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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
December 2002 |
Kern to remain as interim Bloomington D.S.
Spirit and Place: Churches focus on 'breaking silence'
SIC funded dorms dedicated at Africa U.
Striving toward unity/understanding
Peace and justice sought in Mid-East Conflict
Churches receive South Conference grants for campus ministry
Kern to remain as interim Bloomington D.S.
The Rev. Paul Kern retired from active ministry in 2000. He was called back into service last June by Bishop Woodie W. White during Bloomington District Superintendent Michael Anderson's illness. On October 18 Rev. Anderson died after a series of medical crises. He had been serving the district since his appointment in 2000.
Bishop White announced last month that he had asked Kern to remain in the position as interim superintendent for the 81 churches of the district until next June when a permanent replacement would be named. Kern had previously served on the Bishop's South Indiana Cabinet as superintendent of the Evansville District from 1982 to 1985. His last local church appointment before retirement was as senior pastor at Castleton UMC.
Peace and justice sought in Mid-East Conflict |
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The event, which was held at St. Luke's and sponsored by "Christians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East," included - - among its many workshops -- presentations on "The Hopes and Fears of Israelis: Sorting Out Realities and Illusions; The Hopes and Fears of Palestinians: Sorting Out Realities and Illusions; How to Get a Balanced Reporting of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict; Scriptures and Current Claims to the Holy Land; Non-Violence: An Alternative Approach to Achieve Peace and Justice; and The Forgotten Group: Palestinian Christians. Keynote speaker was Dr. Landrum Bolling, a former Earlham College president who now serves as an "informal messenger" between political leaders and governments that have difficulty communicating directly. |
Spirit and Place: Churches focus on 'breaking silence'
Several UM churches joined other churches and organizations in the Indianapolis Community to celebrate the annual Spirit and Place Civic Festival, Nov. 1-11.
This year's festival, according to organizers, was a collage of more than 100 events for all ages and served as a city-wide conversation, guided by the theme "Breaking Silence." Spirit and Place is a collaborative effort, with participation from 125 partnering organizations, managed by the Polis Center at IUPUI as part the School of Liberal Arts.
Some of the UM churches participating and events they sponsored were North (Fresh-Faced Jazz, and a symposium on trauma: "Breaking the Silence and Healing"); Old Centrum, (Buddhist Chanting in the Korean Zen and Tibetan Traditions); Broadway (Can You Tell Your Church You're Gay?); and St. Luke's (Fall "Celebration of Hope" -- a racial reconciliation movement involving about 40 local churches of various denominations).
Evangelism Convos coming up
Last September, special district meetings focusing on evangelism began convening. Bishop Woodie W. White has directed each district to design its own evangelism plan, addressing the question of how to reach those with no church affiliation who may be open to invitations to join a local faith community.
Some districts plan to bring in outside speakers and motivators. All the convocations will offer special workshops led by lay and clergy leaders from our Indiana churches who have demonstrated a particular gift for welcoming evangelism. Some districts are coming together to co-host a convocation. In the last few months districts teaming up have been: Kokomo and Lafayette Districts; Terre Haute and West Indianapolis Districts; and Evansville and Vincennes Districts.
SIC funded dorms dedicated at Africa U.
A group of six led by Bishop Woodie W. White spent a week in Zimbabwe last month to participate in the naming and dedication ceremonies of two new dormitories at UM-related Africa University. The event culminates a two-year fund drive in South Indiana Conference to underwrite construction on two three-story dorms for this pan-African school. With an ever-lengthening waiting list of students needing campus housing, the new buildings will be filled with students almost as soon as the ribbon is cut. With the bishop were the Revs. Kent Millard (chair of the fundraising effort), Kevin McKinney and Paula Mayberry. Lay Leader James Shaw, Rev. Don Griffith and Dora Largent completed the delegation. Last year two new dormitories paid for by North Indiana Conference churches were dedicated.
Striving toward unity/understanding
Several people recently came together at Richland UMC for a panel discussion of Islam and to question, listen, share and to learn how to care about one another. The four-hour event included a forum and table conversation after dinner. The Islamic panel was organized by Dr. Mohammed Hussein, a pediatrician from Newburgh. His daughter, Myeda, a student at Castle High School; Dr. Magbool Ahmed, a hematologist/oncologist also from Newburgh; and Dr. Zahid Saqib, family practice in Carmi, IL accompanied him. The panel pointed out similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity. Individuals freely questioned and discussed issues. Rev. Tammy Neighbors, pastor of Newburgh UMC, was pleased that such an event was taking place in a Methodist church in a small, south Indiana community. Jan Jett
Churches receive South Conference grants for campus ministry
Because of the visionary support of the 2001 Annual Conference, the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministries had available $10,000 for supporting local church efforts in reaching out to students at campus in the South Indiana Conference region. Five churches will share the 2002-2003 grant moneys.
The Board awarded the grants based on the ability of the church to carry out the program proposed, to reach out to previously under-served students, and to perform a careful evaluation and report of the results achieved by means of the grant. The Board has been authorized to award similar grants next year.
Three churches with significant programs for this age group proposed to expand their existing outreach to students by instituting specific new initiatives:
Methodist Temple in Evansville is planning to make its programs more widely known through advertising in campus newspapers and holding a fall kick-off celebration for students at University of Evansville and Southern Indiana University.
St. Luke's in Indianapolis plans to implement a mentoring program for college students in the Indianapolis area and to provide summer work and retreat opportunities for students.
University Heights in Indianapolis will use its grant to assist in increasing special event opportunities for college students throughout the year, including a Friday night coffee house, monthly dramas, and Sunday morning activities.
Two Indianapolis churches plan to use their grants to better utilize music to reach out to college age young people. Meridian Street UMC, through Meg Lassiat, will work with The House Cafe+Music in Glendale Mall to subsidize Christian music concerts at The House. The House is a Christian coffee house partially supported by twelve Indianapolis churches as an outreach to college and high school age young people. (Watch for full story on The House in the spring issue of Hoosier United Methodists TOGETHER.)
Old Bethel will use its grant money to purchase sound equipment to enhance its Saturday alternative worship. Sandra Blackwell
Last updated on 01/14/2004