April 2019 Bell Ringer 445 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN (317) RLCIndy.org

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1 In This Issue A word from our pastors Serving our community Discipleship Hour Kids FaithBuilders/Youth Group April 2019 Bell Ringer 445 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN (317) RLCIndy.org RLC Work Day Adults WELCA Lent What is distinct about RLC? Dear Resurrection People, Have you noticed the number of new faces in worship lately? I ve been wondering about what brings people to Resurrection for the first time and about their experience once they walk through our doors. Can you remember the last time you visited a church for the first time? It s a pretty scary proposition for most people. That means something significant is going on in their lives if they have decided to brave walking through the doors of a strange church. As I talk with people, I have discovered a variety of reasons why people come to worship with us for the first time. The thing in common is they are all experiencing a hurt or ache or void that they know needs to be addressed and they have come in the hope it might be addressed among this community of faith called Resurrection Lutheran Church. Holy Week Activities Thank You Bread for the World Important information RLC Communications Staff contacts Art at Resurrection April calendar There is something we hear almost universally from people who worship with us the first time: most have never experienced a church quite like Resurrection. As we unpack what that means for them, we recognize that they have experienced Resurrection people living out our core values. It varies from person to person, but we can count on them excitedly telling us about hearing for the first time about a loving and gracious God, or the vibrant worship, or how we value people of all ages and are truly an intergenerational congregation, or they marvel at all of the different ministries a congregation of our size is able to support both within our walls and serving the community beyond. A pastor from another synod recently asked me what was distinct about the congregation I serve. My response was that we occupy a unique space on the south side of Indianapolis, for we are a voice for the good news of a loving and gracious God who accepts all people just as they are and we live out that message as a warm, welcoming, open, and affirming community of faith. His response to me: I hope that message is being shared. Hardly a week goes by without there being new people in at least one of our worship services. Each time I stand up front and see those new faces, I wonder what has brought them to RLC and I wonder if anyone has talked with them, made them feel welcomed, and put a face on the love and grace of God for them. I usually don t have to worry about that last part. Nearly every new member of our congregation can tell me exactly who it was who warmly welcomed them the first time they walked through our doors. I try to greet new

2 people each week but sometimes they make it out the door before I have a chance. Other times, I don t get a chance because you all are engaged with them and that warms my heart greatly! I remember many years ago when a former president of the congregation told some of us he had decided to not talk to his friends after worship until he had spoken to at least one person he did not know so well. I was struck by his commitment to model God s gracious hospitality to people he did not know. As Resurrection grows and we have more people braving to enter our doors, it will become increasingly important for all of us to be watching for those faces new to us. Something in their lives has caused them to venture into a new space that morning. How wonderful would it be for yours to be the name and face they remember years later as the person who helped them experience God s gracious love and acceptance at a time in their life when they really needed it! I invite everyone to embrace the attitude of our former congregation president and make a commitment to communicate God s welcome and hospitality to someone new each week whether they be a first-time guest or simply someone you recognize but don t really know. Some people hesitate worried they ll go up to a longtime member and insult them by asking if they are new here. Well, that s obviously not how to start the conversation! Instead, you can simply say, I don t think we ve met before. My name is Mitch. It was great to worship with you this morning. That should be enough to get a conversation started. Suppose there is someone you recognize, but you don t want to embarrass yourself by not remembering their name. Most people really don t expect others to remember their name when they have only met once or twice, and they only see each other across a crowded room a couple times a month. You can simply say to them, I recognize you, but I haven t learned your name yet. My name is Mitch. These are two easy ways to enter into a gracious conversation with someone so they can experience the welcome of Christ for we are the body of Christ in the world, his hands and feet, eyes and ears. The kind words we extend to someone may be exactly what they need at that moment whether they be a first-time guest or a charter member and in so doing, we will have helped them catch a glimpse of God s love and grace. Food Pantry Ministry The Food Pantry Ministry is collecting donations for IPS Eleanor Skillen School #34 food pantry. The school helps 25 families once a month with a box of food, which includes canned vegetables, cereal, pasta sauce and pasta, soup, toilet tissue, soap, peanut butter and jelly, eggs, milk, and bread. It is supported by churches such as Resurrection, families at the school and community donations. Please consider donating any of these items. Pasta and long grain rice continue to be donated to Second Helpings. Second Helpings prepares meals at their center and sends them all across Indianapolis. Community centers, churches, homeless shelters, after school programs and our own Friday Community Meals ministry benefit from their work. Please place donated items on the white shelves outside Resurrection Hall. Weekly suggestions are: April 7: canned green beans and corn April 14: spaghetti sauce, toilet tissue April 21: cereals, canned soups April 28: macaroni and cheese dinners Every Week: pasta and long grain rice

3 Weekender Backpack Ministry Spring 2019 Wednesday packing dates April 3 April 17 May 1 May 15 Weekender Backpack Warriors: All are invited to a team meeting on Wednesday, May 1 in Room 5. We will pack bags starting at 6 p.m. and begin the meeting immediately after (6:30 p.m.). Join us as we discuss the highs and lows of the school year, explore ways to improve next year and vision how we can continue to grow the ministry. Mark your calendars, we hope to see you there! Just a reminder, there will be no DH Kids on Easter Sunday, April 21. Enjoy your time with family and friends! A huge THANK YOU to Trisha Thompson for all of her behind the scenes work to make the VBS Fun Shop such a great event. It was a fun day with three other churches learning all about our VBS theme, ROAR! Because of her hard work, RLC received a lot of VBS material free of charge from Group Publishing. Thank you, Trish! Vacation Bible School Life is wild! God is Good! Mark your calendar for a ROARing good time at VBS, Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7 from 9 a.m. noon daily. Participants (age 3 to grade 5, must be potty trained), crew leaders and station leaders can register now by visiting our table in the narthex or online at tinyurl.com/rlc-roarvbs. New for 2019: We are not making t-shirts during the VBS week, but if you register to volunteer or participate on or before Sunday, May 12, you will receive a custom VBS t-shirt! Please be sure to indicate your size on the registration form. Questions? Contact Trisha Thompson at trisha.n.thompson@gmail.com. FaithBuilders Learn Events Sunday, April 7 5:17-7:35 p.m. Sunday, April 14 5:17-7:35 p.m. Youth Group Exploring our Faith Events Sunday, April 7 5:17-7:35 p.m. Sunday, April 14 5:17-7:35 p.m. Breakfast Club will meet Sunday, April 28 during the 9:30 a.m. Discipleship Hour in Room 3! Contact Travis Williams, Jordan Hoffman or Emily Fidler for more details! Church Camp Kids entering 1st through 12th grade - it s time to register for summer church camp! Visit LOMIK.org for more information or check out the bulletin board across from Room 5. There are camp brochures and information about when other RLC kids are going!

4 A work day to spruce up RLC is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. There are a variety of projects both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Anyone is welcome to come help. Sign up in the parish narthex on Sunday, April 7. Questions? Contact Jim Canter at jcanternkp@att.net or Kimberly Ryker Kim.ryker@yahoo.com. Knit-Crochet This month the Knit-Crochet Group will meet from 10 a.m. - noon, Saturdays, April 13 and 27 in Room 8! Please welcome to our newest member, Kristie Barsic! Bring your hooks or needles and join in the fun as we work to support several charities. Yarn provided by Thrivent Financial. Group members take turns bringing snacks; bring your own beverage. Please enter using the side door across from the soccer field. Questions? Contact Lois Bowser at (317) Men s Breakfast The men s breakfast will be Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 9:30 a.m. in Resurrection Hall. Questions: Contact Adrien Paquin at (317) or adrholpaq@gmail.com. Women s Bible Study The Women s Morning Bible Study will meet Tuesday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 6. Coffee and snack provided. All women are invited to join us for good discussion based on the Lutheran magazine "Gather". WELCA Quiltmakers Quiltmakers will meet Thursdays, April 11 and 25 from 10:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Resurrection Hall. We will break from 11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. for those wishing to attend the mid-day meeting of the Quilters Guild of Indianapolis South at Friedens Church. You can take along a lunch and beverage to eat during the meeting. April quiltmakers will be sandwiching the three tops recently turned and will also be sewing blocks together for more tops. Never done these things? We will teach you. Come, enjoy a time of fun, fellowship and service. Questions: Contact Pat Hamby at (317) WELCA Spring Gathering Put May 18, 2019, on your calendars for the Spring Gathering of the Women of the 27 ELCA congregations that make up the Indianapolis Cluster of WELCA, of which all women of Resurrection are members. Join us at Resurrection Lutheran Church for a day of singing, Bible study, a speaker speaking on the topic of Human/Sex Trafficking, the collection of Bras and Bucks, food, fun and much more. Registration begins early April and ends May 1, Cost is $15/person. WELCA Biennial Convention Join us September 13 and 14, 2019, for the Biennial Convention of IK- WELCA. This year s event will be held at the Holiday Inn on Ameriplex Parkway, near the Indianapolis Airport. Watch for details and registration forms in upcoming issues of the KINswoman, Newsletter of the Synodical Women s Organization of IK-WELCA. Please note Resurrection members Stacy Krider and Bev Ledwon are serving on the IK-WELCA SWO Board. WELCA Mission Project Bras and Bucks Donate bras and bucks ($2/bra donated to cover shipping costs) at the display in the narthex between April 28 and May 18 as part of IK-WELCA s efforts in the global fight against Human/ Sex Trafficking through an organization called Free the Girls. This organization helps formerly trafficked women in Africa and South America become free and independent small business women, selling gently used and new bras in their regional second-hand markets. Our bras and bucks will help these women start new lives for themselves and their families. Make donation checks payable to Resurrection with WELCA-B&B in the memo line and drop off at the table in the narthex starting Sunday, April 28. This is our second year for this project.

5 First Communion Pastor Ryan will be offering First Communion instruction at 6 p.m. in the Luther Room on Wednesday evenings during Lent (March 13 - April 10). Children in fourth grade normally participate in these classes, but older children who haven t yet received the instruction are welcome and encouraged to attend as well. Participating students will receive their first communion during Maundy Thursday worship on April 18 at 7 p.m. Contact Pastor Ryan with questions or concerns: prryan@rlcindy.org. Soup Suppers A simple soup supper will be served in Resurrection Hall on Wednesdays in Lent (through April 10) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Come when you can, grab some soup and a seat and enjoy a restoring break with other Resurrection people before evening worship at 7 p.m. Contact Michele Kausch, Connectedness Lead, to help setup, serve or cleanup: connect@rlcindy.org. Community in Color Connect with others and with God while coloring! On Wednesday evenings in Lent, large coloring posters representing the seven last words of Jesus will be in Resurrection Hall for any adult who enjoys putting (colored) pencil to paper. Gather around and enjoy conversation with others while creating art for later display to enhance our observance of Lent and Holy Week. Smaller coloring pages will be available for children, so all ages can join in the fun. Agape Feast Following 7 p.m. April 18 Maundy Thursday worship, all are invited to the annual Agape Feast in Resurrection Hall. This candlelight feast is a beautiful, symbolic foretaste of the community of heaven. To make this beautiful event possible, we need people to donate food, help with setup & cleanup and food replenishment. We also need to borrow artificial ficus trees. Sign up online at tinyurl.com/rlcagapefeast or complete the yellow Connect Card in the Sunday bulletin. Contact: Diana Deitch at s.d.deitch@sbcglobal.net (317) Connecting During Wednesdays in Lent (Choir times may change, please check with your choir director) 5 p.m. Community coloring for adults & kids (until 7 p.m.) 5:15 p.m. Joyful Ringers 5:30 p.m. Soup Supper (until 6:30) 5:45 p.m. Children s Choir 6 p.m. First Communion Instruction 6:15 p.m. Grace Notes 7 p.m. Lenten Worship 7:50 p.m. Senior Choir Stations of the Cross. Our sanctuary is home to the Stations of the Cross. You are invited to pray the Stations of the Cross and enter into the story of Jesus passion as he carries his cross to Calvary. There is a special guidebook available in the narthex which provides a scripture verse and prayer for each station as well as questions and promptings for individual reflection and prayer

6 Palm Sunday April 14, 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. Worship Maundy Thursday April 18, 7 p.m. Holy Communion Worship Service, First Communion Nursery provided during worship 8 p.m. Agape Feast Good Friday April 19, 7 p.m. Worship, nursery provided Vigil of Easter April 20, 7 p.m. Worship The Service of Light, Stories of Salvation, Holy Baptism, Easter Holy Communion Resurrection of Our Lord April 21, 8:15 & 10:45 a.m. Worship 9:30-10:30 a.m. Easter Breakfast Easter Breakfast What a wonderful way to celebrate this glorious day with food and fellowship. Breakfast will be served from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in Resurrection Hall. We will have volunteer opportunities for both the cooks and non-cooks. Please sign-up on the yellow Connect Card in the Sunday bulletin for the job that fits you best. We look forward to seeing you there. Questions? Contact Natalie Ebaugh at nbe@ebaughfamily.com. Naptown Roller Derby! Ever wondered what roller derby is all about? Now is your chance to learn! Naptown Roller Derby (NRD) is the premier flat track roller derby league based in Indianapolis. The Fellowship Team invites you to attend the bout at Wheels of Wonder (175 Southern Plaza Drive) on Saturday, April 13. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10/person. You are also invited to meet-up with us for dinner at 4 p.m. at Don Gusto Mexican Cafe (Hanna Ave. and Meridian St.). Questions? Contact Teresa Hoffman at thejewelrylady1234@gmail.com. The RLC Hiking Group invites you to come along for our next hike on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. noon at Sodalis Nature Trail. We will grab lunch together at Zydeco s after the hike for those interested. Anyone can participate and all are welcome. RSVP or send questions to Mary Moore at (317)

7 Join us for Dinners for Eight (7 or 9)! Dinners for Eight is for everyone! Single? We would love to have you join us and enjoy our meals and fellowship. New member who wants to get to know the people you see at church a little bit better? Join us! Are you a long-time member noticing new faces you don't recognize? Dinners for Eight is for you! Do you simply want to sit and relax with other adults and enjoy a wonderful evening (lunch or brunch too!) with food and fellowship? Then Dinners for Eight (7 or 9) can be for you, too. So how does it work? Our groups meet four times a year to share a meal. Each time we meet for a meal, we change up who is in which group. We all take turns serving as the host home (about once a year). Each host coordinates a date with the people in their group and provides the main course. The other folks in the group bring side dishes. We meet in homes three times a year and then all the groups gather together for a Christmas meal at a restaurant once a year so we can all dine together. Come join us and get to know one another a little bit better! Want to join or learn more? Contact Jackie or Donn Mitchell, (317) Host home: Jim Canter 4. Host home: Mark Tisdale and Frank Bates Kimberly Ryker Spencer and Julie Jessee Laura and Terry Johnson Adrian and Holly Pacquin Kim and John Toney Jim and Helen Welter Erin Warrner 2. Host home: Joyce and Phil Hardwick 5. Host home: Jim and Pat Hamby Jackie and Donn Mitchell Chuck and Mary Matsumoto Alan and Julie Anderson Byron and Leslie Daugherty Larry and Mary Moore Mark and Peg Copenhaver 3. Host home: Craig and Penny Welch Scott and Diana Deitch Mike and Chris Wise Teresa Walker Save the date! Resurrection Lutheran Church is walking in the Indy Pride Parade for the first time on Saturday, June 8! Twelve churches participated in 2018 none of which were Lutheran or from the Southside of Indianapolis. We are going to bring some much needed pride from the Southside with an affirming message from Resurrection for the LGBTQ+ population. Watch for more details coming soon! The Goldenaires are taking a bus trip on Wednesday April 24, 2019 to The Myers Diner Theatre in Hillsboro, IN for lunch and to enjoy a production of Steeple People a Southern Gospel Comedy. Cost is $70/person which includes all gratuities. Bus will arrive for pick up at Southern Plaza, 4200 S. East St., Indianapolis, IN at 9:10 a.m. Approximate return time is 5 p.m. at Southern Plaza. Make checks payable to Goldenaires and mail to: Carolyn Cox, Coastal Way, Indianapolis, IN To sign up, call Ann Schwall at (317) Thank you to our RLC family for the many cards, messages and other expressions of sympathy and support after Mom s passing. It is comforting to be part of such a caring community. Blessings, Scott, Diana, Emily and Zach Deitch

8 Resurrection s 2019 Offering of Letters will be on May 5 As people of faith, we are called to care for one another and speak out for those in need. Bread for the World s 2019 Offering of Letters: Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow urges our government to accelerate progress toward ending hunger and to increase funding for global child malnutrition programs. Today, nearly 821 million people in the world 11% of the world s population remain hungry. One in four of the world s children are affected by stunting, resulting in irreversible life consequences. Countries in Central America, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected. Almost half of all child deaths worldwide are linked to malnutrition. Please join our collective voice in urging Congress to pass legislation that will accelerate progress on global nutrition. This year we will have a special gift for those who collect letters from people outside of the congregation. Stay tuned for more details! Announcments for Sunday s blue sheet/yellow connect card need to be submitted to the parish administrator by end of business on Mondays in order to be included in the next week s bulletin. Please all announcements to parishadmin@rlcindy.org. Articles for the April issue of the Bell Ringer are due to the parish administor on or before Monday, April 15. Please all articles to parishadmin@rlcindy.org. Lost Items There a a few items that have been left behind in our building. If you are missing an item, please call the parish administrator at (317) We will keep all lost items for one month, then donate.

9 Re-Forming Communications at Resurrection Background of communications at RLC On Sunday, Feb. 10, as a part of the Ministry Team Leaders Gathering luncheon, we explored a vision for a new communications process and digital toolbox of communications resources to equip RLC ministry teams and leaders. We are all blessed to be a part of such a vibrant congregation where so many ministries are thriving. Each week is filled with opportunities to connect, serve and grow together as we live out our Holy Purpose. With so much happening and with so many different methods for sharing information with the congregation, it can be both daunting and confusing to figure out how and where to share your message for maximum impact. It is often unclear what information needs to be provided, who to send requests to, the status of your request, leadtimes or what channels of communication are appropriate for an announcement (e.g. bulletin, Facebook, website, weekly , Bell Ringer, etc.). It s often not clear who is responsible for what. The communications process outlined during the Ministry Team Leaders Gathering is a crucial step to bring clarity and consistency to communications here at Resurrection. Process for congregation-wide communications I. Single point of contact Everything now goes directly to our Parish Administrator, Tabatha Sutton. Requests submitted via the new Google Forms (see number IV) go directly to Tabatha. Questions, follow-up, changes, equipment/space requests, etc. should all be directed to Tabatha at parishadmin@rlcindy.org. II. New Communications Toolbox on website There is a new Communications Toolbox page on the website: rlcindy.org/communications-toolbox - a link to this page can be found at the bottom of every page of the parish website. The Communications Toolbox equips ministry teams with the resources and tools needed to plan and request communications. III. Deadlines are deadlines There are now established deadlines for each communication channel at RLC. These deadlines will be communicated in multiple ways to the entire congregation. They are also posted on the Communications Toolbox page where you can download the deadlines as a PDF for handy reference. Adherence to these deadlines is vital. IV. Guided Google Forms Four new Google Forms are available on the Communications Toolbox page. These forms provide guidance for requesting assistance with communications and have been thoroughly tested and revised based on feedback from multiple ministry team members. They are intended to be self-explanatory and self-guided. You are encouraged to begin using these forms today for new requests. Request Congregation-wide Communications Reschedule or Cancel Event Request People to Serve Reserve a Space at RLC Why do we need this communications process? Supports our ministry teams and leadership Everything is in one place, a one-stop-shop for requests Assists leaders (especially new leaders) with a clear process for requesting support

10 No need to chase down specific people or choose which channels of communication to use Everyone follows the same process (regardless of how long they have been involved or who they know) Provides step-by-step guidance Provides tracking and visibility of requests from start to finish Supports our rostered and part-time staff Enables our staff to make more efficient use of time Improves communication between congregation leaders and staff Consistently provides staff with necessary details to thoughtfully plan communications across different channels Unburdens pastors from day-to-day coordination, chasing follow-ups and administrative tasks When will we begin following this new process? This communications process is a significant change in how things get done here at Resurrection. We want to give ministry teams, congregation leadership and members an opportunity to become familiar with the new deadlines, online forms and how this process will work. This process and related tools will be communicated to the entire congregation across multiple communication channels in the coming weeks. While we strongly encourage you to begin following the process today (including using the Google Forms and adhering to deadlines), we will not insist ministry teams, leadership and members follow this process until Wednesday, May 15. Starting May 15, ministry teams, leadership and members will be directed to follow the process and adhere to deadlines. As we grow into this process together, there will be many opportunities for grace and patience. Our hope is that this process and tools will allow you to focus on creating and sharing your message - instead of scrambling to figure out how to make it happen. Questions? Please contact Mark Tisdale, Digital Strategy Lead, at digital@rlcindy.org. Staff Contacts Pastor of Pastor of Community Pastor Mitch Phillips Faith Formation Ryan Bailey PrMitch@RLCIndy.org PrRyan@RLCIndy.org Director. of Worship & Music Sherry Andersen Connectedness Lead Michele Kausch Sherry@RLCIndy.org Connect@RLCIndy.org Parish Administrator Tabatha Sutton Community Lead Julie Jessee ParishAdmin@RLCIndy.org Community@RLCIndy.org Digital Strategy Lead Mark Tisdale Digital@RLCIndy.org Resurrection Lutheran Church 445 East Stop 11 Road Indianapolis, In (317) RLCIndy.org

11 Forgiveness, hope and eternal life are all possible because of God s love and grace. Please join us at Resurrection Lutheran Church as we celebrate the liturgical festival that is our namesake! Resurrection is asking for submissions from local artists for a public art exhibition. Please share your faith and visions of new life and the Resurrection with us this Easter. Artwork will be on display from Easter Sunday, April 21 until Friday, May 31. To participate: Please print and complete the entry form at tinyurl.com/resurrectionart and attach to your submission. All art must be ready for display. There is no submission fee and artists are encouraged to display their contact information for private sales or commissions. Deadline: Please bring poetry, paintings, drawings, photography or sculpture to the parish office on Friday, April 12 or Saturday, April 13; one piece from each artist will be included in the exhibition. For further information, please contact Peg Copenhaver at pegcopenhaver@gmail.com

12 April 2019 at RLC (Available online at RCLIndy.org/calendar)

13 445 East Stop 11 Road Indianapolis, IN To: