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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2002 |
Cruising the Welcome Center
The folks at Zionsville UMC have discovered an easy way to identify visitors. Members are encouraged to cruise the church's Welcome Center desk before or after worship each Sunday because that's where visitors go for information. If members see folks they don't recognize, they introduce themselves and personally welcome them. The church newsletter The Messenger notes "The more people a new person can meet, the more likely they are to come again!"
Getting to the art of the matter
Plainfield UMC has started an early summer "Arts Day Camp" as a means of reaching out to community children and also to teach children the glory of God's creation. About 75 kids attended the five nights of the camp in June, with classes ranging from rhythm and movement to watercolor, expressive reading, photography and Kindermusik. Church members with professional experience donated their time as teachers. Plans are already underway for another Arts camp next spring. The Rev. Jack Miller is pastor.
'For I was hungry and you gave me food …'
United Methodists in the Fort Wayne District are blessing the hungry of the world with their labor. Garrett UMC, with support from the UMs of DeKalb (UMOD) County, participate in the National Food Resource Bank through the "Share the Harvest" ministry.
Phil Brechbill, a farmer near Garrett and Auburn and a member of Garrett UMC, participated in the 2001 project with a 23-acre plot in corn. This year Brechbill plans to donate the same plot in soybeans. Through the project -- of which Garrett member Evellyn Esselburn is chair -- $5,150 has been given to the Food Resource Bank.
M & Ms for the mission minded
"Michiana Methodists are mission minded,".says the Rev. Ed Geleske of Walkarusa UMC. And if that's not enough of a mouthful, Geleske -- who is chair of the Michiana District's Mission Celebration Committee (MCC) -- has been busy handing out bags of M & M candies to promote Michiana's mission-mindedness. The committee has two upcoming events planned to commemorate the work the UMC does in local, national, and international missions. A banquet will be held at Trinity UMC in Elkhart, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Nina Martin, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) representative who oversaw the relief work in New York City after the 9-11 tragedy, will share her story of how UMCOR was active in the work of recovery and healing.
Christmas in July
A season for the sharing of gifts is a welcome event anytime, and the Boone County UMW know their annual Christmas in July Party brings a joyous moment to the youngsters at the Indiana United Methodist Children's Home in Lebanon. Eighteen children participated in this year's festivities, which included games, fellowship and refreshments. Each child received a special T-shirt, games and school supplies.
UM churches sponsoring the party included: Lebanon's Centenary and Otterbein/Milledgeville, Jamestown, Terhune, Thorntown, Whitestown and Salem in Zionsville. Olive Wade of Terhune UMC is event organizer.
TV ministry touches homebound
Homebound members of Westville UMC no longer have to miss morning service, thanks to the efforts of the Outreach committee. Weekly services are now aired on the local public access station through Mediacom cable service. Using a home video camera, the services are taped on Sunday mornings.
The first service aired on local channel 15 at 9 a.m., June 12. The church offers a one-hour program each week but has a two-hour block of time available.
Outreach chair Jack Koker feels the need is there for this type of ministry, especially since Westville has an aging congregation. "We have one lady who has been a member for more than 80 years and came to services until recently when her health deteriorated," said Koker. "The televised services keep her a part of the church community and are a good outreach to the (general) community."
Tea and fashions benefit Trinity Mission
When models strutted down the runway at Lafayette Trinity UMC this past spring, their minds were on mission . A fashion show, tea party and silent auction were all part of a fundraising event, sponsored to support Trinity Mission. "I'm really into the tea party theme," said Cherie Castle, one of the event coordinators. "And what better way to promote a fashion show than with a tea party?"
Trinity Mission is a transitional home that provides a 90-day shelter for the homeless and needy. The organization strives make residents self-sufficient and provides spiritual enrichment and learning opportunities. Outfits modeled in the fashion show were from the Trinity Mission Outlet.
Youth letters answered by Bush, other national leaders
Sharing their excitement over the power of words and letters from President George Bush, Senator Dick Lugar and Attorney General John Ashcroft. are left to right: Kelsey Hamilton, Gwen Dugger, Ryan Smith, Travis Clements, Jacob Hayes and Chris Thompson.
Shortly after the Sept. 11 tragedy, the youth -- who are members of a Centenary UMC-Terre Haute Sunday School class -- wrote letters of comfort and support to children in churches in the affected cities. They also wrote to government leaders, expressing their sorrow for the children affected by 9/11 and expressing that they were keeping the children in their prayers. The letters are responses to their action.
Fifty-five Alive
Fifteen years ago, Gethsemane UMC in Muncie, initiated a weekly luncheon for senior citizens. The program, open to all, is based on food and fellowship and includes a worship period and an outreach mission to the sick and grieving. Fifty-five Alive, which draws an average attendance of 125, is under the leadership of Phyllis Battice. Its ecumenicalism is summed up by these words excerpted a poem by Madge Read Reese. "This small ecumenical group, reflects in their own community, the spirit that the United Nations is engendering around the world."
Flower ministry blooms at Sullivan First
Members of Sullivan UMC are raising the spirits of the sick and shut-in's and letting them know they are not forgotten. Each Sunday volunteers deliver bouquets of flowers to several members who need the lift. The bouquets are made up from the altar flowers.
"Go and make disciples of all nations …"
A member of Centenary UMC, New Albany, is taking her last name and the Lord's commission seriously. Amy Goforth -- one of Centenary's newest members -- has gone forth and organized a contemporary Saturday night service. The service, called Second Watch, has music as its foundation and is an alternative to traditional worship services. "It offers an option for different people," said Goforth. "I feel like God has given me the gift to sing and to be a leader … I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."
Last updated on 01/14/2004