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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2001 |
Indiana Briefs
Council director excited about new opportunity
After 30 years of service to the South Indiana Conference, Dr. Susan Ruach will step down as conference council director. On Sept.15, Ruach will begin work at The General Board of Discipleship (GBD) in Nashville, Tenn. as team leader, conference spiritual leadership development.
In her new position, Ruach will work directly with the Discipleship Ministries unit of GBD, acting as a direct resource to annual conferences in the development of spiritual leaders. According to Ruach, working with annual conferences is one quality that attracted her to the position. Among the numerous duties as team leader, she will edit a quarterly newsletter called "Leading from the Center".
Susan served as South Indiana Conference Council Director for seven years. Prior to that, she spent 11 years in the position of associate council director. Works done in the development of spiritual formation and with the Board of Ordained Ministry are two areas she is most proud of.
"I will certainly miss the relationships," said Ruach. "I sensed God leading me to make this move. I've felt a lot of grief in making the decision to leave, but am excited about the future. I wish only the best for the conference." Matthew Carlisle
Church youth worker arrested; congregation, pastor respond
A 28-year-old volunteer youth worker at Emmanuel UMC, Noblesville, was arrested last month on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. Local news reports note that the man had been under investigation for nearly two months after the Hamilton County Division of Family and Child Services reported the incidents. If tried and convicted on all 10 Class B felony counts with which he has been charged, Wes Maddox could be sentenced to as much as 200 years in jail.
Emmanuel's pastor, the Rev. Scott Stephans, told the HUM News that special counseling is being offered by the church through UM-related Buchanan Counseling Center to those involved, including the accused man's family.
Maddox had been a volunteer for the youth program at Emmanuel UMC about one and one-half years, according to Pastor Stephans. The youth group has about 25 members from seventh grade through high school. About one-third of the church's 300 members volunteer in church programs and activities, he said. He said that volunteers are required to read the church's child protection guidelines and are expected to abide by them.
"We do reference checks with people we hire as employees," he said. Volunteers must be members of the church for at least six months. Prior to the recent allegations, there had been no complaints about Maddox, Stephans said.
Regarding the reaction of the congregation, Stephans observed, "Through God's love and the love for each other, and the prayers of so many - the painful emotional fog is lifting." Lynne DeMichele
Director of Metro Ministries appointed
On July 5, Bishop Woodie W. White announced the appointment of the Rev. Robert Walters to the position of executive director, Indianapolis Metro Ministries, Inc., effective Sept. 1.
Walters comes to Metro Ministries from Meridian St. UMC, Indianapolis, where he served as associate pastor with primary responsibilities in leadership for their missions and church & society work areas. He previously served in the Indianapolis East and West Districts at Plainfield, Central Ave., Sunrise at Geist and Lebanon Centenary churches. He also served as director of the Likaski School of Theology, Democratic Republic of Congo from 1997-1999.
Walters replaces the Rev. Ned Steele, now serving as the superintendent of the Vincennes District. Lisa Morris
NIC missions coordinator named
Penny Krug, RN, MSA, Perioperative Care Coordinator at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, has been named the North Indiana Conference Medical VIM (Volunteer in Missions) Coordinator. A graduate of the College of Saint Francis and University of Notre Dame, Penny has worked predominately in surgery and nursing management.
As Medical Coordinator for Volunteer in Missions, Penny will work with the North Central Jurisdiction as it develops medical mission opportunities through its Rx ConneXion and the UM Fellowship of Health Care Volunteers. In addition, she will work with conference VIM to begin networking and developing opportunities for medical mission volunteers in north Indiana.
A deaconess candidate, Krug is actively involved as Stephen Ministry leader, Alpha leader, and teaching in adult Sunday school at Evangel Heights UMC, South Bend. She has also served on mission teams to Ghana and Mexico, among others. Parents of two grown daughters, she and her husband, Charles recently returned from a medical mission trip in Eduador. She can be reached at 219/284-3325, or by sending e-mail to: pkrug@memorialsb.org. Gina Riendeau
SIC names new associate council director
The Rev. Gary Schaar has been named the new associate council director of the South Indiana Conference. As of Sept. 1, Schaar will replace the Rev. Tom True, who has served the Council on Ministries since Nov. of 1990. True now serves Shelbyville First UMC in the Rushville District.
Rev. Schaar has served Old North UMC in Evansville since Oct. of 1991. Prior to that he was appointed to Paoli UMC, Cloverdale UMC, and served as a staff member at First UMC in Mt. Vernon. He has a master of divinity from Christian Theological Seminary and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Evansville.
Schaar has chaired the Division of Worship, served as the chair of Board of Discipleship, and also chaired the worship team for the South Annual Conference for several years.
Muncie District hires communicator
On Aug. 1, Shelley Carver began her tenure as communications coordinator of the Muncie District. In this newly created position, Carver can look to the Michiana, Warsaw and Kokomo Districts who have also realized the value of a communicator.
In her new part-time position, it will be Carver's responsibility to be a resource to the superintendent and the district's 66 local churches. In that capacity, she will develop and maintain a Web site as well as see to the public relations needs of the district.
Shelley served as secretary to the pastor of Wesley UMC in Union City for three years. In 1998, Carver launched Connectiva Corporation with two partners. Connectiva specializes in all aspects of computer technology including Internet service, Web design and network engineering. As CEO, she supervised daily operations, handled advertising, public relations and all corporate finances. In an effort to spend more time with her three children, Shelley stepped away from the thriving business and relinquished her duties to her husband and founding partner.
Carver will graduate next year with an associate of arts degree from Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio. Matthew Carlisle
Jurisdiction archives and history convocation meets in Indiana
A group of forty-five archivists, commission members, and their families and friends traveled from nine different states and 12 annual conferences to attended the North Central Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History Convocation held at the University of Evansville from July 9-12.
Hosted by the South Indiana Conference Commission on Archives and History, this year's convocation celebrated the Bicentennial Anniversary of Indiana United Methodism. This event concluded the bicentennial celebration that was planned by the commission's Bicentennial Coordinating Committee.
Presentations by the likes of Dr. John Baughman, retired professor of history at DePauw University; Dr. Robert Barrows, professor of history at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis; Kathryn Bartelt, assistant professor and assistant director of university libraries at the University of Evansville and secretary of the South Indiana Commission on Archives and History; and Kevin Corn, visiting instructor in religion at the University of Indianapolis made the bicentennial celebration noteworthy.
This year's speakers and topics were well received by the convocation participants. L. Dale Patterson, archivist from the General Commission on Archives and History at Drew University, noted the excellence of the presentations. Herbert Cassel
New look at www.nicumc.org
The North Indiana Conference (NIC) recently gave its Web site ( www.nicumc.org ) a facelift, adding a number of needed improvements. One of the new features is the NIC Service Center staff information, which includes e-mail addresses, telephone extensions, photographs and job responsibilities. Registration forms for several conference events are also now accessible to download, print, fill out and mail to the office.
A mainstay of the Web site, NICemail is an e-mail forum for pastors and laity of NIC. Free subscriptions are welcome through the NIC Web site. Simply pull down the menu that says "Connections" at the top of the screen, click on NICemail and follow the directions for subscribing. The same screen will give the option of sending messages to other NICemail subscribers. Call Tim Lehrian at the Service Center, 800/783-5138, if you have any questions about NICemail. Paula Shrock
Grants awarded; bridging the gap
The South Indiana Foundation approved two grants from the new Cornerstone Grant Fund. The Commission on Status and Role of Women received $500 for its challenge grant effort. Under the terms of the challenge, the Marie K. Phillips Scholarship Fund will match the foundation's gift.
The Rainbow Junction Players, a Christian puppet ministry of St. Andrew UMC, Indianapolis, has been awarded a grant of $900 to assist with the purchase of a much needed cargo trailer for this traveling ministry.
The Cornerstone Grant Fund has been established to provide assistance to groups developing or expanding creative ministries within the South Indiana Conference and its churches. Applications may be obtained on the Web at www.sifumci.org or by contacting the foundation. Marie E. Lang
U of I announces leadership center
The University of Indianapolis announced on Aug.9 a nearly $15 million Lilly Endowment grant to pioneer an innovative leadership center that will provide students, educators and community leaders with the skills, support and resources they need to redirect K through 12 education.
The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning, or CELL, is a collaborative effort between the University of Indianapolis School of Education and its College of Arts and Sciences. It is unique in that it provides support to all education leaders - from teachers to school board members and community education leaders to parent groups.
The $14,995,648 Lilly Endowment grant is the largest single gift the university has received in its 100-year history and is the largest single grant the Endowment has given to an Indiana university to address K-12 education issues.
Habitat celebrates a quarter century
A group familiar to Hoosier Methodists, Habitat for Humanity, has chosen Indianapolis as the site of their 25th Anniversary. From Sept. 10-16, thousands will gather to celebrate the people and ministry of Habitat.
The week's events begin with the Global Leadership Conference, which runs through Sept. 13. That night (Thursday), the opening ceremony will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: "Backyard at the Brickyard" will be an opportunity for Habitat family reunions. There will be live music; racecars, and a dinner. Habitat founder Millard Fuller will be on hand to welcome everyone.
A number of training workshops will be presented throughout the week. The 25th Anniversary Gala will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15. Former President Jimmy Carter will give the keynote address.
Most conference activities will take place at the Indiana Convention Center and neighboring venues in downtown Indianapolis. For general information, call the 25th Anniversary message line at 800/HABITAT, ext. 2825, or e-mail 25anniversary@hfhi.org. For information regarding Habitat building opportunities in Indiana, call 317/951-9096, or e-mail clutin@hfhi.org. Matthew Carlisle
Reconciling UMs gather for 'Revival'
In late July hundreds of Reconciling United Methodists, including nine from Indiana, gathered at the UM-related college in Tacoma, Wash., the University of Puget Sound. Called "Revival!", it was a celebration of the Reconciling Movement which supports inclusion of and ministry to and with homosexuals. Nine people from South Bend Central UMC attended, more than any other church in the nation.
Worship with compelling visuals and participation from those attending was led by national figures, including: the Rev. Douglass Fitch, pastor of Glide Memorial UMC in San Francisco, who shared his experiences when attending Asbury Seminary; Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, (ret.) R.N., Ph.D., whose life was the basis for the TV movie, Serving in Silence; the Rev. Nobu Hanaoka, a survivor of Hiroshima; and Jorge Lockwood, with the General Board of Global Ministries.
Fitch, in his keynote address, said, "We are committed to helping hurting people rather than hurting helpless people. We show compassion to others not because of who they are, but because of who we are."
The Reconciling Ministries Network is based in Evanston, Ill. Mary Hubbard
Roundup inspires Ind. mission volunteers
The biannual Roundup of Volunteers in Mission was held in August at Hudson Camp, Ill. Seventeen north Indiana mission volunteers participated through workshops, service projects and fellowship. During the three-day event, participants had their choice of 15 workshops covering topics such as medical mission, disaster response and leading work teams. Displays from around the world, as well as demonstrations and lively international worship filled the weekend. Gina Riendeau
Disability Awareness group asks for help
Since I took over as chair of the [Disabilities] Awareness Committee in 1995, a lot of people have told me that this committee is the best-kept secret in the South Indiana Conference.
Why? Because I've not found a lot of reason to write about what we do. But now, since the message has gotten to so many churches and so many congregations, I think it's time to ask for your help.
I have a committee of five very enthusiastic people, but I'm not sure what direction this committee should take. I send an average of two information packets a month and sign an average of 11 applications per year. Churches are doing all they can afford to do to make disabled people welcome.
Now, here's where you can help:
Talk to the people in your churches, disabled and non-disabled. What do they feel are the most important needs for awareness? What could we do to make congregations as a whole more willing to accept disabled people within the life of the church (committee work, Sunday school teachers, worship leaders)?
Write to me and tell me what you think. Let me know what your church is doing and/or what it needs in regard to accessibility: AnnaMarie Fernihough, 410 S. Madison, Oakland City, Ind. 47660.
South Foundation announces leaders
The Rev. Robert Land of Mt. Comfort UMC, the Rev. Marion (Bert) Kite of Lawrence UMC, and Ms. Julie Goldsberry of Acton UMC, were recently elected to the board of directors of the South Indiana Foundation.
Officers of the board for the 2001-2002 year are president, Dorothy Suther, Epworth UMC (Indianapolis); vice president, Kenneth Beckly, St. Luke's UMC (Indianapolis); secretary, Colette Jackson, Grace UMC (Franklin); and William Nunn, Sellersburg UMC. The past president of the board is Noel Moore, Seelyville UMC. Marie E. Lang
Last updated on 01/14/2004