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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Friday, September 7, 2007 – Sunday is the 15th Sunday after Pentecost
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.
Edited by Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org
Bible Passage for Sunday
News and Information
Worship Resources
Ministry Resources
Movie Review
Deaths
Ministerial Appointments
New Job Listings
Previous Job ListingsBIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
The words of Jesus: ‘You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.”
– Luke 14:27
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.comNEWS AND INFORMATION
SHETTLE RESIGNS AS NIC CONTROLLER TO JOIN CONFERENCE CAMPING
Manet Shettle, the North Indiana Conference Controller at the Marion Service Center, has resigned her position as controller to take a position in Finance and Administration with the NIC Camping Ministry. She will be transitioning to the new position in September and October.
You may send Manet your thanks and best wishes at manet@nicumc.org.
AT UINDY RECORD ENROLLMENT ACCOMPANIES HIGH STANDARDS
The University of Indianapolis, a United Methodist-related school, continues to set enrollment records even while raising the admission bar for new students, according to official counts just announced for the fall semester. Among incoming freshmen, 26 percent were ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes, and 65 percent were in the top 30 percent, UIndy’s highest rates in at least a decade. Of the new in-state students, 58 percent earned the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma in high school.
Total enrollment – including full-time, part-time, evening and graduate students – is a record 4,604 this fall, up 5.8 percent from last year’s 4,350. Full-time undergraduate day enrollment – the “traditional” college student – has hit an all-time high of 2,562, an increase of 6.9 percent from last year’s 2,396.
The university’s five-year strategic plan sets an eventual enrollment goal of 5,000, but growth is being managed to favor academic potential over numbers.
The number of full-time graduate students rose to 437, up 20 percent from last year, with part-time students bringing the Graduate Programs total to a record 1,096. – UIndy News
UNITED METHODIST AGENCIES JOIN ANTI-TOBACCO EFFORT
Two United Methodist agencies have joined 24 other religious groups urging Congress to authorize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products. The Commission on United Methodist Men and the United Methodist Board of Church and Society are urging a congressional subcommittee to back the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
The pending legislation would give the FDA authority to restrict tobacco advertising, regulate warning labels, remove hazardous ingredients from cigarettes or reduce nicotine levels.
“This is the fifth regional meeting designed to bring grassroots support for the legislation,” said Vinny DeMarco, national coordinator of Faith United Against Tobacco, during an Aug. 28 news conference at West End UMC in Nashville, Tenn.
The interfaith effort is supported by religious groups ranging from the Islamic Society of North America (based in Plainfield, Ind.) to the Southern Baptist Convention. A letter from leaders of 25 faith groups was sent in July to all members of Congress urging them to support FDA regulation of tobacco legislation.
“Four-hundred-thousand Americans die annually from diseases related to smoking, and 1,000 children become addicted to tobacco products every day,” said Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
In Indiana – a top state in tobacco consumption – the coalition is targeting 5th Dist. U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, a United Methodist, who is among the 33-member House Subcommittee on Health who will vote on this legislation. – UMNS
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NOW OFFICIAL IN ALBANIA
The United Methodist Church officially exists in Albania.
Formal papers were signed Aug. 20 in the capital city of Tirana by Bishop Patrick Streiff, leader of the denomination in Central and Southern Europe.
The United Methodist Church in Albania has about 150 members and friends in a nation of 3.8 million people.
The small Balkan country has a highly diverse religious heritage including Albanian-Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, Muslims and now a slowly expanding Protestant presence. About 60 percent of the people are Muslim, but there is a high degree of religious tolerance.
Streiff sees United Methodists working in close collaboration with other Christian groups and has made contacts with Orthodox, Catholic and other Protestant leaders. Through U.S. missionaries, Methodist work began in Albania in the 19th century when the nation was part of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. The mission lasted only a few decades, however. After World War II, the country fell under a rigid, anti-religious brand of communism until the 1990s. – UMNS
UINDY PROFESSOR PRESENTS WESLEY STUDY PAPER AT OXFORD UNIV.
Dr. Gregory Clapper, Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Indianapolis, participated in the 12th Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies Aug. 12-21 held at Christ Church, Oxford University, England. This international gathering was attended by 232 members, drawing from every region of the world and at least 30 countries.
The Oxford Institute was held at the college and university that John Wesley, founder of the Wesleyan or Methodist movement, called home as a student and university chaplain. This gathering takes place every four to five years and brings together leading scholars and church leaders to hear plenary lectures and working group presentations.
Clapper, who was attending his fifth Oxford Institute, presented a paper to the Wesley Studies and Early Methodist History working group titled “How the ‘Present Age’ Can Help us Fulfill Our Calling: Contemporary Historical and Philosophical Analyses of ‘Emotion’ applied to John Wesley’s Vision of Christian Vocation as ‘the Renewal of the Heart.’” The paper shows how recent philosophical understandings of what is meant by “emotion” can help us understand more fully what Wesley meant when he spoke about a “religion of the heart.” These new insights help to show the theological and intellectual integrity of Wesley’s vision of Christianity.
For more information, contact Clapper at gclapper@uindy.edu.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE NEXT SUMMER
The volunteer coordinators, Julia Deemer and David Litchfiled have listed several areas and tasks that will make use of volunteers to help the conference run smoothly. Volunteers are essential and this will be your opportunity to help. The process begins be filling out the application on the web page at this link, http://www.westmichiganconference.org/surveys/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=4013930L6o42M click on the link and fill in the information. When finished, click “done.”
The volunteer coordinators will review your information and contact you to let you know more about the process. Please do assume that because you filled out the application you, will be accepted as a volunteer. Many people express an interest. It is necessary to screen and process the information to allow for effective use of everyone’s time and talent.
More information will be available on the conference web page www.ncj2008.org
STUDY SAYS LIFE-STYLE CHANGES HELPFUL TO BOOST GOOD CHOLESTROL
Basic lifestyle changes may be among the strongest tools to the correct balance of blood cholesterol. While researchers work to find better medicines to raise HDL-C, simpler measures may provide a significant benefit.
These simpler measures include proper diet, weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol in moderation. Physicians should turn to these lifestyle measures, niacin, statins, and carefully monitored use of fibrates, to raise good cholesterol, recommends Inder Singh, M.D., Cardiovascular Fellow at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology, part of Clarian Health’s Indiana University School of Medicine, and lead author of a review published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The review of efforts to raise HDLs was based on 31 randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, basic science or preclinical studies, observational studies, and position statements and guidelines. This work was done in collaboration with researchers at the Cleveland Clinic and UCLA. – Clarian Health
GREENCASTLE ENACTS SMOKING BAN BEGAN THIS PAST SATURDAY
Starting at noon Saturday (9/1), all public places and places of employment in Greencastle became smoke-free. The Greencastle City Council voted 3-2 to pass the smoking ban on May 8, making Greencastle the 33rd Indiana community to adopt such an ordinance. While the prohibition of indoor smoking removes the hazards of secondhand smoke, some Greencastle citizens question whether this law violates their civil liberties. – DePauw University (Greencastle, Ind.) 8/28/07
GOSHEN’S NEW SMOKING LAW IN EFFECT
Many businesses in Goshen are now displaying “no smoking” signs in their windows. The city’s smoking ordinance took effect Saturday and changes where cigarettes, cigars and pipes can be lit and consumed. – WSJV FOX 28 (South Bend, Ind.) 9/1/07
More stories are available
online at www.umc.org.WORSHIP RESOURCES
SURVEY OF FAVORITE, LEAST FAVORITE HYMNS OF UNITED METHODISTS
The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) invites every United Methodist to participate in a survey of favorite and least favorite hymns. The Web site survey allows you to click on up to ten of your favorites and ten of your least favorite hymns and songs from The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing. There are also five demographic questions to help GBOD analyze the results. All responses are anonymous and confidential. This information will help GBOD in planning future resources in congregational singing. You may find it helpful to compose a list of your selections prior to completing the survey. To take the survey, go to www.gbod.org/favoritehymns.html
MINISTRY RESOURCES
THERE ARE BENEFITS OF READING STORIES TO CHILDREN ALOUD
According to the Little Ones Reading Source, parents who read children’s stories aloud to their kids provide a strong, positive influence and build a foundation for a lifetime of significant benefits. But what really are these reading aloud benefits? What kind of difference are we talking about?
Click on to the Little Ones Reading Source Web page and find a summary of the significant ways in which reading stories aloud to kids will change their lives and yours. It won’t happen overnight, as change is gradual, but continued and dedicated reading will most definitely bring noticeable, long-term changes. Log on to www.littleonesreadingresource.com/childrens-stories.html.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR SEPTEMBER
The North Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.nicumc.org. Click on “Media Library” in the left column and explore all the available options. September “Picks” include:
Children of the Nakba, a School of Christian Missions selection.
NOOMA - Store: Dealing with our anger.
NOOMA - Today: Learning to live in the day - not the past.
William Wilberforce: One man’s struggle to rid the world of slavery.
Herod’s Temple: The Temple as it was in Jesus’ day
A second copy of Gilligan's Island - The Seven Deadly Sins
Order by calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-783-5138. This service is provided through your connectional tithe.
For information on any of these and many more, go to our Web site, www.nicumc.org and click on Media Library or call Angel at 800-785-5138.
NOTE: Bonnie Miller has retired from her position as director of the Media Center. Angel Rea succeeds her. We give thanks to Bonnie for her service to the Media Center.
SOUTH CONFERENCE MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR SEPTEMBER
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Center” and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources” and “Picks of the Month.” September “Picks” have been posted. Some of the newest additions include: Baptism in The United Methodist Church; Into the Heart of Hope (AIDS in Africa); Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith; and NOOMA: Today. NOTE: Coming this fall: Living the Questions 2 and Affectionately Yours, Screwtape (C.S. Lewis). By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-919-8160, you can order these and other resources from a selection of more than 4,000 videos and DVDs. Return postage is your only cost. This service is provided through your connectional tithe. Mary Barnes, Media Director, can be reached at mbarnes@sicumc.org for more information/consultation or you can access the catalog directly at www.sicumc.org.
MOVIE REVIEW
RESURRECTING THE CHAMP
Production Company: Yari Film Group
Director: Rod Lurie
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Harnett, Kathryn Morris, Alan Alda, Rachel Nichols, David Paymer, Teri Hatcher
Rating: PG-13 (for some violence and brief language)
By Gregg Tubbs
(UMC.org) – As a Christian film critic, I'm bound to take notice of any movie with the word resurrection in its title. I imagined a tale of redemption – a life raised up, hope restored. Resurrecting the Champ delivers a sympathetic, but never sentimental, human drama about an up-and-coming sportswriter and a down, but not quite out, boxer whose lives intersect and are changed forever. But Resurrecting the Champ is full of surprises, taking us places and revealing things we didn’t expect. The film asks us to decide who has resurrected whom and deeply probes the reasons why we lie and if the truth really can set you free.
The complete review and study questions are available by logging on to www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3211673/k.B132/Movie_Review_iResurrecting_the_Champi.htm.
DEATHS LIKE, WINTLE
JOHN LIKE, retired pastor (SIC), died Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. A memorial service was held Thursday, Sept. 6 at the Anderson Poindexter Funeral Home in Linton. Survivors include: wife, Joeann Like, RR2 189 Apt 12-1 Linton, IN 47441; and son, Joey Like.
ANNA WINTLE, widow of the late Rev. Fred S. Wintle (NIC), died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. A memorial service is scheduled for today, Friday, Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew UMC, 4703 N 50 W., West Lafayette, Ind., with visitation one hour prior to the service. She is survived by two nieces, Nancy Kincaid and Karen Debellis.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
None this week
NEW JOB LISTINGS
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE SEEKS CONTROLLER IN MARION
The North Indiana Conference is seeking applicants for the position of Controller in the Marion Service Center. Information on the position qualifications and responsibilities can be viewed at www.nicumc.org/controller.php.
ELKHART TRINITY CHURCH HAS TWO OPENINGS IN MUSIC MINISTRY
Part-time Organist/Accompanist
Trinity United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time organist/accompanist. Applicants should be comfortable playing various styles. Excellent accompanying skills a must. Some experience preferred. Below are additional details: 10 hours/week, reports to Director of Music, play organ and piano for two Sunday services (8 & 9:15) and for seasonal services, accompany adult choir and soloists for those services on piano and/or organ, choir rehearsal Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Part-time Praise Team Leader
Large, vital church seeking a Part-time Praise Team Leader. Some experience required. Additional details below: 20 hours/week, lead congregational musical worship and praise team for Saturday evening service and Sunday service at 10:45a.m., one weekly rehearsal with Praise Team, attend weekly worship planning meeting.
For either on of these positions, please send resumes to: Trinity United Methodist Church,
Attention: Kristen, 2715 E Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516 or call 574-294-7602 ext 114.
PREVIOUS JOB LISTINGS
AKRON CHURCH SEEKS MUSIC DIRECTOR AND ACCOMPANIST
Akron United Methodist Church in Akron, Ind., is seeking a part-time music director and/or part-time accompanist. These are paid positions. Contact: Lisa Harris at mharris@rtcol.com or call 574-371-7224.
JEFFERSONVILLE CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRY
Park Place UMC in Jeffersonville, Ind., seeks a Director of Student Ministry with a mission to spiritually nurture young adults (11-18 yrs.) and their parents. Special care should be give to the delicate balance of reaching people attending Park Place UMC and reaching out to those in our community. Pay based on experience. 10-15 hours per week including 9 a.m. to noon and 3 to 7 p.m. on Sundays and one hour per week to meet with pastor.
For more information, contact the Park Place UMC, 1820 E. Park Place, Jeffersonville, IN 47130, phone 812-282-5739 or e-mail at jmoon@sicumc.org.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.