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Hoosier United Methodist News

January 2002

Indiana year-end wrap-up:

2001: The year humanity reigned

By Matthew Carlisle
Indiana News Editor

When school children study the events of 2001, two incidents will be of chief importance. On the morning of Sept. 11, the lives of all Americans changed forever. In the afternoon, the country showed its humanity.

Following the events of Sept. 11, the Hoosier UM News staff was witness to the generosity of United Methodists throughout Indiana. From the Gaston pastor who carried a cross 20 miles in remembrance of those who lost their lives to the many interfaith worship services held across the state, Hoosiers of all faiths showed their humanity.

The incidents on the morning of Sept. 11 will certainly be the focus of discussion in the future, but the humanity that followed will transform our world.

We celebrate year 2001 in Indiana:

  • The NIC Foundation developed the North Indiana United Methodist Loan Fund, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of the Foundation.

  • The NIC and SIC teamed with the Kentucky, Illinois Great Rivers and West Ohio Conferences to organize a $351,000 television advertising campaign.

  • The Indiana UMC participated in an anti-gambling rally held at the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda on Feb. 28.

  • Magnetic Church, a two-day conference, was held in February to help Indiana UM churches attract, welcome and retain new members.

  • Fletcher Place, a ministry of the SIC, opened itsnew Adult Center for Education (ACE) at a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 15.

  • The Indiana Area commissioned publication of Amazing Grace: Methodism in Indiana 1801 -- 2001, an illustrated book celebrating the bicentennial of the Wesleyan movement in this state.

  • Bishop Woodie W. White announced that all ordinands entering the NIC and SIC from 2001 and on would receive an all-expense-paid trip to the Holy Land, a project funded through the Indiana Area Foundation.

  • After 10 years, the SIC announced plans for The Promise UMC, a new church start, in the north Indianapolis suburb of Fishers.

  • The North and South Indiana Conferences ordained a total of 12 new elders and deacons last June.

  • The SIC passed a recommendation to establish an oversight committee to ensure that racial healing is being actively pursued throughout the conference.

  • The SIC established the Conference Hispanic Ministries Committee.

  • The NIC unveiled their five core values: transforming churches and people; experiencing God; living Christ-centered; serving local churches; and leading by vision.

  • The SIC approved a resolution and amendment that will contribute $29,000 to fight the ills of legalized gambling in Indiana.

  • Indiana UM churches participated in the launch of the national advertising campaign, Igniting Ministry during September, which was declared UM Open House Month.

  • A 16-member team of youth and adults representing various SIC civic youth service agencies (CYSA) traveled to Tanzania to train the churches in the use of CYSAs as a way of developing youth ministries.

  • A contingent of 45 lay and clergy members from Indiana participated in the 18th meeting of the World Methodist Conference in Brighton, England in July.

  • Almost 4,000 men from around the world converged on West Lafayette for the 8th International UM Men's Congress.

  • More than 8,000 gathered at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse for the 25th Anniversary gala of Habitat for Humanity.

Key staff changes:

  • Gina Riendeau appointed NIC Council on Ministries' associate director, relating to the Board of Global Ministries.

  • Rev. Douglas L. Walker appointed SIC disaster response coordinator.

  • Ian Hall hired as SIC Outdoor Ministry marketing director, a new position.

  • Rev. Kevin McKinney appointed Evansville Dist. superintendent.

  • Rev. Robert J. Dexter appointed Marion Dist. superintendent.

  • Matt Carlisle hired as Indiana Area Communications associate director, a new position.

  • Paula Shrock hired as NIC communications director, a new position.

  • Rev. Michelle A. Cobb appointed Lafayette Dist. superintendent.

  • Jennifer Hansen hired as New Albany Dist. communicator, a new position.

  • Rev. Cindy Reynolds appointed NIC Conference Council director; former director Rev. Steve Burris retired.

  • Rev. Oscar Ramos-Gallardo appointed NIC Hispanic ministries coordinator, a new position.

  • Rev. Nelson (Ned) Steele appointed Vincennes Dist. superintendent.

  • Tim Lehrian hired as NIC system administrator.

  • Phil Ford hired as NIC Foundation director of development.

  • Lynda Ward hired as Michiana Dist. communicator, a new position.

  • Rev. Robert Sharp appointed SIC Council director; former director, Rev. Susan Ruach, accepted position with the General Board of Discipleship.

  • Rev. Robert Walters appointed Metro Ministries, Inc. executive director.

  • Penny Krug hired as NIC Medical VIM coordinator.

  • Rev. Gary Schaar appointed SIC associate council director.

  • Shelley Carver hired as Muncie Dist. communicator, a new position.

  • Paula Shrock hired as NIC Igniting Ministry coordinator, a new position.

  • Bert Talbott hired as SIC Igniting Ministry coordinator, a new position.

  • Rev. Ida Easley appointed Rushville Dist. superintendent.

  • Rev. Marie Lang appointed SIC Foundation executive director.

  • Nick Yarde hired as NIC Outdoor Ministry director.

In grateful and loving memory:

George Brunner, Wayne Stine, Philip J. Williams, Tillman L. Nussbaum, Jack Rhoades Sr., Harry Herschel Hashberger, Emery Parks, Ivan Eugene Steed, Robert Wilburn, Howard W. Wardrip, William C. Kehlhofer, Raymond R. Chapman, Robert M. Crecelius, Jacob A. Kirsch, John Siner, Clair Siple, Hilton H. Whitaker, Donald W. Ashley, Samuel Brookshire, Robert Galloway, R. P. Hawkins, Raymond E. Kennedy, Warren Lear, Thomas G. Scott, Hubert Dean Searcy, Fred Vincent, Dwayne R. Woerpel, James Ray Harlan II, Vernon Lee Brothers, Jeffrey C. Burris, Martin Greer, Robert C. Holmes, S. Wilson Lovell, Stephen Shaw, William Newton Burton and Tom Jett.

Last updated on January 14, 2004

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