FBCI at the 2009 Governor's Conference

Coordinators Kira Foerster and Laura Bradley, along with other fellow VISTAs and AmeriCorps, attended the 2009 Governor's Conference on Service and Volunteering sponsored by the Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives. During the conference, the coordinators were given the opportunities to sit-in on many lectures and sessions regarding philanthropy, service, history of volunteering and many more. Miss America (aka Miss Indiana) Katie Stam was one of the guest speakers at the conference.

Englewood Mock Disaster: A+

There was no reason to be afraid at the Halloween mock disaster at Englewood Christian Church. Having a long history of serving the community and hosting guests at their downtown facility, Englewood easily overcame the challenges of the mock disaster with confidence, grace, and hospitality. Thanks to all of the Englewood Christian Church Action Team members and player volunteers, and also to Bert and Ernie Harvey of Plainfield Christian Church for joining us as guest observers. As we continue "mock disaster season" at First Church of the Nazarene and Brandywine Community Church over the next two weekends, we are glad to be off to such a strong start. Thank you, Englewood!

Interfaith Activities

One of our first partners, St. Lukes United Methodist Church on 86th Street has been sponsoring a program called Faith of our Neighbors. The FBCI Coordinators have been able to attend on two occasions. During the service, a leader from another faith is interviewed at the lecturn. A question and answer session with that faith leader is held following the service. This has been an educational and interesting program involving Buddhists, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs, and on Sunday, October 18th, they will celebrate Judaism.

The Sacred Places Tour for October has included a Greek Orthodox Church and our newest partner, Al-Fajir Masjid on Cold Spring Road. On Sunday the 18th, they will be learning about Native American Spirituality at the Peace Learning Center and Buddhism at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Center in Bloomington. Sunday the 24th, the tour will visit to our partner, the Sikh Satsang on Acton Road and the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana on German Church Road. You can get directions and learn more about these faiths at internationalinterfaith.org.

If your church is conducting an activity that supports the interfaith and diversity goals of the Faith-Based Community Initiative, let us know. The FBCI Coordinators will post the relevant information on this blog, and we really like learn about our partners and different faith families!

Expanding Our Borders

The FBCI is expanding! The American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis supports disaster relief in Marion and all the surrounding counties including Henry to the east and Clinton in the northwest. Although a few of our partners are outside of Marion County (for example Plainfield Christian Church in Hendricks County, Traders Point Christian Church in Boone County, Brandywine Community Church in Hancock County, and Shelbyville Community Church in Shelby County), we are looking up, or rather, north, to Clinton, Hamilton, and Madison Counties. If your church has a relationship with another faith-based organization in one of these counties (or really, anywhere), we want to know about it! Currently we are doing Internet research and driving around towns looking for potential partners, but if you have a suggestion, it would save us a lot of leg work.

To qualify as an FBCI partner they have to meet the same requirements your facility met with regards to capacity, geography, involvement, and outreach, but based on your suggestion we will meet with their leadership and work out the details.

"Mock Disaster Season" at the FBCI

Autumn is the season of changing leaves, colder weather- and mock disasters! In the coming weeks, the FBCI will be holding mock disasters at three of its facilities: Englewood Christian Church (October 31st), First Church of the Nazarene (November 7th), and Brandywine Community Church (November 14th). We are excited to be working with our partners at these churches to put training into action as we prepare for the possibility of a real shelter opening in the cold months ahead! If your Action Team leadership is interested in observing a mock disaster, please contact the FBCI coordinators. Thanks to our partners at these three facilities for helping to make our "Mock Disaster Season" happen!

Mayor Ballard honors FBCI Partner with Visit

FBCI coordinator, Laura Bradley joined our partner Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis (Acton Rd) in welcoming Indianapolis Mayor Ballard and family on Sunday, October 4. The mayor arrived at the temple and was honored with a traditional Sikh turban and sword, and Mrs. Ballard received the gift of a book. Mayor Ballard made a brief but powerful statement on the importance of acceptance of diversity, education, and mutual respect between people before leaving to attend the Colts game.

The Sikh Satsang are the newest partner in the FBCI program, and we thank them for inviting us to this exciting event.

Ready, Set, GO! Mock Disaster Season!

Skill Sessions, Trainings, Mock Disasters: Oh My!! Tis' the Season for all these before the holidays!! Are you ready for one of these events? If so contact the FBCI Coordinators, and we will set one up! Before you know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will be around the corner and things will start to get hectic!!