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March 2006

Cover Story

Former governor's bust unveiled at Statehouse

3/5/2006

By Daniel R. Gangler INDIANAPOLIS - A bust of the late Governor Frank O'Bannon, an active lifelong United Methodist who died in 2003 of a stroke while in office, was unveiled Feb. 13 at the Indiana Statehouse by the state's former First Lady Judy O'Bannon, her children and grandchildren. O'Bannon served the state more than 30 years as a state senator, lieutenant governor and governor. During the hour-long ceremony, Mrs. O'Bannon said she hopes that when young people see the late governor's... -- more --

Hoosier volunteers begin building center in Mississippi

3/5/2006

The first wave of volunteers in mission from Indiana are on site this week in D'Iberville, Miss. More than 78 percent or 187, of the 240 volunteers needed to build the Seashore District Volunteer Center there between March 6 and April 28, have registered. As of March 1, 53 volunteer builders, cooks and food handlers for the one-week commitment are still needed for the project. The first five weeks are booked. Nine more volunteers are needed for week six April 10-14, 16 more for April 17-21... -- more --

Volunteers needed in South Indiana to rebuild after tornado

3/5/2006

Pastor Randy Anderson, chairperson of Southwest Indiana Long Term Recovery Committee, is organizing volunteers for construction work. Skilled workers are needed in all areas of construction from laying the foundation to the finish work. There are buildings that need to be rebuilt, including Baker's Chapel UMC, resulting from the Nov. 6 tornado. If you are interested in working as a volunteer on these projects, contact the Anderson or Bridget Noss at the Disaster Recovery Office by calling... -- more --

From the Bishop

To merge or not to merge, that is not the question

From the Bishop

3/5/2006

You may have heard the rumor that a merger vote is coming to both North and South Indiana Annual Conferences this June. That rumor is almost true. The Area Committee on Episcopacy met last week and approved a proposal from the Merger Task Force that a proposal be brought to each of our Indiana Conferences during their 2006 sessions to vote for a plan for merger to be brought back and voted upon in 2007. Here is the actual motion coming to each Annual Conference. "Whereas the Merger... -- more --

Welcome

Let us speak and act with humility and conviction

Welcome

3/5/2006

This Lent, the church I attend asked me to lead a six-part discussion series on "Confronting the Controversies: Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues" based on a book by the same title written and revised by Adam Hamilton, pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in suburban Kansas City, Mo. Because of my ongoing interest in social issues and how we, as the church, influence the society in which we live, I agreed to lead the group. Upon reading Hamilton's book, I... -- more --

Letters to the Editor

3/5/2006

Appreciative of clergywomen This year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women, I've become even more aware and appreciative of the clergywomen who have gone before me. I'm certain it wasn't all struggle, but for the most part, the generations immediate preceding must have had to show enormous amounts of courage, self-awareness, persistence and grace in order to forge the path for the generations to come. For the most part, people respond with happy surprise... -- more --

Indiana

Bishop announces 10-day study tour to Israel

3/5/2006

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 --

Clarification

3/5/2006

The Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds served the following appointments in the North Indiana Conference in this order: Hobart First, Associate; Pastor/Director, Wesley Foundation, Ball State University; Hammond Woodmar; Superintendent of the Huntington District; Fort Wayne Good Shepherd; Conference Council on Ministries Director.... -- more --

Districts set dates for installation of new superintendents

3/5/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - The three districts receiving new superintendents have announced the dates of their installation services. The Rev. Craig LaSuer, incoming Marion District Superintendent in the North Indiana Conference, will be installed during a 3 p.m. worship service on Sunday, June 25 at the First United Methodist Church in Anderson. The Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds, incoming Warsaw District Superintendent in the North Indiana Conference, will be installed during a 7 p.m. worship service on... -- more --

Episcopacy committee votes to carry merger plans forward

3/5/2006

By Daniel R. Gangler INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Area Episcopacy Committee voted unanimously Feb. 22 to recommend a plan for the creation of a new Indiana United Methodist Conference to both 2006 North and South Indiana Conference sessions. The committee, composed of lay and clergy from both North and South Indiana Conferences, approved the report and plan of the Merger Task Force chaired by Jack Dwiggins, of Brookston in the North Indiana Conference. The task force has worked with Bishop... -- more --

Goodbye 'U of I,' hello 'UInd''

University of Indianapolis adopts nickname

3/5/2006

In 1986, Indiana Central University became the University of Indianapolis, firmly establishing its relationship to its home city and The United Methodist Church. Now, 20 years later and with even deeper partnerships in the community, the university is reinforcing that connection by adopting "UIndy" as its nickname. "For years, the University of Indianapolis has been referred to informally as 'U of I,'" noted Marketing Director Joseph Solari. "That shorthand has created... -- more --

Gough chosen as North Conference Director of Ministries

3/5/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner announced the appointment of the Rev. Mark Gough, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Goshen, Ind., as the next Director of Ministries for the North Indiana Conference based in Marion effective July 1. Upon Gough's appointment, Coyner said, "Mark brings much experience to the position of North Indiana Conference Director of Ministries. He previously served on the Conference Council on Ministries staff, so he is familiar with the... -- more --

Howell named as new Evansville District Superintendent

3/5/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner has named the Rev. Glenn B. Howell, senior pastor of The Turning Pointe United Methodist Church in Evansville, as the next Evansville District Superintendent. He will begin his new appointment in Evansville on July 1. In making this announcement, Coyner said, "Glenn is a proven pastor who has grown a new church start over a 13 year period into a large and faithful United Methodist Church. He is an active member of the South Indiana Conference... -- more --

North Indiana pastoral counselor writes books on obsessive-compulsive disorder

3/5/2006

Haworth Pastoral Press of Binghamton, New York has released two books by a North Indiana United Methodist clergy on obsessive-compulsive disorder - one for pastors, another for family and friends. According to publisher, The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Pastoral Care for the Road to Change by the Rev. Dr. Robert Collie, Th.D., delivers a provocative and stimulating discussion that is meant to inspire new areas of inquiry on this subject. As an OCD sufferer, pastoral counselor, mental health... -- more --

Schools of Christian Mission follow theme of 'Harvesting Peace' this summer in Manchester and Indianapolis

3/5/2006

Both Indiana Schools of Christian Mission will follow the theme of 'Harvesting Peace" during each conference's learning events in July. Both are using James 3:18 as their key verse: "A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace." This year's studies in both conferences includes: Globalization: Its impact in our lives, Shalom-Peace-Salaam and a study on the countries of India and Pakistan. The North Indiana Conference school will be held at Manchester... -- more --

Your church needs an emergency plan for tornado season

3/5/2006

This is the beginning of tornado season; not even churches are immune from the wrath of nature's destructive storm systems. Now is a good time to establish a plan for your church in the event of one of nature's nasty surprises. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), South Indiana is at high risk for tornadoes. Remember, a tornado destroyed Baker's Chapel United Methodist Church in Newburg, Ind. on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005. Fortunately, the tornado hit in the early hours of... -- more --

National

2012 United Methodist General Conference moved to Tampa

Richmond removed because of sports team's Indian name

3/5/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Citing a church policy regarding meeting in cities that are home to professional sports teams with Native American names, The United Methodist Commission on the General Conference has retracted its selection of Richmond as the site of the 2012 General Conference and named Tampa as the new meeting site. The 2012 General Conference will be held April 25 to May 4 in the 600,000 square foot Tampa Convention Center. At the time of the initial selection, commission members were... -- more --

President Bush committed to ending genocide in Darfur

3/5/2006

President George W. Bush told reporters on Feb. 17 that he is committed to taking the actions necessary to end the genocide in Darfur. The President's words are a welcome acknowledgement that the U.S. government has heard the call from Americans to protect those who can't protect themselves in Darfur. According to David Rubenstein, coordinator of the Save Darfur Coalition including United Methodists, "This is an extremely important step, one which all Darfur advocates have been urging for... -- more --

UMCOR provides peanut plants to Darfurians

3/5/2006

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United Methodists gave 50% more than previous year's total giving

3/5/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - United Methodists gave more generously than ever before, surpassing the previous year's total giving by more than 50 percent. This assessment of 2005 giving was reported today by Sandra K. Lackore, general secretary and treasurer of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church. Lackore stated, "In a year that brought much natural devastation to so many of our local congregations around the globe, we have a great deal to... -- more --

World Methodist Conference set for July in South Korea

3/5/2006

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) - Methodists from the far corners of the earth will come together July 20-24 in Seoul, South Korea, for the 19th World Methodist Conference. "All Methodists worldwide have been invited to join with their Korean Methodist brothers and sisters in attending this momentous event and in praying with the Korean Methodists for peace in their land and for the reunification of the Korean peninsula," said the Rev. George Freeman, top staff executive of the World... -- more --

Missions

Bishops view hurricane devastation, help clean up houses

3/5/2006

United Methodist News Service Getting a firsthand view of hurricane damage in Louisiana left four United Methodist bishops moved and with a deeper understanding of the recovery task ahead. The bishops traveled to Louisiana Jan. 12-15. They helped "muck out" two houses and also met with state and United Methodist disaster response coordinators. The bishops agreed that the amount of damage is difficult to imagine without a visit to affected areas. Included in the trip were Bishops... -- more --

Hoosiers join in dedication of surgical suite in Sierra Leone

3/5/2006

By Daniel R. Gangler Six volunteer Hoosiers with a passion for missions joined the staff of United Methodist-related Health and Maternity Center in Kissy, Sierra Leone, to dedicate the Wagner Surgical Theater and 30-bed post-op ward. The theater was named in honor of the Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner, coordinators of Operation Classroom. The project was sponsored by Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor, a mission outreach of the Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church. Traveling to Africa... -- more --

UIndy prof writes book about noted missionary to India

3/5/2006

Abingdon Press released a book this past fall on the life and work of famed India missionary E. Stanley Jones, written by Stephen A. Graham, a political science professor at the University of Indianapolis. Graham has written a chronological account of the life and ministry of Jones's life (1884-1973) for a broad audience. In Ordinary Man Extraordinary Mission: The Life and Work of E. Stanley Jones, Jones' life was lived in the context of the historical, political and religious events of his... -- more --

Viewpoints

Open minds

Body, Mind & Spirit

3/5/2006

By Todd Outcalt For the past year I've been meeting with a growing number of people at a local restaurant bright and early on Wednesday mornings to talk about current events and study books. I say a growing number because, as our little group has expanded, we've just about taken over the restaurant some mornings, especially when our conversation gets loud. Fortunately, we have the same waitress each week. She takes our orders and delivers food without fanfare. Currently, we are studying a... -- more --

Pastors must set pace to boost church giving

3/5/2006

By Dwight S. Busacca Special Contributor After serving as a pastor in two churches, and then serving as a denominational agency staff member, I am convinced there is no shortage of money in United Methodist churches. Some pastors and congregations may say, "We only have 100 to 200 members, and we are unable to pay our World Service or Conference Benevolence apportionments, to say nothing of giving to General Advance Specials." Then a new pastor is assigned to that parish and the... -- more --

The next generation ...

3/5/2006

By Catherine Koziatek In this third article of our year-long series in celebration of the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women, I am pleased to introduce you briefly to the wonderful women currently in track one of the ministerial ordination process. Char Harris Allen currently serves as pastor of Walkerton First United Methodist Church (Michiana District), her first full-time church after graduating from seminary this past year. Char came to parish ministry through her family's... -- more --

Youth and Young Adults

Churches must build unity, reach young people, WCC leader says

3/5/2006

By Linda Bloom PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (UMNS) - Churches have new opportunities to influence global policies and "bring a moral voice to the world," but that cannot happen unless they relate to each other more closely, according to the leader of the World Council of Churches. "We can no longer separate ethics and ecclesiology, the search for unity of the church and the unity of humankind," said the Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Methodist pastor from Kenya and the WCC's chief... -- more --

Program seeks to call young people into ordained ministry

3/5/2006

By Linda Green A UMNS Report A new program will partially address pastoral leadership concerns in the United Methodist Church and other denominations by cultivating young candidates for ministry vocations. The program, "Calling Congregations," will organize churches in grass-roots programs to find and support the next generation of pastoral leaders for Christian denominations. It is being launched by the Atlanta-based Fund for Theological Education with a $6 million grant from the... -- more --

Chronicles

2005 giving for hurricane relief surpasses $62 million

3/5/2006

As of Dec. 31, 2005, the United Methodist Committee on Relief reports that giving for hurricane relief during the year totaled $62,373,764. Most of the money will be filtered through the annual conferences along the Gulf Coast, but some will go for work in Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua. Decisions about the expenditures will be made in April at the agency's board meeting. UMCOR already distributed more than $6 million. Paul Dirdak, deputy general secretary for the General Board... -- more --

About the One Great Hour of Sharing and UMCOR

3/5/2006

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is observed by United Methodists on the fourth Sunday in Lent but you can give all year around. This year the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Sunday is March 26. The OGHS offering supports ongoing work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing allow UMCOR to work efficiently and effectively in disaster response, hunger and poverty ministries, and refugee ministries around the world. UMCOR does not receive support... -- more --

Counseling center to offer wellness seminar for clergy

3/5/2006

Buchanan Pastoral Counseling Center, a part of Methodist Hospital and Clarian Health Partners will be offering a Wellness Seminar for clergy. This two-day seminar will be offered at Clarian West Hospital in Avon and will be on May 30-31. Dr. Jacqueline Chandler of the Buchanan staff and Dr. David Holling, director of Buchanan, will lead this event. Other professionals from the healthcare community will participate. This event will address physical health, but will include much more.... -- more --

Deaths

3/5/2006

FREDERICK BEEDLE, retired pastor (SIC), died Jan. 20, 2006. A memorial service was held Feb. 4 at the Maus Funeral Home in Attica, Ind., with burial at the Riverside Cemetery in Attica. Survivors include: Wife, Evelyn Beedle; son, James Lee Wall; daughter, Ida Mae Garriott; stepsons, Michael, Rick and Frank Watson; stepdaughters, Pamela Baker, Linda White, Barbara North and Melanie Allen; 26 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to... -- more --

Fourth Epworth Institute set for July 9-14 at Oakwood Center in Syracuse

3/5/2006

The Epworth Institute is scheduled for July 9-14 on Lake Wawasee at the Oakwood Retreat and Conference Center in Syracuse, Ind. The Epworth Institute is primarily for clergy under age 45 with a minimum of two years full-time ministry under appointment, but all United Methodist clergy are welcome. The purpose of the Epworth Institute is for young United Methodist clergy to be grounded in solid Wesleyan theology, educated in the sound academic foundation beneath Wesleyan theology, afforded the... -- more --

God's spirit moving in North Indiana

Genesis

3/5/2006

By Ed Fenstermacher Paula Shrock, a member of our conference prayer team, recently received an interesting e-mail. It said God was bringing revival to Indiana and that it would start in the northeast corner of the state. Could it be? Will The United Methodist Church be a part of such a revival? A look at what's happening in United Methodist congregations on the south side of Fort Wayne suggests that the UMC is in the middle of the action. By the end of 2004, Christ United Methodist Church,... -- more --

Grounded in our roots at Churubusco UMC

3/5/2006

By Sue Lewis A church renewal added a display of a church's historic roots this year in Churubusco, Ind., 15 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. When the Churubusco United Methodist Church applied for a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program grant two years ago, the proposed themes for the renewal time were based on John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches . those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit." After the grant was awarded in 2004, Pastor Christine Newman-Jacobs... -- more --

High cholesterol doesn't discriminate

A health tip for better living

3/5/2006

Keeping your cholesterol low is important no matter what your age or gender. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. You can reduce your risk by lowering your cholesterol level: Follow a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, Be physically active, Maintain a healthy weight, and Don't smoke. If you are age 20 or older, you also need to have your blood cholesterol measured regularly. It's best to... -- more --

How welcoming is your church?

3/5/2006

Igniting Ministry, the denomination's welcoming ministry, offers a "Friendliness Audit," a personal assessment of how welcoming a congregation is to others. The audit lists various types of people (i.e., a smoker, an interracial couple, a political conservative or liberal) and readers check "yes" or "no" next to how they think each would be received. "Welcoming is about recognizing everyone has a place and God's love is available to all," Igniting... -- more --

Kids Hope USA to hold May 6 workshop at Marion Church

3/5/2006

The North Indiana Conference will host a KIDS HOPE USA daylong workshop on Saturday, May 6, at the Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, 2971 West Kem Rd., in Marion, Ind. With active mentoring ministries in 327 churches in 27 states in more than 30 denominations, including United Methodists, KIDS HOPE USA has identified several factors that are essential when a church is serious about engaging and involving neighborhood children and families. Key to the program is the concept of one child... -- more --