Together
March/April 2014
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Cover Story
Hoosiers assemble 150,000+ food packets
March 05, 2014
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Each day, more than 14,400 children die of starvation around the world. With this reality in mind, 625 volunteers – including members and friends of 17 United Methodist churches* in East Central Indiana, the East District of the Indiana Conference, area Future Farmers of...
From the Bishop
Springing Forth
March 05, 2014
In the midst of a long, gray, cold, snowy winter, it is good to think about spring and about the upcoming events in the Indiana Conference. I am especially eager for our Annual Conference Session this year, which comes in late May, and which will include some powerful presentations and ...
Conversations
Letters to the Editor
March 05, 2014
Compare apples to apples I appreciated the insert in the January-February issue of Together attempting to explain the complexity of issues surrounding clergy pensions and benefits. It is a complex and emotional issue. As the Conference Council of Finance and Administration (CFA) chairman ...
One Great Hour of Sharing coming March 30
March 05, 2014
NEW YORK (UMCOR) – For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been receiving a special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, laying the foundation for the United Methodist Committee On Relief’s (UMCOR) ministry of relief and hope. UMCOR does not receive United Methodist ...
Annual Conference
Denman Evangelism Awards nominations are now open for annual conference
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – The Foundation for Evangelism plans again to work with The Indiana Annual Conference in accepting nominations for The Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy, Lay and Youth within the life of the conference. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award recognizes a person whose life ...
Funds, volunteers needed for Kids Against Hunger project at Annual Conference Session
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – You and your church can make a difference in people’s lives by providing nutritious, healthy food. Be part of the 2014 Annual Conference Session Outreach on Saturday, May 31, following the ordination/consecration service from noon to 2 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center ...
Outward focus will be emphasis of Sixth Annual Conference Session
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – “The Outwardly Focused Church” will be the theme of the 2014 Indiana Annual Conference Session to be held Thursday-Saturday, May 29-31 at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The Scripture reference for the conference is Romans 12:1-2. Speakers United ...
Sermon contest opened to laity
March 05, 2014
The Indiana Conference’s Lay Leadership Team offers an opportunity to express thanks and praise God by asking laity to submit an original sermon manuscript for judging. This contest is open to all lay people in the Indiana Conference. Following the theme of Indiana’s 2014 Annual Conference...
Workshops to be held adjacent to Annual Conference Session
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Here is a list of workshops planned for the pre-Indiana Annual Conference Session at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. These workshops are open to everyone. If no dollar figure is listed, the workshop has no charge. Details about each workshop are ...
Indiana
AU development committee hears Indiana campaign story
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – “We have been set apart by the whole church for this special ministry,” proclaimed Bishop Marcus Matthews, of the Washington-Baltimore Area and president of the Africa University (AU) Advisory Development Committee, as he opened the committee’s six-hour meeting at the Crown ...
Bishop appoints Columbus pastor as new Superintendent of South District
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announced the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Gary Schaar, 56, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ind. since 2009, as the new Superintendent of the South District, effective July 1. Upon his announcement, Coyner said, “I am ...
Bishop appoints current South District Superintendent to Plainfield church
March 05, 2014
Wilfong Blosser INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Michael J. Coyner announced Feb. 18 the appointment of the Rev. Charlie Wilfong, Superintendent of Indiana’s South District of The United Methodist Church based in Georgetown, to senior pastor of the Plainfield United Methodist Church...
Conference Associate Director appointed to Clay Church
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Bishop Mike Coyner announced Jan. 22 the appointment of the Rev. Brian Durand, Indiana Conference Associate Director of Leadership Development, to lead pastor of Clay United Methodist Church in South Bend effective July 1. Durand comes to Clay as an ordained elder now ...
Faith leaders challenge Indiana clergy to engage the world
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – More than 400 United Methodist pastors and other clergy from across Indiana spent Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 24-25, listening to two celebrated author/faith leaders and worshiping together. The Rev. Mary van Wijk, was chairperson of the retreat’s planning team. The theme of ...
Financial assistance available from UMW of Indiana
March 05, 2014
United Methodist Women of Indiana Conference offers the following scholarships for Hoosier Methodists to participate in hands-on mission projects and mission education events: Youth and Young Adult Service Scholarship Fund – youth and young adults (age 13-25 years) may apply for a ...
Gleaning ministry grants Indiana United Methodist Men its Meals for Millions Award
March 05, 2014
BIG ISLAND, Va. – The Society of St. Andrew, a gleaning ministry based in Big Island, Va., has given its 2013 Meals for Millions Award to the Indiana Conference United Methodist Men for total giving in 2013 of $29,300. In the past three years, Indiana has almost tripled its giving. Meals ...
Indiana Hospital Association launches coverage expansion campaign
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Hospital Association announced Feb. 25 the launch of Expand Indiana, a statewide campaign to help citizens, legislators and business leaders understand the importance of expanding health care coverage in Indiana. Expand Indiana will focus on coverage expansion ...
Indiana pastors pray over stoles given to newly ordained pastors in Sierra Leone
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – As part of the closing worship service during the Our Life Together Clergy Retreat Tuesday, Feb. 25, at St. Luke’s UMC, Bishop Mike Coyner asked pastors to bless and pray over Hoosier-made stoles that he gave the next week to newly ordained pastors during the ordination ...
Indianapolis area churches begin Lawrence Habitat build
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Sixteen representatives from 11 Greater Indianapolis United Methodist churches and Metro Ministries began plans for the sixth annual build with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Feb. 19 at the new headquarters for Indy’s Habitat in the 3100 block of North Meridian...
Making a Good Move seminar to be held for pastors moving this year
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Conference will be holding a Making a Good Move seminar, required for all pastors who will be moving to a new appointment in 2014. The seminar will be held Friday, May 16 at 2 p.m. EDT,/1 p.m. CDT, at the Plainfield United Methodist Church, 600 Simmons Street in ...
Seasoned writer to hold seminar May 8 at Indiana Conference Center
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – Writing is a task all pastors and laity in ministry do constantly from sermons to letters to newsletter articles. However, as a church professional, pastors may have had a yearning for something bigger – like publications. Love to… but. The Rev. Todd Outcalt, senior pastor ...
The Lion & Lamb Festival coming to Fort Wayne, Aug. 8-10
March 05, 2014
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Festival planners are excited to see the Spirit moving in the Lion & Lamb Festival community as they make plans to gather in Fort Wayne during the weekend of August 8-10. The festival is thrilled to welcome speakers Alexia Salvatierra and Roger Wolsey and musical guests ...
Trustees to distribute nearly $200,000 to retirees, missions
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS – The Shera Farm Fund is a bequest from Myrtie Shera for the benefit of retired clergy families and foreign missions connected with the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. Each year the Indiana Conference Board of Trustees makes a determination of recipients ...
UE Libraries hosts traveling exhibition about Lincoln
March 05, 2014
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville has been selected to host the national traveling exhibition, “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War,” which opened Feb. 6 and runs through March 21 in the University Libraries. The traveling exhibition is composed of informative panels ...
UIndy announces five-year, $50 million development
March 05, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS (UIndy) – The University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees has approved a five-year plan of capital projects and educational enhancements that comprise a $50 million investment in the university and the neighboring community. “This action arises from a strategic planning ...
Viewpoints
Evansville students learn to engage other religions
March 05, 2014
Evansville, Ind. (UMNS) – Rachael McGill admits she “knew pretty much next to nothing” about other religions before enrolling at the United Methodist-related University of Evansville. Raised in a Roman Catholic family and educated at a Catholic high school in nearby Newburgh, Ind., she had...
Remembering baptism
March 05, 2014
I remember my baptism. I was 10 years old. I remember my parents standing behind me as the pastor led us through the baptismal ritual. When I knelt at the altar, hands fell on my shoulders and the pastor’s hand dripped water over my head and proclaimed the words of baptism: “ I baptize you...
The power of a letter
March 05, 2014
If memory serves, I learned how to write a letter when I was in the fourth grade. Back then, letters consisted of a return address, the name and address of the recipient, a salutation, body and a signature. Many of the books of the New Testament are written in similar style – at least Paul...
Chronicles
Evansville Blue Grass Church to hold "The Why" Conference about church vitality, April 5
March 05, 2014
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Blue Grass United Methodist Church in Evansville will be sponsoring The Why Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT, 9:30 to 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5. Why Are We Doing What We’re Doing? In order to accomplish the great mission of the Church, your church’s vision...
Heaven Is for Real movie coming Holy Week
March 05, 2014
Heaven Is For Real is the true story of a four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who experienced heaven during emergency surgery. He talked about looking down to see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the...
Indiana UM Loan & Savings Ministry makes record number of loans
March 05, 2014
FISHERS, Ind. – The Indiana United Methodist Loan & Savings Ministry was truly blessed in 2013. It was able to serve more churches than in any other year of its existence. 29 loans, totaling more than $8 million were made this past year. The Loan Fund has now served 168 Indiana United ...
Oldest Indiana Conference Elder dies at age 102
March 05, 2014
LAGRANGE, Ind. – The oldest known living Elder of the Indiana Conference, the Rev. Charles W. Dinwiddie, 102, died early Thursday morning, Feb. 27, 2014, in LaGrange. He was “the keeper of the Conference (walking) Cane” a tradition of the former South Conference bestowed upon the oldest ...
Plan now to celebrate Older Adult Month in May
March 05, 2014
As we read Acts 2:17, we can see God’s plan for the Family of God: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams.” May is Older Adult Month in The United Methodist ...
Sweet writes book about play
March 05, 2014
Tyndale House Publishers has just released another book by prolific author Leonard Sweet titled, The Well-Played Life: Why pleasing God doesn’t have to be such hard work. Do you secretly think that the harder you work, the more God is pleased with you? You can live like that – for a while....
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