Dian Foreman, Brian Walls, Chris Provence
I thought this would be a fun pic...
- Brian, Tear Down The Walls ministry.
- Chris, Rebuild The Wall ministry.
- Dian... to referee between them???
More photos from the cafe photo-pool.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
DeVos Conversation at the Cafe
Dian Foreman, Brian Walls, Chris Provence
I thought this would be a fun pic...
More photos from the cafe photo-pool.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ex-offender Re-entry Townhall...
[story & photos from IndyChristian.com...]
Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner David Donahue called a 'townhall meeting' last night on the campus of Martin University, to discuss Ex-offender Re-entry programs in our community.
The numbers are staggering... $1.3 Billion dollars are spent every 24 months for keeping prisoners in the state system. And their headcounts are growing at a rate of 4% annually.
During 2008, more than 5,000 IDOC prisoners will return to Marion County alone. Without a job and accountability structures, a very high percentage will return to the very habits that helped get them into prison in the first place. And not surprisingly, a very high percentage will return again to prison. Unless we help.
Alternatively, according to Commissioner Donahue, $80 million could be saved annually with just a 5% reduction in recidivism (rate of ex-offenders returning to prison).
Ok, so where's the Church as part of the solution? Are we willing to step up and be the redemptive agents that Jesus called us to be in the world? A number of our people are. Here's the wiki-page we're compiling of all the prison-related ministries serving our area.
Here are some examples...
Mike Boler, Dan Gushee, Steve Shoup, Bob Irvin
One of our cafe friends (and board member), Dan Gushee, provides housing for ex-offenders. More than just housing though, he helps guys be accountable... and discipled... as they return to the community.
It was fun to introduce Dan to another friend last night, Bob Irvin, who's leads a men's Read-Thru-The-Bible group in Carmel and is involved in the Kairos prison ministry (not to mention serving as a board member for Faith Hope & Love ). Bob is now working to build a micro-loan mechanism whereby we can help ex-offenders start a small business.
I hope you can begin to imagine how hard it is for ex-offenders to find a 'real' job. But becoming a small business owner... ie, provider of services such as landscaping, tree-trimming, etc. may well be a more reasonable possibility... with a little help. Bob told us of a guy who had been ministered to by the Kairos ministry, now released and working hard to restart his work life, by cutting down trees... with a handsaw. The proposed micro-loan fund would help obtain a $7,000 small-business loan to make it possible to buy a used truck, wood-chipper and chain-saws. Maybe even put some other guys to work with him as the business grows.
What might you or your church be able to do?
[Photo slide-show from last night's Townhall Meeting]
************
More photos from Don Hawkins... IndianaReEntry.com.
Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner David Donahue called a 'townhall meeting' last night on the campus of Martin University, to discuss Ex-offender Re-entry programs in our community.
The numbers are staggering... $1.3 Billion dollars are spent every 24 months for keeping prisoners in the state system. And their headcounts are growing at a rate of 4% annually.
During 2008, more than 5,000 IDOC prisoners will return to Marion County alone. Without a job and accountability structures, a very high percentage will return to the very habits that helped get them into prison in the first place. And not surprisingly, a very high percentage will return again to prison. Unless we help.
Alternatively, according to Commissioner Donahue, $80 million could be saved annually with just a 5% reduction in recidivism (rate of ex-offenders returning to prison).
Ok, so where's the Church as part of the solution? Are we willing to step up and be the redemptive agents that Jesus called us to be in the world? A number of our people are. Here's the wiki-page we're compiling of all the prison-related ministries serving our area.
Here are some examples...
Mike Boler, Dan Gushee, Steve Shoup, Bob Irvin
One of our cafe friends (and board member), Dan Gushee, provides housing for ex-offenders. More than just housing though, he helps guys be accountable... and discipled... as they return to the community.
It was fun to introduce Dan to another friend last night, Bob Irvin, who's leads a men's Read-Thru-The-Bible group in Carmel and is involved in the Kairos prison ministry (not to mention serving as a board member for Faith Hope & Love ). Bob is now working to build a micro-loan mechanism whereby we can help ex-offenders start a small business.
I hope you can begin to imagine how hard it is for ex-offenders to find a 'real' job. But becoming a small business owner... ie, provider of services such as landscaping, tree-trimming, etc. may well be a more reasonable possibility... with a little help. Bob told us of a guy who had been ministered to by the Kairos ministry, now released and working hard to restart his work life, by cutting down trees... with a handsaw. The proposed micro-loan fund would help obtain a $7,000 small-business loan to make it possible to buy a used truck, wood-chipper and chain-saws. Maybe even put some other guys to work with him as the business grows.
What might you or your church be able to do?
[Photo slide-show from last night's Townhall Meeting]
************
More photos from Don Hawkins... IndianaReEntry.com.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Summer Fun Camp in the Neighborhood
Great new program coming... Stay tuned at Glorious Gail webpage.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Biking Birthday in the Neighborhood? Yep. June 7th
June 7th... at Tab Park. Click for details. And hey, check it out,
Btw, what do you get a bike for its birthday? Nancy got hers a BLOG !!!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
And the wall comes tumbling down...
photo by Ellen5e
The wall of the building adjoining the cafe came tumbling down today, and out into the street.
[continued at the Indianapolis Star]
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chelsea Clinton Visits The Cafe
[Much thanks for photos by Alex Conner]
Judy O'Bannon & Chelsea Clinton
Former 'First Daughter', Chelsea Clinton, came to the cafe yesterday while on the campaign trail for Senator Hillary Clinton. She was accompanied by Mrs. Judy O'Bannon -- former first lady of Indiana.
Pastor David Scott & Chelsea
Chelsea's visit came on short notice, and of course was warmly welcomed by everyone -- a hallmark at the cafe... Christ-like warmth & hospitality.
Mrs. O'Bannon & Neil Cox
Chelsea and Sister Elease Womack
Mrs. O'Bannon and Ms. Clinton were greeted by Sister Elease Womack, the cafe ministry leader. And they made the rounds throughout the cafe, stopping and talking with cafe regulars who were on-hand.
Chris Smith & Chelsea
And of course, many photos were taken 'at the banner'. After all, surely you wouldn't travel all the way to Indy and NOT get your photo taken at the banner, would you? *wink*
Jennifer O'Bannon & Ellen Spencer
Another 'First Daughter' was also on-hand... Jennifer... daughter of the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon.
Rosie & Viola
Many beloved friends of the cafe were also enjoying the occasion. And as is our tradition, getting your picture made 'at the banner' is just another way we can honor our neighbors and friends, as we strive to get to know each other quickly.
The cafe photo-pool now contains over 900 such pictures... with a promise of many more to come, should the Lord tarry.
Judy O'Bannon & Chelsea Clinton
Former 'First Daughter', Chelsea Clinton, came to the cafe yesterday while on the campaign trail for Senator Hillary Clinton. She was accompanied by Mrs. Judy O'Bannon -- former first lady of Indiana.
Pastor David Scott & Chelsea
Chelsea's visit came on short notice, and of course was warmly welcomed by everyone -- a hallmark at the cafe... Christ-like warmth & hospitality.
Mrs. O'Bannon & Neil Cox
Chelsea and Sister Elease Womack
Mrs. O'Bannon and Ms. Clinton were greeted by Sister Elease Womack, the cafe ministry leader. And they made the rounds throughout the cafe, stopping and talking with cafe regulars who were on-hand.
Chris Smith & Chelsea
And of course, many photos were taken 'at the banner'. After all, surely you wouldn't travel all the way to Indy and NOT get your photo taken at the banner, would you? *wink*
Jennifer O'Bannon & Ellen Spencer
Another 'First Daughter' was also on-hand... Jennifer... daughter of the late Gov. Frank O'Bannon.
Rosie & Viola
Many beloved friends of the cafe were also enjoying the occasion. And as is our tradition, getting your picture made 'at the banner' is just another way we can honor our neighbors and friends, as we strive to get to know each other quickly.
The cafe photo-pool now contains over 900 such pictures... with a promise of many more to come, should the Lord tarry.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Video: 'Have You Heard?'
Catch the vision: If you look across the citywide 'Church @ Indianapolis' and see the digital divide, the multicultural divide, and God's eternal divide... all starting to close... you might be seeing just a little of the impact of this little cafe truly in the heart of Indy...
Reggie Edwards: "What am I good for?"
It's a lot of fun as you can see from the video. In this particular case... [continued at LovingChange.com]
************
[ht: "TweetOthers.com" -- Catching others doing great stuff.]
Reggie Edwards: "What am I good for?"
It's a lot of fun as you can see from the video. In this particular case... [continued at LovingChange.com]
************
[ht: "TweetOthers.com" -- Catching others doing great stuff.]
Friday, April 11, 2008
Vision Dinner Video
Great thanks to our volunteer techs for providing clips from the recent 'Vision Dinner'. Stay tuned at AskAnythingSaturday.TV for more...
Sunday, April 06, 2008
More friends at the cafe....
As always, we all met a lot of new people Saturday at the cafe. And one particularly neat introduction was Manuel Apraez, from MY neighborhood in Carmel...
Manuel Apraez and Eric Yateman
[other recent items from the cafe photo-pool]
Manuel Apraez and Eric Yateman
[other recent items from the cafe photo-pool]
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Great crowd, great pix...
[click to zoom]
Gotta love the cafe, especially Saturday mornings during Ask Anything Saturday. It's a great mix of folks, coming together for a variety of reasons.
And how cool to be able to enjoy all of AlxConn's slide-show. [Thanks Alex!]
Monday, March 24, 2008
The IRS wants our help... Economic Stimulus FAQs
Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center
(IRS.gov) Updated March 17, 2008
Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.
But there are more details to know... [continued at IRS.gov]
(IRS.gov) Updated March 17, 2008
Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.
But there are more details to know... [continued at IRS.gov]
Saturday, March 22, 2008
In the house... 'Fun' was the special of the day.
Another great day at the cafe. The place was jammed. And jammin'. LOL
I met one of my 'Facebook friends'... Dian Foreman... for the first time today at the cafe. Dian is coordinating the RELOAD conference that several of us will be involved in, coming up in April. With her was another new friend made today, Jeffrey Cole.
Here's another Facebook friend... with a friend... having entirely too much fun. *smile*
Yeah, you can see... things almost got out of hand, people were all enjoying cafe time. These folks came all the way from Colorado Springs to be with us. Well, sorta. *wink*
And there's always gotta be an 'actor' in the crowd, right?
...and many more fun pix today in the cafe's photo-pool.
Be with us next week?
I met one of my 'Facebook friends'... Dian Foreman... for the first time today at the cafe. Dian is coordinating the RELOAD conference that several of us will be involved in, coming up in April. With her was another new friend made today, Jeffrey Cole.
Here's another Facebook friend... with a friend... having entirely too much fun. *smile*
Yeah, you can see... things almost got out of hand, people were all enjoying cafe time. These folks came all the way from Colorado Springs to be with us. Well, sorta. *wink*
And there's always gotta be an 'actor' in the crowd, right?
...and many more fun pix today in the cafe's photo-pool.
Be with us next week?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Marion Harcourt honored as Social Worker of the Year
We just received news today that our cafe friend, Marion Harcourt, was recently honored by her profession...
Many of you know Marion as she comes with her grandson, Ben, who serves at the cafe from time to time.
Congratulations Marion !!!
[And here's an article in Hamilton County.]
Many of you know Marion as she comes with her grandson, Ben, who serves at the cafe from time to time.
Congratulations Marion !!!
[And here's an article in Hamilton County.]
Sunday, March 02, 2008
'Ask Anything Saturday' Training Takes Another Step
We were gifted with a new little video camcorder this week which now will allow us to start the video training we've been wanting to do.
And how cool it was, to be able to let today's young 'trainees' follow some pros who were in the house today. "Just watch what these guys do, and do what they do."
[Thanks Jonathan & Chris for loaning your giftedness to God's service here.]
But remember, all our various lessons here 'cost a million dollars'... unless you in turn train someone else about what you've learned. Then we call it even. That's our 'Each One, Teach One' strategy.
Here's Reggie Edwards -- one of our guys who participated in the podcast we did this past week at the Mid-North Shepherd Center. So he came down today to get some help learning to EDIT video... so he can help folks at the center learn to do video.
And how cool it was, to be able to let today's young 'trainees' follow some pros who were in the house today. "Just watch what these guys do, and do what they do."
[Thanks Jonathan & Chris for loaning your giftedness to God's service here.]
But remember, all our various lessons here 'cost a million dollars'... unless you in turn train someone else about what you've learned. Then we call it even. That's our 'Each One, Teach One' strategy.
Here's Reggie Edwards -- one of our guys who participated in the podcast we did this past week at the Mid-North Shepherd Center. So he came down today to get some help learning to EDIT video... so he can help folks at the center learn to do video.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
In the house today... families and a wrecking crew
There was certainly a wide variety of folks in the cafe today...
Josh & Joanna Kennedy and their girls came all the way from Sheridan. Josh is the pastor at Christ Community Church there, where our tech-wizard/friend Scott Wilder participates as worship leader.
And former Colts (SuperBowl) lineman, Tarik Glenn and some of his family were also in the house. Tarik & Maya are highly invested in the neighborhood, especially as pertains to youth programs. Visit Dream Alive, Inc (youth mentoring), for instance.
And then there's the wrecking crew today... LOL...
And none of these pictures would be available but for our resident photographer & tech-director of (several of) our 'Ask Anything Saturday TV' shows.... Alex Conner.
Josh & Joanna Kennedy and their girls came all the way from Sheridan. Josh is the pastor at Christ Community Church there, where our tech-wizard/friend Scott Wilder participates as worship leader.
And former Colts (SuperBowl) lineman, Tarik Glenn and some of his family were also in the house. Tarik & Maya are highly invested in the neighborhood, especially as pertains to youth programs. Visit Dream Alive, Inc (youth mentoring), for instance.
And then there's the wrecking crew today... LOL...
And none of these pictures would be available but for our resident photographer & tech-director of (several of) our 'Ask Anything Saturday TV' shows.... Alex Conner.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Pancake Crazy
[check out the latest pix in the photo-pool]
The place is CRAZY these days! Lately, Saturdays are filled to capacity. Must be Tim's pancakes -- what else could it be?
Anyway... come on down and try to figure it out for yourselves.
And watch 'Ask Anything Saturday' on a number of website channels now...
- AskAnythingSaturday.com (of course)
- AskAnythingSaturday.TV (of course)
- UBcafe.com (of course)
- IndyChristian.TV
- Blews.TV
- CityReaching.TV
- ModelChurch.com
- YOUR website? (contact us)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Today at the cafe... "BarCamp Indy 2008" !!!
'BarCamp Indy 2008' is finally here!
Welcome. It's an 'unconference'. It's unconventional. It's unexpensive. We ARE the presenters. We make our own rules. And we pay ourselves -- ie, it's FREE!
And it's all about LEARNING from each other... about TECHNOLOGIES. We have short presentations, each followed by intense fast-paced discussion.
And it's about trying something different -- practicing our flexibility, to enhance our ability to 'innovate'.
You can see more in the wiki today. And stay tuned at BarCampIndy.org.
You'll see there, for instance, that we're STREAMING LIVE TODAY... and we plan to archive videos from today's presentations.
And here's the BarCampIndy2008 photo-pool, including my favorite...
Dr. Thomas Ho, 'evangelist' for the cafe's pancakes.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Saturday computing...
Nice photo, Alex (Conner) -- one of our Indy Christian Geeks... who help with the 'Ask Anything Saturday' internet-training program. Thanks Alex. [...and Ellen -- we see you down there.]
This gives people a little idea what things are like on Saturdays. Cool.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
JT brings it...
Jonathan Thomas filled some big shoes today at the cafe. The MidNorth Shepherd Center monthly luncheon group had invited former Colts lineman Tarik Glenn to come speak to them... but he fell sick and was unable to appear.
On short notice, JT came and spoke to the group... sharing his personal testimony... and the dreams instilled in him by his mother, and by His Lord.
JT's testimony reasonated loud & clear in the hearts of everyone present. The Lord is never caught off-guard, is He? JT was no last-minute substitute in the mind of the Almighty.
[more photos in today's UBcafe photo pool]
Saturday, February 02, 2008
De'Amon Harges.... today on Ask Anything Saturday TV
Today's guest on 'Ask Anything Saturday' at the cafe, was our neighborhood friend, De'Amon Harges.
Ask Anything Saturday TV is now seen at a growing number of websites...
- UBcafe.com
- AskAnythingSaturday.com
- AskAnythingSaturday.TV
- IndyChristian.TV
- Blews.TV Network
- CityReaching.TV
- ModelChurch.com
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