Indiana News Briefs

In a reenactment of Jesus' walk to Calvary, members of Washington Street UMC, Washington Street Presbyterian and Washington Park Christian Church carried the cross high through the streets of Indianapolis on Good Friday. A community that has seen the affects of drugs and prostitution, residents made a stand by praying at five stops along their journey.

New Albany District hires communicator

Statewide communicators are proud to announce the hiring of a new colleague. On June 1, Jennifer Hansen will become the New Albany District's first Communications Coordinator.

It will be Hansen's responsibility to provide communication resources to the district superintendent, Council on Ministries and local churches. "We will be building the program from the ground up," according to Hansen. Working only twenty hours each week, that time will quickly be exhausted. It will be Jennifer's charge to write and distribute news releases; arrange for public service announcements; establish relationships with local media; create and maintain a district web site; and offer web assistance to local churches. As a representative of the district, Hansen will be working closely with the SIC Communications Commission, Indiana Area Communications, and UM Communications.

A graduate of the University of Indianapolis, Hansen earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in religion. For more than five years, Jennifer served as director of program ministry and assistant youth director at Loogootee UMC in the Vincennes District. Since September of 1999, Hansen has worked as a teacher's aide at East Washington Elementary in Pekin.

Jennifer is married to Andrew Hansen, who serves as pastor of Pekin UMC in the New Albany District. The couple have three children Luke (9), Bethany (7), and Evan (3). Matthew Carlisle

Is it OK to play solitaire on the church computer?

This and other questions were posed on March 23 at the North Indiana Conference's meeting of new pastors. A yearly event, the group met in Marion at Hanfield UMC. The meeting was followed by a bus trip to the conference office.

The morning session was spent discussing the Minister's Handbook. Pastors were shown how to complete the compensation sheets that come with the Charge Conference materials each fall. The session was very helpful in learning how best to complete these forms.

While visiting the conference office, the new pastors had the opportunity to meet the staff. Day to day work is much simpler when you have a face to put with a voice on the telephone.

The last session was devoted to Ethics. Building an open relationship with a Pastor/Parish Relations Committee, understanding their expectations and the issue of good time management were subjects. Rev. Lark Carlson Brown

Calling all communicators

In the coming months, Indiana UM Communications (IUMC) will begin to build a statewide database of local church communicators. The goal of this alliance is to network and foster mutual support. At the same time IUMC will be helping provide resources for those working in UM communications throughout Indiana.

Typically, church communicators find themselves working independently. Fully aware of the potential for isolation, IUMC hopes to bring light to each communicator's talents. The database will serve as a way of breaking the isolation.

Communicators working in paid and volunteer capacities are encouraged to contact Matt Carlisle in the IUMC office. Please provide your name, phone number, e-mail address, church/organization, title, job description, special talents and interests.

Send to Editor, or by phone 317/924-1321.

SPIRIT RUN - Hillside UMC, Vincennes District, will hold the third annual Spirit Run on May 19. A fundraiser for Hillside's new church building, the race will be held on the city streets of Princeton. For more information, call 812/385-2910.