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January 2008

Cover Story

Congregations at heart of Imagine Indiana Design Team proposal

1/6/2008

INDIANAPOLIS - The Imagine Indiana Design Team members are in the process of writing a 50-page proposal to enact the uniting of both the North Indiana and South Indiana conferences later this spring. Congregations are at the heart of the proposal with a commitment by the newly proposed conference to bring services and other resources closer to congregations in order to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." The team's two-day retreat led by Bishop Mike... -- more --

VIM teams minister to needs of citizens in Sierra Leone

1/6/2008

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - Two United Methodist Volunteers-In-Mission work teams from Indiana and Minnesota were in Sierra Leone in November 2007 as part of the Operation Classroom ministries' work in the West African country. The Indiana team painted six classrooms at the United Methodist Preparatory School on the Kissy Hospital grounds in eastern Freetown making the classrooms a pleasant environment for students. Rick Chandler, the team leader, also gave pastoral services by assisting the... -- more --

From the Bishop

A fresh start in a new year

1/6/2008

The New Year always seems to bring a fresh start. We make New Year's resolutions (reports say more than 80 percent of all American adults make such resolutions); we write on a fresh calendar; we make plans; and we focus on the future. While there is nothing magical about the flip of the calendar to a new year - especially with electronic calendars that don't actually flip a page - this time of year seems to invite us to make a fresh start. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about such fresh... -- more --

Welcome

Covenant groups, clusters concepts worth developing

1/6/2008

The Imagine Indiana Design Team will soon bring to the North Indiana and South Indiana Conferences of The United Methodist Church a proposed plan for uniting the two conferences who voted unity this past spring. Part of the Design Team's report proposes a clustering of churches and the formation of clergy covenant groups, as two important aspects of the new Indiana Conference, to meet the church's goal of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Both of... -- more --

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

1/6/2008

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 --

Reflection on City Church

1/6/2008

I was present at the service on Sunday, Oct. 7 (Nov.-Dec. 2007 Together) at the site of City Church in Gary. I remember when the congregation closed. I also remember when we closed both First UMC and Indiana Harbor in East Chicago, when we closed Ambridge, Glen Park, and Marshalltown in Gary, and when we closed Centenary and Christ UMC in Hammond. We apologized to the community for failing to continue in vital ministry at City Church. Are we also prepared to apologize to these other... -- more --

Indiana

Both 2008 Indiana Annual Conferences need artwork, song

1/6/2008

The theme for both North Indiana and South Indiana Annual Conferences will be "Friends with Christ," with Scripture verse John 15:15 ("I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.") You can help both Annual Conferences by submitting entries on or before March 1 for one of the following: Original... -- more --

Cokesbury available to help with resource needs of congregations

1/6/2008

Now is the time to start thinking about curriculum and 2008 VBS supplies. Landon DeCrastos, key account manager for the Cokesbury store in Fishers, Ind., would like to make himself available to you. He is available to come to your church to give learning sessions regarding different types of curriculum that are available. DeCrastos also is able to help you with any other church supplies or growth resources you may need. If you are interested in meeting with Landon DeCrastos, contact him by... -- more --

Dramatic arts, adventure camps best attended in South Indiana

1/6/2008

During the 2007 summer camp season the South Indiana Conference Outdoor Ministries served approximately 1,475 guests, that includes 710 summer campers and 765 retreat guests. This represents a small increase in participation compared to the 200 According to Ian Hall, director of the conference's Outdoor Ministries, the dramatic arts camp and adventure programming were probably the best attended programs this past summer. "Dramatic arts camp provides participants with both on and off stage... -- more --

Eley named United Methodist 'Chaplain of the Year'

1/6/2008

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Rev. John S. Eley, senior chaplain of the Franklin United Methodist Community, has been named Chaplain of the Year for 2008 by the United Methodist Association. The United Methodist Association, based in Vandalia, Ohio, recently announced the celebration of excellence recipients for the coming year, including Eley. These recipients were nominated by their facilities and selected by a committee of their peers. Consisting of United Methodist organizations throughout the... -- more --

Former communications director inducted into UMAC Hall of Fame

1/6/2008

Lynne DeMichele, former director of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication and editor of Hoosier United Methodists Together was inducted into the United Methodist Association of Communicators' Hall of Fame of noted retired communicators during the association's October 2007 meeting in Charleston, S.C. DeMichele was the communications director for Indiana United Methodists for 12 years before retiring in 2002. She served as both vice president and president of the United Methodist... -- more --

Haitian women artisans find support in new for-profit business

1/6/2008

North Indiana United Methodists can be proud they are supporting a new way of doing missions. HAPI, a brand new for-profit business was started in March 2007 with seed-money grants from the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and its Women's Division. A group of women artisans with no other means of income have been trained and are being guided through the process of developing their business in the mountain village of Mizak, Haiti. They are marketing their hand-embroidered... -- more --

Hoosiers begin work toward 2008 General, Jurisdictional conferences

1/6/2008

PLAINFIELD, Ind. - The Rev. Frank Beard, superintendent of the Kokomo District (NIC), leads an orientation session for delegates elected from both North Indiana and South Indiana Annual Conferences of what to expect at the 2008 General Conference of The United Methodist Church meeting April 23-May 2 at Fort Worth Texas. The two General and Jurisdictional conference delegations met for the first time on Saturday morning, Dec. 8 at the United Methodist Church of Plainfield. Most of an opening... -- more --

New book helps congregations consider building challenges

1/6/2008

Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message, by Nancy DeMott, Tim Shapiro, and Brent Bill, is the kind of practical guide congregations need to help them with the challenges of renovation, remodeling, expansion, or building. Authors Nancy DeMott, Tim Shapiro, and Brent Bill draw from the experience of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations' work during the past decade with more than 300 congregations on building issues. No matter how extensive the project, the authors... -- more --

North Indiana Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences

1/6/2008

General Conference Clergy Delegates Frank Beard 2936 Bagley Dr. W. Kokomo, IN 46902 Kim Reisman 3072 Hamilton St West Lafayette, IN 47906 Brian Siefert 108 College Avenue Culver, IN 46511 Cindy Reynolds 3201 E Center... -- more --

South Bend Clay Church expands to new building

1/6/2008

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Clay Church, a "United Methodist Community of God's Love" in South Bend expanded its ministry in November and moved into a new second facility. The church's original seven-acre south campus at 17646 Cleveland Road had no room to grow. The 1,300-member congregation expanded its facilities with a 20-acre north campus at 52866 North Ironwood located one-tenth of a mile north of its now south campus. The new 35,000 square-foot north campus building doubled the... -- more --

South Indiana Conference adds administrator for VIM, disaster response volunteers

1/6/2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Dr. James Bushfield, director of Connectional Ministries of the South Indiana Conference, recently announced the addition of Jenni Walker to the conference staff. Walker will be the resource administrator for volunteers-in-mission work teams and disaster response volunteers. According to Bushfield, "this new staff position was created in response to the overwhelming number of work teams from congregations all over the South Indiana Conference responding to the needs of... -- more --

South Indiana Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences

1/6/2008

Clergy General Conference Ann Glass 600 Simmons St. Plainfield IN 46168 Greg McGarvey 11879 Silverado Dr. Fishers IN 46038 David Penalva 2801 W. Washington St. Indianapolis IN 46222 Darren Cushman Wood 5065 West 16th... -- more --

UE professor recognized for excellence by Higher Education and Ministry

1/6/2008

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (UE) - The University of Evansville is proud to announce Bob Dion, associate professor of political science, as the recipient of this year's Exemplary Teacher Award. The Exemplary Teacher Award is presented each year by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, as a way of recognizing excellence in teaching at United Methodist Church-related institutions of higher educations. Dion was honored with the award Dec. 19, during the UE Winter Commencement... -- more --

UIndy announces Lugar leadership center

1/6/2008

The University of Indianapolis and the office of U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar recently announced the formation of a center dedicated to inspiring and developing new generations of leaders for Indiana, the nation and the world. The Richard G. Lugar Center for Tomorrow's Leaders will build on the principles of the annual Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow's Leaders, a one-day event that gathers Indiana's top high school juniors for expert-led discussions on public issues and world events. The university... -- more --

National

General Conference basics explored in online course

1/6/2008

By United Methodist News Service How are delegates elected to the United Methodist General Conference? How many votes are required for the assembly to approve a petition? What is the role of bishops in the once-every-four-years gathering? And why is it important to keep a copy of the Daily Christian Advocate handy throughout the proceedings? These and many other questions are answered in "Exploring General Conference," a five-session online course offered by United Methodist... -- more --

Gulfport housing recovery program ends after rebuilding 640 homes

1/6/2008

GULFPORT, Miss. - Volunteers from Tennessee and Virginia spent Tuesday, Dec. 4 putting the finishing touches on a storm-damaged house on Second Street. They were among 6,500 volunteers, including hundreds of Hoosier United Methodists, who have been part of the Katrina Rebuilding Program at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport. "It's been overwhelming," said Carol Kawa, a volunteer from Kingsport, Tenn. "To go into homes that have been devastated, to help rebuild, to meet... -- more --

Global

Africa University acts to keep staff in face of weak economy

1/6/2008

By Linda Green MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - Africa University officials are taking steps to keep teachers and other staff at a time when many professionals are leaving Zimbabwe because of the country's struggling economy. The Africa University Board of Directors approved a policy for staff retention during its Nov. 28-Dec. 1 meeting. The policy is aimed at keeping professional and skilled staff. In the past three years, nearly 20 experienced staffers have left Africa University for jobs outside... -- more --

Nothing But Nets distributes 133,000 nets to families in Mali

1/6/2008

WASHINGTON - The people of The United Methodist Church and Nothing But Nets - a global, grassroots campaign to prevent malaria - announced in December that the Rev. Gary Henderson, executive director of the Global Health Initiative, traveled to Mali, Africa as part of a United Nations Foundation and Nothing But Nets delegation to observe the distribution of more than two million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to children and their families. Nothing But Nets campaign supporters... -- more --

Pan-Methodist commission urges 'full communion'

1/6/2008

By Linda Green A UMNS Report Members of the Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation and Union want to affirm their Wesleyan heritage and mutual covenant as churches in full communion wit The commission adopted a resolution to that effect during its Nov. 15-17 meeting in Chicago. The body includes representatives of The United Methodist Church and three historic African-American Methodist churches - the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist... -- more --

President signs bill allowing Sudan divestment

1/6/2008

President Bush signed legislation on Dec. 31, in Crawford, Texas allowing state and local governments to cut investment ties with companies doing business in Sudan, even as he expressed concerns that the bill could interfere with his right to set foreign policy. According to The New York Times, the measure, called the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, is aimed at pressuring Sudan to end the violence in the Darfur region, where 200,000 people have been killed and more than two million... -- more --

Viewpoints

The least of these

1/6/2008

By Todd Outcalt toutcalt@calvaryunited.org I first met Jerald when he came into my office demanding money for bus fare. He was, at first glance, a guy who seemed more than a little down on his luck. After some conversation, it was apparent that he suffered from mental illness, was a danger to no one but himself and had a dry sense of humor. Over time, as I came to know him, he often surprised me with his depth of knowledge about history, science and religion. Much of my time with Jerald was... -- more --

We now have our ducks in a row

1/6/2008

By Jean Brindel, Captain Fund Team North Indiana Outdoor Ministry Project jbrindel@sbcglobal.net During the North Indiana Annual Conference session in June 2006, the North Indiana Outdoor Ministry Project to upgrade four campsites was set into motion. The way I like to say it is, "we were asked to get out ducks in a row to do the projects." Thus, our first task was to get our ducks - develop engineering plans, estimate costs and hire a consulting firm to determine the level of... -- more --

Why is it with gambling, logic is set aside?

1/6/2008

By Lorin L. Clemenz lclemenz@sbcglobal.net When dealing with those involved in gambling, logic is set aside. Why is it that enough is never enough? The owners of the riverboat casinos always want to expand so more people can gamble. State legislators want to find more ways of increasing gambling revenues. State Senator Robert Meeks of LaGrange wants the State of Indiana to allow a license granted to a Gary location to be transferred to a northeastern county such as Steubin. There it will... -- more --

Chronicles

Bring joy and make them smile

1/6/2008

By Cindy Stump For the past four years, the members at First United Methodist Church in Noblesville, Ind., have helped the staff at Indiana United Methodist Children's Home in Lebanon make Christmas special for the children and youth living there. The home serves more than 165 children each year by providing them with food, shelter, clothing, counseling and education. As victims of neglect, abandonment and abuse the individual care and loving environment at the home is a beacon of hope for... -- more --

Deaths

1/6/2008

RALPH W. BLODGETT, 104, retired pastor (NIC), died Dec.5, 2007. He is the father of the Rev. Judith B. Purvis, Vincennes District Superintendent. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Survivors include: three daughters, Vivian Sue Shields, Rebecca June Downing and Judith B. Purvis. Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Judith B. Purvis, 1601 Old Orchard Rd, Vincennes, IN 47591 (vinumcds@sbcglobal. net). MARY JANE COHEE, widow of the late Rev. Kenneth Cohee (NIC), died Dec. 9, 2007. A... -- more --

Huntington District presents Cross and Flame Awards

1/6/2008

HUNTINGTON, Ind. - The Huntington District honored ten United Methodist laity with the 2007 Cross and Flame Awards during a district worship service held at Evangelical UMC on Nov. 5. The district recognized them for their dedication as disciples of Jesus Christ and for their work in their congregation. They included: Aimee Currie of Monroe UMC, Carol Day of Richvalley UMC, George DeWeese of Liberty Center UMC, Dean and Barbara Hart of Jefferson Center UMC, Mary Jane Nichols of New Corydon... -- more --

Narratives give practical strength to The Book of Hard Choices

1/8/2006

By Daniel R. Gangler The Book of Hard Choices: How to Make the Right Decisions at Work and Keep Your Self-Respect by James A. Autry and Peter Roy (Morgan Road Books, 2006) reads as a practical primer on the process of making good and lasting decisions rather than another how-to book on making decisions. Even though it's a book based on business decisions, the over riding theme is good management based on ethics, a must for the management of the church. Its strength becomes evident within the... -- more --

Organist continues to play at age 100

1/6/2008

Dorothy Miller, organist at the Nevada Mills UMC near Angola in the Fort Wayne District, at the age of 100, continues to play for her congregation on Sundays and special occasions. She has been a member of the Nevada Mills Church for 90 years, becoming a member when she was baptized with her two sisters into the Christian faith as a child. Her parents, Lynn and Mary Collins, were married at the same church in 1906 following the regular Sunday morning service. Dorothy is the oldest of five... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

1/6/2008

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2007 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the months of November and December 2007. North Indiana Conference Davault-Gilbert, Denise from North Liberty, Michiana to Family Leave, 11/1 Knepple, Sandra J. from Stidham, Lafayette to Winchester First, Muncie, 12/1 Martinez, Juan from Dayton... -- more --

Pension board offers free financial planning to participants

1/6/2008

The United Methodist General Board of Pension and Health Benefits has announced a change in the cost for their Retirement Planning Services for 2008. For 2008, these services will be FREE to all eligible participants in the UM Pension Plans. This year, Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services is being offered to eligible participants at no cost. In the past, this service was $99 Jan. 1 through March 31 and $149 after March 31. Another change to this service is that participants now have... -- more --

Quotable

1/6/2008

"If United Methodists go to General Conference professing love for God but get there and don't love each other, they become liars ... Loving one another is the witness that we have to the world today." - Bishop Sally Dyck (Minnesota Area)... -- more --

United Methodist mission agency resumes summer intern program

1/6/2008

NEW YORK (GBGM) - The mission agency of The United Methodist Church is resuming a program that places young adults in mission settings in the United States for 10 weeks of summer service and education. A dozen persons ages 18 to 25 will be selected for 2008 as the program is reintroduced after nearly a decade of inactivity. The sponsor is the Mission Personnel Program Area of the General Board of Global Ministries. The young people selected to take part will receive a $1,000 stipend, travel... -- more --