printable email

April 2010 Together

Cover Story

'Five Practices' book leads to church movement

Schnase to teach at Annual Conference

4/14/2010

When Bishop Robert Schnase began thinking about writing a book on congregational effectiveness and excellence, he focused on finding the right word to describe the practical and theological nature of a successful congregation. Schnase’s research and testing led him to select “fruitful.” Now, the principles of his work, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, are bearing fruit in the United States and around the world. Publisher Abingdon Press has sold more than 110,000... -- more --

From the Bishop

A call for civility

From the Bishop

4/14/2010

I don’t really understand the Healthcare Reform bill recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama. It worries me more that so many congressional members, healthcare professionals and insurance companies also don’t understand it. I suspect it will take months and years to sort out the meaning and implication of all 2,400 pages in that bill. What I do understand is something important has been lost in the process of this bill being discussed, debated, voted and... -- more --

Bishop announces new South District Associate District Superintendent

4/14/2010

Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announces the appointment of the Rev. Sandra K. Cooper, currently pastor of DePauw Memorial UMC in New Albany, Ind., as part-time Associate District Superintendent to the South District based in Georgetown and part-time pastor at Georgetown Christ UMC also in Georgetown, effective July 1. She will be an associate of South District Superintendent Charles Wilfong. The Rev. Bob Ostermeier currently serves the South District as an Associate District Superintendent. He... -- more --

Paul's second, third missionary journeys to become Hoosier journey

4/14/2010

Join Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner and the Indiana Conference on a 13-day cruise in November 2011. Working with Educational Opportunities, Coyner has chosen a customized trip that offers a unique opportunity. Participants will visit the Parthenon in Athens, stand on the synagogue bema where Paul preached in Corinth, worship in the ancient marble city of Ephesus, spend a day around the Sea of Galilee in Israel, visit the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, and explore ancient Christian Rome including a visit... -- more --

Editorial

Debate raises questions about church's voice

4/14/2010

The debate over health care reform has touched off deep emotions in the U.S. public, but it has also sparked a separate – and equally passionate – set of reactions among United Methodists. As Congress grappled with the legislation during the weekend of March 20-21, many United Methodists were surprised to hear U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cite the church as a supporter of reform. On her Web site, she more specifically listed a church agency, the General Board of Church and... -- more --

Together we can support UMC ministries at 100%

4/14/2010

The Indiana Conference’s giving to The United Methodist General Church apportionments was dismal this past year (Together March 2010) with giving just a little above 50 percent for both former conferences. This level of giving by Hoosier United Methodists saddened many conference leaders. Our giving level to the General Church was an embarrassment to our Bishop, Mike Coyner, who sits on the church’s General Commission on Administration and Finance. True, we have had a tough... -- more --

Indiana

2010 Indiana Annual Conference Session News

4/14/2010

Monitors needed for sessions The Indiana Conference Advocacy Team will monitor the 2010 Annual Conference session June 10-13 at Ball State University in Muncie. Monitoring is the process of measuring and evaluating information related to race, ethnicity, gender and culture for the purpose of advocating for and equipping the church to be inclusive. The advocacy team needs monitors to track our diversity included in: Membership and representation, Leadership, Policies,... -- more --

Bell returns this fall with more workshops

4/14/2010

The Fall regional “Extravagant Generosity” workshops with the Rev. David Bell will be held on the following dates and locations: Friday-Saturday, Oct. 15-16 at First UMC, 1225 Michigan Avenue in LaPorte, Ind. Registration deadline for this workshop session is Sept. 29. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 5-6 at Zionsville 9644 Whitestown Road in Zionsville, Ind. Registration deadline for this workshop session is Oct. 20. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 12-13 at Scottsburg UMC, 615 S.... -- more --

Biography of Bishop Robert Schnase

4/14/2010

Robert Schnase serves as Bishop of the Missouri Area of The United Methodist Church. He was elected by the South Central Jurisdiction in July 2004 and assigned to the Missouri Area beginning September 2004. Schnase was ordained Elder in 1986 in the Southwest Texas Conference. He is a graduate of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a master’s degree in theology, and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in... -- more --

Change the World benefit concert to feature Lisa McClendon

4/14/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Joining the movement to end the deadly disease of malaria in Africa, the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church will host Lisa McClendon in a Change the World Benefit Concert on Sunday, April 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. Performers include vocalist Lisa McClendon and the Later @ St. Luke’s Praise Team. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the United Methodist Imagine No Malaria... -- more --

How can I get Bishop Mike to preach at my church?

4/14/2010

Numerous calls and letters received at Bishop Mike Coyner’s office are invitations for Bishop Mike to preach or attend a special event. Unfortunately, many invitations cannot be honored due to scheduling conflicts that could have been avoided. It isn’t because churches are too small or because the event isn’t important. Bishop Mike visits all sizes of churches and enjoys opportunities to be among Indiana’s congreations, but well, he’s a busy guy. So, what can... -- more --

Indiana Conference mission volunteers resource team offers leader training workshop

4/15/2010

United Methodist Committee on Relief Trainer Penny Krug, will lead a Volunteers In Mission Team Leader Training event on Saturday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (ET) at Northwest United Methodist Church, 21855 Brick Road in South Bend, Ind. This training is for leaders and/or participants of work teams and youth leaders. The cost is $7 per person plus $25 for VIM Training Manual (only one needed per church). Please bring a sack lunch. Topics include: How to plan a mission trip; where to go... -- more --

Indiana ranks third in legalized gambling

4/15/2010

Mississippi, which has built much of its marketing for more than a decade around being the third-largest gambling destination in the country, lost that title in 2009 to Indiana (Associated Press). Mississippi slipped to fourth place in terms of adjusted gross revenue from commercial gambling. In 2009, Mississippi reported $2.46 billion to Indiana’s $2.58 billion. The numbers exclude charitable gaming and American Indian casinos. Mississippi casinos got roughly the same number of visitors... -- more --

Johnson County church cluster collects 5,000 food items for needy

4/14/2010

The Johnson County Cluster of Churches raised more than 5,000 cans and boxes of food items to make a dent in the needs of needy people in Johnson County through the Interchurch Food Pantry in Franklin. With John Wesley’s credo in mind to “do all the good you can,” the six congregations of the JO CO Cluster (Greenwood-Honey Creek UMC, Greenwood UMC, Greenwood-Mt Auburn UMC, Greenwood-Smith Valley UMC, Whiteland UMC and Franklin-Grace UMC) committed itself to raising as... -- more --

Plans tweaked for second Annual Conference session at Muncie

Theme: Practice Faith

4/14/2010

In evaluating the first Indiana Annual Conference session in Muncie this past year, annual conference planners have made strategic changes both in locations and events to improve the second session of the Indiana Conference at Ball State University at Muncie. The 3,000 members of the Indiana Annual Conference will meet June 10-13 at their second session on the campus of Ball State University. This body represents and does the annual business for the state’s 1,200 United Methodist... -- more --

Two United Methodist-related institutions collaborate on $2.4 million healthcare workforce initiative

4/14/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – The United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis is developing a new on-site nursing degree program for UM-related Clarian Health in a three-year federally funded effort to broaden the pipeline for healthcare careers in Indiana. The goal of the $2.4 million initiative is to help hospital employees move up the career ladder, freeing entry-level healthcare positions for jobseekers displaced by cutbacks in manufacturing and other industries. The funding is part of a... -- more --

United Methodist Men to collect hand tools for Haiti relief

4/14/2010

The North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Men is leading a “Tool Relief Project: Haiti 2010.” This includes the United Methodist Men (UMM) organizations for nine states including: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. This project is time sensitive. The tools will not ship until the appropriate time. The goal is to provide new and used hand tools (including shovels, rakes, hammers, mortar-concrete tools, hand... -- more --

University of Evansville announces Kazee as school's 23rd president

4/14/2010

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Board of Trustees of United Methodist-related University of Evansville have recently elected and announced that Dr. Thomas A. Kazee, who currently serves as the provost and executive vice president of Furman University, was chosen to be the 23rd president of Evansville University. “Throughout this search process, the committee has worked with the singular focus of finding the most qualified candidate to be the next president of the University of... -- more --

Women to bring knitted items to School of Christian Mission

4/14/2010

Indiana United Methodist Women are asked to bring knitted or crocheted preemie baby caps, small dolls and shawls of any construction (knit, crochet, woven) to the School of Christian Mission. The weekday event is July 13-16 and the one day Sampler Event is Saturday, July 17; both will be held at Anderson University in Anderson, Ind. Pattern instructions and information regarding this project are available online at www.gbgm-umc.org/indumw/preemie_cap_dolls.pdf and at: www.gbgm-umc.org/indumw/pe... -- more --

National

Resources offer congregations help to support returning combat veterans after their deployment

4/14/2010

About half of all service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are members of the National Guard or Reserves, which means they return to their home communities and churches after deployment – and often churches do not know how they can help. “How they re-enter daily life after combat is a significant question for local churches,” said the Rev. Tom Carter, director of endorsement and pastoral care for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s United... -- more --

Missions

Midwest Mission Center now UMCOR cooperating depot

4/14/2010

The Midwest Mission Distribution Center at Chatham, Ill., south suburb of Springfield, and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have signed a memorandum of understanding as of February. MMDC is now a Cooperating Depot in the UMCOR relief supply network. This means that MMDC is an official drop-off site for UMCOR kits and works closely with UMCOR and other cooperating depots to provide relief supplies to devastated areas nationally and worldwide. All shipments of “UMCOR” kits... -- more --

Operation Classroom to work with West African schools enhancing curriculum

4/14/2010

The Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner have returned to Indiana from West Africa, where they visited schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone and attended the Sierra Leone Annual Conference session. Here is there report. “Operation Classroom schools should set the example,” stated Staffa Koroma, the education secretary of the Sierra Leone Annual conference. The department of education, in partnership with Indiana-based Operation Classroom, will be setting some standards that they will expect... -- more --

Rx Connection to consider community health issues during May meeting in Iowa

4/14/2010

The United Methodist Jurisdictional Rx Consultation is set for May 7-9, 2010 at Walnut Hills UMC in Urbandale, Iowa, just west of Des Moines. The Rev. Gesner Paul, president of the Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti will be one of the guests. He will be available all day Friday, May 7, during a pre-conference session on Haiti. The Friday evening plenary speaker is the Rev. Karen Nichols Dungan, Iowa Conference Assistant to the Bishop for Connectional Ministries. Other guests include: Dr.... -- more --

Volunteer sews 250th school bag

4/14/2010

Kathy Seay, a United Methodist of Mt. Washington, Ky., has sewn more than 250 school bags to be filled with school supplies for the children of Liberia and Sierra Leone. These school bags will be shipped by Indiana based Operation Classroom. Seay who worked many years for a department store in alterations, says she makes schools bags to occupy the long winter snow days. Using material donated by friends, it takes her about 20 minutes to make a bag. Any group wishing to supply the contents for... -- more --

Witness to devastation, loss of Haitian earthquake

4/14/2010

Our world changed forever on January 12, 2010. We were preparing for our 48th trip to Haiti to continue work on the Eli-Tim clinic (dental, eye, and medical) in Cayes when news arrived of Haiti’s devastating earthquake. Our mission changed, as we postponed our dental-construction mission to provide requested help preparing for the Haitian Methodist Annual Conference. The event was to be held January in Port-Au-Prince but was changed to Cayes in February. Expecting 100 guests, we gathered... -- more --

Viewpoints

Camp renovation brings Gospel to children, youth

4/14/2010

Recently, I made a presentation to a church group about the Epworth Forest Project. The group sat with coffee cups in hand, politely listening and nodding their heads. The video showed the need to reach an additional 10,000 kids a year for Jesus Christ. All were in agreement that this would be an amazing step in evangelism and discipleship. To touch the lives of an additional 10,000 youth a year would be amazing. Their nodding continued. As I completed the presentation, one of the folks in the... -- more --

Rejuvenate assists Indiana Conference in becoming generous

4/14/2010

Rejuvenate, the Indiana Conference-wide educational program for clergy, clergy spouses and laity, has invited national leaders to facilitate several of its educational programs. Through its educational program, Rejuvenate assists the Indiana Conference in becoming a conference of generosity. These programs feature national leaders in Christian stewardship, such as the Rev. David Bell, Lynette Rice, the Rev. Dr. William Enright and Dick Towner. Bell, the 2009 Annual Conference Bible... -- more --

Small numbers count

Body, Mind & Spirit

4/14/2010

Following the Haitian earthquake, most congregations in the United States collected funds, packed health kits or plan to send mission-medical teams to help alleviate suffering. As United Methodist people, our response was impressive and heartfelt – and, in fact, the United Methodist presence was already in Haiti at the time of the quake. This disaster, however, created new questions for many people – some theological – why? others practical – how?, and still others... -- more --

Chronicles

Bishop leads seminar on moving for newly appointed pastors

4/14/2010

Bishop Mike Coyner and Dr. Doug Anderson will lead the Making a Good Move Seminar for all clergy moving to new appointments this year. The seminar is scheduled to begin Friday, May 14 at 2 p.m. (ET) and running into the evening for clergy and their spouses, if they are available. The seminar will continue on Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for clergy, spouses and the chairperson or other representative from the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee of the new appointment church. The... -- more --

Loan, savings ministry, foundation welcome new field representative

4/14/2010

The Indiana United Methodist Loan and Savings Ministry, Inc. and the North Indiana United Methodist Foundation are pleased to announce that Gary Marshall of Muncie has joined us as a Field Representative. Marshall will serve the North Central District of the Indiana Conference. He can be reached at 765-284-4074 or gdmarshall1@comcast.net. ... -- more --

May 1, 2010 deadline for School of Christian Mission Scholarships

4/14/2010

Indiana United Methodist Women are offering scholarships to first-time attendees of School of Christian Mission, July 13-16 at Anderson University. Scholarships will be awarded to three different age groups: Chi-Mi-Ca (children ages 3 through grade 5) Yo-Pe-Mi-Ca (youth grades 6 through 12) Young Women (ages 18-35) All application forms, instructions and applicable deadlines are available online.... -- more --

Peace with Justice Sunday to be observed May 30

4/14/2010

Established by the 1988 General Conference, Peace with Justice Sunday supports programs that advocate peace and justice at home and around the world. Since half of the offerings receivedby your annual conference is retained to fund local peace with justice programs, you can see a difference made locally. In addition, half of the offering is remitted to the General Board of Church and Society to help fund U.S. and global work in social action, public-policy education and advocacy. Peace with... -- more --

UIndy book explores Christian mission beyond faith tradition

4/14/2010

United Methodists are part of a long line of Christians who have aspired to think “outside the box” about Christian mission. More often than not, however, the conceptual box that such leaders are trying to set aside has been some version of “Christendom” in the book Exploring Christian Mission Beyond Christendom: United Methodist Perspectives (2010, University of Indianapolis Press), edited by Dr. Michael C. Cartwright, dean of ecumenical and interfaith programs at the... -- more --

UIndy hosts media ministry presentation

4/14/2010

Rob Probus of Beacon Bulb Productions showed pastors of the Central District how to enhance church worship through media ministry during a breakfast meeting held March 23 at the University of Indianapolis. Probus, a member of Mooresville First United Methodist Church and president of Beacon Bulb Productions, showed 35 pastors and their guests creative ways to use various resources and church-produced videos to increase attendance and stewardship. For more information, please visit... -- more --

United Seminary offering 3-year online M. Div.

4/14/2010

DAYTON, Ohio (UTS) – Beginning in the fall of 2010, United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, is offering a new online Master of Divinity degree that can be completed in three years. The program offers the same quality of education as a traditional degree with the added flexibility of attending class from any location with internet access. To earn the degree students must complete a minimum of 30 percent of the degree in a hybrid (partially online and partially face-to-face) or... -- more --