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November/December 2010

Cover Story

Indiana, N. Katanga covenant together to assist Congo

11/10/2010

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Two months and a half world away, the Rev. Joseph Mulongo, a United Methodist superintendent in the North Katanga Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, finally met up with the Rev. Bob Walters of Friendly Planet Missiology. They met to celebrate and share their experience of riding 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) across North Katanga during February and March and Walters experience of riding 1,000 miles across Indiana during September. Because of passport... -- more --

Walters rides 1,000 miles across Indiana

11/10/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Friendly Planet Missiology missionary, the Rev. Bob Walters, biked by the Indiana Conference Center on Sept. 15, accompanied by the Rev. Ruth Waite of Greensboro, Ind., bringing the needs of the North Katanga Conference to light. At that point, Walters said he was just shy of 600 miles on his statewide 1,000 mile bike trek. He began on Sept. 1 in southern Indiana and concluded on Sept. 30 in northern Indiana. He visited more than four dozen United Methodist... -- more --

From the Bishop

Bishop appoints Bloomington pastor to be Southwest District Superintendent

11/10/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announced Oct. 18, the appointment of the Rev. George Purnell, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Bloomington, to be Superintendent of the Southwest District effective Feb. 1, 2011. Upon this announcement Coyner said, “George Purnell is a gifted leader in the Indiana Conference, who will bring great skills to the role of District Superintendent and to the Cabinet table. He is a native of Vincennes, and he has previously... -- more --

Making Christmas memories

11/10/2010

This will be our family’s first Christmas after the death of my mother, so it may be rather bittersweet. Mother always loved Christmas and she and Dad always decorated the house thoroughly. We kids often joked that if one stood still too long, they might put Christmas lights on you. My folks have always been very generous at Christmas and other times, too. Even after we went to a plan of drawing names for Christmas gifts among family members, they always “cheated” and did... -- more --

Welcome

Adding vitality to the dark days at year's end

11/10/2010

Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas add vitality to the dark days at the end of each year. We are coming into what I believe to be the most celebrative time of the year. A great legacy of faith left by our forebears during the past two millennia fills this holiday season. The initial Thanksgiving feast was probably based upon the Jewish fall thanksgiving festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) also known as the Feast of Booths, making Thanksgiving even older than Christmas. Each of these holidays is... -- more --

How to submit a story to The Hoosier United Methodists Together

11/10/2010

We, at the The Hoosier United Methodist Together, are always looking for news stories. We rely on our readers to alert us to potential news stories. If you have a story idea, check it against the following questions. If it still seems appropriate, contact Editor Dan Gangler at 317-924-1321 (toll-free 877-781-6706) or by e-mail at dan.gangler@inumc.org. Criteria: Is your story of interest to a large number of Hoosier United Methodists? Or is it relevant to a local church alone? News... -- more --

Indiana Conference finances strong at end of October

11/10/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana United Methodist Conference receipts were strong at the end of October. According to Indiana Conference Treasurer Jennifer Gallagher, “Year to date finances look good. We have set the (conference) budget cautiously for this first year. We are on target for the 2010. It is difficult to predict where we will end up for income with it being our first year, but we feel confident about covering our expenses for the year.” Each church covenants with the... -- more --

Indiana

American Indians, advocates want UM worshipping community

11/10/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Wanting to provide a safe place for American Indians native to Indiana to worship and gather as a community, the Rev. LeKisha Reed, Indiana Conference Associate Director of Mission and Advocacy*, convened an Oct. meeting of United Methodist and other American Indian advocates of greater Indianapolis to discuss the emergence of a United Methodist ministry to native peoples in the Indianapolis area. The meeting was held at the Indiana Conference Center. It was the first... -- more --

Bishop announces appointments of Brindel to church, new foundation

11/10/2010

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announced Nov. 5, the appointment of the Rev. Jean Brindel, currently full-time Indiana Conference Development Director, Capital Funds Campaign for Camping, to be the new pastor of First United Methodist Church in Alexandria. This is a part-time position. The other part of her appointment will be serving as Development Officer for the new United Methodist Foundation of Indiana, Inc., working with Manet Shettle, the foundation’s new... -- more --

Clergy requested to connect with Indiana Conference e-mail address

11/10/2010

All Indiana Conference active clergy have been given an e-mail address to use by the conference. All United Methodist clergy in Indiana need to activate this address. Most e-mail addresses have the same format, consisting of first name dot last name @ inumc.org and, according to the Indiana Conference Center, need to be activated by the first of the year 2011. Any retirees wishing to have an inumc.org e-mail address may register for one by calling the Indiana Conference Center toll-free at... -- more --

GRM gives hope to recovering compulsive gamblers

11/10/2010

DILLSBORO, Ind. – Created in 2001 by the South Indiana Conference as a District pilot program, Gambling Recovery Ministries (GRM) – from its beginnings – has intended and has proven to be, a life-saving outreach in Christ’s love, to people directly and indirectly affected by compulsive gambling. In January 2001, the Columbus District Superintendent and the associate council director of the former South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church met with the Rev.... -- more --

Indiana Conference session to feature worship specialist McFee

11/10/2010

MUNCIE, Ind. – “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God” is the theme for the 2011 Indiana Annual Conference Session to be held at Ball State University in Muncie, Wednesday, June 8 through Saturday afternoon, June 11. Plenary sessions will be held in Emen’s Auditorium. Keynote speaker for the annual conference will be Dr. Marcia McFee (www.marciamcfee.com), who also will assist in worship services and with the conference praise team. McFee is an author,... -- more --

Indiana to host national Youth 2011 conference at Purdue

11/10/2010

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – This coming summer, several thousand youth from across the United States and around the world will come together with top United Methodist leaders and the best ecumenical speakers, bands and talent for a life-changing event. We here in Indiana have an opportunity to show our radical Hoosier hospitality to the youth of our churches. Youth 2011 is the national youth gathering for The United Methodist Church, and it’s coming to Purdue University in West... -- more --

Indiana's native peoples

11/10/2010

The 2000 U.S. Census found about 20,000 Hoosiers of American Indian ancestry, some of them members of indigenous tribes such as the Miami or the Wea. Others are members of the Pottawatomie or Shawnee who moved to Indiana from nearby states under pressure from white pioneers. Former chairman of the state’s Native American Indian Affairs Commission and Miami Chief Brian Buchanan, said there are more than 42,000 American Indians living in the state.... -- more --

Irish honored as Missioner of the Year

11/10/2010

McCORDSVILLE, Ind. (e-HUM) – United Methodist Central District-related Metro Ministries honored Georganna Irish of Christ United Methodist Church in Indianapolis as its urban ministries’ Missioner of the Year during the organization’s annual meeting on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the McCordsville United Methodist Church. She was honored for her volunteer service at Brightwood Community Center, Fletcher Place Community Center, as an active member of the Metro Ministries board and for... -- more --

President proclaims Native American Heritage Month

11/10/2010

President Barack Obama proclaimed November 2010 as National Native American Heritage Month. He called upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate Friday, Nov. 26, as Native American Heritage Day. President Obama said, “As we celebrate the contributions and heritage of Native Americans during this month, we also recommit to supporting tribal self-determination, security and prosperity for all Native Americans. While we cannot... -- more --

UMW assemble kits to assist people suffering disasters

11/10/2010

CASTLETON, Ind. – More than 230 United Methodist Women from across Indiana attended the second UMW of Indiana Annual Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Castleton United Methodist Church. As a part of their mission outreach, they assembled enough layette kits, birthing kits and health kits to fill a van and small trailer. The kits were transported to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois. The day began with worship led by the Rainbow Junction Players puppeteers of St.... -- more --

National

Bishops support church reforms, accountability

11/10/2010

PANAMA CITY, Panama (UMNS) – United Methodist bishops endorsed recommendations for widespread church reforms during their meeting in Panama Nov. 3-4, including greater accountability for denominational leaders in promoting church growth. The Council of Bishops’ approval of the Call to Action Steering Team Report on Nov. 4 was heralded as a step forward for a church that has suffered decades of membership decline in the United States. “What this means is that whatever goes... -- more --

Court upholds pastor's right to accept members

11/10/2010

A United Methodist pastor has the right to determine local church membership, even if the decision is based on whether the potential member is gay or lesbian. Annual conferences cannot limit that right or ask the church’s top court to set policy, the United Methodist Judicial Council ruled during its Oct. 27-30 meeting. (See Decision No. 1179.) “The General Conference is the only body authorized and able to resolve the issue for the (United Methodist) Church,” wrote Jon R.... -- more --

Global

Number of trained clergy not keeping pace in Africa

11/10/2010

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The United Methodist Church in Africa is growing, but the number of trained and licensed clergy is not keeping pace. In addition, money allocated for African theological education has been slow to filter down. General Conference, the denomination’s policy-making body, approved the Africa Educational Initiative in 2008. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Communications agreed... -- more --

Missions

Change the World online campaign coming May 14-15, 2011

11/10/2010

The date is set and the public announcements are forthcoming. Now, how will your congregation participate in Change the World 2011? From food pantries to community gardens, the local church demonstrated in 2010 a strong commitment to meeting the needs of its communities. In 2011, we will address hunger in an even larger way. While still meeting immediate community needs, together we will learn about hunger’s root causes and project a new vision for dealing with it. Globally,... -- more --

Mission website reaches hundreds of thousands

11/10/2010

10-Fold accomplished its purpose more than 40,000-fold. The innovative online site attracted more than 417,000 people from 92 countries during a recent 10-day period featuring live webcasts about United Methodist projects throughout the world. Two of the lives enriched were those of the Rev. Mark Terwillinger, pastor of Beach Lake United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania, and a youth from the church. Terwillinger was watching a webcast for 10-Fold when he noticed the status post of one of his... -- more --

Viewpoints

Gifts that keep on giving

Body, Mind & Spirit

11/10/2010

Now that Thanksgiving and Advent chill is in the air, you are probably thinking about your Christmas gift list and the people who are on it. Me, too! However, one of the purposes of this column is to help my wife purchase the gifts I really need instead of buying another package of tube socks. So let me provide a little guidance to all the ladies out there who may have trouble finding the perfect gift for their men. First, if you are married to one of those guys who says, “Really, you... -- more --

The Epworth Forest Project continues to rise out of the ground

11/10/2010

Great news! The first cabin at Epworth Forest is under construction and will be ready for camp next summer. If about $150,000 in cash is raised in the next 30 days, the construction of the second cabin also will begin; open for youth and ministry in the summer of 2011 too. The Epworth Forest Project, the building of six new cabins on the Epworth Forest Conference Center campus at North Webster, Ind., so that an additional 10,000 folks might come for camp and retreats each year, has been... -- more --

United Methodist students disappointed

Giving down even as more apply

11/10/2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nearly 1,000 United Methodists who qualified for a scholarship this year walked away empty-handed. Even more students are expected to be disappointed in 2011 unless giving to scholarship funds increases dramatically. “A number of factors have contributed to the problem,” said James Harding, interim executive director of the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry’s Office of Loans & Scholarships. “First, the applications... -- more --

Where do you stand -- Charitable giving or Christian stewardship?

11/10/2010

Where do you stand when it comes to your finances and faith? Do you view them as separate entities of a compartmentalized life, or are they viewed as part of a holistic life? With the aid of Scripture and a fresh look at John Wesley’s sermon “The Use of Money” (available online at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/50/author), James A. Harnish reminds us in his primer, Simple Rules for Money that “the difference between charitable giving and Christian... -- more --

Chronicles

Here are Christmas/Advent resources from United Methodist Communications

11/10/2010

EcuFilm Fall/Winter Catalog The EcuFilm 2010 Fall/Winter Catalog is now available online! Visit www.EcuFilm.org and click on the “Catalogs” link to see EcuFilm’s newest DVD resources for adults, children and youth. Its new digital annual catalog for 2011, with even more new titles and video links, will be available before the end of the year. ‘A Life-giving Christmas’ Advent resources “A Life-giving Christmas” multimedia bundle is still... -- more --

Historical Society presents interactive online Indiana Heritage Map

We’re kin to the Wright brothers

11/10/2010

Hoosier United Methodists share something in common with aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers. All are part of United Methodist history in Indiana. Wilbur Wright was born April 16, 1867 in rural New Castle. His father, Rev. Milton Wright, was a pastor of what was known then as the Marion District of the United Brethren Church. United Methodism in the state of Indiana has an uncommonly rich heritage. In fact, Indiana may be one of the few states to have congregations from all of the major... -- more --

Jasonville church places food pantry float in parade

11/10/2010

The Jasonville United Methodist Church recently entered a float in the Jasonville/Shakamak Homecoming Parade on Sept. 25. The parade theme was ‘Seuss on the Loose.’ The intent of the float was to raise awareness of the Back Door Food Pantry the church sponsors, and to collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations. For their efforts, more than 215 pounds of food was collected and almost $600 in cash donations. Not bad for their first time of collecting along a parade... -- more --

LaPorte cluster extends Christ's love during charge conference

11/10/2010

LAPORTE, Ind. – The new New LaPorte Prairie Cluster consisting of LaPorte First, Maple Grove, New Castle, Rolling Prairie, Salem Chapel and Lambs Chapel United Methodist churches, agreed to have a joint mission focus for their charge conference. The cluster supported the Epworth Forest Campaign to build lodges by presenting North District Superintendent Cindy Reynolds (pictured here) with a check for $6,428. The cluster also collected several boxes of books, magazine and personal hygiene... -- more --

Mission in Action Day sends Carmel church into community

11/10/2010

CARMEL, Ind. – St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Carmel took its worship to the community through a hands-on Mission in Action Day on Oct. 10. More than 250 church members of all ages volunteered on more than 20 projects throughout greater Indianapolis during the church’s second annual event held to coincide with the church’s anniversary. Following a ‘sending forth’ worship service, volunteers fanned out to sort donations at Hamilton County Kids Coats,... -- more --

Portage First UMC celebrates 175th anniversary

11/10/2010

PORTAGE, Ind. – Women perform sacred dance during a celebratory worship during the 175th anniversary of First United Methodist Church at Portage, Ind. Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner was the preacher at all three worship services celebrating the anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 10. A times capsule was buried between the first two services. The former McCool Methodist Church began meeting at McCool’s Grove, in schools and homes with circuit riders ministering to new congregation in 1835. The... -- more --

Putnam County residential child care agency director receives award

11/10/2010

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – ResCare recently announced that the Indiana Association of Residential Child Care Agency (IARCCA) has awarded the Excellence in Service Award to ResCare Residential Director of Treatment Services Donna Bonath. ResCare Residential provides residential treatment services to approximately 80 children from across the State of Indiana. Bonath, wife of the Rev. LaMont Bonath, senior pastor of the Linden (Ind.) United Methodist Church, has been with ResCare Residential... -- more --