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HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-NEWS
For Friday, April 18, 2008 – Sunday is fifth Sunday of Easter
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
Bishop Coyner, Dean Jones Speak To Living in Wesleyan Way
Rhoades Elected First Alternate for Women’s Division Director
General Conference to Include Emphasis on Health
Navy Chaplain Raises Concerns of Returning Veterans from Iraq
New Albany Organist, 89, To Retire, Move to Chicago
Oregon Pact Models UMC, Lutheran Communion
NEWS AND INFORMATION
BISHOP COYNER, DEAN JONES SPEAK TO LIVING IN WESLEYAN WAY
Bishop Mike Coyner and Greg Jones, dean of Duke Divinity School, spoke to more than 560 Indiana United Methodist clergy during a two-day Our Life Together retreat at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Using the Wesleyan way of living, Coyner left his prepared sermon to speak from his heart to pastors. He said, “I love The United Methodist Church and I believe we got it right. We have a theology of both faith and works, both local and global.”
He also spoke openly to any pastors that did not want to follow in the Wesleyan way saying, “If you don’t love this church, please find another church. I hope you are here to be part of this church. If you do not (want to be part of this church), I ask you to seek out another church.”
He outlined accomplishments of both conferences working together. He said during the past 40 years, more than 280,000 people professed faith in Jesus Christ and joined the church in Indiana. Both conferences also lead the North Central Jurisdiction in volunteers-in-mission participation and in money given to VIM projects.
Addressing the same pastors, Jones talked about living the way John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, intended his pastors to live. He spoke about three characteristics of leaders in the Wesleyan movement today.
Personal humility by the work we do on behalf of the church. We need to put away selfish ambitions as an alternate in mediocrity. We need to stop being preoccupied with ourselves and passionate about our mission.
Transformational leaders are people of extraordinary character, not in their personal charisma but the way they lead their lives with, as Wesley would say, holiness of heart and life, letting the light of Christ to shine through.
Effective leaders are powerful storytellers. We need to tell the story to chart a new direction. We have the best story ever told. We need to tell this story in fresh ways. We will be successful as leaders if we can hold things together, in this fragmented society, until a new way is made known. Jesus has the capacity to keep people around the table until our imagination comes into being.
Jones further used three images inspire connections: Friendship to God and friendliness to others; to imagine hospitality to strangers and imagine loving enemies.
A fuller report of this retreat will be featured in the May-June issue of Together.
RHOADES ELECTED FIRST ALTERNATE FOR WOMEN’S DIVISION DIRECTOR
North Indiana Conference United Methodist Women are honored to announce that Ellen Rhoades, of the Fort Wayne District, was elected as First Alternate for the North Central Jurisdiction United Methodist Women’s Division Directors. In addition to Ellen’s election, nine others were elected to serve as Directors. Ellen’s role as First Alternate is to serve in the event that any one of the other nine cannot fulfill their four year term.
Fifty-one North Indiana Conference United Methodist Women attended the North Central Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting in Bloomington, Minn. March 27-30. The main purpose of the event was to elect Women’s Division Directors. Barbara McCoy from Fort Wayne District and Darlene Sullivan from Lafayette District, were also nominees representing North Indiana United Methodist Women.
All of the Bishops from the nine states that comprise North Central Jurisdiction participated in the three day event. In conjunction with the event’s theme, “Called by Name, You Are Mine”, each one of the Bishops shared how God had called them into ministry. Bishop Coyner assisted in the meaningful Communion Service that sent forth the crowd of more than 700 UM Women renewed in faith, hope, and love, recommitted to God’s call to fulfill the purpose of United Methodist Women in mission.
GENERAL CONFERENCE TO INCLUDE EMPHASIS ON HEALTH
A new focus on health at the 2008 General Conference will include daily fitness walks and a Health and Wholeness booth offering blood pressure checks, relaxation exercises, massage chairs and interactive health information.
General Conference, the top legislative assembly of The United Methodist Church, meets April 23-May 2 at the Forth Worth (Texas) Convention Center. Almost 1,000 delegates will act on more than 1,500 pieces of proposed legislation during 10 consecutive days of meetings.
Six United Methodist agencies sponsoring the Health and Wholeness booth envision the 30-by-80-foot space as an oasis from the stresses of the conference – a place to relax while learning more about personal health, congregational health ministries, healthcare advocacy and global health.
Free water bottles, pedometers and apples will be available at the booth to encourage healthy behavior during the assembly, which can be mentally and physically demanding because of the heavy workload, long hours, tight schedules and a lack of sleep.
“We believe United Methodists are called to work toward a global society of persons who are spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally healthy,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. He and other members of the Interagency Health and Wholeness Task Force planned the booth and related activities in cooperation with the Central Texas Conference host committee. – UMNS
NAVY CHAPLAIN RAISES CONCERNS OF RETURNING VETERANS FROM IRAQ
As the Iraq war enters its sixth year, the costs extend far beyond the more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers and 600,000 Iraqis who have died in the violence. Thousands have been left wounded in their bodies, minds and souls – and face a lifetime of struggles related to the experience, says a United Methodist chaplain who has seen those wounds up close. “I am deeply concerned about the returning troops and the mental and physical wounds they have sustained,” said the Rev. Laura Bender, a Navy chaplain who served in a field hospital in Iraq. “We do not have the resources in place to provide what is needed, and I am afraid that many will fall through the cracks. If The United Methodist Church wants to take a stand on the war, I’d like to see us champion the cause of these returning veterans,” she said. – UMNS
NEW ALBANY ORGANIST, 89, TO RETIRE, MOVE TO CHICAGO
Dr. Donald Hustad, 89, an expert on church music and worship, who currently serves as the associate organist at Trinity UMC in New Albany, Ind., plans to retire in June and move to the Chicago area to be near family. Trinity UMC will host a retirement celebration on Sunday, May 25. That Sunday will be Hustad’s final Sunday to play for Trinity UMC. That afternoon, the church will hold a celebratory event at which Hustad will play favorite hymn tune arrangements.
OREGON PACT MODELS UMC, LUTHERAN COMMUNION
When a United Methodist congregation and a Lutheran congregation in McMinnville, Ore., formed a cooperative ministry two years ago, the decision emerged out of a desire to share a common mission, not out of desperation. Neither the McMinnville United Methodist Church nor Trinity Lutheran Church, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was in danger of closing, according to the Rev. Stephan Ross, the United Methodist pastor.
“Both of our churches could survive quite well on their own,” he explained. But the congregations liked the idea of being “a model of and a testimony to the unity of the church, which transcends denominational distinctions.”
In the Oregon community, the United Methodists and the Lutherans share nearly everything – meeting space, music and education programs and mission outreach. And by a simultaneous vote on April 6, they became co-owners of the United Methodist property, with the Lutherans investing about $850,000 from their building fund. Each congregation now is half-owner of McMinnville Cooperative Ministries Inc., which owns the property on their behalf.
McMinnville Cooperative Ministries embodies the spirit of the agreement of full communion which The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will vote on when their respective legislative bodies meet this year and next year. – UMNS
KOREAN-AMERICAN CAUCUS CHALLENGED TO GROW CHURCH
The new president of the Korean-American caucus of The United Methodist Church has challenged pastors and lay leaders to launch 500 Korean-American churches in five years.
The Rev. James Chongho Kim, elected president by the National Association of Korean American United Methodist Churches, issued the challenge during the national caucus meeting March 30-April 3 in Atlanta, Ga.
Kim urged caucus members to “take advantage of a paradigm shift with which to see the church as a faith community and pioneer it in various ways.”
Currently, 295 Korean American United Methodist churches dot 42 states. The United Methodist Church has 648 Korean clergy with 330 serving Korean congregations – 229 in cross-racial appointments and the remainder at agencies and centers. – UMNS
BISHOP WILKE RELEASES NEW BOOK
The BIG NEWS at www.BeADisciple.com this month is the release of Bishop Richard Wilke’s book, The Tie that Binds. This book is a 20-year follow-up to his best selling Cokesbury book in 1986, And Are We Yet Alive?
The book is available from Cokesbury this month. Here is an excerpt from the back cover of the book:
“Blest be the tie that binds …” Whether or not the words of this hymn are familiar to you, the notion behind them – and this book – is one of connectedness and community.
Twenty years after his best-selling And Are We Yet Alive? Wilke observes that at the same time the formal, organized church has faced monumental change, spiritual inquiry has been sweeping the country. He has found in the words of another hymn powerful antidotes for the isolation and loneliness that are so prevalent in our contemporary society. Wilke explores where the church has become disconnected and how it can connect once again …”
Wilke and his wife, Julia, are co-authors of the Disciple Bible Study series.
Please look it over at www.BeADisciple.com.
More stories are available online at www.umc.org and www.umportal.org.
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say,
“Once you were nobody. Now you are God’s people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.
-- 1 Peter 2:9-10 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
WORSHIP RESOURCES
TWO OLD FAVORITE GOSPEL SONGS
“Love Lifted Me”
Words by James Rowe, Music by Howard E. Smith, 1912
This old standard gospel hymn was probably thought of as quite contemporary when it was published in the original Cokesbury Hymnal of 1923. What is surprising is that in the recent new hymnal research surveys conducted by GBOD, we asked, “What hymns or songs would you like to appear in a new hymnal that are not now contained in The UM Hymnal or The Faith We Sing.” ”Love Lifted Me” tied for first place, the other most requested title being the contemporary song “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord.” So, here is the old gospel hymn, now 96 years old, not so contemporary anymore but still one of the favorites of our denomination. For more information, log on to www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=46205&loc_id=17,823.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken”
Words by Ada R. Habershon, 1907, Music by Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)
This well-known and popular song recorded by Johnny and June Cash and many others was originally written as a rollicking gospel song, with words based on Matthew 22:32. It is presented here with all five original verses so that it can be sung by unaccompanied voices, accompanied on a keyboard, or using the chord symbols provided. www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=46204&loc_id=17,823
GENERAL CONFERENCE COVERAGE
PLEASE PRAY FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES, BISHOPS
Please pray as the General Conference of the UMC gathers in Ft. Worth this coming Tuesday, April 23 and runs through Friday, May 2.
Pray for the 972 delegates and alternate delegates from around the world including 22 from the Indiana Area.
Please pray for our Bishops as well. This event sets the direction and budget for The United Methodist Church for the next four years (2009-2012).
For more information on what General Conference is/does go to www.gc2008.umc.org.
For a prayer guide from April 22 to May 3, log on to http://inareaumc.org/2008_Conferences/GC_daily_prayer_guide.pdf.
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 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
BISHOP TO BE GUEST AT NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE UMW BREAKFAST
North Indiana United Methodist Women are honored that Bishop Mike Coyner will speak at their breakfast in the John Perdue Room in Stone Hall at Perdue University on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 a.m. The cost is $6.25 and reservations deadline is May 16. Contact Margaret Woody, P. O. Box 42, Stockwell, IN 47983 – Phone 765-523-2816. For registration form online go to: www.gbgm-umc.org/nicumw/forms.html and click on the Annual Conference Breakfast link.
SOUTH CONFERENCE WORSHIP TEAM NEEDS PICTURES FOR CONFERENCE
The Rev. Lynne Renne, a member of the South Indiana Annual Conference Worship Team, needs digital pictures of pastors doing an act of ministry or mission. These images will be used during a worship service at an annual conference session in Bloomington. Please e-mail your digital images to her at LRenne@aol.com. Thank you.
WOMEN PLAN PRAYER VIGILS DURING INDIANA CONFERENCE SESSIONS
United Methodist Women of North Indiana and South Indiana Conferences will be participating in an intentional prayer vigil during both North and South conference sessions.
United Methodist Women of Indiana will be in prayer from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 and June 5 and Friday, May 30 and June 6; and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 31 and June 7.
We are privileged to be able to support our Conferences, enveloping each one in prayer. – On behalf of Jeanie Park, UMW President and Cheryl Cole, UMW Spiritual Growth, North Indiana and Kyle DeWeese, UMW Spiritual Growth and Vickie Newkirk, UMW President, South Indiana.
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. 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, IN 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
CENTER FOR CONGREGATIONS LISTS SEVERAL SEMINARS ONLINE
The Center for Congregations based in Indianapolis has several seminar and events coming up that might be importance to you and your ministry in a congregation. For a list of those event, log on to http://editor.delivra.com/vo.aspx?FileID=159667&MemberID=159045941&MailID=4727179
INVITATION TO GET INVOLVED IN MICROCREDIT PROGRAMS
Microcredit – Empowering women, families, and nations.
Microcredit is programs extending small loans, and other financial services such as savings, to very poor people for self-employment projects that generate income, allowing them to care for themselves and their families. It’s found that, time and again, microcredit is particularly empowering to women who are working to keep their families together and healthy in extremely trying times. If your church’s women’s group would be interested in an hour’s program on microcredit and how people worldwide – particularly people of faith – can get involved, please feel free to contact the Rev. Lisa Marchal at 317-489-9173 or lmarchal@results.org.
INTERPRETER MAGAZINE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Interpreter, the program magazine of The United Methodist Church, needs your help. The July-August cover package for Interpreter will be on family ministries. The editors plan to focus on:
Faith Formation at Church and Home: (what are ways churches are teaching and assisting parents to be “faith formers” in their homes)
Breaking Out of the ‘Sunday Box’: We know about Saturday worship times, but what other innovative ways are churches approaching scheduling (for example, events on Friday nights), using small groups to do what Sunday School classes have traditionally done. How is the Web allowing families to worship and learn even when they cannot be physically n the church.
Family Ministry during Crisis and Celebrations: Models for helping people of all ages cope with specific problems (death, grief, loss of a child, financial difficulties, divorce, chronic illnesses, special needs children) and milestones (children leaving home, newlyweds, birth of a child/grandchild/retirement).
Family Ministry with Singles
Bringing Generations Together: Going far beyond the all-church picnic and internationally creating intergenerational experiences and groups. Why and how are churches doing this.
These features will be of different lengths, but these are among the subjects Interpreter wants to cover. Obviously they want models/examples of ministries that are working – but are also looking for unique, innovative – and most important, effective – approaches. If you have an innovative ministry in your congregation under one of these headings, please contact Dan Gangler at dgangler@inareaumc.org.
COKESBURY CELEBRATION DAYS
On April 24-26, Cokesbury will be celebrating the value of their customers with the annual Cokesbury Celebration Days. All books, Bibles, recorded music, and greeting cards are 25 percent off. Come in and enjoy the celebration. Indiana’s Cokesbury Bookstore is located at 8808 E 116th Street in Fishers. Phone 317-849-1551.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR MONTH OF APRIL
Any one of us is capable of offering the most sacrificial act any human can give to their pastor, their church or their fellow members – A PRAYER ROOM. Here are a few resources that may spark some interest in your congregation. We have many more so feel free to browse the North Indiana Conference online media resources catalog at www.nicumc.org. If you do not find what you are looking for, call Angel at 800-783-5138. Or, feel free to e-mail any questions regarding the latest resources or availability to Angel Rea.
Can You Hear Me? – looks into the broken hearts and lives of real people and focus on prayerful ways to listen better for God’s comforting voice. – One episode in The Big Picture.
Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? – The very heartbeat – of your relationship with God. Explore the mysterious intersection where you and God meet and relate. – Philip Yancey
When God’s People Pray. Jim Cymbala shows viewers a tiny struggling inner-city congregation as it transforms into a vital, thriving community of believers who pray with passion. — Jim Cymbala
Other prayer resources include: Celebration of Discipline, Faith and Reason: Living Your Faith, How to Have a Prayer Ministry, Intercessory Prayer, Let Prayer Change Your Life, Living Your Power, New Believer’s Growth Course, Place to Pray, Prayer of Jabez, Praying in Color, Praying in the Midst of Life, Seven Circles of Prayer, Spiritual Disciplines, Teach Me to Pray, The Four Acts of Prayer, What Good is Prayer?, Wrestling With Angels and more.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR APRIL
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Center” (on the first two screens) and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources,” “Bibliographies,” and “Picks of the Month.” April “Picks” have been posted. Highlighted are these titles:
Devotion to Jesus: Divinity of Christ in Earliest Christianity; Golden Rule Politics: Reclaiming the Rightful Role of Faith in Politics; Liquid: God’s Word Flowing Through Your Life; Painting Revelation: Visual Exploration of the Last Book of the Bible; $imply Enough: Straight Talk from Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne on Simple, Just Living; Stories from the Circle of Life; Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith (Richard Foster); and 3:16: Numbers of Hope (Max Lucado).
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.
MOVIE REVIEW
LEATHERHEADS
- Production Company: Universal Pictures
- Director: George Clooney
- Cast: George Clooney, Renée Zellweger, John Krasinski, Jonathan Pryce, Stephen Root, Ezra Buzzington, John Vance, Dan John Miller
- Rating: PG-13 for some language and violence
By Gregg Tubbs
(UMC.org) – You’ve got to love an actor – twice named “sexiest man alive” – who is willing to spend the majority of a film wearing the most hysterical piece of sports headgear, all for the sake of a good laugh. Luckily those flimsy leather helmets aren’t the only source of comedy in Leatherheads, George Clooney’s rollicking homage to the early days of professional football. Throw in a magnetic college football superstar, a wise-cracking lady reporter, and a lovable team of football-fumbling misfits, and you’ve got all you need for a comic touchdown. And for extra points, if you pay close attention, you’ll discover weightier themes the need for heroes and how half truths can grow into useful legends.
For the rest of the review with study questions for discussion groups, log on to www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.4026759/k.94D7/Movie_Review_iLeatherheadsi.htm.
DEATHS
HOWARD ADDISON, supply pastor (SIC), died April 13, 2008. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity UMC, 1336 J Avenue in New Castle, Ind. Survivors include: Wife: Joan Addison, 1713 Roosevelt Ave, New Castle, IN 47362; sons, Daryl Addison, David Addison,and Dennis Addison; daughters, Karmen Vanderewalle and Kathy DeFord; 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
SAMUEL E. CARLTON, retired pastor (NIC), died April, 11, 2008. A memorial service was held April 16 at Brazil First United Methodist Church, 201 N Meridian Street in Brazil, Ind. Survivors include: Wife; Louise Carlton, 3211 E Moores Pike, Bloomington, IN, 47401; son, James Carlton; daughters, Janet Anderson and Joan Zimmerman; 8 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
DOLORES CARROLL, wife of the Rev. Charles Carroll, retired elder (SIC), died April 10, 2008. A memorial service was held Sunday, April 13. Survivors include: Husband, the Rev. Charles Carroll, 24325 Harborview Rd #10D, Port Charlotte, FL, 33980; daughters, Sue Ann Coals, Linda Gatch and Faye Marhanka; sons, Charles Carroll Jr. and John Carroll; 15 grandchildren, and 4 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 April 18, 2008. The Cabinets will not meet until after General Conference.
North Indiana Conference
- None this week
South Indiana Conference
- None this week
NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
None listed this week.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
INDIANA UM 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 people 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 04/17/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.