May/June 2004

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Highlights from the May/June issue of Together

United Methodists affirm their unity

PITTSBURGH - The nearly 1,000 delegates of The United Methodist General Conference overwhelmingly approved here May 7 a Resolution of Church Unity.

In a vote of 869 for, 41 against and 8 abstentions, delegates affirmed this resolution of unity that stated: "As United Methodists we affirm in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement and reaffirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the world."

General Conference is the only body that speaks on behalf of the whole church.

The resolution was brought to the floor by half a dozen very diverse delegates from around the world and across the United States in a show of unity. It was introduced by the Rev. John Schol of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

"It's important to send a clear message that we are unified, a United Methodist Church which is not splitting," Schol.

Schol said he felt moved to do something after receiving phone calls from people back home who had heard the church was about to split. He felt the passage of the unity resolution was a clear signal to block "a movement to drive a wedge in our denomination."

The Rev. Darren Cushman-Wood, senior pastor of Speedway United Methodist Church and a South Indiana Conference delegate, was one of four speakers in support of the resolution as it approached the vote on the floor of the conference.

He said all this talk about schism disturbed him greatly. "For myself I don't know where I would choose. Maybe I need to have an adjustment in my heart between my doctrine and my ethics, but that kind of surgery needs to be done by whom John Wesley called the great physician. I do not trust the surgeons who are in this room to perform that surgery on me or on my local congregation, so I urge us to send this very clear message of unity back to our local churches."

No one spoke in opposition to the resolution.

The May 7 action was in response to the circulation of a document the day before suggesting the formation of a task force to study splitting the church. The statement, crafted by conservatives, was never introduced on the floor of the conference.

In a May 7 newsletter for conference attendees, the Rev. James V. Heidinger II, president of Good News, wrote that "no such resolution will be brought before this General Conference." But he added that "the matter of amicable separation is now on the table for discussion by United Methodists." Good News is an unofficial United Methodist evangelical group.

After the Resolution of Church Unity was approved, delegates sang as a prayer "bless be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love," a familiar hymn of the church.

Hoosier keeps legislation moving at General Conference

Veedersburg laywoman says church is her life

For four quadrennia, Carolyn Marshall of Veedersburg, Ind., has served as secretary of General Conference, the only elected position for The United Methodist Church's top decision-making body.

"In a nutshell, I act as the gatekeeper for General Conference, enforcing the rules," she says. In addition, she calculates the number of delegates to be elected by each annual conference in accordance with Disciplinary guidelines, helps prepare delegates from conferences outside the United States, sends annual conferences credentials and maintains order during plenary sessions.

"Most people don't realize that up until General Conference begins, the secretary of the General Conference works out of the home instead of an office," says Marshall, a widow. "In the months following the elections of delegates, I work several hours a day, five-to-seven days a week.

"The church is my life," says Marshall, a lifelong United Methodist who has served the denomination for 42 years and for whom a chair in women's studies is named at United Methodist-related Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C.

"In a nutshell, I act as the gatekeeper for General Conference."
- Carolyn Marshall

Marshall fulfills her duties as secretary of General Conference while maintaining her full-time job as executive director of Lucille Raines Residence, an Indianapolis-based continuing care center for people over the age of 18 years who have completed substance-abuse rehabilitation programs.

"I love the church and the friends I've made' and it's been a gift from God that I've been able to live my faith commitment in a capacity beyond the local church," says Marshall, who was a delegate to General Conference from 1980 to 2000 and was a North Central Jurisdictional Conference delegate in 1976 and this year.

Marshall was president of the Women's Division from 1984 to 1988.

Cote d'Ivoire church joins United Methodist Church

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church grew this month by about 1 million members.

Delegates to the 2004 General Conference unexpectedly received a West African "mission" into full membership of The United Methodist Church. The new members formerly constituted the autonomous Protestant Methodist Church of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

"This is the most significant thing that's happened here in Pittsburgh," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, head of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, following the delegates' action.

"For us it is a moment of great joy," said the Rev. Benjamin Boni, leader of the Cote d'Ivoire church, who expressed his gratitude to God, the United Methodist bishops and General Conference.

South Indiana School of Christian Mission to focus on prayer, Cuba and public education

INDIANAPOLIS - The overall theme of this year's South Indiana School of Christian Mission is "Prayer, Policy, and Politics."

The School of Christian Mission will be held in July at the University of Indianapolis, 1400 East Hanna Avenue. The weekend session is July 23-24. The weekday session will be July 25-28. All programs will all be in Schwitzer Center on the campus.

During the weekday session, there will be children and youth classes as well as the adult classes. The adults will have the Spiritual Growth study and a choice of one of the other studies with eight hours in class.

For more registration information, contact the School of Christian Mission registrar Justine Handley, 5950 Countryside Ct., New Palestine, IN 46163.

Martha Milhouse is Dean of South Indiana School of Christian Mission. Her address is 2823 Griffa Ave., Columbus, IN 47203. Phone 812-372-2062.

Hoosier writes history of church's evangelical movement

Evangelical and Methodist: a Popular History by the Rev. Riley Case, a retired United Methodist pastor living in Kokomo, Ind., is the story of the populist, grassroots movements that came together to form the evangelical wing of Methodism in America.

Case tells the story of the populist wing of the Methodist movement in America, culminating in the work of those who have sought in recent years to return Methodism to its Wesleyan roots.

The spread of Methodism in nineteenth-century America was accompanied, says Case, by a slow, yet certain, division of the tradition into at least two branches. One strand might be called establishment Methodism.

Case contends that this focused authority, later identified simply as "the hierarchy," offered a "mediated" faith, one best filtered and controlled by those with education and experience. The other strand of Methodism might be called populist Methodism. It, for the most part, was "unofficial" Methodism.

It was the Methodism of log cabins, moral crusades, circuit preachers, revivals, camp meetings, prayer bands and indigenous Methodist gospel music, including African American spirituals, says Case. It was Methodism not as an institution but as a movement.

Fort Wayne minister writes book on apostles of Jesus

FT. WAYNE, Ind. - A Random House affiliate has released The Minyan: A Small Cadre of Men Who Turned the World Up-side Down written C. David Jones, a retired United Methodist minister associated with the First Wayne Street United Methodist Church of Ft. Wayne.

According to the publisher, The Minyan is an account of the lives, ministry and legends of each of the thirteen Apostles as they traveled to plant Christianity throughout the then known Western world.

The book's epilogue traces an overview of the inspiring history of Christianity from the time of the Apostles to the present day. The book has been acclaimed to be an excellent resource for use by Sunday school classes, Bible study groups and as a source for a sermon series on the lives, ministry and legends of the Apostles.

The Minyan is available at a special discount ($6 to $8 less than retail bookstore prices) by contacting the author at drcdavidjones@mindspring.com. Visit the book's Web site at www.chapelquartet.org/theminyan.htm

Seminary books needed for Sierra Leone

Looking for a way to free up space on your book shelves?

The Rushville District is asking for your participation in an important mission project to benefit students at the Sierra Leone Theological College and Church Training Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Conference attendees are asked to bring seminary book donations to the 2004 South Indiana Annual Conference.

A list of specific books the college needs is available by contacting one of the persons listed below, however, Bibles and other titles also will be accepted. If you don't have books to donate, a monetary donation would be appreciated. The money will be used to cover the cost of book collection and shipping.

For more information, contact Richard Hollowell at rwell@hsonline.net or 812-663-8531 (work) or 812-663-8638 (home). Or contact the Rev. Tim Johnson at areyoufree@core.com or at 812-663-5683 (Greensburg UMC) or 812-663-2433 (home).

North Indiana Conference Mission Project

Again this year North Indiana Annual Conference asks local churches to engage in a mission experience designated to benefit the poor. Please collect towels, soap and diapers and package separately.

Your church is encouraged to keep 1/2 for your local community outreach and bring 1/2 to Annual Conference at Purdue June 3-5, 2004. The collected items this year will be divided between-Operation Classroom-Africa, Native Americans-the Dakotas, Henderson Settlement-Appalachia, and Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Advance special monetary donations will go to Haiti.

Trucks will be located on the West side of the Elliott Hall of Music. Hours for receiving will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday & Friday, and 8 a.m.-12 noon Saturday.

The Bishops' Children and Poverty Task Force will be matching funding for Haiti for up to $5000 from children's offerings collected previously.

Send checks payable to: North Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 869, Marion IN 46952

For more information, please contact Teresa Witkoske, NIC Coordinator, Children & Poverty Task Force (teresa@nicumc.org or 800-783-5138).

Bishop and Mrs. White honored at statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Bishop Woodie W. White and his wife Kim with Indiana House of Representative members William Ruppel of North Manchester UMC and Ralph Foley of First UMC in Martinsville pose before the Indiana House of Representative during its last day in session in March.
Bishop White greets the Indiana State Senate moments after the Senate honored him and his wife Kim with a resolution commemorating their retirement. Indiana Senator Patricia Miller, a member of Old Bethel UMC, brought the resolution to the floor of the Senate during its last day in session in March.

Congress of deaf to meet in Indiana this summer

ANDERSON, Ind. - The North Central Jurisdiction meeting of the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf is scheduled to meet June 25-27 at Anderson University. This summer's featured leaders include two deaf ministers: the Rev. Dr. Francis Casale of Covina, Calif. and the Rev. Joo Kang of Jacksonville, Ill.

Daily Bible studies and worship will be deaf led. Workshops also will be offered that are designed to help church leaders learn how to develop deaf ministries and reach out to deaf individuals. There will be interpreters to voice for the hearing and sign for the deaf. Any person interested in ministry with deaf is welcome to attend. For more information contact: the Rev. Dr. Curt D. Keller, 2 Rainbow Dr., Pekin, Ill. 61554, or by e-mail at ckeller@mtco.com or by phone at 309-353-5792.

Hoosier United Methodists to conference, elect bishops

June 3-5 North Indiana Annual Conference (www.nicumc.org) -- Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Highlights include:

Thursday, June 3

Memorial service with the Rev. Katharine Walker preaching at 1 p.m.
Legislative groups meet across the campus at 4:15 p.m.
Celebration of retiring Bishop Woodie White at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 4

Worship with Bishop Jonathan Keaton preaching at 8:30 a.m.
Recognition of those retiring at 10:45 a.m.
Ordination and Commissioning Service at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 5

Worship with Bishop Jonathan Keaton preaching at 8:15 a.m.
Laity Address by Jack Dwiggins at 9:30 a.m. session.
Adjourn 1 pm.

June 10-12 South Indiana Annual Conference (www.sicumc.org) -- IU Auditorium at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Highlights include:

Thursday, June 10

Memorial service with the Rev. Bill Schwein preaching at 2:15 p.m.
Legislative groups at 3:30 p.m. meet across the campus
Bishop White's Farewell Dinner at 6 p.m. in Alumni Hall, Solarium
Celebration of retiring Bishop Woodie White at 8 p.m.

Friday, June 11

Laity Address by James Shaw during 8:15 a.m. session
Worship and recognition of those retiring with Bishop Michael Coyner preaching at 10:30 a.m.
Recognition of the Rev. James Jones retirement at 3 p.m.
Ordination and Commissioning Service at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 12

Worship with Bishop Michael Coyner preaching at 8:30 a.m.
Adjourn early afternoon

July 13-17 North Central Jurisdictional Conference -- River Center in Davenport, Iowa. Each session will include balloting until three bishops are elected.

Highlights include:

Tuesday, July 13

Reception for Bishops at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 14

Opening worship with Bishop Gregory Palmer of Iowa at 1:45 p.m.
First ballot for election of bishops at 3:45 p.m.

Thursday, July 15

Episcopal Address by Bishop Joseph Sprague of Chicago at 9:30 a.m.
Recognition of retirement for Bishops Sharon Rader, Joseph Sprague and Woodie White at 4 p.m.
Worship with Bishop Linda Lee of Michigan at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 16

Worship with Bishop Bruce Ough of West Ohio at 1:45 p.m.
Entertainment by the Mississippi River at 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 17

Consecration of Bishops at St. John's UMC, 109 E. 14th St., Davenport with Bishop Woodie White of Indiana at 9:30 a.m.
Reception for New Bishops at 11:30 a.m.
New and returning bishops take office on September 1.

Mission center offers historic twist to volunteer work

CHATHAM, Ill. - History buffs interested in mission service may be the first in line for a unique opportunity offered by a Central Illinois based mission center this summer.

The United Methodist-related Midwest Mission Distribution Center at Chatham offers a six-day, Aug. 22-27, mission work and history tour called "A glimpse into the land of Lincoln: People, places and faith."

Center organizers invite United Methodists to "learn about the early Methodist movement and how it shaped the region and its inhabitants. Prime-timers will have an opportunity to explore the historic role of Methodism and the Native American population in Illinois." According to organizers, participants will have the opportunity to serve in mission through the ongoing activities of the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Possible activities include: sorting donations, working on a building project, sewing, packaging mission items and working on the grounds of the Center.

For more information, visit the Primetimers Web site at www.primetimers.info or contact the Primetimers office toll-free at 877-882-4724.

Study finds fewer Americans tithing income

Fewer Americans are giving ten percent of their incomes to their churches-or tithing-a new study by the Barna Research Group has found. The number of United States households that tithe has dropped by more than 60 percent, from eight percent in 2001 to just three percent in 2002, reported the Barna Group, which specializes in religious research.

Researcher George Barna said various factors explain the trend: economic concerns; worries about terrorism; the erosion of trust in religious leaders overall in the wake of the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal; and the gradual disappearance of a generation for whom tithing was "a habit."

From Faith and Values Media Light Newsletter

United Methodist Women fight deadly toxins

NEW YORK - A portion of the one-million member United Methodist Women's organization are starting a new fight against environmental toxins that are suspected of causing breast cancer.

Sung-Ok Lee, community action executive for the United Methodist Women's Division, says that this is an ongoing effort of United Methodist Women. The goal is to stop cancer before it starts. And, one step in doing this is to rid the environment of toxins that potentially cause cancer.

One of the major culprits for producing dioxin is the bleaching of paper.

Therefore, United Methodist Women members are requesting the Staples' office supply store chain to stock and promote chlorine-free (PCF) paper. Process chlorine-free paper has a recycled content and uses no chlorine in the papermaking process.

The Women's Division, in turn, hope to prove to the corporation that there is a national demand for process-chlorine-free (PCF) paper - urging the corporation to stock the paper in all its stores.

More information and a "report card" for those who want to visit Staples is available at gbgm-umc.org/umw, the organization's Web site.

Together welcomes summer intern

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosier United Methodists Together welcomes a Butler University honor student and religion department scholar to its ranks for the summer months.

Molly Hunteman of Mooresville, Ind., and a member of First United Methodist of Mooresville, will work part-time with the Indiana Area communication staff writing, editing, reporting and helping compile the July-August issue of Together and its online versions.

Hunteman's internship is in conjunction with the Center for Faith and Vocation at Butler University. Judith Cebula directs the center's activities.

Hunteman began her new duties on May 11 and will end her tenure in mid-August.

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

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