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HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-NEWS
For Friday, March 14, 2008 – Sunday is Passion/Palm Sunday
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org.
Deadline for submitting news items is Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
Both Indiana Conferences Top VIM Lists For Volunteers, Money
Plan to Unite Two Indiana Conferences to Be Presented in Web Cast
New Hispanic Ministry Opening Doors in Bloomington
More Help Needed In Indy for Fairer Janitor Wages
Africa University Endowment Reaches $44 Million
Seattle Area Bishop to Head Church’s Mission Agency
Black College Supporters Receive H.O.P.E. Awards
Florida Conference Incorporated Cluster Ministry In 2005
NEWS AND INFORMATION
BOTH INDIANA CONFERENCES TOP VIM LISTS FOR VOLUNTEERS, MONEY
Lorna Jost, coordinator of the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission program for the North Central Jurisdiction, announced to Bishop Mike Coyner last week that the two Indiana Conferences surpassed any other in UMVIM teams and volunteers for the year 2007. North Indiana came out on top with South Indiana a close second.
Jost complimented the Indiana Area saying, “Thank you all for your leadership and tireless work through this United Methodist mission program.”
The North Indiana Conference provided 2,980 volunteers (or 24 percent) from a total of 12,402 volunteers for the North Central Jurisdiction of the UMC.
The South Indiana Conference provided 2,234 volunteers (or 18 percent) from a total of 12,402 volunteers for the North Central Jurisdiction of the UMC.
North Indiana provided more than $1.4 million in contributions and more than $2 million in value of work. South Indiana provided more than $1.1 million in contributions and more than $1.3 million in value of work. A total of $8.9 in contributions and $9.3 million in value of work was given by conferences of the North Central Jurisdiction. – Lorna Jost, UMVIM-NCJ
PLAN TO UNITE TWO INDIANA CONFERENCES TO BE PRESENTED IN WEB CAST
Members of the Imagine Indiana Design Team propose a plan to unite Indiana’s two United Methodist conferences into one new and dynamic annual conference with a priority of resourcing congregations. That plan will summarized during a LIVE Web cast on Sunday, March 30 from 7 to 8 p.m. EDST. This live presentation will begin with a 15-minute summary of the plan followed by 40 minutes of questions and answers e-mailed to the presenters at ImagineIndiana@InAreaUMC.org during the program. The live Web cast will be presented online at www.inareaumc.org, click on Imagine Indiana. The full report is available as a downloadable document online at the same URL. An informational sheet on how to connect to the Web cast and how to host a viewing are available at www.inareaumc.org, click on Imagine Indiana.
NEW HISPANIC MINISTRY OPENING DOORS IN BLOOMINGTON
The new Iglesia Metodista Hispana (no official name has been chosen yet) will soon open its doors to the Hispanic-Latino community of Bloomington and surrounding counties. Services are scheduled to begin promptly at 10 a.m., on Sunday March 16 at the South Indiana Conference Center in Bloomington.
Dr. Ramon Tristani, a native of Puerto Rico, has been asked to lead the efforts to evangelize, promote, organize and provide pastoral services to the new congregation. Plans are in progress to complement the evangelistic effort with internet-based information, coordinate visits to other UMC congregations in the area and local radio broadcasts in Spanish to reach the growing Latino population.
For more information please contact the Bloomington District UMC office at 800-919-8161 or bladmin@sicumc.org. – Bloomington District Office
MORE HELP NEEDED IN INDY FOR FAIRER JANITOR WAGES
Delegations of clergy, including United Methodists, and elected political officials have visited janitorial companies and building owners in Indianapolis to have conversations regarding the need for fairer wages. These delegations help the janitors by letting the janitorial contractors and building owners know that people beyond just their janitorial employees are watching their businesses and the treatment of their employees.
Janitors working at some of the most prestigious corporations in Indianapolis live far below the poverty level and have no access to affordable health care. The average wage for a janitor is less than $10,000 a year.
The Indianapolis Clergy Committee continues to work at supporting the janitors in their struggle for a living wage and affordable health care.
We are in need of clergy who can help us with these appointments on behalf of the janitors. If you would be willing to be part of a delegation, please contact the Rev. Kate Cullinane at 317-690-3238 or at katecullinane@sbcglobal.net. If you have questions, contact the Rev. Darren Cushman Wood, senior pastor of Speedway UMC by phone at 317-241-1563 or by e-mail at dcushwood@speedway-umc.org.
AFRICA UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT REACHES $44 MILLION
United Methodist churches and annual conferences increased their giving to Africa University by 2 percent in 2007 and helped the Zimbabwe school’s endowment reach $44 million.
The 16-year-old university, though challenged by Zimbabwe’s astronomical inflation rate, is managing to cope with political and economic crises, according to a report delivered Feb. 26 to the Africa University Development Advisory Committee in Los Angeles.
The committee’s primary task is to help the university’s development office and its board of directors raise “gifts of love” for the pan-African, United Methodist-related school in Mutare. Africa University is home to 1,400 students representing 26 countries.
Leaders say the university has managed to continue operating amidst national chaos because the Zimbabwean government has not interfered with school operations and because of generous giving to the school’s endowment. The $44 million endowment reached beyond the projected $40 million to be raised by 2012. – UMNS
SEATTLE AREA BISHOP TO HEAD CHURCH’S MISSION AGENCY
United Methodist Bishop Edward Paup has been elected to lead the church's Board of Global Ministries, which oversees global missions and is the denomination's largest agency.
The election came March 11 during the board's spring meeting in Stamford, Conn. He will assume the post of general secretary on Sept. 1. Until that time, Bishop Felton May will continue as the interim top executive.
Paup, 62, is bishop of the Seattle area, which includes the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference and Alaska Missionary Conference, and is president of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops. He said he will tender his resignation from the episcopacy, effective Aug. 31, when the United Methodist Council of Bishops meets in April. The denomination will elect new bishops during jurisdictional meetings in July.
No stranger to the Board of Global Ministries, Paup became a director in 2004 and serves as president of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Paup said he strongly believes in the importance of the role played by the general secretaries of the denomination's agencies and commissions and the need for him to resign as bishop in order to be "in the same category" as his fellow chief executives. – UMNS
BLACK COLLEGE SUPPORTERS RECEIVE H.O.P.E. AWARDS
Two United Methodists are the recipients of the 2008 H.O.P.E. legacy awards from the Black College Fund for giving hope to 11 historically black colleges and universities related to The United Methodist Church.
The Rev. John G. Corry, chaplain and senior adviser to the president for United Methodist Church Affairs at Meharry Medical College, and Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the Office of Loans and Scholarships for the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, received the awards Feb. 28 during the 41st annual meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal in Los Angeles.
Nearly 16,000 students attend the 11 church-related, historically black schools. The 35-year-old Black College Fund is supported by local church apportionments and promoted through an internship program named for former fund executive Lina H. McCord. – UMNS
FLORIDA CONFERENCE INCORPORATED CLUSTER MINISTRY IN 2005
Florida’s Bishop Whitaker promotes clusters to reconnect the connection.
Here is a story worth considering in light of the Imagine Indiana Design Team proposal to use clusters of congregations to reconnect the connection here in Indiana.
Log on to www.flumc.info/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000044/004435.htm.
MEMPHIS MINISTER NAMED YOUTH MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Henry ‘Hank’ Hilliard has been named manager of Youth Ministry Development for Young People’s Ministries in Nashville, Tenn., which is a ministry of the UM General Board of Discipleship.
“Hank brings a wealth of experience planning, organizing and promoting ministry programming, including mission trips, spiritual formation retreats, outreach events and creative arts ministry teams,” said Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.
Hilliard was formerly director of both Youth and College Ministry and Young Adult Ministries at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Memphis, where he was responsible for leading and directing youth ministries for over 12 years. He started a college and young adult ministry at the church in 2003. – GBOD
SOUTH INDIANA UM FOUNDATION REQUESTS BAPTISM PICTURES
Help us celebrate what God is doing here in Indiana and include your church in the United Methodist Foundation of South Indiana’s 2007 Annual Report! As the staff prepares the annual report, we are looking for digital pictures of baptisms that have occurred in our local churches. Photos can be of babies or adults and don’t have to have occurred in 2007. Send us a digital photo preferably in tiff or jpeg format. Please include the name of the person being baptized, the church name, approximate date or year and a signed photo release by March 21st. Release is available to print from our website at www.umfsi.org. Please do not mail original photos to the Foundation. Contact Kathy Marquart at the Foundation office if you have any questions. Thank you.
Phone Toll Free 877.391.8811 or kathy@umfsi.org
More stories are available online at www.umc.org and www.umportal.org.
CABINET CORNER
PERSONAL MATTERS
Never does a cabinet meeting go by that district superintendents don’t spend time on the area of “Personnel.” Depending on the number of people involved, this can take as much time as anything they do, unless “appointment season” is in full swing. Usually personnel issues are time sensitive and are handled at the time they surface.
What is a personnel issue? It could be a pastor who is going through health problems. Perhaps there is a crisis in his or her family. Sometimes churches and pastors are locked into unhealthy relationships that need sorting out, and either the church or pastor is looking to the bishop and cabinet for wisdom. Occasionally, a pastor is burned out in his or her appointment and looks for advice on how to stay in that appointment productively. Sadly, there are times our pastors suffer from an addictive behavior or have had a very poor lapse in judgment. Each personnel situation is unique and requires superintendents to give their best soul work in finding solutions that are fair, beneficial to individuals and their congregations, and true to the principles of our faith. If need be, cabinet members make time to meet with those involved, either as a cabinet, or two to three superintendents representing the cabinet.
Thankfully, some personnel issues are more celebrative, and those are times for great joy. The cabinet is always glad when pastors are sharing good news with their superintendents. It could be a victory for their church, a new baby in the family, or even a personal accomplishment. Truly God is good, and superintendents need that reminder as often as anyone.
At other times personnel matters are more administrative, needing only cabinet approval for a retirement or change of ministerial status.
Superintendents are thankful they have an experienced bishop who has good counsel for matters such as these. Bishop Coyner has a healthy and balanced perspective on our pastors and their congregations. Your prayers are certainly coveted as superintendents feel the weight of trying to do the best they can for our United Methodist Church in Indiana.
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
The disciples left and did what Jesus had told them to do. They brought the donkey and its colt and laid some clothes on their backs. Then Jesus got on.
Many people spread clothes in the road, while others put down branches which they had cut from trees. Some people walked ahead of Jesus and others followed behind. They were all shouting, "Hooray for the Son of David! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hooray for God in heaven above!"
When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, "Who can this be?"
The crowd answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
-- Matthew 21:6-11
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
WORSHIP RESOURCES
DISCIPLESHIP AGENCY SEEKS YOUR RESPONSE IN ONLINE HYMNAL SURVEY
Dean McIntyre, Director of Music Resources, at the General Board of Discipleship, would like to know what you think about our current The United Methodist Hymnal published in 1989 and some common practices related to congregational worship and singing. He invites you to participate in a survey open to all United Methodists – pastors, musicians, laity, children, youth, adults. Your responses will be used in planning future resources in the areas of congregational worship and music.
The survey will be available for responding from Monday, March 17 through Sunday, March 30. It will consist of about 35 simple statements related to the hymnal, worship and congregational singing, and you will be asked to register your agreement or disagreement with each statement by mouse-clicking on a button. The entire survey should take no more than 15 minutes.
If you would like to sign up NOW to take this survey when it is available online, you may do so by going to www.gbod.org/hymnal where you can register. When the survey is available, we will send to you an email notification and a link that will take you to the survey.
Thank you for your willingness to contribute your time to this important research. We encourage you to share this invitation with other United Methodists. – GBOD
ORGAN FOR SALE
Organ for Sale; Regency SE10 Lowrey Organ
Price; $7,400 OBO Condition – New
Call 812-279-6914 or email mike.berry@insightbb.com
GENERAL CONFERENCE COVERAGE
COMMUNICATION READY FOR ONLINE VISITORS TO GENERAL CONFERENCE
United Methodist Communications is prepared for thousands of online visitors to watch and gather information on the denomination’s 2008 legislative conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
About 1,000 delegates from around the world will gather April 23 to May 2, 2008 to determine priorities and set a direction for the 11-million member denomination. The General Conference’s proceedings will be available through www.GC2008.umc.org or www.umc.org. Worship, special addresses, celebrations, and other selected plenary sessions will be available on live video streaming. – UM Communications
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2008 SOUTH INDIANA CONF. LAITY MANUSCRIPT CONTEST ANNOUNCED
Each year the Board of Laity offers the opportunity to all laity of the South Indiana Conference to express thanks and praise God by submitting a sermon manuscript for judging. The deadline for entries is April 30, 2008. This year the theme is “One in Spirit, All in Ministry: In the Spirit of Fellowship.” Manuscripts are judged on how well the theme is followed and developed, as well as the use of creative writing techniques. The author will present the winning manuscript at the Laity Session of the Annual Conference on Thursday June 5 in Bloomington. Two other manuscripts will be given Honorable Mention.
Manuscripts are to be sent to Ike Williams, Conference Lay Leader, 1515 Cool Creek Drive, Carmel, Indiana 46033-2318. Name, address, phone number, local church name, and district name should be on a cover letter. Manuscripts will be assigned a number and be judged anonymously by the selection committee. The winners and two runners up will be notified by May 21. All entries must be postmarked by April 30. Additional information concerning the contest can be obtained by contacting Bob Pimlott, Columbus District Lay Leader at 812-273-3081 or by e-mail at rpimlott1@verizon.net.
MINISTRY RESOURCES
PASTORS, HAVE YOU RETURNED YOUR INTERPRETER ENROLLMENT FORM?
United Methodist Communications asks pastors who have not completed and returned the Interpreter magazine enrollment form to do so as soon as possible. The form may be completed online, sent by fax to 615-742-5499, e-mailed or mailed to United Methodist Communications, Customer Service – Interpreter Enrollment, P.O. Box 440229, Nashville, TN 37244-0229. For those enrolling online, contact Customer Service, 888-346-3862, to obtain the customer number and pass code. You also may receive a copy of your church's enrollment form by calling Customer Service.
CONNECTIONAL GIVING ONLINE COURSE OFFERED BY UMCOM
Registration is opened through April 16.
More than 100 people participated in the inaugural session of "Turning Connectional Living into Connectional Giving," a free online course from United Methodist Communications. To critical acclaim, participants said, "I really enjoyed learning about apportioned giving. It makes a lot more sense to me now. I don't think most people in my church understand this concept, but I do!" Join us through April 16 (open registration) for the next session of this informative and interactive online course. For more information or to register, visit www.training.umcom.org.
The next session will be May 7-June 18, 2008.
NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION SUNDAY COMING APRIL 6
Celebrate the gifts and contributions of Native Americans, Sunday, April 6.
Our denomination continues to be a growing mosaic in a wide variety of cultures and ethnic heritage. When your church participates in the church-wide offering for Native American Ministries Sunday, the church is empowered to continue to prepare Native American church leaders and to bring ministry to persons whose culture is historically unique to this land we all love.
To order envelopes so your congregation can participate in this church-wide offering, call 888-346-3862, and they will be sent, at no cost to your church. Call today.
To explore the online resources for Native American Ministries Sunday go to Native American Ministries Sunday.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR MONTH OF MARCH
The North Indiana Conference Media Center in the process of implementing new software. This process may take a while. When everything is entered into a new system we will have a new media catalog on line. Until then please call or e-mail us if there is a resource or topic you are interested in and do not see on line. Unfortunately until a new media catalog is up and running, availability may not always be correct, please feel free to call Angel at 1-800-783-5138 or e-mail Angel Rea. Our on-line catalog can be accessed at www.nicumc.org/in/mc/. We look forward to helping you pick just the right resource for your church! Here are some of our new resources: The True Easter Story by Ray Vander Laan; Resurrection by Max Lucado, And It Was So, Easter Episode – Cherub Wings, children 3-7; Prophecies of the Passion, Opening Ourselves To Grace-Basic Christian Practices, Leadership from the Heart-, Baptism in The United Methodist Church, Team For Peace- Palestine/Israeli Preteen Soccer Team, Forged By Fire, Salt of the Earth: Palestinian Christians, and Clayride: A Gallop Through Methodist History DVD.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR MARCH
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Center” (on first two screens) and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources” and “Picks of the Month.” March “Picks” have been posted. Highlighted are: Invisible Chapel (immigration); Muslims in America (Appalachia); Restless Hearts: Where Do I Go Now, God? (vocational guidance); Road Trip to Kenya; Strangers No Longer (immigration); Suffering of Sudan; and [UP] Artist-Driven Bible Studies That Connect Music to the Message (for teens). NOTE: Lent/Easter resources can be found online. If you have not yet selected supplemental videos or DVDs for Easter, click on “Media Center” (twice), then on “Bibliographies” and scroll down to HOLIDAYS. Click on “Lent/Easter”
By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-919-8160, you can order these and other resources from a selection of more than 4000 videos and DVDs. Your only cost is return postage. This service is provided through your connectional tithe. Contact Mary Barnes, Media Center Director, for more information/consultation. For the complete catalog resources, log on to www.sicumc.org and click on Media Center.
DEATHS
MABEL COLLIER CUNNINGHAM, widow of the late Rev. Ralph Cunningham (NIC), died March 11, 2008. A memorial service has been scheduled for Fri., March 14 at 10 a.m. (CDST) at the Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, 5330 Washington Ave. in Evansville, Ind., with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Mark Dicken will officiate.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, the late Grover Lee Collier; her second husband, the late Rev. Ralph W. Cunningham. Survivors include: her son, Robert J. Collier; two grandchildren, Robert W. Collier and Kimberly Hancock; four great-grandchildren; a step-daughter, JoAnn Cunningham; two step-grandchildren, Janet Anderson and Robert W. Cunningham; four step-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Gideon’s International, The Evansville East Camp, P.O. Box 554, Evansville, IN 47704. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.courierpress.com.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
No appointments this week.
NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
MISHAWAKA CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIES
A Director of Student Ministries is needed at First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, Ind.
Our ministry for youth is ready to break out in exciting ways with the leader that God has called to unlock it with a high energy design. The vitality of student ministry in this emerging congregation has been demonstrated in camp ministry growth from 22 in 2005 to 92 in 2007. Our vision for the future of this ministry requires an individual who will discern the next steps for reaching our community’s children and youth with the Gospel in bold and creative ways. Please respond before March 31.
For more information, log on to www.fumcom.com or contact Senior Pastor Larry Whitehead at lkwduke@aol.com, or call 574-255-4707.
WHITELAND CHURCH SEEKS CHILDREN’S PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Children’s Program Coordinator for Whiteland United Methodist Church. 20 hours-per-week minimum. Pre-K through 6th grade. To help children and their families discover the love of Jesus. Needs to be a caring, innovative and enthusiastic leader who can initiate, coordinate and create high energy activities and programs. Job Requirement: Love and compassion for children as individuals and in groups, sound theological background, excellent communications skills, energetic, self starter who takes initiative/leadership role. Job offer closes on March 31. Submit resume to office@wumc-in.org or mail to Whiteland UMC, 309 Main St, Whiteland, IN 46184
SOUTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE SEEKS COMMUNICATIONS/PR DIRECTOR
The Southwest Texas Conference seeks a communications and public witness director. S/he plans and executes actions to enhance the church's reputation; acts as public information release authority; coordinates emergency communication/disaster response; and supervises print, Web and video communication operations. Requirements include a master's degree in communication and 10 years' experience in public-relations management. Professional accreditation is preferred. Please apply to the Rev. Austin Frederick, afred@umcswtx.org.
WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE SEEK DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
The West Virginia Conference seeks a director of communications to coordinate and oversee communications ministries. Located in Charleston, W.V., this position requires knowledge and experience in all areas of communications, including print and electronic media, Web-based resources and public relations. A bachelor's degree in a communications discipline or a related field is required. An advanced degree is preferred. For information or to apply, contact: Dr. William Wilson, Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to the Bishop, P.O. Box 2313, Charleston, WV 25328, or drbillwilson@aol.com. The job description is posted online at www.wvumc.org. The conference is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
INDY CHURCH SEEKS DYNAMIC DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, is seeking an energetic and dynamic Director of Youth Ministries to lead its outreach to youth in the community and congregation. Building on the current ministries, the Director will be responsible for leading and expanding a program that welcomes youth into loving, Christ-centered relationships where they are transformed by God’s love and empowered to transform the world. The position is full-time and includes benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.). The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Inquiries and resumes should be directed to the Rev. Brian Durand, 100 West 86th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46260 or durandb@stlukesumc.com. A full position listing can be found at www.stlukesumcyouth.com. Applications received by March 31 will receive first consideration.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
INDIANA UNITED METHODIST LOAN FUND SEEKS FIELD REPRESENTATIVES
The Indiana United Methodist Loan Fund is seeking Field Representatives to promote the Loan Fund in the following Districts: Indianapolis West and Terre Haute
We need persons who would be proactive in making contacts with conference leaders and local churches. We estimate time commitment to be 10-40 hours per month. This position is ideal for those who are retired, semi-retired, or planning to retire soon. Field Reps are compensated for their time on a per diem basis, plus expenses. Call 866-669-2327 and ask for Tamara, or e-mail thendricks@niumf.org.
Other employment opportunities previously listed can be found at www.inareaumc.org/job.htm.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.