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e-HUM --
Church News Now
February 15, 2002
e-HUM is a free
service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communications (www.inareaumc.org).
Bridging the gap between monthly issues of the "Hoosier United
Methodist News," subscribers will receive late-breaking news,
announcements and Church resources via e-mail. We welcome your comments,
please direct to "e-HUM" editor at ehumeditor@inareaumc.org.
INDIANA
NEWS IN BRIEF
CHURCHES UNITE AGAINST
TAXES
More than 800 gathered at the Indiana
Statehouse on Jan. 31 to support Senate Bill 19, legislation that would
exempt churches, charities and educational institutions from paying
property taxes. In 2001, the congregation at Granger Community Church, a
NIC church, was the first Indiana church to receive a property tax bill;
it totaled more than $34,000.
Currently, Indiana churches aren't required to pay property tax on
land less than 15 acres. Senate Bill 19 provides that up to 150 acres of
land and the buildings and structures on the land are exempt from
property taxation if a church or religious institution owns the land and
buildings. Follow this link to track the status of Bill 19, www.in.gov/serv/lsa_billinfo.
ACCIDENT TAKES LIFE OF
UNITED METHODIST WOMAN
Following the morning worship service at
Mount Zion UMC, Evansville District, on Feb. 10, 78-year-old, Cancilene
Young was struck and killed by a van as she was leaving church. To avoid
cars parked in front of the church, the driver of a sedan braked, struck
an unoccupied parked car and then collided with an oncoming van. Young
was standing behind the van at the time. Speed is believed to be the
cause of the accident.
NIC LOAN FUND GARNERS $1
MILLION
In the first two months of operation, the North Indiana UM Loan Fund
has accepted nearly $1 million in deposits. Because of the success and
giving spirit of Hoosier Methodists, the Fund is prepared to make loans.
The Loan Fund's primary purpose is to provide the needed funds to help
UM churches and agencies of Indiana through capitol improvement loans.
The Loan Fund's Board of Directors has established the current loan
interest rate at seven percent for a three-year adjustable loan. Savings
accounts are paying an introductory rate of four percent. The
introductory rate for a Certificate of Deposit is five percent for a
one-year term. Contact the Loan Fund at 800/783-5138.
GAMBLING DOCKS IN INDIANA
The fight against the growth of legalized
gambling sustained a major blow on Jan. 31. The Indiana Senate passed
Bill 333 by a margin of 27-23 repealing the cruising requirements, which
will allow gamblers to come and go freely. As well, the bill will allow
for the sale of electronic pull-tab lottery tickets at horse tracks
throughout the state. Senate Bill 333 will now go to the Indiana House.
Follow this link to track the status of Bill 333, www.in.gov/serv/lsa_billinfo.
NATION/WORLD
CHURCH
SEES GIVING INCREASE DURING DIFFICULT YEAR
UMNS -- In the face of a
recession and events related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, United
Methodists increased their giving to the denomination's general funds by
more than $2.4 million, or 2.1 percent, in 2001, according to the
church's finance agency.
Giving to the seven general apportioned funds hit $114.7 million for the
year, according to the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA)
in Evanston, Ill. Follow this link
to learn more about GCFA, www.gcfa.org/.
PRAYER NEEDED FOR
ZIMBABWE
Bishop Felton Edwin May of Washington has
issued a call for United Methodists to pray for Zimbabwe during their
worship services, Sunday school classes and personal devotions for 30
days, from Feb. 10 through March 11. A heavily contested presidential
election is scheduled in Zimbabwe on March 9 and 10. Opposing parties
have accused each other of attempting to unfairly influence the result
through the threat of violence or by rigging the election process.
AD CAMPAIGN, SEPT. 11
CAUSE JUMP IN NEW ATTENDANCE
UMNS -- New attendance at United Methodist churches in five cities
increased an average of 108 percent for the first month of the
denomination's national television ad campaign (Igniting Ministry), a
result not only of the commercials but also of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
The number of new attendees at the churches increased 55 percent during
the first week of Sept., according to a survey prepared for UM
Communications. During week two, the number of new attendees increased
218 percent, followed by 81 percent and 77 percent in the last two weeks
of the month, respectively, according to the study. Follow this link to
learn more about Igniting Ministry, www.ignitingministry.org/.
NEWS
TO USE
PLAN TO SHARE FOR ONE
GREAT HOUR
The annual One Great Hour of Sharing
offering is planned for March 10. Money received is used to support the
Church's mission work around the world, through the United Methodist
Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Follow this link to learn more about
UMCOR's work and One Great Hour of Sharing, gbgm-umc.org/umcor.
Call UM Communications to order One Great Hour of Sharing
offering resources, 888/862-3242.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
BLACK
CHURCH ROLE IN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
"We Shall Not Be Moved," a new
documentary on the role African American churches played in the civil
rights movement of the 1960s, will be shown Feb. 17 on the Hallmark
(formerly Faith & Values) Channel. Part of the channel's observation
of Black History Month, the show is produced by Faith & Values Media
in cooperation with the North American Missions Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention. The film depicts how black congregations served as a
spiritual, intellectual, political and logistical foundation for the
movement. Among the churches highlighted in the program will be Dexter
Avenue Baptist in Montgomery, Ala., 16th Street Baptist in Birmingham,
Ala., Brown Chapel AME in Selma, Ala. and Ebenezer Baptist in Atlanta.
INDIANA
HAPPENINGS
BISHOP WHITE TO LEAD
CHARGE AGAINST GAMBLING
On March 5 at 4 p.m., Bishop Woodie W. White
will join Church leaders from throughout Indiana to rally against the
expansion of gambling, in the Rotunda of the Statehouse. The Indiana
Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (ICALG), founded by the Indiana UMC,
will sponsor the rally.
LEGENDARY
ACTIVIST, NADER TO SPEAK MARCH 13
For nearly forty years, Ralph Nader has made
headlines in America as a consumer advocate, lawyer, author and
presidential candidate, serving as the "U.S.' toughest
customer," in the words of Time magazine. On March 13, Nader
will bring his insights to the DePauw University campus when he speaks
on "Politics and Public Service." The Civic Education
Convocation, sponsored by the Hartman Center, will take place at 7 p.m.
in Kresge Auditorium of DePauw's Performing Arts Center. Nader's
DePauw speech will be free and open to the public.
JUSTICE
RALLY SET FOR STATEHOUSE
On Feb. 28, clergy and laity from around the
state will gather at the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda at 12:15 p.m. in an
effort to encourage legislators to pass legislation prohibiting
discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing and
public accommodations. The rally is part of a day-long program of
training and discourse on justice issues, sponsored by the Interfaith
Coalition on Nondiscrimination (ICON). So far, 36 United Methodist
clergy persons have signed a public letter by ICON directed to Indiana
legislators urging against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
e-HUM copyright 2002 by
Indiana Area United Methodist Communications. |
