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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
December 2002 |
"Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?"
Noted speakers and writers Jim and Kathy McGinnis have written seven biblical reflections for the 2002 edition of "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?"
Designed for individuals, families and small groups, the booklet also includes worshipful ceremonies, activities, a daily Advent calendar and suggestions for remembering the needy. "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" is available now in quantity pricing as low as 70› per copy. A single copy is $3 postpaid. Alternatives provides other resources appropriate for reevaluation of Christmas and for simpler living all year. "Christmas Campaign Kit" contains 15 items for $15. For a current free catalog, call anytime 712/274-8875 or 800/821-6153, fax 712/274-1402 or e-mail Alternatives@SimpleLiving.org. Visit www.SimpleLiving.org.
A Thousand Summers
(Special AIDS in Africa Benefit Edition CD)
"The music and courage of the South African people I worked with inspired me. It is amazing to see such hope among people struggling with HIV/AIDS and to see such dedication among the people working with them." -- Tim Janis
This Special Edition CD features several bonus tracks Janis recorded in South Africa -- the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in Africa -- with the Sinikithemba HIV+ Choir of Durban and the world famous Imolonji Kantu Choral Society of Soweto. Enjoy great music and make a difference in the struggle against AIDS in Africa. All proceeds from the CD sales go to support Church World Service HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. Order your special edition CD today at www.churchworldservice.org or call 800/297-1516. The cost is $15, plus $3 shipping/handling.
"Growing Children in Faith"
General Board of Discipleship is sponsoring a children's ministry conference in Tulsa, Okla., Feb. 18-20. This event -- which targets senior pastors, church leaders, staff and lay volunteers of children's ministries -- will include several workshops and keynote presentations on "Growing a Vision for Ministry with Children," "The Millennial Generation of Children," and "Families Today." General cost of the conference is $125 (with additional options of a Pre-Conference Seminar for $35 and CEU, $10). Registration is due Feb. 10. For further information, contact Nancy Dunlap, 615/340-7015.
'Souper Bowl Sunday'
Churches interested in participating in the 2003 "Souper Bowl" may visit www.souperbowl.org for details. Last January, the effort on Super Bowl Sunday raised $3.1 million for soup kitchens, food banks, and other helping charities.
Needed: 100 Mary and Joseph packs!
As the Christmas Season approaches, we recall that Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus were refugees to Egypt. We call a first-month survival kit for refugee families a "Mary and Joseph Pack." Upon arrival in their new home, a refugee family needs a basic set of household items such as bedding and kitchen supplies. Exodus Refugee/Immigration Inc., your local Church World Service Refugee Resettlement Agency for Indiana, is preparing to receive 100 Somali Bantu refugees in early 2003, and we are soliciting Mary and Joseph Packs for them. The two types of packs needed are the Basic Kitchen Pack and the Personal Supply Pack. For further information about the contents needed for the packs or if you have packs ready for pickup, call 317/921-0836.
Plea goes out for McCurdy School
The McCurdy School in Española, New Mexico is located in the second poorest area in the United States. Yet, McCurdy fills in the gap of providing a quality education for some 400 students from preschool through 12th grade. McCurdy has an Advance Special number so contributions can be made through the local church, or a check mailed directly to McCurdy School, 261 McCurdy Road, Española, NM 87532-6731. More information concerning the school can be found at www.mccurdy.org.
Global Gathering IV: In Mission Together
Global Gathering IV, sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries, will be held in Birmingham, Ala., April 10-13. The event, which will focus on a celebration of Christian mission, will include such activities as a "Youth Go Global" conference, bus tour of national mission agencies and institutions, and a volunteer work team project. Registration is $150. For further information, contact your conference office or the GBGM, 800/862-4246.
Plant a 'Peace Pole' this Christmas!
A Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages. There are more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.
Usually a Peace Pole is eight feet tall (2m 50cm) with the bottom "planted" in the ground, although many indoor Peace Poles are supported by stands. It may be constructed from any material that is environmentally sound. In the United States, most Peace Poles are made from western red cedar, a wood that is a renewable resource. Peace Poles may be made from any local hard wood, or from plastic or metal.
When and Where to Plant a Peace Pole
Peace Poles are often planted to commemorate special occasions, such as holidays, anniversaries, events and festivals. Or any date may be chosen to dedicate a place to peace. A Peace Pole may grace a town square, a school, a park, a place of worship, an office or a garden. Or they can put forth your community as an example of how to live in peace. Whatever the location, the presence of a Peace Pole announces that this is a special place, dedicated to peace on Earth.
Planting a Peace Pole is a way to bring people together on an inspiring project to join in a network of peace consciousness that is emerging all over the world. It is a wonderful project for any community group, from children to senior citizens.
Mayors in many parts of the world have planted Peace Poles to dedicate their cities and towns to world peace. Both political leaders, such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and religious leaders, such as Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, have dedicated Peace Poles.
Your Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony
A Peace Pole dedication ceremony is an exciting event, whether it is planned for public place where hundreds of people will attend or a private backyard. Every dedication ceremony is a unique outcome of the shared experience of those who plan the program, as well as those who attend. Here are some suggestions that you may consider in the creation of your Peace Pole dedication ceremony:
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Invite your community to participate in the ceremony, including children and senior citizens, representatives of various faith communities and/or ethnic groups, schools, clubs, scouts and be sure to include the local media. Community leaders and clergy love to be asked to make speeches!
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Explain the history and origin of the Peace Pole Project, how you learned about it, why the particular languages were selected, and the significance of the site and date.
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Choose, if you like, an inspiring spiritual passage, litany, poem or prayer for the occasion.
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Have the peace messages on the Pole read in the four (or more) different languages by designated individuals with a connection to each language or culture.
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Invite local groups to provide entertainment, such as a church choir or a children's dancing school. It is nice to end with everyone singing together.