Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
For Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 – Sunday is the second Sunday after Epiphany
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
IMAGINE INDIANA CONTINUES WITH FOCUS ON SERVICE TO CHURCHES
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FLOOD RECOVERY IN LAFAYETTE DISTRICT
CHRISTIAN UNITY WEEK MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
HUMAN RELATIONS DAY TO BE CELEBRATED THIS COMING SUNDAY
UINDY TO HOLD GROUNDBREAKING AT STUDENT CENTER FEB. 5
UE OPENING AN OFFICE IN INDIANAPOLIS NEXT MONTH
DENZEL WASHINGTON SAYS ‘THANKS’ THE UMC
INDY PASTOR CHALLENGES UMC PASTORS TO PREACH BAREFOOT JAN. 27
NEWS AND INFORMATION
IMAGINE INDIANA CONTINUES WITH FOCUS ON SERVICE TO CHURCHES
The Imagine Indiana Designed Team continued its work this week. If the goal of The United Methodist Church is to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” the center of that activity is at the local church or congregational level. The Imagine Indiana Design Team continues to focus on that goal and how to assist congregations in achieving it as the 12-member team writes its report to come before both annual conferences later this spring.
According to the Design Team’s draft report introduction, “Creating a new Indiana Conference is all about these five practices of a fruitful annual conference (adapted from the book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase)”:
- Focus on Mission -- The team plans to recommend each local church become a part of a Ministry Cluster of four to nine congregations to cooperate, collaborate and hold one another accountable.
- Resource Local Churches -- The team plans to recommend a focus on providing resources to start new faith communities, to strengthen existing churches and to provide effective leadership for all local churches, and that conference staff and resources will be deployed to respond to local churches and clusters.
- Streamline Conference Structure -- The team plans to recommend a streamlined structure of one Conference Center for the bishop and other leaders and with five Resource Centers across the state to support the work of 10 districts as they resource our more than 1,200 local churches. This is a change from a former plan of 9 districts with 3 Resource Centers. The new 10-district plan was recommended by both cabinets meeting in a retreat this past week and adapted by the Imagine Indiana Design Team.
- Care for Clergy -- The team plans to recommend a combined benefits structure which protects current eligibility, raises clergy benefits to the higher levels of either preceding conference, and provides support systems to enhance effective clergy leadership. In addition, the team will further recommend that all clergy participate in Covenant Groups and plans for a “Well-Lived Pastoral Life” program that are being developed with a grant from the Lilly Endowment to help our clergy.
- Make a Difference -- The team believes that the new Indiana Conference can provide a vehicle for all of us to make a difference here in Indiana and literally around the world.
Using these principles of organization, the Imagine Indiana Design Team hopes to complete its draft report in early February for review before releasing it in March.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FLOOD RECOVERY IN LAFAYETTE DISTRICT
Hundreds of homes who were under water in the Lafayette District are now making themselves visible, but hundreds of volunteers in mission will be needed during the coming months.
With all of the flooding around Delphi and Monticello area and tornado damage in the Nappanee area, it is essential to have more volunteers trained to serve in such emergencies so we are providing this opportunity to have equipped to serve when called. A Disaster Early Response Training Event is scheduled to be held on March 8 at Indianapolis St. Luke's UMC. See e-VENTS listings for more details.
Volunteers whether it be individuals or teams are being requested in the Monticello and Delphi area. For more information, contact Bonnie Albert, UMVIM Coordinator North Indiana Conference at 219-464-1447 or 219-241-7250.
UM Pastors Todd Ladd and Brian Beeks have been taking the lead in getting the assistance to their affected areas including a $10,000 emergency grant from UMCOR. What great information to share with local churches as the One Great Hour of Sharing offering goes to provide the early response funds for UMCOR to use in disasters such as the one we are experiencing now.
So please remind local churches to be sure to provide an opportunity for their members to make a donation to UMCOR through One Great Hour of Sharing.
In 2006 only 37 percent of the UM churches in the country received this offering. Missionally, the Indiana Area is above average in so many ways so maybe with a little push, we will do so in giving through One Great Hour of Sharing.
CHRISTIAN UNITY WEEK MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
“Pray Without Ceasing” is the theme of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which United Methodists and others around the world will observe this month. The week will be observed Jan. 18-25, and its theme is taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The prayer of Jesus was that “we might become one,” said the Rev. W. Douglas Mills, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. “We, as United Methodists, are genuinely interested in unity, because unity is a gift from God.” More information and downloadable resources for the week can be found at www.geii.org/wpcu_resources.htm. – UMNS
HUMAN RELATIONS DAY TO BE CELEBRATED THIS COMING SUNDAY
This Sunday, Jan. 20, United Methodist congregations observe Human Relations Day – “Make it a Day for All God’s Children.” The special offering supports Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Service and Youth Offender Rehabilitation programs.
Please don’t apologize to the congregation because it is “another Special Sunday.” Instead, learn about the day, celebrate all that can happen with our generous giving and thank the congregation for sharing.
United Methodists do give of themselves; sometimes all that’s necessary is to ask boldly. Let’s not be afraid to ask. Make it a day for all God’s children. Thank you!
For more information and resources about Human Relations Day, log on to www.umcgiving.org/content/sundays/HRD_nav/human.asp
Here’s a list of all Special Sundays with offerings this year:
- Humans Relations Day, Jan. 20
- One Great Hour of Sharing, March 2
- Native American Ministries Sunday, April 6
- Peace with Justice Sunday, May 18
- World Communion Sunday, Oct. 5
- United Methodist Student Day, Nov. 30.
UINDY TO HOLD GROUNDBREAKING AT STUDENT CENTER FEB. 5
The University of Indianapolis will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 5 to mark the start of a year-long construction and renovation project for the Schwitzer Student Center that will expand dining facilities and enhance students’ recreational and social space. The program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Schwitzer atrium. The $13 million project involves the addition of a 48,000-square-foot wing to the northeast end of the building, and an overhaul of existing dining and social areas. Construction of the addition is scheduled to start as soon as utilities are relocated. The interior makeover will begin immediately upon conclusion of the second semester on May 2.
When students return in the fall, they will see a more aesthetically pleasing and accessible dining room with expanded seating capacity, an extended grill and coffee shop with additional seating, a pick-up pizza shop and a cozy new lounge, as well as cosmetic improvements to their recreational hub. The new three-story wing, scheduled for completion in November, will expand special dining and conferencing options immediately, as well as provide additional space to be finished later.
For more information about United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis, log on to www.uindy.edu. – UIndy
UE OPENING AN OFFICE IN INDIANAPOLIS NEXT MONTH
Beginning Feb. 25, the University of Evansville will have a Regional Development Office in Indianapolis, to better serve the approximately 3,500 UE alumni in the greater Indianapolis area. Jeff Lake, who currently serves as the University’s Director of Gift Planning & Capital Support, will manage the office as the Indianapolis Regional Development Officer. The effort is part of UE’s U•Envision 2010 capital campaign.
As the Indianapolis Regional Development Officer, Lake will be responsible for both increasing networking opportunities between the University and alumni in the area, and for actively pursuing University fund-raising opportunities. For more information about United Methodist-related University of Evansville, log on to www.evansville.edu. – UE
DENZEL WASHINGTON SAYS ‘THANKS’ THE UMC
The Great Debaters film director and star thanks The United Methodist Church
Denzel Washington, director and star of the critically acclaimed movie “The Great Debaters,” has shared a 5 minute videotaped greeting and expression of gratitude to The United Methodist Church for its decades of support to black colleges. Check out the video clip and other information about this movie featuring Wiley College, one our historically black colleges. – UMNS
INDY PASTOR CHALLENGES UMC PASTORS TO PREACH BAREFOOT JAN. 27
IUPUI Men’s Head Basketball Coach Ron Hunter will coach in his bare feet next Thursday, Jan. 24 at home against Oakland at 7 p.m. Pastor Andrea Leininger challenges the United Methodist pastors of Indiana to join her in preaching barefoot on Sunday, Jan.27 and encourage their congregations to come to worship without shoes and socks.
It’s all to raise awareness for children around the world who don’t have shoes. Samaritan’s Feet (www.samaritansfeet.org), founded by Emmanuel Ohonme, is a humanitarian relief organization created to provide hope and shoes to impoverished children throughout the world. Manny is originally from Nigeria and grew up very poor. He received his first pair of shoes at the age of 9 from a missionary, who also taught him how to play basketball. These shoes helped him get better at sports, specifically basketball. Eventually he earned a scholarship to play basketball at University of North Dakota.
Pastor Leininger and Coach Hunter’s goals are to raise awareness for Samaritan’s Feet and 40,000 pairs of shoes in honor of the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.
Here are events that will take place next week in celebration of the historic event:
- Jan. 23 - 7 to 9 p.m. Admission Cost: A pair of new athletic
shoes
- Pizza, Concert and Shoe Donation Drive Thru
- New Augusta Middle School, 6450 Rodebaugh Road, Indianapolis
- Jan. 24
|
|
RHODES NAMED COMMUNICATIONS HEAD FOR SOCIAL ACTION AGENCY
Wayne Rhodes of Glen Allen, Va., was named communications director for the General Board of Church and Society. Among his duties, Rhodes will edit the agency’s weekly electronic newsletter Faith in Action, develop program materials for the board’s ministry areas and serve as a media-relations contact. He recently served as interim director of communications for Northern Illinois when his wife, Linda, left that position to become director of communications for the Virginia Conference of the denomination. For the past seven years, Wayne Rhodes served as North Central Jurisdiction field representative of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. In that role, he interpreted and promoted mission activities of the denomination for 12 annual conferences. He may be reached at 202-488-5630 or via e-mail: wrhodes@umc-gbcs.org. – General Board of Church and Society news release
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED MARCH 2
This offering is essential to UMCOR, gifts to this offering underwrite UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” That helps us keep our promise that 100 percent of every other gift you make to a specific UMCOR project can be spent on that project-not on home office costs and assisting UMCOR programs that have not been fully funded through designated Advance gifts.
Free offering envelopes & DVD’s are available for the ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING offering by calling 888-346-3862, fax: 615-742-5499 or order online at www.umcgiving.org/ss. Other resources include bulletin insert, litany of hope, songs, scripture which can be downloaded from www.umcor.org/how to give/one great hour of sharing. – UMNS
More stories are available online at www.umc.org and www.umportal.org.
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I told you about when I said, “Someone else will come. He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.” I didn’t know who he was. But I came to baptize you with water, so that everyone in Israel would see him.
– John 1:29-31
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
WORSHIP RESOURCES
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S FAVORITE HYMN
By Dean McIntyre (Music Musing #173)
What was Martin Luther King, Jr.’s favorite hymn? The last words he spoke after he was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, surrounded by his friends and associates, were a request to his friend and musician as he asked him to play it at the meeting they were to attend that night. His final words were “Play it real pretty”. This article is about his favorite hymn. Consider reprinting it as a church bulletin or newsletter insert for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 21, 2008), Black History Month (February) or the 40th anniversary of King’s death (April 4, 2008).
NEW MUSIC COPYRIGHT DEVELOPMENTS FOR CHURCHES
The music publishing and recording industry continues to prosecute illegal use of copyrighted music and videos in the courts, and there are fines being levied in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This article discusses a new development that has implications for churches that make use of copyrighted and recorded music and videos in worship.
- www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45730&loc_id=17,823
BAPTISM IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DVD – Item Number: 6294
Have you heard everything there is to know about baptism? Think again. This new resource is the perfect teaching aid about the sacrament of baptism. It covers topics such as these:
- Why our understanding and practice of baptism changes over time
- Why we should use more, rather than less, water when we baptize
- Why Jesus’ baptism was about more than the forgiveness of sins
- Why there is no preferred age (infant, youth or adult) for baptism
This DVD contains five segments:
- For all ages – reflections on the meaning of baptism as it is lived out each day
- For adults – an overview of baptism by today’s top scholars and church leaders
- For adults – a focus on the liturgy and meaning of Christian baptism
- For youth ages 12 to 18 – for confirmation classes, small groups and retreats
- For children ages 8 to 11 – ideal for Sunday school or evening programs
A free leader’s guide is available by clicking the Study Guides link on the EcuFilm home page www.ecufilm.org.
- Audience: Children, youth and adults
- Running Time: 8 to 14 minutes per segment
- Suggested Settings: Sunday school, confirmation class, small groups, evening programs, new-member classes, retreats DVD 6294: Cost $79.95 – United Methodist Productions/EcuFilm
MINISTRY RESOURCES
ECUFILM RELEASES SIX POPULAR CLASSICS
EcuFilm provides an extensive selection of audio and visual materials for use in Sunday school programs, Bible studies and group discussions. Six popular resources on DVD have been released as part of a new EcuFilm Classics line. They are Curing Affluenza with host Tony Campolo; Searching for Spirituality, featuring host Joan Chittister; Marcus Borg’s The Death and Resurrection of Jesus; A Place to Pray; Conversations on the Lord’s Prayer by Roberta Bondi; The System Belongs to God with host Walter Wink; and What’s God Up To? featuring Amy-Jill Levine.
“Even though most of these titles are at least a decade old and haven’t been promoted in recent EcuFilm catalogs,” said Cindy Solomon, business development manager for EcuFilm, “they continued to sell in VHS format. We decided to offer them on DVD, both for resource centers and educators who’d like to replace worn VHS copies and for viewers discovering these titles for the first time. The messages are as true and timeless today as when they were first released.”
For more information about each title and to download free leader guides, visit www.ecufilm.org or contact Cindy at csolomon@umcom.org.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR JANUARY
Greetings from North Indiana’s Media Resource Center contact us at media@nicumc.org or call 800-783-5138 feel free to browse our Web site: www.nicumc.org/in/mc/ we are in the process of implementing new software the availability may not be correct, please call if you have any questions. Helping you and your church to strengthen your mind, body and spirit! We look forward to partnering with you in 08!
New Releases:
- NOOMA-NAME (2007) Rob Bell/Zondervan DVD/11 min/Youth/Adult
- Parenting The Early Years-The parent you want to be: Who you
are matters more than what you do (2007) Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot/Zondervan-DVD/6
wks/Adults
Kit Includes 6DVD’s, 112 PG Leader’s Guide, 6 Workbooks, 1 book-The Parents You Have Always Wanted To Be. Promotional materials. 6-week study/Adult - Your Whole Life: The 3D Plan for Eating Right, Living Well, and Loving God (2007) Paraclete Press-Kit/Study/Adult- A copy of Your Whole Life Journal, One sample Your Whole Life Prayer Car, Your own Pedometer, A complete 3D information/publicity kit, including a poster, flyers, and “Meet the Authors” DVD
- Revival of Hope: Adults Making a Difference-Kit (1992) Cokesbury VHS/60 min/Adult-Reaching out to those who have been hurt by alcohol & drugs, assessment, awareness & action
- Revival of Hope: A Church Guide for Community Action on Drug Concerns – Kit (1992) Cokesbury VHS/20 min/Adult/Youth
- Discover The Joy: A Stewardship Education and Development Program for use in Annual Giving Campaigns- Kit (1992) Resources Services, Inc VHS/Adult
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR JANUARY
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.” January “Picks” have been posted.
Some of the newest additions include: Dalai Lama Interfaith Service; Efird Bible Study Series: Book of Genesis, Book of Psalms, and Acts of the Apostles; and, for the “early birds” who like to reserve Christmas resources way ahead, six new titles: Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree, Midnight Clear, Nativity Story, Ultimate Gift, and Very First Noel.
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, director of the center, can be reached at mbarnes@sicumc.org for more information/consultation. For the catalog of resources, log on to www.sicumc.org and click on Media Center.
MOVIE REVIEW
THE GREAT DEBATERS
- Production Company: The Weinstein Company/Harpo Films
- Director: Denzel Washington
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett, Jermaine Williams, Gina Ravera, John Heard, Kimberly Elise
- Rating: PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.
By Gregg Tubbs
(UMC.org) – “We do what we have to do so we can do what we want to do.” That’s the mantra heard throughout the stirring new drama, The Great Debaters, directed by and starring Denzel Washington. This motto strikes at the heart of the hard road those who smash racial barriers must travel. This is familiar territory for Washington, who has played it out in war (Glory) and sports (Remember the Titans). But if it’s familiar theme, the new backdrop of a college debate team breathes new life into the struggle for racial equality, and when you’ve got the talents of Washington, Forest Whitaker and a group of bright young newcomers, it’s a tale worth seeing and learning from again.
For the full review and study questions, log on to www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3758701/k.41FE/Movie_Review_iThe_Great_Debatersi.htm.
DEATHS
MINNETTE HARTLE BELLANTE, died Wedneday, Jan.16, 2008 (NIC). Visitation is scheduled for Friday , Jan. 18, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Pointe (United Methodist Memorial Home), 801 Huntington Ave. in Warren, Ind. A memorial service will be on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. with calling one hour prior at Heritage Pointe. The Rev. Howard Cress will officiate. The late Dean Hartle died April 5, 2001. Dean and Minnette worked at Epworth Forest for 21 years. Survivors include the Rev. John Bellante; foster daughter Alleyne Metzger, step-children Judy and Mark Bellante. Condolences may be sent to the Rev. John Bellante, 801 Huntington Ave, TH #35, Warren, IN 46792.
Memorials may be given to the Warren UMC, PO Box 322, Warren, IN 46792-0322 or Epworth Forest, PO Box 16, North Webster, IN 46555-0016.
MARTHA HOPKINS, 86, mother of Bishop John Hopkins of the Ohio East Area (formerly of SIC), died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008 after an extended illness. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19, at 2:30 p.m., at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery, Ala. Condolences can be sent to Bishop Hopkins at 7067 Deer Trail Avenue, NE, Canton, OH 44721.
CORRECTION ON DEATH NOTICE
WILBURN E. CROPPER, retired pastor (SIC), died Dec. 20, 2007. A memorial service was held Dec. 27 at Laws-Carr-Moore Funeral Home in Milan, Ind. Survivors include: his wife Irene Cropper, 7007 S Bearwallow Rd, Maysville, KY 41056; one daughter, Jeannine Applegate; two sons, James Cropper and Dennis Cropper; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2008 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the week of January 18, 2008.
North Indiana Conference
- None this week
South Indiana Conference
- Brinegar, Raymond from Bedford: Grace, Bloomington to no appointment, 1/15
- Skiba, Ann Elaine from no appointment to Nobles Chapel, Evansville, 12/1/07
- Underwood, Harold E. from Clarks: Ohio Falls, New Albany to no appointment, 1/1
NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
- None listed this week.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
- None listed this week.
Other employment opportunities previously listed can be found at www.inareaumc.org/job.htm.
Send your events announcements for posting to dgangler@inareaumc.org.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.