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July/August 2009

Cover Story

New Conference mixes meetings with mission

7/8/2009

More than 2,000 United Methodist conference members from across Indiana representing 1,200 congregations descended upon the Ball State University campus in Muncie June 25-28 for the first Indiana Annual Conference session under the theme of “RETHINK CHURCH.” The conference partnered with United Methodist Communications in purchasing five billboards, radio spots and live radio remote, a full-page newspaper ad, 10 banners and 1,100 T-shirts to promote the conference’s presence... -- more --

From the Bishop

A 'John Wesley' annual conference session

From the Bishop

7/10/2009

At the 1980 General Conference* of The United Methodist Church, which was my first to attend as an elected clergy delegate, the Indiana Area hosted a special musical presentation written by local artist and titled, “Where’s John Wesley When We Need Him Now?” The humorous title song lamented our current problems as a church and wondered how we could rediscover John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and his ideals. Similar to our own annual conference, among the many, many... -- more --

Bishop announces selection of two new associate directors

7/10/2009

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announces the selection and appointment of the Rev. LeKisha Reed of New Orleans, La., as the new Associate Director for Missions and Advocacy for the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church effective July 1. Reed is a new face to Indiana as she begins her work with Connectional Ministries Director James Bushfield as an employee of the new conference staff. Coyner also announced the selection of the Rev. Sandy Harlan of Bloomington, Ind.... -- more --

Welcome

Are we up to the challenge of being and doing church?

Welcome

7/10/2009

As Hoosier United Methodists, we have completed our first annual conference session as a united conference. We have worked side-by-side as volunteers during our first day of mission and outreach to the City of Muncie, a model to be replicated in other Indiana communities. We have approved a leaner budget than the two previous years’ conferences and prepare to move into a new conference center on the north side of Indianapolis by November 1. We have hired young adult associate directors... -- more --

Indiana

Bell encourages culture of extravagant generosity

7/10/2009

The Rev. David Bell, of Brighton, Mich., serves as vice-president of stewardship with The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. Bell consults independently through Design for Ministry. He began a June 26 Bible study highlighting the widow’s mite story found in Mark 12. Recalling this passage – which was his first stewardship sermon in his first church years ago – Bell shared that stewardship is more than just money, it is also about time and involvement. “My... -- more --

Bishop calls the first Indiana Conference session to order

7/10/2009

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Bishop Mike Coyner called the first Indiana Annual Conference Session to order on June 25 using a gavel made from the wood of an Indiana meeting house used by Bishop Robertson. He then led in prayer using a prayer of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Coyner introduced Carolyn Johnson, conference secretary. Mary Hubbard and Karen Devaisher were introduced as the co-chairs of the conference sessions committee, which was responsibily for the conference arrangements ... -- more --

Classes of 2009

7/10/2009

Ordained Elder - Front row: Brian Lee Durand, Kathy J. Newton, Stacee Fischer Gehring, Zachary Kyle Washler, Charlene Ann Harris Allen Middle row: Doris Cockerham Winford, Marsha Kay Hutchinson, Shannon Colleen Stringer, Clarinda Ellen Crawford, Michael Scott Brockway Back row: Brian Dwain Campbell, Benjamin Keith Dilworth, Frank Charles Oakman, Brian Felker Jones,... -- more --

Co-Lay Leaders join forces in first united laity session

7/10/2009

The inaugural laity session for the new Indiana Conference began with words from co-lay leaders Kayc Mykrantz and Ike Williams thanking lay members for their service and attendance. The Rev. Jim Bushfield, director of connectional ministries, gave the laity an update of the Imagine Indiana plan. “Your congregation must have a clear mission statement you have to know where you’re going.” The same can be said about the annual conference. “You are the conference,”... -- more --

Cobb: 'We are living stones proclaiming God's mighty acts'

7/10/2009

“We are spiritual houses who are to proclaim the mighty acts of God,” said the Rev. Michelle Cobb, now former superintendent of the Calumet District, to more than 2,000 worshipers Friday, June 26 during an evening Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Resurrection. The conference celebrated and remembered the lives of 23 clergy and 37 clergy spouses, who died since both conferences met this past year. Using the words of Jesus in John 7: 37-39, Cobb proclaimed, “If any one... -- more --

Conference approves $15.1 million budget for 2010

7/10/2009

The annual conference approved $15.1 million income and expense budgets for the 2010 conference year. The budget amount was based upon the 2008 actual income of $15.8 million. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) called the budget realistic, reasonable and achievable. The income budget is based upon a 10 percent tithe of $13.8 million from the 1,200 congregations giving 10 percent of their monthly income to the conference, plus another one-percent of income from... -- more --

Conference approves the creation of ten-district structure

7/10/2009

On behalf of the conference Transition Team, Chair Cindy Reynolds, brought seven recommendations to the conference June 26 to implement a new district structure. They included Recommendation 4 which was a major shift from last year’s five bi-district resource centers with two districts and superintendents proposal to a ten district configuration including a superintendent, associate superintendent, district assistant plus partnering with conference-supported connectional ministries and... -- more --

Conference celebrates mission outreach to Muncie, world

7/10/2009

Following a Saturday June 27 afternoon of sweat and aching muscles, 1,500 conference members and guests celebrated the outreach and mission of the church not only across Muncie, but around the world. Day of the outreach leader, Karen Powell, pastor of Riverside UMC in Muncie, proclaimed, “Jesus has left the building. Bathing a city in prayer, it’s not easy to share in the name of Christ. We have a God who has a big imagination.” Muncie District Superintendent Dale Mendenhall... -- more --

Conference takes action in relation to campus ministry

7/10/2009

Due to severe budget cuts across the board directly affecting outreach ministries in Indiana, the issue of campus ministries and its funding came to the floor of the Indiana Annual Conference session in Muncie for debate. In relation to campus ministry, the conference took several important actions. They included: The conference approved and has already implemented the hiring of the first-ever associate director devoted to Youth, Young Adults, and Campus Ministry. The Rev. Brian Durand... -- more --

Connectional Ministries to serve with leaner budget, fewer personnel

7/10/2009

Connectional Ministries Director Jim Bushfield said the conference is moving to support more congregational ministries concerns and moving away from funding ministry projects. He said new conference ministries to congregations needs to be reasonable, responsible and achievable. Priorities on connection ministries will be a collective reduction in both salary and personnel. Part of the new way of ministry is financial. Connectional Ministries sees its goal as to provide resources and... -- more --

Day of Mission and Outreach embraces City of Muncie

7/10/2009

More than 1,000 Hoosier United Methodists fanned out across Muncie on a sunny, warm June 27 Saturday afternoon for a day of mission and outreach. The Rev. David Arnold of Muncie College Avenue UMC, which served as one of the host churches for the West District, has been part of the planning team. “The congregation feels privileged to serve in this manner,” said Arnold, who also is expecting a variety of follow-up from community members and agencies. Ann Newton of Greencastle Gobin... -- more --

Indiana Annual Conference approves only five proposed constitutional amendments

7/10/2009

Only five of the 32 proposed amendments to the United Methodist Church Constitution were approved by the Indiana Conference votes received Friday, June 26, at Muncie. A total of 1,257 ballots were cast, according to Conference Secretary Carolyn Johnson. All of the votes will be added to the individual votes from all the annual conferences. Those receiving the required two-thirds or above votes in Indiana included proposed amendments: II. Conflict of... -- more --

Ministry service calls on members to 'Finish the Song'

7/10/2009

Members and friends of the Indiana Annual Conference packed Emens Auditorium for a Sunday morning worship service June 28 that included the commissioning and ordaining of 33 clergy members of the conference. Of the 33 clergy members, 16 were commissioned; one as an associate member; one as a deacon; and 15 were ordained elder in full connection. Bishop Coyner began talking about how in April 1995, Pastor Jim Dickey, went to church for the first of two services, and shared with his wife that... -- more --

New ways need to be found to reach people for Christ

New Albany District church chartered

7/10/2009

Director of Church Development Mark Gough said to conference members on June 26 that together we need to find new ways of reaching more people for Jesus Christ, younger people and more diverse people. He noted that worship attendance continues to decline. He said, “We need to pull together in a process, a way of bringing people to the church.” He outlined four strategic Church Development areas which include locations, people groups, existing churches and new churches. Pending... -- more --

Pastor of largest UMC encourages Hoosiers to 'Rethink Church'

7/10/2009

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding and current lead pastor of the Church of the Resurrection (UMC) in suburban Kansas City, presented three sessions on “Effective Church Leadership,” “Ideas for Preaching and Worship” and “Strategies for Reaching the Unchurched” during the opening day of the Indiana Annual Conference. The Church of the Resurrection is the largest UM congregation in the United States with 15,500 members. Effective leadership Hamilton kicked off... -- more --

Rejuvenate program to help pastors, churches with finances

7/10/2009

During the Laity Session on June 25, the Rev. Michelle Cobb, new director of the Rejuvenate program, explained how the program will help pastors in financial crisis. The project has been funded $3.9 millions by the Lilly Endowment. She said the purpose of the program is to strengthen the quality of pastoral leadership and enhance the vitality of Indiana United Methodist congregations. She said research informs us that UM clergy in Indiana are experiencing debt at a level that is negatively... -- more --

Retirees celebrate a total of 742 years of ordained ministry

7/10/2009

Totaling 742 years of service as ordained ministers, 28 pastors retired during this first session of the new Indiana Conference. They were granted retirement status by the clergy executive session of the conference held Thursday night June 25 at Union Chapel Ministries UMC in Muncie. Those ministers with years of service include: Forrest L. Bowers 15, Neil D. Butcher 40, Mary Beth Byrne 38, Terry D. Campbell 37, Cheryl A. Jones Cumbee 25, David C. Cummings 25, Kent E. Dale 26, James A. Dance... -- more --

Retirees healthcare plan outside of current HealthFlex

7/10/2009

Following more than an hour of debate and several unsuccessful amendments, the annual conference approved a revised plan to care in part for the health benefits of clergy retirees. Before considering the retirees health benefits issue, Brent Williams, new director of Administrative Services now North Indiana treasurer, explained that the Pre-1982 Service Rate for 2010 is $608. Surviving Spouse amount is $456 – 75 percent of the service rate. These rates were approved. The HealthFlex... -- more --

Retiring clergy photo

7/10/2009

Clergy retiring this session included these who are pictured -- Front: Saundra Hamm, Jerry Wibert, Mary Beth Byrne, Bernice Gude, Garry Gestner, Gloria J. Gestner, Ella Myers Nickles, Jim Nickles, Ann. L. Glass, Neil D. Butcher, Martha Butcher Middle: James A. Dance, Gloria Dance, Mary Bowers, Forrest L. Bowers, John K. Wortinger, Linda Wortinger, Sandy Howard, Ernest M. Howard Jr., Terry D. Campbell, Pam Campbell Back: Warrell Law, J. Scott Wood, Cynthia Wood. Print quality photo of... -- more --

Those remembered

7/10/2009

Clergy remembered in Friday night’s worship service included these 23 clergy: Thomas Abbott, Daniel Bengston, Ray Bradley, Bill Butler, Richard Dolby, Vern Doles, Kenneth Foulke, George Greathouse, Michaelene Haysler, Frederick Hill, Ellis Hukill, Jerome Hyde, Woodrow Kennell, Richard Kistler, Jane Lincoln, Carol Lott, Robert Lougheed, Carlyle Mason, Robert Miller, Larry Schwartz, Darrel Taggart, Lawrence Tedrow and John Thrasher. These 37 clergy spouses remembered included: Barbara... -- more --

Youth rally at Union Chapel's one-eighty program center

7/10/2009

Youth from across the Indiana Conference and the Muncie District participated in a fun evening of fellowship, worship and sharing on Saturday night June 27. The Rev. Mark Beeson of Granger Community United Methodist Church near South Bend provided the message to more than 150 youth at the event. “You try to stay true. You try to stay on path. It’s too easy to get off track,” said Beeson. “Then you’ve got to pay close attention to who you let close to... -- more --

Viewpoints

Acting up

Body, Mind & Spirit

7/10/2009

I began reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation on January 1 while recording my daily biblical observations and insights on a blog (toddsbible.blogspot.com). It’s been a fun adventure so far. And funny. I say funny because, the more I read the prophets, the more I am convinced the prophets of old were the original actors. Take Jeremiah, for instance. At various times he acts out his theology by sitting at a potter’s wheel and shattering clay jugs (chapters 18-19), by eating... -- more --

Where all the birds come from

7/10/2009

Did you ever see something that put all you thought you knew into question for just a split second? I experienced such a moment this past spring. Needing to plant grass seed, flowers and do other spring stuff, I went to one of those big home improvement store where I could purchase it all in one trip. I found the store’s gardening-outdoor section, and began to fill my cart. There was the garden hose, just next to the fertilizer. In the next isle all in a row, were the vegetable garden... -- more --

Chronicles

Appointments

7/10/2009

Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the months of May and June 2009. North Indiana Conference Amaya, Carlos from Monte Sion, Lafayette to No appointment, Lafayette, 5/11/2009 Aydelotte, Timothy from Supply Pastor, Michiana to South Bend Monson Community, Michiana, 7/1/2009 Beall, Michael from Living Water, Huntington to Hanna, Calumet,... -- more --

Bishop approves four employees to continue with conference

7/10/2009

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner and the conference directors have approved the selection of four Indiana Conference staff members to continue in similar positions. They are Ed Fenstermacher as Associate Director of Church Development, Ruth Ellen Needler as Assistant Director for Office and Conference Services, Ed Metzler to continue as Secretary to the Bishop and Erma Metzler to continue as Communication Assistant. Ed Fenstermacher, associate director of church development and... -- more --

Deaths

7/10/2009

SHIRLEY A. BRETT, widow of the Rev. William E. Brett (former NIC), died July 4, 2009. A memorial service was held July 7 at Centenary UMC in Terre Haute, Ind., with burial at Memorial Gardens in Lafayette, Ind. Survivors include: two daughters, Carol Perry and Susan Wilson; three sons, Phil Brett, Gary Brett and Dennis Brett; one brother, William Payne; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. WAYNE HUGHES DAVIS, father of the Rev. Roberta Ingles Davis of Hobart Trinity UMC (former... -- more --

McCordsville UMC breaks ground for new addition

7/10/2009

Members and friends of the McCordsville United Methodist Church celebrated as ground was broken on the building expansion project May 10.The first phase is a $1.6 million expansion that will double the existing size of the church providing a welcoming and handicapped accessible design. In the second phase, the existing sanctuary will be remodeled. The 8,600 square foot addition to the existing building will feature: new classrooms, a fellowship hall, a commercial grade kitchen, an elevator, new... -- more --