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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
January 2002 |
Elbow grease ministry |
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By Cynthia Dougherty |
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Youth from Shirley-Wilkinson Community UMC, Rushville District, know that sharing time with friends can be combined with helping those in need. For the past three summers, they have teamed with youth from the Red Bird Missionary Conference in southeastern Kentucky to complete a mission project. "It gives them an opportunity to develop friendships," said the Rev. Kurt Stone, pastor of Shirley-Wilkinson Community UMC. "They know each other by name and look forward to seeing each other when we get together. It helps them learn to collaborate together on a common work project that contains an element of service. It gives them the opportunity to work side by side and hand in hand." This year, the group spent two days volunteering at Fletcher Place Community Center which strives to break the cycle of poverty on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Despite high temperatures and humidity, the youth and several adult leaders assisted in the center's preschool room, assembled more than 100 personal hygiene kits, prepared donated clothing and household items for the Thrift Store, sorted items for the center's Christmas distribution program and completed yard work. "They were also able to meet homeless people and see that they are people just like you and me," said the Rev. Jessi Langlie, executive director of Fletcher Place. "This interaction with folks that are less fortunate helps to break down stereotypes and this never leaves them. Now when they hear the word homeless, they can put a face with it." The youth from Red Bird are not strangers to mission work; however, Red Bird residents are often on the receiving end because the area is one of the poorest in the nation. Each year, work teams from across the county travel to Red Bird to complete home repairs for area residents and other projects needed by the Red Bird Mission office. "These youth from Red Bird who have so little were helping people who have less than they do," said Debbie Froman, youth worker for Shirley-Wilkinson Community UMC. "It shows everyone that they can help someone else no matter what their economic stature might be." Cynthia Dougherty is the Rushville District communications coordinator. |
Does your church have a Brite Idea? If so, describe your "creative" ministry in 300 words or less. Include a sharp photo, noting who is in the picture and what's going on. Also, please note your name and daytime phone number. Send to: Brite Idea - Hoosier UM News, 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46208, or Editor.
Christian art goes techno
The Plainfield UMC, Indianapolis West District, announced recently that they are in the process of creating a Christian cyber art gallery. The mission of the project is to provide Christian artists with a forum to display their talents and establish a location on the Internet for visitors to view inspirational Christian art. This gallery is not a market to sell art. Christian artists are encouraged to submit photographs of their original artwork that can easily be scanned or downloaded for online reproduction. The artwork needs to glorify God and can be of any medium. The gallery can be found at www.pumc.org . Please send examples of your work to Plainfield UMC Fine Arts Committee, 600 Simmons St., Plainfield, Ind. 46168 or contact Carol Foxworthy at 317/831-7537 or cfoxworthy@iquest.net .
Church opens doors to Kid's Café
Earlier this fall, Kendallville's Trinity UMC, Fort Wayne District, opened their doors to a neighboring congregation, Iglesia Bautista Latinoamericana, to help fight childhood hunger. Through the Kid's Café program, a ministry that provides meals and a safe environment to children in need, Trinity is supplying Iglesia with the facilities necessary to manage such a ministry. Iglesia prepares the meals and organizes programming. Kid's Café is open every Tuesday and Saturday.
Open hearts … Open minds … and open for dinner!
Irvington UMC, Indianapolis East District, has been preparing for company as part of the Igniting Ministry campaign. On Sept. 12 the church held an Open House Dinner, inviting the congregation and their friends. Held soon after the tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, more than 90 people gathered.
In an effort to raise awareness and renew a sense of commitment in Methodists, Irvington UMC sold more than 50 Igniting Ministry t-shirts; updated their library; installed new interior signage; made safety improvements; purchased welcome mats; improved their Web presence; hung campaign banners; and encouraged Sunday morning greeters.
With just a little cooperation
Agape Family Ministries in New Palestine is reaping the benefits of cooperative ministries. The director of this ministry is the Rev. Robert H. Miller, a retired Indiana UM pastor. Miller and his 19-member team of folks from local churches are proving that there is power in numbers.
Cooperative ministries makes it possible for members of various local churches to gather and pool ideas, generate excitement and enthusiasm that may be taken back to their church. Due to financial constraints or lack of staffing, many local churches find it difficult to provide many needed ministries. Through cooperative ministries local churches pool their resources offering an array of Bible studies, evangelism workshops, prayer and healing conferences to name a few. For further information, contact Agape Family Ministries at 317/861-4929.
Members pat each other and their pastor on the back
The Philadelphia UMC, Indianapolis East District, celebrated Pastor Appreciation Sunday on Nov. 4. After the worship service the church had a pitch-in luncheon.
During the luncheon, the congregation presented their pastor, Richard Davies, with a basket of appreciation cards created by the parishioners.
The church also celebrated appreciation for each other by presenting thank you notes to each member for attendance and support to the teachers, kitchen help, custodian, organist and chairpersons. It was a truly happy and love-filled affair, which will undoubtedly be repeated next year.
Last updated on January 14, 2004