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October 2006

Cover Story

New Yorkers join Hoosiers in rebuilding church

10/10/2006

By Daniel R. Gangler DEGONIA SPRINGS, Ind. (UMNS) - Remembering their fallen comrades who died Sept. 11 five years ago, 20 New York City firefighters joined a group of other volunteers and residents in framing the new building of Baker Chapel United Methodist Church. The firefighters worked side by side with 30 Amish and Mennonite volunteers, local residents, rescue personnel, and 20 disaster survivors from San Diego, Utica, Ill., and Slidell, La. The former century-old Baker Chapel building... -- more --

From the Bishop

Questions and answers

From the Bishop

10/10/2006

One of the books that influenced me in recent years is Leadership Without Easy Answers by Ronald Heifetz. His book makes the point that leadership is not about providing answers to the complicated issues of our day, but rather leadership must help the group, organization or institution to name the right questions. The group then is trusted to have the capacity to find the answers, once the right questions are asked. I hope that Heifetz is right, because I know that I don't have all of the... -- more --

Welcome

Bishop to host 10-day pilgrimage to Israel

10/10/2006

In cooperation with Educational Opportunities Tours, Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner invites Hoosier United Methodists to join him on a biblical discovery trip to Israel in February 2007. This ten-day trip begins Feb. 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. Side trips also are available to Cairo,... -- more --

Hoosiers heading toward more legalized gambling

Welcome

10/10/2006

If you think we have gambling problems in Indiana now, just wait. Look what may be coming. The state approaches an immense expansion of legalized gambling that could increase gambling profits in Indiana estimated at $1 billion a year. That's tempting because these new gambling dollars will yield the state more than an estimated $300 million in tax revenue, according to legalized-gambling supporters. This new money will be made through the legalization of electronic gambling devices such as... -- more --

Letter to the Editor

10/10/2006

Thank you for the article on parish nursing in Together (Sept. issue). I have had several calls about our center. Just some corrections: I am not the coordinator of the center. I am the coordinator of Health Ministries and Parish Nursing at Community Health Network. I am the President of the Indiana Chapter of Health Ministries in conjunction with the Indiana Parish Nurse Resource Center. Also we are not noted for blood pressures; we do them as part of all other duties. Most parish nurses are... -- more --

Indiana

Autumn sky reflected in north Indiana cornfield by Sharpsville Church

10/10/2006

Using the theme of constellations of the autumn sky, the Sharpsville United Methodist Church in north central Indiana has created its seventh Corn Maze. The maze will be on display through Oct. 28. The 5.6 acres of corn and 1 1/2 miles of paths are located half-way between Tipton and Kokomo on State Road 19 east of Sharpsville. October Saturday nights are party nights with a bonfire, hayrides, dollar hot dogs, games, contests and prizes. For more information, call 800-217-7324. Photo provided... -- more --

Bethlehem, Twelve Mile churches initiate 'Soldiers of God'

10/10/2006

BETHLEHEM, Ind. - The youth groups of two North Indiana Conference churches have spent the last five summers answering God's call to mission throughout the Midwest, that is, until this summer. After being challenged by Twelve Mile United Methodist pastor, the Rev. Teri White, Team B.O.G. (bring on God) decided they would look inward and develop a way to minister to a group of local sixth and seventh graders. The group is a collaboration of Bethlehem and Twelve Mile United Methodist churches... -- more --

Bishop says Holy Land trip in February is a 'Go'

10/10/2006

After receiving a positive report from a delegation including two Hoosiers who recently conducted a safety inspection trip of Israel, Bishop Mike Coyner has determined that the previously planned trip the Holy Land with Educational Opportunities is a "Go." The trip already has more than 130 participants registered, but many have been waiting for word about the safety of traveling to Israel in light of the recent unrest between Israel and Lebanon. The Rev. Corrine Boruff of... -- more --

Columbus Sunday School class works to help those with need

10/10/2006

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Kathy Warner's second and third grade Sunday school class hopes to fulfill a global call to mission on a local level. The class is hoping to meet a goal of $5,000, enough to buy an ark of animals for an impoverished village. The program first donates the animals and then educates the community about animal management, nutrition and food processing. Villages are then encouraged to pass the offspring of the donated animals and their new knowledge on to nearby communities. The... -- more --

Couple feel quads, now one, are God's agenda for them

10/10/2006

By Shari Wauzzinski Denise and Jeremy Benner of Reynolds, Ind. had four very special reasons to praise God Oct. 4. Adyson Mae, Brenden Allen, Chandler Thomas and Dane Ross, the couple's quadruplets, celebrated their first birthday as their parents celebrated the power of prayer. "This experience has opened my eyes. Now I know what God can do in prayer," Denise said. The couple has traveled a long and often, unsure road to this birthday, including two lost single pregnancies and... -- more --

Elkhart church helps to open mission school in Haiti

10/10/2006

ELKHART, Ind. - A dream that started in 2002 was realized for Faith United Methodist Church with the Sept. 6 opening of Faith Academy of Laferonney, located in Haiti. The dream was first conceived when a Faith UMC mission team traveled to Haiti and met FanFan, a young man who had spent his life savings to buy a piece of land. This land he hoped, would become the site of Haiti's first public school. Moved by FanFan's sacrifice, Faith Church became involved by proposing to raise enough money to... -- more --

Franklin pastor initiates new Ugandan Bible academy

10/10/2006

MUKONO, Uganda - Leaders in the East Africa United Methodist Conference have felt the need for short-term training of pastors in Uganda for several years. The Rev. John Elliot, pastor at Grace UMC in Franklin, Ind., recognized that need in 2001 when he and his wife traveled to Uganda to see the future site of a school, clinic and orphanage for HIV/AIDS children. It was here that Elliot began to discuss the challenges and the realities of such a Bible academy with District Superintendent Daniel... -- more --

Imagine Indiana affirms North Indiana camp expansion

10/10/2006

Camping is a strength which certainly will be a part of the future. . . The Imagine Indiana Planning team affirmed the $16-million capital development plan for its campsites during a Sept. 27 planning session at the Indiana Area office in Indianapolis. In a statement released by Bishop Mike Coyner, the seven-member team said: "As a part of its work to bring a plan for the creation of a new Indiana Conference for a vote at the 2007 Sessions of the North and South Indiana Conferences,... -- more --

Indianapolis North UMC volunteers venture to Nicaragua

10/10/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - In the spirit of the Covenant between God's people, North United Methodist Church sent 11 volunteers in mission to Nicaragua in February. The trip was made to nurture the relationship between North UMC and First Baptist Church of Nadiyosi located in Nadiyosi, Nicaragua. The group was able to offer a $500 donation for flooring, windows and doors so the church's new building could be completed. They also distributed reading glasses to those that needed them and vitamins to... -- more --

Indianapolis St. Luke's volunteers win Regional Emmy Award

10/10/2006

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The National Association of Television Arts and Sciences in Cleveland presented its 2006 Regional Emmy Awards Sept. 9. Among the winners from Indiana was a group of volunteers from The Power of One, an Indianapolis nonprofit organization connected with Saint Luke's United Methodist Church. The Emmy is the highest award given in television. The Power of One team produced an original documentary called, The Power of One in Kenya: Into the Heart of Hope, about individuals... -- more --

Members watch as fire destroys Mishawaka church

10/10/2006

By Tom Moor Tribune Staff Writer MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Pam Waidner was married at Albright United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday school and worshipped there. On Monday night, Oct. 2, Waidner was one of the church's parishioners who joined a large circle to pray as the church she attended since she was a little girl partially burnt to the ground about 200 feet behind her. "This is breaking my heart," she said. "It's really painful." Mishawaka Fire Chief Dale Freeman... -- more --

Men's commission moves four-year gathering from Purdue

10/10/2006

By Linda Green NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The governing body for United Methodist Men is moving the denomination's quadrennial men's conference from Purdue University to Nashville. The churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men voted on Sept. 16 to hold the 10th national United Methodist Men's gathering July 9-12, 2009, at a university to be determined in Nashville, Tenn. The tradition of gathering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., began in 1953. The conference has been... -- more --

Salem church provides water well for people in Malawi

10/10/2006

LAPORTE, Ind. - Salem Chapel United Methodist Church is hoping to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Malawi through fresh water. Salem Chapel donated more than $6,400 to the drilling of a well in the poverty-stricken African country, located east of Zambia. The well's carefully picked location will serve five other villages, too. According to a United Nations' study, more than one-fifth of the world and 63 percent of Malawi's population does not have access to fresh water.... -- more --

Youth invited to participate in international event

10/10/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People will host the Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative Assembly Dec. 28-Jan. 1, in Johannesburg, South Africa. This will be the first time Young United Methodists from around the world will have an opportunity to attend an international convocation. Kirk Taylor, a youth member of Broadway UMC in Indianapolis, has been elected as a delegate of the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church... -- more --

Missions

Mission volunteers work, visit Sierra Leone schools, sites

10/10/2006

BAOMA, Sierra Leone - Operation Classroom continued its mission to Sierra Leone with a team of five Hoosier United Methodists who participated in a work trip, July 7-29. Kay Hess of Chester Heights UMC; Janet Compton of Shelbyville First UMC; Joyce Conrad of Connersville Grace UMC; Kristen Siebert of Brookville UMC and Chuck Hefley of Kokomo Grace UMC, put a fresh coat of paint on the school in Baoma, Sierra Leone. They painted three buildings and six classrooms, and put in glass for new... -- more --

Sudan relief continues during uncertain period

10/10/2006

By Linda Bloom NEW YORK (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief work is continuing in Sudan, despite uncertainty over security in the near future. Safety has only become a concern in the past two months in the areas of the south where UMCOR operates, according to Jane Ohuma, head of mission in the region, during a visit to the agency's New York headquarters. The heavy presence of the military, both on the ground and in the air, has curtailed the movement of all nongovernmental... -- more --

Water access needed at Ganta Hospital in Liberia

10/10/2006

GANTA, Liberia - Ganta United Methodist Hospital, located in northern Liberia, is appealing to United Methodists everywhere to help them with their ongoing water access and connection needs. The hospital has survived more than 14 years of a civil war that has left the facility looted and almost obliterated. Many times doctors and nurses do not have adequate gauze, bandages and antibiotics to treat the more than 450,000 Liberians the hospital serves, although fresh water access is currently the... -- more --

Viewpoints

Going home again

Body, Mind & Spirit

10/10/2006

By Todd Outcalt This summer my family and I traveled to North Carolina on vacation. Our first destination was the Biltmore House near Asheville - a city that holds some memory for me, as I served my first church right there in the mountains when I was a student at Duke Divinity School in Durham. While driving along I-40, we decided to take the Candler exit and search for this little church in the mountains. Much to my surprise, we found it. My memories of Montmorenci United Methodist Church... -- more --

Healing came in the midst of the faith community

10/10/2006

By Cyndi Alte My journey with cancer began with a phone call while I was visiting my daughter at college. "There is a shadow on your mammogram and we need to repeat it." Truthfully, I did not think much about it, even when I went back for another screening. Only after the doctor explained the results of the second mammogram that I thought there might be reason to be concerned: "We've scheduled you for a biopsy in two days." Within a week, I was one of 180,000 women... -- more --

North conference camp campaign fund director asks for prayers

10/10/2006

By Jean M. Brindel North Indiana Conference is in the very early stages of a capital fund drive for the camping ministry. The camp ground at Epworth Forest in North Webster is the primary focus, but the hope is to do some work at the other three sites too: Pine Creek, Lakewood and Camp Adventure. Sixteen-million dollars is the goal for the projects. The other day, a friends of mine ask me what this capital drive would mean. Since all good campaign chairs have an elevator answer to such... -- more --

Chronicles

Books on Communion, emerging church worship worth considering

10/10/2006

The Order of Saint Luke has published two books worth considering. The first is titled This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion and A Study Guide for Children and Youth by Carolyn Tanner. Congregations across the United Methodist connection are studying This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion. The document, adopted by the 2004 General Conference, is enriching both understanding and experience of the Holy Meal. Now the entire church... -- more --

Cross Roads UMC is born

10/10/2006

South and Park Place United Methodist churches in Anderson, Ind. have merged to become Cross Roads United Methodist Church. The unified congregation now averages more than 260 worshipers weekly - roughly 50 more than the two former congregations had averaged separately - at the congregation's new facility. The merger comes after prayerful consideration and approval at the North Indiana Annual Conference in June. The idea first came when Park Place Church, averaging just 39 people per week,... -- more --

Deaths

10/10/2006

BISHOP THOMAS SYLA BANGURA (retired), 81, died Sept. 24, 2006 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, nearly one year after the Sept. 25 burial of his wife. A memorial service is scheduled for Oct. 8 at King Memorial United Methodist Church, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Bangura began his ministry in The Evangelical United Brethren Church and served as bishop from 1979 to 1992. According to the Rev. Joe Wagner, Bishop Bangura was "one of the key players in the founding of Operation Classroom. JEAN BERGWALL,... -- more --

Grants are now available for older adult ministries

10/10/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In an effort to support ministries by, with and for older adults, the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries will be offering grant money for program development. The purpose of the grants is to help local United Methodist congregations, districts, annual/central conferences, UM chaplains and UM-related institutions develop intentional, innovative and creative ministries with older adults. The grant program is the result of the 2004 General Conference's... -- more --

Jurisdictional Religion and Race learning experience set for Indy

10/10/2006

Woodie White Foundation Banquet scheduled for Saturday night, Oct. 21 The Commission on Religion & Race: North Central Jurisdiction Annual Learning Experience is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis, Oct.20-22 at Embassy Suites Hotel North, 3912 Vincennes Road, Indianapolis. This year's event, sponsored by the South Indiana Conference Commission on Religion and Race, is open to all and, of particular interest, to those who have a heart for multicultural ministry. This year's theme -... -- more --

Most twenty-somethings put Christianity on the shelf following spiritually active teen years, says Barna study

10/10/2006

By The Barna Group VENTURA, Calif. - Transitions in life are rarely simple. Some of the most significant and complex shifts that people undergo occur during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. An important part of that maturation is the refinement of people's spiritual commitment and behavior. A new study by The Barna Group of Ventura, Calif. shows that despite strong levels of spiritual activity during the teen years, most twenty-somethings disengage from active participation... -- more --

New training resources available for Certified Lay Ministers

10/10/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - New resources are now available to help prepare United Methodist laypersons to be certified as lay ministers within the denomination for assignments to pastoral leadership posts. The resources, developed by the General Board of Discipleship in partnership with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, are a response to action by the church's 2004 General Conference authorizing a new form of church leadership, said Sandy Zeigler, director of Discipleship's lay... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

10/10/2006

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 month of September 2006. North Indiana Conference None at this time. South Indiana Conference Crouch, Louis D. from Millgrove, Bloomington to retirement, 7/1 Ferguson, John from Linton Nine Mile, Bloomington to no appointment, 9/30 May,... -- more --

South Conference women to highlight peace during Oct. 14 conference

10/10/2006

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The South Indiana Conference United Methodist Women's Conference is scheduled to meet on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Columbus Asbury United Methodist Church, 1751 27th Street, beginning with registration and refreshments at 8:15 a.m. The theme is "PEACE: Expanding Mission, Nurturing Each Other In Kindness and Love." Speakers, including the Rev. Charles Gipson, who plans to reflect on personal racial justice stories as United Methodists celebrate 25 years of the Charter for... -- more --

United Church of Christ documentary 'Troubled Waters' airing Oct. 22 on ABC-TV

10/10/2006

United Nations officials, faith-group leaders and environmental activists are taking increasing notice of who is accumulating ownership of the globe's ever-shrinking sources of drinkable water. Some are even insisting that access to water - not oil - will be the primary cause of wars in the 21st century. Set to begin airing Sunday, Oct. 22 on ABC-TV stations nationally, a new United Church of Christ-produced documentary, "Troubled Waters," will remind viewers that the world's rivers,... -- more --