e-HUM November 2002

Vol. 1/ No. 9

e-HUM is a free service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communications, www.inareaumc.org. Bridging the gap between 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.

HOOSIERS DEDICATE AFRICA U. DORMS

A group of six led by Bishop Woodie W. White and Rev. Kent Millard just returned from Mutare, Zimbabwe where they participated in the dedication and naming of two new dormitories at UM-related Africa University last week. The three-story dorms were funded by donations from South Indiana churches and individuals. Millard had led the fund drive.

ICALG RALLIES AGAINST PROPOSED GARY CASINO

Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, headed by Rev. John Wolf, sponsored an InfoRally at First UMC in Hammond last week. Among gambling expansion plans being strongly opposed by ICALG is the proposal by the Miami Nation of Oklahoma to build a casino in Gary. Follow-up meetings will be held in Fort Wayne, French Lick and Indianapolis.

NEW AREA COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR SOUGHT

To request a job description and application form, contact Rev. James Jones at 317/924-1321 or e-mail: jjones@inareaumc.org. Application deadline is Dec. 1. Selected applicants will be interviewed Jan. 6.

BUDGET PROBLEMS = MISSIONARY CUTS

Continuing budget problems will mean a reduction in the number of mission personnel employed by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries next year due to a continuing decline in assets and cash flow. A moratorium also has been declared for the recruitment of new missionaries for next year, although applications will be accepted for 2004.

UMC WORSHIP ATTENDANCE ON THE INCREASE

The UMC as a whole reported a worship attendance increase in 2001 of over 50,000. Most of the increase was in the Southeastern and South Central Jurisdiction, but all the jurisdictions reported some growth. The Indiana conferences reported an increase of nearly 4,000 in attendance. (Read the full story in the Spring edition of "Hoosier United Methodists TOGETHER.")

ADVENT LABYRINTH RETREAT AT OAKWOOD

Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. During this busy holiday season, take a day of peace and reflection at this UM-related retreat center. Margaret Moutseous will guide you on this inspirational journey. Cost is $50 including lunch at Oakwood Inn overlooking scenic Lake Wawasee. To register or for room reservations, call Marlies at 574/457-5600, or e-mail: mwest@oakwoodfoundation.org

THE GREAT DEBATE: ATHEISM VS. CHRISTIANITY

Sunday, Dec. 8. A free outreach event will be broadcast by Church Communications Network, live from Sacramento, Calif. Arguing for atheism will be Dr. Michael Newdow. An emergency room physician and lawyer, Newdow sued to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speaking on behalf of Christianity will be Rev. Cliffe Knechtle. Knechtle has debated at Harvard, UCLA, Berkeley, Stanford and other top schools ? and he's not in the habit of losing. To find out more about how your church can host THE GREAT DEBATE, phone CCN at 800/321-6781, or visit the CCN Web site at www.ccnonline.net/

DEC. 1 IS WORLD AIDS DAY

In the face of this pandemic, the United Methodist Church is reaching beyond its sanctuaries to offer spiritual and material comfort to people who might otherwise suffer and die unattended. The spreading devastation of HIVS/AIDS has given the Church's education and relief efforts a new urgency. World AIDS Day will focus attention on such efforts by organizations around the globe -- and the dire need that drives them. Countering stigma and discrimination is the theme for World AIDS Day 2002.

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