This summer a new wave of young people have been working closely with Broadway. Called the “Youth Roving Core,” thirty-five young people have been roving the neighborhood looking for and naming the gifts and talents of neighbors in the Mapleton- Fall Creek neighborhood and trying to find ways to connect these people together for community, economy, and mutual delight. Five adult supervisors over the age of 21 are also involved as team leaders. Each day these supervisors work as team leaders over five young people who go roving the streets of the neighborhood as a small group finding gifts and talents and the goal is to find a way to have 10 conversations a week to establish connections and relationships. Led in large part by our abundance animators, Terri Coleman and Martha Wright, along with youth pastor Duane Carlisle, these young people are helping create a wonderful web of connections between neighbors. It is a true gift to our community.
It would seem that those around Broadway UMC are not the only ones to think that this is a creative way to run a summer program. Broadway’s commitment to think outside of the traditional box has opened up sources of funding and opened the eyes of people in diverse contexts in the city. Two funding sources fell in love with the Roving Youth Core concept and decided to provide us with some money to pay the team leaders and the young rovers. The Youth Working for Indy program, which is a City of Indianapolis funding source, provided money to pay the young people. The Indy Metro Ministries of the United Methodist Church also found our work unique and gave us money to pay the team leaders. Beyond funders, we have seen team members from the Central Indiana Community Foundation, sociologists from IU and IUPUI, religion scholars and theologians from our local seminaries and universities, and people from as far away as New Zealand get excited about this vision and even come to visit to see the work first hand. The work of Terri, Martha, Duane, and all of our young roving core are creating an infectious buzz about the work and ministry we do here at Broadway.
The Miracle on 29th Street, both through Duane Carlisle’s ministry and through our neighborhood ministry, is having impact and creating social change for community and economy. That we are having the chance to interact with neighbors, with young people, and to teach others across the world about these things is a true testimony to the power of the Miracle on 29th Street vision. When this summer first began many involved tried to find a way to use a different kind of language than summer “program.” We needed to give it another name and someone just blurted out, “Oh, we should just give it a name. How about Edgar?” And it stuck. So, the work these young people are doing in our neighborhood is called “The Summer Edgar.” You may have questions about exactly what that means or what is actually coming from these young people roving……good! Ask away, there are stories to be told. So, go ahead and ask and I am sure that anyone of the young people would love to tell you about their experience of meeting neighbors this summer.
On Sunday, June 27th, Broadway got into a patriotic spirit for America’s favorite holiday! People came and heard a concert of patriotic organ music with a special appearance by the Pride of Indy Band! Following the concert, all the concert attendees were treated to a good ole-fashioned picnic featuring fried chicken.
The work of Broadway Presents Artists series always seems to pull together tremendous concerts such as this Independence Day Celebration. In fact, this Sunday, July 25th, at 6:00 p.m. everyone is invited to enjoy the summer weather in Broadway’s Garth with music presented by a chamber ensemble of strings and harpsichord. Bring a picnic basket filled with food and drink to enjoy while listening to music from the Baroque era in the beautiful Garth courtyard. Picnic baskets for 2 will also be available upon request with Chris Schroeder.
Chris’ hard work in our music program continues to offer opportunities for us to see the clear vision of the Miracle on 29th Street, where music and the arts play a prominent role. We celebrate the music of freedom played at the Independence Day concert and look forward to the beauty of Baroque era music in the Garth this Sunday.
On Sunday July 18th, we celebrated the work and ministry of Karen McAleavey in worship. Karen is one of a few staff who is funded entirely by money from the Miracle on 29th Street and her work as an administrative assistant has added tremendously to the larger work here at Broadway. From the posters on our walls, the brochures or bulletins she prints, to simply getting to know she and Max every week in the office, we are certainly blessed to have Karen in our midst. Check out this video of her that we put together to celebrate her ministry with us. Enjoy!
Over the past two months Rev. Mike and Rev. Rachel have gathered many groups together for conversation to build relationships and community. One group in particular that has arisen is the 20s & 30s, who have been meeting fairly regularly to dream together. The group began with a short gathering at the church and then expanded into the living rooms of folks. The conversations are designed around whatever matters to the young adults present. Stories are told and people talk in particular about Broadway and things happening in and around the congregation. It is a time for dreaming about the future and encouraging each other about what is going on in the present.
The 20s and 30s is a very eclectic group. Several of them are couples and a few of them have children. Others are single and in times of transition. But, binding them together is their stage in life and the unique voice that each of them brings to Broadway. The Miracle on 29th Street is consistently about finding ways to have these kinds of conversations and encouraging relationships. This community building and life sharing is one of the many ways we believe the Miracle will build a sustainable future for the life of Broadway UMC. It is encouraging to see this group binding together.
The work of the Miracle on 29th Street began five years ago when we hired both the Building Superintendent and then eventually the Director of Development. In the course of this work, one of our other goals was to hire a youth and children’s minister, which we accomplished in hiring Duane Carlisle. We here at the Miracle believe it very important to celebrate the ministries of those funded in part or entirely by the money given to the Miracle on 29th Street. It is a way of recognizing the good work they are doing, but it is also a way for those who have contributed significant amounts of money towards this project to see what these staff persons are doing and contributing to the future of Broadway.
One of the ways we are celebrating and bringing recognition to these staff persons is by talking with those impacted by the ministries of the staff and creating a video to express our celebration. In the month of June we have celebrated Duane Carlisle’s ministry with youth, children, and their families. You may click on the picture to witness this video first hand. We intend over the next 5 months to cover every staff person funded by the Miracle and to celebrate them in this way. We hope you enjoy these series of videos and that you will celebrate Duane this month with us. In fact, if you have the chance to send him a word of thanks or appreciation, such words can go a long way to encouraging our staff in their work. Enjoy!
In worship at Broadway on June 6th we told the story of “Eden in Indianapolis.” This story, as many of you know, carries a lot of threads to it. We invited gardeners from our neighborhood, our Roving Listener, Conor Mather-Licht, and a representative from Clarian, Steve Ivy. Each of these persons and more were gathered to tell a story about connecting people, economies, and hope for our community. The worship was capped off by a gathering outside for refreshments and the Community Garden Resource Center selling plant starts.
This story was the beginning of our “We’re Out” summer series, which indicates our true ministry as being “out” in the world and in the lives of others 24/7. By clicking on the picture of this blog post you can witness the telling of this story in worship on that Sunday first hand. It is a story that is inspiring to the ways in which we see God at work in the world and how we play a part in that. May this video be as meaningful and inspiring to you as it has been for those involved and impacted by it. Enjoy!
On June 27th we will be laying hands on several of the youth of our congregation as we celebrate their confirmation. Our youth and family ministries pastor, Duane Carlisle, who is funded entirely by the Miracle on 29th Street, has been fostering relationships with all of these youth and their families over the course of a thirteen week period. Duane has journeyed with them through difficult questions about Christian faith and engaging their passions, dreams, and hopes for their future. Those who journeyed with Duane this year were Nigel Faulkens, Tessa Faulkens, Jasmine Leath, Angela Leath, and Luke Frain.
One story of the confirmation class this year was their trip to Methodist Hospital to meet with CEO of Clarian, Dan Evans. Duane and several of the parents accompanied the youth and Mr. Evans as they toured Methodist hospital and heard the story of how Methodists and others in the city came together to focus on building a downtown and urban hospital for all people. Methodist congregations played an important role in getting Methodist its start and the youth were able to see their connection as Methodist youth with how important it is to be at work in the world. This trip among other engagements with youth and community that Duane has put together furthers our mission to seek, welcome, and value all people and to also build community.
One of the key actions of a confirmation service is the laying on of hands, a clear signal from the congregation that we stand in love and care of those who are being confirmed. By all of us supporting the Miracle on 29th Street, both in terms of money and prayers, we are continuing to lay hands on staff such as Duane who helps us be reminded of our obligations to families and young people in our congregation to share in faith and to value the gifts of our youth. Thanks to the Miracle on 29th Street, we are able to celebrate the gift of young people in our midst.
In the months ahead during the summer, our worship at Broadway will focus upon celebrating the various ways in which God is at work in a myriad of realms. We will listen for where God is at work in Government, Education, Health, Business, Social Services, and the Arts. Within these areas are people sharing their tremendous gifts to the world and we intend to proclaim, “We’re Out!” as loudly and as clearly as we can so that we may celebrate God’s realm with joy.
Broadway encourages those in the parish to invite anyone you might know who is sharing in the areas mentioned. Perhaps you have a friend who works for the federal government or someone who is a social worker and case manager. Invite these friends of yours to come and celebrate and acknowledge God’s work in their lives and of those around them. Certainly the work we do in the world is ever more challenging as time passes and this is why we must celebrate and find ways to encourage those who share their lives daily in the world. We need each other in order to keep going and one of the ways Broadway aims to participate in that this summer is by proclaiming that “We’re Out!"
Part of the work of Broadway is to “Have conversations and have faith,” which is exactly what a group of writers did recently at the home of Tim and Jerrilyn Herd. With Jerrilyn’s amazing cooking and hospitality skills setting the tone for the evening, a group of 12 people gathered to talk about their favorite authors, why they themselves enjoy writing, and what kind of writing gives them most satisfaction. All who attended enjoyed themselves with large amounts of laughter, encouragement to others, and a spirit of intentional listening to the dreams of others who write.
As a part of the Miracle on 29th Street in the area of membership development, Rev. Rachel Metheny has been organizing monthly meals in the homes of those in the parish gathering those with similar interests or dreams. Some of these meals have included women who attend the 9:30 service and most recently those in the parish who enjoy writing. No specific agenda is set for these gatherings, except to build community by gathering people together for meals and to see what emerges from the conversation present in each gathering.
What was discovered most in the gathering of those that write is the use of writing to face difficulties or struggles in life. Writing, perhaps like other forms of art, is an expression of the deeply mysterious inner life struggle that makes up human existence. It was clear from this gathering that many use their writing as a tool to change themselves, their thinking, their communities, and the world. That these writers all gathered together over a meal is an embodiment not only of building mutual delight, but of building community. It is through the Miracle on 29th Street that we build up members in this way and that we celebrate each gift that God has given us in this life.
On Sunday afternoon, April 25th the choirs of Broadway United Methodist Church and Central Christian Church in Anderson put their voices together in a Broadway Presents concert at Broadway in Indianapolis. The audience was blessed by two parts of music, the first by Broadway Minister of Music, Chris Schroeder, his counterpart in Anderson, Randy Frieling, and our own Kevin Neal. The second part consisted of both choirs combined in wonderful church music from “Be Thou My Vision” to “Alleluia.” This collaboration began more than a year ago when Chris was introduced to Randy Frieling in a boat on the Geist Reservoir. Chris said, “soon after that Randy and I began to talk frequently about our musical experiences. After attending a Broadway Presents event last Spring (“Now is the month of Maying”), Randy proposed the collaboration to present a choral concert featuring both church choirs. I liked the idea immensely because it would allow our choirs to experience the shared music. In addition, I could see the benefit to connect and share with each other.”
This concert was not the only time that these two choirs connected and shared with each other. The week prior to the 25th, the Broadway choir traveled to Anderson to share in a similar concert at their church. Certainly by taking the time to get to know one another and share in this way, a strong friendship and connection has been made. In fact, Broadway choir member John Ruby captured this consensus when he recently said, “I talked with a couple of the Anderson choir members, and we were all of the opinion that our joint concert should become an annual event! I felt the collaboration of the two choirs, from two different churches, from two different cities was excellent! It’s good to venture out from 29th and Broadway once in a while!”
This Broadway Presents concert certainly brought wonderful energy and strength to our congregation and choir. We all can echo Broadway choir member, Bob Taylor, who “could not stop talking about the excitement even after getting home from the long day’s activities.” We at Broadway are blessed by the quality of our musicians and the work that Chris Schroeder does in connecting us together and with other musical groups. This kind of connecting is part of what the Miracle on 29th Street is all about, creating spaces for mutual delight. Thank you, Broadway choir, for creating such a place for us and our community.
This summer a new wave of young people have been working closely with Broadway. Called the “Youth Roving Core,” thirty-five young people have been roving the neighborhood looking for and naming the gifts and talents of neighbors in the Mapleton- Fall Creek neighborhood and trying to find ways to connect these people together for community, economy, and mutual delight. Five adult supervisors over the age of 21 are also involved as team leaders. Each day these supervisors work as team leaders over five young people who go roving the streets of the neighborhood as a small group finding gifts and talents and the goal is to find a way to have 10 conversations a week to establish connections and relationships. Led in large part by our abundance animators, Terri Coleman and Martha Wright, along with youth pastor Duane Carlisle, these young people are helping create a wonderful web of connections between neighbors. It is a true gift to our community.
On Sunday, June 27th, Broadway got into a patriotic spirit for America’s favorite holiday! People came and heard a concert of patriotic organ music with a special appearance by the Pride of Indy Band! Following the concert, all the concert attendees were treated to a good ole-fashioned picnic featuring fried chicken.
As we enter into summer, Broadway is claiming “We’re Out!” The proclamation that we are out focuses its attention on the belief that the work of ministry is “out” in the world, in the everyday. While we do gather for worship inside the church, the actual work of ministry is being done by each person out in the world. In the Broadway parish we have every kind of minister one can imagine from scientists and sociologists, to educators and those working in hospitals. God is already at work in these areas and through the many in our parish who do courageous work each and every day. So, we are proclaiming “We’re Out!”
On Sunday afternoon, April 25th the choirs of Broadway United Methodist Church and Central Christian Church in Anderson put their voices together in a Broadway Presents concert at Broadway in Indianapolis. The audience was blessed by two parts of music, the first by Broadway Minister of Music, Chris Schroeder, his counterpart in Anderson, Randy Frieling, and our own Kevin Neal. The second part consisted of both choirs combined in wonderful church music from “Be Thou My Vision” to “Alleluia.” This collaboration began more than a year ago when Chris was introduced to Randy Frieling in a boat on the Geist Reservoir. Chris said, “soon after that Randy and I began to talk frequently about our musical experiences. After attending a Broadway Presents event last Spring (“Now is the month of Maying”), Randy proposed the collaboration to present a choral concert featuring both church choirs. I liked the idea immensely because it would allow our choirs to experience the shared music. In addition, I could see the benefit to connect and share with each other.”