Potter Russ Harris said clay has a certain timing. You have to be there at the right time (to work with it). He said he left a thrown bowl out last night. "I can't do anything more with it now, so I will reconstitute it."
Bishop Mike Coyner said, "Making disciples has something to say about timing."
Karen Greenwaldt added, "... some doubted. How many of us think when we become a Christian we stop doubting. It's not a part to be ignored." She said that John Wesley after his Aldersgate experience had doubt. Then he discovered new ways of understanding the Gospel. The Gospel also says "GO."
Harris and Coyner asked and selected several "volunteers."
Harris said clay is the thing that civilized us when clay hit fire. "Next they had a vessel to cook in. They put a lid on it and had a storage container. This allowed people to stay in one place."
Harris taught the volunteers how to make pinch pots. Volunteers were taught and then headed for the audience to teach someone else.
Coyner and Greenwaldt went back to the text. Greenwaldt said teaching is a topic dear to her heart. "When we invite people to faith, we baptized them and TEACH them. Pastors are both preachers and teachers. We (United Methodists) are not formed by written theology. Wesley was a practical theologian. Our theology was written in hymns."
Coyner said, "Every pastor needs to be involved in a teaching ministry. I have taught from the Disciple Bible Study about what we believe. Pastors are teaching elders."
Greenwaldt quoted Wesley saying, "Will you instruct the children? Do you know our doctrine and polity?" Teaching and preaching are interwoven. She said pastors have a responsibility to teach, read and think theologically with their congregations.
She said to look at the music and words in the praise choruses. Do your songs reflect our theology? "If you are using Alpha curriculum, you need to adapt it to UM theology. You have a responsibility to know what is being taught and raise the bar as to what is United Methodist. We need to teach Wesleyan theology. We need to talk about sanctifying grace. We need to teach Wesleyan," she said.
Coyner then said that there is also good news from Acts chapter two about life in community. The text said all who believe were together and lived in common. Coyner said, the early church grew in maturity of faith. No one was left out. They grew in outreach and grew in respect by the whole city. God helped them grow. He asked, "are we growing in outreach, mission and ministry? Growth comes. We are called to it everywhere around the world."
Greenwaldt said growth and maturity come with prayer, Bible study, worship, attendance at sacraments, fasting, doing no harm, doing good and participating in Christian conversation.
Coyner said church growth is more than planting congregations: it is growing every church. -- DG
There are 511 clergy and 606 laity for a total of 1,117 members of conference.
Greetings from Bishop and Mrs. Woodie White of Atlanta - "God is good, all the time."
Report of the Cabinet was given by Bob Dexter. He recognized spouses. Current and future cabinet member were introduced. The Maishes are moving to Florida. The Hewsons will remain in Huntington. On June 16 more than 60 appointments will take place. We have five missional priority churches in North Conference. Two additional resolutions from Cabinet - discontinuance of Mount Pleasant UMC, with its last service on Nov. 2004; two Red Key churches merged to form the Red Key UMC in Nov. 2004.
Frank Jones gave a Religion and Race report. He said Religion and Race has two missions - to bring awareness to the need of inclusiveness and sensitivity in NIC.
Second, the need for training to accomplish this goal. NIC held its first training event this year for racial diversity for racial sensitivity, diversity and inclusiveness.
Ken Hudgins, NIC UMM president, reported UMM's involvement with the Society of St. Andrew feeding the hungry in North Indiana with more than 83,000 pounds of food. UMM also supports scouting. This is an opportunity for the church to lead these young people to God. UMM are also involved in UMM Prayer Ministry. UMM national meeting will be here at Purdue in July.
NIC voted on UMC Constitutional Amendments. Results will come Saturday morning.
Janice Bohnstedt, UMW president, reported that UMW exists for the enrichment of lives around the world and here in Indiana. UMW focused to know God and to know freedom through Jesus Christ. We participate in caring around the world in mission. Our mission is education for global mission and the empowerment for opportunity. - DG
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Emmett M. Ade, Williamsport |
Gerald L. Hewson, Huntington |
Join with the pastors from the North and South Indiana conferences for a time of coming together with Bishop Coyner and special guest Brian McLaren.
St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis will be the host church.
Registration before Sept. 12 is required. The cost will be $25. Pastors are asked to read the book Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren before the conference.
Gina Riendeau, NIC staff, led the report session. She began by introducing Ken Vance, missionary and pilot serving Wings of the Morning in Congo and Zambia. He said, "Thank you for giving so much of you life, your money, your prayers, your friendship." He continued saying the Congo is not safe right now. Rebel soldiers occupy our house. In the midst of that, we are now in Zambia. He said he has learned that mission projects should not be tied to the missionary. When the missionary retires, many times the project stops. We have failed because Africans are still dependent upon American churches. It is time to equip them financially, so it can be self-supporting and send out missionaries too. The Gospel is about more than getting. Agriculture is underdeveloped because there is no money. The church must become the infrastructure, modeling after the Heifer Project. Today we are up to 55 partners. We are working with banana farmers. I am no longer cynical but excited about being in Africa.
All conference-related missionaries were introduced.
Jim Winkler, general secretary of General Board of Church and Society, spoke against gambling. Why work when you can strike it rich. Growing inequality in our gambling industry exploits our people. Wesley said gambling was unhealthy for people and society. Gambling weaves a Web of destruction. Tell your legislators. Cherry masters are not legalized. We will have to fight this fight of legalized gambling again. This is a part of what we do as United Methodist to fight gambling. We must speak truth to the state. Nationally, we need your help in passing legislation to prevent credit card and PayPal use in placing online bets. The conference needs to respond.
John Wolf, former coordinator of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, said this is the first year in a decade that working together we helped stop the expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.
Gwen Redding at Sager Brown Depot for UMCOR in Louisiana reported that 225,000 kits are needed this year, a more than 50 percent increase over last year. We are proud to be connected to you NIC-deepest thanks. North Indiana Conference has given more than $56,000 to the Methodist Church in Banda Ache and other $335,597 to UMCOR for Southeast tsunami relief. UMCOR's nationally has received more than $39 million for tsunami relief. In Sri Lanka UMCOR as contributed $8 million. UMCOR is helping 28 societies. In one week, six miles of the beach were cleared, which directly benefits more than 400 residents. UMCOR will be there every step of the way.
Joe and Carolyn Wagner reported that the first surgery was performed at Kissy Clinic in Sierra Leone this past week. Joe reported that OC now has 10,000 students in Liberia and Sierra Leone in our 14-related schools. The Wagners showed a PowerPoint presentation about the history of OC. Project 2005 is this year's emphasis. OC schools are in partnership with each of the conference districts. This includes building renovations, desks, chairs and other equipment. For more information, log on to www.operationclassroom.org.
Teresa Witkoske reported former actions of the task force. We asked for health kits. You have given more than 7,200 health kits. You also have collected shoes, teddy bears and blankets. Outreach funds have gone to projects around the world. There has been a significant increase for children in Indiana. We still need to celebrate children and the poor in our lives. Patty O'Callaghan, a United Methodist and a lobbyist on behalf of children, informed members about education, research and advocacy for Hoosier children.
North Indiana Conference has given much to AU including two residence halls. More than 1,200 students are now enrolled. The committee challenged churches to give $1,000 a year for scholarships and/or $5,200 for a full one-year scholarship. - DG
There are three parables in Matthew 25 - the bridesmaids, the talents and the end of time. Karen Greenwaldt said these parables in Mathew 25 are about getting ready, using the talents you have and giving it away.
In Matthew, we read that the bridesmaids go to sleep and in the middle the night the bridegroom comes. Some miss it because they aren't prepared. What does it mean to get ready? Simply, we prepare.
Potter Russ Harris said, "I want to talk about oil lamps. How much oil do you have? Can you go for the long haul? Reservoir is important.He made a "low-capacity" oil lamp while Greenwaldt and Coyner taught.
Greenwaldt shared about having cancer last year. She said, "When I could not sleep in the middle of the night, had I not known hymns of faith and Psalms; had I not had the communion service in my mind to recite it; had I not known how to pray, I would have crumbled." The reservoir is important. What is the reservoir of faith you have now? This is a WE - shared together. She asked, what kind of reservoir do you have, does the community have and does the conference have?
Coyner said the church is having compassion fatigue. We need to keep filling the reservoir. Greenwaldt said the more we give the deeper the reservoir is tapped.
What about the talents? Harris said, talent comes with discipline. "Each pot teaches me about the next pot. In my head are pots I can't make yet. The pots in my head are the pots I will make two or three years from now," he said. Use it or lose it.
Coyner said the Kingdom of God is about not wasting our talent.
Greenwaldt said, we are to give our talent away. You have to give it away or the weight will prevent us from developing our talent.
Coyner said if God can't give to others through you. God may well stop giving to you.
Harris said, going to God is like going to the river. It keeps coming. It shows God's grace to us. God in creation keeps giving us, said Greenwaldt.
At the end of time we will be judged on how we take our talents to the poor, the sick, the prisoner, when you do it to one of the least of these, you did it to me, said Coyner paraphrasing Scripture.
Greenwaldt instructed, "do not mishear me. When judgment comes, it's not did you have faith in Christ, but what matters is did you do it to the least of these?" She said it circles back to the oil and the reservoir, but did you do it throughout your life? Did you care for these? That's an important question.
It's not what is Christian, but when is a Christian? said Coyner. When is a potter a potter? When he is making pots. North Conference is known for mission work. The more we give away, the more we receive and the more we are blessed. - DG
Potter Russ Harris said, preparation has much to do with pottery. In Japan and Korea, fathers prepare clay for their children to us. If I don't center the clay (on the wheel), I can't throw a pot. If it's off center, it wobbles. That's somewhat like life if we aren't centered.
Coyner said Jesus knew how important it was to center. He would get away alone. In Mark 6, Jesus gathers and the disciples tell him all that they have done. Then Jesus said to them, come to a deserted place and rest yourselves. Jesus teaches his disciples how to rest.
Greenwaldt said, how do you learn from Jesus? If we want to be the person God wants us to be.
Harris said at the beginning everyday at the study, I read about the saints (of the church). It reminds me of my heritage.
Greenwaldt asked the audience, do you have a quiet place to go? So that when you go there you have entered a holy place. Two of my pastor friends have different places. One had a kneeling rail and spent an hour a day. His associate made fun of him "praying in a closet." Fast forward 30 years, now the associate is trying to find herself.
Jesus' going away was a habit. He had crowds following him. Part of my rhythm is to close the door and be by myself. Whatever works for you. Everyone needs a place.
Coyner said my special place is Epworth Forest, one of our campgrounds. If that had not been the place, would I have another special place? Everyone has to find a space and a place to keep the rhythm of Christian life. If is was necessary for Jesus, it is necessary for us.
Greenwalt said, worship on Sunday is probably not enough because we are a participant. I asked those who don't, what are you afraid of; what are you hiding from? There was a rhythm that was important to Jesus.
Harris said, when I come back from vacation, I need to get back into a rhythm and I feel I am better.
Coyner said we also have a responsibility to the next generation.
Harris said we belong to a church that is 150 years old. I feel I have a responsibility to keep that church vital.
Ulm Cathedral in Europe is dedicated to those who are yet to come, Coyner pointed out. We provide for spaces and places, not just for us, but for the next generation to come.
Keith Thews, young adult ministries chairperson, recognized Jason Gross for six years of service as conference coordinator for young adult ministries. Larry Saunders was introduced as the new young adult ministries coordinator. Saunders highlighted four actions - transitional issues, global missions, responding to diversity here especially Hispanic background; and strong leaders for the church. Young adults plan a winter retreat at Epworth Forest. Last year 41 young adults attended.
More than 3,500 campers from 530 churches participated in camping during 2004. More than 600 volunteers come to serve at camps. Kids are coming to know Christ in elementary, junior high and senior high camps. The resource team thanked the churches of the conference for their support.
The youth reported on the Senior High Institute held annually at Epworth Forest and the impact it had upon their lives and the lives of their friends. Youth Rally, a concert "with an awesome band," is held annually. Last year it was held at Peru. This year Youth Ministries is not going to host this rally because of the lack of financial support. Washington DC is another trip to learn about Christian social witness by youth. This year's trip was about immigration. Youth Ministries officers elected this week are President Ashley Loomis, Vice President Jaymi Nau and Secretary Rachel Shettle.
An interim report is working toward a proposal for a capital funds campaign. Camping is a top priority for the conference. In order to begin ownership by the entire conference, the committee was formed last year. The committee plans to bring a recommendation to next year's annual conference.
During the annual all-conference dinner, the following awards were presented:
Kate Walker, retired NIC clergy and UM Publishing House/Cokesbury board member, presented to Bishop Coyner a check for $14,568.40 from UMPH/Cokesbury to go towards the NIC's pension/retirement funds.
Africa University honored the congregations of Angola UMC, Logansport UMC and West Lafayette St. Andrew UMC for their commitment to their scholarship pledges.
Ken Puent, campus minister at College Connection at Ball State University, received the Francis Asbury Award, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's highest award. Four scholarships to four students were also distributed.
Eight recipients of the Bread and Basin award were honored. They include Lynne O'Brien, Elkhart Trinity UMC; Garry Garlish, Dayton UMC; Sallie Maish, College Avenue UMC; Ken Adams, Kokomo St. Luke's UMC; Mel and Joy Tindall, Lapel Trinity UMC; and James and Martha Watkin, Valparaiso First UMC. - MO
During the Friday morning session, 26 clergy and their spouses were honored for their upcoming retirements and years of service to North Indiana.
With a combined nearly 800 years of service, the clergy and their spouses are looking forward to a change in their daily schedules, moving one more time to new residences and new ministry opportunities.
Beverly Biehr, an associate pastor a Crown Point UMC, has 13 years of service: 7½ as ordained clergy, 3½ as short-term missionary and 2 years as a student pastor. She's looking forward to spending time with her husband, Harry, and being a snowbird between Valparaiso and Ocala, Fla.
But her ministry is not over. While in Ocala, she will serve as an on-call chaplain at one of the local hospitals and also be active at Ocala West UMC. She'll continue to work on her certification in spiritual formation and working with the Calumet District's Hispanic ministry committee. "That's how I see ministry going. I know God will lead me in the directions there."
In her newly found spare time, she's going to work on writing and publishing pieces on social and social justice issues, as well as travel and spend time with her two adopted sons, Luis and Jose. "God can use all of us."
Gerald Hewson is looking forward to taking a year of rest and traveling and spending time with his wife, three sons and their families and seven grandchildren.
Gerald and his wife, Jane, will move to a house a block away from the Huntington District parsonage in Huntington. "I'm looking forward to doing some new things," said Gerald. "I don't want to rust away. I'm trusting God will continue to provide a way for ministry and opening doors."
Gerald and Jane have been working on the house for the past two years and moved about four weeks ago. In addition, he'll continue growing his hobbies of enjoying old cars and associated memorabilia.
" Esther Crabill was elected as the incoming president of the retired ministers' fellowship group. Crabill is the first woman to be elected to the position. - MO
Thursday evening, Russ Harris and his wife, Karen Greenwaldt, were moving a table across the Elliott Hall of Music for a presentation.
Then afterwards, he was setting up his tools and interacting with Bishop Mike Coyner, reviewing notes and talking to others about his creations that are scattered behind him on stage.
Russ, who has been working with clay for 10 years in his Nashville, Tenn. studio, got hooked on clay from selling antique art pottery for numerous years. "Karen suggested that I take a class. I took a class and went back to school."
His work is sold through wholesalers and galleries across the United States. His goal is to not only connect the potter with the clay, but also to connect the finished clay project and the potter with the one who purchases the item. "It enriches you and your life."
Russ and Karen, who serves as the Board of Discipleship's general secretary, teach Sunday school together, but this is the first time they together have done a Bible study with the clay. Russ gives clay presentations regularly for churches and other groups. "It's been fun and a real challenge with the unique Scripture verses. It's been a real good time working with Bishop Mike."
The three of them met in April to review numerous passages and plan the Bible studies. "We're pretty unscripted, though," says Russ. "This was just fun to do."
To say that Russ enjoys pottery is an understatement. "It's being a part of the creative process," he says. "For me, it's like Christmas every time."
Sometimes the best pottery is by accident, but even observing the "happy accidents" and when things go better than planned. "You're always getting better at what you do," says Russ. "Each pot leads you to the next pot. I'm working for that pot that really sings."
In addition to teaching after-school sessions, weeklong courses, Russ is now teaching in Vanderbilt University's Adult Education Department. "I find teaching people is enjoyable . just let them play."
For the new class of ordinands, they will receive Russ' handmade chalices and patens. "It's something you will remember of your ordination every time you look at it and how the person who made it gave it to me," he says. "It humanizes people to have things made by other people." - MO