Walton UMC will hold a dedication service April 14 for a memorial window and other improvements to the church. The stained glass window in memory of Raymond and Rosemary Butz, longtime members and devoted workers of the church, will be placed in the entrance way. The church was recently renovated with new carpet and paint in the sanctuary. The church's exterior has been repainted and the lawn landscaped. A dedication service will be held during the morning worship at 9:15.

Brushwood UMC (Rensselaer) dedicated its new education building in January. Special guests were Dr. James Jones, executive assistant to Indiana Area Bishop Woodie W. White, and Dr. Thomas Rough, Calumet District superintendent. In his sermon, Jones applauded the congregation for the ways in which they had been faithful to God's vision of moving ahead and doing ministry, and challenged them to leave a faithful legacy to those who will come after.

The worship service concluded with the congregation moving to the new building for the dedication. The building will house eight children and youth classes, a church office and additional fellowship hall space.

First UMC in Sheridan has added a second, half-hour worship service at 8:30 a.m. The informal format includes praise music, Scripture, sermon and an offering. Traditional worship continues to be held at 10 a.m., the Rev. C. Archibald Hawkins is pastor.

Names in the News

The trustees of the United Methodist children's Home board recognized Mrs. Betty Dixon, administrative assistant to the executive director of Indiana United Methodist Children's Home, Inc., on Feb. 12. Dixon will retire on March 31 after 33 years of service.

Rev. Tarrell Thompson was recognized on Jan. 9 for his leadership of the Salvation Army Advisory Board of Evansville. He completed six years as chair of the Advisory Board.

Donald Hamm was recently named the director of programming at Oakwood Park. The Canada native received his MBA from Regis University in 2001. He has held several secular marketing positions as well as being the chairperson of the trustees and building committee in his local United Methodist church in Iowa and was chairperson of the District Council on Ministries there. Hamm is married and the father of two children.

Coming: Jesus Christ Superstar!

This month St. Luke's UMC, Indianapolis, will produce the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber rock musical based on Christ's last seven days.

However, director Bob Zehr has taken a decidedly different approach to the casting. While the role of Jesus will be sung by a young tenor, Matt Branic, the role of Judas will be performed by the Rev. Carolyn Scanlan, soprano and associate pastor at St. Luke's. Several disciples will also be played by women.

"Jesus had close women friends," Zehr says. "It's not such a stretch to imagine that if he lived today he would have female disciples as well as male." The director, who also serves on staff at St. Luke's, is former co-owner of the Beef 'n' Boards Dinner Theatre, not far from the church. The theatre is also home to The Garden congregation, a contemporary-style church with three worship services, affiliated with St. Luke's.

Jesus Christ Superstar" with its cast of 38 will be performed in St. Luke's main sanctuary, with a 24-piece orchestra on Palm Sunday weekend, March 22, 23 and 24. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students, with discounts for groups of 10 or more. Call the church office to order: 317/846-3404.

Milestones

Names in the News

Coming: Jesus Christ Superstar!