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September2006

Cover Story

Baker Chapel breaks ground for new building

9/6/2006

DEGONIA SPRINGS, Ind. - More than 120 members and friends of Baker Chapel United Methodist Church gathered at the "once and future site" of the church and broke ground on Sunday morning, July 30 for their new facility at the east edge of DeGonia Springs on State Road 62. Pastor Mike Shelton, on the job for just a month, told those gathered, "It's time to say 'good-bye' to the building that was here and 'welcome' to the building that is coming." He said God is about to do... -- more --

Midway, Bloomfield Wesley Chapel raise $6,000 for Baker Chapel

9/6/2006

DEGONIA SPRINGS, Ind. - Two South Indiana churches - Midway and Bloomfield Wesley Chapel - joined together in July to help neighboring Baker Chapel. These two churches, with a total combined membership of less than 100, raised $6,000 to aid Baker Chapel's re-building project. The Midway annual Summer Social, normally a fund-raising event for church related expenses, was devoted this year to raising money for the nearby church destroyed Nov. 6 by a tornado. Wesley Chapel accepted the... -- more --

From the Bishop

Bishop's 2007 Holy Land tour scheduled for February

9/6/2006

In cooperation with Educational Opportunities Tours, Bishop Mike Coyner invites Indiana United Methodists to join him on a memorable trip to Israel in February 2007. This is a ten-day trip beginning on February 12. The group will visit sites and cities in Israel including Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem. In addition the group will have several opportunities to hear from Christians living and working in the Holy Land. "I am excited to be able to go back to... -- more --

Come Imagine Indiana with us

From the Bishop

9/6/2006

Work has begun on a plan of union of both Indiana Annual Conferences to be prepared and brought back for a vote at the 2007 Annual Conference Sessions. "Imagine Indiana" process began this summer following votes of both conference sessions in June by approximately 80 percent of each conference's members in favor of moving forward. As requested by actions of the two conferences, I have appointed the Imagine Indiana Planning Team, composed of Co-Chairs Cindy Reynolds and Adolf Hansen,... -- more --

Welcome

Letters to the Editor

9/6/2006

Reflections on the Clergywomen's Consultation As the Clergywomen's Consultation began this summer in Chicago, we found ourselves singing once more: "I can feel it; feel the movement. The women must be gathering." What is it about the Clergywomen's Consultation that fills the soul and re-energizes ministry? How is it that an every four year event can sustain the spirit in such a way that the moment it draws to a close, I am already anticipating the next one? A wise young... -- more --

Turning remembrances into opportunities

9/6/2006

September has become days of remembrance. This year we commemorate the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating effects on the Gulf Coast and mark the fifth anniversary of September 11, 2001, a benchmark date in United States history and the subsequent Iraq War, also known as the War on Terrorism. Hoosier United Methodists also mark another date, November 6, 2005, when a deadly tornado claimed 25 lives and devastated homes and businesses along with Baker Chapel United Methodist... -- more --

Indiana

2006 Ordained Deacons

9/6/2006

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Bashor to add new school building to campus

9/6/2006

GOSHEN, Ind. - Ground was broken and fundraising efforts are under way at a North Indiana United Methodist-related children's home. "Yesterday, Today. Tomorrow . A Campaign for the Educational Future of Bashor Children's Home" is easily the most ambitious project agency has launched in its 83-year history. The project will add approximately 26,000 square feet to the existing 8,000 square foot school building at a projected cost of $4 million. Improvements include: ... -- more --

Bishop names team to conceive plan for new conference

9/6/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner has named a seven-member planning team to conceive a plan for a new annual conference in Indiana for United Methodists. Five of the seven team members met Friday, July 7 for their first day-long meeting. This is the task force that the North and South Indiana United Methodist Conferences asked Coyner to name to prepare a plan for union and the forming a new conference. Their plan will be brought to the 2007 sessions of both Indiana North and... -- more --

Frankfort pastor chosen to head North Indiana camping funds committee

North Indiana Conference approves $16 million camp upgrade

9/6/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner on named Aug. 1 the Rev. Jean Moorman Brindel, senior pastor of Saint Matthew United Methodist Church in Frankfort, Ind., to head the North Indiana Conference Capital Funds Campaign Committee. Commenting on her appointment to chair this committee, Coyner said, "I am very pleased that Rev. Jean Brindel will chair this committee. She has experience in fund-raising, including her study and certification with the Indiana University School of... -- more --

Indiana ranks second highest in U.S. adult smoking rate

9/6/2006

Public health officials, health organizations and health care professionals shared startling news when they gathered in Washington D.C. in July for the 13th World Conference on Tobacco or Health. Tobacco use is killing a person every six seconds around the world and if trends do not change by 2020, tobacco will kill someone every three seconds. All told, tobacco will kill a billion people this century, 10 times the toll it took in the 20th century. After hearing numbers, such as this it might... -- more --

Lilly Endowment grants $45,000 to Hoosier United Methodists for Imagine Indiana planning process

9/6/2006

28 co-chairs named to discernment groups INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner recently announced that the Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church has received a grant from the Lilly Endowment to help finance a plan to unite the North and South Indiana Conferences of the church into a new Indiana Conference for presentation to the 2007 Annual Conferences for their approval. Upon receiving the $45,000 grant, Coyner said, "The generous grant from the Lilly... -- more --

New endowment supports education of tomorrow's church leaders

9/6/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - An innovative new charitable endowment offers an opportunity for United Methodist congregations in the South Indiana Conference to help develop the next generation of church leadership. Established by the South Indiana Foundation of the United Methodist Church, the endowment will generate income to provide scholarships and special studies funding for students in the United Methodist Youth Leader Scholars program at the University of Indianapolis. Foundation Executive Director,... -- more --

Parish nurse movement growing in Indiana

9/6/2006

The parish nursing movement is growing in Indiana, according to Sherry McIntyre, RN, parish nurse program coordinator of the Indiana Center of Parish Nursing located in Indianapolis. The center serves to build and sustain healing ministries in faith communities. During a recent interview, McIntyre told Together that the year-old center provides resources for parish nurses who educate and refer church members in United Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, community churches and... -- more --

Parish nursing defined

9/6/2006

Parish Nursing is an emerging practice for the professional nurse integrating faith and health while focusing on health promotion, health maintenance, and illness prevention. It holds the spiritual dimension to be central to the practice, but also encompasses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of nursing. Parish nursing is practiced within a faith community and is based on the assessed needs of that group of people. Assessments often lead, but are not limited to programs... -- more --

Six United Methodist pastors, their churches receive Lilly Endowment funded clergy renewal leaves

9/6/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosier United Methodist pastors serve six of the 27 congregations that have received grants in the 2006 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. They join more than 230 congregations that have received grants since the program began in 1999. Any congregation in Indiana with an ordained minister is eligible to apply for a clergy renewal grant. The maximum award is $45,000, and up to $15,000 of that may be used for congregational activities while the... -- more --

UE breaks ground on business administration building

9/6/2006

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Ground was broken July 14 for the University of Evansville's new Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building. The building, which will eventually encompass the entire McCurdy Alumni Memorial Union, begins with this ground breaking for a new 35,000 sq. ft. addition to the building. The addition is expected to be completed by next fall. Phase II will include renovations to the entire Union. UE is a United Methodist-related school.... -- more --

Viewpoints

A stranger like me

Body, Mind & Spirit

9/6/2006

A few weeks ago I dedicated a few days to visiting other churches - not on Sunday morning, but through the week - to take notes on how other congregations have used color and d‚cor in their buildings to lend a sense of welcome and hospitality to the stranger. It was an important venture, especially as we build a new facility here at Calvary. I went to take notes on walls and stones and carpet, but returned home with a much richer set of observations about church. For example, when I... -- more --

God called me to be a teacher as a deacon of the church

Part of a series on women in ministry

9/6/2006

A teacher … that is not only what I always wanted to be, but from a very young age I had no doubt whatsoever that that was what I was meant to be. I just had to wait to be old enough to first go through junior high, high school and college. Back in 1987, after ten years of enjoyable and successful teaching, I experienced the strangest "tugging" - nothing visible, nothing outward, but the oddest sensation. It was as if God wanted me to take a more active role in the leadership... -- more --

Who needs diversity training?

9/6/2006

In the Igniting Ministry TV spots about The United Methodist Church, a voice says "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors.. The people of The United Methodist Church." But, how "open" are we? In the South Indiana Conference, we have commissions, committees and boards that address people with disabilities, church and society needs, ethnic local church concerns, Hispanic ministries, HIV/AIDS, Children's Home, Native Americans, racial healing, religion and race, the status and... -- more --

Chronicles

Author of 'Tuesdays with Morrie' to present lecture at DePauw

9/6/2006

GREENCASTLE Ind. - Mitch Albom, author of the bestselling books Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, is scheduled to discuss his latest work, For One More Day at United Methodist-related DePauw University on Monday, Nov. 13. Presented by the Timothy and Sharon Ubben Lecture Series, Albom's address will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center's Kresge Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. The DePauw address will be Mitch Albom's first in Indiana... -- more --

Clarian offers new Nurse-to-Nurse project to parish nurses

9/6/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Clarian Health Partners, its state affiliates and Clarian's Parish Nursing program have received a grant for a new project for parish nurses from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation agency. Introducing the new project, Patricia Thorlton, RN, program coordinator, Congregational Health Ministries at Clarian said, "The grant will support a new Nurse to Nurse project. Its intent is to assist in moving Indiana forward in its goals to reduce the overall rate of tobacco... -- more --

Clinton youth stay home to build faith, rebuild community

9/6/2006

CLINTON, Ind. - Lounging poolside or glued to an X-box is the typical teenage summer vacation. Instead the First United Methodist Church Youth Fellowship of Clinton (UMYF) decided to fix roofs and change perceptions. Usually, the UMYF packs minivans and travels cross country to help strangers, but this year the teens decided they were needed at home. For the entire week of July 10, a dozen teenagers volunteered time, talent and faith for their neighbors. "We're not just a church group.... -- more --

Deaths

9/6/2006

CONSTANCE (CONNIE) BOWMAN, wife of the Rev. Donald S. Bowman (NIC), died Aug. 20, 2006. Two memorial services were held , one Aug. 24 at Friendship Village, Ariz. and one Sept. 7 at Dayspring UMC in Tempe, Ariz. Survivors include: husband, Donald Bowman; daughters, Bethanne, Melanie and Holly; and son, Brice Bowman. Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Donald Bowman, 2625 E Southern Ave, Unit C071, Tempe, AZ 85282-7651. EVAN DALE BURNWORTH, brother-in-law of the Rev Brenda Burnworth (NIC) died... -- more --

Growing Joyful Stewards in your congregation starts with this book

Giving 2006

9/6/2006

Giving is an annual periodical of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center (ESC). David Bell, Director of the Center for Christian Stewardship at the General Board of Discipleship, serves on the ESC Board of Directors. The Rev. Steve Johnson, a member of the South Indiana Conference, serves as ESC executive director. The articles in each issue are written to guide you to develop creative and vital stewardship ministries in your church or organization. The theme for this issue is Common Hope, Common... -- more --

New Hope United Methodist Men provide back-to-school supplies

9/6/2006

The United Methodist Men at New Hope UMC in Salem, Ind., decided to take Bishop Mike Coyner seriously and help provide some of the school supplies needed for those students unable to provide them. As a group, they bought supplies and then delivered them to the Bradie Shrum, West Washington and Salem Elementary schools in Salem.... -- more --

Ordination of women to be celebrated Sept. 24

9/6/2006

Sunday, Sept. 24 is the day set aside to celebrate the Ordination of Women and to acknowledge the ministry of United Methodist clergywomen across Indiana. This year is the 50th anniversary of the granting of full clergy rights to women in the former Methodist Church, and so it is appropriate to set aside a Sunday to celebrate the contributions of female clergy to our church. If your church has been served by a female clergy, is currently served by a female clergy, or has sent women into... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

9/6/2006

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2006 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the months of June and July. Ditmer, Joshua Michael from no appointment to Cassville, Kokomo, 6/16 Eckart, Dan from Butler, Fort Wayne to surrender credentials, 6/16 Gehring-Fisher, Stacee first... -- more --

Stewardship Center offers Florida conference

9/6/2006

Grab your beach towels and sun-tan lotion for the 2006 NeXT Generation Stewardship Leadership Conference in sunny Florida. The conference will be held at the Trade Winds Island Resort in St. Petersburg, Fla., Nov. 27-30. Featured speakers include: Speakers Brian McLaren and Diana Butler Bass plus worship leader Ken Medema. Diana Butler Bass, one of the nation's leading observers of American spirituality and religion, is probably best known for her groundbreaking work for renewal and change in... -- more --

Theologian John Haught to discuss evolution, faith Sept. 19

9/6/2006

GREENCASTLE, Ind. - John F. Haught, author of the book, Is Nature Enough? Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science, will deliver the Mendenhall Lecture at DePauw University on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Haught will discuss "Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?" at 7:30 p.m. in Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church. The program is free and open to all. Haught is Distinguished Research Professor of Theology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His area of specialization is systematic... -- more --

Three Terre Haute churches team together for Haitian VBS

9/6/2006

Ten volunteers from the Barbour Avenue UMC, Emmanuel UMC and Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute, were greeted by Pastor Joseph Saintil of New Jerusalem Ministries with "Welcome Home" signs this summer when they arrived in Cap Haitian, Haiti. The mission team felt at home among the poor of Haiti as they shared the good news of Jesus Christ. They conducted a Vacation Bible School for 800 children and fed them lunch for three days. Barbour Avenue Pastor Bob Roush told Together,... -- more --

Upper Room introduces new worship resource

9/6/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A new worship resource introduced this summer "is so well done, it practically sings itself," according to a United Methodist Church executive. The Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation is a new collection of some 350 hymns and songs, with new prayers and liturgies. The compilation was launched nationally by the Upper Room in August. "In the spirit of the Wesleyan tradition, the Upper Room worship book is truly a resource... -- more --