Proclaiming Christian Values of Diversity and Love, Ending Food Insecurity, Supporting Education, Addressing Mental Wellness and Anxiety. These were the four areas that the Community Discovery Team brought out of their community listening.
On Sunday, September 30th, a special Discernment Sunday worship service was held in place of the regular 11:00 service. Surrounded by prayer, scripture and singing, we rotated through four different groups discussing these four different areas of need.
Fairview is currently a two week time of discernment. The Community Discovery Team has spent several months talking with our neighbors and community members to hear about the needs present in the Fairview neighborhood. Every person at Fairview is being asked to spend time each day in prayer, listening for God’s guidance for our church.
Saturday - Listening
Fairview is currently a two week time of discernment. The Community Discovery Team has spent several months talking with our neighbors and community members to hear about the needs present in the Fairview neighborhood. Every person at Fairview is being asked to spend time each day in prayer, listening for God’s guidance for our church.
Friday - Proclaiming Values of Love and Inclusivity
Racism, hate, discrimination and violence are before people each day, in the news and sometimes in their personal lives. Individuals are often left with wanting to do something positive to counter the negative, but they are often unsure of what they can do to make a difference or to make their voice heard.
Parents want to instill in their children values of love, inclusion and celebrating diversity. They would gladly welcome other adults, peers or organizations that will share or reinforce those values. A need exists to help people proclaim and teach these values in their homes and in public, and to come together to raise voices together to speak out messages of love and inclusion.
Take a few moments to quiet yourself and then read the scripture below. If it is helpful, get in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and concentrate on taking a few deep breaths before reading.
John 13:34
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
Take a few moments to answer the following questions. If it is helpful to you, feel free to write your answers down.
What is your personal experience with the need to proclaim values of love and inclusivity?
Where in the community have you seen evidence of this need?
Why do you think it might be important for Fairview to have a part in addressing this need?
What do you think God might be saying to you or to Fairview about proclaiming values of love and inclusivity?
When you are ready say aloud or read quietly the following prayer.
Fairview is currently a two week time of discernment. The Community Discovery Team has spent several months talking with our neighbors and community members to hear about the needs present in the Fairview neighborhood. Every person at Fairview is being asked to spend time each day in prayer, listening for God’s guidance for our church.
Thursday - Working to End Food Insecurity
About 175,000 people in Indianapolis live with food insecurity. Someone who is food insecure lacks the consistent access to enough food for a healthy and active live. Almost 50,000 children in Indianapolis are food insecure. These numbers include many residents in the community surrounding Fairview. Many families and individuals south of the church towards 38th Street are in need, but so are many in all directions from the church, including seniors and college students.
Due to lack of financial resources and employment opportunities, alongside the scarcity of healthy food retail options, food insecurity remains an issue for many residents of our community. School 43 provides free school meals to all students, The Boulevard Place Food Pantry serves thousands of residents each year, and many in our neighborhood receive government food assistance in one form or another.
Take a few moments to quiet yourself and then read the scripture below. If it is helpful, get in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and concentrate on taking a few deep breaths before reading.
Matthew 25:44-45
When was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then Jesus will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
Take a few moments to answer the following questions. If it is helpful to you, feel free to write your answers down.
What is your personal experience with the need to work to end food insecurity?
Where in the community have you seen evidence of this need?
Why do you think it might be important for Fairview to have a part in addressing this need?
What do you think God might be saying to you or to Fairview about ending food insecurity?
When you are ready say aloud or read quietly the following prayer.