Site
Contents
 |
Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Area United Methodist
Foundation
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
Sharp named South Conference Council Director
Bishop Woodie W. White has appointed the Rev. Robert Sharp to serve as the new South Indiana Conference Council Director, effective Nov. 1. Sharp succeeds the Rev. Susan Ruach who held the position for seven years. Ruach recently moved to Nashville, Tenn. where she will begin work as team leader, conference leadership development for the UM General Board of Discipleship.
Sharp has served the South Indiana Conference for 26 years. Coming to Indiana from the Mississippi Conference in 1975, he was first appointed to Blue Grass UMC in Evansville. Sharp has since served Bedford First, Evansville Central and Indianapolis Epworth UMC. He comes to the position of council director having earned his Master of Divinity from Duke University and serving as superintendent of the Rushville District since 1994.
Sharp and his wife, Cynthia, have four children: Libby, Kim, Cathy and Edwin.
The South Indiana Conference consists of 706 churches with a combined membership of approximately 123,440. The conference office is located in Bloomington, Ind. Matthew Carlisle
Habitat celebrated after week of tragedy
The long-anticipated 25th anniversary gala of Habitat for Humanity was curtailed by the devastating events in New York City, Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11.
With a national shutdown of air flight, Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, extended an invitation to the people of Indianapolis to attend the Sept. 16 anniversary celebration, free-of-charge. The celebration provided an opportunity to honor the lives served by Habitat and the lives lost when high jacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in eastern Pennsylvania.
With the tragedy of Sept. 11 fresh in the minds of all, more than 8,000 gathered to celebrate an organization that builds not only desperately needed homes, but also relationships and human dignity.
Carter brought to attention the desperate need for Habitat for Humanity in light of the week's tragic events, "It's important in a democracy that we as Christians demonstrate our faith."
Former secretary of Housing and Urban Development and co-director of Empower America, Jack Kemp's message struck a chord, "On Tuesday we looked into the face of evil. Tonight, we're looking into the face of good." Matthew Carlisle
SIC Outdoor Ministry experiences growth
During the summer of 2001, the South Indiana Conference Outdoor Ministries camping program served 1,947 campers. This reflects an overall increase in attendance of 2 percent over last year.
Although a large majority of camps take place in a traditional "cabin" camping environment, a number of adventure camping opportunities are made available during the summer season. This year's adventure camping attendance was up by 29 percent. Adventure opportunities included a Boundary Waters canoe trip, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, caving and sailing.
The important and enriching ministry provided by Outdoor Ministries is only possible, according to program leaders, due to the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and gifts each year. The program directly benefited from the support of over 200 individuals this summer.
The theme for the 2002 camping season is soon to be announced and program planning is well on its way. For more information about this summers' camping program you can visit the Outdoor Ministries Web site at www.sicumc.org/gocamp . Ian Hall
Pennsylvania woman reaches 600-mile mark
Taking 1.2 million steps, 31 days and eight pairs of sneakers, Ann Keefer, 39, a member of Wesley UMC in Bloomsburg, Pa., walked more than 600 miles to Indianapolis to raise money for Lowe Syndrome. Keefer's nephew, Larry, 4, of Westfield, Ind., has a severe form of the rare, usually terminal genetic disease that affects the eyes, brain and kidneys. Arriving in Indianapolis on Sept. 17 and leading a walk-a-thon on Sept. 23, Keefer, who has raised more than $27,000 for the Lowe Syndrome Association, said the journey gave her purpose. "This (walk) has opened my heart to God," she said. He was working through me to bring public awareness and raise money for research."
For more information about Keefer's walk or donations to the Lowe Syndrome Assoc., contact 600 Mile Walk for Lowe Syndrome at 570/387-4615 or visit the Web site at www.600milewalk.org . Lisa Schubert
Youth Home welcomes new SES director
The United Methodist Youth home in Evansville
welcomed John White recently as the new specialized emancipation services
program director. Working one-on-one with residents, John teaches independent
living skills. The girls will learn to manage money, find affordable housing,
access support services, maintain a healthy lifestyle and prepare for
employment.
With a degree in education, White taught for seven years in the public school
system. He also worked for 15 years in the Netherlands and Brazil with at-risk
teens and young adults as a life skills instructor in a group home setting.
Phillips Scholarships receives gift
The Marie K. Phillips Scholarship fund recently received a gift of $500 from the South Ind. Foundation. The monies will be used to help meet the challenge made by Rob Phillips to raise $10,000. In return, he will match the amount. To date, the fund has raised $6,565. Rob is the son of Marie Phillips, former chair of COSROW (Commission on Status and Role of Women) for the South Ind. Conference.
The Marie Phillips Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 to pay tuition, books and housing for female seminary students from Liberia and Sierra Leone attending Africa University. Margaret J. Mayo
Young adults transform ministry
In an effort to transform congregations, the North Indiana Conference Council of Young Adult Ministries (CCYM) introduced a grant program to help fund new young adult ministries in local churches. In recent months, the CCYAM awarded grants to DeMotte UMC, Griffith First UMC and Selma UMC.
Last updated on 01/14/2004