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| Hoosier United Methodists together |
September 2006 |
From the Bishop
Come Imagine Indiana with us
"The whole "Imagine Indiana" process is open-ended." |
Work has begun on a plan of union of both Indiana Annual Conferences to be prepared and brought back for a vote at the 2007 Annual Conference Sessions. "Imagine Indiana" process began this summer following votes of both conference sessions in June by approximately 80 percent of each conference's members in favor of moving forward.
As requested by actions of the two conferences, I have appointed the Imagine Indiana Planning Team, composed of Co-Chairs Cindy Reynolds and Adolf Hansen, along with Mark Eutsler, Shalimar Holderly, Carolyn Johnson, Joe Johnson and Marie Lang to begin the preparation for a plan.
With the help of that central Planning Team, I recently named 14 sub-groups, called Discernment Groups, to help develop various aspects of that plan. Each of those sub-groups are co-chaired by one person from North Conference and one person from South Conference, typically one person being clergy and the other person being laity. Many of those 28 co-chairs are young leaders here in Indiana, along with a good representation of veteran leaders.
Those Discernment Groups are being formed from more than 200 Hoosier United Methodists who have volunteered to help with this process. We also have received a Lilly Endowment grant enabling us to bring expert consultants to guide our efforts.
We call this whole process "Imagine Indiana" with the intent to draw all of us into praying, reflecting, studying, designing, listening and formulating a plan to imagine what God is doing in Indiana and to find the best ways for our United Methodist Church to be a part of what God is already doing in our midst. Whether or not that will lead to an actual merger of the North and South Indiana Annual Conferences and the formation of a unified Annual Conference remains to be seen. The whole "Imagine Indiana" process is open-ended, and all involved in the process seek to be open to the leading of God's Spirit.
The Imagine Indiana Planning Team and the co-chairs of those discernment groups gathered for the first time in late August at the University of Indianapolis. I was greatly inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of these leaders. One of the hopes of those involved is that thousands of Hoosier United Methodists will become involved in the "Imagine Indiana" process.
How can you be involved? Our Indiana Area Web site ( www.inareaumc.org ) already contains materials for your consideration, along with a way to record your own comments and questions. As the planning team begins to formulate possible proposals, the team will post those proposals on the Web site, and seek your feedback. You are welcome to contact the nine members of the planning team or the 28 members of the discernment groups.
We also will hold listening sessions across the state once a plan is ready for your consideration. Above all, you can help by using your own imagination, your prayer time and your discernment to seek God's guidance, not only for the conferences but also for your own congregation as it plans for the future.
This is the first time in 40 years that we Hoosier United Methodists have engaged in the adventure of asking, "How is God guiding the United Methodist Church in the whole state of Indiana to be faithful, fruitful and vital in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ?" Not since the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches merged in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church has there been such a time of seeking God's purpose for our Indiana Area. Please help us to "Imagine Indiana."
Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Area of
The United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference in Indiana
… and around the world"
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008