Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
Highlights of the South Conference Cabinet Report
From a report presented on Wednesday evening by Paula Mayberry, chairperson of the South Indiana Cabinet.
A pitcher, bowel and towel remains on the table during Cabinet meetings to remind us that we are in humble service. A lighted candle reminds us that Christ is in our midst to guide us. Members of the cabinet include: Paul Kern, Bloomington; Jim Bushfield, Columbus; Kevin McKinney, Evansville; Bill Keith, Indianapolis East; Jim Gentry, Indianapolis West; Mike Biggs, New Albany; Ida Easley, Rushville; Paula Mayberry, Terre Haute; and Ned Steele, Vincennes.
Isaiah wrote, "Incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you may live." The Gospel of John records the words of Jesus as he spoke to the Samaritan women at the well: "The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."
Our vision - to fulfill our mission to win people to Christ and empower them to live out their commitment. We:
-
Grow new churches and expanding by planning new congregations. Bishop White's Convocations on Evangelism are providing inspiration and resources for our churches.
-
Work for justice and reconciliation by living out our commitment to be an inclusive church. The Service of Repentance for Racism on provides a significant opportunity to participate in the ministry of reconciliation. We need to repeat this service in our churches across South Indiana.
-
Give as much and more in second mile giving outside the conference as we give to support the ministry of the church within the conference. One way was through our participation in building two dormitories at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
-
Worked together in a spirit of cooperation as we are challenged financially.
-
Continue to work for effective communication through the e-HUM News online and the new Together magazine. We work with districts to strengthen communication links for us all.
-
Pray as Bishop White has invited us to pray for both North and South Conferences. We pray for clergy, laity and the new bishop coming next year. We pray for world peace, justice and reconciliation and that Christ will be lifted up.
-
Mourn deeply the death of cabinet member Michael Anderson, a friend and colleague who gave much to the church.
-
Find God to be faithful in leading us and supplying our needs during a challenging year.
To God be the glory!
-- Daniel R. Gangler
Morning worship with Bishop Marshall Gilmore:
'Between doomed and destiny'
Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Senior Bishop and CEO of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, had the morning worship session attendees clapping and shouting, "Preach, Bishop, Preach!" and "Amen!"
Bishop Gilmore, a former classmate of Bishop White at Paine College, reminded the group of the story of Abram and how he left his home, went out and later became blessed.
"God spoke between doomed and destiny," said Gilmore, who continued on how Abram was a descendent of Adam, a Shemite who was part of a rebellious humanity and a part of the race who failed to see the heavens. "Abram is definitely on the losing side."
But despite being on the losing side, God broke the silence with Abram at age 75, promising that he would be the father of many nations and blessed. "It is about God acting in his own freedom to begin his own redemption process."
Faith is not about us; faith is about God and involves us making room for God, said Gilmore. "That's what I like about God: he chooses real human beings to save them."
Using personal testimony and recalling His days growing up in North Carolina, Gilmore encouraged bonds to be continually established, even when you fight, question, bother, curse or worry God. "This was God's dream and God has a way of keeping His dream alive."
-- Matthew Oates
Bishop Gilmore:
A view on repentance
Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Senior Bishop and CEO of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, was reared "almost accepting" racism while growing up in North Carolina.
One of his early recollections of racism was on Sunday afternoons when he and his neighbors would play pick-up baseball games with one white boy. One afternoon, the boy's father came and took his son away and he never could play with the group again. "That was one of the most devastating things to him and us," recalls the Bishop.
Another aspect of "organized" racism was through segregated schools, which didn't provide blacks a complete high school education. If you wanted to finish high school, you had to go outside of the county to where there was a black high school, says Gilmore.
In 1950, Gilmore joined the Air Force and found himself for the first time where he didn't see restrictions. "(President) Harry Truman passed an Executive Order that required integration of the military."
Gilmore approached little pockets of racism, especially when he traveled with fellow seminary students who were white. "There was salvation," Gilmore nods as he explains bus trips or being refused service at a Howard Johnson's counter.
Fast forward more than 40-plus years and Gilmore remembers his thoughts when he heard of the call for repentance. "My spirit is to give people a benefit of doubt. I took it as face value."
One aspect of repenting is how the church will show fruit of the repentance, not only to the historically black Methodist denominations, but also to those Central Jurisdiction members who have stayed with the main denomination for years.
Pointing out that a church body can vote to change an institution, but it doesn't mean a thing if nothing is done. "I'm going to still hold faith that repentance will bring some noticeable change. I believe this is a good first step."
Gilmore has heard from his colleagues and friends who feel that repentance is more than a service: it is also about economics to people, neighborhoods and other aspects, as well as when United Methodist bishops re-ordain CMEs as Methodists. "Those are the kind of things that compound a situation that you hope to clear up."
Overall, the act of repentance on the sin of racism is a plus. "I'm of the sense that there are people in The United Methodist Church who are genuine and who want to see this work."
The CME is in the middle of studying a merger with the AME Zion Church and will be developing a plan of union. While that continues, working with United Methodist board and agencies is growing.
In addition to his participating in last night's service, several other CME bishops are participating in services throughout the connection. "It's more or less who we know who invites us to these sessions."
-- Matthew Oates
Thursday morning's plenary packed with reports
Highlights from Wednesday's six legislative groups which were presented Thursday.
- More than 1,200 youth were involved in SIC junior/senior high programs this past year.
- Disaster Response Area reported that routinely the UMC is first on the scene and last to leave a disaster.
- Outdoor Ministries work is not DOMed but BOMing. The Division of Outdoor Ministries' name has been changed to the Board of Outdoor Ministries. Camping has grown by 100 this past year.
- Historian Herb Cassel reported that John Wesley turns 300 this month.
- God's call for justice and equality while needing healing is not yet accomplished, but it's more than a dream.
South Indiana Foundation offers conference pension loan
Marie Lang, director of the South Indiana Foundation, reported that the foundation has approved in principle a 15-year access loan to the Conference Board of Pensions. This loan will not endanger the assets of congregations and individuals with the foundation. The foundation can provide a loan to the conference at half the interest rate found in other financial institutions. In other business, the foundation distributed four grants including: $600 to the CCOM Mustard Seed Fund, $1,700 to church growth and evangelism, a $1,000 mission grant and $400,000 to SIC Board of Pension for the ministers retirement fund.
Addendum to CCOM report
The Board of Outdoor Ministries became a full constituent body of the Conference Council on Ministries. Dora Largent, chairperson of CCOM, said that responsibility and liability of Outdoor Ministries needs to be placed under the umbrella of the CCOM.
Africa University grateful for two dormitories funded by SIC
In a report about the Africa University dormitory project, Kent Millard reported that 481 churches contributed $1,046,000 for the dormitory fund. He said Bishop White challenged the conference four years ago to build two dormitories at AU and we did.
"This project has brought us together as an annual conference," said Millard. AU is transforming lives on the continent of Africa. Last November Bishop White took a delegation to AU for its 10th anniversary and dedicated the two dormitories built by South Indiana United Methodists.
James Salley, traveling on behalf of AU, celebrated one of the miracles of AU in the building of the two dormitories. Zimbabwe is experiencing challenges this week. Salley said, your investment to AU will remain strong. No matter what politics are brought to Zimbabwe, AU will be strong.
Salley reported that so far AU has 880 graduates of record. The campus has 28 modern debt-free buildings. As of January 2003, 15 students are enrolled in the master's degree program in peace and governance. "Because of your investment," said Salley, "you are making a difference on the continent of Africa." Today 1,123 students from 20 countries across Africa attend AU.
Salley then announced that he will propose to the AU board of directors this weekend that a plaque be placed on the dormitory honoring him to honor also the memory of the Rev. Michael Anderson, a district superintendent who died last October.
In other action on AU, the conference approved taking $100,000 not used in building the dormitories to redesignate the conference's gift for scholarships at the university. Millard reported that $4,000 each year for four years can place a student through AU. St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis has already redesignated its $108,464 gift for scholarships. The building and maintenance of the two dormitories cost $836,000. The conference raised $1 million for the dormitories project.
Bishop disappointed that membership and attendance declined in 2002
Statistician Douglas Sanders' reported total membership at 118,649, down 2,145 from last year, a 1.78 percent decrease. He also reported worship attendance was 67,241, down 2,503 from last year, a 3.59 percent decrease. There were increases in adult Sunday school attendance and in United Methodist Men. More than 3,000 persons were received into the church on profession of faith. A full report of conference statistics can be found on page 227 of the conference workbook.
Following Sanders report, Bishop White said that one of the great disappointments being a bishop is that "I have never come to the end of a calendar year without showing membership growth." We celebrate those who have come to a profession of faith, he said, but there are churches that year-after-year have never brought a person to faith.
The Bishop continued: "The main task of the church is to win people to Jesus Christ. I plead with you that in the next 18 months that I am with you, to go back to your churches and find out if you are growing or not. Find out if people are coming to the church who have never known Christ. Reach out to young people and others. This is a task for ALL to make disciples.
"It's time to pray that our congregations will reach out, that the laity will witness to their communities, that pastors will lead their congregations. Next year at annual conference let's show that we have gained in 23 categories rather than declined in 23 categories.
"For all who lead the church we give thanks. I hope all of you can go back and do better for the Lord you promised to serve."
The bishop then asked members of the conference to stand in circles, take hands and pray - lifting up the conference in prayer for growth in our churches.
Conference approved a long-range task force
Andrea Leininger, SIC Executive Committee chairperson, asked the conference, with the coming of a new bishop in 2004, to review the program of the annual conference and to approve the creation of a long-range task force to be named by the Bishop to do visioning and long-range planning for the AC. Both recommendations were approved.
Board of Pensions recommends retroactive ministerial pension plan enrollment
On behalf of the Board of Pensions, Andrew Thomas, the board's chairperson, reported that 311 pastors have been identified as erroneously omitted from participation in the Ministerial Pension Plan between Jan. 1, 1982 and Dec. 31, 1997. The total liability (including principal, base credit earnings and special distributions) is estimated to be approximately $4.2 million.
In consultation with independent legal counsel, Thomas reported, it has been determined that principal contributions may not be waived retroactively. However, for those persons who have indicated that they never expected the benefit and do not want it, it has been determined that they may choose to waive the receipt of base credit earnings and special distributions earnings.
Thomas said, "we have committed to allocating 100 percent of Board of Pensions assets as of Dec. 1, 2003 towards funding the retroactive pension liability. The Board of Pensions is working in consultation with the Council on Finance and Administration and the South Indiana Foundation to develop a funding plan. This plan will be introduced on Saturday.
-- Daniel R. Gangler
How are the children?
During the opening annual conference session on Thursday, the Bishop's Initiative on Children and Poverty Committee reported that more than 400 United Methodists from across Indiana made April 26 a perfect day for the Bishop's United for Children March. Leaving Riley Hospital for Children during the noon hour, marchers reached Indiana's capitol shortly after 1 p.m.
Among Christian folk songs and cheers, Bishop Woodie W. White and Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon raised issues facing children and families.
According to march organizers, a child is born into poverty every 43 minutes in Indiana. One in eight children is poor in Indiana. The state ranks 14th among the states in the percentage of children born into poverty. Last year in Indiana, 70 children died of abuse.
The march was organized by Sandy Harlan, South Indiana Conference Task Force on Children and Poverty; Kim White, chairperson of the South Indiana Conference Task Force on Children and Poverty; and Riley Hospital for Children.
SIC Corporation hits rough terrain
John Wantz, president of the Conference Corporation, while considering action on the sale of conference-owned land at 71st and Marsh Road in Indianapolis, hit rough parliamentary terrain during a close decision on the disposition of the land's proceeds.
The land was purchased 10 years ago for $300,000, and a buyer is interested in purchasing it now for $1.6 million.
In a closely counted vote, the Conference Corporation decided that $1 million of the sale be allocated to new church development and the remainder, estimated to be around $400,000, be allocated to the retroactive pension enrollment liability to lessen the amount needed to be borrowed from the South Indiana Foundation. The retroactive pension liability issue will be discussed Saturday.
In other business, the Conference Corporation approved the sale of a conference parsonage in Bloomington. The proceeds of the house will be invested for later use.
Dan Evans, the conference's legal counsel, leaves his position because of his new responsibilities as CEO of Clarian Health in Indianapolis. John Neighbours of Indianapolis was chosen as new cousel with the law firm of Baker and Daniels.
-- Daniel R. Gangler
Service of Repentance:
Conference asks forgiveness for the sin of racism
Bishop Woodie W. White called on the South Indiana Annual Conference to do, perhaps, what their forbears would do, to acknowledge their sins of racism, ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.
"At one part in our history," the bishop said at the beginning of "An Evening of Repentance for the Sin of Racism with a Call for Reconciliation" Thursday evening, "people of my hue were not welcomed in churches that were Methodist. Out of that experience, many African Americans left to form their own churches. But we began as Methodists and we are still Methodists."
With the service, the South Conference joined with other United Methodist conferences across the United States in asking forgiveness for and praying to heal the injuries and injustices of institutional and personal racism that have plagued the Methodist church since its founding in America in 1784.
Bishop White was joined in the service by Bishop Marshall Gilmore, senior bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
The two bishops recited the Litany of the Bishops in which they recounted the history of Methodism in America and represented two of the four Pan-Methodist denominations in committing to working to make a difference, thereby following the example given by Jesus.
The service combined music, liturgical dance, drama, Scripture and symbolism to aid in the healing. Each member of the congregation and those on the stage was marked with ashes on his or her foreheads or hands before the service. During the service, each person approached a district superintendent and elder to have his or her ashes washed away. They were then given bookmarks to commemorate their commitment to racial justice and healing.
Bishop White set the stage for the service by recounting the history of the Methodist Church in America and how it had grown into separate branches
"Branches once part of that common root became separate churches," the bishop said. He recounted briefly how racism had caused the church to split into the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church.
"All of the Methodist history is mine - the good part and the not so good part."
Even after three Methodist denominations were re-united in 1939, a concession had to be made to racism: black Methodists were segregated into their own Central Jurisdiction, regardless of where they were located. In many communities, black Methodist congregations and white Methodist congregations near each other were in separate jurisdictions.
Recalling interaction with his parents and siblings saying "I'm sorry" and "You're forgiven," Bishop White said that commonalities exist even for this service. "I've discovered it's equally hard to be at this place.
"I suppose that's the way it is in the scheme of life for all of us."
The congregation also watched a video that outlined the history of the various churches that had split form the Methodist church.
When it came time for Bishop White's sermon, he told the congregation, "You preached the sermon tonight. There really isn't much more to say."
He shared an observation he made during the act in repentance in which ashes were washed away from peoples' foreheads and hands.
"For some it came off very easy. For some the more I washed, the more it spread. For some who came, I suspect that's the way with prejudice and racism," said Bishop White. "There are those where the slate was washed clean. And then for some it wouldn't come off real easy."
Bishop White said it showed that God has a sense of humor, to have a black bishop asking his black brothers and sisters to forgive him for what his white forbears had done to his black forbears.
"This is a trial run, and it begins right here."
-- Ed Metzler & Matthew Oates