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Hoosier United Methodist e-NEWS for February 5, 2010

HOOSIER UNITED METHODIST e-newsletter

February is Black History Month
For Friday, February 5, 2010 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany (green)
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference tithe. Thank you.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication

Deadline for submitting items is noon Wednesday.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES

Our Life Together Clergy Retreat to Be ‘A Lively Sense of Call’
School Children Give $600 To UMCOR’s Haiti Relief Efforts
N.W. United Methodists Help Send Medical Supplies to Haiti
Churches to Receive Offering for Campus Ministries This Month
650,000 Hoosiers Get Food Aid in 2009
Indiana’s First Lady Kicks off Food Drive
Indiana House Passes Diluted Smoke Ban as It Heads to Senate
Church Giving Forms Are Available on Conference Web Site

BIBLE PASSAGE

“Master,” Simon answered, “we worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I will let down the nets.” They let them down and caught such a large number of fish that the nets were about to break. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full of fish that the boats were about to sink. When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!” He and the others with him were all amazed at the large number of fish they had caught. The same was true of Simon's partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” They pulled the boats up on the beach, left everything, and followed Jesus.

– Luke 5: 5-11
Good News Translation
www.americanbible.com

HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

For the latest news about the Haiti Emergency, visit www.umc.org/haiti, www.umcor.org and www.churchworldservice.com.

For a slide show about Haiti, visit www.flickr.com/photos/umcommunications/show/.

Check out ‘Haiti Emergency’ on the conference Web site to see how you can assist with UMCOR relief efforts with your materials and gifts.

YOU CAN DONATE TO UMCOR ONLINE – PASS THE WORD

Donations to support UMCOR’s Haiti Relief efforts can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. You can donate online or checks can be made to UMCOR with “Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency” in the memo line. Checks can be put in the church’s offering plate or mailed to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. The entire amount of each gift will be used to help the people of Haiti.

NEWS

OUR LIFE TOGETHER CLERGY RETREAT TO BE ‘A LIVELY SENSE OF CALL’

Under the banner “A Lively Sense of Call,” two recording artists, a pastor and a seminary president will headline the Our Life Together retreat for Indiana Conference United Methodist clergy Monday, April 26 and Tuesday, April 27 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

The Monday session will begin with worship including a dialogue sermon by the Revs. Derek Weber of Aldersgate UMC of Fort Wayne and Jenifer Steulpe Gibbs of First UMC in Bloomington. Following lunch, participants will hear the songs of recording artist Lisa McLendon and the spoken words of the Rev. Tyrone Gordon, senior pastor of the 5,000-member St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas. Following Monday’s dinner, Andrew Peterson will be featured in concert.

Continuing the retreat on Tuesday morning, participants will worship and hear the Rev. Dr. Wendy J. Deichmann Edwards, president of United Theological Seminary in suburban Dayton, Ohio. Following lunch, Holy Communion will be celebrated with Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner, who also will preach. The emphasis of the two-day event will be on nurturing the call to clergy ministry, as well as encouraging others to hear the call. More information about the retreat, registration and housing will be published soon.

SCHOOL CHILDREN GIVE $600 TO UMCOR’S HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS

Pastor Dave Smitley of North Webster United Methodist church writes about community school students getting involved in UMCOR’s plea for Haiti relief efforts. He says, “A member of our church teaches an after-school program in the West Noble schools, a school district with a high population of unemployment and Hispanics. Many of her students live in sub-par housing, single parent families, families where English is not spoken in a rural setting. Yet, her story reflects the generosity and graciousness of children whose hearts go out to children and people in Haiti. Sunday, she brought more than $600 given by these children from Christmas money received and any little bits of change they could collect. We are sending that $600 on to UMCOR. Children helping others! I know there are lots of stories, but I thought I'd share one that is happening in northeast Indiana.”

N.W. UNITED METHODISTS HELP SEND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO HAITI

More than 100 volunteers from United Methodist, other churches and the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center have filled three 40-foot shipping containers with a million dollars worth of medical supplies bound for Haiti. The shipment of one of the containers was sponsored by Clay United Methodist Church of South Bend and is scheduled to arrive later this weekend.

The organization shipping the needed supplies is called Children of Abraham, which came into existence after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The supplies will be sent through Miami, Fla. to the Dominican Republic than on to the Saint Damien Pediatric Hospital in Tabarre, Haiti’s only free pediatric hospital. The three containers include orthopedic and surgical supplies, beds, mattresses, emergency kits, water and food items.

CHURCHES TO RECEIVE OFFERING FOR CAMPUS MINISTRIES THIS MONTH

The 2009 Indiana Annual Conference session approved a state-wide special offering to support Indiana United Methodist-related Campus Ministries. Indiana’s 1,200 congregations are invited and encouraged to receive the offering any Sunday in February and to promote campus ministries in their congregations. Envelopes and other resources will be arriving before the first Sunday in February. For more information, resources, videos, PowerPoint slides to promote campus ministries or to request a campus ministry speaker for your congregation, visit www.inumc.org/campusministry or contact the Rev. Brian Durand or by phone at 877-781-6706 or 317-924-1321.

650,000 HOOSIERS GET FOOD AID IN 2009

Nearly 650,000 Indiana residents – almost half of them children or seniors – received emergency food from local food banks last year as the recession lingered, according to a statewide study released Tuesday (Associated Press). “The study, conducted by the groups Feeding Indiana's Hungry and Feeding America, found that 37 percent of the households served have at least one employed adult,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, a spokeswoman for Feeding Indiana's Hungry. “Twenty-five percent of adults in the households that Feeding Indiana's Hungry serves work at least part time.” “The findings illustrate the growing problem of hunger in the weak economy and the significant connection between the economy and the increased need for emergency food,” Bryant said. The study, which the groups say is the first of its kind in Indiana, found that about 37 percent of client households in Indiana receive food stamp benefits. Among households with young children, half participate in the federal nutrition program for women, infants and children. And more than half of the households with school-age children also receive federal school lunch assistance. “What this says for Indiana is that the folks who are being hit the hardest are the folks who are trying to provide for themselves and unfortunately, don't have the resources available to them to have enough food to supply their family,” Bryant said. – Howey Politics Indiana

INDIANA’S FIRST LADY KICKS OFF FOOD DRIVE

Indiana’s First Lady Cheri Daniels today announced the kickoff of the annual Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers food drive for Indiana state employees. During the month of February, 65 agencies and 132 divisions throughout state government will coordinate efforts to collect non-perishable items for local food banks (Howey Politics Indiana). “We received an overwhelming response to last year’s call for donations,” said First Lady Cheri Daniels. “I have no doubt that state employees will continue to recognize the importance of helping our fellow Hoosiers in need.” For the 2009 drive, state agencies joined together to collect more than 81,000 food items and raise $9,400 in monetary donations. Suggested contributions include canned fruits, vegetables and meats as well as soup, rice and pasta. Collection bins provided by Gleaners Food Bank are located in the Indiana Government Center cafeterias and outside the Governor’s Office in the State House. Other state offices around the state have donation boxes located within their individual facilities.

INDIANA HOUSE PASSES DILUTED SMOKE BAN AS IT HEADS TO SENATE

The Indiana House passed a watered-down statewide smoking ban Tuesday by 73-26 vote (Kelly, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette). “This is not even close to a comprehensive ban anymore,” said Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington. “But the least we can do is help this bill limp its way across the hall and see what the Senate might do.” House Bill 1131 initially exempted only casinos, but legislators have since added numerous other exemptions. They include bars and taverns catering only to Hoosiers 21 and older; tobacco-related businesses; private clubs and fraternal organizations; and small businesses in which all employees are family members and there are no areas of the business open to the public. It still covers all restaurants and would add Indiana to a growing list of states with smoking bans for most public places.

CHURCH GIVING FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON CONFERENCE WEB SITE

Here’s a note for local church treasurers. Monthly giving reports will be available soon; in the meantime a blank giving form is available on the conference Web site.

The Annual Audit Report is also available on the conference Web site and once completed needs to be returned by May 31 to: Indiana United Methodist Church, Attn: Audit, 301 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46280. If you need a paper copy of either of these forms, please contact the Indiana Conference Center at 877-781-6706.

For more United Methodist news and information, log on to www.umc.org and click on NEWS.

2010 INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT BALL STATE IN MUNCIE, JUNE 10-13

ANNUAL CONFERENCE CHOIRS NOW BEING FORMED FOR JUNE SESSION

Worship leaders are seeking talented high school, younger adults and older persons to be a part of the Indiana Annual Conference session worship team. Open audition CDs, MP3s and audio cassette tapes are being received now through Feb. 22 for the 2010 Indiana Annual Conference Session being held at Ball State University in Muncie, June 10-13.

To be a part of the team, participants are committing to rehearsals in Indianapolis on Saturdays, March 13, April 10 and May 8 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. plus Wednesday, June 9 from noon to 10 p.m. at Ball State University for conference June 10-13.

Send auditions to Chuck Scott, Saint Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46835 or escott@stjoemin.com, phone 260-485-9681 ext. 32. If you have sent an audition recording in the past, you need only contact Chuck Scott and express your interest to serve as a conference choir member again. – Chuck Scott

WORSHIP RESOURCES

ASH WEDNESDAY, COMING FEB. 17

Here’s a contemporary Ash Wednesday service from the General Board of Discipleship by Taylor Burton-Edwards, a clergy member of the Indiana Conference.

HAITI REEARTHQUAKE RESPONSE WORSHIP RESOURCES

RETHINK CHURCH LENTEN SEASON SERMON STARTERS

Rethink Church is offering sermon starters for the Lenten season to help you reach seekers and connect in new ways with your community. A Journey to Hope, begins on Ash Wednesday with an invitation to travel with Jesus to the cross. As participants encounter real life issues along the way, we see that God's light is sometimes even brighter in the darkness and that hope can be found even in the most unlikely places.

Social media suggestions are provided to engage community prior to the message, and to continue reflection afterwards. Props add another dimension to the series which are especially helpful to visual learners, while free-downloadable UMTV video stories illustrate how United Methodists are finding and sharing hope around the world. And that hope is extended beyond the walls through experiences shared through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, short videos and personal testimonies.

This Lenten season, take a journey to hope and share that hope with the world.

MINISTRY RESOURCES

FIVE REASONS TO GIVE TO THE CAMPUS MINISTRIES OFFERING

Your future pastor is looking for spiritual direction on a college campus today.
Our campus ministries spiritually impact not only students, but entire campus communities.
“Campus ministry is one of the most important places for the church to be mission today.” – Dr. Alice Knotts
Your giving supports the leadership development, intentional spiritual guidance, and life changing missions that are shaping our future church and world leaders on campuses today.
“If campus ministries had not been there, I wouldn’t be in college.” – Aryielle

REJUVENATE EVENTS FOR CLERGY ARE TWO DAYS LONG

Clergy and laity are encouraged to participate in the “Extravagant Generosity” workshops led by the Rev. David Bell. (visit www.inumc.org/rejuvenate for the workshops’ dates and locations)

Clergy are to register for both Friday and Saturday workshops.

Registration fees are:

Friday – Clergy $60 per person; clergy spouse: $15 per person (Meal provided on Friday.)
Saturday – Clergy/Lay Team: $30 per church (Light refreshments provided on Saturday.)

REMINDER: Clergy applying for one of the initiatives’ grants must attend both the Friday and Saturday workshops. Child care is available upon request (indicate need for childcare when you register).

INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER STILL IN MOVE PHASE

The Indiana Conference Media Resource Center continues with its transition to one new center to serve all of Indiana. Due to the change in location from the two former offices, we are still in the process of getting phone and computers up and running. Please be patient during this transition. If there are emergency concerns with materials already in circulation, please contact Angel Rea through the Indiana Conference Center at 317-924-1321.

HUNGER AGENCY OFFERS FREE LENTEN DEVOTIONS

The Society of St. Andrew’s (Advance #801600) is offering again its popular annual Lent Devotions program. All materials are free and there is still time to order and receive them before Lent starts.

Free daily Lenten Devotions program presents Jesus in unique ways through the eyes of many contributors. Available now from Society of St. Andrew, a national (Advance) hunger relief ministry.

All materials for this Lent Devotions program are free. Order today – individuals can order their own packet and churches can order a sample packet. There is no obligation. Call 800-333-4597; fax 434-299-5949; e-mail church@endhunger.org; or order online at www.endhunger.org/lent.htm.

For more information about the Society of St. Andrew, its hunger-relief or Lenten Devotions programs, call 800-333-4597 or e-mail church@endhunger.org.

CHANGE THE WORLD – STARTING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

What if…on one weekend all around the world, United Methodists came together to work with their local communities? What if…as we serve people locally, we unite globally to eliminate a preventable, treatable disease that kills one child every 30 seconds?

The Rev. Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio, has written a book called Change the World: Recovering the Mission and Message of Jesus, set to be released in February 2010. He emphasizes, “As the United Methodist Church, we have worried too much about getting numbers into our churches instead of getting the people in our churches out into the world in relative ways. Even our smallest churches can have incredible impact when they leave their four walls to serve the needs of their neighbors, alongside of their neighbors.” Be one who makes a change and together, we can change the world. To get involved go to rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld.

CLICK HERE FOR A GREAT OFFER TO SMOKERS WANTING TO QUIT

DEATHS

None this week.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication the week of February 4, 2010.

Bales, Dale I. from Mechanicsburg, North Central District to Without Appointment, 1/11/2010
Myers, Jeremy S., from North Webster, North District transferring to another Conference, 2/28/2010
Prowse, Timothy from Merrillville, North District to Michigan City First, North District, 7/1/2010

NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS

SMALL GROUPS COORDINATOR NEEDED IN FORT WAYNE CHURCH

Covenant UMC at 10001 Coldwater Road in Fort Wayne seeks a Small Groups Coordinator, who oversees and manages all aspects of the small group ministries including planning, implementing, staffing, training, and promoting. The Small Groups Coordinator is directly accountable for the purpose of planning, programming, and day-to-day ministry. Reports to the Director of Ministries with an annual review by the Director of Ministries and Senior Pastor. Areas of Responsibility: develop strategy that encourages all Covenant attendees to engage in the small group process with the goal of growing mature disciples of Jesus Christ; recruitment and training of leaders/hosts providing weekly encouragement and monthly training opportunities; plan, implement, and PR for all quarterly and long term small groups; plus other responsibilities. Candidate for this position needs to have an enthusiastic willingness to serve Christ and His church, possess maturity of Christian character, and experience leading and developing small groups ministry. Hours: 20 hours per week, including up to 3 hours on Sunday morning. Salary Range $12,000-15,000/year. Accepting resumes until Feb. 12. For more information and full job description, visit www.covenantumc.net and click on “New Staff Position.”

MADISON CHURCH SEEKS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR

The Trinity UMC in Madison, Ind., is receiving applications for a Christian Education Director. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 24. For more information, call 812-265-3059.

Other employment opportunities previously listed can be found at www.inumc.org/classifieds.