628 or cbennett05@live.com.

Tax tidbit: Tax form filing deadlines

Meetings must submit the following to the Social Security Administration by February 28, 2010:
   “Copy A” of each 2009 W-2 form issued to employees along with a W-3 transmittal form

 And the following to the IRS:
   “Copy A” of each 2009 1099-MISC form issued to self-employed persons along with a 1096 transmittal form

 The due date is extended to March 31, 2010 if you file electronically (not by magnetic media). If you have questions
about this or any other issue related to the tax treatment of pastors, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew
Hisrich by email at matt@ iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

   Pastors Short Course is scheduled for July 5-8 at Quaker Haven Camp. Terry Walling of Leader Breakthru in
California will be this year’s featured speaker (see www.leaderbreakthru.com for more information). Child care and
a separate children’s program will be available. Pastors, be making plans now to attend what promises to be an
enjoyable and spiritually impacting edition of Pastors Short Course.

    “Testimonies…Stories of Faith” will be the theme for Indiana Yearly Meeting sessions this year, scheduled for
July 29-August 1. These sessions will once again include “The Feast of Faith” a Saturday event that last year drew
the largest crowd at yearly meeting sessions in years. We encourage you to be thinking about bringing carloads of
Friends from your meeting to yearly meeting sessions this year.

    How many people in your meeting receive The Communicator? This newsletter, sent out twice a month from the
yearly meeting office, can help your congregation keep abreast of what is happening in other meetings and create
awareness of opportunities available throughout the yearly meeting. Send email addresses for all who would like to
receive The Communicator to iyminfo@iym.org.

    Does your meeting have a web presence? The Communications and Publications Committee of IYM will produce a
webpage for any interested meeting. This is a free service to be hosted on the IYM website. Photos, contacts, current
mapping, meeting information, history, and more can be incorporated to fit your meeting’s needs. We can even help
you keep your webpage looking fresh and new with a blog and/or calendar that you would keep up-to-date. An example
is found at http://www.iym.org/directory/cnp/KennardFriends/. Please contact Andrea at andrea.long@iym.org for more
details or to get started.

    “Resolving Conflict in the Small Church” seminar will be held in Richmond, March 4, 8:30-11:30 am. For more
information go to www.PastoralLeadershipAcademy.com or 937-390-9773.

With Our Sympathy:

Richard Sheron, member of Marion First Friends for approximately 60 years, passed away February 10 of
pancreatic cancer. He served on the Representative Council of Indiana Yearly Meeting for several years. His son,
Jim, serves as clerk of the IYM Missions Committee.

Rosalie Prignitz, wife of Earl Prignitz (former IYM pastor), passed away February 16.

Good Morning!

     My brother-in-law has some rental properties in Missouri. Once he had significant problems with a tenant. It’s handy
to have a renter that can do minor repairs, but this particular occupant lacked essential skills. His effort to do some
basic remodeling resulted in the loss of a wall, and then a whole room, and then… eventually only the porch area was
left standing. My brother-in-law learned that it’s hard to have a profitable rental house when the house is gone!

     What would happen if your meetinghouse would similarly disappear? Is it possible to have a healthy meeting when
the meetinghouse is gone? Interestingly, I think the answer can be “yes.” David Newman of Lebanon, Ohio, is part of
the “Y church movement,” an increasingly growing number of churches that are being planted in existing YMCAs.
He says of his meeting place, “I never have to worry about the property. Instead we are able to focus all of our time
and energy on ministering to our community.”

     Do you find it interesting that we Friends, who disdained the steeple-houses of 17^th century England, today regularly
spend an average of over one third of our annual budgets on our buildings? Erwin McManus was quoted in Leadership
Journal saying, “We have nothing against owning property; the danger is when property ends up owning you.” He then
observed, “The real challenge is that aging congregations tend to value their buildings more than they value people or
the gospel.” Ouch.

     What would it look like if your congregation valued people or the gospel more highly than the building where you
meet?                                                                                                                               -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Dates to Remember

Committee Days: March 6 & May 18

Representative Council: April 17      

Executive Committee: March 15/June 7 

Junior High Camp: June 13-18

Senior High Camp I: June 20-25

Beginners Camp: June 25-27

Senior High Camp II: July 11-16

Junior Camp: July 18-23

Kids Camp: July 25-28

Pastors' Short Course: July 5-8

Yearly Meeting Sessions: July 29-Aug 1

Young at Heart Retreat - August (TBA)

Family Camp - September 3-6

IYM Upcoming Calendar

2/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Winchester Friends, 1:30 pm

2/24        Endowment Study Task Force, IYM office, 9 am

3/1          MEI Steering Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 pm

3/3          Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

3/4          Richmond Pastors’ Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 pm

3/6          Committee Day, Friends Memorial, 9 am

3/6          USFW Board Meeting, IYM office, 9 am

3/8          Nominating Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6 pm

3/9          New Castle Area Pastors Breakfast, Spiceland Friends, 8:30 am

3/15        Executive Committee Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

3/17        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Sycamore Friends, 8:30 am

3/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Penn Friends, 1:30 pm

3/30       IYM Trustees Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

Winter Sneak, February 5-7for 7th-12th grades at Quaker Haven

Cost  $95. For more information, contact Aaron Hughs at
aaronhughs@iym.org or call the IYM office at 1-800-292-5238. 

    Martin Wells was approved January 31 to become the new pastor for Jericho Friends. He and his wife,
Elaine, have been a part of Jericho meeting for many years, and earlier pastored Peaceful Valley. Former
pastor Max Edwards and his wife, Dixie, will continue their calling, visiting those in nursing homes.

      Please continue to pray for Carl Bennett, former pastor at Mooreland Friends.
He has again been diagnosed with leukemia.

     Anderson First Friends Youth conducted the complete morning service, January 31. The focus was on
bringing glory to Jesus with music, skits, personal testimonies and prayers.

    Jericho and Rural Friends recently met together for worship at Jericho. Rural led the service with a report
and slides of their New Orleans mission trip, emphasizing that there is still work to be done and how God’s
touch was and is in the work there. Video of the service is available at www.jerichofriends.org.

    Penn Friends Community Church will host David Meece in concert, Sunday, May 2, 6:30 pm. Admission is
free; a love offering will be taken. David will also present   music ministry in both morning services.

    Wabash Friends 10th Annual Marriage Retreat will be held February 5-7 at Shipshewana. Go to
www.wabashfriendscounseling.com or counseling@wabashfriends.org for more information.

    Thank you to each meeting that has paid your yearly meeting assessments for 2009 in full. There were 48
meetings that paid 100% of their program assessments with a few giving even more. Overall we received nearly
93% of our assessments in 2009 in spite of the challenging economy. We also received 76% of our mission goals
for 2009. We hope to meet and exceed these levels of giving in 2010. We are especially grateful for the meetings
that consistently meet and exceed their fair share of financial support for the shared ministries of Indiana Yearly
Meeting.

    Upcoming tax preparation seminar for pastors: On Monday, February 22, Bethany Theological Seminary in
Richmond will host Rev Deb Oskin for a clergy tax seminar. The sessions will take place in Bethany Center,
classroom 20 from 10-12 noon and from 1-4 pm. The first session will cover the theory of clergy taxes and in the
afternoon participants will work through a sample clergy tax return. The cost is only $25. Limited seating is
available, so please contact Matt Hisrich at matt@ iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244 for more information
or to register.

Relief for Haiti
A benefit concert, “Friends Helping Haiti" (sponsored by Dublin and Spiceland Friends), will be held Thursday,
February 18, 7 pm at Spiceland Friends. The concert will feature several very fine area musicians, several of
whom have published recordings. A freewill offering will be taken and the money will go to relief work in Haiti
through the following organizations: Samaritan's Purse, World Vision, Christian Service International, and
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission -  all effective missions with feet on the ground in Haiti. Please come and
enjoy great music and help with the efforts in Haiti. For more information go to www.friendshelpinghaiti.com  
or www.spicelandfriends.org.

    Some other IYM meetings bringing assistance to Haiti are Dewart Lake Community Friends and Fort
Wayne Friends who are preparing relief packets.

    There are about a dozen Friends churches in Haiti with approximately 2500 attenders. They are located about
30 miles from Port-au-Prince and have suffered damages. These churches are sponsored by Evangelical Friends
Mission. For more information, go to www.efcer.org/213.

    The American Friends Service Committee has sent $100,000 for immediate relief. For an update go to
www.afsc.org. Following are other agencies sending relief:

www.csiministries.org www.worldrenewal.org

www.internationalchildcare.org.

The Quaker Haven Camp Annual Fundraising Dinner   

Saturday, February 20, 5:30 pm, Maple Run Friends

RSVP to the camp office by February 15 at 574-834-4193 or info@quakerhaven.com.

Could your meeting use a website? The Communications and Publications committee of IYM will produce a
webpage for any interested meeting. This is a free service to be hosted on the IYM website. Photos, contacts,
current mapping, meeting information, history, and more can be incorporated to fit your meeting’s needs. We
can even help you keep your webpage looking fresh and new with a blog and/or calendar that you would keep
up-to-date. An example is found at http://www.iym.org/directory/cnp/KennardFriends/. Please contact Andrea
at andrea.long@iym.org for more details or to get started.

    The IYM Peace & Christian Social Concerns Committee reminds all IYM churches that the DVD
"As We Forgive" is available for free loan from the IYM office.

Quaker United Nations Summer School,

July 4-16, Geneva 

For people with an active interest in international affairs.

Application packs available from www.quaker.org.uk

Email: helenb@quaker.org.uk   Application deadline is March 15.

Good Morning!

     I often wonder what happened to Zvia. My encounter with him was brief, but memorable. Car trouble had
forced Kris and me to find a way home from Kansas and a Greyhound bus seemed to be our only solution. I found
myself sitting next to Zvia, a young man from Israel who was traveling the world. Not having many opportunities
to speak with Israelis, I was especially interested in this fellow-traveler. I assumed that Zvia was Jewish and when
I asked about it he confirmed that indeed he was, but he was quick to add that he wasn’t a “practicing” Jew, but
rather just a cultural one. This gave us an opportunity to talk to him about our faith and give him a New
Testament. I wonder if today he might be a practicing Christ-follower.

     Each week you probably join together with a number of fellow-travelers, not in a Greyhound bus, but in a
Friends meetinghouse. You likely identify yourselves as Quakers; Friends. My query for you today is a simple
one. Are you practicing Quakers, or just cultural ones? There’s a big difference.

     While cultural Friends are drawn to the trappings of Friends worship and our testimonies, practicing Friends
have had a transformational encounter with Jesus Christ that has deeply impacted them. For practicing Friends,
Quakerism isn’t the observance and preservation of a valued tradition, but the living-out of a life-giving
relationship with Christ. I’ve often wondered how different Israel would be today if there were more practicing
Jews than just cultural ones. Likewise how different would your meeting be with more practicing Friends than just cultural ones?

                                                                                                                           -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

2/3          IYM Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

2/4          Richmond Area Ministers, First Friends, 3 pm

2/5-7      Winter Sneak, Quaker Haven

2/9          New Castle Area Pastors, Lynn Friends, 8:30 am

2/16        MEI Steering Committee, IYM office, 6 pm

2/17        Marion Area Pastors, Back Creek, 8:30 am

2/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Winchester Friends, 1:30 pm

2/24        Endowment Study Task Force, IYM office, 9 am

Quaker Men Ground Hog Retreat

January 29-30, Quaker Haven

Speaker, James Watkins

(see about Jim below)

Cost $60 - Call 574-834-4193 or

info@quakerhaven.com

Jim Watkins, Quaker Men’s Retreat Speaker

Jim has written 16 books and over 2000 articles. 

His web site “Hope and Humor” is at www.jameswatkins.com.

Jim is the husband of Lois Watkins, pastor of Back Creek Friends.

    Richard Grubbs has been called by White River Friends to be their pastor after a short interim period.

    Drew Drage is the new youth pastor for Lynn Friends. Drew is the son of Spencerville Friends pastor, Ron Drage.

    Congratulations to Jacob and Melinda Brown (Kennard Friends pastor) on the arrival of Addie Grace, December 23.
She has a three-year-old sister, Crista.

    West Richmond Friends Witness and Service Committee is sponsoring a Peace Contest for their local high school
students on the topic, “What is Peace?” Students are encouraged to express themselves through an essay, poem, story,
picture, collage, photo, video or other creative media to describe their vision of peace. Prizes will be awarded. For more
information, contact West Richmond Friends, 765-962-4485.

    The Conflict Resolution Center, formerly based at IU East in Richmond, has a new home at West Richmond Friends.
The meeting has a long history of hosting non-profit mission, peace and service organizations.

Wabash Friends 10th Annual Marriage Retreat

February 5-7 at Shipshewana

Dr. Gary Oliver is speaking

For more information go to www.wabashfriendscounseling.com or counseling@wabashfriends.org

877-350-1658

 Reminder!
Statisticians and Treasurers:
IYM Statistical Reports are due in the IYM office by January 31.

Thank you for praying for Carl Bennett. His surgery went very well but he is in a lot of pain. Please continue to pray
for this former IYM minister as they do more cancer tests.

Ministerial Excellence Fund Application Deadline Nears

The Ministerial Excellence Fund is a resource to help monthly meetings address the financial pressures facing pastors
in order to more fully release them into ministry. Monthly meetings can apply for grants of up to $2500 per year per
pastor in dollar-for-dollar matching funds for new pastoral support. The next application deadline for these grants is
February 1. If your meeting is considering applying or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact
IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

Winter Sneak

February 5-7 for 7th - 12th grades at Quaker Haven

Winter Olympic Part Deux!

Great games, awesome food

Out-of-this-world Worship

Speaker, Scott Biddle, Malone grad with a degree in Youth Ministry.

Cost  $95. For more information, contact Aaron Hughs at
aaronhughs@iym.org or call the IYM office at 1-800-292-5238.  

    The Quaker Haven Camp Annual Fundraising Dinner will be held at Maple Run Friends (4460 W 400 S, Marion),
Saturday, February 20. Hors d’oeuvres and fellowship will be yours at 5:30 and dinner will be served at 6:00 by
Quaker Haven’s newly hired chef, Darrel Kirby. A presentation of how God is impacting children, youth, families
and churches through the ministries of Quaker Haven Camp, which includes testimonies, will be given. Also
you’ll learn about the camp’s vision about current and future improvements. RSVP to the camp office by Monday,
February 15 at 574-834-4193 or info@quakerhaven.com.

Relief for Haiti

For information on how you can help with relief work in Haiti, go to the web sites of the following agencies:

www.csiministries.org

www.worldrenewal.org

www.internationalchildcare.org;

http://support.afsc.org.                     

     On Saturday, February 27, ESR will host its 10th Annual Spirituality Gathering, Spirituality and Caring in the Midst
of Suffering. Keynote Speaker Dr Dominic Vachon is the Director of Behavioral Medicine and Caring Science Training
on the faculty of the Family Practice Residency Program at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in South Bend,
Indiana. More information and a printable registration form can be found on the ESR website at:
http://esr.earlham.edu/?q=news-events/events/sp2010.

      A Director for MOWA Choctaw Friends Center is needed. Interested folks should submit their resume to: North
Carolina Yearly Meeting, 4811 Hilltop Road, Greensboro, NC 27407 or ncfriends@ncym-fum.org, to the attention of 
John Porter.

      Anderson First Friends has a Wurlitzer organ (two manual, full pedal board) to be given to any meeting that
might be interested. If interested, call Jack Holliday at 765-635-9965.

    Lynn Friends has a bus for sale. For more information, call the church at 765-874-1977.                           

 Good Morning!

     It was several years ago when the Beach Boys got us singing along with “I’m pickin’ up good vibrations; she’s
giving me excitations…” and we all knew exactly what they meant. Without saying a word we can pick up vibrations
from others, be they good or not-so-good. If you’ve been married for a while you understand this well. Words we use
are only one of many ways that we communicate with others.

     A favorite cartoon of mine shows a husband and wife in bed with the wife sitting up tight-lipped, her arms folded
and a barbed wire fence separating her from her husband. The drawing is captioned with the husband’s insightful
words, “I believe I’m sensing some tension between us.” Vibrations.

     During my days as a pastor there were occasions when I would have church members very upset with me. Once the
clerk of my M&O shared with me what another member was saying about me and then asked if I was aware of it. My
response to him was, “No, I haven’t heard that said, but I’ve felt every word.” Vibrations.

     It may be that the way visitors view your church has less to do with what you say than it does with what they feel.
Most who visit a new church decide within the first few moments whether they will ever visit that congregation again,
based largely on good vibes or bad ones. So – what kind of vibrations are you sending out? You are likely giving visitors
cause for “excitations” or “exitations” whether you are aware of it or not.

                                                                                                                                    -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

1/20        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Marion First Friends, 8:30 am

1/21        Endowment Study Task Force, IYM office, 2 pm

1/25        IYM Prayer Meeting, Dublin Friends, 1:30 pm

2/3          IYM Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

2/4          Richmond Area Ministers, First Friends, 3 pm

2/9          New Castle Area Pastors, Lynn Friends, 8:30 am

2/16        MEI Steering Committee, IYM office, 6 pm

2/17        Marion Area Pastors, Back Creek, 8:30 am

2/22        IYM Prayer Meeting, Winchester Friends, 1:30 pm

Quaker Men Ground Hog Retreat

January 29-30, Quaker Haven

Speaker, James Watkins

Cost is $60

Bring bedding/towels

Call or email Quaker Haven to make your reservation.

574-834-4193 or info@quakerhaven.com

    Kathy Jaderholm will be joining the staff of Wabash Friends, January 11, as their new Children’s
Pastor.

    Gary Jones, former IYM pastor, will fill the pulpit for Walnut Ridge Friends during the month of
January.

    Max Huffman, retired and former pastor of IYM, has written an autobiography, Revelations of
the Holy. A copy is available to be loaned from the yearly meeting office.

    Carl Bennett, former pastor at Mooreland Friends, has an advanced stage of skin cancer and
recently had surgery. Please remember Carl in your prayers.

    Dublin Friends delivered 20 boxes full of personal items for the residents of Hope House at
Richmond State Hospital. It houses a residential addiction recovery center for men as well as being
a homeless shelter.
 
    Salem Friends members were interviewed by the author of Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana,
Melanie Dobson, as she wrote this story around themes related to Quaker influence in the
underground railroad in that area.

    Wabash Friends invites you to join them for their 10th Annual Marriage Retreat, February 5-7. 
It will be held at the Farmstead Inn in Shipshewana. Dr. Gary Oliver (nationally- known author
and counselor) will speak. Jim Barrons from WBCL, a Christian Illusionist, will be Saturday night’s
entertainment. There will be more entertainment, door prizes, and a banquet. For cost and
registration, check the following: www.wabashfriends counseling.com or email counseling@
wabashfriends.org or call 877.350.1658.

    White River Friends and supply pastor Richard Grubbs have enjoyed fellowship together for the
past two months as the presence of God has been in their services. The meeting prepared and
distributed approximately 370 baskets to needy families in and around Winchester.

    Winchester Friends brought joy to many during the Christmas season by giving through their
Community & Family Services Food Pantry; through their Christmas Basket Project, serving
nearly 400 area households; through donations to the Gas Help Fund for winter heat; through the
Toy Connection, giving gifts to 226 children; through the Angel Tree gifts distributed to over 600
area children from income-qualified households and to White’s youth.

Winter Sneak, February 5-7, 2010 for 7th through 12th grades!!! 
This year, Quaker Haven Camp is being transformed into the Olympic Village as Winter Sneak
takes on the Winter Olympics Part Deux! There will be lots of great games, always awesome food
and out of this world worship led by Pat Byers. This year’s speaker is Scott Biddle. He is a graduate
of Malone University with a degree in Youth Ministry and currently travels throughout the US
speaking and preaching. The cost for Winter Sneak is $95. For more information, contact Aaron
Hughs at aaronhughs@iym.org or call the Yearly Meeting Office at 1-800-292-5238.  Let the games begin!!!
      
Tax tidbit – Filing requirements for state and local withholding: According to the Indiana
Department of Revenue, “Casual laborers, some domestic employees, ministers and those who
receive pension annuities may choose not to have tax withheld from their earnings. However,
their income is still subject to state and county tax.” It is also still necessary for all employers to file – regardless of whether they withhold state and county tax for their pastors. If your meeting does not, simply complete form WH-1 for the State and County and enter $0 for the
withholding amount. If you have questions about this or any other issue related to the tax treatment
of pastors, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or
by phone at 765-319-3244.

    FUM, through your generosity, raised enough money in their Summer Missions Project to
purchase more than enough bikes for the students at Belize Friends Boys School. Through these
donations, they were also able to replace twelve laptops stolen last February. The children in Belize
are exceedingly grateful. Other needs there are for scholarships to attend school, uniforms, food,
and regular school supplies.

    Earlham College invites applications for the part-time (approximately 20 hours per week),
12-month, entry-level administrative faculty position of Young Friends Outreach Coordinator.
For a complete job description, and information about how to apply, please go to the following link:  
http://www.earlham.edu/jobs/young friends.html.

Reminder!

Statisticians and Treasurers:
IYM Statistical Reports are due in the IYM office by January 31.
Thank you for your promptness.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2010
standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of
operating an automobile for business purposes. Beginning on January 1, 2010,
the standard mileage rates will be 50 cents per mile for business miles driven.

Good Morning!

     I was sitting in on a Sunday School class years ago listening as the teacher spoke with her young class about miracles.  When she asked if they knew what a miracle was one young girl offered, “It’s when you do something really nice for someone.” The teacher looked puzzled so the girl went on to explain, “Last night my mom said that if dad took her out to eat it would be a miracle!” We may be confused about miracles too.

     John Wimber, a former Quaker, was well known for this leadership in the worldwide Vineyard movement. When he first became a Christian he was fascinated with all the miracles he read about in the Bible, but confused because he didn’t see many in the church. Finally he asked someone, “When do we get to do the stuff?...you know, the stuff here in the Bible…like stuff Jesus did – raising people from the dead, healing the blind and paralyzed…that stuff.”  It’s a good question.

     Most of our churches formally teach about a miracle-working God, yet subtly send out signals that say, “Don’t get your hopes up.” I also encounter this from Friends who carry a deep concern for the future of their meeting or of Indiana Yearly Meeting, yet seem to be resigned to an inevitable decline. I want you to know that decline is not inevitable. I believe that there is still plenty of “stuff” available for those who will be open to a living, powerful, unpredictable God. I have high hopes for the future of Friends in Indiana Yearly Meeting because our God is so amazing!

                                                              -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

1/6          Program Committee, IYM office, 10 am

1/7          Richmond Area Pastors’ Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 pm

1/11        Recording Committee, IYM office, 6 pm

1/12        New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Raysville Friends, 8:30 am

1/15-17  Mid-Winter Pastors/Spouses’ Retreat, Essenhaus Inn, Middlebury, IN

1/20        Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Marion First Friends, 8:30 am

1/21        Christian Education Camping Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

1/25        IYM Prayer Meeting, Dublin Friends, 1:30 pm

2/3          IYM Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

Committee Day, Saturday, December 5

Friends Memorial, 9 am

The Ministry & Oversight Committee

and the Stewardship &Finance Committee will not meet

on Saturday, December 5 - Committee Day.

    Richard Grubbs is ministering as the pulpit supply pastor at White River Friends.  

    Penn Friends will host Joanna Martino Beasley, singer-songwriter, in concert, Sunday,
December 6 at 7 pm. Joanna has shared the stage with many of today’s well-known Christian
artists. She has hosted and sung on TV, most recently as the host of "Steelroots Top Ten
Countdown.” A love offering will be taken. Also Penn Friends will hold their fully staged and
costumed Christmas musical, “Joy! Joy! Joy!” Friday and Saturday evenings, December 11 & 12,
7 pm and on Sunday morning at 10 am. 

    Spiceland Friends, among other Christmas church events, will have “Friends and Family Advent
Nights.” These include relaxing activities to help focus on the true meaning of Christmas such as
recapturing the beauty, humility, and power of God’s creation and Christmas. They will create
special pottery heirlooms, listen to the Christmas story, explore several craft and activity stations,
decorate cookies, plus other activities.

    Wabash Friends welcomes Wes Ball as their new part-time music director. Michael Bright, who
has served as an interim for Wabash Friends, is now their part-time youth director for junior high
youth.

    Walnut Ridge Friends will hold their “Old Fashioned Store Christmas Bazaar,” Saturday,
December 5, 9 am - 2 pm. Santa will arrive at 11 am and free horse-drawn wagon rides will then
be given. There will be an old fashioned quilt raffle, lunch will be served and proceeds will go to
mission work.

    A new Ministerial Excellence Initiative video has been made, thanks to the efforts of Aaron
Hughs and a host of IYM pastors. This short film provides an overview of the Initiative and gives
viewers a chance to hear directly from both those who helped create the Initiative and from pastors
whose ministries have already been impacted. If you would like to receive a copy of the DVD for
use in your meeting, please contact Matt Hisrich at 765-319-3244 or by email at matt@iym.org.

Tax tidbit-Long-term care insurance:

Much like preparing a will, ensuring adequate provision for long-term care may not bring pleasant
thoughts to mind. Nonetheless, both are important tools that can help pastors plan for the future and
prevent the burden of decision-making from falling on others. Meetings may therefore wish to
consider including provision for long-term care as part of their pastoral compensation package.
Premiums paid for Indiana Long Term Care Insurance Program policies may be taken as a deduction
on Indiana tax returns and may be eligible to be deducted as a medical expense on federal tax
returns.  For more information, visit: http://www. in.gov/iltcp. Calculators designed to help assess
the need for a long-term care policy and compare different options are also available at
http://www.smartmoney.com. If you have questions about this or any issue related to the tax
treatment of pastors, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at
matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Friends United Meeting would like all monthly meetings to sign up for the Chain Of Prayer
starting in January 2010 and running thru May 2010. Each meeting may email kims@fum.org or
go to their website at www.fum.org. Scroll down to the bottom where it says Chain Of Prayer and
enroll or print the form off and mail it in. 

    Belize Friends Boys School brings you news by way of directors, Sam and Becky Barber. Some
of their highlights include an FUM task force coming there for five days planning for future
ministries; contacts made with the Ministry of Education in Belize discussing the importance of
proper legal documentations; and their many hours of teaching the boys. Also, they have begun to
give bikes to students. They do this a few at a time so there is an incentive for them. Those who
have received them were ecstatic! The school has 18 boys and two girls, some with huge language
barriers, some functionally illiterate, and some with ADHD but they make sure to meet the students
where they are.    

    Friends Fellowship Community will hold their 10th annual “Endowment Tree of Lights”
fundraising event until December 31. Contributions may be given to the Friends Ministers’ Fund
and made in memory or honor of a loved-one or friend and may be sent to the attention of the
Development Department at Friends Fellowship Community. For more information, contact John
Robinson at jrobinson@ffcinc.org or 765-962-6546. 

    Western Yearly Meeting invites you to this year’s Winter Retreat, “Building Up the Body of
Christ,” Saturday, February 13 at the Western Yearly Meeting building in Plainfield, IN. Their
speaker will be H.B. London, author of Becoming Your Favorite Church. The retreat cost is $15
which includes lunch if you register by February 8. If three people from a meeting attend, the
pastor comes free. A children/youth program will be provided. Check www.westernym.net for more
information.

    Thank you to IYM meetings who have already paid their 2009 assessments in full. Your
faithfulness is much appreciated and very helpful! Other meetings are reminded that we will close
our 2009 books early in January and encourage final payments on current-year assessments to be
made by the end of the year to be properly credited.

Don’t Forget!

Registration deadline for Mid-Winter Pastors’ Retreat is

December 11.

Good Morning!

     I’ve got great news! On Saturday, November 21, my oldest son and his wife welcomed their first
child, and my very first grandchild, into their home. It’s a girl, named Ruby Joy Shoemaker, sharing
the first name of my mother who passed away 14 years ago. I couldn’t be happier and delight in
telling anyone who will listen about my wonderful new granddaughter. It’s been a long time since
I’ve been this enthusiastic about sharing good news.

     At the same time we are entering a season that celebrates the birth of a baby born in Bethlehem
centuries ago. The story of Jesus’ birth includes an announcement from an angel who was quoted
as saying, “…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV). Likewise this is
good news    that should be shared widely and enthusiastically.

     One of the reasons why early Friends in 17^th century England were part of a rapidly growing
spiritual movement was because they weren’t shy about sharing the good news of  Jesus. Like
George Fox, many discovered that there was   indeed one, Christ Jesus, who could speak to their
condition, and spontaneously shared this message. Friends were known as “Publishers of Truth.”

     What is the reputation of your Friends meeting? Do you have a reputation as “Publishers of
Truth,” or maybe just “keepers of a tradition”? I encourage you to be intentional about spreading
the good news about Jesus this season and throughout the year. We have a message worth sharing!

                                                            -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

12/3        Richmond Area Ministers’ Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 pm

12/5        Committee Day, Friends Memorial, 9 am

12/8        New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Anderson First Friends, 8:30 am

12/16     Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Maple Run Friends, 8:30 am

12/18     IYM Investment Board Meeting, Fort Wayne, 11 am

12/24-1/1  IYM office closed

Committee Day, Saturday, December 5, Friends Memorial, 9 am

     Jonesboro Friends recently hosted Matt Hisrich for a Ministerial Excellence Initiative presentation. Also, they have welcomed
four new members to their meeting.

    Rural Friends will send approximately 16 people to the Ninth Ward in New Orleans to work on construction projects and help
feed the hungry, leaving after Christmas. They will go with a group from Lynn Friends (organized by Ray Slick of Lynn). Please
pray that they will have a positive impact on those they meet and that they will reflect God’s love through all of the work done. If
anyone is interested in going on this mission trip, contact Raeanne LaFuze (765) 584-2946.  

    Walnut Ridge Friends in conjunction with Blue River Community Harvest will give away dinners to needy families this
Thanksgiving. 

    The new Minute Books have arrived and if someone from your meeting was at Representative Council last Saturday, you will
likely find them at your meeting soon. Others will be mailed or delivered. You will not only find the minutes of the 2009 Yearly
Meeting Sessions but financial, mission and assessment reports, listing of all IYM committee members and their appointments,
memorials, The Advance Report, directories of churches and individuals, and more.

    Did you miss the Treasurer’s Reception and Workshop? All is not lost! Over 30 people attended this October 31st event, enjoying
fellowship over a meal and then learning important lessons about church finance and pastoral compensation from pastor and H&R
Block Tax Professional Deb Oskin. Topics covered included the handling of parsonages, the hybrid tax status of pastors, the
differences between allowances and reimbursements, and between independent contractors and common-law employees. Copies
of this helpful PowerPoint presentation and handouts are available by mail or email. If you would like to learn more about the
event or receive copies of the presentation materials, please contact Matt Hisrich at 765-319-3244 or by email at matt@iym.org.

    Tax tidbit – Tired of paying quarterly estimated taxes? Because all income pastors receive is subject to self-employment tax, they
can face significant tax liabilities when it comes time to file. Many pastors therefore pay quarterly estimated taxes to the IRS, but
this is not the only option. Meetings can actually withhold extra income tax from a pastor’s wages to cover what he or she will owe;
and/or give the pastor the employer's half of FICA as income and withhold income tax on it. In the latter case, churches can
"gross up" the total in order to make sure the pastor actually ends up with the amount they need after taxes. If you have questions
about this or any other issue related to the tax treatment of pastors, please contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by
email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Pastors (and spouses) Midwinter Retreat will be held January 15-17, at the Essenhaus Inn in Middlebury, IN. Gary Wright,
founder of World Renewal International, will speak and “Adam’s Voice,” a vocal trio, will present a Friday evening concert.
The purpose of the retreat is for pastors and spouses to get away from the normal routine of ministry, work and family. The
weekend provides an opportunity to relax and enjoy quality worship, fellowship, teaching and   personal time. Please encourage
your pastor(s) to attend this special time.

    Earlham School of Religion hosted their 50th Anniversary Celebration kick-off in September. They will continue to celebrate
throughout the coming year with special events and educational opportunities. 

    Friends Disaster Service has scheduled for flood work to be done in the Gary area where 150 homes are in need on Friday and
Saturday, November 27-28. Please bring gloves, sleeping gear and towels. Meals will be provided. Your gas will be paid for by
FDS if you submit a receipt. If you can help call Eldon or Linda Studer at 317-838-6099, 812-879-4236 or 317-445-8720 ASAP.

Have you started your 2010 calendar? If so, here are dates to record:

 190th Session of IYM

July 29-August 1, 2010, Quaker Haven

Committee Days

Friends Memorial, Muncie, IN

December 5, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. (Saturday)

March 6, 2010 - 9:00 a.m. (Saturday)

May 18, 2010 - 6:30 p.m. (Tuesday)

Representative Council

Friends Memorial, Muncie, IN - 9:00 a.m.

April 17, 2010 (Saturday)

Executive Committee

IYM office, Muncie, IN - 6:30 p.m.

 March 15, 2010 (Monday)

June 7, 2010 (Monday)

2010 Quaker Haven Camp Dates

Winter Sneak (7th-12th) - February 5-7

Jr High (7th & 8th) - June 13-18

Sr High I (9-12 & 2010 grads) - June 20-25

Beginners Camp (K-2nd) - June 25-27

Sr High II (9-12 & 2010 grads) - July 11-16

Junior Camp (5th & 6th) - July 18-23

Kids Camp (2nd- 4th) - July  25-28

Young at Heart Retreat - August (TBA)

Family Camp - September 3-6

Pastors' Mid-Winter Retreat - Jan 15-17

Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center,

Middlebury, IN

Pastors' Short Course - July 5-8,

Quaker Haven

IYM Sessions - July 29-August 1, 2010, Quaker Haven

Good Morning!

 In a college music theory class one warm spring day, the students were having a hard time concentrating. The heat was oppressive and a wasp buzzed threateningly above their heads. The instructor--oblivious to the dive-bombing menace--continued lecturing while the students dodged and swatted at the invader. Finally, it landed on one student's open book. With a quick slap, he snapped the text shut, killing the wasp. The professor, startled, looked up. "What was that?" she asked, annoyed. Thinking quickly, the killer answered sheepishly, "A bee flat."

 I’m reminded of lots of church music that I’ve heard over the years that often tended to “be flat.” That’s a shame because I know of no other medium with such a widespread potential for inspiration and instruction.

 I often listen to an “oldies” radio station featuring music from the 60s and 70s.  It amazes me that I can often identify a song that I used to hear decades ago before the lyrics even begin.  It’s incredible that I can recall words and sing along to tunes I haven’t heard for years, yet struggle to remember the chores my wife asked me to do yesterday.  Maybe if she would sing her requests to me I’d be better off.

I’ve noticed that healthy churches often give good attention to music during worship. The Bible says to “sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).  Heartfelt singing, whether it be of old hymns or new choruses, not only honors God (our audience), but the words have the potential to stick with us for a lifetime. Remember, don’t be flat!

                                                            -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

11/21     IYM M&O, IYM office, 9 am

11/23     IYM Prayer Meeting, Shirley Friends, 1:30 pm

11/26 & 27  Office closed for Thanksgiving holiday

12/1        IYM Trustees Meeting, IYM office, 6:30 pm

12/2        IYM Program Committee Meeting, IYM office, 10 am

12/3        Richmond Area Ministers’ Gathering, Richmond First Friends, 3 pm

12/5        Committee Day, Friends Memorial, 9 am

12/8        New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Anderson First Friends, 8:30 am

12/16     Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Maple Run Friends, 8:30 am

12/18     IYM Investment Board Meeting, Fort Wayne, 11 am

12/24-1/1  IYM office closed

     Michael (Raysville pastor) and Kristen Sherman, were blessed with the birth of Josiah Michael born October 9. He is the
brother of three sisters.

    Arba Friends held their 30th Annual Missions Conference, October 17 & 18. It was a special time of good music and
challenging missionary speakers. Their mission-giving goal was $7,850; their faith promise giving was $7,872. To God be the
glory; great things He has done. 

    Friends Memorial will hold their Annual Bazaar, Saturday, November 7, 8-2 pm. The meeting’s preschool began their 33rd
year in August with 17 students.

    Pastor Bill Bruneau of Penn Friends Community Church recently returned from a 10-day trip to India, training Indian pastors
and leaders in the Biblical Purpose Driven program.

   Van Wert First Friends celebrated 100 years of ministry, October 11, with Doug Shoemaker speaking. One hundred years later,
the meeting still has a heart desire to share the love of Christ with their neighborhood as well as across the nation and the world.

    Wabash Friends Counseling Center will hold its 17th annual Day of Healing, October 31, 8:30 - 4:30 at the Honeywell Center.
For more information or to register, visit wabashfriendscounseling.com, call 260-563-8452 or email Scott Makin at
scott@wabashfriends.org.

    Winchester Friends’ Pam Ferguson recently won an Indiana Public Radio essay contest about gardening with her piece, “Best
Community Garden in Randolph County.” She won an evening of dinner and conversation with other community gardeners, IPR
officials, and Mike McGrath, host of the nationally-syndicated gardening call-in show, “You Bet Your Garden.”

    Tri-County Quarterly Meeting will be held Sunday, November 1 at Amboy Friends. A light meal will be served at 5:30 with the
business and program to follow at 6:30. Doug Shoemaker will share and their will be activities for the youth. 

    The IYM Peace & Christian Social Concerns Committee offers the "As We Forgive" DVD for free loan to IYM churches that
would like to show it. If so, contact the IYM office. This documentary is about two Rwandese women coming face-to-face with the
men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide that killed one in eight Rwandans. Can survivors truly forgive the
killers who destroyed their families?  In "As We Forgive," this topic and others are explored through the lives of four neighbors
once caught in opposite sides of a genocidal bloodbath, and through their extraordinary journey from death to life through
forgiveness. 

    Seven meetings were awarded grants from the Ministerial Excellence Fund this month. These grants will help provide
retirement savings, health insurance, home loan assistance, and contribute toward expanded ministry. Has your meeting
considered applying for a grant for your pastor? For more information, contact IYM Ministerial Advocate Matthew Hisrich by
email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Tax tidbit – Health Savings Accounts and Health Care Reform:
A number of IYM pastors have or are considering a high deductible health insurance policy coupled with a health savings account,
or HSA. This can be a good option to reduce costs and lower tax exposure, but it is important to be aware that HSAs may be
affected by federal health reform measures. “None of the bills (so far) outright repeal HSAs,” says Roy Ramthun, who led the U.S.
Treasury Department's initial implementation of HSAs and now heads up HSA Consulting Services. He does warn, however, that
the high deductibles of many HSA plans on the market today do not meet the minimum required coverage standards in the reform
bills. If you would like to learn more about the potential impact of health care reform on HSAs, please contact IYM Ministerial
Advocate Matthew Hisrich by email at matt@iym.org or by phone at 765-319-3244.

    Western Yearly Meeting college students invite college students/post-high school young adults from IYM to join them on a
mission trip to the MOWA Choctaw Friends Center run by North Carolina YM in Alabama this January. Contact WYM at
800-909-3452 for more information.

     ESR will present, “The Ministry of Writing,” October 30-31, with keynote speaker, Julia Spicher Kasdorf. Julia is a poet and
writer who is deeply interested in religion, culture, and the relationship between writers and communities.

     Friends United Meeting Sunday will be Sunday, November 1. It is a day to focus on the ministries of FUM. November 1 will
also be the kickoff for their 2010 Chain of Prayer, January 1 to Pentecost Sunday, May 23. Each meeting has received a sign up
sheet for the Chain of Prayer so you are encouraged to join in prayer for the many ministries of FUM.

    Quaker Hill Conference Center announces Rodney Waltz as its new executive director. Waltz comes to Quaker Hill from Hayes
Arboretum where he served as executive director for 12 years and superintendent of buildings and grounds for 11 years. He is an
active member of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and Sylvan Nook Church of Christ. He is also an adjunct professor at
Indiana University East and a native of Wayne County.

Is your pastor attending Midwinter Pastors’ Retreat?

Treasurers’ Notice!

Don’t forget to sign up this week for the reception and training session on

Saturday, October 31, noon until 4 pm at Friends Memorial.

Lunch will be provided.

Back Creek Friends

will  host this month’s IYM prayer meeting. 

All Friends are welcome to gather at 1:30 p.m. on

Monday, October 26, for an hour of prayer.

Good Morning!

     Only a few years ago I was sitting with a table full of pastors from the community where I live. The Wesleyan pastor excitedly
announced that there were a number of new babies expected soon in his church. The local Lutheran pastor quickly responded with
this observation, “If you can’t convert ‘em… conceive ‘em!”  That’s an interesting church growth strategy, which raises the
question, “what is your meeting’s strategy for growth?”

     Some congregations depend almost entirely upon biological growth (“conceiving ‘em”). Such a plan may have sustained and
even increased attendance levels in the past, but with lower birth rates and fewer children staying in their home community into
adulthood, congregations depending on biological growth generally are shrinking.

     Others depend upon what I call “attractional growth.” This plan seeks to provide up-to-date music, relevant preaching,
cutting-edge youth ministry, and full-blown children’s programming. Many of these churches can draw a crowd, but unfortunately
it’s too often a crowd of Christians who have flocked from shrinking churches to one that’s more attractive.

     I would never want to suggest that there’s anything wrong with creating an attractive church program, and I encourage all
Quakers to be fruitful and multiply! But let’s remember that “conversion growth” is the kind of increase we find in the New
Testament. What percentage of your congregation attends because they were born into your church? Or were attracted to your
church? Or were converted/convinced through the ministry of your church? Do the math. Figure out the percentage. If you don’t
know what your strategy for growth is, these numbers will likely indicate what it has been.

                                                                                                                                          -Doug Shoemaker

IYM Upcoming Calendar

10/26     IYM Prayer Meeting, Back Creek Friends, 1:30 pm

10/31     IYM Treasurers Workshop, Friends Memorial, 12-4 pm

11/1        Tri-County Quarterly Meeting, Amboy Friends, 5:30 pm

11/2        Program Committee, IYM office, 10 am

11/5        Richmond Area Ministers, First Friends, 3 pm

11/10     New Castle Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Greenfield Friends, 8:30 am

11/14     Representative Council, Friends Memorial, 9 am

11/18     Marion Area Pastors’ Breakfast, Maple Run Friends, 8:30 am

11/21     IYM M&O, IYM office, 9 am