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January 2006

Cover Story

Hoosier UM gave $2.47 million in storm relief

1/5/2006

On a positive financial note, Hoosier United Methodists gave more than $2.47 million in storm relief during the past year. So far during the past year, the South Indiana Conference gave a total of $1.38 million in storm disaster relief. This includes: South Asia Tsunami relief $452,785, Banda Ache church rebuild $115,793, Gulf Coast Hurricane relief $806,628 and South Indiana Tornado relief $1,687. In like manner, the North Indiana Conference gave $1.09 million in storm disaster relief during... -- more --

Indonesia tsunami recovery comes with complications

Hoosiers help rebuild church building

1/5/2006

By Linda Bloom United Methodist News Service A year after the tsunami wiped out whole parts of the Aceh Province of Indonesia, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is helping people rebuild their homes, their communities and their livelihoods. But the relief and recovery work has been complicated, according to the Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive. "The disaster destroyed a very thin strip of property in a rural province where people lived on the beach but a very wide path... -- more --

From the Bishop

Reflecting upon 'The Dream of God'

From the Bishop

1/5/2006

I write as we begin the New Year. While there is nothing really magical about the flip of the calendar from one year to the next, each year's passing gives us an opportunity to remember, to reflect and to imagine. Part of that imagination should include what God has in mind for us. In fact, someone recently told me that the phrase "the Kingdom of God" might be better understood as "the Dream of God." What is the Dream of God for our lives, for our church, for our nation, for... -- more --

Welcome

Congregation raises Katrina funds by selling building on eBay

1/5/2006

By Linda Bloom A UMNS Report When members of the United Methodist Church in Redkey, Ind., decided to sell an old church building on eBay, they were looking for more than a quick profit. The $40,600 winning bid - which came this past fall - is now being used for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The Rev. Randy Davis said the congregation was elated by the opportunity to contribute a sum that it could never have raised under normal... -- more --

Faith, health coalition seeks increase in state cigarette tax

1/5/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - A statewide interfaith coalition, including United Methodists, advocating for smoke-free work places and smoke-free public environments seeks a 50-cent increase in the state's cigarette tax to discourage smokers from lighting up to decrease this health risk in thousands of lives. The 20-member steering committee, of the Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition, hope to gain the signatures of more than 500 congregations, community groups, faith-based agencies and health care... -- more --

Together makes shift in communicating news and information

Welcome:

1/5/2006

Welcome to a leaner issue of your Hoosier United Methodists Together newspaper. Due to an abrupt $24,000 cut in income from the South Indiana Conference for 2006, the Indiana Area Communication Commission was forced to reduce the size of Together. In order to stay within a leaner budget, commission members decreased the size of each issue from 24 pages to 12 pages and plan to maintain a frequency of nine issues. Even though the publication may have seemed too expensive to some, Together only... -- more --

Indiana

Are you prepared for a natural disaster in Indiana?

1/5/2006

Hoosiers have watched anxiously as the events of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have unfolded and have witnessed two terrible days of tornadoes here in Indiana this past fall. A hurricane is not a threat for Indiana, but there are natural disasters that pose serious threats to our area more often than we realize. Please take a moment to review these tips for keeping yourself and your family prepared. Tornadoes Tornadoes can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in seconds. Always pay... -- more --

Art, hymn sought for 2006 South Indiana Annual Conference

1/5/2006

The South Indiana Conference Committee on Annual Conference Session invites artists and musicians/composers to submit an original work for 2006 Annual Conference. The art design chosen will appear on the cover of the 2006 Conference Journal and as a banner during the 2006 Annual Conference. The hymn or song will be sung during Annual Conference. The theme for Annual Conference is "Stewards of God's Grace" with the Scripture passage: "We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it... -- more --

Bishop's report to the 2016 session of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church

1/5/2006

As I conclude my tenure in the Indiana Area and move into retirement, I consider it a real privilege to have served with you for these past 12 years and am especially grateful for this opportunity to reflect upon our time together. Thank you to the Sessions Committee of the Indiana Conference for providing me with this time to report to you. As I look back upon our years together, I believe that many of the good things we celebrate this year actually began 10 years ago (in 2006) when the work... -- more --

CORRECTION

1/5/2006

Concerning the firsts listed in the Methodist Hospital centennial story in the Nov.-Dec. 2005 issue of Together, Philip Williams of Indianapolis pointed out that the first successful heart transplant in the world was performed on Dec. 3, 1967 by Dr. Christiaan N. Barnard in Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis claims that in 1982 the world's first successful heart transplant in a private hospital was performed at Methodist. We regret the error and... -- more --

Duke professor to speak at both Indiana conference sessions

1/5/2006

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner has announced that the Rev. Dr. Randy Maddox, a professor at Duke University Divinity School in Durham, N.C., will be speaking twice at both Indiana annual conference sessions this spring. Coyner told Together Maddox is scheduled to speak about "Wesley's Understanding of Grace" and "Wesley's Understanding of Salvation." According to the Duke Divinity School, Maddox is a recognized authority on both John Wesley's theology and... -- more --

Michiana communicator teams to write new pastor's how-to guide

1/5/2006

Former Michiana District Communicator Lynda Ward teamed with Steve Brey, pastor of Spring Lake UMC in Spring Lake, N.C. to write a book for new pastors. Abingdon Press recently announced the publication of Ready, Set, Lead!: The New Pastor's Guide to Starting Ministry, designed to help younger pastors organize their first few days, weeks and months as the new pastor in church of a local church. This practical book also contains worksheets for planning and organizing worship, weddings and... -- more --

National

2012 United Methodist General Conference awarded to Richmond, Va.

1/5/2006

LAKE JUNALUSKA, NC (UMNS) - Richmond, Va., will host the 2012 international gathering of The United Methodist General Conference, the denomination's Commission on the General Conference recently announced. The gathering of 1,000 delegates from the U.S., Europe, Africa and Asia will be held at the Richmond Convention Center from April 25 to May 4, 2012. In addition to delegates, about 4,000 other people are expected to attend and participate in the conference. The General Conference is The... -- more --

Church marks 50th anniversary of women's ordination

1/5/2006

By Catherine Koziatek This marks the beginning of a year-long series of articles to be written by clergy women of the North Indiana Conference in celebration of the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. Articles will include information about the courageous women who cleared the path for us and the pioneering women who were ordained in our own conference. We also will include information about women currently in track one as Commissioned Elders. Stories will include: a few women... -- more --

Clergywomen event will celebrate milestone, address challenges

1/5/2006

From United Methodist News Service When 1,500 clergywomen gather in Chicago for the 2006 International United Methodist Clergywomen's Consultation next summer, they will reach forward to a new generation, even as they celebrate the historic 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. The Rev. HiRho Park, coordinator of the Aug. 13-17 meeting, which is sponsored by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, says the gathering provides an opportunity to address... -- more --

Global

Campus ministry to be planted at Africa University in spring

1/5/2006

By Matthew Oates WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - In an agreement between the Wesley Foundation at Purdue University and the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, the Revs. Glen and Lana Robyne will consult with Africa University and plant the first Wesley Foundation campus ministry on the continent. The Robynes will be on-site from Feb. 1 through June 30, 2006. The Robynes are both ordained elders in Illinois Great Rivers, but have been serving an appointment to the Wesley Foundation at Purdue... -- more --

Kissy Health, Maternity Center unveils new Web site

1/5/2006

The United Methodist Church Health and Maternity Center in Kissy, a suburb of Freetown, Sierra Leone now has a Web site. It contains an abundance of facts and information about the center, including a list of statistics about patients in Sierra Leone such as: 90 percent of Kissy patients who have their blood tested at Kissy have malaria. 144 out of 1,000 women die from childbirth or pregnancy in Sierra Leone. No women have died during childbirth at... -- more --

Nigerian hospital in need of volunteers to conduct eye clinic

11/5/2006

The United Methodist Church Hospital, Rural Health Program and Eye Centre in north central Nigeria, West Africa urgently needs volunteers to assist with the medical program and to conduct an eye clinic to do cataract eye surgery. As the only medical facilities within 500 miles, the hospital is in constant usage by those in need of medical services. Prenatal and well baby clinics are held weekly and a variety of patients are seen daily with the maternity ward always in use. The eye care center... -- more --

Regional refugee programs help hurricane evacuees

1/5/2006

By Carol Fouke NEW YORK (UMNS) - Partnerships between local congregations and refugee resettlement agencies are key to the support Church World Service is providing in 10 states to people displaced by the Gulf hurricanes. CWS, the humanitarian agency, is working with its Miami Office and eight of its local resettlement affiliates in communities across the United States to provide comprehensive, individualized services to Gulf Coast residents who have relocated. National church bodies that... -- more --

UMCOR announces partners in hurricane recovery efforts

1/5/2006

BALTIMORE (UMNS) - The United Methodist Committee on Relief released the names of the partner agencies that will share the $66 million grant received from the federal government to handle the case management after Hurricane Katrina. According to UMCOR, the ten social service and voluntary organizations will make up Katrina Aid Today - and will oversee 3,000 professional staff and volunteers who will assist the hundreds of thousands of families by Hurricane Katrina. UMCOR received the $66... -- more --

Viewpoints

Church places high value on the nurturing community in Social Principles

1/5/2006

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church are a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of our church's General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions. However, they are not church law. The Social Principles are a call to all members of the United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice. In this issue of Together,... -- more --

Metanoia in this new year

Body, Mind & Spirit

1/5/2006

By Todd Outcalt Increasingly, as we sense that the church is becoming more deeply polarized in our various camps, holdouts and hang-ups, we may find ourselves longing for some center of reference - a place where we can find balance and yes, even change. Toward that end, may I suggest that we explore a biblical concept together? It is called metanoia - and it means literally, "mind transformation." In short - conversion. We encounter this concept in Paul's letter to the Romans, where... -- more --

Youth and Young Adults

My personal journey

1/5/2006

The ordained ministry is a vocation that I have been contemplating for many years. Like Sara Blossom, in the accompanying article, my own church groomed me as an ascendant pastor. When I arrived at Butler, it was with all the intents and purposes of going on to ministry. Nine semesters later, I recently graduated with a BA in English writing with a religion minor. My path to the ministry has taken a unique winding road, however I always find myself drawn back to the aspects of ministry. While... -- more --

Student Forum 2006 to be held at Adrian College

1/5/2006

More United Methodist college students than ever will get a chance to explore leadership and hone their skills at Student Forum 2006 at Adrian College in May. About 500 student leaders, college chaplains, and campus ministers are expected to gather at the meeting at the college in Adrian, Mich. That number is up from about 350 last year, now that Student Forum is no longer limited to annual conference delegations, said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, director of Student Ministries, Vocation, and... -- more --

Younger students begin to populate United Methodist seminaries

1/5/2006

By David Parga INDIANAPOLIS - During a recent presentation at Butler University's sesquicentennial celebration in Indianapolis, noted American journalist and author David Halberstam stated he felt encouraged by the trend that a growing number of young adults participate in community service projects. More people 20 to 25 years old volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and other projects than participated 20 years ago. This trend has spread to United Methodist ministry students as well. According... -- more --

Chronicles

Aldersgate Renewal Ministries presents worship conference Feb. 9-12

1/5/2006

The Aldersgate Renewal Ministries is scheduled to present Worship Conference 2006, a fellowship, teaching, training and worship event to equip your ministry, Feb. 9-12 at the Aldersgate Renewal Center, near Nashville, Tenn. in Goodlettsville. Worship Conference 2006 registration is available online by logging on www.regtable.com/register.php?eventcode=656604-1803 Some of the topics include: "Power to Forgive; Grace to be Forgiven" with the Rev. Gary Moore, "Church Members are... -- more --

Appointments

1/5/2006

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2005 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the months of November and December 2005. South Indiana Conference Amstutz, Allen W. from Indianapolis Old Bethel, Indianapolis East to Evansville Trinity, Evansville, 1/1/06 Beason, Debbie K. from no appointment to Charlottesville,... -- more --

Boston UMC celebrates bicentennial

1/5/2006

One of Indiana's oldest congregations celebrates its bicentennial this year. The Boston United Methodist Church of Boston, Ind., (just south of Richmond) has begun a yearlong celebration. The third Methodist Episcopal congregation was founded at Boston in 1806 by the Rev. Hugh Cull, a circuit rider and its first pastor. A log meetinghouse called Salem was built in 1810. The congregation's current building, its third, was erected in 1868. Boston's year-long celebration will include a Sunday,... -- more --

Deaths

1/5/2006

ICA CASEY, widow of the late Rev. Dahlgren E. Casey (SIC), died Dec. 16, 2005. A memorial service was held Dec. 20 at Washington Park East in Indianapolis with burial at Washington Park East. Survivors include: Sons, John T. Casey, 8410 Oaktree Dr., Rensselaer, IN 47978 and Henry D. Casey, and three grandchildren. PEARL ELLIS, widow of the late Rev. William Ellis (SIC), died Jan. 1, 2006. A memorial service was held Jan. 4 at Community United Methodist Church in Vincennes, Ind., with burial at... -- more --

Exodus

1/5/2006

University youth ministry program names director The Rev. L. Lang Brownlee has been named the first director of the Youth Ministry Training Program at the United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis. Brownlee, an ordained clergy member of the South Indiana United Methodist Conference, joined the university as interim chaplain in July 2001 and now serves as co-chaplain and assistant professor of Philosophy and Religion. In his new role, Brownlee will assist youth ministry students,... -- more --

Fort Wayne women donate blankets for special service at Parkview Hospital

1/5/2006

Women of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla, Ind. recently donated handcrafted baby blankets, layettes and buntings to the Chaplaincy Department of Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Babies that are miscarried, still born or died shortly after birth are wrapped in the blankets so that the family members can hold them for a few minutes. Then the blankets are put into a memory box along with other special items, for the family to take as a keepsake. The idea came about as the... -- more --

Two retired pastors breathe new life into Michiana church

Genesis

1/5/2006

It all began six years ago when the Rev. Don Carpenter, recently retired, was asked to be interim pastor in a South Bend church that was reeling from conflict and decline. A number of families had left the church. The congregation needed much pastoral care for a time of healing and recovery. Carpenter, who has since celebrated 50 years in the ministry, accepted the challenge prayerfully but hopefully. He found pain and anger and knew he needed to listen, with God's help enabling the church to... -- more --

Youth are fed two ways at Richmond Wednesday night chapel

Acts of the Apostles

1/5/2006

By Polly Wilde Teens are fed in more than one way when they attend Wednesday night chapel in Richmond, Ind.. While Cheetos and soda take the edge off physical hunger as they enter the sanctuary, the worship experience overflows with food for the soul. This winter, youth have gathered the first Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Richmond for a worship service that is meant to speak to and for the teen generation. And it is evident from their undivided... -- more --