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February 2011

Cover Story

Women were at the Last Supper, too

2/9/2011

CHESTERTON, Ind. – Many churches have a Last Supper painting or banner hanging in a prominent place. But is it a portrayal with women present – maybe serving the meal, standing in the background or sitting at the feet of Jesus? My United Methodist Church in Chesterton has a banner like that. We made it. During Lent and Easter, many churches perform enactments of the Last Supper with men, but are women and children also present? Mine does, but it wasn’t always so. The roles... -- more --

From the Bishop

Called by God

2/9/2011

The Season of Lent is fast approaching. The “Our Life Together” retreat for our clergy is from February 28 to March 1, where we will focus upon preparing our clergy to lead their congregations through Lent. Ash Wednesday is March 9, followed by the season of Lent, leading to Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter on April 24. After the kind of winter we have had in Indiana, thinking about April sounds very enticing. Soon the days will be warmer and longer, spring break will come for... -- more --

Conference asks campus ministry offering to be received

2/9/2011

The 2010 Indiana Annual Conference session approved to continue a conference-wide offering to support our campus ministries across the state. Congregations can receive this offering any Sunday in February or another Sunday in the year. This offering is received on behalf of the Indiana Conference, our campus ministers and the students on campus today. These students will be our church and community leaders tomorrow. I ask your congregation to join in receiving this special offering. As the new... -- more --

Welcome

Making connections with young people

2/9/2011

In my role as Indiana Conference Associate Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, the most popular question I hear is, “How do we get young adults involved in our congregation?” The problem is complex and culturally influenced; the answer simple but truly challenging. During the past 40 to 50 years, like many other institutions in our culture, we distributed responsibility for educating and raising young people to someone else. We hired or appointed youth ministry... -- more --

Rethinking community: Church plays role to lessen violence

2/9/2011

RETHINK CHURCH continues as a recurring theme for United Methodists in 2011 as we think in new ways about the future of the church, its outreach and its goal to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” I began this series in January with the theme of “Rethinking Advocacy: Supporting smoke-free workplaces.” Since then Indiana House Bill 1018 was voted out of the House of Representative and is now in the State Senate for debate. The only... -- more --

Indiana

Celebrate the gifts of all God's people

Disability Awareness Sunday, March 20, 2011

2/9/2011

SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The church needs a day to celebrate the many ways people with physical, developmental, intellectual and other disabilities – and their families – are loved children of God and welcome addition to The United Methodist Church. That day is March 20, Disability Awareness Sunday in the Indiana Conference. “Disability Awareness Sunday is simply a way to acknowledge that our hearts, minds and doors are open to all people with disabilities,” Beth DeHoff... -- more --

Conference team sets four legislative priorities for General Assembly

2/9/2011

INDIANAPOLIS – A comprehensive statewide smoke-free air law, expansion of Medicaid, opposition to a bill on immigration and increases for private school tax credits are the legislative priorities for members of the Indiana Conference Social Advocacy, Justice and Ethnic Ministries Team. They set the four legislative priorities Jan. 29 during a regular meeting of the team. The advocacy team endorsed the following legislative agenda for the 2011 Indiana General Assembly, including: ... -- more --

Duecker Lodge available in June for retreats at Epworth Forest

2/9/2011

NORTH WEBSTER, Ind. – Thanks to the vision and support of more than 200 donors, Duecker Lodge will be available for camp use and retreat rental starting this June 2011 to accommodate the growing programs at Epworth Forest Conference Center. We celebrate this first new building to be constructed at Epworth Forest since 1964! Duecker Lodge honors the life and work of Bishop Sheldon & Marjorie Duecker through the generous contributions of Rick and Vicki James. Three additional small... -- more --

Indiana House OKs smoke-free air bill with bars exempted

2/9/2011

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House on Monday, Jan. 31, approved a statewide smoking ban that includes exemptions for casinos, bars, clubs and even nursing homes. Now the real work begins for the Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition, a part of the Greater Indiana Campaign for Smoke-free Air, who have to balance their desire to remove those loopholes trying to move the bill through the Senate, where similar proposals have died before. The House voted 68-31 to approve the bill on the same day... -- more --

Focus

Amazing students need our support for campus ministry

Reflections on volunteering

2/9/2011

As most Hoosiers were preparing for the famed Indy 500 Race this past May, I was cleaning and packing my van to spend 10 hours in route to Virginia with four Purdue College students. Unexpectedly, they needed someone to drive them to the annual United Methodist Student Movement (UMSM) Forum. This is a leadership training event, where college and university students come together from across the country. Since I was still nursing my 10-month-old daughter, Evangeline, she came along too. My... -- more --

Conference 2011 Campus Ministry Special Offering being received in February

2/9/2011

Five reasons to support Campus Ministry Your future pastor is looking for spiritual direction on a college campus today. Our campus ministries spiritually impact not only students, but entire campus communities. “Campus ministry is one of the most important places for the church to be in mission today.” – Dr. Alice Knotts Your giving supports the leadership development, intentional spiritual guidance, and life changing missions that are shaping our future... -- more --

DePauw grad: Campus ministry made big difference

2/9/2011

I am Melissa Zimmerman and in my first year of seminary at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Last spring, I graduated from United Methodist-related DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. The campus ministry at DePauw through the Office of Spiritual Life and the chaplain, has proven to be an invaluable tool for my seminary preparation. Through Bible study, meals with others called into ministry, discussions with the chaplain and other opportunities, I grew in my understanding of what it... -- more --

University Senate approves online education plan

2/9/2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (GBHEM) – Students pursuing ordination in The United Methodist Church will be able to complete up to two-thirds of their seminary classes online, as long as those classes are offered by one of the 13 United Methodist theological schools or Asbury Theological Seminary. A statement issued Jan. 27 by the University Senate and the Commission on Theological Education said that “online education is a growing opportunity for innovative teaching that will likely reduce the... -- more --

Global

33 retired bishops urge end to gay clergy ban

2/9/2011

Thirty-three retired United Methodist bishops have released a statement calling on The United Methodist Church to remove its ban on homosexual clergy. The bishops noted that the church has lifted other restrictions on clergy before. “Our United Methodist Church, ashamed and repentant in the past, ended official and unofficial restrictions on candidacy, ordination and appointment for reason of race, gender and ethnicity,” says the “Statement of Counsel to the Church –... -- more --

Haiti marks slow but measurable progress in recovery

2/9/2011

A year after a massive earthquake shattered Haiti’s infrastructure and the lives of its citizens, the commitment to rebuilding the Caribbean nation remains. However, even in the best of times, improving the lives of Haitians can be a daunting task. November’s deadly cholera outbreak and brush with Hurricane Tomas, December’s tension-filled presidential election and the upcoming runoff election – now postponed until February or later – have helped slow earthquake... -- more --

United Methodist News Service Briefs

2/9/2011

Church urged to keep focus on poverty NEW YORK – In a meeting with denominational leaders, an international aid specialist urged United Methodists not to slack off or give in to the “sin of despair” in the church’s ongoing work to conquer poverty. Mary Roodkowsky, an executive with UNICEF, said that religious communities are essential in making the links among people on the different sides of economic divides, to make clear the “shared humanity” and to get... -- more --

Viewpoints

A Word about Black History in the Methodist Church

2/9/2011

February is Black History Month. This is a reminder we still have much work to do. It is my hope and prayer one day that Black History Month will no longer be needed. Though our schools have been integrated, out telling of history hasn’t. Here is a unique opportunity for the church to set precedence on how we ought to tell American History. The Methodist movement in America was intertwined with slavery and capitalism. When John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, visited America... -- more --

Here I Am, Lord

Body, Mind & Spirit

2/9/2011

Not long ago I received a phone call from a young seminary student, who is married with two children, working two jobs and studying to be a pastor. This young man had called to ask if I would consider being his “mentor,” although he was not a United Methodist, had no church affiliation, but had many theological and practical questions he wanted to explore about pastoral ministry. “I’ve called many pastors,” he told me, “and they’ve all told me they are... -- more --

More power to you

2/9/2011

Recently, I received an e-mail. The subject was, “Hope is Coming.” Have you ever experienced a sense of hopelessness or powerlessness in an area of your life? For some clergy and congregations, finances create a sense of hopelessness. They even feel powerless. They believe there is nothing they can due to change the financial situation in which they find themselves. Needless to say, this kind of thinking can leave one feeling tired, helpless and even resigned to maintaining the... -- more --

Rejuvenate hosts Retirement Education Program presented by MetLife

2/9/2011

The Indiana Conference Rejuvenate Project will host a Retirement Education program presented by MetLife for clergy and spouse. The face of retirement is changing and you may be concerned about some of the big questions in retirement: How to plan for retirement, How to prevent running out of money, and How future health care costs can impact wealth. Whether your retirement is years away or right around the corner, we are pleased to offer you a program that can help you... -- more --

Chronicles

Change the World again this year

2/9/2011

Thank you for participating in Change the World 2010. Through your efforts, 1,000 sites offered opportunities for volunteers to make a difference in the world. More than 100,000 people participated, and their work continues to reap results. Start preparing now for Change the World 2011 – May 14-15. Identify a project that makes a difference in the local or global community (or both!) Register at www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld and download the free flier. Invite your community to... -- more --

Cokesbury has a rep for Indiana

2/9/2011

Cokesbury, the retail portion of the United Methodist Publishing House, remains committed to meeting the needs of area congregation and church leaders. As part of that commitment, Cokesbury has employed Chris Burkhart as a sales representative here in Indiana. He is ready to assist you and is well equipped to respond to your resource needs quickly and efficiently. He is here to answer questions about Cokesbury’s Bibles, references, books, music, gifts, church supplies, furniture,... -- more --

Conference on the road to financial recovery

2/9/2011

INDIANAPOLIS – Following a tough year of financial fallout in 2009, 2010 was a much better year for the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. It also was the first financial year for the new Conference. Local church tithe income for conference went from $12.6 million in 2009 to $13.5 million in 2010, a 9 percent increase. In 2010 the new conference stayed within its $15.1 million budget by spending $14.4 million or 95 percent of its budget, leaving a budget surplus of... -- more --

Health Ministries workshop to be held in South, Southeast Districts

2/9/2011

The Indiana Conference UMC and Community Health Network of Indianapolis are partnering to promote health ministry and parish nursing across Indiana. As a result of a recent UMCOR grant, we are pleased to offer a health ministry workshop for those living in the South and Southeast Districts of the conference. This class is open to all parishioners and pastors who are interested in including health ministry as a part of your church mission outreach. Interested persons from other districts who... -- more --

Irvington pastor scientifically explores Bible's evolution

2/9/2011

INDIANAPOLIS – As seen through the lens of evolutionary biology, the story of the Bible shines new light on how science and religion formulate the public’s understanding of it in the Rev. Dr. Keith H. Adkins’s A Natural History of Scripture. A teacher of biblical criticism, Adkins wrote his historical narrative for those who value the balance – and tension – of the complex theories related to creation and evolution. “A Natural History of Scripture”... -- more --

Mission Guatemala opens preschool, feeding program

Hoosier missionary to speak about Mission Guatemala in Indy Feb. 20

2/9/2011

The Rev. Tom Heaton, director of Mission Guatemala, told Together the mission’s preschool and feeding program opened the end of January. He said, “We have 38 children now but expect about 50 by the end of February. That will put us at our current capacity. These are the poorest children in the area that have been prescreened by social workers with our partner organization Mayan Families.” Given the cold and frozen day there, I thought the slide show/video I did might brighten... -- more --

Nashville church helps support paper shredding in community outreach

2/9/2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Shredding documents can be a service to the residents of your community. The Nashville United Methodist Church helped financially and with volunteers support held two paper shredding drives and are anticipate holding two more drives this year. At its last shredding, Nashville UMC had 95 cars bring documents and filled more than a half of a 10,000-pound truck. The first shredding last spring made 5,200 pounds of shredded paper. The shredding was done at The Brown... -- more --

Rethink Church edition of New Testament available free

2/9/2011

Perhaps you have heard “the church is a verb.” What if we could demonstrate that this message is not simply a fad but is deeply rooted in Scripture? The Rethink Church edition New Testament does just that. It introduces the Scriptures and The United Methodist Church’s response to Christ. Special pages in the front help seekers continue on the journey to biblical understanding. Through Rethink Church’s new seeker site (www.rethinkchurch.org), those searching for meaning... -- more --

Worship, song leaders to unveil new music collection

2/9/2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (GBOD) – United Methodists who lead congregations in worship and song will gather in March for three days of singing, workshops and worship during the formal introduction of a new collection of songs, hymns and worship resources. The event, Rethinking Worship & Song, will be March 1-3 and will mark the release of Worship & Song, which has been jointly developed by the General Board of Discipleship and The United Methodist Publishing House. The event will be... -- more --

Young Adult/College Student Retreat to be held April 8-9 in Fishers

2/9/2011

Registration is now open for MOVE, the first ever leadership and Christian growth retreat for young adults and college students in the Indiana Conference. The retreat is offered jointly by the Indiana Conference Campus Ministry Affinity Group and Young Adult Visioning Teams. The retreat will be held at Fishers UMC, April 8-9. It features Christian recording artist JJ Heller, Bible study with Bishop Mike Coyner, and a day of Catalyst leadership training provided by Leadershape. Cost is $40 for... -- more --