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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 |
National crisis TV ads
Television stations across the country are showing interest in United Methodist-produced television public service announcements responding to last week's tragedies. Many stations that do not ordinarily run public service spots are considering doing so at this time. Contact the program directors and traffic managers at stations with which you have built relationships. If they indicate any interest in the TV spots, contact CRT at crt@umcom.umc.org or 888/278-4862 to receive a tape of the spots.
Clergy renewal opportunity
Lily Endowment's Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana congregations has been renewed for a fourth season, thus allowing up to 30 congregations from large cities, small towns and rural villages in Indiana to plan a "time out" for their pastor. The sabbatical is intended to strengthen a congregation by allowing its pastor to step away for a period of renewal and rejuvenation.
Any Indiana congregation served by an ordained minister is eligible to apply for the program. A congregation may apply for up to $30,000; up to $10,000 of that amount can be used for congregational expenses incurred because of the absence of the pastor. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 12, 2002. For further information call the endowment at 317/924-5471.
Stem cell research conference
Prominent ethicists and scholars will be at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., Oct. 11-12 for this conference scheduled to coincide with the Senate debates on cloning and federal funding of stem cell research. The conference is free but space is limited, so registration is encouraged. Send your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and institutional affiliation by e-mail to ethics.center@garrett.edu or by fax to 847/866-3957. For more information contact Donna Techau at 847/866-2915.
Developmental disabilities resources
A resource packet is available from the United Methodist Task Force on Developmental Disabilities. The packet is designed for use by local churches, conference resource centers, the chairs of conference and district committees on disability and other interested persons. It includes selected bibliographies of written and video materials, a letter and a model of inclusion developed by persons with disabilities, information on autism for religious education teachers and camping resources. Contact Pat Cook at 913/682-8517 to request a packet.
Upcoming work teams
Jan. 11-25: Quetzaltenango or Camanchaj, Guatemala. Cost is approximately $1,300, depending on airfare from departure city. Sponsored by the Methodist Church of Guatemala, these two clinics operate in rural areas populated by indigenous persons. Along with doctors, nurses and dentists, other health care persons are needed with backgrounds in pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry and health education.
Feb. 14-17 and April 11-14 : Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. Cost is approximately $500. These short-term medical missions provide service to the poor living on the Texas/Mexico border. Team members may stay in Mercedes, Texas, and cross the border to the clinic. Two days of travel and two days of clinic work.
April 20-May 4: Ganta Hospital, Liberia. Cost is approximately $1,900. Established in 1926, this hospital provides health care to approximately 400,000 people in north central Liberia. The hospital is one of eight medical facilities being targeted for the Hospital Revitalization Program under the auspices of UMCOR. Not only do medical professionals do hands-on work, but part of the mission is to provide health care training. Destroyed by nearly 10 years of civil war, construction workers, persons with management skills and knowledge of health education and water systems are welcome to participate.
Contact UMVIM-NCJ at 515/237-8545 or send e-mail to bnmedical@aol.com .
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Work teams needed in El Salvador Dr. Rickie Conrady, a physician from Oklahoma City, provides basic medical care in El Salvador as part of a United Methodist response to those affected by two earthquakes earlier this year. At least 20 more volunteer work teams are needed for a Methodist earthquake relief project in El Salvador, according to the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. If you're interested, call 800/918-3100. |
VIM team to South Africa
Retired North Indiana Conference Pastor Chuck Ellinwood will lead a Volunteer in Mission team to South Africa in May of 2002. The planned departure is May 18, with work ending May 31. There will be a five-day tourist option in Capetown beginning June 1.
There will be three work activities with the major emphasis on construction of a church/multi-purpose building. Also, work with preschool children and an eye clinic is planned. The eye clinic will only take place if one or more optometrists go with the team.
The estimated cost is $2,900, with an additional $850 for those who choose the tourist option. Contact Ellinwood at P.O. Box 222, Kewadin, Mich. 49648 or send e-mail to chiela@aol.com .
'Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?' 2001
Preparing for Christmas tends to be stressful. Try some peace this season with the 2001 edition of "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" from Alternatives to Simple Living. For over 10 years, Alternatives has provided people with ideas to celebrate responsibly in this Advent-Christmas resource booklet. The all-new 2001 edition features well-known speaker and author Bill McKibben. Designed for individuals, families and small groups, the booklet includes biblical reflections, worshipful ceremonies, activities, an Advent calendar and suggestions for remembering the needy. Available in quantity pricing as low as 70 cents per copy. Single copies are $3 each postpaid. Call Alternatives at 800/821-6153 or visit online at www.simpleliving.org .
Guide for ministry with very young ones
"The First Three Years, A Guide for Ministry with Infants, Toddlers and Two-Year-Olds" offers practical advice on issues critical to creating, managing and sustaining a ministry with very young children and their families. Topics include faith development of young children; health, safety and liability issues; beginning a weekday ministry with young children; recruiting and training caregivers; and equipping the nursery. The 208-page book is $24.95 plus $3 shipping. Order from Discipleship Resources at 800/685-4370 or from Cokesbury at 800/672-1789.
UM News Service subscriptions
To receive the latest news from United Methodist News Service, visit umns.umc.org/Subscribe.html and arrange to receive daily or weekly updates.
UMCOR hotline
Keep track of how you and other folk can provide assistance through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Subscribe to the UMCOR Hotline by sending an e-mail to join-umcor-hotline@list.gbgm-umc.org . Do not put anything on the subject line or in the message box.
Include UMCOR in media contacts
If media in your area are naming organizations through which individuals can assist victims of last month's tragedies, ask them to include UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Designate gifts for "Love in the Midst of Tragedy." Mail contributions to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115, or call 800/554-8583 to make a credit card donation. All of the gift goes to the designated response.
Need choir robes?
First UMC of Middlebury will donate their maroon choir robes, with white stoles to a church that has need for them. Contact First UMC, P.O. Box 347, Middlebury, Ind. or phone 219/825-2585.
'Discovering the Heart of God'
Last updated on 01/14/2004The Upper Room in Nashville, Tenn., will co-sponsor an ecumenical, five-day Academy of Spiritual Formation Oct. 28-Nov. 2. The purpose of the academy is to provide an in-depth and comprehensive experience in spiritual formation for lay and clergy who are highly motivated in their own sense of call. The academy is jointly sponsored by members of The United Church of Christ, The Presbyterian Church (USA), The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and The Reformed Church of America.
Contact The Academy for Spiritual Formation at The Upper Room, P. O. Box 340004, Nashville, Tenn. 37203-0004; 615/340-7232 or send e-mail to academy@bbs.upperroom.org .