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May/June 2008

Cover Story

Bracelets by UIndy students helping Liberia education effort

5/10/2008

By Erin Dostal The Indianapolis Star The war-torn West African country of Liberia, with its culture shaped by slavery, music and violence, was unlike anything Lydia Fischer and Lyndsay McBride had seen before. During a three-week service trip to Kpain, Liberia, to help build a six-room schoolhouse, they observed rampant poverty, fresh bullet holes and cockroaches the size of mice. They saw a country in need. But they also saw a country with a lot of spirit, and they returned to the United... -- more --

Liberia President Sirleaf addresses United Methodists

5/10/2008

By Linda Bloom and Kathy L. Gilber FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told a worldwide gathering of United Methodists that her country and her church share a common commitment to eradicate poverty. Sirleaf, a member of the Monrovia (Liberia) United Methodist Church, greeted delegates to the denomination's top lawmaking body as "fellow Christians and fellow Methodists" many times during her April 29 address to the 2008 General Conference. "This... -- more --

From the Bishop

The view from my seat

5/10/2008

Now home from Fort Worth, Texas, I share with you what the 2008 General Conference looked like from my seat. As you may already know, we bishops sit up front at General Conference, take turns presiding and preaching, but do not speak otherwise or vote. Mostly, we watch the process and the proceedings. Here is what I saw from my seat: First, General Conference was positive, focused upon our mission of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," and eager to... -- more --

Welcome

Governor honors Bill and Gloria Gaither with state's highest award

5/10/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels honored gospel music singing and songwriting pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither of Alexandria, Ind., on April 2 with the 2008 Sachem Award, the state's highest honor. "With all the success they have achieved, the Gaithers still live with us: in the house in which they raised their children, in the way in which they raised those children, in the way in which they and their music have spoken to us and to the better angels of our nature now for... -- more --

Holy Conferencing gave hopeful tone to the church

5/10/2008

The 10-day marathon we United Methodists know as General Conference has concluded in Fort Worth. As a reporter of several such conferences, I felt the move toward "holy conferencing," a more gracious Christian way of doing business. It diminished the political and emotional aspects of this gathering of 992 delegates from around the world, including Indiana Area's 22 voting delegates, reserves and visitors. I felt the African and other Central Conference delegates were no longer... -- more --

Indiana Schools of Christian Mission to be held in July

5/10/2008

The North Indiana Conference and South Indiana Conference Schools of Christian Mission will be held respectively at North Manchester College in North Manchester and the University of Indianapolis during July. Both will offer a one-day school as well as a four-day school. Here is information for both schools. More information is available online. North Indiana School The North Indiana Conference United Methodist Women announces the 2008 School of Christian Mission to be held Wednesday, July 9... -- more --

Indiana

Bishop and dean speak about living in Wesleyan Way

5/10/2008

Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner and Dr. Greg Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, spoke to more than 560 Indiana United Methodist clergy during a two-day Our Life Together retreat at St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis on April 14 and 15. Using the Wesleyan way of living, Coyner left his prepared sermon to speak from his heart to pastors. He said, "I love The United Methodist Church and I believe we got it right. We have a theology of both faith and works, both local and global." He also... -- more --

Former Bishop of South Africa to preach at South Indiana Conference

5/10/2008

By Linda Green United Methodist News Service The Methodist Church of Southern Africa is working to open a Methodist seminary that will develop leaders to transform the church and the nation of South Africa. "Leadership is the gift and skill of moving other people into transformative action in the world," said the Rev. Peter Storey, former bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. During a presentation sponsored by the Upper Room earlier this year, a ministry of the... -- more --

Head of new church starts to speak at North Indiana Conference

5/10/2008

The North Indiana Annual Conference will not have a conference preacher this year during its session. Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner will be preaching at the Memorial Service at the opening of conference on Thursday morning and during the Commissioning and Ordination Service on Saturday. Tom Butcher, the church's executive officer for New Church Starts in the United States and leader of the Path 1 Team of the General Board of Discipleship, will be speaking Thursday evening May 29 during the... -- more --

Here's contact information for New Life International

5/10/2008

A number of readers have asked for information to contact the McGuire family ministry of water purifying systems featured on page one of the April issue of Together. Here is information for reaching New Life International. New Life International 6764 S. Bloomington Trail Underwood, IN 47177 Telephone 812-752-7474 e-mail info@waterfortheworld.com Web site www.waterfortheworld.com... -- more --

Janitors' victory points way to good jobs with health care

5/10/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - As workers throughout the Midwest face ever-increasing economic pressures, Indianapolis janitors have won higher wages, more work hours and health insurance in their first-ever city-wide union contract. The groundbreaking agreement will help lift more than 1,000 janitors out of poverty, increasing the income of the average worker and increasing the income of the lowest-paid workers by an incredible 169 percent during the course of the contract, more than doubling the income of... -- more --

McGriff to sign book at both Indiana conference sessions

5/10/2008

Dr. Carver McGriff, author and a former senior pastor (now retired) of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, published a book this past year titled Making Sense of Normandy: A Young Man's Journey of War and Faith. He will be available in the Cokesbury display at both North Indiana and South Indiana conference sessions signing his book. In his book, McGriff gives a rare veteran first-hand account of the harsh realities of World War II combat - not only the struggle for physical... -- more --

Nationally known organist to retire from New Albany church

5/10/2008

NEW ALBANY, Ind. - Dr. Donald Paul Hustad, 89, is perhaps one of the most preeminent experts on church music and worship alive today. He currently serves as the associate organist at Trinity United Methodist Church in New Albany, Ind. He plans to retire in June to move to the Chicago area to be near his family. He will be 90 on Oct. 2. He has been organist at numerous churches in the United States, taught organ and most notably served as Crusade organist for the Billy Graham Evangelical... -- more --

Operation Classroom needs your help for schools in West Africa

5/10/2008

Operation Classroom will have a yellow truck on the north side of the Elliot Hall of Music at Purdue University in West Lafayette for loading In-Gathering supplies during the North Indiana Annual Conference session May 29-31. Items may be dropped off all day Thursday and Friday and until noon on Saturday, according to the Rev. Joe Wagner, OC coordinator. That same yellow truck also will appear during the South Indiana Conference Annual Conference session, June 5-7 in Bloomington. It will be... -- more --

National

Agency withdraws petition on divestment from Caterpillar

5/10/2008

By United Methodist News Service After direct meetings with Caterpillar Inc., the United Methodist Church's social action agency withdrew a petition calling for divestment from the heavy equipment manufacturer. The petition, originally sent to the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, charged that the company profits from illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and contributes to the occupation by supplying Israeli Defense Forces with heavy... -- more --

Delegates end General Conference with a flurry of resolutions

5/10/2008

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - New resolutions adopted by United Methodists touch on a variety of social justice issues, including a living wage, hate crimes and the use of torture. The resolutions were among the consent calendar items approved by the denomination's General Conference during its April 23-May 2 legislative event at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The impact of globalization is addressed in a resolution on "Global Living Wage," which calls upon "all members of the... -- more --

Detroit says 'yes,' West Michigan votes 'no'

5/10/2008

By Ann Whiting Advocate editor Michigan United Methodists will not be joining together in one new conference in 2009. After discussion and debate April 5 at the Lansing Center, Detroit Conference members approved the proposed merger; West Michigan Conference members defeated it by13 votes. The vote on the Plan of Organization for the Great Lakes Conference was as follows: Detroit: Yes, 651; No 266; 2 abstentions; West Michigan: Yes, 363; No 376; 2 abstentions. According to The United... -- more --

General Conference began by celebrating Christ, church

5/10/2008

By J. Richard Peck FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - The 992 delegates gathered in 13 legislative committees following a day of speeches, presentations and reports on April 24. On day two, General Conference began with the traditional Episcopal Address, delivered by Illinois Area Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher. The Laity Address was delivered by Lyn Powell, lay leader of the North Georgia Conference, and the first-ever Young People's Address was presented by six youth and young... -- more --

Indiana Area delegates and visitors

5/10/2008

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New novel features life of 'Father of American Methodism'

5/10/2008

WILMORE, Ky. - Once Francis Asbury's foot touched ground in Philadelphia in 1771, America was never the same as Methodism spread like wildfire across the new country. In a new historical novel, Midnight Rider for the Morning Star, author Mark Alan Leslie weaves the story of the preacher who became better recognized than even George Washington or Thomas Jefferson - so famous that letters from Europe reached him when simply addressed: "Bishop Asbury, America." Readers can view the... -- more --

North Indiana Conference delegation

5/10/2008

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South Indiana Conference delegation

5/10/2008

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United Methodists strive for transformation

5/10/2008

By J. Richard Peck FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - Meeting once every four years, 992 delegates from United Methodist churches in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe, opened their 10-day legislative sessions with the singing of "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and "Are We Yet Alive." Some 5,500 visitors, conference officials and choir members observed the pageantry from the galleries of the Fort Worth Convention Center. The two-hour service featured praise bands, a... -- more --

Viewpoints

Connected observer offers viewpoint on Imagine Indiana

5/10/2008

By Taylor Burton-Edwards I'm not part of the design team for Imagine Indiana, but I was involved in the feedback team leading up to the 2007 Annual Conference and, while continuing to participate in that group, also served on the Conference Design subcommittee leading up to the final plan now before us. I do not presume to speak for the Imagine Indiana Team as such, but rather as someone connected and committed to its work over these past two years. I agree entirely that questions (of all... -- more --

Going green

5/10/2008

By Todd Outcalt toutcalt@calvaryunited.org Years ago, other colors had more notoriety. There was my blue heaven and yellow submarine and red sails in the sunset. Green was the color of envy or illness. But today, when someone asks, "Have you gone green?" they are asking an entirely different question. Green is in. And not just with the young. A few weeks ago a dear woman in her eighties asked me if the congregation used "green coffee" during the fellowship hour on Sunday... -- more --

Study shows support for Epworth

5/10/2008

By Jean Brindel, Capital Fund Team North Indiana Outdoor Ministry Project jbrindel@sbcglobal.net The Feasibility Study for the Epworth Forest Project of the Impact 2818 North Indiana Conference outdoor ministry program has been completed. The study was very positive, showing strong support for both the proposed Epworth Forest project and the entire camping ministry of the North Indiana Conference. Like the any good study, it reports things we already know, things we need to know, identify... -- more --

Chronicles

A special appeal to help young mothers in Africa

5/10/2008

By Richard A. Nisbett, Donald Lee and Jim Bankston Each trip to Ganta Mission in rural Liberia, West Africa, is an enriching experience ripe with opportunities to serve in the Wesleyan tradition. On a recent visit, a young woman sat alone on a stark, wooden bench outside the hospital. In the wake of a spirited hymn being sung in morning chapel, she could be seen through the chapel window. She sat erect, in her most expensive lappa, dressed appropriately for an important visit. Folded in her... -- more --

Deaths

2/6/2009

HOWARD ADDISON, supply pastor (SIC), died April 13, 2008. A memorial service was held April 18 at Trinity UMC in New Castle, Ind. Survivors include: Wife: Joan Addison, 1713 Roosevelt Ave, New Castle, IN 47362; sons, Daryl Addison, David Addison, and Dennis Addison; daughters, Karmen Vanderewalle and Kathy DeFord; 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. LOUISE BENNETT, wife of retired pastor, the Rev. Richard L. Bennett (NIC), died April 24, 2008. A memorial service was held April 29... -- more --

Indianapolis church honors organist for 68 years of service

5/10/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Members, colleagues, and friends of the Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis gathered on April 15 to honor organist Dorothy Scott's 68 years of being "at the console." As well as the honor shown her by Indianapolis Mayor Ballard, Scott was awarded the title of "Distinguished Hoosier" by Governor Mitch Daniels. Dorothy Scott and her late husband, Farrell, began their church-related music careers when asked to assume the positions of organist... -- more --

Marion church invites volunteers to join in building homes

5/10/2008

The members of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Marion invite other congregations to join them in building several homes in a weekend. This past year they built four homes. The number of homes to be built this year depends on the number of volunteers that join in this project. Participating churches can determine where the houses go. The total amount of the donations received by July 15 will determine the number of houses that can be built in August. Mt. Olive Church will host Crossroads... -- more --

National gambling opponent to speak at North and South conference sessions

5/10/2008

Cheered by those who oppose the expansion of gambling and often feared by those who profit from that expansion, the Rev. Tom Grey will be speaking at both the North Indiana and South Indiana 2008 Annual Conference sessions. Grey is known for his no nonsense presentation of the failure of gambling to deliver on its promises. For the past 15 years, Grey has been outspoken in his opposition to gambling. He began his campaign against the expansion of legalized state-approved gambling in Illinois... -- more --

New study shows trends in tithing, donating

5/10/2008

VENTURA, Calif. (The Barna Group) - While theologians debate whether or not the practice of tithing - donating 10 percent (or more) of one's income to churches and charitable groups - is a biblical responsibility of Christians, Americans have pretty much made up their minds on the subject. Their views are discernible through their behavior. The giving patterns of Americans are described in new research released by The Barna Group, based on an annual tracking survey conducted by the firm... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

5/10/2008

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2008 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the month of April. North Indiana Conference Barton, Doug from Mt. Olive, Marion to Lapel Trinity, Marion, 7/1 Berg, Mark from Berne Trinity, Huntington to Stockwell, Lafayette, 7/1 Charles, Rex from Waterloo, Fort Wayne to Flora/Bringhurst, Lafayette,... -- more --

Plants of hope to be placed at Old City Church site in Gary

5/10/2008

This past fall more than 200 United Methodists met at the site of the Old City First United Methodist Church ruins in downtown Gary, Ind. During the service of hope and resurrection led by Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner, Calumet District Superintendent Michelle Cobb distributed packets of flower seeds asking participants to plant them with a plan to bring them back to the downtown church ruins in the spring. It's now spring and time to plant those flowers. That planting will take place on... -- more --