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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2002 |
Speak your mind! |
|
"Viewpoints" is an open forum for Indiana UM lay and clergy members to speak out on any matters relating to the life of the Church. Letters must be signed and should include the name of your local church, along with a daytime phone number. All letters may be edited for clarity or length. Deadline for the May/June issue is August 15. Send to Editor, Hoosier UM News, 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210, Indianapolis, Ind. 46208; fax - 317/924-4859; or send e-mail to Editor. |
Only one 'path'
In your April issue, a letter appeared concerning the world disturbances. In it, the writer mentions all seeking God, and made reference to the many routes to finding this God. I'm surprised it even appeared in our paper. There is only one God - "right on." But what has Christ taught? ."I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes into the Father but by me." Acts 4:12. He is the way, the only way. This kind of limits these paths to the Father: . The other side of that coin is: if you don't believe, you will perish! The choice is always ours! The whole story is that "God loves you!"
Lee Brown
Waterloo UMC
Power of prayer
It was discouraging to read in the May/June issue, that "small-church ministry is the backbone of the UMC connection."
Perhaps Charles Wesley would roll over in his grave if he knew that some of us believe the backbone of Methodism is built upon churches with less than 100 in worship service, instead of prayer, or dare we say, revival? Are we afraid of using the term "prayer" because we do not pray? And because we are not praying, we don't see the results of prayer: our altars full of new converts, lives being healed and transformed, new ministries ....
The article gave an excellent treatise on the Reverend Deborah Cronin's work with small churches. When our mode of transportation was horse and buggy, or on foot, we needed many more smaller churches because travel time was very slow. That's not the case today. There are large churches scattered throughout both the North and South Indiana conferences, where it is not unusual for some to drive 30-40 minutes, traveling 40 miles to a church service.
My husband and I have been in the United Methodist system for over 10 years; and for the first time, we are seeing the power of prayer among our members. We are just beginning and trust for more empowerment. These changes did not come through committees, grants, or other resources, which are excellent tools, but because we are learning to grab hold of the horns of the altar and pray!
Andria Helm
New Life UMC
Mexico, Ind.
Help save McCurdy mission
I am a retired member of the South Indiana Conference. Since 1962 I have been involved in the New Mexico Mission. I taught and coached at McCurdy School from 1970-1989. I have done substitute work since then.
When the Lord sent me here to minister, many of the staff and leaders were from Indiana and/or U of I [ICC]. Much of the financial support came from there also. I am now the only Hoosier here. McCurdy is now struggling. There is some fear that this very much needed ministry is in danger of being lost.
We badly need staff badly who are dedicated to commitment and ministry to young lives and community first and not first to finances. If you are committed to Him, he will take care of your needs. We are also badly in need of financial support If this 90-year-old mission is closed, many youth and the community will be hurt.
Come on, Indiana Methodists - Send us missionaries, prayer support and financial support! I challenge every member of every U.M. Church to send at the least $1 per member to the McCurdy School, per year. You will be blessed by God. You can contact McCurdy School, 261 McCurdy Rd., Espanola, New Mexico 87532-6731. Phone 505/753-7221 or contact me at: ralphandmaxinecla-tierra.com - or Ralph E. Miller, 403 Calle Don Leandro, Espanola, N.M. 87532-3440. May God bless you one and all.
Ralph E. Miller
McCurdy School
Espanola, NM
The 'war on terrorists'
My church has a Military Support Group of which I am very proud. We write letters and send care packages to those who are serving our country and are affiliated with our church.
Many people feel that the attack on Sept. 11, 2001, was another 'Pearl Harbor' and are willing to make sacrifices to rid the world of these terrorists. Past history has taught us that turning our backs on evil only makes the problem worse.
The wars the United States has fought have been to secure our own freedom and for the liberation of countries from oppression.
These terrorists must be located and identified. They are an evil force that needs to be dealt with. Good can overcome evil or we can let evil overcome good. We are in the best position to finish the job now.
Joyce A. Phaneuf
North Webster UMC
Thanks for witness
Thank you to Diane Pearson for sharing her witness, "The Broken Cross." (March issue) I was touched by her vision, and I appreciate her sharing a profound yet simple message to all of us. Her vision was possible because she was willing to be available to God and to watch and see the visual message God had for her. I am grateful to her for sharing her story with us.
Ginny Martin
Oakwood Foundation
Apportionments in the 'family'
I was privileged to represent the South Indiana CF&A at the New Albany District Pre-Conference briefing. Dist. Superintendent John C. Beatty offered there a powerful exposition on Rom. 12:1-8 emphasizing "community" and "family" as an inescapable contingent of being truly Christian.
As I explained the CF&A proposals regarding apportionments for the coming year, I mentioned that we had adopted a policy that we will pay 100 percent of the World Service and General/Jurisdictional apportionments requested by the denomination. One person raised an interesting and vital question regarding that policy: Are we stifling dissent from churches that object to some of the programs we support with those resources?
The answer to that question is a resounding "NO." Churches which have misgivings about any part of the program the Annual Conference adopts are free to express those concerns (and in fact are encouraged to do so in a meaningful and respectful way). However, as a part of the "family," we do not cut off funds to another member of our family simply because we cannot agree.
So, too, individual churches (as a part of the larger family of churches) may express disagreement and dissent whenever they feel this is appropriate. But as a part of the family, we love each other enough never to try to penalize the rest by denying them the resources needed for their well-being.
Nelson M. Chamberlin
ret., Clergy member, South Conference
nchamberlin@insightbb.com
Last updated on 01/14/2004