Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information

February 2002

Spirit is stirring in Kokomo

On Nov. 17, almost 100 people from Grace UMC, historic Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and Franklin B. Jones Community AME Church in Kokomo met for breakfast and fellowship at Grace. This was the second meeting of the congregations aimed at getting to know each other better and celebrating their shared values.

The congregations met again on Dec. 31 for a Watch Night Service at Wayman Chapel. The Rev. Gary Forbes of Grace UMC gave the sermon. If you or your congregation would like to learn how to be a part of future meetings, please contact either Ron Harper at 765/453-0724 or Rev. Gary Forbes at 765/457-5329.

For such a time as this

The UMW of Centennial UMC, Calumet District, made a commitment in 2001. Instead of the traditional Christmas gift exchange among members, the group gave Christmas gifts to 15 children from Gary's Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. The women of Centennial UMC know God and are working together to nurture ministries. Martha M. Moody

Indy youth unite to celebrate Black History Month

High school youth from six local Indianapolis UM congregations joined forces Feb. 9 at University UMC to perform a program celebrating Black History Month, entitled Historical Vignettes in Vision and Verse. The program was written, produced and directed by Ethel McCane from Barnes UMC.

Historical Vignettes in Vision and Verse consists of song, dance, musical instruments, poems, characterization and narrations of blacks from the era of the mothers of Africa through slavery to the twentieth century.

The program was produced by the following church communities: Barnes UMC, North UMC, Northwest UMC, Scott UMC, St. Paul (Brightwood) UMC and University UMC. Victoria Keaton

Our faith through the ages

In celebration of Black History Month, Delaney Memorial UMC in Gary is presenting Our Faith Through the Ages. Each Sunday morning, worshippers are experiencing portrayals of famous African-Americans, expressions of faith and commitment by community leaders and the celebration of hope for the future by children from Delaney's youth department. All activities take place during the church's morning worship service, which will run through Feb. 25.

A penny saved …

The children of Portland's Asbury UMC, Muncie District, have raised more than $470 for missions . in pennies.
In November 2000, Helen Olson, wife of the Rev. Keith Olson, at the Sunday morning children's worship challenged the children of the church to start collecting pennies to help other children. This past November, the pennies were counted and the money was distributed. Some of the earnings were used to make Christmas happier for local children, some was sent to the UM Committee on Relief's efforts to help children in New York City, and the rest was sent to help children in Afghanistan refugee camps through the UM Committee on Relief.

Celebrate Recovery, step by step

Palmyra UMC, New Albany District, is in the process of organizing a new Friday night service called Celebrate Recovery that provides people going through all types of twelve-step programs a supplement to their recovery. Based on the model created by Saddleback Community Church in Calif., the church will serve dinner and provide a worship service, which will be followed by a time for small group discussion. The Rev. Todd Gile is currently seeking leaders to help in the planning of this ministry that is scheduled to kick-off in March. If you are interested in learning more about how to participate, please contact Todd at 812/364-4126.