printable email

January 2007

Cover Story

Efforts of the Hoosier interfaith Darfur coalition

1/10/2007

Aug. 2004 - Hosted a prayer vigil in Indianapolis Summer 2005 - Delivered 2,500 signatures to the office of Senator Lugar calling for Americna leadership to protect civilians in Darfur. Spring 2006 - Delivered more than 19,000 postcards to President Bush calling for the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force to Darfur, traveled to Washington DC to lobby Congress and rallied with 50,000 supporters at the Capitol. June 2006 - United Methodists in the North and South... -- more --

Senator gives little hope to Darfur coalition

1/10/2007

By Daniel R. Gangler INDIANAPOLIS - U.S. Senator Richard Lugar gave little hope Dec. 9 to an interfaith coalition of Hoosier religious and community leaders including native Darfurians who asked him to step up his efforts to end the worsening genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Lugar, an Indiana Republican and United Methodist, who was head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when he met with the coalition, is now ranking member of the committee. During the past three years, he has... -- more --

Senator gives little hope to Darfur coalition

1/10/2007

Senator gives little hope to Darfur coalition

1/10/2007

Senator gives little hope to Darfur coalition

1/10/2007

From the Bishop

Are we there yet?

1/10/2007

When our children were young, they often asked during car trips, "Are we there yet?" That question represented not just impatience with the trip, but an eagerness to arrive at our destination. Recently, when our adult son and his wife rode with us to Louisville to visit our adult daughter, and once again I heard those words - this time in jest - "Are we there yet?" "Are we there yet?" is a good question for our Christian journey, too. Being a Christian means being... -- more --

Welcome

Letters to the Editor

1/10/2007

Jane Stout Fribley remembered Editor's note: Judge Sarah Evans Barker recently sent to Together this tribute to the late Jane Stout Fribley first published in the Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 Indianapolis Star. In her honor, Together shares this tribute with the Indiana Area. Jane Stout Fribley A women's rights activist, a preacher's wife, a teacher, a mother and grandmother, died Nov. 8, 2006. She was born Jan. 19, 1916, in Wayne County and was the wife of the late Rev. Dr. Robert W. Fribley of... -- more --

Preparing for bird flu pandemic like snow storm in July

Welcome

1/10/2007

Convincing church leaders to prepare for a bird flu pandemic across Indiana can be likened to preparing them for a July snowstorm. Most people just don't believe such a pandemic can happen, however history informs us of the possibility of such a pandemic sweeping across the country in a matter of hours. Are we ready? During a recent conference in Indianapolis while preparing faith-based communities for such an outbreak of flu, Dr. Crystal Jones, medical director of acute diseases for the... -- more --

Indiana

Bishops adopt calls to action for United Methodists

1/10/2007

MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) - The bishops of the United Methodist Church are calling members of the denomination to "live the United Methodist way" in their daily lives and public witness and be a community of believers who offer hope to the world. Nearly 80 bishops affirmed that call to action Nov. 6 during their first meeting outside the United States. The bishops accepted the concept but are seeking to clarify what living the United Methodist way really means. The council also... -- more --

Franklin Community turns 50

1/10/2007

Franklin United Methodist Community is 50 years old this year and refuse to slow down for the next 50. In 1948, the Indiana Conference of The Methodist Church suggested in its annual session that the conference satisfy the need for a retirement home to be named the "The Methodist Home for the Aged of the Indiana Conference of The Methodist Church, Inc." The Indiana Conference Woman's Society of Christian Service set aside $3,000 for its establishment. By 1950, there was more to... -- more --

Global nature task force proposes a U.S. central conference

1/10/2007

By Linda Green MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) - A group of United Methodists examining the global nature of the denomination is proposing that the United States become a Central Conference. The proposal introduced to the United Methodist Council of Bishops on Nov. 3 would end the current system that splits the United States from the central conferences that govern the church outside the United States and would revise The United Methodist Book of Discipline into a "truly general book of... -- more --

Gospel singer Steele to perform at MLK Day event in Indy

1/10/2007

INDIANAPOLIS - Nationally known gospel singer and radio host Jearlyn Steele will be the featured speaker and performer at the United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis' annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Monday, Jan. 15. The free 90-minute program will begin at noon in the university's Ransburg Auditorium, 1400 E. Hanna Ave., on Indy's southside. Steele will be accompanied by her pianist brother, Billy Steele, a member of the Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of... -- more --

Governor introduces plan for a healthier Indiana by raising cigarette tax at least 25 cents a pack

1/10/2007

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mitch Daniels proposed on Nov. 17 a simple yet innovative health plan that would provide health insurance coverage for more than 100,000 Hoosiers, reduce smoking rates - especially among kids - and immunize more Indiana children. The health initiatives would be funded by an increase in the state's cigarette tax. Support for the plan already has been expressed by a number of organizations, including the Indiana State Medical Association, the Indiana Minority Health... -- more --

Hurricane Katrina aid today doubles assistance to families

1/10/2007

NEW YORK (UMNS) - Case manages for Katrina Aid Today, a ministry of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, reported helping over 30,000 families affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2006 - roughly 80,000 individuals. A recent fourth quarter report from the agency points out this is double the number of families that were being assisted in January 2006. Although it has been more than a year since Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, the figures confirm that many people across the... -- more --

Imagine Indiana teams have more questions than answers

1/10/2007

By Daniel R. Gangler The seven-member Imagine Indiana Planning Team and the 28-co-chairs of the 14 Imagine Indiana discernment teams met at the Indiana Area office in Indianapolis, Nov. 20 for a six-hour round-robin reporting session. All groups were asking more questions than supplying answers to how the two United Methodist Annual Conferences plan to unit together to form a new Indiana Annual Conference. The day-long session began and ended with presentations by the Rev. Greg Jones, dean... -- more --

KIDS HOPE USA: A no-brainer

In celebration of mentors

1/10/2007

Since 2003, KIDS HOPE USA, a premier faith-based mentoring program working exclusively through local churches, has grown and affected the lives of many at-risk children in elementary schools of Indiana. With an increase of 103 percent from 2003 to today, KIDS HOPE USA in Indiana is serving nearly 800 children. KIDS HOPE USA offers one caring adult to nurture one child who so desperately needs a loving friend to model "Jesus in the skin" and to build a relationship focused on the... -- more --

Recovery in hands and ears with Gulf Coast survivors

1/10/2007

By Sharon Dunten Recovery is the mission of volunteers visiting the Gulf Coast, and yes, it does entail the repair of the storm-damaged infrastructure of survivors' homes. But what volunteers also observe may be the broken and emotional wounds of Hurricane Katrina's survivors and the potential of lingering victimization. So for Bill Blanchard, a second-time volunteer of Southport United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, recovery has been a varied ministry including the brawn of strength and... -- more --

Three Hoosier United Methodists part of 110th Congress

1/10/2007

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The number of United Methodists who will be serving in the 110th Congress will remain the same as in the previous assembly at 62, though some of the names will change. There are 13 United Methodists in the U.S. Senate and 49 United Methodists in the U.S. House of Representatives. United Methodist of Indiana include: Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), member of St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis, Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), member of Monticello UMC and Rep. Baron P. Hill (D-Ind.),... -- more --

Two North Indiana districts plan VIM trip to Louisiana

1/10/2007

The Warsaw and Michiana Districts have combined to bring this work camp opportunity Hoosier Methodists. Participants will be leaving early March 10 for Slidell, La. and will be working through UMCOR on site. Work will start on March 12 and continue through March 16. Current plans are to return by late night on March 17. Travel will be done by car, which will help participants get to work sites in Slidell. Accommodations will either be in a church multi-purpose building or a volunteer... -- more --

United Methodist agency to restructure Advance giving program

1/10/2007

The Advance for Christ and His Church, the designated mission-giving program of The United Methodist Church, is being restructured to better equip it to reach donors now and into the future. One major change is the reconfiguration of professional positions within the organization. Most current positions, including jurisdictional representatives, are being phased out in favor of a new network of staff coordinators and specialists. Five jurisdictional offices will be closed by March 8, 2007.... -- more --

Upper Room publishes prayers for people with HIV/AIDS

1/10/2007

Upper Room Ministries has published a special new collection of prayers for persons suffering with HIV/AIDS and other diseases called Prayers for Encouragement: Hope for Persons Living with HIV & AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Other Serious Diseases. Although this is the first time Upper Room Ministries has specifically published a resource for HIV/AIDS, in addition to this new resource, Upper Room Ministries has provided booklets of meditations and prayer to soldiers in Afghanistan and... -- more --

Missions

Africa University develops e-learning plans, officials say

1/10/2007

MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) - United Methodist-related Africa University is on an e-learning threshold to become the pan-African institution it was created to be, school officials told United Methodist bishops. Throughout the United Methodist Council of Bishops' Nov. 1-6 meeting, information technologists from Africa University provided a glimpse of how distance education would work to reach and provide learning opportunities to areas of the continent. The bishops saw how the university will... -- more --

Mission agency announces new system for resources, studies

1/10/2007

The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church will have a new system for the distribution of print, audio visual and other promotional and educational materials beginning Dec. 29. Cokesbury will fulfill orders for all but one unit of the agency. As previously announced, the Women's Division will both produce and distribute its materials through the Mission Resource Center in Dallas, Texas. The changes follow a decision by the Women's Division, the administrative arm of... -- more --

Operation Classroom works closely with 15 schools in Liberia, Sierra Leone to provide education to children

1/10/2007

The Rev. Joe Wagner, co-coordinator of Indiana Area's Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor, recently reported Hoosier United Methodists were in partnership with 10 schools in Sierra Leone and five schools in Liberia during 2006. In Sierra Leone during the war all schools were closed during the war. Now, they are all open and have a combined enrollment of 9,200 students. In all of OC-related schools, many students were child fighters during the civil war. Operation Classroom provides 1,000... -- more --

Red Bird Mission experiencing financial shortfall

1/10/2007

By Kathy L. Gilbert A UMNS Report A significant decline in contributions has created a crisis that may result in the closing of the school at Red Bird Mission, according to the mission's executive director. Red Bird is one of four mission institutions of the United Methodist Red Bird Missionary Conference. The conference is in an isolated area in the heart of Appalachia, a geographic region that stretches along the Appalachian mountain range from Mississippi to southern New York. Red... -- more --

Viewpoints

Just beginning to hear

1/10/2007

By Shari Wauzzinski As a senior at Butler University nearing the end of four years in higher education, I have been considering my future vocation - what I want to do with my life. In particular, I have been thinking how vocation fits into my life as a Christian. Vocation literally means "call." As Christians, we understand vocation as God's call to us, making it central to the Christian belief that God has created each person with gifts and talents that are to be used for specific... -- more --

Living fast-forward

Body, Mind & Spirit

1/10/2007

By Todd Outcalt Once a month, our family has a movie night together. We go to the video store and rent a DVD to watch on the large-screen TV in our basement. Inevitably, however, I get into trouble for using the fast-forward button on the remote. I speed through the previews and the opening credits and, if I could, I'd speed through the FBI warning about illegal duplications of the video. I guess the movie powers won't allow us to shed these apparent necessities, even though I've never read... -- more --

North Indiana Conference camping: It's a God thing!

1/10/2007

By Jean Moorman Brindel The Capital Campaign for the Camping program of the North Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is at the point of having civil engineers hard at work. In just a few weeks they will be making their report so the next phase can begin. As we wait, here is part of the report of The Camp Design Leadership Team lead by the Rev. Larry Whitehead of First UMC in Mishawaka, Ind. The report was written in part by the Rev. Dan Motto, retired, for the 2006 North... -- more --

Chronicles

Deacons give Baker Chapel UMC a hand in construction

1/10/2007

The South Indiana Conference Deacon the Rev. Sandra Harlan of Bloomington works drywall on Deacons Day Nov. 17 at Baker Chapel UMC. She was joined by the Rev. Laura McDonald of Palmyra, Joyce Lewis and McDonald's dad, Carman Loudon, a member of Unity Chapel UMC in Ramsey. They spent the day sanding drywall. Dale UMC provided their noon meal. Volunteers from area churches are scheduled to bring in meals through March. Eighty percent of the work is being done by volunteers. For more information... -- more --

Deaths

1/10/2007

MARGARET ANN ALLRED, spouse of the Rev. W. Robert Allred, retired Elder (SIC), died Nov. 15, 2006. A memorial service was held Nov. 18 in the Wright Memorial Chapel at the Franklin Community in Franklin, Ind. with burial at Mooresville (Ind.) Cemetery. Survivors include: her husband, the Rev. Robert Allred, 1120 N. Methodist Dr., Franklin, IN 46131; two daughters, Ann Jones and Amy Uhl; two sons, Alan and Aaron. RICHARD ARMSTRONG, retired pastor (SIC), died Oct. 28, 2006. A memorial service... -- more --

Diakonia Convocation will draw 600 United Methodist servant-ministers to Orlando, April 19-22

1/10/2007

By Victoria Rebeck As a record number of people prepare to become United Methodist deacons, a celebratory convocation sponsored by the church's General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will draw about 600 diaconal ministers and deacons to Orlando, April 19-22. "This is a forward-looking event," said the Rev. Adrienne Ann Ilseman, a deacon in Northern Illinois and the co-chair of the event design team. "Deacons are carrying God's love into all corners of society in new and... -- more --

Economics professor invested at U. of Evansville

1/10/2007

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The United Methodist-related University of Evansville invested Michael Zimmer, professor of economics, Dec. 18 as the Guthrie May Endowed Chair in Business in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration. Zimmer said the manifestation of American greatness could be seen in the life of Guthrie May. May achieved great success in providing modest housing for families following WWII and used the fruits of his labor to not only support his family but to benefit the... -- more --

Jazz great Jamey Aebersold donates $50,000 to University of Indianapolis

1/10/2007

INDIANAPOLIS - World renowned jazz saxophonist, educator and entrepreneur Jamey Aebersold has given $50,000 to the Jazz Studies program at the University of Indianapolis. Associate Professor Harry Miedema, director of the jazz program, said the funding from Aebersold and his wife, Sara, will help to purchase instruments and educational materials, provide scholarships, hire guest artists and promote instructional clinics. "This gift is very exciting for our jazz program and for the music... -- more --

Muncie preacher's Lent-Easter sermons featured in anthology of sermons

1/10/2007

A series of sermons by retired Muncie United Methodist preacher the Rev. Dr. Donald Charles Lacy of the North Indiana Conference are featured in Sermons on the Gospel Readings: Series II, Cycle C published by CSS Publishing of Lima, Ohio. Lacy's wrote the section "The Glory Of It All! Sermons for Sundays in Lent and Easter." This series of sermons includes Ash Wednesday, the Sundays of Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter and the Sundays leading to Pentecost. In his preface, Lacy... -- more --

Pastoral Appointments

1/10/2007

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 November and December 2006. North Indiana Conference Alexander, Will from Marion Christland, Marion to no appointment, 11/19 Barbara, S. Lloyd from Newville/Mt. Pleasant, Fort Wayne to Elkhart Calvary, Michiana, 1/1/07 ... -- more --

Purdue Wesley House students winterize homes for elderly in Lafayette area

1/10/2007

By Tracy Bridge WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Nearly 200 Purdue University students and area youth groups fanned out across Lafayette and West Lafayette on Nov. 11 to winterize homes for the elderly. Winterization, a community service project sponsored by the Wesley Foundation at Purdue University, raked leaves, cleaned gutters and spread the love of Christ through mission to 78 Lafayette area homes. This year's event was student-led by Scott Sowers, vice president of Wesley's Council on... -- more --