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Clergy Session:
Equal number of ministers coming as leaving
An equal number of clergy have been approved for ministry as those who are preparing to retire. That number is 13. That was the highlight of the Clergy Executive Session at First UMC in Bloomington, as Bishop Woodie W. White presided over his last clergy session of his ministry as an active bishop.
White said to the South Indiana clergy, "I have been privileged like any minister and like any minister I have not always been as effective as I would have liked to be. Sincerely, it has been a privilege to be a co-worker with you. I pray you will be faithful, steadfast, loving, courageous and passionate so that you might be able to say, 'I have done my best.' Continue to do your best so that the name of Jesus Christ will be honored and praised."
During the session, the Revs. Ann Glass of Plainfield, chair of the Order of Elder, Lynn Renne of Evansville, chair of the Order of Deacon, and David Galbraith of Jeffersonville, chair of the Fellowship of Local Pastors, presented to Bishop White, a handmade quilt sporting a fan design throughout to remind the bishop that he has "fans" in Indiana. Glass made the quilt. More than 450 clergy present gave the bishop a standing ovation thanking him for his 12 years of ministry in Indiana.
Elders approved for ordination on Friday evening included: Steven Carlton Bahrt of Seelyville UMC; Cheryl Potter Garbe of Morgantown UMC; Holly Ann Hardsaw of Bloomington First UMC; Melinda A. Huffman of Wayside UMC; Lisa Ann Marchal of Columbus First UMC; and T. Lynn Scherer-Berry of Jacobs Chapel UMC.
Deacons approved for ordination on Friday night included: Bonnie Eileen Draeger of Memorial UMC in White Plains, N.Y. and Laura Ann Jones of Noblesville First UMC.
Probationary Elders approved for commissioning on Friday evening included: Curtis Clark Hunt of Marietta UMC; Jimmie Paul Moon III of Noblesville First UMC; Gregory Robert Pimlott of the Methodist Church in Ireland; Adam Eugene Shourds of Baker Chapel UMC; and Craig Reid Walker of Morton UMC.
Clergy also welcomed the Rev. Jean Wilson who is transferring her membership to the South Indiana Conference from Kansas. Clergy also made numerous decisions on the ministerial status of many ministers during their two-hour session.
Approved for retirement from active minister in full connection were the Revs. Richard E. Davies of Greenfield, Carl Ewick of Shelbyville, Harold L. Leninger II of Brownsburg, David G. Owen of Indianapolis, D. Bruce Roberts of Indianapolis, William Schwein of Indianapolis, and Kenneth P. Stone of Greenwood. One associate member, the Rev. Ronald Branson, of Thorntown retired. Recognized as Retired Local Pastors were the Revs. John W. Fischer Jr. of Centerpoint, Aletha McVeigh of Milton, Jane Modlin of New Castle and Marjorie Woods of Owensville. As a courtesy Brenda DeCourney of Owensville was recognized as a retiring diaconal minister. The retirees represent 358 years of active ministry.
The Rev. Meg Lassiat of Indianapolis Meridian St. UMC and newly elected chair of the Order of Deacon announced that the Board of Ordained Ministry is working on a promotional video to recruit first career youth and young adults to ordained ministry. Currently, in the South Indiana Conference, there are only 24 ordained or about to be ordained ministers under the age of 40. -DRG
Laity Session:
'God is good, all the time! And all the time, God is good!'
The Laity Session opened with a familiar phrase to United Methodists: "God is good, all the time! And all the time, God is good!"
Lay leader Jim Shaw, who is in his final session as lay leader, began by saying, "We hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us."
During the session, the laity received reports from the Conference Board of Youth Ministries, Leadership Academy and the United Methodist Women; learned of the winner of the annual manuscript contest; and welcomed back the Rev. Susan Ruach, former conference director and currently with the General Board of Discipleship.
Shaw and his wife, Ruby, were honored for their dedication to the conference by receiving a plaque from the conference.
Ruach encouraged the laity to make disciples by working with God's initiative, responding, participating in God's mission and using the gifts God gives people.
Using several examples of how individuals and small churches provide ministry for the community, Ruach said, "They were using gifts to make God's love concrete in the world."
Citing the importance of the role of laity to provide a nurturing area, Ruach shared ways the laity can help build the church. By living prayer-filled, virtuous, spirit-empowered, compassionate, word-centered and sacramental lives, all can form and shape people. "There are different ways we can connect with God," said Ruach.
Conference Board on Youth Ministries
Caitlin Smith, CBYM president shared of two events for the youth, as well as spiritual growth retreats and the possibility of a youth leadership retreat. "Many lives have been changed," said Smith.
Leadership Academy sponsors 59 events
Chuck Porterfield, chair of the Leadership Academy, said there have been 59 events sponsored by the academy since 1996. He said, "The emphasis of the Leadership Academy is to bring together teams from the local church."
United Methodist Women celebrate 135 years
Kathy White, conference UMW president, encouraged the conference to celebrate the 135 years of ministry of the UMW. "Throughout the years, the women have heard God speaking to them."
During a special conference luncheon on Friday, UMW members will celebrate by wearing different types of hats from throughout the years. "These hats remind us of our foremothers and their cutting-edge lifestyle. We're on the cutting edge."
Also, theme-based units will be established during 2004. "We are in a very new mode. We fish for cutting-edge justice issues," said White.
White also updated the laity on the recent UMW campaign to urge Staples office supply stores to carry chlorine-free paper.
Manuscript contest won by Owensville woman
Anna Marie Fernihough of Owensville UMC, Vincennes District was the 2004 manuscript contest winner. First runner up was Bob Ice of Mt. Zion UMC, Evansville; 2nd: Audrey Dodson, College Corner UMC, Rushville; 3rd: Lyn Oliver, Monrovia UMC, Bloomington; 4th: Omer Seibert, Albright UMC, Evansville.
During her presentation, Fernihough shared the relationship between singing and God. "When you sing the songs of God, you are close to God all over again," she said. "God loves to hear you sing." -MO
Retiree luncheon celebrates ministry
Retired ministers and their spouses filled Alumni Hall for the annual retiree luncheon, a time of fellowship and celebration.
The Rev. Ron Branson is retiring for the second time in his life. Before entering the ministry, Branson retired from Ameritech after 29 years. Now celebrating 10 years of ministry, Branson is preparing to leave Thorntown UMC at the end of June.
"Of course, I am going to miss being with those who need someone to be with them," said Branson. "It's been great to baptize the little kids."
Continuing on about the openness he has experienced and an eagerness on behalf of church members, "The spirit is stirring our smaller churches. I think God's working on moving people."
During retirement, Branson will spend time with his family, helping his son operate a Web site on Indiana history, driving around the state taking pictures of round barns, train trestles, churches and covered bridges.
The Rev. Marjorie Woods is retiring in name only, but will continue preaching at Boonville Faith UMC and Pleasant Chapel UMC. She'll go from part-time local pastor to retired supply.
"They got all excited," she said about her church seeing her name under the retirees. She chuckled how she had to calm them down and tell them that she wasn't leaving them.
While sharing the excitement, she said that her mother lived 97 years and was still teaching Sunday school, so she could in the future be the recipient of the Conference Cane, which is given to the oldest living retiree. "If things work out, this may be me."
In other news:
The Conference Cane was awarded to the Rev. Elva Hardy, who turned 100 earlier this year. Ordained in the United Brethren Church, she served small member congregations throughout South Indiana before retiring in 1970. She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.
The group confirmed the election of the following officers for 2004-2005: the Rev. Richard Christopher, president and nominating committee chair; the Rev. Richard Armstrong, vice president; the Rev. Robert Epps, secretary; and the Rev. Martha McKown, Treasurer. - MO
Opening Plenary Session:
Reagan recognized, reports heard on church and its finances
Bishop White recognized the life of President Ronald Reagan
In the opening minutes of the South Indiana Annual Conference session, Bishop Woodie W. White told conference member, "We have lost one of our presidents, and as a nation we are in official mourning for 30 days." The bishop asked the conference to stand as he remembered in prayer the life of Mr. Reagan and his contributions to America and the world. He also thanked God for this nation and the leaders of this nation. "We now surrender the life, witness and body of Ronald Reagan back to you who gave it to us," he prayed. The Bishop then led the conference in the Lord's Prayer.
Cabinet report highlights
Cabinet Secretary Nelson Steele reported changes in the conference that included among other items: Lawrenceport-Ft. Ritner, charge to dissolved, Lawrenceport be discontinued, Ft. Ritner established as single-point charge; Freeport-Vine Street be dissolved, Freeport discontinued, Vine Street established as single-point charge; Oak Hill Church withdrew from the denomination; and the Monroe City, Walnut Creek and Hamlin Chapel churches be established as single-point charges.
The Rev. Kevin McKinney, chair of the SIC Cabinet reported that the new Terre Haute District Superintendent the Rev. Thomas True of Shelbyville will replace the Rev. Paula Young Mayberry, who served for eight years. She has been appointed to Lawrence UMC Indianapolis.
This year the Conference celebrated the building of a new conference center in Bloomington, a new church start at Southport and other efforts to revitalize congregations.
McKinney said the conference needs to continue to support connectional ministries beyond the annual conference and support other apportionment ministries. He said we face many challenges including:
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diverse theological understandings,
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congregations and clergy deployment, and
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exploring new styles of clergy ministry and new congregational models.
Griffith introduced as new executive assistant
Bishop White introduced the Rev. Donald N. Griffith, retired minister of the South Indiana Conference, as the new interim executive assistant to the bishop. He takes the position of retiring executive assistant the Rev. Dr. James D. Jones, clergy member of the North Indiana Conference. Currently, Griffith is director of world missions at St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis. Griffith takes office after the South Indiana Conference.
During his 40 years under pastoral appointment, he served congregations in Jeffersonville, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Greenfield and New Albany.
Bishop's assistant to retire to Florida
When the curtain closes on the South Indiana Annual Conference this week, the Rev. James D. Jones, executive assistant to the bishop, and his wife, Judy, will be headed south for their retirement home in Naples, Fla.
Jones, 62, completes a 41-year call to active ministry that began in 1963 when he held student appointments during college with the Society of Friends near Alexandria and Greentown.
He recently told Hoosier United Methodists Together, "I am ready for a new chapter in life. It is neat to enter a new phase of life being led by a dream rather than pushed by a problem."
Jones, clergy member of the North Indiana Conference since 1971 as Elder, has served churches at Decatur First and St. Mark, South Bend Grace, Fort Wayne Calvary, Winchester, Elkhart First and South Bend Grace. He served a four-year term as Fort Wayne District Superintendent before becoming Executive Assistant to the Bishop White in 1996.
Logo design recognized
Pat Shidler, chair of the committee on annual conference sessions, recognized Jan Clayton of Altersgate UMC in Evansville as the designer of the conference logo. Shidler said the logo represents the fact that "time is always eternal." The conference slogan is "God is good all the time. All the time God is good."
CCFA reports decrease in conference giving
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration report was given by Brian White, CCFA president, who took the place of Lloyd Tucker, CCFA vice-president, who had a heart attack several weeks ago.
In review, White said, this has been a challenging year financially with many of our congregations. SIC UM churches have increased their operating budgets but they still reflected less than a three percent increase. Many churches held the line in 2002 and did not increase much.
White said, apportionment receipts have been down the last three years. Last year the conference received around 80 percent of its apportionments. In 2003 White said, "we had an increase in real dollars. After three years of decreases, our financial reserves have decreased. When it comes to spending, we experienced retroactive pension liabilities, the need to strengthen pension plan and to continue to fund conference ministries. He said we need new forms of income through grants and other sources and we need to respond to our challenge at all levels.
To meet our financial needs, White said we need to monitor spending in all areas, continue to receive more than 90 percent of apportionments, and strive to pay 100 percent of Church World Service. In 2003 we paid CWS what we received and did make up the difference with reserve funds. There will be no increase in conference staff. Our goal is to have a reasonable budget. We also need to renew our commitment to tell the stories of apportionment giving.
White also reported that this year to date, we have had a decrease in giving compared to last year. He said we need to improve our communication about apportionment giving and develop holistic strategies to support our ministry.
The conference expense budget has increased 2.18 percent due to increases in the Conference Council on Ministries and actions of General Conference. The proposed conference income budget is less than a one percent increase. Some ministries may go unfunded if we do not meet apportionments, White said. Salaries of district superintendents, the present 2005 budget and financial policies will come before the annual conference on Saturday.
Highlights of the memorial service sermon:
Geist preacher asks: 'Silence or Applause?'
"What makes death acceptable to Christians is the a reunion," proclaimed the Rev. William Schwein during his Thursday afternoon Memorial Service sermon "A Moment of Silence or Round of Applause?"
Schwein, pastor of Sunrise at Geist UMC in Indianapolis, based his sermon on Revelation 7:9-8:1, where the writer foresees loud noises of praise to God in heaven followed by a half-hour of silence.
He related the story about a campaign strategy of Vice President Dan Quayle, whose campaign people asked school-aged children to shout and cheer as his limousine approached. But before Quayle's limousine reached them, a funeral hearse drove by and the children shouted and cheered.
Schwein said there are those in heaven who will say, "Here they come!" Then "heaven is no longer a strange place for me, we have a lot of friends there. It makes it a bit easier when we think of our own death.
"Heaven's a good place to be for at the very least we will be together with those we know. We will sit with the great minds of all times. We can ask questions to Peter and Jesus and all those who we didn't get to asks questions. We believe at the very least, heaven is real."
Schwein, who is retiring this conference session, then outlined heaven as three Rs. "One of the Rs is reunion," he said. "Another is restoration. Not only that health and life is restored. But all we lose will be given back to us." He then gave numerous examples like a red sweater our mother made and we left on a bench somewhere. "Heaven can be for us a lost and found. Also it is something altogether new."
He said C.S. Lewis wrote heaven will be the scent of a flower we have not smelled and a sound we have not yet heard.
"The Apostle Paul thought of heaven as crossing the finish line. 'I have finished the race.' I don't know of anyone who is in a hurry to finish that race. Life and death is crossing the finish line and reaching the goal."
If we weren't United Methodists at an annual conference and if we were at a ball game or public event, we would begin (remembering someone) with a moment of silence. Schwein said, "That's not enough for us for these folks we now remember."
Then he said to more than 1,200 worshipers present, "Let's have a minute of applause instead of a moment of silence. For we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us - the ones who paved the way for us and set an example for us. But I say let's give them a round of applause."
He then led worshipers in a round of applause for those who were remembered. "It ought to be a standing ovation, when we acknowledge who these people were."
For Francis Asbury and other early preachers in the frontiers of Indiana, who suffered much on horseback 200 years ago, we need to have a standing ovation. He said. "My dad probably made more pastoral calls in a week than some of us do in our pastoral ministry." For people like him, we need to have a standing ovation.
"If you've read the Apocrypha or Ecclesiastes, you know there are those who have no memorials, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten. Most need more than just a postcard mailed from the conference office. When you look through that list of pastors who we remember, their significant ministry was not just held in the more popular places but also in the least known places, too," Schwein proclaimed. "We are in great need of a conference like this not built upon those who are stars, but those who go about their ministry day-after-day because they want to do so."
Schwein concluded by saying, "Tomorrow we pass the mantle. Today we pass the baton. Take it and go. We are part of the endless line of splendor. This is our faith tremendous ... that in the name of Jesus our world will be reborn. We continue where they have left off."
According to scripture, before the half hour of silence, there was a lot of cheering. "Before you know it, you will climb the ramp and enter the city where those who have gone before will know you. And one will remove his pierced hands and welcome you."
Following the sermon, the deceased ministers and spouses were remembered. They included: Paul Baker, Bruce Buckley, Kenneth Burns, Gerald Clapsaddle, Richard Davis, Lucile Esbenshade, Jack Fehrman, Paul McAfee, Wesley Matzigkeit, Walter Meacham, Charles Myers, Boyde Nelson, Glen O'Dell, Howard Rogers, Jack Wallace and spouses Birtle Allen, Jane Berry, Martha Burns, Sara Clapsaddle, Maxine Clark, June Forbes, Goldie Hashberger, Marybell McCullough, Gladys Kaetzel, Irma Scott, Eleanor Swank and Lorene Youngblood. - DRG
Conference celebrates ministry of celebration
Jim Shaw, conference lay leader, and Jack Van Stone, episcopacy committee chair, led the Thursday night celebration commemorating the ministry and the episcopal leadership of Bishop Woodie W. White. Here are a few things South Indiana Conference had to say about our bishop.
The Rev. Kent Millard, head of the South Indiana General Conference delegation, said Bishop White is a visionary leader. For example, Bishop White had a vision to build a dormitory at Africa University. Hoosier United Methodists raised more than $200,000 and built four dormitories to house 400 Africa University students. Millard also said he thanked God for Bishop White's deep pastoral care. He said one pastor that went to the bishop for counsel afterwards told him, "I have never felt so loved." Bishop White has a pastoral heart. In new church development, the Bishop had a vision of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and he lead us in programs to build new churches and expand existing ones, said Millard.
Kim White has been an elementary school teacher and has done a marvelous job, said Millard. Her patience, kindness and her teaching is very special. Special thanks go to Bryan White who has gone to almost a dozen of Bishop White's receptions.
Sarah Purnell, daughter of the Rev. George Purnell, of Bloomington, said Bishop White was always interested in my school and what I was doing. "He always made me feel incredibly wonderful. His kindness is completely authentic. That's contagious. He is the kind of man that inspires others," she said.
Jim Shaw said the bishop encouraged me to continue to be on an executive committee, when I became discouraged. He told me to stick it out. I did and later became your conference lay leader. He has had a profound effect upon my life.
Musical selections were interspersed among the testimonies.
Greetings were read from Bishop Leontine Kelly, a retired African-American bishop of California and Nevada, the first black woman to be elected bishop in The United Methodist Church.
Scholarships were given in the bishop's name to Paine College in Georgia and to Boston University School of Theology, both schools from which the bishop graduated. The conference also gave the bishop a love offering for more than $6,000 "to do whatever he wanted to do with it."
Honors were given by Larry Lewis, United Methodist Men, State Senator Patricia Miller of Indianapolis and Kathy White, president of United Methodist Women. UMM granted the bishop a Fellow in the Society of John Wesley which was first presented at General Conference. Senator Miller acknowledged the leadership of Bishop and Mrs. White across the State of Indiana and on behalf of Indiana Gov. Joseph Kernan presented him a "Sagamore of the Wabash." Kathy White, on behalf of the UMW, presented two mission pins to the Whites representing donations of $1,000 each and an honorary "fisher chic" for the bishop to remember the women of SIC.
A musical slide presentation showed Bishop White at different stages of his life to the tune of "Great is They Faithfulness." Gifts were given to the White's children.
Bishop White introduced his family.
The annual All-conference Dinner |
During the annual All-conference Dinner, Bishop White was "roasted" by Craig Tournquist. Tournquist, a Christian comedian from Mishawaka, Ind. and a member of South Bend First UMC, quizzed the bishop on song titles that describe him, his favorite stories, what he'd do if he were elected pope and more. In the end, Tournquist gave the bishop a retirement survival package: a large-print word search book, potato chips, peanuts, Tabasco sauce, Dr. Phil's Ultimate Diet Guide, a Tina Turner item and "Jesus Laughing," copy of a popular painting. Bishop White concluded the dinner with these thoughts: "Thank you for this and all your support, love, help and challenges. I was a stranger 12 years ago and you welcomed me. You mean more to me than you'll ever realize." - MO |