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The theme for September - October 2010:

A continuation of this popular theme.

IN THE GARDEN

Nature pleases, attracts, delights, merely because it is nature.
We recognize in it an Infinite Power.
(Karl Wilhelm von Humboldt, philosopher, 1767–1835)

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God’s first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself.
(John Muir, naturalist and author, 1838–1914)

In the garden the door is always open into the “holy” — growth, birth, death. Every flower holds the whole mystery in its short cycle, and in the garden we are never far away from death, the fertilizing, good creative death. . . . Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.
(May Sarton, poet and author, 1912–1995)


Deadline for the
September - October issue is June 10.

Questions about articles and artwork?

Questions about advertising?

317/255-5594

  

 


Trimmings
(return to home page)

These meetings and events are listed as a public service. No endorsement by the publisher is intended or implied.

Submit your free event or meeting for Trimmings, the BRANCHES calendar, by e-mailing the editor or mail to P.O. Box 30920, Indianapolis, IN 46230 by the deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: Listings are for FREE events and meetings only. No exceptions.

Upcoming Events

FRIs. in July – 6:30 p.m. The 20th annual Jazz in July summer concert series is presented four Friday nights in July at the IU Art Museum, 1133 E. 7th St., Bloomington, outdoors on the Sculpture Terrace (indoors if it rains). Free parking in the Wells Library and Art Museum lots. 7/9 Postmodern Jazz Quartet; 7/16 Cathy Morris; 7/23 Jazz Fables; 7/30 Bill Lancton Coalition. 812/856-3112.

SUNs. in July and August – 11:30 a.m. Discussion programs at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. 7/25 “Bright Wild Stone: A Contemplative Journal of the Roots that Shape a Life,” with Rusty Moe, Tim Hoover and Yvonne Brandenburg; 8/1 “The Sacred Everything: Indigenous Wisdom for Everyday Living,” with Rev. Darren Chittick; 8/29 “The Buddha Within,” with Yeshe Smith. 317/637-5683.

SUN. 8/1 – 2 to 4 p.m. Hometown Roots Concert Series presents the percussion ensemble CLANG! in the Clowes Auditorium of Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., Indpls. The improvisational program features homemade and exotic instruments, including steel drums, from around the world. 317/275-4022.

AUG. 6–29 – 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove host an exhibit of 17 prints and the full-size reproduction of Gospels and Acts from the Saint John’s Bible at the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center. 317/788-7581 or www.benedictinn.org

SAT. 9/4 – 7 p.m. “Peace Through Truth: 9/11 and State Crimes Against Democracy,” presented by Graeme MacQueen and Laurie Manwell for the 911 Working Group, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington. www.911workinggroup.org

Sept. 5–11 – Going Local Week. Celebrate by consciously choosing locally grown and produced foods. Visit a farm or farmers market and eat at restaurants that offer local produce. www.goinglocal-info.com

Ongoing Meetings


Health &         (return to top of page)
Well-Being

 

A Healing Energy Circle is held at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays each month at Progressive Spiritualist Church, 2201 E. 54th St., Indpls. (new location). Demonstrations and practice of various spiritual healing modalities. 317/255-4902.

Community Reiki share and continuing education open to all schools from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday each month in the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington. healingart@gmail.com

Complimentary Healing Touch energy therapy demonstrations the third Monday each month, Hornet Park Community Center lobby, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove. Diane, 317/788-4986.

Experience a variety of alternative health modalities
at 11:30 a.m. one Sunday each month (7/11, 8/8, at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. 317/637-5683.

Holistic Care Practitioners
meet from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. the first Thursday each month at Life Coach Dane & Company, 2424 E. Main St., Plainfield, for inspiration, support and networking. 317/432-7426; DaneMcCullough@aol.com.

“Food for Thought”
is a lunchtime gathering every Tuesday at noon at Sunspot Market, 500 Sagamore Parkway W. Topics include health, sustainability and the importance of local food. For details and a complete schedule call Kathy: 765/464-1555.

The Marion County Health Department offers an ongoing series of four-week self-management programs on “The ABC’s of Diabetes” at various times and locations of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Details: 317/221-2094.

Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan want everyone in Indiana to have health coverage through a universal plan. Chapters meet throughout the state to work toward this goal. Details: www.hchp.info.

Vicki Peterson offers public presentations on the Transcendental Meditation program in Muncie: 765/289-0292; vpeterson@tm.org. To schedule a TM presentation in Indianapolis: Richard and Lois Neate, 317/225-4386; rneate@tm.org.

Holistic Living Class
is offered by Hendricks County Holistic Health from 7 to 8 p.m. the first Thursday each month at 2424 E. Main St., Plainfield. Dane, 317/432-7426.

 

Networking    (return to top of page)


Stress Free Networking from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Wednesday each month in Indpls. First 30 minutes open networking for your business, then a stress management presentation, then a guest speaker. Free but preregistration required: 317/250-9556.

Indiana Flute Circle, a society of Native American flute enthusiasts, meets from 12:30 to 4 p.m. the third Sunday each month (7/18, 8/15) in Room 115 of the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, University of Indianapolis, 1400 E. Hanna Ave. All levels of musical ability are welcome. Gary Cope, gwcope@earthlink.net; www.indianaflutecircle.com.

Talking Stick Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. the third Monday each month (7/19, 8/16). Pitch-in supper followed by chanting, drumming and talking stick time until 9 p.m. at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. tcwoffice@sbcglobal.net, 317/637-5683.

A holistic health fair is held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Saturday each month at The Good Stuff, in the Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St. (use Delaware St. entrance). Naturopathy, vitamin supplementation, muscle release therapy, nutritional self-defense, vegetarian food, ionic foot bath, yoga. 317/372-2592 or 317/630-9155.

Social Networking (with a Soul) meets from noon to 1:15 p.m. the third Thursday each month to explore issues facing Indianapolis and encourage people interested in positive change. Bring your lunch. Indianapolis Peace House, 1421 N. Central Ave., Indpls. williams@indianapolispeaceinstitute.org or 317/631-7322.

Indiana Ghost Trackers meets at 7 p.m. the first Saturday each month at the Kennedy Public Library, 1700 W. McGalliard Rd., Muncie. 765/215-6279 or ghostgal47@yahoo.com

Earth House Collective offers a Freespeaker Open Stage, a listening room for artistic expression and conversation, at 8 p.m. Fridays. Lockerbie Central Church, 237 N. East St. (southeast corner of New York and East streets), in downtown Indianapolis. info@earthhousecollective.org

Nectar Ridge Retreat hosts a "Third Eye Thursday" metaphysical discussion circle at 7:30 p.m. ET the third Thursday each month. Gene Baldwin, 5099 China Rd., Tell City; 812/843-5048; nectarridge@yahoo.com.

Women of Wisdom Circle at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Bring your coffee, tea or bottled water and snuggle in for an hour or so of meditation, candlelight, music and conversation. Mother Nature's Sun, 6516 Ferguson St., Indpls. 317/253-5683.

Sing four-part harmony with women of all ages in the award-winning White River Sound Chorus. Rehearsals are at 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Hope Community Church, 7440 Hague Rd., Indpls. Sight reading not necessary. Sharon, 317/446-6103; www.whiteriversoundchorus.org.

The Fort Wayne Reiki Alliance meets from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday each month at an Allen County Library branch for education, practice and Reiki shares. ww.fortwaynereikialliance.net, info@fortwaynereikialliance.net Sharon Martin, RMT, 260/438-5705, or Betsy Cox, 260/432-4978.

Meet others who value logic and reason over dogma. Freethought groups are active throughout Indiana. Contact the Center for Inquiry Indiana (www.centerforinquiry.net/indy) for information on groups in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Muncie/New Castle. Freethinkers of Montgomery County meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the first and third Thursdays each month in the basement of the Crawfordsville Public Library (todd@happybartons.com). Students, faculty and staff at IUPUI in Indianapolis have a campus group, the IUPUI Freethinkers (www.iupuifreethinkers.org). In east-central Indiana, contact the Richmond Area Free Thinkers Society (http://richmond-freethinkers.org).

Take an easy 5- to 6-mile walk along the Canal downtown
any Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. with members of the Indianapolis Hiking Club. Park at the White River Park Visitors Center on West Washington St. across from Victory Field. If the weather is bad, call first to find out if the hike has been cancelled. Led by Reba Wooden, 317/797-5892.

Community Day:
Free yoga classes and other activities the fourth Saturday of each month at Mother Nature's Sun, 6516 Ferguson St. in Broad Ripple, 317/253-5683.

A New Thought film series of motivating and uplifting movies is offered at 6:45 p.m. the third Friday each month at ClearView Church, 5060 E. 62nd St., Suite 148, Indpls. Details: www.clearviewchurch.org.

The Kokomo Pagan Group
meets at 6 p.m. the second Saturday each month. Details: Kelley or Amanda, paganmeetup@hotmail.com

Be the Change, a networking/power group for holistic business people whose goals are to be successful and to make a powerful/positive change in society, meets once a month near Avon. Kim Woods, 317/409-4981, or Amy Hayden, 317/441-2111.

A Women’s Gathering meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday each month at 2424 E. Main St., Plainfield, to focus on loving and trusting themselves and life more.  Dane, 317/432-7426.

Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays each month for teaching or discussion and ritual or celebration at Unitarian Universalist Church, 615 W. 43rd St., Indpls. Colleen Kelly, 317/603-0026 or 317/283-4760.

A women’s drumming circle meets at 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month and a chanting circle meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays each month at Sophia’s Portico, 2000 N. Wells St., Fort Wayne. 260/447-1033.

A Michigan City drumming circle is held at 2 p.m. CST on Sundays every two weeks beginning Feb. 4 at 213 Bies St. Each gathering includes sacred fire and a Medicine Wheel. Michael, 219/221-2348; coyote_blue1947@yahoo.com.


“Drummunity” gatherings promote drumming for fun and community-building
; no musical ability required. Meetings are held twice a month at the Center for Spiritual Wholeness, 10 miles west of Danville off Highway 36. 765/522-1526.

The Indiana chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
, an organization that works to preserve religious freedom, meets in the Nora Library, 8625 Guilford Ave., Indpls. Details: auin@indy.rr.com; www.au.org/Indiana


A reiki practitioners group
meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in Lafayette. 465/447-9658.

Simple Living Group of Anderson meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Grace House of Madison County, 2709 E. 38th St. 765/778-3493 or 765/642-1560 or slloyd@iquest.net.

The Fort Wayne Pagan Alliance holds study circle meetings every Monday to unite the pagan community and dispel myths about pagans. Details: 260/485-4366; fwpaganalliance@yahool.com.

 
Spiritual     (return to top of page)  
Practice

 

Northern Indiana

Insight/Vipassana meditation group sits from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every other Sunday, alternating between LaPorte and Chesterton, for a 45-minute meditation followed by dharma discussion and/or recorded talk. Beginners welcome. mlzieve@yahoo.com

Willows Haven, a Pagan group open to people of all faiths who enjoy metaphysical, religious and esoteric discussions, meets in the Fort Wayne area. willowrhiamon@yahoo.com.

Spiritualist Circle of Light meets from 10 to 10:20 a.m. (CST) Sundays for meditation in the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. 2nd St., Michigan City. Laurel Izard, 219/879-4277 or bluedreamingbear@sbcglobal.net

New Leaf Oasis in DeMotte offers a “Reiki Share — Heal the Healers Night” the third Thursday each month, open to Level I and higher Reiki energy practitioners or the equivalent thereof. 219/987-4324; www.newleafoasis.com

Sage Spirit Terra in Michigan City hosts a drum circle quarterly on the equinoxes and solstices. 219/879-3906 or www.sagespiritterra.org.

The South Bend Dharma Center meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at 52547 Heatherfield Dr., South Bend, to practice sitting and walking meditation in the Buddhist tradition. Eduardo Zambrano, sbdharma@gmail.com, 574/243-1667, http://home.comcast.net/~meditationsouthbend.

Unity in the Dunes, Center for Practical Christianity
, offers study groups at 7 p.m. each Tuesday at the Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. 219/762-7459; UnityintheDunes.org.

Akashic Record practice sessions
are held the fourth Monday evening of each month at locations in Lafayette and Rensselaer. 219/866-0132 or 765/447-9658.

The Peacemakers’ Sangha meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in Long Beach (kwzmuda@comcast.net, 219/872-4836) and at 10 a.m. Sundays in Michigan City (consultcinda@comcast.net, 219/878-1749) for meditation as practiced by Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.

Central Indiana

Sahaja meditation classes are held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 217 of University Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette. PurdueMeditation@gmail.com.

A Buddhism study group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays each month at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 333 Meridian St., West Lafayette. Enter through church office doors. Larry, 765/427-7849.

Madison County Dharma Group meets from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays near Anderson for mindfulness meditation and dharma study. Details: Stephanie Grissom, 765/779-5059 or stephgrissom1@comcast.net

Natural Rhythms Drumming Circle meets from 7 to 8 p.m. the third Wednesday each month at 2424 E. Main St., Plainfield. Dane, 317-432-7426.

A shamanic drumming circle meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays in Lafayette for healing and teaching. 765/420-7328 or 765/446-0625.

Service of Healing and Anointing
is a quiet, contemplative tradition of the early church held at 4 p.m. the fourth Sunday each month at the Center for Spiritual Wholeness, 10 miles west of Danville off Highway 36. Details: 765/522-1526.

Muncie Meditation Dharma meets at 6:45 p.m. Sundays at the Muncie Unitarian Universalist Church, 4800 W. Bradford Dr., for Buddhist meditation and dharma study. MuncieMeditationDharma@gmail.com.

The Kokomo Buddhist Meditation and Study Group
meets twice a month. Details: 765/452-3341; KokomoDDMBA@aol.com

Indianapolis

Sahaja meditation classes are offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Franklin Road Library, 5550 S. Franklin Rd., and from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at a location near 96th St. and Gray Rd., Indpls. IndianaMeditation@gmail.com, 317/456-2021.

Experience “Munay-Ki Rites of Becoming” facilitated by Jeanne Olson at 11:15 a.m. the third Sunday each month (7/18, 8/15) in the Meditation Room at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. tcwoffice@sbcglobal.net, 317/637-5683

Satsang at Inner Peace Yoga Center one Friday each month 7:30 to 9 p.m. (8/27) to ask questions and share spiritual experience and meditate. 5038 E. 56th St., Indpls. 317/257-9642.

Earth Angels Healing Group meets to focus energy on troubled areas of the world from noon to 1 p.m. the first Sunday each month. Inner Path, 7673 Shelby St., Indpls. 317/883-1100.

Spiritual Journey meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays to explore spiritual exercises. Northwood Christian Church, parlor, 4550 Central Ave., Indpls. www.northwoodchristian.com

Pure Light Blessings (Deeksha) by Humanity in Unity, noon to p.m. the first Sunday each month. InnerPath, 7673 Shelby St., Indpls. 317/883-1100.

“Deeksha (Oneness) Blessing,” facilitated by Chuck Reynolds at 11:30 a.m. Sundays (7/11, 8/22). The Church Within, 1125 Spruce Street, Indpls. 317/637-5683, tcwoffice@sbcglobal.net.

Farzad and Dr. Mary Ann Fadae lead a Sufi poetry reading and discussion
at 11:30 a.m. one Sunday each month (7/11, 8/8) at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce Street, Indpls. 317/637-5683, tcwoffice@sbcglobal.net.

Experienced mediators can join others for group meditation from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays (except 8/30 and 9/6) at Inner Peace Yoga Center, 5038 E. 56th St. 317/257-9642.

Meditation practice is offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indpls. djconway4013@comcast.net

A meditation/discussion/healing and drumming circle
meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at All My Relations, 1008 Main St., Speedway. 317/227-3925; http://allmyrelationsindy.com/

Gathering Spirit is an interfaith group that meets for teachings from 7 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays each month at Inner Path, 7673 Shelby St., Indpls. 317/603-0026.

A message and meditation program is held from 10 to 11 a.m. one Sunday each month (7/11, 8/8) at Source Yoga in Fishers. John Hoopes, 317/289-7837; jhoopes2@comcast.net.

Science of Spirituality, Indianapolis Group, meets from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m the second and fourth Tuesday each month. Program includes silent meditation, video excerpts and readings of the Teachers of Sant Mat, or Surat Shabd Yoga. 317/826-4399; jmcgrew@iupui.edu. 

Dances of Universal Peace (also called Sufi dancing) are held at 7:30 p.m. the first Saturday of the month at 6506 Ralston. 317/257-0537 or 317/466-9773.

Friends of Awakening Sangha meets at 11 a.m. Sundays for sitting/walking meditation and dharma inquiry. www.friendsofawakening.net

Many Hearts, One Spirit group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Monday (except holidays) for meditation, discussion and a healing circle at Inner Path, 7673 S. Shelby St., Indpls. 317/883-1100.

Self-Realization Fellowship
– Indianapolis Meditation Circle meets 7 to 8:15 p.m. Thursday evenings in the Broad Ripple/Nora area for SRF students and those interested in Raja Yoga meditation. 317/259-9159 or secretary@srf-indy.org.

Sahaj Marg (Natural Path) meditation group meets at 9 a.m. Sunday mornings and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. janmariec@comcast.net; 317/259-9437.

Humanity In Unity meditation group
meets twice monthly to study and practice the teachings of Sai Maa Lakshmi Devi. 317/828-6925; hiuindy@sbcglobal.net

Southern Indiana

Sahaja meditation classes
are offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave., Columbus. IndianaMeditation@gmail.com, 317/456-2021.

A Oneness Blessingis offered at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Sundays each month in Bloomington. Forrest Gilmore, 812/322-9591 or fgilmore@uuma.org.

A guided meditation
starts at 7 p.m. Fridays at the Gosport Terra Center, then drumming;and healing in the amphitheater followed by discussion around the fire pit. Bring chairs and blankets. Directions: Rev. Richard (Dick) Freeman, 812/879-4097, domeman3@earthlink.net.

Satsang Bloomington
meets the first and third Wednesday evenings each month to study renowned contemporary enlightened teachers, including Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Adyashanti and Gangaji. Meetings include meditation and audio/video presentations. Doug, 812/322-6202.

 

Study    (return to top of page)
Groups


A dream interpretation workshop led by Dr. Milton Robinson and Rev. Beverly Faulk meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. the first Sunday each month (5/2 and 6/6) at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. tcwoffice@sbcglobal.net, 317/637-5683.

The Summit Lighthouse of Indianapolis book study group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the last Tuesday each month at the Nora Library, 8625 Guilford Ave. Current title: The Lost Teachings of Jesus. 317/225-3504.

A book group meets monthly for tea and discussion at Blue Moon Books, 10 W. National Ave., Brazil. For current title and next meeting date: 812/443-2584, or bluemoongiftsonline@gmail.com.


An Eckhart Tolle group
meets at 7 p.m. Mondays to discuss A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, at Unity Christ Church, 3232 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne. Copies of the book are available at the church. 260/482-2477.

Edgar Cayce–based spiritual study groups meet weekly in the Indpls. area. Details: 317/373-1987.

A Course in Miracles study group meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays each month at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth, 4001 S. Rogers St., Bloomington. 812/333-2484 or www.unityofbloomington.org.

A New Earth-Eckhart Tolle study group meets in Fishers one Saturday morning each month (7/10, 8/7). John Hoopes, 317/289-7837 or jhoopes2@comcast.net.  

A Waldorf education study group meets on Thursday evenings in northeast Indianapolis, and a Waldorf-oriented playgroup meets on Fridays. 317/826-1976 or indywaldorf@aim.com.

Unity Church of Anderson’s Course in Miracles group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at 2425 Mounds. 765/642-4463.

A Gurdjieff and Ouspensky discussion group meets in Bloomington. Details: 812/330-1143.

Urantia Book study groups meet at various times and locations in Indianapolis, Westfield, Plainfield, Beech Grove and Lafayette. 317/815-4612.

A Course in Miracles study group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays in West Lafayette. Renee Buckingham, 765/463-3753, or Marge Skeel, 765/497-0806.


The Gurdjieff Foundation of Indiana study group meets weekly in Indianapolis. 317/334-0047; 317/228-9344.

A Course in Miracles study group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at Unity Church, 907 N. Delaware St., Indpls. Use back entrance adjacent to the parking lot. 317/635-4066.

Keeping On Course: A Course in Miracles study group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce Street, Indpls. 317/637-5683

.

Support Groups   (return to top of page)  

    

 

Debtors Anonymous meets at 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 1605 E. 106th St., Rm. 206, Carmel, and 5:45 p.m. Thursdays at Trinity Church, 6151 Central Ave., Indpls. 317/731-3728. www.debtorsanonymous.org

SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, meets at 1:30 p.m. the third Sunday each month on Indy's northside. The group is open to survivors and their supporters. Cecilia Shepley, ceciliashepley@aol.com or 317/844-2993.

Alanon Family Group meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at The Church Within, 1125 Spruce St., Indpls. Sandra, 317/656-9607.

Meditation for Recovering People meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Open to anyone in a 12-step program of recovery regardless of addiction. Based loosely on The 12-Step Buddhist by Darren Littlejohn, this group is meant to complement rather than take the place of other 12-step meetings. Participants will identify themselves only by their first names, not by their addiction. The Church Within, 1125 Spruce Street, Indpls. 317/637-5683.

Healing Touch support group
meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the fourth Monday each month in the auditorium of St. Francis Hospital, 1600 Albany Ave., Beech Grove. Judith Villegas, Starhawklight1@aol.com, 317/413-8692, or Kimberly Bell, Kimberly.Bell@ssfhs.org, 317/782-6667.

Indigo Children Support Group, for Indigos and their families, meets the second and fourth Saturdays each month at the Catalpa Tree Shops in Grabill. 260/627-3012.


Center for Inquiry Indiana seeks people interested in starting a meeting of SOS (Secular Organizations for Sobriety) in Indianapolis. SOS offers a non-religious alternative to traditional 12-step programs for individuals recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. Anonymity is respected. Contact Jack, indysos@earthlink.net, or go to www.sossobriety.org for more information.

A support group for cancer patients and their families meets at 5:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays each month (except holidays) at Community Hospital East Professional Building, Suite 340, 1400 North Ritter Ave., Indpls. Deborah Pendleton, 317/355-5870.

An Outrun the Sun support group for melanoma patients and their families meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the first Monday each month at the Wellness Community of Indianapolis, 5150 W. 71st St. 317/253-2121.

The Indianapolis chapter of the Mankind Project holds an Open Men's Circle to help men create passionate, powerful, authentic lives that work, at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the retreat building behind Allisonville Christian Church, 7701 Allisonville Rd. 317/650-6117 or http://indiana.mkp.org.

A religion recovery support group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Center for Inquiry Indiana, 350 Canal Walk, Suite A, Indpls. Share your experiences with fellow travelers in a supportive environment. www.centerforinquiry.net/indy; 317/423-0710.

Eating Disorders Anonymous meets from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday in Fairbanks Hospital, Room 725, 8102 Clearvista Parkway, Indpls. 317/340-7245

A bereavement support group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. the first Monday of each month at St. Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E. 17th St., Bloomington. Scarlett, 812/340-0937 or Scarlett@ccnh.edu.

SMART RECOVERY is an alternative support group program for people seeking or in recovery from alcohol/substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning April 7 at 9465 Counselors Row, Suite 200, Indpls. Meeting details: Patrick, 317/727-1149; SMART Recovery information: www.smartrecovery.org.

The Indianapolis Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) meets the second Sunday each month for support, education and advocacy at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indpls. www.indypflag.org.

A weekly support group for compulsive overeaters (GSA — GreySheeters Anonymous) holds meetings in Indy at 6 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. 888/473-9743; www.greysheet.org

Nicotine Anonymous, a 12-step support group for people who want to stop smoking or using other forms of nicotine, meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays in the St. Therese Room in the Parish Hall just east of Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th St., Indpls. 317/357-8352.

Full Circle Adoption Support Group of Indiana, a peer group for adult adoptees and birth and adoptive parents, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Thursday of each month in the English Foundation Building, 615 N. Alabama St., and the first Wednesday of each month at Autumn Glen Adult Day Care Center, 2250 N. German Church Rd., Indpls. 317/255-7135.

Adult Children of Alcoholic (dysfunctional) families (ACOA), a 12-step open discussion for adults abused or neglected as children, meets from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays at Lucille Raines, 947 N. Pennsylvania, downstairs. Linda, 317/631-9544, or Jim, 317/938-4224.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Support Group meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the first and third Mondays each month in IU Hospital’s Adult Psychiatry Clinic (Suite 3124), third floor, Indpls. Nancy, 317/509-7798.

A Sjogren’s Syndrome support group meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in Methodist Hospital Wile Hall Room 228, Indpls. Sjogren’s is an autoimmune disease, similar in many ways to lupus. Caregivers are also welcome, and can have their own session. dlkitten@hotmail.com or 317/205-9031.

Food Addicts Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship of men and women willing to recover from the disease of food addiction. There are no dues or fees and the organization is not connected with any diet plan or weight loss program. Food Addicts Anonymous meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays at the Riverside Avenue Baptist Church, 3700 W. Riverside Ave., Muncie (765/288-7549).

The Pet Loss Grief Support Group meets from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at the East 38th Street branch library, 5420 E. 38th St., Indpls. (except April 10 meeting begins at 2:30 p.m.) Details: 317/251-4028; www.inpetloss.org. 


The Wellness Community offers support groups for cancer patients and their loved ones at The Wellness Community, St.Vincent Hospital and St. Francis Hospital. Details: 317/257/1505.

 

Volunteers    (return to top of page)

 

 

AIM (Aftercare for Indiana through Mentoring) needs volunteers throughout Indiana to mentor incarcerated juveniles ages 12 to 19. For details, visit http://aim.spea.iupui.edu and complete an online application.

The Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault needs volunteers to work anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the INCASA office in downtown Indianapolis on Monument Circle. Volunteer opportunities include helping with training and education projects, assisting with the enhancement of a resource library, creating new brochures, and data collection. Internships are available for marketing, media and law students. Kathryn, 317/423-0233 ext. 14 or kwoods@incasa.org.

The Humane Society of Indianapolis needs volunteers to work at its animal shelter. 317/872-5650, ext.112; www.indyhumane.org.

I-CAN nonprofit feline spay/neuter clinic seeks volunteers to help with clinic tasks. Flexible weekday hours, 702 N. Shortridge Rd., Indpls. 317/357-4226; www.spayneuter.net

The Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville needs volunteers to walk larger kennel dogs, socialize with puppies and cats, help bathe and groom animals, and help out at fundraisers throughout the year.  Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. 812/426-2563 or vhslifesaver@dynasty.net 

The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO) is a no-kill rescue group in central Indiana. ARPO seeks animal lovers to provide foster care for cats and dogs. 317/774-8292; adoptarpo.com.

Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana seeks foster homes for abused, abandoned or unwanted Shetland Sheepdogs awaiting adoption. 317/885-1838.

Help assist stray and feral cats
as a volunteer for IndyFeral, Inc., which provides medical care for 85 colonies of feral cats throughout Indiana. www.indyferal.org.

The Brown County Humane Society needs help with shelter maintenance, data entry, animal grooming and other tasks. To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@bchumane.org.

The Tippecanoe County Humane Society
relies on individual and group volunteers to help with special events and fundraisers as well day-to-day tasks at the animal shelter. 765/474-5222.

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence operates a statewide toll-free number — 800/332-7385 — answered 24 hours a day by crisis counselors who can help abused women find shelter and legal aid in their area. (In Marion County, call 317/205-4673. In Monroe Co. and south-central Indiana, 812/336-0846.) The organization also provides old cell phones to domestic violence survivors so they can call 911. If your old phone can hold a charge, then clear out your auto-dial numbers, make sure the service is off, and drop it off at 1915 W. 18th St., Indpls

Rehab Resource provides materials and assistance for the rehabilitation of substandard housing. Groups of volunteers are sought to help with projects. 317/637-3701 or 800/685-4686.

Second Helpings rescues unused restaurant food and turns it into nutritious meals for Indpls. shelters, senior centers and children’s programs. for Indpls. shelters, senior centers and children’s programs. Volunteers over 21 are needed to deliver meals to agencies within Indpls. 317/632-2664, or apply online at secondhelpings.org 

VITAL
volunteers help adults in Monroe County learn to read. 812/349-3173.

Indy Reads offers an orientation to literacy volunteer services at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Services Center, 2450 N. Meridian St., Indpls. Details: http://www.indyreads.org/cal.html

The St. Joseph County Literacy Council volunteers help adults in the Mishawaka area achieve their educational and employment potential through confidential, one-on-one tutoring. To volunteer, call 574/235-6113 or go to stjoereads.org.

The Fort Wayne Literacy Alliance matches adult students with one-on-one reading, writing or math tutors. Volunteers are provided intensive training on two consecutive Saturday mornings. 260/426-7323 or info@fwliteracyalliance.org

   

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