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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Friday, October 12, 2007 – Sunday is the 20th 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
This Week’s News Headlines
News and Information
Worship Resources
Ministry Resources
Movie Review
Deaths
Ministerial Appointments
New Job Listings
Previous Job Listings
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
Jesus replied: “Servants don’t deserve special thanks for doing what they are supposed to do. And that’s how it should be with you. When you’ve done all you should, then say, ‘We are merely servants, and we have simply done our duty.’”
– Luke 17:9-10
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
BISHOP MAY TO SERVE AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE OF MISSION AGENCY
UNITED METHODIST JOIN CITY IN ANNOUNCING NEW PARK AT CHURCH RUIN
SWEET OUTLINES FIVE SIGNS OF THESE POST-MODERN TIMES
METRO MINISTRIES TO LAUNCH NEW AFRICAN-CENTERED CHURCH IN INDY
UINDY NOW PUBLISHES ONLINE NEWSLETTER ABOUT UMs ON CAMPUS
INTERIM LEADER OF UMCOR TAKES ON PERMANENT ROLE
AGENCY FORWARDS RESOLUTIONS ON PORNOGRAPHY, SEXUAL ETHICS
NEWS AND INFORMATION
BISHOP MAY TO SERVE AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE OF MISSION AGENCY
Bishop Felton May (retired) will serve as interim general secretary of The United Methodist Church’s international mission agency, the General Board of Global Ministries.
Directors of the board, meeting in Stamford, Conn., elected the bishop after they confirmed a personnel committee report that did NOT renominate the Rev. R. Randy Day as general secretary, a post he had held since 2002. The general secretary is the chief executive officer of the organization.
“This action does not diminish our appreciation for the many talents and skills of Randy Day but indicates that directors are looking for a different style of administrative leadership to take us into the future,” said Bishop Joel Martinez of San Antonio, president of the board. “Randy has made many new friends for mission and strengthened mission partnerships around the globe. We acknowledge his energetic service.”
Bishop Martinez said that a search committee for a general secretary would be named before the directors ended their meeting in Stamford on Oct. 11 and would begin its work right away.
Currently affiliated with Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bishop May, a former vice president of the General Board of Global Ministries, continues a strong involvement in global ministry as a retired bishop. – UMNS
UNITED METHODIST JOIN CITY IN ANNOUNCING NEW PARK AT CHURCH RUIN
Gary, Ind., city officials joined more than 150 United Methodists and others from across North Indiana on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 7 in announcing the City of Gary will turn the old City Church site into a ruins garden and park, acclaimed to be the first of its kind in the United States.
According to Christopher Meyers, director of planning for the City of Gary, the building north of the sanctuary will be razed to make room for area-resident parking and a park that will lead into a garden surrounded by the remains of the sanctuary walls and bell tower. Demolition will probably take place this winter or next spring, followed by construction of the park.
The Rev. Michelle Cobb, superintendent of the Calumet District led a unique hour-long service of “Repentance, Reconciliation and Appreciation,” at the corner of Washington and Sixth Street site of the former First UMC known as one of the largest Protestant churches in Middle America with more than 2,800 members during the mid-1950s. It was closed in 1975 with 200 members.
“The remains of the building have stood for more than 30 years as a silent and unsightly testimony to the results of racism, urban decay and the blight caused by fear and abandonment,” according to Cobb.
Bishop Coyner, former members, pastors, district and community leaders plus other participants shared their hope for the future of Gary and United Methodist ministries in particular.
A full story of this event will be published with pictures in the Nov.-Dec. issue of Hoosier United Methodists Together newspaper.
SWEET OUTLINES FIVE SIGNS OF THESE POST-MODERN TIMES
Author, educator Dr. Leonard Sweet asked more than 140 people gathered for the Mendenhall Lecture held Oct. 9 at Gobin Memorial UMC in Greencastle, if they knew the signs of the times. He described semiotic (the ability to read signs) awareness as the ability to read to signs of the times, what Jesus talked about in Matthew 16.
“We need to connect together five dots in the picture of our society in order to determine the signs of the times.” Sweet said those dots are:
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The increasing plague of mass murders, such as the Va. Tech shootings;
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Johnny Depp as Captain Sparrow in the Disney film series Pirates of the Caribbean.
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The Secret (a DVD and a book) by Rhonda Byrne which suggests that a law of nature called “Law of Attraction” controls our lives.
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World opinion polls points to Israel, Iran and the United States as the most despised nations in the world; and
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The dark side of Mother Teresa, who in her writings said she served God 40 years under a black cloud.
Sweet said narcissism has now become the norm in American culture, which believes narcissism leads to self-fulfillment. “But (the Gospel teaches) the power of self-denial is the path to self-fulfillment. Jesus said, ‘deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.’”
For a continuing online conversation about Leonard Sweet’s book, The Gospel According to Starbuck, log on to www.gospelaccordingtostarbucks.blogspot.com.
METRO MINISTRIES TO LAUNCH NEW AFRICAN-CENTERED CHURCH IN INDY
The United Methodist Church is initiating its first African-centered church in Indianapolis this century. This new church start, called “The Way,”is a ministry of Metro Ministries. As an African centered ministry, The Way will place special emphasis on honoring elders; raising children and youth with proper values; celebrating African American holidays; studying the true ethnicity of biblical people; and worshipping in ways that reflect the current cultural trends in the Black Church.
Bishop Michael Coyner has appointed the Rev. James C. Anyike to start the new church. In addition to being an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, Anyike is the author of Historical Christianity African Centered, and African American Holidays.
The Way will begin its work in Indianapolis with a Gospel concert featuring nationally known recording artists including: vocalist Sharla Williams, Christian rap artist Mr. Real, and saxophone master David Wells. There also will be music from the choirs of University, Barnes and Scott United Methodist churches. The concert will be held on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at North United Methodist Church at 38th and Meridian in Indianapolis.
The Way is presently located in the Keystone Corporate Square at 2511 E. 46th Street in Suite K-4. Sunday morning worship will begin at The Way on Sunday, Oct. 21. The Sunday morning schedule begins will Life Lessons Classes at 9:30, Breakfast Fellowship at 10:30, and worship at 11:15. For more information, please contact Rev. James C. Anyike at 317-529-3768 or by e-mail at anyike@netscape.net.
UINDY NOW PUBLISHES ONLINE NEWSLETTER ABOUT UMs ON CAMPUS
The Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Programs at the United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis announced this week a new online newsletter for United Methodists. The newsletter plans to highlight the activities and achievements of faculty, staff and students affiliated with The United Methodist Church. The newsletter editors plan to publish the e-newsletter three times a year – October, February and June. If there are items you would like to share with the editors of this UIndy publication, contact Cindy Tyree at ctyree@uindy.edu. For a copy of this e-newsletter, log on to http://eip.uindy.edu/publications/UM_Connections_Oct07.pdf.
INTERIM LEADER OF UMCOR TAKES ON PERMANENT ROLE
Recent major disasters — 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Asian tsunami — have led The United Methodist Church's relief organization "to rethink how we do everything," according to its new chief executive.
The Rev. Sam Dixon, interim leader of the United Methodist Committee on Relief since Jan. 31, was elected permanently to the position Oct. 10. The election came during the annual meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR's parent agency.
The 58-year-old pastor oversees the board's Health and Relief unit, which includes UMCOR and the health and welfare department, and he also leads the mission volunteers unit.
In an interview with United Methodist News Service, Dixon said the magnitude of recent disasters — along with the generous response by church members to fund relief efforts — has changed the way UMCOR operates.
The changes include more participation by staff in other parts of the Board of Global Ministries; establishing relationships with new organizations in new areas, such as with Muslim Aid in Sri Lanka and Indonesia; and dealing with other development issues, such as microcredit, sanitation and health care. – UMNS
AGENCY FORWARDS RESOLUTIONS ON PORNOGRAPHY, SEXUAL ETHICS
Sexual harassment and misconduct remains a concern of the church, according to the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women. As the denominational watchdog on issues of sexual ethics, the agency is submitting updated legislation for the United Methodist General Conference to consider when it meets April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. The legislation was approved by the agency’s governing commissioners at their recent annual meeting. COSROW also has prepared a resolution on what it has determined to be a “disturbing trend”: use of Internet pornography by clergy, laity or volunteers, often on church-owned computers. “The use of pornography continues to increase as it becomes more accessible (via the Internet, for example) and allows more immediate, realistic and anonymous sexual contact and gratification,” says the resolution on “Prevention of the Use of Pornography in the Church.” – UMNS
More stories are available online at www.umc.org.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
WHAT IS THE EMERGING MISSIONAL CHURCH? WHAT IS EMERGING WORSHIP?
Here we will depend, with gratitude, on those who have been exploring emerging worship for a while and can serve as guides through the unfamiliar terrain. By the way, don’t expect our guides to agree with one another. The terrain is rough and huge, so they know it from different vantage points. If they spit and argue in front of us, let’s just listen, and we will learn from their divergence. One thing is certain: this is a new landscape, and those who dare to venture into it are passionate about it.
For this resource, log on to www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=13000.
MINISTRY RESOURCES
DVD ON PRISONER RE-ENTRY MINISTRY AVAILABLE AT CONVOCATION
South Indiana Conference clergy attending the Pastors Convocation may pick up a complimentary DVD about a congregational ministry to adults preparing to re-enter community life from an Indiana prison. This new Faith Care Team model of re-entry, reintegration and reconciliation outreach, presented by Faith in Community Ministry, is a South Indiana Conference supported program. The ministry’s demonstrated simple, straight forward, comprehensive service design is appropriate for rural and urban congregations with the capacity to support a mentoring team of 6 to 10 people. The support and participation of the Department of Correction contributes to its effectiveness.
SIC Clergy not attending Pastors Convocation may obtain this DVD upon request by contacting SIC Diaconal Minister Mary Z. Longstreth, director, at Faith in Community Ministry, 4701 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN. 46205, by e-mail at mzlongstreth@ChoicesTeam.org or phone 317-205-8255.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR OCTOBER
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:
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Advent calendar on DVD
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A Christmas parable: based on the story of the selfish giant
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Lamb’ Chapel UMC – a video from annual conference
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The easiest targets – a video from the school of missions
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Addiction – a HBO documentary film
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The purpose driven life
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.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR OCTOBER
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.” October “Picks” have been posted. Some of the newest additions include: Acolytes, Greeters, Ushers; Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today (from Living the Questions); Renewal or Ruin; and Sweet Singer (a one-man musical drama about Charles Wesley). NOTE: Coming later this fall: Living the Questions 2.0. 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
In light of Leonard Sweet’s comments about the narcissistic qualities of this movie as one of five signs of the time (see story above), here is a review of the movie.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END
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Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images)
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Walt Disney Pictures
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Directed by Gore Verbinski
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Runtime is 168 minutes
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Cast: Johnny Depp (Jack Sparrow), Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swann), Orlando Bloom (Will Turner), Geoffrey Rush (Hector Barbossa), Bill Nighy (Davy Jones), Naomie Harris (Tia Dalma), Tom Hollander (Beckett), Chow Yun-Fat (Captain Sao Feng)
A WORK OF PIRATING ART
By Greg Wright (25.05.07)
Even if Pearl and Chest tickled your fancy, as they did for me, there was no getting by the fact that those two movies were really nothing but summer blockbuster puffery. In training his gun sights on self-referentially weighty metaphor, however, director Gore Verbinksi has achieved what I had certainly not expected: World’s End is actually a Good Film. Whether one enjoys it or not — and I didn’t, particularly, because watching it was too darn much work! — the experience is rather like spending nearly three hours studying a riveted and armored butterfly as it emerges from its softer, kinder chrysalis. The Curse of the Black Pearl and Dead Man’s Chest, less accomplished films though they may have been, were more fun to watch—and more fun to think about having watched.
For the full review, log on to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
DEATHS
LARRY V. OMAN, a former clergy member (SIC), died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007, after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Martha; and children Erik, Kirstin, Kyle and Karin. A memorial service is scheduled to be held at the Steamboat Springs UMC in Colorado in a couple of weeks. Arrangements are pending. Oman was a full member of South Indiana Conference in 1969 and transferred to the Rocky Mountain Conference on June 10, 1984.
Larry was in the South Indiana Conference for several years, including at the Conference office, Nashville UMC and a church in Peru. He has been in Colorado since the mid-1980s and served churches in Colorado Springs, Denver, Greeley and for the past 10 years in Steamboat Springs.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2007 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication this week.
North Indiana Conference
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None this week
South Indiana Conference
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Harlan, Sandra K. from Bloomington: St. Mark’s, Bloomington to South Indiana Conference, 10/1
NEW JOB LISTINGS
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None listed this week.
PREVIOUS JOB LISTINGS
BLOOMINGTON CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTORS, YOUTH & MUSIC MINISTRIES
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Ind. is seeking part-time Directors of Youth & Music Ministries to begin service by Nov 4. For a complete listing of personal qualifications and job responsibilities, go to www.stmarksbloomington.org. Mail application information to Search Committee, St. Mark’s UMC, 100 N. Hwy 46 Bypass, Bloomington, IN 47408, or e-mail to smumc@stmarksbloomington.org.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.