e-HUM -- Sept. 2003

September 2003

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 and submissions, please direct to e-HUM editor at ehumeditor@inareaumc.org.

Operation Doctor seeks $100,000 for surgical suite

An African doctor swung through Indiana during July and August to raise $100,000 to equip a special surgical unit for a Sierra Leone United Methodist health center.

Dr. Dennis Marke, chief medial officer of The United Methodist Church's Kissy Urban Maternity and Health Center in Freetown, Sierra Leone, asked supporters of Operation Doctor to donate $100,000 or for 30 contributors to donate $3,000 each to meet the same goal of outfitting an operating room in the United Methodist run health center. He hopes to have the money by December so the surgery unit can be completed early next year.

Marke told two-dozen Operation Doctor supporters during a recent noon luncheon at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis that without an affordable operating room, one out of every seven mothers and or babies will die in Freetown because they cannot afford a C-section to save both mother and child.

Presently, Kissy Clinic cannot offer such surgery. Women not able to afford a $300 C-section surgery in the government hospital or the same surgery in the United Nations hospital for $1,000 will die, Marke said.

He continued, "Kissy Clinic is low cost so that it is able to take care of the poorest of the poor."

The Kissy Clinic on the average delivers 50 babies a month and sees 300 pregnant women a week in its prenatal program, Marke said.

While traveling in the Midwest, Marke obtained two operating tables from the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, Ill., south of Springfield, and four boxes of vitamins from Bristol-Myers Squibb in Evansville, Ind. The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries based in New York City has contributed the cost of two electric generators that will allow the clinic a reliable power supply.

Marke also reported that obtaining good drugs for the clinic are hard to come by. He said, Nigeria places what he called "fake drugs" on the market which have caused havoc to the clinic. He also said he can obtain inexpensive drugs from Poland with a 10 to 50 percent mark off in price.

In addition to physical needs, Kissy Clinic offers the services of a full-time chaplain for the spiritual needs of its patients.

Marke told his supporters, "Together, we have walked as one body of Christ to our lesser brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone. We want you to know that we are eternally grateful."

For more information or a presentation on the Kissy Clinic, contact Joseph and Carolyn Wagner, general coordinators of this project, at 765-324-2556 or by email at wagner@operationclassroom.org. For descriptions of Kissy Clinic logo on to www.gbgm.umc.org/operationclassroom then click on "Operation Doctor."

Noted retired leader of The United Methodist Church dies

The first head executive on The United Methodist Church's General Council on the Ministries died last month in Indiana.

Gerald L. Clapsaddle, died Aug. 30 at the United Methodist Memorial Home in Warren, Ind. He was retired, pastor of the South Indiana Conference but had served in the North Indiana Conference.

When The Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church, Clapsaddle was appointed general secretary of the General Council on the Ministries based in Dayton, Ohio, a post he held until his retirement in 1978.

Earlier in his calling, he served churches in Andrews, McCordsville-Mount Comfort, Van Buren, Indianapolis North, and Vincennes. He was appointed district superintendent of the Indianapolis District in 1957 and remained in this position until 1962, at which time he was appointed associate general secretary of the Board of Missions of The Methodist Church in New York City.

A memorial service was held Sept. 6 in the Applegate Chapel of the United Methodist Memorial Home at Warren. Memorials may be made to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, attn: David Heetland, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201.

He is survived by his wife, Sara; and children: Connie B. (Wayne) Sirois, Homer, N.Y.; Joseph M., West Hollywood, Calif.

Southport UMC's new satellite congregations launched

By Jan Jett, South Indiana Conference News Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS -- Just north of Stop 11 Rd. on Emerson Ave. south of Indianapolis there is a new building named The Harbor. On Sept. 21 Southport United Methodist Church held its first worship service of this new satellite congregation.

The Revs. Mark Fisher and Ed Beedle share responsibilities at both facilities.

The developer of a nearby subdivision built The Harbor to United Methodist Church specifications and is leasing the building to Southport UMC for worship, preschool and community activities.

This new church start model has not been used in South Indiana Conference previously.

On September 8, Imagination Station II, opened its doors for preschoolers to come to The Harbor. The preschool is in addition to Imagination Station operated at Southport UMC.

North Indiana continues work on 10 growth projects

MARION, Ind. -- According to Ed Fenstermacher, associate director for Church Development and Revitalization in the North Indiana United Methodist Conference, ten projects are adding to vitality and church growth in northern Indiana.

Hoosier United Methodist are working on five new congregations in the northern half of the state.

In Fort Wayne, the Good Shepherd's Open Arms worships Sunday mornings in the former Epworth UMC facilities. This new congregation averages 60 people in worship, about half are African American. In August, the ministry received nine new adult members, four of whom were baptized. None transferred from another church.

Trinity UMC in Lapel has completed its three-year fund drive for its Trinity Life Center site raising over $700,000. Its 25-acre site is just north of I-69 on SR 13. Trinity has built one building and developed an athletic field. The church is beginning a second fund drive and hopes to break ground next spring on the first phase of its main building which also will house a child care center.

The Merrillville United Methodist congregation has approved the development of a second site in Schererville to reach the area's unchurched. The Rev. Tim Prowse has a team working on the project.

At First UMC in Valparaiso, the Rev. Kurt Nichols has formed the first of many small Life Groups that will form the heart of First's new off-site congregation. Families have purchased 21 acres with an option on 18 more acres for a potential future site north of Valparaiso near SR 49.

At Pathways UMC in South Bend, the Rev. Kevin Buckley has launched four small groups with another nearly ready to launch. Most of the participants live in the Irish Hills apartment complex. So far, 105 people have attended "fishing" events and 47 people have attended a small group at least once.

Fenstermacher also reports that five churches are moving closer to starting new offspring congregations.

At Gary UMC, Bishop White and the Rev. David Schrader, Calumet District Superintendent, met with clergy-lay teams from the five United Methodist churches at Gary in August to continue discussions about the possibility of forming new congregations.

Huntertown UMC has approved the purchase of 32 acres on SR 3 where it plans to develop a second campus. A campaign to raise funds continues this fall.

Plymouth First UMC began a search for a staff person to help launch another congregation at a second site.

At Warsaw's First UMC, the Revs. David Heim, senior pastor, and Steve Austin, associate pastor, are helping form a new off-site congregation. They met with Fenstermacher to begin preliminary planning.

Nineteen churches have indicated to the NIC Church Development office that it is "very likely" they will be requesting a grant in the next year to start a new worship service, ethnic faith community, new off-site congregation or to relocate for growth.

For more information, contact Fenstermacher at the NIC office by calling 800-783-5138 or by e-mail at ed@nicumc.org.

Hoosier invest more than $4 million in loan fund

MARION, Ind. -- Hoosier United Methodists have invested more than $4 million in the Indiana United Methodist Loan Fund based in Marion.

According to Shari Boultbee, marketing coordinator for the Loan Fund, United Methodist participants have invested $4.2 in the fund's certificate and saving accounts. "We have already made 25 loans to Indiana United Methodist churches and agencies totaling $4.1 million."

Boultbee told Hoosier United Methodist News that "the Indiana United Methodist Loan Fund is a very successful new ministry started by the North Conference Foundation in December 2001. We serve God and the church by accepting deposits from United Methodists and making low fee mortgage loans to UM churches and agencies in Indiana."

Any United Methodist congregation or agency in Indiana, or person affiliated with a United Methodist church in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Arizona or Texas, may participate and earn up to a 3.4 percent return, said Boultbee.

For information, call 765-664-2327 or 800-783-5138, or e-mail loanfund@iumlf.org. Also, see www.iumlf.org for more information. The Indiana United Methodist Loan Fund office is located at 1001 N. Western Ave., Suite D in Marion, IN 46952.

SIC Media Center hires new assistant

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The South Indiana Conference announces that Wendy Jensen has replaced Sabra Stockey as an assistant to Mary Barnes in the SIC Media Resource Center. An Indiana University graduate, Jensen is married and returning to work after raising her two teenagers. She held the position as administrative assistant in the History Department at I.U. and worked in the Zondervan Bookstore at South Bend.

Jensen says she comes with a heart for the media ministry. She and her family love books, and she said she thoroughly enjoys helping others discover the world of resources available for outreach and self-enrichment. Jensen is available in the SIC Media Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Jensen's e-mail address is wjensen@sicumc.org.

New Albany youth serve in Mexico for second summer

NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- Youth of Trinity United Methodist Church in New Albany made a second mission trip to Mexico in as many years reaching out to children and youth.

Trinity's Students Participating in Active Ministry, known as SPAM, traveled for their second time to Mexico this summer. They served at Rancho De Sus Ninos Orphanage located between Tijuana and Tecate.

During the mornings SPAM youth mixed cement and repaired plumbing. In the evenings, they went into the community and ministered in the streets of Tijuana and other area congregations and day cares.

According to SPAM leaders, the youth ministered in various ways from their physical labor, testimonies of faith, skits, puppets and play.

More than 30 people participated in the mission trip. SPAM youth said the Lord blessed them throughout their trip and blessed them with servants ready to serve.

For more information about Rancho De Sus Ninos, log on to www.rdln.org.

Barna Research says small churches struggle to grow because of the people they attract

VENTURA, Calif. -- The United States is dominated by small churches, with the average church attracting less than 90 adults on a typical weekend. The greatest attention flows to large churches, especially the two percent of churches that attract more than 1,000 adults in a typical weekend.

A new study by the Barna Research Group of Ventura shows that there are both demographic and theolographic reasons why small churches stay small and large churches grow larger. While some church growth can be attributed to geographic location and population growth, the Barna study indicates that there are fundamental dynamics at work that keep small congregations from growing numerically as well as several basic factors that contribute to the numerical expansion of mid-sized and large churches.

Overall, the research found that the typical Protestant church has 89 adults in attendance during an average weekend. In total, 60 percent of Protestant churches have 100 or fewer adults on a typical weekend, while slightly less than two percent have 1,000 or more adults. Examining the figures in terms of where adults attend, however, the statistics show that about four out of ten church-going adults or 41 percent go to churches with 100 or fewer adults while about one out of eight church-going adults or 12 percent can be found in churches of 1,000 or more adults.

Surprisingly, the research showed that adults under 35 years of age are more likely than are older adults to attend small churches. Barna cited two dominant reasons for this pattern. The first is the relative absence of children among younger adults. This impacts one's choice of a church because providing children with a quality ministry experience is one of the main reasons why many Americans attend a church, and larger churches typically offer more programs and opportunities for children. The second reason why younger adults are more likely to attend a small church relates to the Baby Bust generation's disinterest in participating in Boomer-led organizations and in large-scale enterprises. Busters are more interested in being personally known and connected, which many believe is more difficult to accomplish in larger churches.

For a complete report, log on to www.barna.org.

New assistant joins North Indiana UM Foundation

MARION, Ind. -- Chau Jackson recently joined the North Indiana United Methodist Foundation. Her duties include preparing deposits, handling ISF, assisting with the Foundation's Web site and other clerical duties. Jackson says she enjoys working in a Christian atmosphere.

Jackson told Hoosier United Methodist News that she loves scuba diving and enjoys cooking; reading technical books, traveling and playing tennis and badminton. Being fascinated with computer programming, her career goal is to become a computer technician. She attends Mount Olive United Methodist in Marion.

Jackson holds a B.S. in Agriculture degree and speaks Vietnamese, English, Spanish and French.

Irvington marks 125th year with look to the future

INDIANAPOLIS -- Irvington United Methodist Church celebrated its 125th year on Sept. 7. Bishop Woodie White led the congregation in a worship service incorporating worship, celebration and remembering. A luncheon was held at which the 21st Century Committee made a presentation of the church's vision for the future titled "Irvington United Methodist Church: Experiencing God through Worship, Nurture and Service."

Hartman to head NIC Ordained Ministry

The Rev. Jack Hartman of High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie has been elected as the new president of the North Indiana Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. His mailing address is: 219 South High Street, Muncie, IN 47305

Construction work begins on Clarian North Site

INDIANAPOLIS -- United Methodist-related Clarian Health Partner's newest state-of-the-art hospital and medical office building complex was scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

The 107-acre site is located on the northwest corner of 116th St. and Meridian (U.S. 31) in Carmel. Approximately 60 acres of the property will be developed for the hospital-medical office building complex and surface parking area.

According to Clarian spokesman Jon Mills, "Clarian's new venture to serve the people of the fast-growing communities north of Indianapolis will feature a Center of Excellence for Women and Children, a Center of Excellence for Specialty Surgery, an emergency/urgent care department and private physician practices -- all conveniently located under one roof."

Clarian North will join the tradition of Clarian's "heritage hospitals - UM-related Methodist, Indian University and Riley hospitals. The hospital will open with 135 beds with shell space to expand to over 200 beds. It will feature five stories above ground, plus a lower level. Clarian North is scheduled to open in late 2005 at a cost of $225 million and will employee more than 700 people.

Herbst UMC recognized 'Welcoming Congregation' for second straight year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Igniting Ministry office of United Methodist Communications in Nashville recognized Herbst United Methodist Church, west of Marion, as an official "Welcoming Congregation" for the second year straight.

In a letter to the church, UMCom's Deeann Bogle thanked the congregations for its continuing efforts to welcome people into the church by sharpening their skills and making their church more inviting.

Bogle said the Igniting Ministry, the television and welcoming ministry of The United Methodist Church, continues to grow. UMCom hopes it provides Herbst with the tools and resources to enrich their ministry.

For more information about Igniting Ministries, log on to www.ignitingministries.org or call toll free 877-281-6535 ext. 0 or e-mail Bogle at dbogle@umcom.org.

Native American Morning scheduled for Oct. 25

INDIANAPOLIS -- The South Indiana United Methodist Conference Native American Committee is sponsoring a Native American Morning at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 5335 W. Hanna Ave. in Indianapolis on Oct. 25. Workshops and presentations will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Workshops and presentation are open to everyone. For more information call 317-856-5419.

Bluffton assistant position open

First UMC of Bluffton, IN has 35-hour per week staff position open and currently is receiving resumes for the position of Administrative Assistant. Qualified candidates must have expertise in Microsoft Word and Publisher, excellent communication and people skills, and experience in editing publications. Please contact Rev. Gary Lewis at: firstumc@onlyinternet.net.

News Briefs

By United Methodist News Service

By age 40, Mike McCurry already held his dream job: spokesman for the president of the United States, Bill Clinton. Four years later, in 1998, McCurry had left the White House to do, as he says, "something different." That something turned out to be, in part, serving as church school superintendent for his home congregation, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Kensington, Md. "A lot of my career was devoted to public service," he says, "but I've become more convinced that in the small, quiet places of the faith community, you can have a bigger impact" on people's lives.

A new Upper Room ministry aims at nothing less than helping every African spend time with God daily. The Upper Room, in partnership with the Methodist Church of South Africa, launched Africa Upper Room Ministries in early 2002. Based outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa Upper Room Ministries publishes The Upper Room devotional guide in English, Portuguese, French and Xhosa.

The United Methodist Church will increase its emphasis on young people's ministries if a proposal to the denomination's lawmaking body is approved. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has approved legislation requesting the establishment of a Division on Ministries with Young People. The new division would help the church embrace youth and young adults as partners in ministry and would advocate for their concerns. If approved by the 2004 General Conference, which meets next spring in Pittsburgh, the division would be housed at the board in Nashville, Tenn.

People researching church history have a new tool at their fingertips: an index to information about clergy and spouses of The United Methodist Church's predecessor denominations stretching back to the 1700s. The 2003 CD version of the Conference Journal Memoirs Index contains about 97,000 entries drawn from pre-1968 conference journals held by the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History at its offices at Drew University in Madison, N.J. The CD may be ordered for $10, including shipping and handling, from the Commission on Archives and History, P.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940. An order form is posted at http://www.gcah.org/list.htm; more details are at research@gcah.org.

New additions to UM Communications' online computer store are bringing TechShop closer to being a one-stop technology solution for the denomination. With the additions of Adobe, Macromedia and MediaShout products, TechShop is moving toward becoming more than a "Microsoft store for the United Methodist Church," said Sean McAtee, TechShop director. More information about TechShop is available by writing to techshop@umcom.org, calling toll-free 888-346-3862 or visiting https://secure.umcom.org/techshop.

The Ninth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches will focus on a theme of transforming grace when it meets in February 2005 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. "God, in your grace, transform the world" will be the theme. The council, with 342 member churches worldwide, including the United Methodist Church, holds an assembly about every seven years. The group's Central Committee chose the theme during an Aug. 26-Sept. 2 meeting in Geneva.

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

"e-HUM" copyright 2003 by Indiana Area United Methodist Communications.
To subscribe to "e-HUM", send a blank e-mail to add@inareaumc.org.
To unsubscribe from "e-HUM", send a blank e-mail to remove@inareaumc.org.

TOP OF PAGE