Ch-ch-ch changes. Learn to face the strange changes...

Hello Friends,

Visit our webpages for your best experience with this Update as well indexes to resources for Official Information, Back to School.  

We are continuing to meet several days a week this summer. Click here to contact Carolyn for the Zoom Links to join us!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00

Open Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00

English Classes: Some of our classes are continuing to meet several times a month.

These past four months have been full of changes for us. In just four short months our lives have been remarkably changed. We have learned so much about the risks of this new disease that has impacted our health, lifestyles and economies. Our new normal means we need some changes to keep us safe and moving forward. Starting Monday, July 27 all of Indiana has a mask mandate. You must wear a mask in public (for example, in stores, restaurants, in parks, etc.). This is to protect the others around us. Aside from being a healthy practice, some people would call this just plain common courtesy.

People are talking about Americans not being accepting of wearing masks. There are complaints of masks being political, uncomfortable, hot, hard to breathe in, awkward, hard to understand each other, strange, inconvenient, hard to find and so much more. There are additional complaints about people who don't wear them properly or take them off to talk. Wearing a mask in the United States is a highly unusual behavior. Not wanting to wear a mask is nothing new. During the Spanish Flu 100 years ago, Americans were advised to wear masks. This article and video from History.com shows that not too much has changed in this regard. When people cover their faces here used to mean that someone did not want to be identified and that they are up to no good. Wearing a mask flies in the face of being open and being recognized as an individual (a very important feature of being an American). This article from Alabama.com further considers our current situation: Why everyone doesn't want to wear a mask during a pandemic.

There is a great, old, David Bowie song for you to enjoy (Changes from the Hunky Dory album). Here are the lyrics to read. Does any of the vocabulary of this song sound familiar? Some of these words have become common, pandemic vocabulary. 

COVID-19 Update

Back to School Many Indiana schools are looking forward to meeting in person. The schools have extensive plans to keep students and staff safe. Will school be exactly the same as before? No, not at all. Frankly, no year has ever been like the last and no year will ever be like this one! I have added a Back to School [page to our webpages that has quick links to the different schools and their opening plans. You can compare and contrast. There are also links to CDC and Indiana State Guidelines. Being prepared and understanding the rationale for actions and requirements helps us get through this together.

Mask Mandate from the governor of Indiana. Many people wear masks or facial coverings when in public and most stores require them to enter and shop. This mandate or official order helps because there is a common expectation to wear a facial covering when things are crowded inside or outside. "Mask up Indiana", This means that you don't have to feel awkward pulling out a mask or asking someone coming into your home or group setting to wear a mask. If you see people congregating, it would be best to avoid that area.

Close Contact = spending more than fifteen minutes within six feet of someone

Contact Tracing = in the presence of someone who has tested positive 

News Resources

A great option for keeping up to date is the Hamilton County Reporter. You can get current news in your email as a subscription for $12.00 a year!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays. 9:30-10:30, Zoom.

We wrapped up Mark 12 with a four sentence story that wraps up the great example where a widow (who could be the victim of unscrupulous leaders) is recognized. When it comes down to it, it isn’t the monetary value of a gift, but that she gave her all. God knows and recognizes the actions and motives of all people.

You may have heard people predicting the end of the world. Will it be climate? Will it be self destruction by war or nuclear weapons? Will it be disease? What will it be like? What do we do? Jesus addresses these concerns in Mark 13. Jesus reiterates the signs that indicate the end is near. These signs are like road signs that prepare us for what is to come so we can be prepared. Jesus' advice, "What I say to you, I say everyone: 'Watch!'" 

July 28: Join us as we begin by talking about Mark 14: 1-11.

Back to School Seminar

We had a nice back to school seminar. Notably, general consensus:

• We have to learn how to deal with this disease.
• Our children are excited to return.
• Our schools are being well prepared to cope with classroom "new normal" processes.
• We can only imagine what this will look like, but the reality of the experience won't be as scary as I imagine.
  
• One size does not fit all families or schools: every family needs to decide how to best go back to school given their particular health concerns.
• Be thoughtful, be respectful.
• Be ready for anything: e-learning may be necessary, kids may need to stay home
• I am confident my kids will follow the rules; I am worried about others.
• Be informed. Stay up to date from athoratative sources, ask your teachers, look at directives from the school websites, etc. Rumor mills are not the place to find answers (" people are saying/posting" 
  
• Don't judge (in this case judge takes the modern definition of criticize): parents are making the best decisions for their families and children; listen and support their decisions. To go to school or to e-learn are good choices and depend on the well being of the family.
  

Fun Stuff At Home and Away

From the Center for Performing Arts:

Entries just keep rolling in to the Center’s At Home Talent Show! Among the recent entries:

• Lawrence North High School sophomore Erica Wilson performs an original song, “Falling.”
• All the way from California, Erich Sylvester plays a ukulele standard.
• Indianapolis musician and visual artist Michael Lipe combines his talents for a video of his tune “Beautiful Punk.”
• Indianapolis guitarist Matt Winingham plays a blazing solo over the chords of “She” by Harry Style.
  

And speaking of fun, check out the Peanut Butter and Jam Series for young children, teen and youth programs, ukulele as well as other fun learning opportunities at the Performing Arts Center.

Greencastle Music Festival is on for August 21 and 22. Tickets are $10. This outdoor festival promises good music and food and outdoor space to enjoy the music.

Great reading for the family: Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling 

Or watch the 1972 movie here: Rikki Tikki Tavi Cartoon

Hunky Dory: slang for going well or doing great
album: a collection of music on a vinyl record
remarkably: drastically, markedly
impacted: acted on

aside from being: in spite of, notwithstanding, 

common courtesy: a polite practice (for example, holding the door for someone)

flies in the face of: challenge or against an opinion (Love my pun here?)

old,: commas are so important. This one tells us the song is great and old by David Bowie. Without the comma the great song is by the old guy named David Bowie.
up to no good: planning or doing something wrong

sound familiar: 
looking forward to: anticipating
extensive: covering a large area or content
when it comes down to it: ultimately
reiterates: says again or repeat
it, it: it is odd to see a word twice isn't it?
mask up: put on your mask; similarly, dress up
monetary: pertaining to money
notably: standing out
consensus: agree
deal with: work with; live with
one size does not fit all: all situations and problems can not be solved by one solution
rumor mills: places that create and promote misinformation and opinion over fact
reiterates: tell again

is on: will happen