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HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Friday, November 16, 2007 – Sunday is the 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Bible Sunday – National Bible Week Nov. 18-25
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
The words of Jesus: “Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.”
-- Luke 21:14-1
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
Community Prepares to Open Bishop White Center in Anderson
Imagine Indiana Design Team Discusses Future Conference Today
Gambling Pumps $4 Billion into State Coffers
New Healthy Indiana Plan for Good Health Coming Soon
Global Gathering Increases General Conference Costs
Joint Music Study Results Now Online
National Council of Churches Celebrates New Leadership
Tobacco Deaths to Reach 10 Million a Year By 2030
Drop in Smoking Levels Off
NEWS AND INFORMATION
COMMUNITY PREPARES TO OPEN BISHOP WHITE CENTER IN ANDERSON
The community of Anderson, Ind., members of New Hope UMC and the North Indiana Conference will gather to celebrate and consecrate the Bishop Woodie W. White Center in Anderson on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. at 1503 Louise Street.
The center is completing Phase I of the building project that will cover 15,900 square feet on three acres provided by the adjacent Anderson Community School Corp. Phase II will include the addition of a sanctuary building. A community celebration is scheduled for 4 p.m.
But for the Rev. Reginald Lee, senior pastor at New Hope UMC, the new building represents more than just a building with flexible space for worship, community gatherings and educational programs – it represents hope to a community battered by factory closings and economic uncertainty.
“A whole lot of things are opening up,” said Lee, explaining of the numerous multi-generational programs that will be expanded and offered. “We want this to be a life center, meeting the needs of the community from the cradle to the grave.” The emphasis of the church will be education, explained Lee. “If you don’t have any skills, you are lost. If you don’t have Christ you are lost.”
The facility also will include a health station sponsored by St. John’s Health System. The health station will contain basic equipment for blood pressure, glucose checks and other basic screenings. Also included is a large technology area that will have flex space for workshops, small meetings and a classroom for adult education. – Matt Oates, NIC correspondent to e-HUM
IMAGINE INDIANA DESIGN TEAM DISCUSSES FUTURE CONFERENCE TODAY
The Imagine Indiana Prayer Team ask for your prayers as the Imagine Indiana Planning Team meets today, Friday, Nov. 16, in Indianapolis at the Area Office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 12-member team will continue reviewing information gathered from Bishop Mike Coyner’s conversations and dialogues at district meeting across the state. They also will hear reports on pension and health care benefits proposals, the role of district superintendents and regions, leadership development, local church clusters, conference structure, and communication, as well as feedback from Conference Lay Leaders Kayc Mykrantz (NIC) and Ike Williams (SIC).
Upcoming meeting dates of the team are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14-15, a writing retreat. Friday, Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with co-chairs from last’s year’s Imagine Indiana team. All meetings will be Indianapolis.
GAMBLING PUMPS $4 BILLION INTO STATE COFFERS
Gambling revenue in Indiana has increased significantly the past two decades, with players dropping billions of dollars in state-sanctioned gaming during the past couple of years. Ed Feigenbaum, who has produced a newsletter aimed at the state’s gambling industry since its infancy in 1993, said gambling has been good for Indiana without serious negative consequences.*
“If we wouldn’t have had the casinos, we certainly would have had to raise taxes an exorbitant amount,” he said.
The bulk of the spending in the past few years has been at casinos, with $2.67 billion wagered in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission. The Hoosier Lottery accounted for $816 million last year, and charitable gaming $533 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. Horse racing accounted for $182 million last year. Those figures add up to more than $4 billion, with numbers not yet available for this year in lottery, charitable gaming and horse racing.
Indiana State Budget Agency figures show that various gaming taxes and lottery profits have fed $9.6 billion into the state treasury since the lottery began in 1989, through the end of fiscal 2007. More than half of the $851 million that casinos turned over last year went to property-tax relief. -- Associated Press
*EDITORIAL COMMENT: What Ed Feigenbaum does not tell us is the number of foreclosures, bankruptcies, broken families and financial ruin that has come to the families of addicted gamblers in Indiana. Lake County has one of the highest foreclosure and personal bankruptcy rates in the country. Everywhere casinos are placed, gambling addiction rises. I guess those are not serious negative consequences for him or the gambling industry, but they are serious negative consequences to casino-region families. Casinos also cost tax payers $100 million a year in law enforcement and other collateral damage, not to mention the millions of dollars in lost productivity and wages by addicted gamblers. Indiana’s State General Assembly has become addicted to the sweet tax dollars provided by the highly taxed industry. In a democracy, it is the responsibility of each citizen to pay taxes for state services. What will citizens due when the gambling industry collapses or moves to another state?
NEW HEALTHY INDIANA PLAN FOR GOOD HEALTH COMING SOON
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is coordinating with various organizations throughout the state to successfully implement the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), a new state-sponsored health insurance program for low-income adult Hoosiers. We would like your help in reaching out and educating our fellow Hoosiers who will benefit from this valuable new insurance coverage.
If the attending participants of your next event could benefit from receiving information, or if you know of any events in your community that would like to promote HIP information, please let us know. Simply, click here, complete the form and fax or email it to us.
The number of participants who can enroll in the program is limited, so help us reach out to those in your community. To view the English version, click here. The Spanish version is also available by clicking here. – Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
GLOBAL GATHERING INCREASES GENERAL CONFERENCE COSTS
General Conference, the worldwide assembly of The United Methodist Church, is becoming costlier to hold and falling more in the red, partially due to the growing number of international delegates. Held once every four years, the event's 2008 gathering next spring in Fort Worth is projected to cost $6.6 million, up from the $5.3 million price tag of the 2004 Pittsburgh assembly, even though its length has dropped from 12 to 10 days.
A business report on the gathering was presented during the Nov. 12-13 meeting of the Commission on the General Conference, the convention's planning commission.
The commission also released the order of worship services for the April 23-May 2 gathering, including the speakers and daily themes that revolve around the Council of Bishops' vision for the future of The United Methodist Church. Meeting at a hotel within a block of the 2008 meeting site, the commission heard projections that the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla., may face a record bill of more than $9 million. –UMNS
JOINT MUSIC STUDY RESULTS NOW ONLINE
The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) and the United Methodist Publishing House announced this week that the complete results of a four-year joint music study and the resulting hymnal petitions are now available online at www.gbod.org/worship/musicstudy.
The joint music study is the first of its kind in more than 20 years and has resulted in two petitions to the General Conference, the denomination’s highest administrative body.
“The study revealed a clear need for new resources for ethnic communities, our younger constituency and a growing desire for global music,” said Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.
GBOD has prepared the contents of the full report for publication on the GBOD.org Web site. The complete wording of the two new hymnal petitions is also available.
The first petition asks the 2008 General Conference to appoint a hymnal committee to develop a USA hymnal and present it for consideration and approval by the 2012 General Conference. Publication could come as early as 2013.
The second petition asks General Conference to approve a four-year study of the issues around developing an Africana hymnal and to appoint a committee to accomplish the study and report back to the 2012 General Conference with possible recommendations. – GBOD
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CELEBRATES NEW LEADERSHIP
Emerging from cuts in budget and staff, the National Council of Churches, based in New York City, celebrated the future and installed new leadership during its annual general assembly.
United Methodists were among more than 200 delegates from 35 Christian communions who met Nov. 6-8 in New York and New Jersey to participate in the assembly, which also included Church World Service, the ecumenical relief and development agency.
In late September, the NCC's governing board approved a reorganization that eliminated at least 14 staff positions to address budget deficits. A new chief executive to replace the Rev. Bob Edgar, who left in August, also was recommended by a nominating committee.
NCC officials say the organization is financially stable because of its reserve funds. Chapman told United Methodist News Service that the assembly's "positive" atmosphere demonstrated the council "remains a sign of the unity of the church that Christ is calling us to."
The new NCC president – Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer, Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church of America – was installed at St. Vartan's Cathedral in Manhattan. Aykazian will serve a two-year term and succeeds the Rev. Michael Livingston, executive director, International Council of Community Churches.
TOBACCO DEATHS TO REACH 10 MILLION A YEAR BY 2030
Tobacco-related deaths are expected to double to 10 million a year by 2030, with most fatalities in developing countries, a senior World Lung Foundation (WLF) official said on Friday. Judith Longstaff Mackay, the organization’s global tobacco control program coordinator, said while cigarette markets were getting smaller in advanced economies, the opposite was true for developing states, where the number of smokers and the volume each consumes is growing. “I think it’s important not to get into competitive deaths, but there’s about 3 million TB deaths a year, whereas there are 5 million deaths a year from tobacco and these are going up,” Mackay told Reuters in an interview. “By 2030 that 5 million will be closer to 10 million, they’ll be doubling…and the major burden is on developing countries,” she said on the sidelines of an international lung health conference. – Reuters, 11/09/2007
DROP IN SMOKING LEVELS OFF
A seven-year decline in the percentage of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes seems to have leveled off. The CDC reported that roughly one in five U.S. adults – 20.8 percent – smoked cigarettes last year. That’s the same percentage as in 2004 – and a long way from the government’s goal that no more than 12% of U.S. adults will smoke cigarettes in 2010. Those smoking statistics suggest that the previous seven-year decline (1997-2004) in adult cigarette smokers has stalled, according to the CDC. – WebMD, 11/082007
More stories are available
online at www.umc.org.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
A 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF WESLEY HYMNS
Compiled by Dean McIntyre
The 300th anniversary of the birth of Charles Wesley is Dec. 18, 2007. This table (in pdf) will enable worship leaders to plan for a full year of observing the occasion with a full year of Wesley hymns tied to the lectionary passages for the given date. The table, containing suggestions for fifty different Wesley hymns, begins with Advent 2007 (Dec. 2, 2007), three Sundays prior to the birthday, and continues through Dec. 14, 2008. With the exception of the very first Sunday, there are at least two Wesley hymns to choose from. A complete list of all of the Wesley hymns contained in The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) with page numbers is also included. This will allow planners to select alternate hymns when desired. (One Wesley hymn from The Faith We Sing has also been included.) Additional Wesley anniversary resources are available at www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45400 .
ROCKPORT CHURCH SEEKS USED HANDBELLS
Trinity United Methodist Church of Rockport, Ind., seeks a set of used hand bells in good condition. Please contact the church office at 812-649-2658, if you can help.
MUNSTER CHURCH HAS BELLS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE
Ridge UMC in Munster has orchestra bells/xylophones/glockenspiels available. Please email me directly if you are interested. I also have pictures I could send if you are interested. Contact Heather Clinger, Worship Leader/Choir Director, Ridge UMC, Munster, Ind., heather@ridgeumc.org.
MINISTRY RESOURCES
PLAN NOW FOR UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY SUNDAY, NOV. 25
Being a ‘Gift of Hope’ scholar means that there is money available for university students within The United Methodist Church for people willing to award scholarship money.
Offering from United Methodist Student Day, observed the last Sunday in November (Nov. 25), helps support United Methodist scholarship and loan programs. In 2006, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to 2,800 UN students and loaned nearly $1 million to college and university students. Apply for loans and scholarships at www.gbhem.org or call 615-340-7342.
Order Special Sundays resources at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call toll-free 1-888-346-3862.
Read more Gift of Hope profiles at www.interpretermagazine.org.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR NOVEMBER
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. November “Picks” include:
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Iron Wall (2006) DVD 52 Minutes Adult
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God Rocks Series (2003) DVD/CD-ROM (each DVD/CD-ROM contains 5 sessions) Children-grades 1-6
God Rocks-Because God gave me RULES, I am RESPONSIBLE!
God Rocks-Because God helps me, I am CONFIDENT!
God Rocks-Because God created me, I am SPECIAL!
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Outflow (Youth Leader Kit) (2007) {Group’s The 1 thing } 5 weekly sessions DVD/Leader’s Guide/Youth Journal Youth Jr/Sr High
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 NOVEMBER
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.” November “Picks” have been posted. Some of the newest additions include: Affectionately yours, Screwtape: Devil and C. S. Lewis; Christianity’s Family Tree: What Other Christians Believe and Why (Adam Hamilton); Igniting Worship: Communion; Junior’s Giants; Living the Questions 2.0; Veggie Tales: Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s; and We Should Talk Peace. 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.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER TO BE CLOSED DEC. 17-JAN. 2
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center in Bloomington will be closed from Dec.17 to Jan. 2. Mary Barnes, director of the center, will be away from the office for holidays and vacation time during this period. Please call now for resources you need during that period and please return all items to the Media Center by Dec.17 if they are due back by that date. Thank you for your assistance and use of the center.
MOVIE REVIEW
HOLIDAY FAMILY MOVIE GUIDE AVAILABLE FROM COMMONSENSE MEDIA
A Holiday Family Movie Guide is now available from Common Sense Media www.commonsensemedia.org. For a review of 17 movies, log on to:
www.commonsensemedia.org/news/specials/holidaymovieguide?ref=Homepage-Flash3
DEATHS
FLORISE M. JACKSON, 65, chair of the finance committee of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and a long-time national figure in United Methodist Women, died on November 12 at a hospital in New Jersey.
A native of the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Newton was a member of the Covenant UMC of the Plainfields, and lived in nearby Piscataway, N.J. She died of a heart attack.
The Celebration of Life Service for Florise J. Newton will be in December 2007 at Covenant UMC, 631 East Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060. The exact date and time will be announced soon. No flowers please. Memorial gifts can be sent to Covenant UMC.
Offers of sympathy can be directed to: The Newton Family, 410 Oxford Street, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
GERALDINE SHEPARD, surviving spouse of the late Rev. Paul Shepard (SIC), died Nov. 10, 2007. Calling Hours: 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Macer-Hall Funeral Home, 600 S Main St, New Castle, IN 47362. A memorial service is scheduled at 11am on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 at Macer-Hall Funeral Home. Survivors include: two daughters, Marla Shepard, 515 E 44th St Indianapolis, IN 46205, Ellen Shepard, and four grandchildren.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
No appointments to announce this week.
NEW JOB LISTINGS
FORT WAYNE CALVARY CHURCH NEEDS CHOIR DIRECTOR
Fort Wayne Calvary UMC is in search of an adult choir director. 6-10 hours per week. It would be a plus if this person is able to build and direct a bell choir. Contact Scott Carmer at scottcarmer@aol.com or 260-747-9218.
McGRAWSVILLE CHURCH SEEKS YOUTH PASTOR
The McGrawsville UMC, 9347 South 300 East, Amboy, Indiana 46911 seeks a Youth Pastor.
The Youth Pastor will direct and oversee the mission of the Church (to Reach, Teach and Serve) in the area of youth ministry for Jr. and Sr. High students. Key responsibilities include:
Set the vision and overall planning of youth ministry and oversee all areas of it, provide leadership for all Middle School and High School ministry programs, model Godly character and encourage them to live for Christ, provide counseling and spiritual direction to teens, reach out to un-churched kids, teach biblical truths and personal application through various methods and other responsibilities related to youth ministry. For more information call 765-395-7712 or log on to www.mcgrawsville.org.
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNICATION JOB OPENINGS
Administrative Assistant III, Global Health Initiative
Provides administrative support and office management for the Executive Director, Global Health Initiative. Forty percent of the job is to perform administrative functions for the Global Health Team. This position requires excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office, Excel and financial accounting software. PowerPoint skills would be an asset. It requires database entry and excellent Internet competency for Web and Internet research.
All resumes must be post marked by Nov. 23.
Any interested applicants should apply to the Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-742-5137 or fax resumes to 615-742-5428.
Share this information with a friend or contact us for more information at hr@umcom.org.
Project Coordinator, Global Health Initiative
Oversees the administrative and project management of the Office of Global Health Initiative. Serves as the primary back-up for the Executive Director of Global Health. Ensures that projects are completed on deadline and within budget. Assists the Executive Director of Global Health Initiative with the implementation and development of agency projects related to the Global Health Initiative.
This position requires a background in Global Health research and/or development. Some fundraising experience is required. Knowledge and ability to build innovative marketing partnerships is needed. Skills in project management, including experience in negotiating contracts, providing leadership and managing budgets are needed. A background in international affairs is needed.
All resumes must be post marked by Dec.11.
Any interested applicants should apply to the Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-742-5137 or fax resumes to 615-742-5428.
Share this information with a friend or contact us for more information at hr@umcom.org.
PREVIOUS JOB LISTINGS
BLOOMINGTON FIRST CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
Director of Youth Ministries: Full time professional role working closely with youth and volunteers in large downtown church. Experience with youth programming, knowledge of Christian theology and BA/BS/equivalent experience required. Send application letter and resume by November 12 to: Mary Beth Morgan, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 936, Bloomington, IN 47402, or by e-mail at mbmorgan@fumcb.org.
Visit First UMC Bloomington on the World Wide Web at www.firstchurchbloomington.org
PART-TIME GENERAL OFFICE POSITION OPEN AT N. IND. UM FOUNDATION
Immediate opening for a General Office Position – Part-Time (16 hours/week) – word processing, backup on answering multi-line phones, photocopying, mailings, assembling copied items, database entry, various secretarial duties as assigned, computer skills including use of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel (minimal), Microsoft Access (minimal). This is a small Christian office, compensation dependent on skill and experience, Equal opportunity employer. For more information please contact: Tamara Hendricks 765-664-2327
Or send resume to: North Indiana United Methodist Foundation, 1001 North Western Ave., Suite D, Marion, IN 46952.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.