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General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2002 |
Hoosier UM News index at your fingertips
After months of development, the United Methodist Archives and Special Collections at DePauw University now offers a means of searching past issues of the Hoosier UM News online. The index covers volume 1, issue 1, January 1971 to the present. Visitors may search the database by keyword or subject. A list of subjects is available as well. Search results will list the title and date that the article appeared. Copies of articles found may be obtained from the UM Archives. To access the index, visit http://www.depauw.edu/library/archives/.
CROSSPOINTS now online
The North Indiana Conference monthly church mailing is available online. Beginning in June Crosspoints is available in two formats: PDF documents, and as regular web pages. To access, go to the NEW Conference web page at: www.nicumc.org/crosspoints/, or click on "Crosspoints" under the "Areas" menu at the top of the NIC Home Page. PDF versions (suitable for printing) are also available on this web page. Because of copyright (and other) issues, not all items from the Crosspoints mailing will be included on this web page. The advantage of the new web page is that you will not be required to download and install any software on your computer in order to view Crosspoints items online (unless you choose to view the PDF versions).
Questions? Call Tim Lehrian, Information Services Administrator at the Conference office 765/66-5138, or e-mail: tim@nicumc.org.
Primetimers in step with Honest Abe
The General Board of Global Ministries is providing a new service and learning experience for mature adults (patterned after Elderhostel); Primetimers offers opportunities for intentional education, fellowship information, faith-filled reflection and cross-cultural appreciation in the context of Christian mission.
A Primetimer event will be hosted at the Mid-West Mission Distribution Center at Chatham, Illinois Sept. 16-21. The theme is "The Land of Lincoln, Walking in the Footsteps of Abraham Lincoln." Inquiries may be made at the Primetime toll-free number, 877/882-4724.
Funds for diversity programs
The South Indiana Committee on Ethnic Local Church Concerns (CELCC) wants to see more churches become linked with congregations of another ethnic group, so as to build understanding and relationships. The CELCC offers help to congregations in the conference in the form of funding and also scholarships for seminary students. Next deadline for scholarship applications as well as applications for funding for churches and organizations is Nov. 1 for winter or spring assistance. Contact the Rev. Sharon A. White at 317/924-2612, or e-mail swhite@numcindy.org.
Extraordinary money (for churches)! |
Worship book for retirees |
How to build ministry teams |
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A new stewardship resource is now available from the UMC Board of Discipleship, "Extraordinary Money! Understanding the Church Capital Campaign" (128 pages), by Michael Reeves. The everlasting challenge, raising funds for churches and ministries, shouldn't be a dreaded problem. Reeves proposes a series of capital fundraising program approaches, one of which should work for your congregation or group. To order ($17.95) call Discipleship Resources at 800/685-4370 or Cokesbury at 800/672-1789. Give the promotion code Z101 when ordering. |
"Rock of Ages, A Worship and Song Book for Retirement Living" is a large-print guide for use in retirement communities and older adult settings, published by the UMC Board of Discipleship. It is 128 pages and costs $15.95. Primary users: local church leaders, chaplains and staff who lead worship in nursing homes retirement communities etc. Order from Discipleship Resources by calling 800/685-4370, or Cokesbury at 800/672-17889. Mention promotion code Z100 when ordering. |
New from the UM Board of Discipleship is the 96-page booklet, "Staying Focused." It's a guide to help congregations and their committees remain focused on the essentials, and to incorporate Wesleyan means of grace into their work. So many groups are so busy that it's easy to become so bogged down with activities and details that folks burn out. Staying Focused, should help churches and their groups keep their emphasis on discerning "What does God want us to do and to be in this particular time and place?" |
Bishop calls for volunteers for Baltimore mission
President Bush is challenging Americans to commit 4,000 hours to volunteer service. Bishop Felton Edwin May of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference applauded the president's challenge, and is inviting Christians to volunteer in Baltimore this summer as part of an effort to transform the lives of a generation of lost children and offer an alternative to substance abuse.
Saving Stations, set up in vacant lots or parks near United Methodist churches, include social services and educational programs under the tent during the day and revival services during the evenings. Programs for children include vacation Bible schools and a Jesus Circus, with clowns and marching bands parading through the neighborhood.
There is a need for physicians and nurses, social workers, lawyers, technicians, teachers and "people with strong backs and warm hearts" to volunteer in the Saving Stations this summer. Volunteers are asked to contribute a week or more between June 16 and Sept. 5. For more information, call 800/492-2525, Ext. 433; e-mail: twarner@bwcumc.org, or visit www.bwconf.org.
The Discovery Church Journey:
"An Invitation to Congregational Transformation," was written by the Rev. Douglas Ruffle, staff executive for training and leadership at the General Board of Global Ministries. The book and additional workshop are about "change," about transformation to "robust, active ministries" that serve communities, he said. Copies of the book can be ordered from GBGM at 212/870-3865. Contact Lesley Crosson, GBGM for more information, or contact Ruffle directly at 212/ 870-3715 or druffle@gbgm-umc.org.
Online course for involving young people
For teams of youth, lay leaders and pastors, this eight-week online course begins Sept. 8 and has been designed for church teams to explore practices that help involve young people in the life and ministry of their rural and smaller membership congregations. Congregational teams will engage the gifts and assets of their youth and learn how to revitalize their ministry with youth in context. Credits: Continuing Education, Associates in Ministry (ELCA), Certified Lay Pastor (PCUSA)
Center for Theology and Land, a rural ministry program of the University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries. Phone 563/589-3117. E-mail ruralmin@wartburgseminary.edu or visit the Web site: www.ruralministry.com.
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Every Indiana citizen has a duty to report child abuse or neglect. |
Report abuse; it's the law!South Conference Chancellor, attorney Dan Evans, reminds churches and church programs to be vigilant about possible abuse. His advice: No one has been able to ignore recent press reports about child abuse or neglect and, especially, sexual abuse of children. Indiana law is very clear on the duty of a citizen should he or she become aware of child abuse or neglect including sexual abuse. Specifically, the law requires that any individual who has reason to believe a child is a victim of abuse or neglect shall immediately make an oral report to either the local child protection service or a local enforcement agency. Also, if a person learns of child abuse or neglect, as a member of the staff of any public or private institution (including churches and church daycare programs) which requires a report be made to that institution's leadership, then the leadership of that institution (or church) must make a report to the local child protection service or local law enforcement agency. So there are several things to keep in mind:
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