Site
Contents
 |
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 |
March 2002 |
Schrader appointed Calumet District superintendent
The Rev. David Schrader has been appointed district superintendent for the Calumet District.
Schrader, appointed by Indiana Area Bishop Woodie White, will take office after Annual Conference. He is currently at Hammond First UMC, where he has served since 1998.
"I was pleasantly surprised and very honored," said Schrader of his appointment. Schrader said he is looking forward to celebrating the diversity of the Calumet District while highlighting our unity in Christ and our one call to Christian love and service.
Schrader started his ministry in 1980 as an associate pastor at Norwood Park UMC in Chicago in the North Illinois Conference. He then served at Door Village UMC in the Calumet District from 1982 to 1986 before serving as an associate pastor at Muncie College Avenue UMC from 1986 to 1988, at Lakeville UMC from 1988 to 1991 and at Elkhart First UMC from 1991 to 1998.
Schrader is a graduate of Indiana University who went on to receive a M.Div. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1982 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation's Oxford University Exchange Program in 1999. He has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Associate Mennonite Biblical Seminary in the Methodist Studies Program. He is a former chairman of the Division of Financial Stewardship and is the current secretary of the Board of Ordained Ministries, both at the conference level.
He and his wife, Pamela, have two children - John, 17, and Jacqueline, 13. His hobbies and interests include studying ancient cultures and how they integrated philosophy and religion in their stories and daily lives, listening to jazz and blues and collecting timepieces.
Schrader will replace the Rev. Thomas Rough, who has served as district superintendent since 1995 and retires in June.
The Calumet District includes 54 churches and has 13,410 members. It covers Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties and parts of Jasper and Newton counties in northwest Indiana. Matthew Oates
New Albany District superintendent named
Bishop Woodie W. White has appointed the Rev. Michael Biggs to serve as the new district superintendent for the New Albany District, effective July 1. Biggs will succeed the Rev. John Beatty who has held the position since 1999. Beatty will retire following the term of his appointment.
Biggs came to the South Indiana Conference from Ohio. He has served in Indiana for 26 years. First appointed to Terre Haute Temple UMC in 1976, Biggs has since served Connersville Grace UMC, Evansville Epworth UMC, Noblesville Emmanuel UMC and most recently Greensburg UMC, Rushville District, where he has served as senior pastor since 1997. He comes to the position having earned a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in 1976.
When asked what he hopes to accomplish during his appointment, Biggs explained, "I intend to be a shepherd to the pastors and churches of the district."
Michael and his wife, Ruthie, have three children, Cindy Snider, Misti Biggs and Benjamin Biggs; and two grandchildren ages nine and four.
The New Albany District consists of 88 churches with a combined membership of approximately 11,500. It covers Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Washington and parts of Scott Counties in southeast Indiana. Matthew Carlisle
Chalstrom appointed Warsaw District superintendent
The Rev. Marianne Chalstrom has been appointed district superintendent for the Warsaw District.
Chalstrom, appointed by Indiana Area Bishop Woodie White, will take office after Annual Conference in June. Chalstrom is serving at Muncie Riverside UMC, where she has served since 1994.
"I was nervous and excited at the same time," said Chalstrom of the opportunity to minister in a different arena. "My passion is to see churches and people renewed" and be a part of that, she said.
Chalstrom started her ministry in 1975 when she was ordained as a pastor in the Disciples of Christ Church in Kansas, where she worked on spiritual development projects and retreats as well as helping start a new church. In 1985, she served at Ambia and Locust Grove UMCs in the Lafayette District. She also served as an associate pastor at South Bend Grace UMC from 1987-90 and Porter UMC from 1990-92 before serving as an associate director for the North Indiana Conference Council on Ministries from 1992 to 1994.
Chalstrom is a graduate of Indiana University, with a bachelor's and two master's degrees. She received her M.Div from Phillips Graduate Seminary in Enid, Okla. in 1975. She and her husband, Darrell, have one son, Wayne, 18. Her hobbies include making items with rubber art stamps, and being active in spiritual formation activities, retreats and conferences.
Chalstrom replaces the Rev. Jacob Williams, who is serving as interim district superintendent until Annual Conference. Williams has been appointed to serve at Lafayette Trinity UMC, effective in June.
The Warsaw District includes 67 churches and has 9,807 members. It covers parts of Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, Noble, Pulaski and Whitley counties in northeast and north central Indiana. Matthew Oates
New Columbus District superintendent appointed
Bishop Woodie W. White has appointed the Rev. James Bushfield to serve as the new district superintendent for the Columbus District, effective July 1. Dr. Bushfield will succeed the Rev. Robert Dungy who has held the position since 1995. Dungy will retire following the term of his appointment.
Bushfield has served the South Indiana Conference for 27 years. First appointed to Indianapolis Good Shepherd UMC in 1975, Bushfield has since served Rockdale/New Trenton UMCs, Veedersburg UMC, Evansville Methodist Temple, Milroy UMC, Bloomington Fairview UMC and most recently Indianapolis Meridian Street where he has served as associate pastor since 1995.
He comes to the position having earned a Doctorate of Divinity and Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Bushfield has chaired the SIC Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) since 1993 and was a member of the Conference Executive Committee 1993-2001. As well as being a seasoned pastor, Bushfield co-authored the book Things They Never Taught You in Seminary.
Jim and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 28 years. Both are natives of Indianapolis; the two met as youth during a UMYF event at Woodside UMC.
Rev. Bushfield notes the work accomplished during his tenure with the Board of Ordained Ministry, specifically the merger of BOOM and the Board of Diaconal Ministry in 1996, as one of the most rewarding experiences while serving the South Indiana Conference.
"Very early on, I would like to get to know the pastors and churches of the Columbus District. It will be my goal to help churches realize significant ministries in their communities and experience growth during my appointment."
The Columbus District consists of 85 churches with a combined membership of approximately 11,491. It covers Bartholomew, Dearborn, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Scott, Switzerland and parts of Brown and Decatur Counties. Matthew Carlisle
Gambling docks in Indiana
The fight against the growth of legalized gambling sustained a major blow on Jan. 31. The Indiana Senate passed Bill 333 by a margin of 27-23 repealing the cruising requirements, which will now allow gamblers to come and go freely. As well, the bill will allow for the sale of electronic pull-tab lottery tickets at horse tracks throughout the state. Senate Bill 333 will now go to the Indiana House. Matthew Carlisle
Indianapolis to host national BMCR meeting
The 35th Annual Meeting of the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) will be held from April 10-13 at Indianapolis' downtown Hyatt Regency. The theme for this year's meeting will be "Share the Heritage: Claim the Power - Make a Difference."
Bishop Woodie W. White will preside over the evening Communion service, which will begin at 7 p.m. on the opening day. Topics of discussion during the meeting will include: "From Drums to the Digital Divide," "HIV/AIDS," "Equipping the Saints for the Next Millennium" and "Bridging the Gap: Leading with a Spirit of Power." A highlight of Friday's banquet dinner will be featured speaker, the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, co-founder and former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a retired United Methodist pastor.
For ticket information, contact Deloris Casey at 317/915-1396; e-mail Dhcasey@aol.com . Matthew Carlisle
Local churches celebrate Churches Uniting in Christ
Members of 10 denominations will gather March 10 to celebrate the inauguration of a new framework for Christian unity. They will be joined by members of other churches that support this invitation to live with one another differently. This invitation is called Churches Uniting in Christ.
The 10 denominations include: AME, AME Zion, Disciples of Christ, CME, Episcopal Church, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), UCC, United Methodist Church and the ELCA.
Leaders of these 10 denominations came together in Memphis, Tennessee on Jan. 20 for the inauguration of Churches Uniting in Christ. The local celebration will take place at Covenant Community Church, 5640 Cooper Rd., Indianapolis, from 4-5:30 p.m. More information about this free event is available by calling 800/746-2310.
Future celebrations are planned: April 28 at Waynesdale UMC, Fort Wayne; June 9 at Bethany Christian Church, Evansville.
'Singing' in West Lafayette
Pastors left their churches for a few days and ventured to the University Inn in West Lafayette for the annual NIC Bishop's Retreat.
An estimated 127 people felt renewed and energized from Feb. 17-19 with the theme of "Singing in the Rain."
The Sunday evening program was kicked off by the Revs. Larry and Jan Dimick, pastors at Lafayette Congress Street and Brookston UMCs, respectively, leading the singing with a mountain dulcimer and guitar. Also, the Rev. Derek Weber of Anderson First UMC gave devotionals the Sisters of Thunder provided the music for the rest of the evening of praise and fellowship and Gene Lowry offered the Monday program. Matthew Oates
Accident takes life of UM woman
Following the morning worship service at Mount Zion UMC, Evansville District, on Feb. 10, 78-year-old Cancilene Young was struck and killed by a van as she was leaving church. Ms. Young, who was best known for her Sunday children's message, had just finished her morning message. To avoid cars parked in front of the church, the driver of a sedan braked, struck an unoccupied parked car and then collided with an oncoming van. Young was standing behind the van at the time. The driver, who was on his way to church, is believed to have been speeding.
According to the Rev. Ernest Stair, pastor of Mount Zion, the people of Spencer County and members of the congregation responded "wonderfully" following the accident. Members of Mount Zion comforted the children and adults who were visibly shaken.
On Feb. 17, the congregation honored the life of Ms. Young at the Sunday service by paying tribute to her during the children's message. Following the service, the children released balloons. Churches of all denominations throughout Spencer County brought covered dishes to a pitch-in held that afternoon. Matthew Carlisle
Plan to share for One Great Hour
On the fourth Sunday in Lent (March 10), United Methodists will come together to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR) ministries through One Great Hour of Sharing. Your offering helps UMCOR to respond immediately when disaster strikes and pays its operating expenses. UMCOR spends less than 4 percent of its total budget on administrative costs; it receives no World Service/apportionment funds.
UMCOR serves millions of people around the world. It responds to catastrophic disasters such as flooding, civil unrest and violence, refugee crises, landslides, earthquakes and famine. When the emergency ends, recovery work begins. UMCOR continues its ministry long after the media attention and public interest has faded. Call UM Communications to order One Great Hour of Sharing offering resources, 888/862-3242.
NIC Loan Fund garners $1 million
In the first two months of operation, the North Indiana UM Loan Fund has accepted nearly $1 million in deposits. Because of the success and giving spirit of Hoosier United Methodists, the Fund is prepared to make loans.
Loan Fund staff attribute much of the success to the giving spirit of United Methodists and the interest rates offered for certificates. When asked what was meant by "the giving spirit of United Methodists," Phil Ford, associate director of the North Indiana United Methodist Foundation and Loan Fund, explained, "Those who've chosen to deposit their money with the Loan Fund have done so for more reasons than just the interest rates." Ford continued, "These depositors know how their money is being used. That gives them reason to celebrate. They know their money is being loaned to UM churches and agencies to further the Christ-driven missions of the church."
The Loan Fund's primary purpose is to provide the needed funds to help UM churches and agencies of Indiana through capital improvement loans. The Loan Fund's Board of Directors has established the current loan interest rate at 7 percent for a three-year adjustable loan. Savings accounts are paying an introductory rate of 4 percent. The introductory rate for a Certificate of Deposit is 5 percent for a one-year term. Contact the Loan Fund at 800/783-5138.
Churches unite against taxes
More than 800 gathered at the Indiana Statehouse on Jan. 31 to support Senate Bill 19, legislation that would exempt churches, charities and educational institutions from paying property taxes. In 2001, the congregation at Granger Community Church, a NIC church, was the first Indiana church to receive a property tax bill; it totaled more than $34,000.
Currently, Indiana churches aren't required to pay property tax on land less than 15 acres. Senate Bill 19 provides that up to 150 acres of land and the buildings and structures on the land are exempt from property taxation if a church or religious institution owns the land and buildings. At press time, Senate Bill 19 had been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Matthew Carlisle
U. of I. centennial gala kicks off yearlong festivities
Last updated on 01/14/2004The United Methodist related University of Indianapolis kicked off its 100th birthday with an opening gala celebration at the Indiana Historical Society, where about 180 guests dined and listened to an original composition by Dr. Chris Rutkowski.
"It is an honor and a pleasure to be associated with the University of Indianapolis during such a momentous time in its history," said U. of I. President Dr. Jerry Israel, during the event.
Bruce Kopp, WTHR news co-anchor, acted as emcee; the Rev. Kent Millard, senior pastor of St. Luke's UMC and a member of the University of Indianapolis Board of Trustees, gave the invocation.
The culmination of a year-long Centennial celebration will occur in October 2002 when the university officially celebrates its 100th birthday on Oct. 6. A three-day campus celebration will begin on Oct.