Events

Blessed to Be a Blessing
– by Bob and Cheri Gudgel

BOB:
When we were asked to speak on the topic “Blessed to be a blessing”, we wanted to express how the many blessings we have received in our lives have helped us in our relationships with each other, in our relationships within several churches we have attended and in our desire to give financial support for the mission and ministry here at Northminster.

To do this, we have chosen 8 key words to help convey our thoughts.  They are: Beginning, Love, Engagement, Support, Stewardship, Inspiration, Northminster and Gratitude.

CHERI:
The 1st word BEGINNING:  Bob and I first met at youth fellowship in Evansville at Washington Ave. Presby Church when we were high school freshmen.  I had recently moved in with my Grandmother.  I was an only child, raised in a dysfunctional family, and moved frequently...mostly in Florida.  It was a true blessing that my Grandmother recognized my plight and brought me north to live with her.  Bob on the other hand, I soon realized, seemed to be surrounded by love, LOVE being our 2nd key word. 

He was raised in what I saw as a “normal” family with a mother and father and siblings that actually got along and loved each other.  His father was our chauffeur when we went on dates until Bob was old enough to drive.  In those early years, I think I was more smitten with his dad than with him.  His mother was a role model, she wore hats.  I wear hats as a tribute to her.  As time went on and Bob left for college and I started working, I felt loved and blessed that his family continued to include me in their local activities.  I even became a nanny for his younger sister when his parents traveled.

Our 3rd word is ENGAGEMENT:  Yes we were engaged and married...but the kind of engagement I'm referring to means involvement with and commitment to others.  In our early years in northern Indiana, we worshiped at two Presbyterian churches.  We made many lasting friendships through activities associated with those churches.  At one church we were asked to team up with another young couple to start a Jr. Hi fellowship group.  That couple became our lifelong friends...in fact we will be visiting with them later this month in Georgia.  Just another blessing in our lives!

The 4th word is SUPPORT:  We can all be a blessing by providing support to others.  Over the past 73 years several thousand individuals have supported the mission of this church.  If you have donated to clothe-a-child, you are a blessing.  If you have supported hunger relief, or disaster relief, you are a blessing.  If you have prayed for church members and friends, you are a blessing.  No mater our station in life, we have all been blessed and can be a blessing to someone else.                                                                     

BOB:
The next key word is STEWARDSHIP:   Good stewardship can be taught....but it is much easier to learn when you can witness it.  I was blessed to be raised in a family that practiced sharing what they had with others.  Supporting charities and the church was something I can remember from childhood.  My Sr, High Sunday school teacher stressed the importance of tithing and challenged us as young adults to go and do likewise....a challenge that Cheri and I set as a goal early on in our marriage.

Next word is INSPIRATION:  We can be inspired by what we hear, and by what we see, and we can hope that some small thing we do might inspire someone else.  So it was with Cheri's Grandmother, with my parents, with my Sunday school teacher, with so many of the preachers and teachers that have shaped our lives.  Years ago my older sister sent me a quote that she had read.  It went like this: We should all ASPIRE to INSPIRE before we EXPIRE.”

The seventh word in our list is NORTHMINSTER:  The “hat lady” next to me and I are celebrating our 50th year as members of this church.  This has been the biggest blessing to both of us.  This is where we raised our family, made our friends, grew our faith and shared so many joys and some sorrows....but always surrounded by the blessings of a caring and loving staff and the many members and friends of this church.  Relatively few people get to spend so many years as we have worshiping within a congregation with such a dynamic ministry.

This brings me to our final key word:  GRATITUDE:  As we approach Pledge Sunday Cheri and I will give our financial support not because we are asked to...or because we are expected to...but because we want to!  We give out of Gratitude.  Gratitude for all the Blessings we have received.

CHERI:
In case you haven't noticed, the first letter of the 8 key words we chose this morning: BEGINNING,  LOVE, ENGAGEMENT,  SUPPORT,  STEWARDSHIP,  INSPIRATION,  NORTHMINSTER  and  GRATITUDE  spells the word BLESSING.  May God share his richest blessings with each of you....and may you be a blessing to others.


Give

The Deacons are bringing back the popular and delicious Butter Braids pastries & cookie dough as their fall fundraiser. You may sample the different flavors and place your order in the Gathering Place on the following Sundays during the 10AM fellowship hour: October 7, 14 & 21.

The frozen pastries will be ready for pick-up at NPC on Wednesday, November 7th from 5-8PM, in plenty of time for the holidays!

Order forms were mailed out in the October issue of News & Views and can be found on information tables at church. 

You may print out a form and mail it back to the church office (1660 Kessler Blvd E. Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46220) with your payment. (Must be received by the church office no later than October 19.)

This fundraiser is one of two annual events that capitalizes the Deacons’ Fund. In turn, this fund supports many programs, such as Communion service & flower delivery to NPC’s homebound members, Clothe-a-Child, and Washington Township Schools “Back to School Extravaganza”.

If you have questions, please contact Donna Schmahl: or 317-691-0721.

Discipleship Small Group Opportunities

Men’s Prayer Breakfast 
Wednesdays at 7:30 am throughout the year. Prayers are offered for the congregation. Bible study is led by participants.

Parents with a Passion
6:15 pm on Wednesdays.  This group discusses topical parenting issues and faith.  For parents of all ages. Led by church staff and the group.

Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study
11:00 am on Tuesdays. Study and discussion about the lectionary scriptures, plus prayer and support for each other. Led by Ruth Moore.

American Village Bible Study
1:00 pm on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Lectionary scriptures are studied and discussed.  All are invited to join us – not just those who live at American Village! Led by Ruth Moore.

Wednesday Night Study Group
The Great Spiritual Migration
On Wednesday evenings, September 26 - November 14, you are invited to join in an 8-week study of The Great Spiritual Migration by Brian McLaren. In this book, McLaren will discuss how the world's largest religion is seeking a better way to be Christian. The call to Christian discipleship is a call to get going ...to move forward. Join us as we reflect on and explore who we are and who we can become.  Parish Associate Carol McDonald will facilitate our discussions.

We will meet from 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. on the following Wednesdays with this proposed reading and discussion schedule:

September 26 -- Preface, Introduction, Chapter 1

October 3 -- Chapters 2 and 3

October 10 -- Chapters 4 and 5

October 17 -- Chapter 6

October 24 -- Chapter 7

October 31 -- Chapters 8 and 9

November 7 -- Chapter 10

November 14 -- Afterword and Appendices

Copies of the book are available in the church office at $12 per copy. Or you may order from Amazon.com. This title is also available for e-readers. You will need your Bible ... the Common English translation if you have access to it.

Please sign up for this study online, or by calling the church office (317-251-9489) so we will know how many to prepare for. 

(Wednesday Night Dinner is available at 5:30 pm.  Reservations due by noon on Mondays: 317-251-9489.)

Discipleship in October and November
– 10 am in the Board Room 

1st Sunday of the Month (Oct. 7 and Nov. 4): Science Fiction Book Discussion.  Discussion of A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Led by Bill Dynes.  

2nd Sunday of the Month (Oct. 14 and Nov. 11): The New York Times and the Bible. Led by Mark Moore. 

4th Sunday of the Month (Oct. 28 and Nov. 25): Coffee with Krista Tippet. Led by Jennifer Dzwonar and Marcia Young.

Contemplative Prayer and Meditation
This five-week program will engage you in different contemplative prayer practices designed to help you explore ways to spend time with God. Contemplative prayer is designed so we talk less and listen more in ways that open us to a deeper attentiveness to God’s love for us. The five types we will explore are:  Breath Prayer, Praying with Icons and images, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, and Prayer of Examen.

Mary Beth Riner will lead us.  She has been engaged in contemplative prayer practices for over 20 years. As an experienced educator she has led this course in the past and been active in prayer ministry with faith communities.

Sessions will be on Sundays from 5:30-6:30 pm, from October 7 through November 4, downstairs in the Board Room. 

Materials for all five sessions is $10.  Register online, or by calling the church office (317-251-9489) no later than October 1, 2018.  Questions? Contact Mary Beth ( ).

Book Club
Sundays at 12:00 noon.  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas on the October 21, and Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover on November 18.  Led by Carol McDonald and Ruth Moore.

Advent Study
A look at the lectionary scriptures for Advent.  6 pm on Wednesday nights (November 28 – December 19) and 10 am on Sunday mornings, (December 2 – 23). Led by pastoral staff.

Join us once again to end hunger in Indianapolis and around the world through the Greater Indianapolis CROP Hunger Walk! 75% of all funds raised benefits the international hunger and poverty work of Church World Service and 25% stays local benefiting Gleaner's Food Bank, Mid-West Food Bank, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Second Helpings and Exodus Refugee Immigration. 

This is a community event for all ages, bring your families, bring your friends bring yourselves. Wear your walking shoes!  

Location: Christian Theological Seminary
Date: Sunday, October 21, 2018
Meet time: 1:40 pm.  The walk begins at 2:00 pm.
Walk Distance: 5K

Questions?  Contact Maureen Wilson, Director of Education and Youth Ministries.

Medicaid Waiver Presentations
The Indiana Medicaid Home and Community Based Services
Waiver, presented by Stephanie Balusik-Fultz program provides individualized supports to assist people, of all ages, to live successfully in home and community settings. The details of this program are often unknown to people. This is an opportunity to learn more about this underused and vital program. RSVP: or 317-251-9489 ext. 26.  Dates and locations:

Irvington – October 23 at 10 am.
Northminster – October 25 at 10 am.
Faith – October 30 at 10 am

Saturday, November 3, 2018
3:00 - 6:00 PM 

The Jerry Gray Art Show will display over 50 pieces of art at the Nortminster Presbyterian Church. The original twenty pen & ink drawings in the recent Indy series by Jerry Gray will be auctioned silently for the benefit of Families First.

Cash, credit, and check accepted. Minimum bid: $100.

Jerry Gray was born in Columbus, Indiana. He was a swimmer in high school and apart of the State High School Swimming Championship Team. After graduation, Jerry attended Indiana State University with a Tri-Delta Art Scholarship where he was a four-year swimming letterman. He graduated with a B.S. in Fine Arts. Jerry is a National Gold Key Art Award Winner and was featured on the cover of Scholastic Magazine in 1966.
 
Jerry was the President and CEO of Leslie Coatings Inc. in Indianapolis, President and CEO of GLF Inc. in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and President and CEO of GN Inc. in Indianapolis. He has served as the USTA Tennis Facilities Committee and Chairman and Editor of the USTA Tennis Book. He has also served as a Chairman of the Clothing Distribution of the “Back to School Extravaganza” at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, and was also a member of the Board of Directors at the Jordan YMCA.

Register

Curious Conversations are information sessions and we hope you will consider joining us in November.

Curious Conversations are a time to get to know more about Northminster and who we are as Christians, Presbyterians and as partners in the Broad Ripple neighborhood. These sessions will also give you a chance to meet other people who are new to our faith community.

We will meet on Sundays, November 4 and 11, at 10 am in the Conference Room near the pastors’ offices. We will be done in time for 11 am worship. Please try to attend both sessions as there is a lot to talk about!

Curious Conversations are not new member classes, but they are the first step to church membership, so we can talk about that as well.  If you have children, we will have childcare and activities for them as long as you we know you are coming.

Please contact Pastor Ruth Moore at 317-251-9489 or if you can attend.  If these dates don’t work for you, but you would still like to know more about Northminster, we can set up another time to meet together.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Adult Middlers Dinner Gathering
Saturday, November 10
6:00 pm

Anyone one in their mid 40’s to early 60’s is invited to join this fun group for dinner at the home of Monica and Matt Brase (7961 Ferrell Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46260).

Main dish will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, as well as any adult beverages that you would like.

RSVP directly to Monica at .

Curious Conversations are information sessions and we hope you will consider joining us in November.

Curious Conversations are a time to get to know more about Northminster and who we are as Christians, Presbyterians and as partners in the Broad Ripple neighborhood. These sessions will also give you a chance to meet other people who are new to our faith community.

We will meet on Sundays, November 4 and 11, at 10 am in the Conference Room near the pastors’ offices. We will be done in time for 11 am worship. Please try to attend both sessions as there is a lot to talk about!

Curious Conversations are not new member classes, but they are the first step to church membership, so we can talk about that as well.  If you have children, we will have childcare and activities for them as long as you we know you are coming.

Please contact Pastor Ruth Moore at 317-251-9489 or if you can attend.  If these dates don’t work for you, but you would still like to know more about Northminster, we can set up another time to meet together.

We look forward to hearing from you!

For centuries, the church has been a center for music and other arts, expressing the inexpressible and transcending the earthbound. Sound & Spirit is dedicated to continuing this tradition, offering a variety of musical styles free of charge.

2018 - 2019 Sound & Spirit Season

“How did he get all those sounds out of that instrument?”

Everytime I have the opportunity to catch Marko Petricic in a concert that includes the bayan, I like to sit close and I like a soft seat. Other than to say I watch with amazement and pleasure, I need to resort to what words experts use to describe why I’m amazed and why I enjoy it so much. The above review was from someone who attended a meeting of the American Guild of Organists when Dr. Petricic performed on the bayan in 2006. I like it.  Pithy and right to the point.

Opening the 2018-2019 Sound & Spirit is Marko Petricic playing music of diverse styles and centuries on two instruments he knows well – the bayan and pipe organ. The free concert, held in Northminster’s own sanctuary, will showcase Northminster’s own music associate and organist’s varied and skillful programming that the congregation has come to appreciate, and also the richness and depths of the instruments.  In February 2008, The Diapason reviewed Marko after an organ recital and masterful choir accompaniment during the OHA National convention as “a brilliant performer with a great sense of color.”

In November’s concert, expect to get a good bit of the Bach Clavier Ubung project. The third part, BWV 669-689, is an edifice of the Baroque organ repertory, consisting of exquisitely beautiful free works and chorale settings, which provide an overview of Bach’s mature compositional voice.

Perhaps surprisingly, these works find an uncommon ally when transcribed for the bayan, an instrument with a similar operating principle and design to the accordion. Dr. Petricic has been a trailblazer in transcribing Bach’s organ music for the bayan, shedding a bright light on the capacities of both instruments.

The bayan too will have a solo voice in the concert performing original works written just for this special, and rather new, instrument.

A Hoosier by education at Indiana University, the Serbian born musician has a PH.D. from the Bloomington school and holds the position of adjunct professor of organ and sacred music at UIndy.  In 2014 he presented a scholarly paper on “Performing Organ works on the Bayan Accordian” at the American Guild of Organists National Convention. He has presented recitals and master classes at Shanghai Normal University in China, University of Toronto, Canada and University of Belgrade, Serbia during the 2016-2017 seasons.

Petricic has won numerous organ competition awards including the First Prize at the San Marino National Organ Competition in Los Angeles and has served twice as a member of the jury for the Fort Wayne National Organ competition and the local AGO chapter competition in Indianapolis. As a bayan-accordian performer, he has won top prizes at International competitions throughout Europe and the United States.  And his passion for various musical genres lead to a concert of Spanish and South American music for the Embassy of Spain in Puerto Rico after he won a prize at the Latin American Music Center competition at IU.

As an accomplished keyboard performer, he has been called by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to play on numerous occasions, featuring a wide range of repertoire from Durufle to John Williams to Lutoslavski and Penderecki under the such esteemed conductors and Krszystof Urbanski , Edo De Waart, Roberto Abbado, and Giancarlo Guerrero.

All this, and still you will ask, how does he get all those sounds out of those instruments?

Sit close and get comfortable.

From Bach to jazz to bluegrass, Sound & Spirit concerts celebrate regional and international artistry. These concerts are presented free of charge to the Broad Ripple Community and beyond.  Funded by supporters and the audience, we accept a free-will offering to maintain standards of future events. 

(Written by Maureen Purcell.)

Come and enjoy this FREE concert on Sunday, November 11, at 4 pm in the Northminster sanctuary.  Seats are first-come, first-served.  Doors open one hour before the concert.

For more about this and all future Sound & Spirit concerts, go to: http://bit.ly/SandS18-19.

The Umoja Project feeds 3,100 students in 18 primary schools in the Chulaimbo area of western Kenya. This nutritious lunch is often the only meal of the day for these bright, young children. The lunch program boosts school attendance and student performance. Your $25 donation provides a year of school lunch for a Kenyan child.

Join us for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 18, 5:00 pm, at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. This lively evening features fun, food and fellowship with our neighbors, as well as a silent auction and marketplace (with excellent Christmas gifts!). Proceeds from the event go to the Umoja Project school lunch program.

For more information and ticket purchase, go to:  GlobalInterfaithPartnership.org/FoodForThought

November - Historical Society Trip
NorthStars are heading downtown to the Indiana Historical Society on Tuesday, November 27, at 10:00 a.m., to visit the Festival of Trees – 80 beautifully themed trees, plus a special 30-foot show-stopper tree that guests will have to see to believe.

Cost is $6 for Seniors (60+) or $7 Adults.  Members of the Indiana Historical Society are free.  Tickets will be purchased on-site.

We will meet at the church at 9:00 a.m., with the tour scheduled for 10:00 a.m.  We can either car pool or take a group on the church bus – let us know your preference.

Please let John or Brenda Reed know if you can attend (317-919-6505 or ). Following the tour, we will eat lunch together (bring money for the Café).

Parking at the Historical Society is at the rear of the building off New York Street. Pull a ticket from the parking lot kiosk to raise the gate. Make sure to bring the ticket with you so it can be validated for free parking at the Welcome Center desk. Enter the building through the east doors under the overhang near the canal.  Drivers will need to present their ticket to exit the lot. 

Contact information for John and Brenda Reed is 317-919-6505 or email is


December – Storyteller Donald Davis
The December event for NorthStars will be an evening of storytelling by nationally acclaimed master storyteller Donald Davis.  Donald grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, and his stories are filled with homespun wit and wisdom.  According to The New York Times, "His stories often left listeners limp with laughter at the same time they struggled with a lump in the throat."

The event will be December 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Basile Theater of the Indiana History Center.  Tickets are $20.  However, for a group of 10 or more, there is a 15% discount.  Please sign up by November 15 with Clarice Stegall (317-294-3307;  ).  Once a list is established, I will collect the exact amount and perhaps among yourselves car-pooling from church can be arranged.  Seats are not reserved, and Donald's concerts are always sell-outs, so I want to order tickets early.  The stories are all-age appropriate, in case you want to bring along a "young-star."

(NorthStars is a fellowship group, comprised of people in their 60's - 80's, but all of our events are open to everyone.  Church membership is not required.)

The Music Ministry’s annual Christmas Lite program is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 2nd.

Now in its 16th year, Christmas Lite began as “Northminster’s Christmas Card to the Community.” The Chancel Choir took up candy canes and Santa hats, and turned in their sacred music for some decidedly secular tunes. The show involved Children’s and Adult Choirs, handbell choirs, soloists, instrumentalists, an obscure act here and there, and an appearance by Santa. Behind the scenes involved recruiting singers and others, costumes, microphones, projectors, screens, props, choreography, purchasing and learning music, rehearsing, and
marketing. The show’s preparation took a lot of time.

About 8 years ago Director of Music John Wright asked Mike Boris if he would serve as the director of Christmas Lite. Mike has done a fabulous job with the show, pumping new life into this extravaganza, which, incidentally, is a big hit with children. Mike added elves, parody songs, hilarious commercials, the Christmas Lite Band, and included a wider range of acts from Northminster friends and members.  Again, the show’s preparation takes a lot of time.

So - - - we are in need of your assistance to help make this program a continued positive presence during the holidays.

Please see specific job descriptions below and contact Mike Boris if you are willing to help: or 317-965-0378.

Talent Scout - Recruit folks who may have an interesting act for the show.

Stage Manager - Responsible for the physical set up of the stage, including microphones, electrical connections, projector, screen, piano, risers, other props as needed.

(The Congregational Life Team will arrange lunch before this
event. More details to come soon!)

Clothe-a-Child this year will be on Thursday, December 6, from 9 am to 1 pm at Target - Glendale Mall (in Broad Ripple). Clothing purchased will benefit the children from IPS / Butler Lab School #55.

We are hoping to make this a more community event.  We are still working out details, but are planning to use the Gathering Place (at Northminster) this year for our Pizza and Craft time with the kids.  

We are looking for about 80 volunteers to shop, sort bags, help with bag checking, and to be generous spirits to interact with the children from public school #55. 

This important event would not be possible without so many volunteers and generous donations from you!  Each year it takes around $10,000 and 60-80 people to be successful.  Check your pew cards for our special Clothe-a-Child envelope. 

You'll be able to sign up soon in the Gathering Place. 

Questions?  Contact Mike Shannon –