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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
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Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
You can contact the North Indiana Conference office at
P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952
765.664.5138 or 800.783.5138
www.nicumc.org
or
You can contact the South Indiana Conference office at
P.O. Box 5008, Bloomington, IN 47407
812.336.0186 or 800.919.8160
www.sicumc.org
Notices of conference-wide events may be sent to dgangler@inareaumc.org.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HOLD LUNCHEON FOR HOSTS
Educational Opportunities is hosting a complimentary lunch on Thursday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon is scheduled to be held at the Golden Corral located just off US 31 on the south edge of Kokomo. Norm Nellis, pastor and regional director for EO, invites you to be his guest. EO will be sharing information about Bishop Coyner’s 2009 Holy Land Trip, the Oberammergau 2010 Passion Play Trip, and EO travel programs. Norm also will be available to answer questions or help hosts with ideas to promote a trip. This is for current hosts and anyone considering becoming a host. You may register by contacting EO at kbouchard@travelwithus.com. If you have any questions contact Pastor Norm Nellis at normgumc@aim.com or 765-447-4152.
UINDY IN PLACE TO FEATURE BRAIN FITNESS MAY 15
The next University of Indianapolis IN Place series event is coming soon.
Topic: Brain Fitness, presented by Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH
Director of Research Operations, Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia Scientist at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
Thursday, May 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center, Laikin Auditorium, 6701 Hoover Road in Indianapolis. Continental breakfast provided.
The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community's ongoing IN Place series is dedicated to addressing issues related to aging in place. This presentation is hosted by our partners at ElderSource and Elder-Friendly Communities.
There is no cost to attend, however reservations are requested. Please RSVP by May 9 to Stephanie Black, blackst@uindy.edu, or by calling 317-791-5930.
MOSSBURG STRINGS TO PERFORM BENEFIT FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN
The Mossburg Strings will perform a Benefit Concert on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3423 W. 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46224.
Cost: $10 Adult, Children under 12, $5. Family Ticket $25
All proceeds go to the Traumatized Children’s Fund. For more in the Mossburg Strings, visit their Web site by logging on to: www.mossburgstrings.com
UPCOMING SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE CONTINUING EDUCATION EVENTS
Making A Great Move
- This event will be held on May 17 at two locations. Registration fee: $25 per church
- At Gobin Memorial in Greencastle, with Dr. PT Wilson, from 10-2, lunch is on your own.
- At Seymour First in Seymour with the Rev. Charles Wilfong, from 10-2, lunch is on your own.
Worship Alive! Roots and Wings for Transformational Worship
- With Ms. Elise Eslinger on Monday, Aug. 25 at Castleton UMC from 9-3 Registration fee is: $45 for Indiana Area clergy and lay ($65 all others). Fee includes Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation and lunch. There will be additional opportunity for Conversations and dinner with Eslinger the evening before (August 24). This event is for clergy and lay.
Retirement Planning Session for Clergy
- With Mr. Peter Hang from the General Board of Pensions and Mr. John Charles from Social Security, Monday, Sept. 15, at the South Indiana Conference Center in Bloomington from 9-4. This event will cover basic financial management, social security, credit and debt management and retirement issues.
First Mondays
- “Kickoff” is in September from 9-4 the first Monday of each month (except September which will be on the 2nd Monday). The First Monday training program is an opportunity for persons to grow in both knowledge and training towards certification in the area of pastoral care and counseling. Registration fee is $25 for each session or $125 for all 10 sessions for clergy or lay of either UM Conferences ($75 per session all others).
Convocation for Pastors
- Discerning God’s Will: Individually, Congregationally and Connectionally
- Oct. 13-15 at the Holiday Inn, Columbus, IN. with Bishop Judy Craig– guest preacher, Marcia McFee– music and worship, Dr. Dan Dick from General Board of Discipleship and other guest presenters.
Urban Ministry
- With retired Bishop Joseph Sprague, Jan. 26 from 9-4. Indianapolis location to be announced.
For more information, log on to www.sicumc.org.
STUDY JOHN WESLEY WHILE LIVING IN AN ENGLISH MANOR THIS SPRING
The University of Evansville is offering a summer course entitled “John Wesley and the People Called Methodists” May 17-June 20 at their British campus, Harlaxton College, http://web.harlaxton.ac.uk/. The course is open to college students at any institution, and will be taught by UE’s Chaplain, Reverend Brian Erickson.
Students live and study in the breathtaking Harlaxton Manor, considered one of the finest English mansions in the Elizabethean and Jacobean styles. The summer program at Harlaxton allows students to spend four days of the week in class and on study excursions to places like Epworth, Oxford, and London, and then have three day weekends free to travel around Europe.
This is a rare occasion to explore your own beliefs while seeing England through the eyes of John Wesley. Students interested in learning more can contact Reverend Brian Erickson (be27@evansville.edu or http://faculty.evansville.edu/be27) or the UE Director of Study Abroad, Earl Kirk (ek43@evansville.edu).
PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 18
Your gift offers The United Methodist Church a voice in advocating for peace and justice at home and around the world.
Peace with Justice Sunday is celebrated the Sunday after Pentecost. That’s May 18 this year. However, this special emphasis and offering can be received at any time of the year.
Recipients: Each of the two Indiana annual conferences keeps 50 percent of the receipts for Peace with Justice Ministries within the conference. The remaining 50 percent is used for Peace with Justice Ministries related to the General Board of Church and Society.
The 2007 offering totaled $301,357 nationwide.
In the South Indiana Conference, PWJ offering funds are used to help support gambling recovery, prison and jail ministry, and inmate reentry partnerships.
For offering and worship resources, log on to www.umc.giving.org.
YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS HOLY LAND TRIP SCHEDULED FOR MAY 18-28
The Rev. Craig Duke, pastor of Hillside UMC in Princeton, Ind., will host a 10-day Biblical Discovery Educational Opportunities Tour of the Holy Land for youth and young adults to depart from Louisville, Ky., on May 18, 2008. for $2,498. For more information, contact Rev. Duke at 812-385-2910.
MEGACHURCHES WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE FACTS, MYTHS, LESSONS
Megachurches: What Can My Church Learn from These Giants?
Featuring Scott Thumma Friday, May 30 at Indianapolis
Drawing on extensive, broad-based, and well-designed research, as well as stories and anecdotes, Megachurches: What Can My Church Learn from These Giants? dispels popular myths about megachurches while highlighting the diversity within the megachurch phenomenon. In this workshop, Scott Thumma reveals what these churches are and are not, why they are thriving, and what their members say about their experiences. Participants will explore the phenomenon to understand the common characteristics of megachurches, how they function, why they are attractive, and why they have many valuable lessons to teach smaller churches. Participants will discover what megachurch lessons can be used effectively by churches of all sizes and denominational traditions. The workshop will explore the application of these mega-ideas about a distinctive vision, intentional community building, partnering for ministry, and other topics pertaining to participants' local ministry settings.
Scott Thumma is the co-author of Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches and a faculty member at Hartford Seminary’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research. He is currently engaged in another national study of megachurches and in-depth field studies of 12 megachurches.
Megachurches is 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. The cost of the workshop is $30 a person ($25 a person for congregational teams of three or more). The fee includes lunch and a copy of Thumma’s book. Registrations received by May 23 guarantee lunch and a copy of the book.
UMW LUNCHEON AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The United Methodist Women’s Luncheon will be held on Friday, June 6 at noon during the South Indiana Annual Conference Session at Indiana University Memorial Building in Bloomington. Missionary Beth Ferrell is scheduled to be the luncheon speaker. Register for the luncheon by May 23 with checks made payable to UMW-South Indiana Conference. For more information, please contact Sue Shafer at 765-935-2500 or hsshafer@verizon.net.
UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM SET FOR JUNE 14, 21, 28
Pastors and lay leaders involved in financial decision making (i.e. Trustees, Endowment and Finance Committees) are encouraged to attend. Space is limited, so please register today.
The symposium dates and location are:
- Saturday, June 14 at Scottsburg UMC, 615 South Honeyrun Parkway in Scottsburg
- Saturday, June 21 at Old Bethel UMC, 7995 E. 21st Street in Indianapolis
- Saturday, June 28 at Aldersgate UMC, 5130 Lincoln Avenue in Evansville
Sessions and lunch are provided free of charge. To register call the United Methodist Foundation of South Indiana toll-free at 1-877-391-8811 or e-mail Jenny Weber at jenny@umfsi.org. Registration deadline is May 30. For more information, please visit www.umfsi.org.
FIVE DAY ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION COMING JUNE 15-20
The South Indiana UMC Conference and The Presbytery of Ohio Valley will join together in offering a "Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation" at Waycross Retreat Center in Morgantown, Indiana from June 15-20. The faculty will be Sister Kathleen Flood, OP and Glandion Carney. Sister Kathleen is the executive director of Stillpoint, a contemplative prayer retreat in Nashville, Tenn., and a well known presenter at retreats and academies for laity and clergy. Glandion is a member of the Renovare' Ministry Team and Chaplain for the Legal Society. He is highly recommended by many of the ministers in the area. The theme of the academy, "God of Grace...God of Glory", will be discussed by the faculty and in small groups during the five days. This also will be a time for silence and reflection by the participants. If interested, please contact Barbara Hale at 317-696-6747 or e-mail at: bhale1020@msn.com.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE OFFERS ACADEMY FOR CHURCH GROWTH
Place: St. Joseph Conference Center, Tipton, Ind.
Leader: The Rev. Dr. Douglas T. Anderson, D. Min., Executive Director, Bishop Rueben Job Center for Leadership Development,
Fee: $60 per session. (Appointed North Indiana ministers, full or part-time) all others $75 per session.
The Academy for Church Growth is a two-and-a-half-year training process for developing clergy and lay leadership in the area of church growth. The Academy understands church growth as developing disciples for Jesus Christ through spiritual growth, outreach, and fellowship that results in growing churches. The Academy offers sound theological and practical principles for disciple-making that enables churches to grow.
Each of the five sessions covers a different aspect of this system’s understanding of church growth, with workshops and seminars. Key issues to reach new populations are highlighted – vital, indigenous worship; volunteerism through spiritual gifts; discipling through small groups; and visionary leadership for changed transition. Between sessions, support/accountability groups comprised of churches of similar size meet twice to help each other implement the principles and strategies of the Academy appropriate to his or her own unique church, ministry, and context. The Academy for Church Growth has a proven track record for over several years of helping churches make disciples for Jesus Christ and, therefore, grow. Please Note: Each participant will be expected to attend all five sessions and be involved in an Accountability/Support Group, which will meet twice during the six-month intervals between sessions.
NIC Pastor David Arnold previously attended these 5 sessions and shares: “After 25 years of pastoral ministry, the Academy’s fresh insights helped me to connect the dots and fill in the gaps of my personal ministry style. I’ve even used the Academy’s resources to develop a leadership training series for laity in our congregation. I regard the Academy as an essential learning experience that will lay the groundwork for new pastors and reinvigorate those of us who possess a ‘touch of gray’.”
June 23-25, 2008, Monday 10 a.m. to Wednesday 11:30 a.m. (Organizing for Growth)
January 19-21, 2009, Monday 10 a.m. to Wednesday 11:30 a.m. (Growth as Spiritual Maturing)
June 23-25, 2009, Monday 10 a.m. to Wednesday 11:30 a.m. (Leadership with Gifts, Power, and Working Style)
January 18-20, 2010, Monday 10 a.m. to Wednesday 11:30 a.m. (Growing Systemically and Through Barriers)
TO REGISTER: Call Diane Kelley at 800-783-5138 or e-mail: diane@nicumc.org
SPIRIT-FILLED CONFERENCE COMING TO COLUMBUS, OHIO JULY 2-6
Come To Aldersgate ‘08 Conference -- Promo Video -- Aldersgate is the annual national conference on Spirit-filled living. This special ministry event is an opportunity for participants of all ages to experience the power and presence of God! Through anointed praise and worship, practical equipping sessions and relevant, inspired preaching, participants of all ages have the opportunity to be filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit in ministry to the world.
The conference is built to help children, youth, young adults and adults grow in their walk with God and be strengthened and equipped to make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Aldersgate Renewal Ministries invites you and your family to Go Deeper as we celebrate the 30th Aldersgate Conference.
Hosted in downtown Columbus, Ohio, Aldersgate ’08 will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, July 2-6, 2008. The Hyatt is providing a conference rate of $89 plus tax which includes parking. Meetings will be held in the hotel and in the Convention Center attached to the hotel. Aldersgate 2008 will be a one-stop opportunity for a life-changing experience with God!
NORTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION SET FOR JULY 9-12
The North Indiana Conference United Methodist Women announces the 2008 School of Christian Mission to be held Wed., July 9 for the Drive-In Day and Wed. evening, July 9-Saturday, July 12 at Manchester College, in North Manchester, Ind. The 2008 theme is “Living the Sacred: Psalm 21:1” including these studies: I Believe in Jesus, Israel and Palestine, Giving Our Hearts Away – Native American Survival. More information to come.
2008 NORTH CENTRAL JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
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July 15-19 at Grand Rapids, Michigan
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For more information, log on to www.ncj2008.org.
CHURCH SECRETARIES INSTITUTE SCHEDULED FOR JULY 20-25 IN ATLANTA
Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries Certification Institute is scheduled to be held July 20-25, 2008 at Atlanta, Ga. The registration fee for the 2008 Institute is $300 (as of Oct. 2007). This includes course materials, a continental breakfast Monday through Friday, a couple of lunches and dinners (Sunday & Thursday). Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant. Arrangements have been made with Emory University for air-conditioned dormitory rooms at $38* for singles, per day and $30* per person, per day for doubles.
*These rates are as of October, 2007.
If someone needs financial help we do have a limited amount of scholarships that cover the cost of the registration fee. Organization needs to receive a written request explaining the need for the scholarship. Cynthia J. Haralson, Director of Records and Statistics, GCFA Staff Representative to PAUMCS. Phone 866-367-4232, ext. 2386 or by e-mail at charalson@gcfa.org
A brochure about PAUMCS’s spring meeting in Dayton, Ohio, April 17-19 can be found online as PDF at www.indymetroumc.org/Documents/LR07_07A_Dayton08.pdf.
SOUTH INDIANA SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION SCHEDULED FOR JULY
The South Indiana Conference School of Christian Mission will be held on the campus of the University of Indianapolis, July 26-Super Saturday Session or July 27-30 Weekday School. The 2008 Theme is “Living the Sacred.” Studies this year are: Spiritual Growth Study, “I Believe in Jesus” with Bishop Michael Coyner; Geographic Study: “Israel-Palestine” with the Rev. Mary Wilder Cartwright and the Rev. James Dwyer; Current Issue Study: “Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival” with the Revs. Dr. P.T. Wilson and Billie Nowabbi; Young Women’s Study: “Giving Our Hearts Away: Native American Survival” with Rita Gaither-Gant. Youth Study: “Walking in These White Man Shoes” with Kathy White, and children’s study: “Creator Sang a Welcoming Song” with and Barbara King.
This school is designed for mission committee members, lay leaders, pastors, United Methodist Women members, young women, youth and children. Activities will include: Mission studies, worship, music, UMW officer update, mission update, mission education resources, videos, hands-on mission project, fellowship and banquet. For more information check out the “Southwind” newsletter by logging onto: www.gbgm-umc.org/sicumw/
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE PLANS YOUTH CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER
Jr. High Youth Annual Conference is scheduled to meet Sept. 6-7 at Camp Rivervale
Guest Band: Alabaster Box MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Save the date flyer available on line at www.sicumc.org/YouthMinistries
Let the South Indiana Conference Youth Ministries know what your youth group is doing. Send an e-mail to Lourdes Gonzalez.
Stories will be posted on the South Indiana Conference Web site at www.sicumc.org.
Joint Session of North and South Indiana Conferences
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Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds (if needed to complete voting on Imagine Indiana)
JOIN BISHOP COYNER ON A HOLY LAND TRIP IN FEBRUARY 2009
The trip is called Holy Land Classic 2009. It is a 10-day trip beginning Feb. 3, 2009. Price for departure from New York is $1,898; Chicago add $198; Indy add $248; Louisville add $298; and Fort Wayne add $348. The tour will visit Jerusalem, Galilee, Bethlehem and Jericho. The theme of the tour is Jesus: His Life, His Time, His Land, His Hebrew Faith. There is more information at: www.eo.travelwithus.com/Default.aspx?tabid=55&tourid=383&load=yes
EO OFFERS DISCOUNT TO OBERAMMERGAU 2010 TRIP WITH BISHOP
Educational Opportunities is offering an early registration discount beginning in October. When you register and pay the $100 deposit you receive a $90 discount at time of billing. This discount will decline by $10 a month through April of 2008. Remember that all who register now have the option of a full refund once pricing is announced in the first part of 2008. Join Bishop Coyner, Indiana United Methodists and others on a unique trip to see The Passion Play. Pastors and hosts can earn a trip by recruiting others to travel with them. For those unable to travel on this date there will be a group going out of Chicago on August 11. For brochures, information, or questions please feel free to contact Pastor Norm Nellis at normgumc@aim.com or 765-447-4152 or Pastor Neal Partain at 812-275-8995.
Last updated 12 May 2008