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February 2008

Cover Story

Flooded Indiana areas get United Methodist relief

2/8/2008

By Daniel R. Gangler MONTICELLO, Ind. (UMNS) - United Methodists are joining other faith groups to provide relief for hundreds of northern Indiana flood survivors whose homes were heavily damaged by muddy waters. The three northern Indiana communities of Remington, Monticello and Delphi were hard hit by early-morning flood waters on Jan. 8. Indiana Area United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner visited with pastors of each community on Jan. 19 and toured flood-ravaged areas in Jasper, White and... -- more --

From the Bishop

Life together retreat invitation from Bishop Coyner

2/8/2008

I am glad to invite all United Methodist clergy in the Indiana Area to come together for a special two-day "Our Life Together" retreat on April 14-15 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. This will be our first experience of being together as North and South Conference to get to know one another as clergy. There will be lots of worship, fellowship time, learning, and fun. Our theme is "Living the Wesleyan Way in a New Day" and we will... -- more --

Welcome

Fox, Reisman to lead LEAP convocation Feb 29-March 1

2/8/2008

To assist both United Methodist laity and clergy in sharing their faith stories with others, the lay leaders of both the Indiana North and Indiana South conferences are sponsoring an Indiana Area convocation to be held in Indianapolis. Kayc Mykrantz, lay leader of the North Indiana Conference, and Ike Williams, lay leader of the South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, invite both laity and clergy to a unique LEAP Year Event - Let's Establish A Priority to Tell Our Story - the... -- more --

Heart month

2/8/2008

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with a heart condition. Feb. 1 was GO RED DAY sponsored by the Heart Association. Heart Disease is now the # 1 killer of women. A number of you have had heart-related diseases, have had by-pass surgery, and one of you has actually had a heart transplant. To those of you touched by this, whether having gone through heart disease or lost someone to it or suffers through it with someone, think of this month. How many Valentines will be sent out for Valentine's... -- more --

Hopefully, what happens in Fort Worth won't stay in Fort Worth

2/8/2008

The United Methodist Church joins together in a global denominational assembly once every four years and has been doing so since 1784, when the church was founded in America. That assembly, called General Conference, convenes again this year at the Fort Worth (Texas) Convention Center from April 23 through May 2. United Methodists will be represented by an equal number of lay and clergy delegates elected last year during annual conferences. The North Indiana Conference will be sending 10... -- more --

What do you say?

2/8/2008

Recently, I was traveling and the person seated next to me asked me what I do for a living. What should I say at such times? If I say that I am a bishop that usually leads to odd questions about the Roman Catholic Church until I explain that we, United Methodists, also have bishops. If I say I am a minister that often leads to an awkward silence. Either way there is no short answer to explain what I do for a living. What do you say when asked about your faith, or your church or your Christian... -- more --

Indiana

Anderson pastor named community's 'Person of the Year'

2/8/2008

ANDERSON, Ind. - At the close of 2007, The Herald Bulletin named the Rev. Reginald Lee as Anderson's Person of the Year. Lee is senior pastor of the New Hope United Methodist Church in Anderson and directs the West Side Hope Community Development Corporation. The Person of the Year honor is given to someone the editorial board feels has made a positive effect on the Madison County area in the past year, according to the newspaper's story. The Herald Bulletin reported that "Lee was in... -- more --

CORRECTIONS

2/8/2008

The correct address of Jim Ottjes, North Indiana Conference General Conference Delegate is 418 N. Mishawaka St., Akron, IN 46910-9108. Correction on Death Notice WILBURN E. CROPPER, retired pastor (SIC), died Dec. 20, 2007. A memorial service was held Dec. 27 at Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan, Ind. Survivors include: his wife Irene Cropper, 7007 S Bearwallow Rd, Maysville, KY 41056; one daughter, Jeannine Applegate; two sons, James Cropper and Dennis Cropper; 6 grandchildren; 4... -- more --

Imagine Indiana continues with focus on service to local churches

2/8/2008

The Imagine Indiana Design Team continued its work in January. If the goal of The United Methodist Church is to "Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world," the center of that activity is at the local church or congregational level. The Imagine Indiana Design Team continues to focus on that goal and how to assist congregations in achieving it as the 12-member team writes its report to come before both annual conferences later this spring. According to the... -- more --

Indianapolis pastor preaches barefoot with a passion

2/8/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - The Rev. Andrea Leininger, pastor of Old Bethel UMC in Indianapolis, preached barefoot on Sunday, Jan. 27 to promote a challenge and cause to provide shoes for children in African countries. She also encouraged her congregations and other area congregations as well to come to worship without shoes and socks. She was joined on Jan. 24 by IUPUI Men's Head Basketball Coach Ron Hunter who coached in his bare feet at home against Oakland. All the bare feet were done to raise... -- more --

Pull tab bill has a chance to pass Indiana General Assembly

2/8/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Under legislation passed by the Indiana House last week, more than 7,000 bars, taverns and restaurants across the state would be allowed to offer the pull tabs and other forms of low-stakes gambling (Indianapolis Star). The bill now moves to the Senate, where it already has received support from some key lawmakers. This marks the second consecutive year that state legislators have considered proposals that would expand gambling in Indiana. Last year, they voted to allow slot... -- more --

TechTalk Workshop looks at technology and congregations

2/8/2008

As society becomes more and more technologically savvy, congregations are finding ways to use technology to complement their work. Computers, internet, email, social networking, database systems, and multi-media are all part of the picture. Center for Congregations staffers Nancy Armstrong and Aaron Spiegel will help your congregation explore technology so you can decide what best fits your community. The goal is godly service, not technological glitz. Co-authors of the book 40 Days and 40... -- more --

Two Clinton churches join forces to provide community service to youth in the Terre Haute area

2/8/2008

By Crystal Garcia Tribune-Star, Clinton CLINTON, Ind. - Two Clinton churches are breaking down denominational walls with a common denominator - youth. On Friday nights from 6 to 10 p.m., kids can go to a large metal barn next to the First United Methodist Church in Clinton to skateboard, scooter and ride their bikes on a half-pipe, a quarter-pipe and various fun boxes and ramps. This outreach began when Glenn Parrish and his wife began talking to the children and teens they saw out late at... -- more --

UIndy presents 2008 Showers Lectures-Symposium March 27

2/8/2008

The University of Indianapolis will present the 2008 Showers Symposium "Christian Missions in the United Methodist Church: Past, Present and Future" on Thursday March 27, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Topics and participants include: "Mission and the Quest for the Homeland: The Legacy of the Evangelical United Brethren" with J. Steven O'Malley of Asbury Theological Seminary; "Evangelism Without Apology" with Stephen Graham of the University of Indianapolis, who will... -- more --

United Methodists explore divestment proposals

2/8/2008

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - Would divestment from companies connected to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land help bring about change in the Middle East? United Methodist speakers explored that question during a Jan. 25 panel discussion on "Divestment, the Middle East and Sudan" during the Pre-General Conference News Briefing sponsored by United Methodist Communications. The Rev. Steve Sprecher, a director of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, called divestment... -- more --

National

Church opposes cloning humans to produce babies

2/8/2008

By United Methodist News Service WASHINGTON (UMNS) - An announcement that scientists have created human embryos through cloning stands "in stark opposition" to The United Methodist Church's position, said an executive with the denomination's social action agency. "The United Methodist Church position on this issue is very clear," said Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. "Our... -- more --

News briefing offers glimpse into assembly changes

2/8/2008

By Marta W. Aldrich FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) - When United Methodists convene this spring for their worldwide legislative assembly, they can expect wider international representation, a denominational budget built around four new areas of focus, and carefully choreographed opening sessions aimed at fostering unity through common ministry instead of gridlock over divisive social issues The 2008 General Conference will meet for 10 days - two fewer than the 2004 gathering in Pittsburgh and with... -- more --

Northern Illinois delegation endorses Pickens for bishop

2/8/2008

The Northern Illinois United Methodist Conference General and the North Central Jurisdictional Conference delegations recently endorsed the Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens for bishop. Pickens has been a member of the Northern Illinois Conference for 23 years, having been ordained as an Elder in 1987. He has served as associate pastor at St. Mark UMC, and senior pastor at Gorham, Maple Park and First Elgin UMCs. Pickens has served on the United Methodist Judicial Council and as the General Secretary of... -- more --

Global

Banda Aceh Methodist Church celebrates dedication of restored buildings financed by Indiana Area

2/8/2008

By Bill Imler BANDA ACEH, Sumatra, Indonesia - The ribbon was cut and the doors were flung open Sunday morning, Jan. 20, for the grand celebration and dedication of the restored and improved buildings of the Methodist Church of Banda Aceh. The event was just over three years after the buildings were severely damaged by the tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004. Under the theme, "From Mourning to Dancing" (Psalms 30:12), several hundred people gathered to give thanks and praise to God for... -- more --

Church's social action agency announces legislative priorities

2/8/2008

WASHINGTON (GBCG) - The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) has set seven legislative priorities for 2008 in which the faith community can bring a unique and much needed voice to the debate. The priorities target two kinds of legislation - those already being considered by Congress, and those which should be considered to address issues of justice and inequality. The 2008 legislative priorities of GBCS, the public witness and advocacy arm of the denomination, cover a... -- more --

UMCOR begins fourth year of tsunami assistance

2/8/2008

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is working to help tsunami survivors find a "new normal" more than three years after one of the world's worst natural disasters killed an estimated 230,000 people and displaced millions in 11 countries. In Indonesia and Sri Lanka - the countries most affected by the tsunami - UMCOR offices continue to work daily to help survivors recover whatever possible. UMCOR also provided relief and recovery assistance in Somalia, India and... -- more --

Viewpoints

Artwork needed for both Indiana annual conferences

2/8/2008

The theme for both North Indiana and South Indiana Annual Conferences will be "Friends with Christ," based on John 15:15. You can help both Annual Conferences by submitting art entries before March 1 for original artwork for the banner to Gloria J. Nelson 107 W Campbell St., Edinburgh, IN 46124 Church: 812-526-5840, Fax: 812-526-8617, e-mail: gnelson@sicumc.org or revgjnelson@aol.com. The South Indiana Conference also needs an original song or new words to a non-copy-written melody... -- more --

Change is inevitable, and change is hard

2/8/2008

By Cyndi Alte calte@clarian.org Scientists are studying the behavior of bees to determine if there are any parallels between the habits of bees and the habits of people. One particular experiment intrigues me. After identifying an active hive, scientists placed a bowl of sugar water 50 feet from the hive. Within a few hours, the bees were busy drawing nourishment from the sugar water. The next day scientists repeated the process, this time putting the sugar water 100 feet from the hive. The... -- more --

God works in wondrous ways

2/8/2008

By Jean Brindel, Capital Fund Team North Indiana Outdoor Ministry Project jbrindel@sbcglobal.net God works in ways that are wondrous to us. A case in point is the Henderson Settlement, a community outreach mission agency of The United Methodist Church in the Red Bird Missionary Conference based near Frakes, Ky. I have learned that Henderson Settlement is struggling financially. The settlement is even having problems making payroll. So, any of you who love Henderson Settlement and have not... -- more --

Chronicles

Deaths

2/8/2008

PHYLLIS COY, mother-in-law of the Rev. Bob Denney, pastor of Fairview and Bellefountain United Methodist churches in the Muncie District (NIC), died Jan. 27, 2008. A memorial service was held Friday, Feb. 1 in Portland, Ind. Condolences may be sent to Bob and Donna Denney, 1126 S. Como Road, Portland, IN. 47371-8535. DOROTHY MAISH, mother of retired minister and former district superintendent the Rev. David Maish (NIC), died Jan. 30, 2008. Condolences can be sent to the Rev. David Maish, 344... -- more --

North Indiana Conference to host VIM team leader training at Kokomo

2/8/2008

The Mission Volunteers Resource Team of the North Indiana Conference have scheduled a Volunteers in Mission Team Leader Training event for Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke's UMC, 700 East Southway Blvd. in Kokomo, Ind. Penny Krug will be the trainer for this event. Leaders and/or participants of VIM work teams and youth leaders need to attend this important event. The cost is $10 person, which includes lunch and basic materials, plus $25 for a VIM Training Manual (only... -- more --

One Great Hour of Sharing offering to be received March 2

2/8/2008

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is essential to UMCOR: gifts to this offering underwrite UMCOR's "costs of doing business." That helps us keep our promise that 100 percent of every other gift you make to a specific UMCOR project can be spent on that project - not on home office costs and assisting UMCOR programs that have not been fully funded through designated Advance gifts. Free offering envelopes and DVD's are available for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering by calling... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

2/8/2008

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 January 2008. North Indiana Conference Andrews, Greg from Supply, Huntington to Local Pastor, Huntington, 1/1 Boggs, Tamara first appointment to Lowell, Calumet, 1/1 Bradford, Gregory from no appointment to Liberty Mills, Huntington,... -- more --

Seminary dean gives good advice to transitional churches in new book Keep the Call: Leading the Congregation...

2/8/2008

By Daniel R. Gangler Congregational leadership in a transition church can be a difficult task, however Jill Y. Crainshaw's, recent book Keep the Call: Leading the Congregation Without Losing Your Soul, gives useful advice to both newly ordained or seasoned ministers and is well worth the read. The book is one of the Bishop's Bundle of Books recommendations by Bishop Mike Coyner. Crainshaw serves as associate dean for vocational formation at Wake Forest' Divinity School in Winston-Salem,... -- more --

Together freelancer called to write for Mississippi newspaper

2/8/2008

Sharon Dunten, a United Methodist freelance writer for Together and the Disaster News Network, plans to move from Indianapolis to Hattiesburg, Miss. She has accepted a reporter position with the Hattiesburg American newspaper. She told Together, "I have felt a calling to the Gulf Coast for some time, but I did not know exactly what I was supposed to do or where to go. Well, God informed me today where I am suppose to serve Him." Dunten served both as a volunteer in mission and... -- more --

Together reader's Sunday school class contributed to CJ's bus

2/8/2008

Joyce Poland, a Sunday school teacher of Blythe (Ind.) Chapel United Methodist Church, told Together she was surprised to see the story about CJ's Bus (Nov.-Dec issue), a portable childcare facility used in communities hit by disaster. She said the Saturday before she read the story, her Sunday school class of girls ages 3 to 9 years made fleece blankets as a Christmas project for the children who would use CJ's Bus. Elderly residents of a local nursing home also helped the girls make the... -- more --

United Methodist CTS student receives LIFE Scholarship

2/8/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - Lauren Hacker, a Master of Divinity student at Christian Theological Seminary, was recently named the 2007 recipient of the LIFE (Lacy Institute For Ecumenism) Scholarship. Hacker, a United Methodist and native of Indiana, currently serves as the youth director at the University Heights United Methodist Church, across the street from the University of Indianapolis. She also has previous experience as an Impact Camp counselor for the North UMC of Indianapolis. She graduated in... -- more --

United Methodists invited to see if God is calling

2/8/2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, based in Nashville, Tenn., is sponsoring "Turn Aside and See: Is God Calling?" March 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in Indianapolis; Tempe, Ariz.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Brentwood, Tenn. and Dallas, Texas. The agency is harnessing the power of the Exodus story of Moses and the burning bush to help churches discern God's call and strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ. "The church is in such a time of change.... -- more --