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May/June 2006

Cover Story

Baker's Chapel returns to church site leveled by deadly tornado

5/10/2006

DEGONIA SPRINGS, Ind. - "We want to celebrate new life," preaches the Rev. Jerusha Franz on Easter Sunday morning to members of the Baker's Chapel United Methodist Church in the parking lot of the church. "It's about finding life from death." She told news reporters that members are committed to rebuilding, celebrating Easter this year with a renewed understanding of the holiday's message of hope and rebirth in the face of tragedy. Baker's Chapel building was leveled Nov. 6... -- more --

Seashore District Volunteer Center completed

Bishop Coyner to dedicate center May 15

5/10/2006

As air conditioners began to whirl and shower filled with steamy water, the final 30 volunteers in mission celebrated the birth of the Seashore District Volunteer Center at D'Iberville, Miss., a joint project of the North Indiana and South Indiana United Methodist conferences. Time of delivery was Thursday, April 27, 4 p.m. "Praise God!" wrote the Rev. Greig Crowder, pastor of the Royal Center UMC in Kokomo District and the last of eight reporters who almost daily updated the... -- more --

From the Bishop

Bishop, Foundation thank congregations for supporting volunteer center build in Mississippi

5/10/2006

Indiana Area Bishop Coyner and the Rev. Jim Gentry, executive director of the Indiana Area United Methodist Foundation, thank these congregations (in order of service) who have sent volunteers to build the Seashore District Volunteer Center in D'Iberville, Mississippi during the month of April. Included in April were 41 congregations (church and city): McGrainsville, Amboy; Pendleton; Cromwell; St. Luke's, Indy; St. Mark's, Bloomington; First, Decatur; Huntertown; Butler; Zion, Kokomo;... -- more --

How big is your church?

From the Bishop

5/10/2006

One of the most common ways that we understand a local church is by its size, and so we keep all kinds of statistics about our 1,265 United Methodist congregations here in Indiana. We measure membership, worship attendance, total budget, new members received each year, numbers of small groups, plus much more. All of our pastors know about these measurements as they annually complete their Table I, II and III reports for their church's annual charge conference meeting. But I wonder, how does... -- more --

Welcome

Letters to the Editor

5/10/2006

More on compulsive gambling Thank you for including the article "What makes compulsive gamblers continue?" in the April issue of The Hoosier United Methodists Together. There are three clarifications that I wish to make: For greater success in recovery, the combined approach of both treatment and Gamblers Anonymous is recommended. Magical thinking for the gambler is indicated when chasing one's losses becomes part of the motivation to gamble. This... -- more --

The things I worry about in life are unimportant

Reflections in the aftermath of Katrina recovery work

5/10/2006

"I'm tired. I'm burned out. I know we were stubborn, deciding to rebuild, but I just can't do it alone anymore. My husband just went back to work, and now I'm here alone, all day, working on it." Sugi, a petite woman in her mid-thirties, was the homeowner of a modest, two-bedroom ranch in Gulfport, Miss. I met her while our United Methodist Disaster Relief work team, from northern Indiana, was working on her neighbor's home. Sugi wanted to know if our team could work on her house,... -- more --

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church

5/10/2006

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church, apostolic and universal." This preface to a Modern Affirmation in our United Methodist Hymnal (page 885) defines the church in relationship to God's Spirit made known to us in Jesus Christ. The season of Pentecost, beginning this year on June 5 and spanning throughout the summer, celebrates the beginning of the church when the Spirit of the Lord filled the lives of the 3,000 Jewish believers gathered for the wheat... -- more --

Indiana

Africa University dean to speak at North Indiana Conference

5/10/2006

Dean Fanuel Tagwira of Africa University will be visiting Indiana this spring. He will be in this country from May 25 to June 5 and will speak in a plenary session at the North Indiana Annual Conference on Friday, June 2 and at the Africa University breakfast on June 3. Tagwira also is scheduled to speak at the Sunday morning services (8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m.) May 28 at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, 333 Meridian Street, in West Lafayette. Tagwira has served as acting dean of the Faculty... -- more --

Christmas Offering for Children proceeds distributed

5/10/2006

A committee representing both Indiana North and South Conferences met in Indianapolis April 19 to divide the proceeds of the Bishop's Special Christmas Offering for Children received in December. The committee, chaired by Executive Assistant to the Bishop Dr. Donald Griffith, received $94,639 in gifts and grants. North Indiana churches gave $43,815 and the South Indiana churches gave $42,730 to the offering. After expenses, the committee distributed $76,235. Divided into thirds, the offerings... -- more --

Clarian Health names ordained minister to new staff position

5/10/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Clarian Health Partners Inc. has appointed the Rev. Cyndi Alte, an Elder in the South Indiana Conference, as the Director of Congregational Health Ministries, a new staff position within Clarian. Alte's role will intersect with both the health care and faith communities. Dr. Steven Ivy, senior vice-president of Values, Ethics, Social Responsibility and Pastoral Services at Clarian told Together, "Clarian is committed to improving the health of the communities that we serve.... -- more --

New tithing for connectional giving off to bumpy start

Receipts ahead of 2005 by two percent

5/10/2006

The new North Indiana United Methodist Conference Tithing Plus program for connectional giving of congregations to conference ministries launched in January 2006 has had a bumpy take off but is smoothing out as the churches send monthly remittances and the program gains altitude. According to Brent Williams, treasurer of the North Indiana Conference, "Receipts are about the same, dollar wise, as 2005.Percentage wise we are at 19 percent of the 2006 budget, compared to 17 percent at the... -- more --

North Central Jurisdiction congratulates Indiana conferences on Advance record giving

5/10/2006

The North Central Jurisdiction Advance mission outreach, above and beyond Church World Service askings, congratulated both the Indiana South and North Conferences for their excellent giving in 2005 to The Advance for Christ and His Church. North Central Jurisdiction Field Representative Wayne Rhodes, Jr., extended his congratulations to the South Indiana Conference for increasing giving to The Advance by 253 percent in 2005 in which 83 percent of its churches participated to set a new... -- more --

Piecing together faith communities and healthcare

Parish Nursing

5/10/2006

Parish nurses stitch together the colorful elements of their faith communities, creating a health ministry bound with love and backed by years of experience. What is parish nursing? Today's world of health care emphasizes wellness and prevention; however, not all people know how to maintain or improve their health. The information from the media or their doctor may overwhelm them. Parish nursing provides a bridge between the fragmented health care system and those who may be medically... -- more --

Recovery with Christ ministry in Fort Wayne makes a difference

Church program welcomes community

5/10/2006

Celebrate Recovery. Even the name of this outreach program, recently started at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, conveys the nature of this Christian-based recovery program, which originated at Rick Warren's mega-church, Saddleback, in Lake Forest, Calif. Aldersgate senior pastor the Rev. Brian Witwer says of the recovery program, "It emphasizes positive aspects and doesn't dwell in gloom and doom. It's all in the name." "It's not living in the past and our misery and where... -- more --

Rolling Prairie church burns, ruled accidental by authorities

5/10/2006

ROLLING PRAIRIE, Ind. - State authorities have ruled a fire that heavily damaged the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church 20 miles west of South Bend May 5 accidental. Once the blaze was brought under control, Jeffrey Roseboom from the state fire marshal's office led the investigation with two agents from the Merrillville branch of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to investigate. According to The South Bend Tribune, they said the fire was started... -- more --

Scouting's Good Samaritan Award goes to Evansville teen who saved life

5/10/2006

Three-year-old Harmony Smith stopped breathing and started to turn blue. Her mother came into the room, thought the child was dead, and screamed as loudly as she could. Thomas Smith, Harmony's 14-year-old uncle, had the presence of mind to call 911. The operator asked a series of questions and told Thomas exactly what to do. The Tenderfoot Boy Scout followed the instructions and was able to get Harmony breathing on her own before the paramedics arrived. His actions saved Harmony from death or... -- more --

Smile, South Conference clergy

5/10/2006

Pictures will be taken this session for directory. A note to let you know the hours that clergy will be photographed during annual conference are: Thursday, June 8, from 1:30-5 p.m. and Friday, June 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.... -- more --

Tithing Plus funds general church, jurisdictional, conference and district ministries

5/10/2006

At the North Indiana Annual Conference in June, the Council on Finance and Administration will propose a $10 million 2007 expense budget for the support of the church beyond its 565 congregations. This connectional giving will be paid by all local churches of the annual conference through the new Tithing Plus program for: General and Jurisdictional support - 30 percent of the NIC budget or $3 million. This includes NIC's portion of The United Methodist Church's worldwide outreach. It also... -- more --

Wiredchurches.com announces strategic partnership with outreach

5/10/2006

GRANGER, Ind. - WiredChurches.com, a ministry of Granger Community United Methodist Church, announces a new partnership with Outreach, an online resource for church communication tools. This partnership will make Granger's series graphics packages available through Outreach's Web site and catalog. Outreach will be able to print and customize these promotional materials for individual ministries. Additionally, Outreach will be able to provide banners, bulletins and other pieces featuring the... -- more --

National

Faith, action converge at United Methodist Women's Assembly

5/10/2006

ANAHEIM, Calif. (UMNS) - In a "scary time" when war, terrorism, environmental calamity and unchecked poverty and disease are looming fears, United Methodist Women can still make practical expressions of their faith. That was the closing message from Jan Love to participants at the 2006 United Methodist Women's Assembly. Love is chief executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. As a start, women can deepen their understanding of their own... -- more --

Youth 2007 expected to draw 10,000 young people

5/10/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -More than 10,000 United Methodist youth from across the world are expected to converge on the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum and Koury Convention Center for Youth 2007, the largest quadrennial youth event of The United Methodist Church. The July 11-15, 2007, event will give youth an opportunity to experience God in a multitude of ministry, cultural and spiritual opportunities. Sponsored by the Division on Ministries with Young People at the United Methodist Board of... -- more --

Missions

Cameroon Mission holds first annual meeting

5/10/2006

LIMBE, Cameroon (GBGM) - Pastors and lay delegates from 19 congregations met here in April for the first Annual Meeting of The United Methodist Mission in Cameroon. Ten lay and local pastors and 14 lay evangelists received appointments for 2006-2007. The Cameroon Mission was established in October 2005, by action of the directors of the General Board of Global Ministries. Previously, the work of missionaries and indigenous pastors in the country were part of a "mission initiative."... -- more --

Future of Kissy Clinic projected in vision of Sierra Leone's bishop

5/10/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosiers discussed the future of our partnered United Methodist hospital in Sierra Leone with the United Methodist Bishop of Sierra Leone during a three-hour meeting at the Indiana Area office on April 7. Bishop Joseph C. Humper met with the Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor Area Committee members to discuss the future of the Kissy Health and Maternity Center located in a suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone. The clinic has now grown to the status of a hospital under the... -- more --

Medical scholarship fund named in honor of Bishop Leroy Hodapp

5/10/2006

The Operation Doctor Area Committee meeting April 7 approved the establishment of the Bishop Leroy Hodapp Medical Scholarship Fund. The Rev. Joe Wagner, co-coordinator of Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor, said, "As we continue to upgrade the medical services in Liberia and Sierra Leone, we need to upgrade the staff. This scholarship fund will aid in this goal to assist international medical students." The first recipient of the scholarship is Dr. Dennis Marke, chief medical... -- more --

Mission agency issues call for new missionaries

5/10/2006

STAMFORD, Conn. (GBGM) - The United Methodist Church needs at least 20 new international missionaries during the two years. A recruitment effort - "The Next Missionary May be YOU" - was launched at the semi-annual meeting of the directors of the General Board of Global Ministries. "We are extremely pleased to be able to again actively recruit missionaries for international service," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, chief executive of the international mission agency. Dramatic... -- more --

Viewpoints

New book by Millard looks at theology of the ordinary

5/10/2006

Minneitte Millard, wife of senior pastor Dr. Kent Millard of Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, has written a new book due for release. A Closer Look: A Theology of the Ordinary is a compilation of vignettes from her life followed by her theological "closer look" at the incidents to show God's work in the ordinary world. It takes her through her childhood years on the prairies of South Dakota through her looking ahead to her own death. It is a blend of her... -- more --

On retirement

Body, Mind & Spirit

5/10/2006

In more recent years it has become apparent that the clergy ranks in most annual conferences, including North and South Indiana, have swelled with retirees. In fact, we probably have more retired clergy than "active" - although, as everyone knows, pastors never really retire, they're just put out to pastor. No doubt, retirees can often feel like second class citizens among their fellow brothers and sisters, and as the ageing game takes its toll, clergy relationships and years of... -- more --

Two women share their stories as local pastors in North Indiana

Different gifts - one body

5/10/2006

According to the 2005 North Indiana United Methodist Conference Journal, there are 40 women currently appointed as local pastors, and 51 women, if we count the pastors listed as supply under the "other pastors serving churches" category. This is out of a total of 147 local pastors both male and female or 228 pastors if one counts supply pastors who may or may not be a member of The United Methodist Church, but from another denomination which our denomination recognizes. The faith... -- more --

Chronicles

Authorities charge ex-church staff member with theft

5/10/2006

According to press reports, the Johnson County prosecutor's office filled a probable cause affidavit May 1 against Aaron D. Kemp, 32, a former church administrator at Greenwood United Methodist Church. Police believe Kemp, of Indianapolis, took more than $200,000 during a 4-1/2 year period which ended last June 7 when the church fired him. Greenwood Police Detective Doug Roller told The Indianapolis Star that Kemp essentially was a one-man financial operation for the 400-member congregation.... -- more --

Coffin, Legendary 'pastor, prophet, poet' dead at age 81

5/10/2006

The Rev. William Sloane Coffin Jr., 81, a United Church of Christ minister known globally for his peace and justice advocacy, died April 12 at his home in rural Strafford, Vt. According to Associated Press, Coffin had been suffering from congestive heart failure and had been under hospice care. Ordained in 1956 as a Presbyterian, he later sought ordained ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ, a relationship he maintained until his death. Since retirement, he was a member of the... -- more --

Deaths

5/10/2006

DONALD D. ABBEY, retired pastor (NIC), died March 23, 2006. A memorial service was held on March 26 at the Pineville Chapel of McEwen Funeral Services in Charlotte, N.C. Survivors include: wife, Dorothy; and daughters, Carolyn Rearick and Donna Glass. Condolences may be sent to Dorothy Abbey, 7110 Graburn Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 or online condolences may be directed to www.lifeunwrapped.com. Memorials may be made to the ministry of the Rev. Abbey's grandchildren: Life Unwrapped, c/o Dawn... -- more --

Franklin Community received accreditation from CARF-CCAC

5/10/2006

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The well known United Methodist-related retirement community in Franklin has become the first Johnson County facility to receive accreditation from CARF-CCAC. The Franklin United Methodist Community received the designation for a five-year term through 2010. Dr. Joe Trueblood, executive director of the community said, "It is an honor to have the nation's premier accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities acknowledge that our Community has met their best... -- more --

Indiana Briefs

5/10/2006

Boston University to honor Hoosier as Distinguished Alumnus BOSTON - Boston University School of Theology will grant the Rev. Dr. Henry L. Gerner, retired minister of the South Indiana Conference and former Pastoral Counseling Director at the Buchanan Council Center at Methodist Hospital, its 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award. He will receive the award during the Dean's Luncheon during the Distinguished Alumni/ae Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 13 at the school in Boston. Greene County Chapel... -- more --

Iraqi American describes worsening conditions in Iraq

5/10/2006

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Everyday life in Iraq is becoming increasingly dangerous, an Iraqi American told the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. "Iraq is becoming unlivable," said Andy Shallal, who has many family members living in the country. The General Board of Church and Society passed a resolution in 2005 calling on the United States to withdraw troops from Iraq. Shallal spoke to the board's Peace with Justice/United Nations and International Affairs work area during the... -- more --

Resolution on the War in Iraq

5/10/2006

Whereas, the prophet Micah reminds us that God calls nations to "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears to pruning hooks," and that nations will no longer "lift up sword against nation, and neither shall they learn war any more" (Micah 4:3); and Whereas, peacemaking is a sacred calling of the Lord Jesus Christ; and, Whereas, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2004 (Para. 165.C) states, "We believe war is incompatible with the teachings... -- more --

Terre Haute secretary receives certification during national secretaries meeting in California

5/10/2006

Ten Hoosiers joined more than 215 United Methodist office professionals for the 24th Annual Conference of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) April 20-22 in Pasadena, Calif. During the three-day event, Michelle O'Hare, of the Terre Haute District Office, received recognition as a Certified Professional United Methodist Church Secretary, after having attended the PAUMCS Institute at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. Hoosier... -- more --