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| Vol. 2/ No. 2 |
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e-HUM is a free service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communications, www.inareaumc.org. 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. |
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HOOSIERS TO PROTEST WAR IN IRAQA coalition of Indiana citizens will hold a demonstration in Indianapolis Saturday to protest U.S. military action in Iraq. The rally will be in solidarity with rallies in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and other cities. The demonstration will be at Monument Circle from noon to 2 p.m. A group will gather 6 p.m. Friday at the American Legion Plaza in downtown Indianapolis to send off a Hoosier delegation to the Washington rally. Among the groups sponsoring the Indianapolis rally are the Indianapolis Peace and Just Center; Indiana Veterans for Peace, Inc.; Clergy and Laity Against War in Iraq: and the Indy Iraq Action Coalition. METHODIST HOSPITAL IS BABY-FRIENDLYMethodist Hospital is the first hospital in Indiana and the largest in the nation to receive Baby-Friendly certification from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The Baby-Friendly initiative was launched by WHO and UNICEF to encourage breastfeeding of newborns. "Through our Baby-Friendly certification, we hope to meet or exceed the federal government's goal of 75 percent of newborns being breastfed by 2010, said Tina Babbitt, lactation coordinator. To receive the certification, a medical facility must meet a lengthy list of requirements, including: having a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff; informing all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding; helping mothers initiate breastfeeding within 30 minutes of birth; and showing mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if separated from their infants. Research shows breastfeeding is the most advantageous form of nutrition for newborns, with many long-term health benefits. For mothers, studies show breastfeeding reduces the risk of some cancers. |
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PROGRAM ENABLES CHURCH MEMBERS TO GIVE ELECTRONICALLYUnited Methodists throughout the United States can now make church contributions through electronic funds transfers. The United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer program allows participants to contribute to their local congregation by means of an authorized, recurring financial transfer directly from their checking or savings account to the church account. Congregations of any size can participate in the program, which is affordable and has no set-up fee, according to the agency. Information is available on the council's Web site, www.gcfa.org. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN BEGIN PRAYER CAMPAIGN FOR PEACENEW YORK - As violence continues across the Middle East and the United States considers pre-emptive strikes against Iraq, the million-member United Methodist Women's organization is taking up arms in prayer. The group's new prayer campaign, "Christian Women Pray for Peace from Advent to Easter," asks women to:
On Easter weekend, the Women's Division plans a demonstration for peace in Washington. Church executives expect to deliver thousands of prayers for peace on postcards to the White House. A Web site, gbgm-umc.org/umw/prayers4peace.html, is being developed for the campaign. CHURCH AGENCY PLANS LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING FOR MARCHWASHINGTON - The international advocacy agency of The United Methodist Church will hold a legislative briefing for local church leaders March 2-5 to help church social action leaders respond to moral and political issues as the new Congress tackles its agenda. Several notable United Methodists, including President Bush, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), have been invited to speak. The event will offer advocacy training, issue briefings and opportunities for congressional visits. Workshops will focus on the war on terrorism; affordable housing; substance abuse; health care; mental illness; the Middle East crisis; military spending; the environment and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For more information, call the Board of Church and Society, 202/488-5600. HISPANIC CAUCUS LOOKS AHEAD TO 2004 GENERAL CONFERENCELOS ANGELES (UMNS) - Members of the United Methodist Church's Hispanic caucus approved resolutions for the 2004 General Conference and endorsed several candidates for bishop during their annual meeting. The resolutions approved by MARCHA (Methodists Associated to Represent the Cause of Hispanic Americans) reflect the group's commitment to Hispanic churches and ministries in the United States and abroad. Endorsed candidates for bishop included the Rev. Aida I. Fernandez, superintendent, New England Annual Conference; the Rev. Phillip Ponce, superintendent, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference; the Rev. Ramon Evangelista, superintendent, Greater New Jersey Conference; the Rev. Liana Perez-Felix, Memphis Conference; and the Rev. Minerva G. Carca?, superintendent, Oregon-Idaho Conference. Bishops will be elected during the United Methodist Church's 2004 jurisdictional conferences. |
 for more details, visit our Happenings page. |
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Auditions for Oakwood Plays Jan. 20 - 5:30-6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 - 5:30-6:30 p.m. Oakwood Foundation Anti-Gambling Sunday See Children: See God Media in Worship Discovery Church Journey Parsonage Teens Retreat |
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GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR OLDER ADULT MINISTRIESGrants are available to help annual conferences, districts and local congregations develop creative ministries with older adults. Grant applications for 2004 will be received between April 1 and June 30. The maximum amount of a grant is $2,500. Contact Teri Kline, 615/340-7177, tkline@gbod.org or download the grant application at www.aging-umc.org. SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR ETHNIC YOUNG ADULTSFrom June 1 through July 27, ethnic young adults ages 18-22 can gain work experience in a variety of nonprofit and government agencies in Washington, D.C., through the General Board of Church and Society. The application deadline is Feb. 1 Contact Ana Toledo at 202/488-5651 or go to www.umc-gbcs.org. |
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NORTH INDIANA UM MEN BEGIN QUESTThe North Indiana United Methodist Men are on a "quest" from God. In early November, a group of 12 men from Plymouth Trinity UMC dove into T-Quest, a study developed by the General Commission of the United Methodist Men. T-Quest, short for Transformation Quest, creates an environment for personal discovery and spiritual growth. It is a 40-week study and helps men grow relationships with God, other men in the group and in their church and with their families. The study is divided into 10 "Expeditions" that are subdivided into four "treks." "Most men don't really talk to other men," said Brent Julian, president of the North Indiana UMM. "T-Quest helps men become closer to one another in small groups. We as men need this closeness." The format of the study is to review a writing, discuss questions, face challenges, share and pray with one another. "It's not only about using our heads, but also our hearts as well," said Julian. "It helps us get closer to ourselves as well." Tim Peters, a member of Plymouth Trinity UMC and organizer of their church's T-Quest, has always had a heart for small groups, and when he talked about doing this study, people were excited. "I've sensed a real willingness to talk about all the issues that are difficult to talk about." One of the requirements of T-Quest is that whatever is shared with one another in the group stays in the group. "People feel the freedom to talk about where they're at," Peters said. After the first meetings, the men are talking about it and are very excited to have the chance to not only be a part of a group, but to also share, be authentic and develop real friendships with one another. "We'll deepen that Christian relationship," Peters said. For more information on T-Quest, contact Peters at 574/935-4047 or at peters@skyenet.net or log on to www.tquestformen.com. Matthew Oates |
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Indiana Area United Methodist Communications. |
