e-HUM May 1, 2003

May 2003

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Bishop's United for Children March blessed by blue skies

INDIANAPOLIS -- Clear blue skies, sunshine and more than 400 United Methodists from across Indiana made Saturday, April 26, a perfect day for the Bishop's United for Children March. Leaving Riley Hospital for Children during the noon hour, marchers reached Indiana's capitol shortly after one o'clock.

Among Christian folk songs and cheers, Bishop Woodie W. White and Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon raised issues facing children and families. On the west steps of the capitol with the legislature still in session, White spoke about Indiana's declining job market and the struggle Hoosiers have keeping educated Hoosiers here after they receive their education here. O'Bannon reminded marchers about the state's Hoosier health care insurance provided to more that 250,000 low-income children and youth across the state. He said continued support of children's programs became difficult for the state this year as revenue declined.

"I think one child living in poverty is one too many," O'Bannon said with children all around him on the statehouse steps.

Children joined White and O'Bannon in speaking to issues that affected them. Atalya Romero of the El Mesias United Methodist Church in Frankfort, Ind., presented the governor with a petition signed by hundreds of children and urging legislators to pass laws that protect children. Following her presentation, Romero handed the scrolled petition to O'Bannon.

According to march organizers, a child is born into poverty every 43 minutes in Indiana. One in eight children is poor in Indiana. The state ranks 14th among the states in the percentage of children born into poverty. Last year in Indiana, 70 children died of abuse.

State Senator Patricia Miller, an Indianapolis United Methodist, assured marchers she would do her role in bringing children and youth issues to the floor of the state senate. She told White that she appreciated the bishops of The United Methodist Church raising issues affecting children.

The march was organized by Kim White, chairperson of the South Indiana Conference Task Force on Children and Poverty; Teresa Witoske, North Indiana Conference Task Force on Children and Poverty; and Riley Hospital for Children.

Bishops of black Methodist churches to speak to Hoosiers

Bishops of predominately black Methodist denominations will speak this year at both North and South Annual Conference sessions at the invitation of Indiana Area United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White.

In the North Annual Conference, Bishop Warren M. Brown. will be the annual conference preacher. Brown is presiding bishop of the Western West Africa Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Brown also will take part with White in a Service of Healing and Reconciliation scheduled for Thursday evening, May 29, at the conference in West Lafayette, Ind., at Purdue University.

In the South Annual Conference, Bishop Marshall Gilmore, 72, of Dallas, Texas, will be the annual conference preacher. He is presiding bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which includes all CME churches in Texas, and is the senior CME bishop. Gilmore will take part with White in a Thursday, June 5, evening Service of Healing and Reconciliation at the conference in Bloomington, Ind.

Gilmore, the 41st Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Hoffman, N.C., in 1931. He was nurtured in the Pleasant Hill CME church family. He answered his call to ministry in1954 and was ordained an elder in 1956.

He is a graduate of Paine College in Augusta, Ga. (B.A. and M.A.), the Theological School of Drew University (M.Div.) and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio (M.Div.). He has served congregations in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and in Dayton, Ohio, where he served as pastor of Phillips Temple CME Church. He was elected to the episcopacy in 1982. Last year he was confirmed as the CEO of the denomination.

He and his wife Yvonne, have two adult children: the Rev. John Marshall Gilmore of Memphis, Tenn., and Joan Gilmore-Oglesby of Grapevine, Texas, and of three grandchildren.

Men's group sponsors retreat for the heart

The South Indiana Conference United Methodist Men are sponsoring "UMM Heart Quest," a one-day retreat featuring small team discussions from the heart about issues facing men in contemporary society.

According to organizers, "The Heart Quest Guide forms retreat attendees into four-six-man teams and sends them on 'Expeditions into their own lives and heart.'"

The UMM Heart Quest retreat is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Rockford United Methodist Church, 1938 North Ewing (State Hwy. 11) in Seymour, Ind. Tony Perry, national UMM staff in field ministries, will lead the retreat. The retreat is open to all men and costs $10 (including lunch). Registrations are due on or before May 14.

For additional information and registration contact John A. Hiatt at 317-896-2716 or by e-mail at hiattjohna@aol.com or Tony Perry by e-mail at tperry9863@aol.com.

Hoosiers collecting books for Sierra Leone school

Hoosiers are being asked to glean their libraries to benefit a theological school in Africa. The Rushville District asks for United Methodist participation in a mission project to benefit students at the Sierra Leone Theological College and Church Training Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Books suitable for seminary studies are being sought. Bibles will also be accepted.

The project started during a Rushville District mission trip to Sierra Leone last summer when the Rev. Bill Jackson, pastor of Milroy UMC, visited with retired Bishop Arthur Kulah, principal of the Sierre Leone school. Bishop Kulah shared with Jackson the college's urgent need for seminary textbooks for its library.

Jackson has joined with the Rev. Tim Johnson, associate pastor of Greensburg UMC, and Richard Hollowell, a member of the Greensburg church, to help students at the college pursue their religious studies. They ask Indiana pastors to bring seminary books to donate to the college to their respective annual conference gatherings.

Those attending the South Indiana Conference may drop off books in the I.U. Auditorium. An exact drop off location for the North Indiana Conference has not been established. A Purdue location will be announced when it becomes known.

Organizers said that those not having seminary books to donate can give a monetary donation. The money will be used to cover the cost of transporting the books collected at both annual conferences and for shipping the books to West Africa.

Those bringing seminary books to annual conference for this cause are asked to contact Jackson, Johnson, or Hollowell. Jackson can be reached online at revbill@umcmail.net or by phone at 765-629-2683 or 765-629-2142. Johnson can be reached online at areyoufree@core.com or by phone at 812-663-5683 or 812-663-2433. Hollowell can be reached online at rwell@hsonline.net or by phone at 812-663-8531 or 812-663-8638.

Hoosier administrative assistants certified at national conference

Nine administrative assistants from congregations and districts in Indiana recently attended the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries Conference in Williamsburg, Va. Barbara Angotti, Linda Hathorn, Joan Mason, Gloria Mathews, and Judy Zirkle of South Indiana and Nancy Caddick, Munster; Linda Fights, Jackie Lung and Patricia Sanders of North Indiana joined approximately 300 other United Methodist support personnel from across the nation.

During the three-day meeting, Barbara Angotti, Gloria Mathews, Lisa Morris and Cathy Piworski from South Indiana became Certified Professional United Methodist Church Secretaries. Next year's conference is scheduled for April 15-18 in Greensboro, N.C.

Father-son speakers featured at jurisdictional men's retreat

A father and son team will be two of the four featured speakers at a United Methodist Men's retreat this summer near Chicago.

"Sons of the Father" is the theme of the North Central Jurisdiction Conference, July 25-27, for United Methodist Men at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., west of Chicago. Featured speakers include: the Rev. James Buskirk, senior pastor of First UMC in Tulsa, Okla.; the Rev. Chris Buskirk, founding pastor of Abiding Harvest UMC also in Tulsa; Bishop Linda Lee of the Detroit Area; and Bishop Michael Coyner of the Dakotas Area. Workshops include the topics of Hunger Relief, tQuest small groups, the Ministry of Scouting and UMM Field Ministries.

The weekend retreat price is $135 and includes lodging and meals. The weekend commuter price is $60 and includes noon and evening meals. For more information contact Gary Hostetler at 765-395-7161.

Classical concert, native foods to heighten awareness of India

The University of Indianapolis has scheduled a June 1 concert to promote India awareness in the community. The concert will feature Indian performers on the tabla, a set of drums, accompanied by the distinctive music of a native Indian stringed instrument called the sarangi. The program begins at 2 p.m. in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.

Cost is $30 and reservations need to be made before May 23 by calling Kyle Ciresi at 317-788-2196.

Church must offer humanity an antidote to fear, says lead bishop

DALLAS (UMNS) -- Describing Christian community as "our DNA," the president of the United Methodist bishops called on her colleagues to lead the church in creating a community that overcomes divisions and gives hope to a world gripped by fear.

"Christian community is embedded in our United Methodist identity," Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher told the international Council of Bishops. "It is our DNA. The practice of our Christian faith, (John) Wesley style, is all about connection."

In her president's address April 28, she emphasized the need for building "transcendent Christian community" as an antidote to the anxiety and division she sees in the United Methodist Church and the fear at large in the world. Her remarks came in the opening business session of the bishops' week-long, semiannual meeting, being held in the Dallas suburb of Addison. Indiana Area Bishop Woodie W. White attended.

Christopher leads the denomination's Illinois Area, with offices in Springfield, Ill. Her one-year term as president of the council expires May 2, at the end of the council's meeting. Bishop Ruediger Minor of Russia will succeed her.

For a complete story log on to umns.umc.org/03/april/243.htm.

Court rules on constitutionality of bishops' proposal

FORT WORTH (UMNS) -- The United Methodist Church's "supreme court" ruled April 26-27 as unconstitutional a legislative change permitting the president of the Council of Bishops to serve a four-year term free of residential duties.

However, the nine-member Judicial Council, said in its ruling that the proposal, which would allow one bishop to work for four years solely on behalf of the bishops and their representation of the church -- without also having to oversee a specific episcopal area -- could be secured via an amendment to the denomination's constitution.

A complete UMNS story of Judicial Council decisions may be found online at umns.umc.org/03/april/242.htm.

Senate scales down, passes faith-based initiative

WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- A bill providing tax breaks for charitable giving and more than $1 billion for social service grants to states has passed the Senate.

Bearing almost no resemblance to President Bush's "faith-based initiative" proposal, the stripped-down piece of legislation encourages giving to charities by granting non-itemizing taxpayers a tax deduction of up to $250 for their gifts. The Senate passed the bill in a 95-5 vote April 9.

The tax breaks in the bill include a provision that allows people to roll over their individual retirement accounts directly to a charity without paying a tax penalty. The bill also reduces capital gains taxes on land gifts to conservation groups. Other incentives relate to donations to food banks and provisions that would help low-income people set up savings accounts.

In addition, almost $1.4 billion during the next two years would be added to the block grant that helps states fund social service programs, and $150 million would be allocated each year to assist small-community and faith-based organizations in competing for federal funds.

The Senate approved the bill once controversial provisions related primarily to hiring rules were dropped. It now goes to the House of Representatives, where bipartisan passage is expected. Objections based on church-state separation issues had halted the faith-based initiative in the Senate last year, and the bill was stalled until sponsors dropped provisions that critics said allowed for federally supported proselytizing.

The bill originated as President Bush's faith-based initiative -- a plan to encourage more faith-based and community organizations to participate in providing social services through federal grants. Although often described as a 10-year, $90 billion proposal, administration officials insisted that it would not have used new money. Instead, they said, it would have removed barriers to religious groups seeking federal support for social service plans.

News In Brief

United Methodist News Service

United Methodists can chat online with the top executive of the church's missions agency on May 15. The online conversation with the Rev. R. Randy Day, staff head of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will begin at 8 p.m. EDT. Users can participate by logging on to www.UMC.org. Details are available at the Web site.

Some 17 projects involving young people were awarded recently by The United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Projects include music, art and drama to teach about justice. They are part of the denomination's Shared Mission Focus on Young People initiative. Of the $149,050 total, $39,000 will go to four projects in central conferences outside the United States and $110,050 to 13 projects in the United States.

Prayers for peace were read by members of United Methodist Women, standing near the Washington Monument, as part of a week-long vigil in the nation's capital. Women and children from around the United States had submitted 15,000 prayers for the "Prayers for Peace" campaign organized by the Women's Division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

The first Green House in the nation opened May 2 by the United Methodist Senior Services of Mississippi on the Traceway Retirement Community campus in Tupelo. The Green House moves away from an institutional model of nursing homes and borrows from group-home models used with troubled teens. The concept revolves around a facility built for elders that creates a "home" atmosphere.

More than $3.5 million to help hungry and hurting was raised by youth worldwide representing more than 12,000 churches and schools during the 2003 Souper Bowl. The annual movement collects money to fight hunger and poverty on Super Bowl Sunday. Since 1990 more than $20 million has been raised by the Souper Bowl.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is collecting funds to support relief work in Iraq through its Iraq Emergency Advance No. 623225-4. Checks can be dropped in church offering plates. Credit-card donations also can be made online at gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ or by calling 1-800-554-8583.

The Prophetic Work: Religion & Labor Uniting for Worker Justice Conference for clergy, lay leaders, labor activists, seminarians and faculty is scheduled for May 18-20 in Arlington, Va. The conference is sponsored by the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. For information call Richard Muhammad at 773-728-8400, ext. 16.

A Perfect Love: Understanding John Wesley's "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection" by Steven W. Manskar is available from Discipleship Resources. The resource is designed to help church members understand Methodist heritage. For details, call 1-800-685-4370 or log on to www.discipleshipresources.org/description.asp?item_id=4708

The United Methodist Church is offering a free, online study guide to help congregations and groups "consider God's Word" in this time of war. Interpreter magazine, UMC.org and United Methodist News Service have teamed up to offer the four-part study guide, "Can We Talk? Seeking God's Heart in Time of War." Ray Waddle, a seminary-trained journalist and former religion editor of The Tennessean newspaper, wrote the guide, in consultation with M. Garlinda Burton, Interpreter editor and director of UMNS. The guide is available online at www.umc.org.

United Methodists may have held different opinions about the war with Iraq, but they are united in offering prayers and expressing concern for men and women risking their lives there. The Commission on United Methodist Men is engaged in a national effort to provide all U.S. service men and women with an updated book of daily devotions -- a book first sent to U.S. troops in World War II and again during the Korean conflict. To date, 25,000 copies of Strength for Service to God and Country have been sent to troops stationed in Afghanistan and neighboring nations. The most recent shipment of the 400-page book was sent to the 101st Airborne, based at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Promoting diversity will be the plan of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race at the denomination's business sessions and legislative gatherings beginning this spring and continuing through July 2004. The commission has created an initiative called "Inclusiveness Counts!" for issues related to racism. The campaign will focus on monitoring and encouraging diversity in the election of the delegates to the General Conference to be held in Pittsburgh April 27-May 7, 2004.

The Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission, led by United Methodist Bishop Joseph C. Humper, began public hearings April 14 in Freetown to consider the wounds of that West African country's civil war. The hearings will continue until mid-July.

Nearly 1 million copies of the Upper Room's book, Prayers for Courage: Words of Faith for Difficult Times, were recently shipped to military chaplains for distribution to deployed troops, military bases and families. Copies are available for purchase by calling 800-972-0433. Donations may be sent to The Upper Room, Chaplain's Appeal, P.O. Box 340004, Nashville, Tenn. 37203, or made online at www.upperroom.org

Africa University in Zimbabwe reports that its student body has grown to a record 1,123 students -- up more than 300 from the last academic year. Officials celebrate the growth, but say it is testing the school's ability to assist students financially and to provide scholarships. They encourage United Methodists to join the school's Usahwira program to help provide scholarships and other financial support. Details are available from the Africa University Development Office, at 615-340-7438 or 713-333-5246.

CWS helps mother, child nutrition in North Korea

Church World Service

If you ask Church World Service senior staffer Victor W.C. Hsu about his trip to North Korea April 1-5, be prepared -- his description of the smell and taste of fresh-baked bread could make your mouth water. Hsu, senior advisor to the CWS executive director, visited North Korea to monitor delivery of a CWS donation of 1.5 million pounds of fortified flour, intended for children under age 7, pregnant women and nursing mothers -- among the most vulnerable of millions of hungry North Koreans who rely on donated food aid to stay alive.

He visited seven of 20 beneficiary institutions, four of them outside Pyongyang, North Korea's capital city. He found the 55-pound CWS bags in good condition in storerooms and kitchens of baby homes, children's centers and maternity hospitals in Pyongyang, the port city of Nampho on the west coast and South Phyongan Province.

The CWS flour, valued at $151,800, reached Pyonyang by train from Dandong, China, in three shipments March 19-26 and was promptly divided up and transferred to the beneficiary institutions, Hsu confirmed. CWS sent the flour in response to a direct appeal from the United Nations World Food Program, an important source of aid for hungry North Koreans.

Camp seeks employees for summer

Administrators at the United Methodist Pine Creek Camp in West Lafayette, Ind., have had a few staff changes and need to fill a few key positions. These positions run from May 26 through August 8 and include room and board. They are:

Wrangler -- help design and implement the camp's ranch program and lead the riding instruction portion of the ranch program. The Wrangler trains counselor/instructor staff. This position pays $270 a week and can be a drive-in-and-out arrangement. The candidate should have extensive horse and instruction knowledge.
Female Ranch Counselor -- care for a cabin of ranch campers weekly and will receive horse instructor training. Prior horse experience is helpful. The individual should be at lest 18 years old and graduating from high school. Employment pays $240 a week.
Evening Coordinator -- runs evening programming and leads large groups in games and activities. Individual will be the "Goto" person. Employment pays $250 a week.
Camp Health Officer -- will be responsible for campers' medication and first aid. Health officer does not need to be a Registered Nurse. Administrators will train on site. Individuals should be at least 20 years old. Employment pays $255 a week.

For more information contact James Sells, program director, Pine Creek Camp, telephone 765-385-2260 or e-mail at jsells@impact-2818.net.

Barna seminar May 22 in Indianapolis

The all-new Barna 2003 Seminar is scheduled be conducted May 22 by George Barna in Indianapolis. The event features Barna in four, 75-minute sessions describing the research regarding current conditions, strategies for remedying the conditions, and insights drawn from churches that are effectively addressing these areas of ministry. For more information online log on to www.barna.org or call 1-800-55-BARNA.

Forum on listening to sermons coming this fall

Did you hear the preacher? Did you listen?

The results of a ground-breaking study of people who listen to sermons will be discussed during a one-day conference at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis on Sept. 27. The study identified qualities that listeners find engaging as well as discouraging. This study is the first to undertake detailed interviews of large numbers of persons who regularly listen to sermons.

Funded by the Religion Division of the Lilly Endowment, more than 260 laity and 30 pastors in 29 congregations were interviewed. CTS Professor Ronald Allen and Dean Mary Alice Mulligan, project and associate directors, along with the members of the advisory board who guided the study will make presentations summarizing and interpreting major themes in the data.

Hoosier United Methodists were represented among the 14 denominational groups contributing to the project.

There is a $30 registration fee that includes lunch. For additional information, contact Ronald Allen at Christian Theological Seminary by calling 317-924-1331 or by e-mail at ron.allen@cts.edu.

Candler to host preaching celebration in September

Emory University's Candler School of Theology will celebrate its tradition of great preaching with a series of workshops and events Sept. 15-19 for pastors of all denominations interested in hearing and learning from some of country's best preachers.

Highlight of the celebration will be the installation of Thomas Long as Candler's Bandy Professor of Preaching. Long, who has been described by Baylor University and Newsweek magazine as one of the 12 best preachers in America, succeeds previous Bandy professors Robert Kyser and Fred B. Craddock, both of whom will preach at worship services scheduled during the event.

"Celebration of Preaching" will feature preachers from eight different denominations including United Methodists.

For more information call 404-727-0714, e-mail continuing_ed@learnlink.emory.edu, or log on to www.candler.emory.edu/ACADEMIC/OCME.

Operation Colorado openings still available

The North Indiana Conference Board of Camps and Conferences has three openings on the July 24-August 4 Operation Colorado Mission Camp. This is a Board of Camps and Conferences Sponsored Event. Cost is $500 and includes everything except personal spending money. If interested contact Paul Rogers immediately at 765-662-6040.

Director of Hispanic Community Services sought

Hispanic Community Services, a Christian based organization in Frankfort, Ind., is accepting applications for the position of director. Excellent bilingual oral and written communication skills are required. Computer and word processing experience is necessary. This salaried position is full-time with some flexibility in scheduled hours. Salary is commensurate with experience. Send resume or letter of inquiry in both Spanish and English to the Rev. John K. Wortinger, 1951 Wilshire Drive, Frankfort, Ind. 46041.

Youth director position open in Fort Wayne church

Director of Youth Ministries at Covenant United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Covenant UMC, a vibrant 600 member church is seeking a full-time Youth Director to lead and direct it's growing, yet established youth ministry. The purpose-driven program serves over 75 youth in grades 6-12. The director is responsible for all aspects of this complex ministry including a new off-site outreach center. The successful candidate must possess a degree in youth ministry or related field, with 3-5 years experience. We are looking for a committed, self-directed and motivated individual with strong communication and leadership skills. We offer a great work environment with a staff of team players and well-established adult and youth leaders who wholeheartedly give of their time to support our youth program.

For more information or application contact Jackie Young, Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46825, phone 260-489-1888, fax 260-497-0244, e-mail office@covenantumc.net or log on to www.covenantumc.net.

for more details and additional events, visit our Happenings page.

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