As the Committee on Racial Healing finished their report, the conference body started singing.

"And they'll know we are Christians by our love," echoed through I.U. Auditorium as examples of Study Circles and a Tinker Toy church built by the youth were scattered across the stage.

The committee called for churches to participate in Study Circles -- which are groups dedicated to dialoguing -- and to enable the process of racial healing throughout South Indiana. They also presented resolutions calling for a racial healing service to be a serial event, as well as the appointment of a full-time staff person at the conference level to be hired.

"Preaching Christianity: Hospitality In House"

Jim Shaw, SIC lay leader, delivered the Laity address based on Romans 12:13 -- how to practice hospitality in your church.

One of the ways of showing hospitality is by opening up the churches and striving to be a place to stay, a place of acceptance and a place where ears are open to a variety of situations.

"Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining," said Shaw. "Jesus depended on the hospitality of others to do his ministry."

Council on Ministries:

Celebrating a report and ministry

Robert Sharp, Conference Council director; Gary Schaar, associate director; and Bert Talbott, part-time staff, were commissioned.

Part of the COM celebration involved the new conference service center in Bloomington. Ground was broken for the building May 10. An announcement of the Commission on Missions will be made Saturday morning.

"We want you to use them. We want you to thank them for what they do," said Dora Largent, who presented the report.

As part of the COM report, the Hispanic Ministries Committee, Disciples Plus and Anti-Gambling Task Force were presented.

Lillybeth Cassel told the conference of upcoming events to empower and strengthen Hispanic Ministries that will be held across the districts within the year, as well as the release of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries. "We're going to bring it to you," said Cassel.

Part of the plan is to work with churches who have existing, or who want to have, a Hispanic ministry. "There are so many ways we can start these ministries," said Cassel.

Three members were commissioned as lay missionaries to the Hispanic community during the session: Hernan Trincado, Juvini Sanchez and Osman Vardales.

During the Disciples Plus section, the conference was reminded, "We're never out of the business of making disciples," said Bert Kite.

To continue to motivate the laity and clergy to work as a team in evangelism, the Bishop's Convocation on Evangelism will be held throughout the conference during the next 15 to 18 months.

Tom Hession spoke of the work of the Anti-Gambling Task Force. The group has developed a curriculum for use in the local church about the evils of gambling and the ill-effect gambling has on society. "There are individuals who need help."

A critical part of the effort is to lobby one's legislators. "This is a year-round effort," said Hession. "Talk to them â€¦don't be bashful." Matthew Oates

Friday Afternoon Plenary:

The plenary session began -- as do all sessions -- with moments of praise and meditation as candles were lit and conferees invoked the "Holy Spirit to Come (to us)."

Bishop White encouraged the assembly to return to their churches and spread the word about youth ministry and the many benefits of young people being involved in the life of the church. "I'm glad when I see young people gathered on this stage," said Bishop White.

Struggle continues on contentious insurance issue

Health insurance provides a hedge against potentially ruinous debt and spreads risk. However, in recent years the cost of insurance itself can be potentially ruinous.

K.B. Wilson, chair of the Section on Group Insurance, charted some of the more uncomfortable realities of the conference insurance program of late: specifically the growing gap between apportionment income which covers group insurance, and the swelling costs of medical services for our clergy.

The gap cannot be covered by apportionment income this year; so it was determined that any shortfall would come from the conference's insurance claims reserve fund -- a move that would drop that financial "back up" dangerously low.

That in mind, the Insurance Committee offered a plan yesterday through which retired pastors would pay a greater portion of their insurance costs in relation to the part paid by the conference. An impassioned debate followed on the plenary floor. Rev. Lloyd Wright spoke about the value of the covenant which clergy and conference hold together, the understanding that protection and support are due those who had given a career serving God and God's church. Wright proposed an amendment to delete the proposed changes in insurance for retirees.

While others affirmed that view, many acknowledged the urgency of the financial squeeze in which the conference finds itself.

Wade Compton proposed a substitute amendment which would delay by five years the transference of a greater burden of the insurance costs to retired clergy, i e. in 2008. Whereas, the original recommendation of the committee was to keep the proportion at 70%/30% on insurance premiums until 2003, after which the conference would only pay $100/year toward retirees' insurance costs.

Neither amendment passed. Instead, Brian White of Council on Finance & Administration proposed to table sections B and C of the report until the 2003 Annual Conference session. This proposal was approved, and the remainder of the insurance report was approved. Lynne DeMichele & Steve Bahrt

Rev. Tarrell Thompson is a circuit rider once again.

Thompson is the driver and general manager of the Circuit Rider, the SIC's disaster relief bus ministry, through the Board of Global Ministry.

The bus has already gone out for the tornado that struck Tobinsport on April 28. It has also taken members from the Shirley-Wilkinson Community UMC on a mission trip to the greater St. Louis area.

The bus came into the board's hands last September and has been parked at Thompson's house near Owensville.

The bus is available for four types of events: early disaster response, disaster response, Volunteers in Mission work trips and retreats.

"The Church is in touch. It can heal a need," said Thompson. "It expands the mission of the Church."

Thompson is proud that the Church and the Circuit Rider bus were able to respond to the Tobinsport tornado. "They were appreciative that we were there."

To schedule the bus or to be put on a volunteer list for disaster response, call Thompson at 812/724-3704 or 812/453-3961. Matthew Oates

Pensions board recommendations approved

Two resolutions that would bring the South Conference in step with the rest of the nation regarding pension funding and liability passed Friday morning.

They called for the conference to "actively pursue retroactive enrollment in the Ministerial Pension Plan of all part-time local pastors, student local pastors and less than full-time ministers of another denomination who served under episcopal appointment between Jan. 1, 1982 and Dec. 31, 1997." The other resolution concerned the procedure to conduct the enrollment process.

Andrew Thomas, chair of the Conference Board of Pensions, from Brazil First UMC, said there are between 300 and 350 pastors for whom the conference could be liable. The estimated liability is $3.5 to $4 million.

The reasoning behind the resolutions is to bring the conference in compliance with a Judicial Council ruling saying that conferences are responsible for providing for those pastors under episcopal appointment, which several conferences -- including South Indiana interpreted in a variety of ways.

"Over the next year we are going to create a plan on how to fund the liability," explained Thomas.

During discussion, Bert Talbott asked for a definition of episcopal appointment for the part-time local and student pastors. Thomas replied that the General Board of Pensions was vague on the issue.

"We are one of the very last to make this move," said Thomas. "Our conference has interpreted that they were not eligible."

Thomas also explained that the conference can seek waivers for future pastors, but not for those in the past. "It does get into issues of ethics and fairness," said Thomas. "We need to be aggressive in locating persons and do what is right."

Brent Wilson, SIC treasurer, said the pension situation is a complex issue because it involves benefits, federal laws and the IRS. Another factor in facing this issue is for the conference to decide to act or wait until it goes into a courtroom where the results could be more grave. "That's what it really comes down to." M.O.

Classes of 2002

Associate Member

Galbraith, David LeRoy

Elders

Allanson, Russell France

Cassel, Scott David

Freeman, Kurt Alan

Gile, Todd Alan

Land, Robert Alan

Stackhouse, Stacy E.

Sweet, Marvin Dale

Full Deacon

Greenlee, Jennifer Lynn

Probationary Elder

Cook, Pamela Carol

Johnson II, Joseph Thomas

Johnson, Timothy Grant

Mantle, John Robert

Russell, Ronald Ray

Scholl, Matthew Lee

Willis, Ronald Alan

Wilkins, Raymond

Thanks for the memories ... and keep checking the recipe

The I.U. Auditorium flowed with tears of joy and sadness as the conference said goodbye to the retirees and welcomed a new class of elders, deacons and associate members.

"What a class!" said Bishop White to the 23 retirees and their spouses. "You've made a difference; you really have made a difference."

During the "Passing of the Stole" portion of the service, Lynn Denison recalled his days struggling with the decision to enter the ministry. "I didn't feel I was qualified," he said. "That has caused me, over the years, to check my spiritual life."

He told the stole/charge recipient, Scott Cassel, to continually check the recipe of God's love to see if he was filling people with the bread and love of God -- instead of rocks. "Every once in a while, check the recipe. It's a great recipe," said Denison.

Denison also reminded the ordinands and the conference of the great promise God sent us that he will always go wherever we go. "That promise is to absolutely everyone. God's hand is always extended."

In response, Cassel replied in addition to a handshake and a hug, "We accept your charge humbly and with a great responsibility."

Bishop Charles Wesley Jordan, conference preacher, delivered the message titled "The Harmony of Ministry." Jordan reminded the body -- lay, clergy, elected, appointed, ordained and baptized -- that "All servants of Christ are under the appointment of God."

He recalled that the harmony of the church happens when the church -- coming from various backgrounds -- participates and discusses and deals with its differences. "This oneness is God's gift."

Jordan also called for the conference to continue to listen, discern and talk to God. "God will tell us where we're supposed to be," said Jordan. "We are called!" Matthew Oates

Commissioned to serve rather than be served

"Servanthood is the most difficult aspect of our ministry today," stated Bishop White during last night's ordination service. "The whole root of the call is to serve," said Bishop White to the 17 persons being commissioned as probationary and associate members, deacons and elders.

Reminding them of how easy it is to forsake servanthood for "being served," Bishop White continued. "A funny thing happens on the way to servanthood. The Discipline says you are the 'minister in charge.' You're over somebody. Soon, you begin to talk like you're in charge, and servanthood slowly fades away."

Bishop White challenged the group to find some way to exercise their sense of servanthood as they take on the leadership of God's people. In an act of humble servitude, he proceeded to wash their feet.

An impressive and always spiritually moving service, the program closes each year with the Bishop's call to ministry. Last night was no different, and to the congregational singing of "Here I Am Lord" several came forth to commit their lives to the ministry. Ethel McCane

South AC June 7

Friday morning plenary:

Spontaneous singing, healing, celebration