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News Keaton Saturday
God's Amazing Grace
In his second sermon to the annual conference, Bishop Jonathan Keaton of the Ohio East Area, began by singing, "amazing grace how sweet the sounds..."
"Through many dangers tolls and snares, I have already come, tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home."
He said before the Mayflower, before the auction block, before 250 years of slavery, before 150 years of struggle, African explorers came to America with Columbus and Cortez.
Before you were formed in the womb
In a similar fashion, Keaton said, before he was born Jeremiah's life (Jeremiah 1:1-10) was determined by God. Jeremiah could not assume he would follow in his father's footsteps. "God had different plans for Jeremiah. Scripture says, 'before you were formed in the womb, I chose you to be a prophet. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'"
The Israelites did not know they were going to be God's people. Moses, Joseph, and other did not know. But God knew, Keaton said.
He them drew a parallel between Jeremiah and Joseph. Joseph too was called. Then he asked the congregation, "Where is God sending you?" he asked.
"You got to love somebody, give to somebody, meet somebody where they are. When God calls Jeremiah, God is determined. Age has no bearing on who God can use. I want to use you, God says."
Keaton said Jeremiah's mission is to clean up his nation. Judah alienates God for other gods. Judah is morally and spiritually bankrupt. "We need a few Jeremiahs in America today. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Bush and Kerry are at war with each other over the White House. Americans are so concerned about being number ONE. Many believe we have loss sight of God."
But, said Keaton, "God knows when God calls Jeremiah, he will go. God is always looking for someone to say 'here am I.' The one that struggles seems to be the one that God chooses."
Before you were born I consecrated you.
Jeremiah's consecration service took place in heaven. "Jeremiah knew his pre-birth reality is that it was something God alone could see," said Keaton. Jeremiah had no burning bush, no choir, he just believed. Like Jeremiah we are going to have to just believe.
Keaton related a story about his grandfather Harris. He said that even though Harris died in 1932, 14 years before he was born, a man in his home congregation in Chicago some 60 years after his grandfather died, a man said, "you sound like Old Man Harris," his grandfather.
This grandson of Old Man Harris determined his grandson would follow in his way. Keaton said, "I would even serve as a district superintendent from 1990 to 1996, exactly 60 years later.
Jeremiah was given a sign and told to right a covenant not on stone but upon your heart. God said, I know how to get to you. I will get to your heart and then you can't help yourself.
I appointed you as a prophet to the nation.
God knew this before Jeremiah was born. "God does what God wants to do with your life. He doesn't need to consult us. Jeremiah is not happy. He has to follow in some other way than to be a priest.
"God said be a social critic and servant leader. Your life is going to be a living h-a-d-e-s Jeremiah finds himself condemning his own nation and race. He predicted the downfall of Judah. Kings had him beaten and put in jail because of his opposition to the war effort against the Babylonians," said Keaton.
God called us to do more than we imagined to do. Dr. King came into danger when he spoke out. He was called a communist, an outside agitator, and they killed him.
Jeremiah remains faithful to his call
Keaton said, the one who follows in the way of Jeremiah, calls church and society to repentance, extends god's love to everyone. Ones life becomes a model to the ages and writes to the ages. Remember that even some thought that Jesus was Jeremiah.
"See what happens when God takes over life. Is the word of the Lord coming to Indiana? Take up the cross and follow me. Justice and mercy are the Lord's," proclaimed Keaton.
He concluded with Natalie Sleeth's "Hymn of Promise" singing the words, "From the past will come the future. Something alone God can see."
Bread and Basin awards: Jacqueline Lung, administrative assistant for the Michiana District, was honored with the North Indiana Conference's Bread and Basin Award for her years of service and dedication through numerous ministries and members of the Michiana District. Also receiving a Bread and Basin Award was Jack Dwiggins, who was honored for his years of service and dedication to the North Indiana Conference for serving as lay leader.
Lay leader address:
Dwiggins ends term and introduces new lay leader
Outgoing Lay Leader Jack Dwiggins thanked Manet Shettle, associate lay lead, for her service. Dwiggins then introduced Kayc Mykrantz of Logansport Crosswind UMC and welcomed here as the new Conference Lay leader.
He then said to the annual conference that eight years ago he would have never dreamed what this position would mean. "Sometimes it took me to places I loved and other places I didn't want to go. I covenant with you whether I agree or disagree with you," he said.
Dwiggins said he is impressed by the 2020 Plan to reach people beyond the church and the work of the strategy council recognizing that the local church is where it happens. "Our work (as a conference) needs to be based on ministry not on control," he said.
"We have grown spiritually hearing the Word of God. I believe we are coming with a new meaning for stewardship." Dwiggins also said he was disappointed with some aspects of the conference's ministry.
He said we need to seek and welcome those beyond the walls of the church. "I encourage pastors to invite the lay leader to visit their congregations."
Dwiggins said he was concerned about issues that take energy but do not help the church. He observed that the spirit (of the church during General Conference) at Pittsburgh was more gracious and caring than it was in 2000.
"Many believe that we are in a mighty war to save our church." Demanding what the language of the Disciples should be does not help our church. We need to support others through Jesus' love. Our energy needs to be used in mission field, to hurting bodies and souls, to heal racism, to help children, to stop gambling.
He said he pained that he received many letters to support the Discipline on the issue of homosexuality but only received one letter about other issues.
"We need to hear the voices or our hurting gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. You and I alone cannot save this church. We must put our trust in God. Let us not elevate the Discipline (of the church). Let me suggest that the Bible has come between me and my Savior," Dwiggins said.
We need the gift of joy and laughter. God has given each of us a voice. We also need to listen to others, he said. I am hopeful for our church. We can be transformation for our lives and the lives of our community and world.
An offering to Operation Classroom was given in honor of Jack Dwiggins ministry as lay leader.
Dr. Anthony Dioh:
'We are grateful'
Dr. Anthony Dioh experienced North Indiana's annual conference sessions in a variety of ways: from speaking to manning a booth to loading boxes for Operation Classroom.
Dioh, who is an Operation Classroom coordinator since 1994 from Monrovia, Liberia, came with a simple message: thank you.
I come with ".a feeling of being blessed that people care … praying for us and delivering supplies," said Dioh. "I had a deeper sense of appreciation. I want to say thanks with a deep sense of gratitude."
He shared stories of the new mission opportunities of reaching out to a generation that has known war in Liberia, as well as stories of how he and his family moved numerous times during the wars. Dioh said Operation Classroom has a lot of friends and supporters, but some backed away during the wars. "Indiana supported us; we are grateful"
The numerous supplies that Indiana continued to send help provide hope when it was needed. At one annual conference in Liberia, blankets, clothes and health kits from Indiana were distributed to visitors, who were thrilled at the supplies. "The opportunity to revitalize and reconstruct is just enormous," said Dioh. "So far our church is providing the lead. We hope the people of Indiana will continue to stand with us."
Dioh will spend the next 15 months at Clarian Health in Indianapolis participating in a Clinical Pastoral Education program, before returning to train Liberians in clinical pastoral education. - MO
Lyndon receives Denman Award posthumously
The late Rev. Richard Lyndon received the North Indiana Conference 2004 Denman Evangelism Award. His wife, Karen, received the Denman in his name. The Denman is presented through the United Methodist Foundation for Evangelism based in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
Upon receiving the Denman, Karen Lyndon said, "as you reflect back as Dick and I did at the end, you to may say, 'yes, we planted, and even watered some BUT the growth came only from God and this award goes to Him along with ALL the Praise the Glory and the Honor. Bishop it has been a privilege to serve in this conference. Thank you.'"
The award, established in 1980, is named after Harry Denman, a single layman who headed The Methodist Church's Board of Evangelism. Denman died in 1976. Under Denman's leadership in evangelism, The Methodist Church experienced it's greatest growth of membership in the 20th century.
Lyndon died Jan. 30, 2004, while under appointment as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Goshen, Ind.
Plenary Session Three
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary celebrates its 150th anniversary. It's one of 13 United Methodist-related schools preparing both clergy and laity for their calling.
Gambling Issues - The Rev. Scott Shoaff of Fort Wayne and the Rev. John Wolf of Valparaiso - reported that there may be gambling on Mars someday. Americans spend more money on gambling than groceries. Help by asking your political candidates where they stand on gambling. Tell the General Assembly that you do not tolerate the expansion of gambling. (See article in Friday's issue of the HUM.)
Jurisdictional Delegates Report - The Rev. Mark Fenstermacher of Elkhart was endorsed by the North Indiana Conference as a candidate for the episcopacy.
Strategy Council - has sought to be a visionary force in leading the conference in the core values of the annual conference.
Board of Pensions and Health Care - The board is considering to change health care coverage to HealthFlex. Unfunded liability was dropped to zero.
United Methodist Publishing House - Kate Walker, represents the UMPH in NIC gave the NIC $14,680. Bishop White reminded NIC members that all the profit from the house goes to United Methodists pastors. The conference gave the UMPH gift to the Central Conference Pension Fund for the pensions of overseas ministers.
Lay leader - Jack Dwiggins introduced Kayc Mykrantz of Logansport Crosswind UMC as the new conference lay leader. Dwiggins thanked Manet Shettle, associate lay leader, for her work in the conference. (See laity address).
New structure of CCOM - alignment of new structure with Disciple, budget, nomination process, conference nominating maintained as they are presently.
Equitable compensation - the 2005 equitable salary shall be a minimum salary at a 4.5 percent increase - Full Elder, full-time $30,560, Associate and Probationary Members $29,540, Full-time Local Pastors $28,010. Pastors shall be reimbursed for car expenses at the current IRS rate.
Conference Council on Finance and Administration - Wesley Manor in Frankfort paid off a loan from the NIC with a check of $268,500. The conference:
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Approved a budget for 2005 of $11,018,758, a 3.46 percent increase over the 2004 budget of $10,650,722.
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Approved a recommendation to allow Conference Advance Specials to seek funding from local churches.
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Recommended various ways of financing the NIC.
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Referred proposed changes in the apportionment formulas back to CCFA and ask the strategy council to study and evaluate these recommendations in light of the conference's core values.
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The Rev. Paul Arnold of Hammond Woodmar UMC was elected to chair the CCFA. Brent Williams was re-elected treasurer of NIC.
Religion and Race - Training, education and reporting. Our initiative is that no one be left out.
Council on Youth Ministries - (see article on youth ministry) Reported on the Youth trip to Washington, D.C., Youth Convocation, Youth Service Fund raised by the youth for the youth, Senior High Institute "an upward high," CCYM Rally (a concert held each year). Danny Beal was elected president of CCYM. The Rev. C. Jack Scott is retiring from his position as director of CCYM.
Operation Classroom - Joe and Carolyn Wagner introduced Manja Marke, Dr. Dennis Marke chief medical officer, and Dr. Anthony Dioh, field representative in Liberia.
Dr. Dioh expressed his appreciation for the support of NIC for support of scholarships, students, teachers, counseling programs, vocational education program, and tools. He said, "we are grateful for student programs to be peace builders as an alternative to violence. During the past 15 years, when money are lost, nothing is really lost. When life is lost, nothing replaces. When faith is lost, everything is lost." Dioh also expressed his appreciation to President Bush for telling the former president of Liberia to leave.
Dr. Marke brought greetings from the Sierra Leone Conference and the Kissy Clinic sponsored by the United Methodist Church. He said Kissy provides good quality medical care with compassion. The hospital is a quality hospital at the east end of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Operation room is complete, we have trained our staff in Kenya, we have staffed our operating room. We will build more in July and August. We have also established a nutrition unit and HIV/AIDS counseling. All the furnishing for the buildings have been received. We still need outpatient building for pregnant women and their children. We need a project for clean water. The good news of Jesus Christ is spread in ministry and mission in a partnership with the North Indiana Conference.
Petitions
The conference referred a petition to publish information and reports about the annual conference on the NIC Web site. The petition was referred to strategy council, conference attorney
Petition 3 - about upholding the Discipline was ruled out of order by the bishop
Petition 4 - concerning the assignment of a bishop, the bishop ruled that an annual conference cannot add to the qualifications of bishop. This petition was referred to the Jurisdictional Delegation.
Behind the scenes with the Wagners and Operation Classroom
This June, the Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner will retire from the North Indiana Conference.
Well … not exactly.
While Rev. Joe will retire from ordained ministry, he and Carolyn will continue serving as general coordinators for Operation Classroom, a position they have held since 1987.
Through the 43 years of service, both have been instrumental in providing hands-on mission opportunities for Indiana United Methodists, from officially appointed positions at the district, conference and jurisdictional level, to unofficial support posts. They've lead work teams and mission trips to Haiti, Africa and Brazil and are well-known for camping out in moving trucks at annual conferences.
Rev. Joe says that they both have hearts for missions. "That's pretty much our life," he says after listing where they've been and what they've done. "We've had a good ministry. The places we've been have been good."
They recall the time when they were asked to serve by the Rev. Marcus Blaising, then executive assistant to Bishop White, to serve as coordinators for Operation Classroom. "The program grew so fast they appointed us to a smaller church," recalls Rev. Joe. "At that time, we became United Methodist missionaries assigned to Operation Classroom."
Carolyn remembers when they agreed to become the coordinators. "Our eyes were beyond the local scene as well as being involved in the local scene. We didn't know what we were getting ourselves into," she chuckles.
"I was eager to catch the vision," she adds, also saying that after first trip to Africa, everything fell into place. "I could see the needs."
With Operation Classroom continually growing, Rev. Joe shares that the people in Liberia and Sierra Leone are appreciative of the help and supplies from Indiana. "They are very dependent upon Indiana for support." "The people have been very generous."
Four containers are sent to Africa each year, filled with books, school and medical supplies from Indiana and numerous other annual conferences. Operation Classroom receives support from 42 states, all which is sorted out by the Wagners, a part-time secretary and the numerous volunteers who descend to the Lapel warehouse.
The Wagners have experienced numerous amounts of joy and frustration with Operation Classroom and the wars that go on in Africa. "It's been great to see the opportunities to develop the schools over there."
Rev. Joe says giving has stayed consistent, despite the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone, which has taken a toll on numerous ministries. At least one teacher has been killed, two schools burned down and a hospital looted. "Anything they could sell they would take," he explains.
The situation is becoming more stable in each country as peacekeeping forces are in both areas. The United Nations is also using an Operation Classroom school as a headquarters.
With more time reportedly to be had during retirement, Rev. Joe and Carolyn are looking forward to spending more time with their two children and their families and their five grandchildren, as well as reading, putting photos in albums and moving into their new home in rural Thorntown.
"It's been a real joy. The real blessing is the friendships and fellowship we've had on both sides of the ocean. It's been spectacular," says Carolyn. "We've learned how important hope is in such dire circumstances."
BHECM dinner celebrates hospitality
As representatives from the campus ministries of the University of Indianapolis, DePauw University, Ball State and Purdue universities gathered for dinner, they celebrated hospitality and the increasing importance and vitality of campus ministries.
"This year has been phenomenal," said the Rev. Lana Robyne, associate campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at Purdue University. "We have grown in so many ways." Students from Purdue shared how they went on mission trips and participated in mission projects, meals, worship services, studies and more. Complete with a new house ministry, the community is excited.
"We are indeed part of the Core Values of the annual conference," said the Rev. Steve Ailes, chairman of the conference's Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry and from Peru Main Street UMC. "Campus ministry is a precursor for change in the annual conference."
The Rev. Larry Burton, senior pastor at Greencastle Gobin Memorial UMC and DePauw University chaplain, shared the increasing partnership between Gobin Memorial and DePauw. "We are an open community; the United Methodist connection matters a great deal," said Burton.
The Rev. Ken Puent, campus minister at Ball State University through College Avenue UMC's College Connection. Sharing how the program has grown from two students to more than 130 in less than a year, Puent shared that more programming is scheduled to be added. "We're very excited to see the future of our ministry."
Heather Foltz, a junior at the University of Indianapolis member of Dyer UMC, participates in the Christian vocations program and has grown from the support of the church. "It's through these classes that God has revealed himself to me."
Meet Christopher Washum
Christopher Washum is excited about the opportunity to share his story of being a student at a historically black college in his backyard.
Washum, a sophomore at UM-related Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., is visiting four annual conferences this summer as part of the Black College Intern program. He is from Indianapolis and a member of Barnes UMC. In addition to visiting North Indiana, he'll visit South Indiana, East Ohio and West Ohio annual conferences.
While attending the 925-student school, he is majoring in secondary education hoping to teach physics. "I have a dream to teach science and math," he says. "Where ever God takes me is exactly where I'm going. It might even be the seminary."
The grandson of South Indiana's lay leader, Jim Shaw, Washum feels honored to be chosen to share his story. "It all has to do with God. He has his ever-present guiding hand over everything. He's using me to reach out to his people to help support the Black College Fund," says Washum. "I'm a tool of God."