For Friday, May 21, 2010
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference tithe. Thank you.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication
Archives available here.
Theme: "Practice Faith"
Keynote speaker: Bishop Robert Schnase,
author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.
Visit www.fivepractices.org.
Check the online Indiana Conference Calendar.
Featuring: Comedian and illusionist Jared Hall, Speaker and Artist Eric Samuel Timm and Singer/Songwriter Nick Stanton
Join the celebration at Epworth Forest CC on Sunday, Aug. 29 as summer winds down and fall kicks off at schools across Indiana. Discover how we have been united as the people of God, the salt and light of the earth, and how we were made to mark the world with the hope and love of God through Jesus Christ.
Register online and find more information at www.beacamper.com/fallyouthrally.html.
Registration time is here for the July 13-16 School of Christian Mission at Anderson University in Anderson. The one day Sampler event is July 17 (formerly Super Saturday in the South and Drive-In Day for North). God has opened windows of new opportunities for Indiana women. The School Committee has deemed this as “God’s School.” You will not want to miss this first school as one conference organization.
This year’s studies include For the Love of God: John’s Letters; The Beauty and Courage of Sudan; and Joy to the World: Mission in the Age of Global Christianity will be led by leaders with experience in the mission field. Everyone will take the spiritual growth study led by Rev. Derek Weber. In addition, all participants will select one of the remaining two studies.
The school has mission studies for all ages. Children ages 3-grade 5 and youth sixth grade through high school learn about God’s love, people from other lands, and how we, as Christians, can make a difference in world.
Come prepared to have your mind stretched, your spirit filled, and your heart warmed by the fellowship of kindred souls – women who delight in learning about God’s people and how we can be more effectively in mission to alleviate injustices in the world.
Anderson University is a beautiful campus and the university is allowing School of Christian Mission participants to utilize its amenities. A swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, a state-of-the-art indoor track and wellness center, museums and campground are a few of its wonderful amenities. Kids of all ages are sure to enjoy this new venue.
Study books are included in this year’s registration fee and will be mailed to the registrants once the form is received. Registration forms are available through district presidents and online at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/indumw/.
– Carolyn Maxey, Communications Coordinator, 219-926-1302; rmaxey1050@aol.com
May 29 is the deadline for reserving space for the United Methodist Women of Indiana celebration dinner as one conference during the Annual Conference of the Church on Thursday, June 10 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The dinner is being held in the Student Union at Ball State University in Muncie. Rev. LeKisha Reed, Associate Director of Mission and Advocacy, will address the crowd. One does not have to be a member of the annual conference in order to attend the dinner, however, all guests must complete a Guest Form available from the conference office by contacting Brenda Gross at 317-564-3234 or Brenda.Gross@inumc.org. The Guest Form is also available on the United Methodist Women’s Web site: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/indumw/. The completed form and money must be returned to the conference office by May 29. The cost of the dinner is $13.50 and pastors and spouses are welcome. If the event is NOT sold out, tickets will be available outside the door. Space is limited so reserve today!
Updated informational flyer is also available at: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/indumw/.
– Carolyn Maxey, Communication Coordinator
Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner invites pastors and lay people to join him November 2011 for a unique travel opportunity. Linked to the ministry of Paul, participants will visit Mars Hill and the Parthenon in Athens, stand on the bema Paul preached on in Corinth, experience worship in the ancient marble city of Ephesus, spend a day visiting sites of Jesus’ life and ministry around the Sea of Galilee in Israel, see the Giza Pyramids near Cairo, Egypt, and explore ancient Christian Rome. This is a truly unique cruise opportunity to visit and see our faith roots in the Mediterranean. Brochures are available and a display will be at Annual Conference in Muncie. To receive a brochure or obtain more information, contact Educational Opportunities Regional Director Norm Nellis at normgumc@aol.com or 765-447-4152.
Forming Leadership Through Conflict: Reform, Destruction and Opportunity with Dr. Bernie Lyon and the Rev. Dr. Dan Moseley is June 21-25 at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis. Effective church leadership helps congregations face the conflicts that come from the changing world in which we live and discover the vitality of new life rather than descend into destructive actions. This workshop helps pastors and lay leaders grow in their ability to lead by exploring the creative power of conflict as it intersects with the emotional, political and spiritual resources and limitations of leadership. The cost is $500, which includes lunch daily. Registration deadline is May 21. Click here for additional information and on-line registration.
The widow of the late Terry Hoeppner, coach of the Indiana University football team until his death three years ago, Jane Hoeppner has written a new book Never Ever Quit. She will speak about the book in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m., accompanied by her co-author, Terry Hutchens, a sportswriter for The Indianapolis Star. Jane will autograph books, which will be sold for $20 each with $5 being donated to the Come to Me food pantry. Invite friends and neighbors to hear Jane’s powerful story and witness.
A Pastor Support Group begins in June for pastors or others who had to leave their congregational leadership positions in the past five years. The group meets weekly for 10 weeks from mid-June to mid-September at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis. Time and specific days are yet to be determined. When one is forced to leave his or her pastoral position, such a loss can be a devastating blow to the pastor and his or her family. The purpose of this group is to discover ways to experience healing and possibly a path of restoration to public ministry. The group is part of a Doctor of Ministry project conducted by a minister with more than 30 years of experience. Strict confidentiality is assured. If interested, contact Mark Graeser, M.Div., at mgraeser@cts.edu or 317-931-2379, extension 5135.
United Theological Seminary at Dayton, Ohio, is welcoming some prominent church leaders to its team of instructors this June. The following courses are offered in convenient formats:
For more details and specific times for each of these courses, please visit the Web site. Some courses are also offered for visiting students as continuing education units.
Beginning in June, United Theological Seminary is offering a series of classes for theological instructors or administrators who wish to become certified to teach in a virtual environment. The program consists of online five courses that will help the student confidently design, develop and teach online courses. For more information, please click here.
The Voices of Women program meets one weekend a month from September 2010-May 2011 at the Loeb House Inn in Lafayette, Indiana. Applications are being accepted now for this curriculum-based program that explores spirituality, leadership, decision-making and daily learning. The program cost is $1500. It is presented by Indiana Voices of Women, a non-profit organization for women seeking personal and spiritual growth. For additional information, a program schedule and registration, click here or contact Indiana Voices of Women at 765-464-8609.
Indianapolis Green Congregations is sponsoring a day-long workshop on Saturday, June 5 to provide tools and inspiration for your green ministry. The workshop will be held at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featured speakers will be: Scott Russell Sanders, author of A Conservationist Manifesto and Luke Gascho, Goshen College and president of Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light. There will be a number of break-out workshop sessions. One may register by contacting Joyce Weidner at CTS at LifeEd@cts.edu, or by calling 317-931-4224. All faith-based groups in Indiana are welcome and encouraged to attend this annual event. For more information, contact Dennis Shock, a member of the Indy Green Congregations Board, at dennis.shock@gmail.com.
Exploring Ministry, a retreat for exploring God’s call in the vocation of ministry for those who have finished their junior year in high school, will be held Saturday, June 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Indianapolis. There is no charge for this event. For registration or information, direct calls to Brenda Gross at extension 1040. Overnight lodging is available on Friday, June 25 for $50. Registration for this event is online at www.inumc.org/registration.
For complete details of these events, visit http://inumc.org/events.
For more information, visit www.inumc.org and click on Annual Conference.