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Contents
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Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Area United Methodist
Foundation
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
SIC Friday morning
Connectional Ministries report summary
Outdoor Ministries. Jim Bushfield reported that a church in inner-city Indianapolis invited 39 neighborhood children to summer camp.
Evangelism and Church Growth. (page 62) Surveys were sent to 121 congregations with 36 of them responding. The results said 50 percent feel they have enough space but have problems with parking. Most congregations said they could add more services to increase attendance. Evangelism is job 1.
The Path 1 program of church growth will train 1,000 church planters to establish new communities of faith to start 650 new congregations with an average of 350 worshipers.
New Church Development. (page 143-149) Five new separate projects began this past year. Three are successful. Two have been closed. NCD has revised strategy to encourage and assist churches to start new church activity.
Hispanic/Latino Ministries (page 83) is making progress but is not growing as fast as anticipated. Old Bethel in Indianapolis is being used as an incubator church. Greatest success has been at Vida Nueva in Indianapolis.
Evangelism (page 61) is Job #1 in South Indiana. The conference needs to hold evangelistic events. Need to list evangelistic activities such as welcoming, prayer walking in statistics of the church. One member from the floor suggested that the conference do an evangelism event during its meetings.
The conference celebrated 60 years of The Advance, extra-mile mission giving. More information about The Advance can be found by logging on to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/Advance/.
Board of Global Ministries. (page 75) John Thomas reported South Indiana Conference is number two in the North Central Jurisdiction in Volunteer in Mission giving of both time and money. North Indiana Conference was number one.
Operation Classroom. Joe and Carolyn Wagner thanked the conference for its 20 years of participation and support for scholarships. We bought a van for our use in West Africa. We need to rebuild six schools. We work with 20 high schools in Sierra Leone and 10 high schools in Liberia. Thanks to UMW for dry milk for Kissy Hospital. Thanks to University of Indianapolis and the students for raising $3,000 for student scholarships. The Wagners gave to Bishop Coyner a hand-made nativity set from Liberia as a symbol of thanks from the people of Liberia.
Bill and Donna Lou Imler and Joyce Carlisle presented to Bishop Mike and Marsha Coyner an ulos, ceremonial shawl, as a thank you for more than $200,000 given by Hoosier United Methodists to rebuild the Methodist Church in Banda Aceh.
The conference approved a Resolution for covenant with the North Katanga Conference (page 75).
Advocacy group reports highlighted can be found in the pre-conference book.
Religion & Race/Commission on Status and Role of Women (page 178), Racial Healing (page 177), Native American Ministries there a more than 45,000 Native Americans living in Indiana. Local churches were encouraged to reach out with Native American ministries and celebrate Native American ministries in their congregations, (page 142).
COSROW's Lydia Award recipients include Laura F. Walker and Rev. Michael Cartwright. Robin Dillon of Avon UMC is the recipient of the Josephine Huffer Scholarship; Princess Wright at Africa University is the recipient of the Marie Phillips Scholarship.
Church and Society. Members heard a presentation by Tom Grey, field director of the National Coalition Against the Expansion of Gambling, about the continued expansion of legalized gambling by the State General Assembly (See yesterday's newsletter). Enough is enough, said Grey. C&S Chair Perry Richards presented a resolution calling for a vote of citizens on any more expansion of gambling and asking Hoosier United Methodists to support a campaign against this expansion. The resolution received an overwhelming standing vote of affirmation. North Indiana Conference gave unanimous support to the same resolution last week. Members also accepted a report about the conference's Gambling Recovery Ministry (page 72). An offering was received for the conference Gambling Recovery Ministry.
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BLANKETS, BLANKETS and MORE BLANKETS: Joe Wagner secures hundreds of blankets from the Otterbein Home in Lebanon, Ohio, in the Operation Classroom truck. The blankets were delivered to annual conference by members of Dearborn Hills UMC. "The lady had a mini-van full of blankets. They just kept coming." The blankets will be shipped over to Sierra Leone and Liberia to help keep people warm during the rainy season. Other supplies collected this year include home economics supplies and first aid kits. Thank you for your continued service. |
Morning worship ministry service
Retiree talks about doors of opportunities, relationships, blessings
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| Retirees: Front row, left to right: Carol Wiley, Floyd Wiley, Lois Stevens, David Stevens, Margaret Pruden, Stanley Mullin. Back row, left to right: Robert McMillen, Carol McMillen, Gary Houston, Rose Houston, Linda Hamrick and Ted Hamrick, standing with Bishop Coyner. |
On Friday morning, the South Indiana Conference celebrated those retiring from ministry and those who are taking the next steps in their ministerial careers.
Carol Wiley, representing the retirees, passed the mantle to David Williamson, representing the ordinands.
"God has opened the door for opportunities, relationships and blessings beyond my comprehension and expectations. Our God is a very personal God. He loves each of us as if we were the only one," said Wiley.
One of the joys of the moment, said Wiley, was the fact that Williamson was serving Milroy UMC, which is her home church, where she was baptized and married, as well as where her daughter was married.
"I have gone before you serving churches, communities, districts and our conference. I have experienced joy and pain and persecution. In those times God has held me very close and whispered in my ear, 'Remember you are mine and I have called you by name.'"
Wiley concluded, "There are many years of service and experience in the class of 2008. The one common thread is the love for God and his church. Though expressed in many different ways, the call to serve is the same. Go and remember you are God's precious child and he has called you by name."
Williamson's response was from I Corinthians 3:12, which talks about building on the foundation of Christ. "We think ministry starts with us. It doesn't take long when you start practicing ministry that you appreciate the foundation others have established," said Williamson.
By using their best abilities, relying on God's grace and faith, the new ordinands look forward to being builders with the retirees. "We wish to say thank you for the foundation you laid, for all the heart, soul and blood and sweat you have poured into your churches."
Bishop highlights three rules and five practices
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| Bishop Coyner talks of Three Simple Rules, Five Practices of Faithful Congregations and Cultivating Fruitfulness. |
Bishop Coyner began the plenary session on Friday afternoon by lifting up the Three Simple Rules, a book by Bishop Reuben Job, based on the General Rules of The United Methodist Church and historically attributed to John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement.
The three rules are: Do no harm, even meaning to avoid hostility; do good, that is look for ways to stretch ourselves, and stay in love with God, through the ordinances of the church.
Coyner reiterated that we grow in the three rules through worship, prayer, study, giving and more. Wesley asked clergy to not only live this way but also to teach this way to the members of his societies.
Coyner also highlighted another book, Five Practices of Faithful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase. Coyner said, "These are the keys to a faithful congregation."
1. Radical hospitality meaning reach out and intentionally invite people to come.
2. Passionate worship; it's not the style of worship but that we gather to worship allowing God to be with us
3. Intentional study to help people grow in their faith
4. Risk taking in mission and service. When we get involved personally. Helping with flood recovery, feeding hungry people. Discover that service is exciting. "I got more out of it than helping someone else."
5. Extravagant generosity that starts with tithing and grows from there. The average UM gives 2.2 percent of income to all church and non-profits.
Coyner said he has asked superintendents during charge conferences to focus on how you are doing about these five practices of faithful congregations. "How can we help each other's congregations?"
He said another resource now at Cokesbury is a guide Cultivating Fruitfulness that tells how to take the ways of the five practices and put them into action.
"Our fervent prayer is that we will follow the three simples rules and use the five practices, all to the glory of God."
2008 SIC Friday afternoon
Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis celebrates centennial
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| Dan Evans gives a brief history of Methodist Hospital on Friday afternoon. |
Dan Evans, CEO of Clarian Health Partners based in Indianapolis, reported to the Friday afternoon session on the 100th anniversary of the Methodist Hospital of Indiana in Indianapolis. He said the people of Methodist take our values seriously. Evans, a member of the South Indiana Conference, said the UMC matters for the hospital.
Five clergy from this conference are on staff at Methodist.
Evans said his great-great-grandfather raised money for the Methodist Episcopal Church more than 100 years ago during the 1899 Epworth Youth League's national meeting. His grandfather and father also were connected with both the church and Methodist Hospital.
With money left over from the youths convention held in Indianapolis, the youth began the process of living out a dream of building a hospital which opened in April 1908. Evans said from the beginning and continuing today, the hospital is open to all people.
This past year, Methodist provided charity care to more than 23,000 patients.
In more recent years of its history, Bishop Raines served on the board of trustees of the hospital for 20 years. Highlights in the hospitals include: Seven Healthnet health centers for the poor, a pioneer in insulin use, heart surgery and organ transplants. Methodist is a regional critical care hospital and has one of the largest chaplaincy programs in the country. Evans said 65 percent of the doctors in Indiana practice received part of their education at Clarian Health.
Bishop Coyner, by virtue of his office, is a member of the Methodist Hospital board of trustees.
Friday afternoon reports
Discipleship: Highlights of the report include sharing of the General Conference "The purpose of the church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Report approved.
Spiritual Formation: Tony Alstott shared about upcoming activities including the beginning of a three-year covenant community starting this fall and a five-day academy on spiritual formation.
Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns: Cameron Manifold informed the conference the General Church approved joint communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Hoosier UMs continue to partner with various ecumenical programs.
Media Center: Mary Barnes explained the media center has more than 4,000 resources available for churches to use. An online catalog is available at www.sicumc.org.
Igniting Ministries: Bert Talbott provided an update that Igniting Ministries TV commercials will be run during Advent. On TV, we will be on Evansville, Terre Haute and Indianapolis, with radio commercials throughout other areas of Indiana.
Institutions: The conference welcomed representatives from various health and welfare ministries and higher education institutions from South Indiana. The conference also celebrated the 100th anniversary of The Methodist Hospital of Indiana, located in Indianapolis. A motion from Higher Education and Campus Ministry regarding structure and funding options was approved by the conference.
CBYM President Abby Nuetzel of Rocksville reported that youth are making disciples of Jesus Christ. CBYM is also about "Change, change, change - Change is cool."
United Methodist Women. Vickie Newkirk, conference president of the United Methodist Women (page 188), said she has been pleased to serve for the past four years as president. The Fruit of the Spirit this past year completed these projects and ministries including: Health kits; prayer shawls to each of the General and Jurisdictional Conferences delegates; new circles; School of Christian Mission studies on Israel-Palestine, Native American, Spiritual Growth; a Spiritual Growth retreat; pledge to Christian mission service scholarships for student in the amount of $230,000; support of an orphanage in Cambodia; Lucille Raines Residence; dry milk campaign and money in the amount of $30,000 for Kissy Hospital in Sierra Leone.
United Methodist Men's President Larry Lewis said UMM is turning around. Men are activating inactive groups. UMM would like to take a more active role in the new conference.
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| Ordination recognized from another denomination: Jimmy Moore and Bishop Coyner. | Deacon: Cynthia D. Wood and Bishop Coyner. |
2008 SIC Imagine Indiana
Conference discusses, votes on Imagine Indiana plan
Adolf Hansen, a presenter of the Imagine Indiana Design Team, summarized concerns raised on Thursday including: moving too fast, focus on mission first, clergy covenant groups, ministry cluster groups, Indiana Conference center building with one leader without duplication, properties which probably will be rented and not large complexes for five resource centers, the transition team so the plan is not changed.
The Imagine Indiana Design Team sees its task as a direction.
A few editorial changes, which the design team accepted, came immediately after the resolution was before the conference
Ben Boruff of Noblesville, a youth member, moved that the Young Adult president and Conference Board of Youth Ministries' president be included in the conference leadership team. The Boruff Amendment was adopted.
There were quite a few questions on the differences between the current North Indiana and South Indiana Conferences health care insurance benefits payments and programs.
Regarding these benefits and their payments, Conference Treasurer Jennifer Gallagher reminded members "all the salary and benefits come from the same offering plate." The concern revolves around income taxes and whether the insurance charges are pre-taxes. If the proposal is approved, these benefit plans would be reviewed before a specially called sessions of the conferences.
The October meeting would be a unifying conference. The Jurisdictional Conference would vote to give permission to form a new conference within the current state lines.
Bob Walters, conference staff in missions, referred members to a mission resolution calling for the creation of a new annual conference from mission leaders in both conferences. He said both North and South Indiana conference boards of Global Ministries approved the resolution that highlights the priority of the mission programs. The Mission Resolution Amendment was adopted.
Ben Boruff: moved that youth members and youth leaders be appointed to the transition team (either part of the current or a new one). The second Boruff Amendment was adopted.
Cheryl Cash, Monroe City and Decker UMCs in Vincennes District, had questions about the pastoral covenant groups and church cluster groups. Asking about provisions on laity and clergy coming together to best visioning practices. So many good things are being put forward that we can pick up on these ideas regardless of what happens.
Other comments were made about laity and clergy coming together for the best visioning practices, conference center location and cutting administrative cost.
Several speakers affirmed the work of the team and made other suggestions.
The conference approved a written ballot.
Bishop Coyner led in a prayer. A simple "yes" or "no" vote was received.
The results of both North Indiana and South Indiana conferences' votes will be revealed during the Saturday morning session.
SIC 2008 Friday night ordination service sermon Peter Storey
Former Bishop of South Africa says: You are the breath of life
"You are the breath of life to us all," the Rev. Peter Storey, former bishop of the Methodist Church in South Africa, told more than 23 new clergy to be ordained or commissioned during the Friday night worship service at Indiana University Auditorium.
The aging Storey began, "to each of you that have walked to this moment, you also walk into the presence of a great cloud of witnesses of saints that also welcome you."
In Scripture, Paul comes to Thessalonica in deep trouble after he fled from Philippi. Later at Corinth, he can't get the Thessalonians out of his mind. He sends Timothy to check on them.
Paul makes a human confession. He says to the Thessalonians, in all hardships, you are the breath of life to us. Stay firm in the Lord.
Storey said he wanted the new clergy to know that his frail discipleship needs their new faith, "standing firm in the Lord because it is the breath of life for the church."
He said faith is the matter of choosing who we serve... You have chosen to follow Jesus, but you may have discovered that this institution is also human.
Our church has a balance of payments. Most scary of all is the worship of success. We know the best gift is not to be like the world. Turn yourself from the idolatries that creep into the church, revisit why you came here in the first place. Remember why you came here to serve the living God and your faith will be a breath of life to us all.
You are to be the bread of life to your people. The church trusts you. There is a congregation of people who need you.
We will pray for you, for this is the breath of life to all of us. Stand firm in faith with the Lord.
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Associate members (l-r): Dennis Wayne Alstott, Scott A. Bell, Bishop Coyner, Jeffery Lee Mair and Mark A. Powell. | |
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Elder (l-r): Jamalyn Alece Peigh-Williamson, Mitchell Hal Norwood, Bishop Coyner, Lisa Dianne Schubert, David Read Williamson and Gi-Chae Lee. | |
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Probationary members: Front row (l-r): Marcy Lynn Patrick, Jill Moffett Howard, Renee Kathleen Perkins, Bishop Coyner, Sharon Lea Baker, Michael G. Torrance and Jenifer Stuelpe Gibbs. Back row (l-r): Ethan L. Maple, Michael Brice Collins, Matthew Swisher, Andrew Dennis Payton, Adam Michael Payne and Gregory K. Davis. | |