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October 2010 Together

Cover Story

Butler coach talks faith and values

10/6/2010

Eleven years ago, Brad Stevens followed a dream. A former basketball player at United Methodist-related DePauw University, Stevens was just starting a promising marketing career with Eli Lilly when he chose a different path. He left the corporate world to take a volunteer high school coaching position. Only seven years later, he became head basketball coach at Butler University in Indianapolis. This past spring, Stevens rose to the national spotlight when the Butler Bulldogs unexpectedly... -- more --

From the Bishop

Being disciples to lead others to become disciples

10/6/2010

By now most of us have learned that the mission of The United Methodist Church is: “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” That mission statement is biblical; it is in our Book of Discipline; it is the mission of our denomination; and it is the adopted mission statement of our new Indiana Conference. The Imagine Indiana Team began with that statement as it worked to redesign our conference structures and priorities. Lest that mission statement become... -- more --

Imes named associate superintendent of North Central District

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Bishop Mike Coyner announced Sept. 27 the naming of the Rev. Lamar L. Imes of Marion, Ind., as Associate District Superintendent of the North Central District of the Indiana United Methodist Conference effective immediately. He will serve with the Rev. Dr. Frank Beard, superintendent of the North Central District. Imes retired in 2007 after serving three years (2004-2007) as superintendent of the former Fort Wayne District. Prior to that appointment, he served as director... -- more --

SW superintendent to become senior pastor at Zionsville

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announced Oct. 4, the appointment of the Rev. Glenn B. Howell, superintendent of the Southwest District to Zionsville United Methodist Church in the North Central District effective Feb. 1, 2011. Upon his appointment, Coyner said, “Glenn has been an effective pastor and District Superintendent. While I am sorry to lose his leadership from the Cabinet, I know he will provide excellent leadership for the Zionsville church which is one of our... -- more --

Welcome

Uniting to overcome society's differences

10/6/2010

Political campaigns are turning up the heat and frequency of their messages as the November elections approach. In many TV spots, a background announcer gives all the half-truth reasons why we should not vote for a particular candidate. Then the candidate appears and says nothing about his or her positions. Members of Congress, too, seems to be stalemated, not listening to each other, blaming one another with little progress being made on the important issues before us as a country.... -- more --

Indiana

Around the New Testament in 90 days

10/6/2010

What are you doing for the rest of the year? Have you considered reading the New Testament? That is what the folks at St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas, plan to do. The Rev. Mary Kathryn Spradlin is inviting her 250-member congregation to participate in the Common English Bible’s 90-day New Testament reading plan and they started Oct. 1. “I’m really excited,” she said. “We had 109 people in worship Sept. 19 and 45 signed up.” She... -- more --

Conference distributes $100,000 given during Bishop's 2009 Christmas Offering for Children

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Through the generosity of Hoosier United Methodists this past Advent and Christmas, $100,000 has been distributed to assist children in need here in Indiana, across the United States and around the world. Members of the Indiana Conference staff working with leaders of the Mission and Advocacy Ministry Team have allocated funds from the 2009 Bishop’s Christmas Offering for Children. This offering was received during December 2009 for distribution this year. The... -- more --

Conference-related foundation, loan fund chooses Shettle

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – The newly formed United Methodist Foundation of Indiana, Inc. board of directors elected Manet Shettle, CPA, of Alexandria, Ind., as its new president effective Oct. 1, during a meeting at the Indiana United Methodist Conference Center, Thursday, Sept 16. The foundation becomes a new entity on Jan. 1, 2011. As the chief executive officer of the new foundation and of the Indiana United Methodist Loan and Savings Ministry, Inc., Shettle will be responsible for managing... -- more --

Covered Bridge Cluster gathers for first charge conference

10/6/2010

Photo by Don C. Smock. The West District Covered Bridge Cluster held its first charge conference at First United Methodist Church at Rockville with West District Superintendent Judi Purvis presiding Oct. 3. The Parke County churches attending included: Bridgeton, Bloomingdale, Linebarger Chapel, Otterbein/Beech Grove, Rockville First and Rosedale United Methodist churches. ... -- more --

Epworth Forest Project can save $200,000 if cottages built in tandem

10/6/2010

The Epworth Forest Project can save $200,000 in the next month as cash is received. The Epworth Forest Project, the task of building six new cottages at Epworth Forest Conference Center in North Webster, Ind., will allow for year round ministry to reach an additional 10,000 youth and young adults a year for Christ, broke ground for the build on Aug. 11. This is the first capital project at this campus since 1964. This great news gets even better: If the construction of the first two buildings... -- more --

Franklin Community men recognized for Meditation Garden at Camp Atterbury

10/6/2010

EDINBURGH, Ind. – The Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center chaplains recognized the Men’s Club of Franklin United Methodist Community, along with other groups on Sept. 24 for creating a Meditation Garden for the soldiers of Camp Atterbury. This Service of Dedication was led by the Camp Atterbury chaplains and included comments by the Atterbury Command Staff. Camp Atterbury is located 10 miles south of Franklin and is the designated mobilization site for many National Guard... -- more --

Lassiat to receive new position at general board in January

10/6/2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (GBHEM) – The Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, recently announced the Rev. Meg Lassiat of the Indiana Conference will be assuming a new role at the GBHEM as director of clergy development and conference relations in the Division of Ordained Ministry. This position will be vacated in January 2011 by the Rev. Sharon Rubey, who announced in June her intent to retire effective Dec. 31. For the past five... -- more --

New construction at Epworth Forest has begun

10/6/2010

NORTH WEBSTER, Ind. – The first major capital project at this campus since 1964 has begun at Epworth Forest Conference Center in North Webster, Ind. This is a moment of great celebration that this campus is being claimed for ministry for generations to come. As this new construction begins, the camping ministry reported that this past summer has been one of the most successful in many years. During this past summer season of camp, more than 1,100 children and youth made a commitment to... -- more --

Newburgh church builds home for Warrick Co. family

10/6/2010

CHANDLER, IN – The blessing is not just in the receiving, but also in the giving, according to Amy Hobbs, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Warrick County, at groundbreaking ceremonies Sept. 26 on the lot where the new Habitat build is scheduled to begin next week. “Every good and perfect gift comes from God,” Hobbs told the group gathered for the first turn of the shovel. “The Dore family is getting the gift, but it’s not just them. This house is... -- more --

Scientist, author to discuss '150 Years of Battling Evolution'

Mendenhall Lecture at DePauw

10/6/2010

GREENCASTLE, Ind. (DePauw) – Michael Zimmerman, a science writer and professor of biology at Butler University, will present the Mendenhall Lecture at DePauw University on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Zimmerman will address the topic, “The Evolution of Creationist Strategies: 150 Years of Battling Evolution” in his address. It begins at 7:30 p.m. in Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Simpson Street in Greencastle. The program is free and open to the public. Zimmerman recently... -- more --

Terre Haute girls Sunday school class wins national Bible competition

10/6/2010

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The United Methodist Temple’s GirlsOfGrace Sunday School class just received a check for $500 from Cokesbury for winning the second Amazing Bible Race. The Amazing Bible Race is a national competition that that takes place during 72 weeks or six-twelve week legs. It is a scavenger hunt through the Bible and when completed, the Bible is read in its entirety. Teams are awarded points for their daily on-line quizzes and completed challenges. Five teams started... -- more --

UM Men's Haiti tool project ends

10/6/2010

The United Methodist Men of Indiana and the North Central Jurisdiction have concluded their collection of hand tools for Haiti. On Sept. 27, the last of the tools collected in Indiana were delivered to the Midwest Missions Distribution Center at Chatham, Ill., in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, who are packing tools for shipment to Haiti. David Martin, Indiana Conference President for United Methodist Men, reports more than 1,500 pounds of tools were collected in Indiana and... -- more --

Winamac church hits the streets for local food pantry

10/6/2010

WINAMAC, Ind. – A recent news story stated the number of those living in poverty in our nation has increased to around 14 percent this past month. What can the church do to help those in need? When one pastor shared that statistic with his congregation and asked them if they could make a difference, the response was an overwhelming, “Yes, we can make a difference!” First United Methodist Church of Winamac has an opportunity for both the congregation and community to gather... -- more --

Global

Campus minister reflects on travel to Africa University

10/6/2010

If you watched any coverage of this past summer’s World Cup in South Africa, you may have seen a feel-good story or two about the people of South Africa. In between the matches of the U.S. team against the other countries’ teams, because those are the matches you watched, flashed scenes of beautiful African people dancing, animals running and picturesque views. These short glances do not hold a candle to the way Africa actually is. The people are beautiful and dance, yes, but the... -- more --

Church, Global Fund join in malaria fight

10/6/2010

The United Methodist Church is in the middle of an effort to raise $75 million through Imagine No Malaria, a portion of which will go to The Global Fund, a recognized global leader in the fight against diseases of poverty. This is the first time the Global Fund will work together with a faith-based organization. “The fact that we can establish a partnership with The United Methodist Church is really a first for the Global Fund,” said partnerships officer Nicholas Demey. Founded in... -- more --

Viewpoints

A pastor's pain

Commentary:

10/6/2010

I have never said, nor heard someone say, “Oh, I’m glad you’re in pain.” Those are not the words one would expect to hear, nor one would say. Oftentimes when talking about pain, we go immediately to the cause of our pain. “I was injured while playing basketball.” “I hurt my hand while repairing the lawn mower.” Are we more inclined to voice from where our pain originates? What if our pain is more emotional than physical? Emotional pain is much... -- more --

Bishop pens book for 'Faithful Heart'

10/6/2010

Around Christmas 2009, Sally Dyck, holed herself up in her small, but comfortable home office and with the cold and snow of a Midwest winter as her backdrop, she wrote the first draft of A Faithful Heart ... Daily Guide for Joyful Living. But what brought her to her writing hideaway? Prospective pastors often asked the Minnesota bishop what the church was looking for in clergy. She always responded by listing characteristics her cabinet and conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry... -- more --

Letters to the Editor

10/6/2010

Smaller church There’s a tendency for each church to be dissatisfied with its current attendance, because compared to someone else you’re always smaller. When parishioners walk through the front doors and see last week’s worship attendance, offering and Sunday school attendance, it can be a cause for pause, a reason to hang their head. I was so touched recently by a ministry that really is an embodiment of the kind of church I want to be a part of. Ted Chalk, pastor of New... -- more --

Literacy is available for all

10/6/2010

Surprisingly, communist-controlled Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the western hemisphere. According to National Public Radio, literacy in Cuba is “nearly universal.” How is this possible? One word explains it – commitment. In each level of the Cuban society – from government to business to education and to the citizens of Cuba – they have made a commitment to do its part to stamp out illiteracy. One example of such commitment comes from teachers... -- more --

Reflections @ 50

Body, Mind & Spirit

10/6/2010

Having recently celebrated my fiftieth birthday, I have been reflecting on this half-century milestone and the lessons I have learned. I have arrived at this juncture in life convinced of a great many things. First, I’m absolutely convinced of God’s amazing grace. In fact, the older I’ve become, the more I find myself having to rely upon grace. I have discovered that I’ve preached more about grace, and have tried to live more deeply in it. Where would I be without the... -- more --

Chronicles

Author writes step-by-step book on building family budget

10/6/2010

According to the 2010 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey released earlier this year, more than 125 million American adults do not have a budget for their personal finances, more than 11 million adults do not monitor their overall spending and don’t know how much they spend on food, housing and entertainment, and nearly 64 million adults admit to not paying all of their bills on time.1 Bill Byrd, a retired United Methodist pastor who attends Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg... -- more --

Food bank honors Indianapolis church

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Gleaner’s Food Bank honored Old Bethel UMC Community Outreach with The Charity of the Year Award for tripling their output over the previous year. That very day, Old Bethel set a single shift record of 198 shoppers. The church had more than 2,400 shoppers in August.... -- more --

Hunger agency offers Advent devotions for church, home

10/6/2010

“Preparing the Way” is an Advent devotions and giving program to help us keep focused on Jesus’ coming while we provide a meaningful gift to feed hungry children and adults here in the United States. In Mathew 3:3, John the Baptist calls for all to prepare the way: For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight” (ESV). Through daily devotions,... -- more --

Sellersburg church expands children's ministry with WOW

10/6/2010

SELLERSBURG, Ind. – The Sellersburg United Methodist Church shares the Gospel, a meal and fellowship with area children each week in a program called WOW. WOW stands for Worship On Wednesday, which is one of the things the congregations does, offering many opportunities for kids at Sellersburg United Methodist Church and its community. WOW kids started in 2007 with only14 children and on a more recent Wednesday, 74 children showed up for a meal, activities and God’s Word. This... -- more --

UE celebrates inauguration of President Kazee

10/6/2010

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (UE) – Thomas A. Kazee was formally installed as the University of Evansville’s 23rd president in a Saturday morning ceremony, Oct. 2, on UE’s Sesquicentennial Oval. The ceremony, which included appearances by numerous dignitaries from the local and higher education communities, capped a week of inauguration events and activities, all designed to celebrate the unique features of the United Methodist-related University of Evansville experience, as well as the... -- more --

UIndy appoints dean for graduate school

10/6/2010

INDIANAPOLIS (UIndy) – The United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis has named E. John McIlvried to be the first dean of its Graduate School. A psychologist by training, McIlvried joined the UIndy faculty in 1993, served as chair of the Psychology Department, and in 2001 was named dean of the School of Psychological Sciences. In 2007, he took on additional responsibilities as associate provost, a title he will retain. Pending a national search to replace McIlvried as head of... -- more --