Wednesday night

Clergy, spouses celebrate 30 years of diakonia ministry

The retirees were honored during the Clergy Banquet Wednesday night.

More than 450 diaconal ministers, deacons, elders, local pastors and clergy spouses joined together in celebrating the 30th anniversary of diaconal ministry and 10 years of the permanent Order of Deacon in The United Methodist Church during a festive banquet in the Memorial Union Wednesday evening.

"How awesome it is that God calls us to be in the right place at the right time," said Lois Rogers-Watson, who reflected on her 10 years of ministry as the North Indiana Conference's first ordained deacon. "May we all feel that we are listening to God's direction."

She challenged her listeners saying, "Rise to the call of God. Be faithful to the whole Gospel that the world may be saved. Deacons, take your birthday candles to the world and light the way to peace, justice, love and mercy."

Bishop Coyner followed her remarks saying, "Remember that we are all servants and ministers of Christ. We're all called to servanthood and our deacons, by their presence, remind us of our servant role."

In a more somber note as the clergy executive session began, Coyner asked the clergy to remember Bishop David Lawson who was dying of cancer at his home in Franklin, Ind. Jack Hartman led the group in prayer for Bishop Lawson and his family now by his side. He said, "Bishop Lawson was a witness, not only to the church but also to the greater community."

During the executive session, the clergy of the North Indiana Conference granted retirement to Elders and Local Pastors. They included: William Alenduff of West Lafayette; Donald Dexheimer of Akron; Hosea Drake of South Bend Grace; Dexter Garman of LaGrange First; Joan Haney of Westville; Lamar Imes, Superintendent of Fort Wayne District; Chalres Krieg of Breman Salem; Larry Newberg of Kokomo; Dennis Shock of Crown Point; John Shortle of Elimra, NY; Jane White-Stevens of Mishawaka; Mickey Wilson of Marion; Brian Witwer of Fort Wayne Aldersgate; and Doris L. Winford, a retiring probationary member. These retirees represent 375 years of service. They will be recognized during a plenary session on Saturday morning.

Also during the clergy session, probationary members who will be commissioned and full members who will be ordained were approved by their peers for ministry. Probationary members included for Deacons Orders: Julie A. Macy and Sheri Rohrer; and included for Elders Orders: Robert Manton Baszner Jr., Kevin G. DeKoninck, Rebecca A. Fisher, Alexander G. Hershey, Michael Ted Lawson, David Meid Marty, Walter R. Preusz, Cornelis Eduard van Wijk and Mary Elizabeth van Wijk.

Probationary members approved to become full members as Elders included: Judith E. Fuller, Shalimar Wray Holderly, Jared C. Jennette, Joann Foster Kaiser, Matthew James Leffler, Steven Lee McPeek, Deborah L. Miller, David Wyatt Neuen, Samuel Polito, Nancy Joanne Richmond and Christopher S. Roberts.

Probationary members will be commissioned and full members will be ordained on Saturday afternoon during a worship service. Bishop Coyner will preach.

In other business: Kate Lehman Walker was approved to be moved from retired to active status as interim Lafayette District Superintendent. Elders Russ Abel and Karen Powell were welcomed to the North Indiana Conference from the South Indiana Conference. Steve Kaeher was transferred to the Wisconsin Conference.

In closing, Bishop Coyner challenged his ministerial colleagues to reading a selection of six books he chose as the "Bishop's Bundle of Books" for discussion during the next conference year. The books are available at a bundled price from Cokesbury.

Opening memorial service

Going on to perfection

The Rev. Brian Witwer

In the midst of registrations, arrivals and renewing acquaintances, the 2007 North Indiana Conference sessions began Thursday morning with a memorial and communion service remembering conference clergy members who have died in the past 12 months.

During the service, 17 clergy, 13 spouses, 9 surviving spouses and one bishop were honored. Bishop David Lawson, elected as a member of the South Indiana Conference to the episcopacy in 1984, died at his home at 4:30 a.m. on May 31 in Franklin, Ind.

Brian Witwer, senior pastor at Fort Wayne Aldersgate UMC, preached a sermon titled "Power of Perfection" and based on Matthew 5:38-48.

While asking for the lights, he added, "Preaching is not a spectator sport. It's a community event."

Witwer shared the writings of Dallas Willard, a Southern Baptist theologian, who wrote, The Great Omission, which asks if the contemporary church has been satisfied by going and making Christians.

"No where does Dallas Willard speak with a clear and sounding voice of the ethics of Jesus in our time. It seems that in our time his ethics gets shelved so easily," he said.

Continuing Jesus' message of loving your neighbors and turning the other cheek, Witwer challenged members, saying "How do you define him - the one speaking? How authentic do you think those words are? Why is it the church too easily jettisons the ethics of Jesus first?"

Providing examples of how culture has affected the church, Witwer encouraged the members to go on to perfection, becoming whole and complete, understanding it is beginning and never complete. "Wesley and Jesus didn't mean that the towels are stacked neatly in the linen closet. He meant perfection in love and that only. That's your assignment, yours and mine. We shouldn't try to weasel out of it."

Keeping house and other items

During the first plenary session, several items were approved by the body.

• The conference workbook was adopted, with the withdrawing of a petition.
• Rules and Structure's proposed editorial change was adopted, from legislative groups to Christian conferencing.
• As a conference, we express our sympathies to the Lawson family on the death of Bishop David Lawson this morning following a lengthy illness. Lawson, a native of Indiana, served as bishop of the Illinois and Wisconsin areas. Condolences can be sent to his wife: Martha Lawson, 765 Blue Bird Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.
• Numbers. 2006 NIC church membership now stands at 97,028 members, a decline of 1.3 percent from 98,299 or 1,271. Weekly worship attendance stands at 65,800, a decline of 3 percent from 68,146 or 2,346 from 2005.
• Conference Treasurer Brent Williams reported that retirees' health-care insurance premium will be reduced by $60 a month and rebated back to January 1. Health-care insurance premiums only increased 4 percent in 2007 and the projected rate will only increase 2.4 percent in 2008. The NIC pension fund now has $21 million in reserve.
• All participants in the conference Health Flex Plan are encouraged to have a health check screening during annual conference. Screenings are being held from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Hillenbrand Residence Hall, room C102A.
• Bishop Coyner announced the balloting for General and Jurisdictional conference delegates. Five clergy and five laity will be elected as delegates to General Conference.
• No election on first ballot.
  • Laity - Kayc Mykranz elected on second ballot. Carolyn Johnson and James Ottjes elected on third ballot.
  • Clergy - Frank Beard elected on second ballot. Kimberly Reisman elected on the third ballot.
• Conference prayer resources list the 50-member team praying for the Imagine Indiana process in both Indiana annual conferences. Conference Lay Leader Kayc Mykrantz asked congregations to become a prayer partner with another congregation in the South Indiana Conference.

Outdoor Ministry Site Project continues to show progress towards $16 million renovation of conference's four camp sites

Jean Brindel, chair of the Capital Campaign of the Outdoor Ministry Site Project, reported the goal of the campaign is to reach 15,000 children, youth and adults for Jesus Christ each year. See workbook page 7-1.

The campaign, "Ten Thousand Blessings: building a new Epworth Forest to reach new generations for Christ," has a three-phase plan to renovate the North Indiana Conference campsites. Campaign leaders have completed phases one and two.

Brindel said the project has matured as it has been shared with positive responses. Phase three will be completed this fall.

The campaign's financial goal is $16 million in capital development funds to upgrade all four campsites and also do a complete redesign of Epworth Forest, which was last renovated in 1964.

To help tell the camping story, the campaign committee asks conference members to tell their individual camping stories on video on the ground floor of Elliott Hall.

The North Indiana Outdoor Ministry was founded more than 110 years ago. Three of the four NIC campsites are in a prime vacation spot in Indiana where more than five million people vacation annually. Brindel called this Holy Ground in the right place.

Stories also can be shared and sent to My Story, North Indiana Conference, P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952-0869.

Brindel shared a video of camping stories composed by the campaign that also showed drawings of the planned renovation. She said, currently, more than 6,000 campers use these sites each year with 2,000 decisions made for Christ. More than 1,200 volunteers help staff the conference's outdoor ministry program.

Laity Luncheon

Sharing our story

At the laity luncheon on Thursday, the menu included wrapped sandwiches and a side dish of story swapping.

As part of the Christian conferencing, laity members were taught how to witness to others who haven't committed themselves to Christ, by sharing faith stories with each other. Simple questions like: "Who brought you to Christ?" and "What are the best ways to witness?" were conversation starters.

Bishop Mike Coyner began the conversations by sharing his story. "I don't have a dramatic story. God works in our lives in a multitude of ways," said Coyner. "Mine's been slow and steady."

Sharing that not all of us will have dramatic experiences like Paul on the road to Damascus, Coyner said through time he has become increasingly grateful for growing up in a Christian home and being active in a local church. When it came time to accept Christ, he remembers being invited and then helping others with their acceptance. "There's something contagious about giving your life to Christ."

He recalled the time at Epworth Forest when he felt called to go into ministry; he went forward not realizing his mom was sitting three rows behind him.

"I heard her gasp. But she got over it," he said.

Even in high school, he preached convocations to his peers and is still grateful for the opportunities to learn and serve. He said he is thankful for his wife Marsha for being his best friend, prayer partner and best supporter. His circle of family, friends and church continues to grow.

"I've had highlight moments and tough moments," but quoting Wesley, "the best of all is that Christ is with us."

Imagine Indiana team recommends one Indiana annual conference

Co-chairs Adolf Hansen (SIC) and Cindy Reynolds (NIC) of the Imagine Indiana Planning Team introduced the seven team members, presented a ten-minute video of the team's 12-page report and thanked the more than 300 people who served on 14 discernment teams. The planning team was appointed by Bishop Mike Coyner following the 2006 annual conferences. One of those teams was a prayer team. Another was a feedback team.

The report recommends the uniting of the North Indiana Conference with the South Indiana Conference. The full written report is in the conference workbook beginning on page 10-1.

Among other aspects of a move to one conference, two include a clustering of nearby congregations and conference-wide voluntary affinity groups composed of congregations working together with a particular ministry or cause.

Following the report, the conference divided into seven pre-assigned conferencing groups across campus for a 90-minute discussion of the Imagine Indiana Plan.

The plan recommendation will return to the conference floor on Friday afternoon, June 1 for discussion and vote. The same process will be followed in the South Indiana Conference next week with a vote to be received on Friday, June 8. The votes of each conference will be announced on Saturday morning, June 9.

If approved, Bishop Coyner will appoint an implementation team which will be charged with bringing a detailed plan of union to the 2008 North and South annual conferences for approval.

Results will be announced by e-mail to those who subscribe to the e-HUM e-mailing list. To receive e-HUM announcements by e-mail, subscribe to e-HUM by logging on www.inareaumc.org, open Subscribe to e-HUM and follow directions to enter your e-mail address.

Thursday evening Bishop White's sermon

Bishop challenges members to work for justice for all

Bishop Woodie White, former bishop of Indiana and currently bishop in residence at UM-related Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga., addressed the conference.

Bishop Woodie W. White speaks of justice for all during the Thursday evening worship service.

Here are highlights of his sermon.

I don't know how children in America begin the school day anymore? I began a school day by reciting the pledge to the American flag.

What does justice for all mean? In my early development, it meant fairness for everybody. The Declaration of Independence said it was life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Then I found the Bill of Rights said even more - everybody had certain benefits for just being born.

Justice began to have content to it when it meant everybody would be treated like somebody.

Then I learned justice expanded. What was just became more comprehensive - expansive. One era would be adequate for another era. Justice has expansive quality.

Then I learned this noble concept meant that justice only meant justice for some. This noble concept didn't always apply to people like me (as an African American).

United Methodists are people of five books - The Bible (foundation of ministry), The UM Hymnal, The UM Book of Worship (shaping our services, ordering our lives), The UM Book of Discipline (our guide in being UM), The UM Book of Resolutions (describing our life in the social, economic world).

When I first came to Indiana, I choose to meet with all the United Methodist legislators in the Indiana State General Assembly to greet them, thank them for their service and presented each with a Book of Resolutions, letting them know the positions of their church. I wanted them to know that their church had some bearing on the lives of people.

John Wesley addressed the social issues of his day - labor, child labor, slavery. He began as a person of faith to say that faith had a place in our world. Every human being had value. When human life was devalued, Wesley stood against those who devalued it.

That's why we go to the State House - to say something about the quality of life and the justice for ALL. That's why people of faith participate as candidates, officer holders, voters - something that we believe in our hearts need to be identified in society, in a very complex world.

One of the most disturbing Scriptures I have ever read says, many will say to those at his right hand, when I was hungry you gave me food . When you did it to the least of these.

We need to work for justice for all, a concern for the whole human family. Not for people who look like me or speak my language or are part of my political party, but justice for all, justice for the whole human family.

It is important for the church to engage in justice and charity, not because we are good, but because we experience a living God who says, this is my world; these are my children; and I love them all.

Thursday evening plenary

A night of peace and justice

Multiplying in Love: Peace and Justice" was the theme for Thursday night's worship service. Between musical selections by the conference praise band, reports were heard about:

• Children and Poverty - This ministry team challenged members to teach VBS, volunteer at camp, read to children and work with at risk children. Some 20,000 hours were committed to children this past year in North Indiana.
• Hunger - 800 million people are hungry in the world. The United Methodist Committee on Relief puts power into the hands of people around the world through projects that empower people for their future.
• Church and Society - is an advocate of for those who need a voice for justice. The NIC Board of Church and Society invites you to communicate your church and societal needs.
• Disability Concerns - Help churches to minister to people with disabilities in order to be in partnership with ministry. Renovation grants, scholarship funds, and answers to questions about disability concerns area available.
• Gambling Concerns - Indiana's General Assembly added more legalized gambling by adding 4,000 slot machines to horse race tracks. Indiana is number two for gambling revenues. Gambling addictions cause abuse and destroys families. Gambling will increase if we don't do something to stop the expansion of legalized gambling.

These areas are included on the North Indiana Conference Web site at www.nicumc.org.

Last updated on 06/07/2007