Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Friday, June 15, 2007 – Sunday is the third Sunday after Pentecost -- Father's Day
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.
Edited by Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org
Bible Passage for Sunday
Moving
and Changing Your E-Mail Address? Update Your E-Hum
News and Information
Commentary
Annual Conference Summary Reports
Worship Resources
Ministry Resources
Movie Review
Deaths
Ministerial Appointments
New Job Listings
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
It was the Law itself that killed me and freed me from its power, so that I could live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. I don’t turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness. If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die.
– Galatians 2:19-21
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
www.bibles.com
MOVING AND CHANGING YOUR e-MAIL ADDRESS? UPDATE YOUR e-HUM
To update your e-mail address for the e-HUM mailing list, log on to www.inareaumc.org, click on “Subscribe to e-HUM” and enter your new e-mail address as directed. That will automatically place your new e-mail address in the Indiana Area listserv database. Thank you.
NEWS AND INFORMATION
NOW THAT CONFERENCES VOTED TO UNITE, WHAT’S NEXT?
Earlier this month, both the South Indiana and North Indiana annual conferences’ lay and clergy members voted “yes” or “no” to a recommendation by the Imagine Indiana Planning Team to bring the two Indiana Area conferences into one Indiana Annual Conference. Now that the vote has been taken and has received overwhelming affirmation in both annual conference sessions, Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner will appoint an implementation team to work out the details of that annual conference for approval next year. The choice the conference members have next year is yes to the implementation plan, yes with amendments to the plan or no, we don’t like this implementation plan which could possibly open us up to saying “no, this isn’t going to work.” In Bishop Coyner’s words, the conferences are now engaged to be married next year.
Read more about the vote for unity online at www.inareaumc.org.
INDIANA’S JUDGE BARKER ADDRESS COMMENCEMENT AT G-ETS
The Honorable Sarah Evans Barker, formerly a U.S. District Court chief judge in Indiana, urged graduates to avoid certainty, celebrate doubts and embrace humility during her commencement at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s 150th commencement in May at Evanston, Ill.
Barker served as chief judge from 1994 to 2001. Before her appointment, she was an associate and partner at Bose, McKinney and Evans in Indianapolis followed by a stint as U.S. attorney for the Indiana district. She was recently elected president of the Federal Judges Association.
During her address Barker kept a nearly full house at First United Methodist Church of Evanston laughing with an Indiana barn full of jokes and stories that would make Jay Leno proud. Turning to her main message, she drew a comparison between the work of clergy and the standard of reasonable doubt that works so well in the courtroom. She’s seen it work time after time while presiding over hundreds of trials, and she would like to see more of it in churches.
More of Barker’s address will be featured in the July-August issue of Hoosier United Methodist Together. — Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
INDY EAST DISTRICT HAS NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Katie Swisher is the new Administrative Assistant for the Indy East district. She is a native of Indianapolis - born and raised on the south side. She met her husband, Matt, in second grade (we were both attending the same church and school). They grew up at Center UMC, and were married there on July 27, 2002.
They have spent the last four years in Wilmore, Ky. Matt graduated last month with a M.Div. from Asbury Seminary. While he was a student, she served in Asbury’s Admissions Office as the Assistant to the Director, Campus Visit Coordinator and Records Manager. Matt will be the new Associate Pastor of Youth and Discipleship at Emmanuel UMC in Noblesville starting July 1. Katie began here position at Indy East on June 4.
Welcome, Katie. Contact Katie at kswisher@indymetroumc.org.
INDY WEST SUPERINTENDENT AWAY ON RENEWAL LEAVE UNTIL SEPT.
Ned Steele, superintendent of the Indianapolis West District, will be out of the office on Renewal Leave from June 16 through Sept.16. In his absence, Bill Keith, superintendent of the Indianapolis East District Superintendent, will be available to respond to questions or concerns about the Indy West District.
CHURCH CAMPAIGN SENDS PHONE CARDS TO SOLDIERS
A United Methodist church more than 7,000 miles from the Middle East has shortened the distance for U.S. soldiers there to call home and speak with loved ones in the United States.
St. Timothy on the North Shore United Methodist Church of Mandeville, La., collected $10,700 during a church-wide campaign in March that will purchase 2,140 phone cards – almost triple its original goal. Meanwhile, the children of the church made hundreds of greeting cards to send to United Methodist military chaplains for distribution to service members, along with the phone cards.
For more information on the phone card campaign, contact the United Methodist Endorsing Agency, Board of Higher Education and Ministry, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007 or visit www.gbhem.org/chaplains. The agency also can be reached at umea@gbhem.org or 615-340-7411. – UMNS
GENERAL CONFERENCE HOST COMMITTEE ISSUES CALL TO PRAYER
United Methodists around the world are asked to pray for God’s guidance for the church in the time leading up to and during the denomination’s 2008 legislative assembly.
The Central Texas Conference host committee, which is preparing for the assembly next spring in Fort Worth, has issued “A Call to Prayer for General Conference 2008.”
“Just as prayer is as essential to the Christian life as breath, so prayer is essential to our shared life together as we prepare for General Conference 2008,” the committee said in its call.
“We on the General Conference Hosting Committee Prayer Ministries Team invite you to pray daily for General Conference 2008 and for all the preparations and deliberations leading up to it so that in all that we do we are ‘rooted and grounded in love,’” the committee said.
Nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world will meet April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth to revise The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions, approve a budget for general ministries, speak to issues of the day, worship and celebrate the church’s work. General Conference meets every four years. The North Indiana Conference will be sending 10 lay and clergy delegates. The South Indiana Conference will be sending 12 lay and clergy delegates to General Conference in Fort Worth next year. – UMNS
HENDERSON NAMED DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
United Methodist Communications based in Nashville, Tenn. has named the Rev. Gary R. Henderson executive director of the new Global Health Initiative.
The Global Health Initiative is a long-term interagency effort to raise awareness and understanding of global health issues, to engage participation and create support across the denomination for expanding health ministry, and to significantly reduce illness and mortality related to diseases of poverty such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
Henderson has been senior pastor of East Shore United Methodist Church in Euclid, Ohio since 2001. He is a member of the World Methodist Council and its executive committee, former conference secretary of the East Ohio Conference, and chairperson of the East Ohio Conference Board of Communications. – UM Communications
CBS-TV TO FEATURE FAITH-BASED RESPONSE TO KATRINA IN MISSISSIPPI
“Building on Faith,” an interfaith TV special about the ongoing role of religion in bringing post-Katrina Mississippi back to life, will be broadcast Sunday, June 17, on the CBS Television Network. Check your local station for exact time. This program reminds the audience that the Gulf Coast, especially Mississippi where the storm made a direct hit, has barely begun to recover. As the broadcast points out, thousands of vacant lots and concrete slabs remain where once there were communities. Poor homeowners have been particularly hard hit. Uninsured or underinsured, they have been unable to restore or rebuild their homes without a great deal of help from faith-based disaster recovery organizations and charity groups.
One estimate is that fully nine out of ten homes rebuilt or restored in the state’s poorer communities would have been abandoned but for such help and the volunteer labor provided by religious congregations around the country. The broadcast concentrates on Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and United Methodist disaster relief organizations, but other volunteers also have participated in the almost two years since the storm hit on Aug. 29, 2005. The danger now is that volunteers will stop coming in the belief that the problems of restoring Mississippi have been solved. – National Council of Churches
SOUTH INDIANA PASTOR RELEASES NEW CD WITH 15 SONGS
South Indiana Associate Pastor Tom Blackford of Terre Haute’s Memorial UMC has a CD titled God’s Time. The CD contains 15 songs that he wrote to correspond with lectionary texts and sermons. The CD is $12. For more information, write to Blackford at ccandyrev@yahoo.com or call 812-229-0707. Hear this CD at http://cdbaby.com/cd/tomblackford.
TOGETHER REPORTER GAINS CERTIFICATION AS UM COMMUNICATOR
Committee on Certification in Christian Communications has awarded initial Certification in Christian Communications to Matthew Oates, a correspondent reporter to e-HUM and Together. Oates of Lafayette, Ind., was presented his certificate at the fall 2006 meeting of the United Methodist Association of Communicators in Indianapolis.
The certification process is administered through a committee representing the United Methodist Association of Communicators and United Methodist Communications. It is recognized as equivalent to those certifications administered by the General Board of Higher Education and others granting credentials for specialized ministry in the denomination.
Oates serves as a public relations officer of the Greater Lafayette Health Services, Inc.
More stories from United Methodist
News Service
are available online at www.umc.org.
COMMENTARY
Should We Have Flags in the Church?
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SUMMARY REPORTS
-
FOR THE NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE LOG ON TO www.nicumc.org
-
FOR THE SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE LOG ON TO www.sicumc.org
WORSHIP RESOURCES
JUNETEENTH THE OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN CELEBRATION
Juneteenth is the oldest of all African American celebrations. It commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, when African Americans in Texas first learned of their freedom from slavery under the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln and which had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, nearly two and a half years earlier. This article contains history of the celebration, the text that was read to African Americans informing them of their freedom, and suggestions for observing Juneteenth in worship.
JEFFERSONVILLE CHURCH OFFERS FREE CHOIR ROBES
Wall Street UMC in Jeffersonville has approximately 50 robes (beige) and stoles (white/red, purple, blue and green) which are offered free to any church in need of choir robes but not able to purchase their own. The robes have been cleaned and boxed. Wall Street UMC asks the receiving church to help with the cost of shipping, if possible. Those interested need to contact Eric Timerding or Gil Hubbard at the church by calling 812-282-9868.
WORSHIP AND MUSIC RESOURCES FOR USA INDEPENDENCE DAY
Scripture – Hymnal - Book of Worship
Service of Holy Communion for Independence Day
Celebrating Independence Day in Your Home from Family Ministries
-
www.gbod.org/family/articles.asp?item_id=16443
Prayer of Protection for Those in the Military
“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” Set to the Music of THE NAVY HYMN
Hymn: “The New Colossus”
Article: “Patriotic Worship”
Article: “The American Flag in Methodist Worship: A Look at Historical Practice”
MINISTRY RESOURCES
NEW BOOK ON MEN’S SPIRITUALITY RELEASED IN TIME FOR FATHER’S DAY
Derek Maul, award-winning writer and columnist for The Tampa Tribune, has written his first book, Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men (Upper Room Books, May 2007). Released just in time for Father’s Day, June 17, Get Real delivers straight talk about faith, family and desire for God. “For men even vaguely interested in a deeper spiritual walk, Get Real is the right book at the right time,” says Mark Merrill, founder and president of Family First and host of “Family Minute with Mark Merrill,” a daily radio program. “Derek Maul has a heart for real men dealing with the real issues of real life. If you are looking for a great resource that will encourage men and strengthen the family, Get Real is right on the money,” said Merrill.
Maul is an active teacher in his local congregation, where he serves in adult Sunday school, small-group ministry, and a men’s Bible study/spiritual formation group.
In addition to this book, Maul has written Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men, Leader’s Guide, (Upper Room Books, May 2007) a 10-week small-group study. For more information about the book or leader’s guide, visit www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore, or contact: Jill Ridenour, Author Relations, 877-899-2780, ext. 2780; jridenour@gbod.org.
UM PROGRAM CALENDAR IS USEFUL LEADERSHIP RESOURCE
The 2008 official program calendar of The United Methodist Church will be available through United Methodist Communications beginning June 22. Calendars are available in a variety of formats, including desk, wall and pocket calendars, at affordable prices.
United Methodist Communications produces this annual calendar as a leadership resource and includes information church leaders need to keep close-at-hand, such as agency addresses and telephone numbers, notations of church-wide observances, events and Special Sundays; and a monthly planning checklist to keep users on track all year long.
The theme of the 2008 calendar is global health. A new United Methodist global health initiative seeks to raise awareness and understanding of global health issues, to engage participation and create support across the denomination for expanding health ministry, and to significantly reduce illness and mortality related to diseases of poverty such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
For information and to order, call toll free 888-346-3862 or visit www.umcom.org/store.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR JUNE
The North Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.nicumc.org. Click on “Media Library” in the left column and explore all the available options. June “Picks” include: Heart Like His, Lucy Show Bible Study, Exploring Religious America, Praying in the Midst of Life. By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-783-5138, you can order these and other timely resources from a selection of hundreds of videos and DVDs. This service is provided through your connectional tithe. Bonnie Miller, Media Director, also can be reached at bonnie@nicumc.org for more information or you can access the catalog on the www.nicumc.org Web site.
SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR JUNE
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Resource Center” and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources” and “Picks of the Month.” June “Picks” have been posted. Some of our newest additions include: Communicating with Compassion; Growing True Disciples of Jesus; Heart of Christianity; Invitation to Genesis (DISCIPLE); Rediscovering the Labyrinth; and Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-919-8160, you can order these and other timely resources from a selection of over 4,000 videos and DVDs. The Center is a FREE-LOAN library for churches and institutions in the South Indiana Conference. Return postage is your only cost. This service is provided through your tithe. Mary Barnes, Media Director, can be reached at mbarnes@sicumc.org for more information or you can access the catalog via our Web site and order online. The Media Resource Center is here to serve you and your church!
MOVIE REVIEW
GEORGIA RULE
-
Production Company: Universal Pictures
-
Director: Garry Marshall
-
Cast: Jane Fonda, Lindsay Lohan, Felicity Huffman, Dermot Mulroney, Cary Elwes, Garrett Hedlund
-
Rating: Rated R for language and sexual situations.
By Gregg Tubbs
(UMC.org) – How hard is it to love someone you can’t trust? What happens when even family bonds are strained by someone who betrays your trust time and time again? Is there a bond between mothers and daughters even stronger than love itself – a bond tough enough to revive dormant love? Georgia Rule is an odd comedy that also has some very serious issues on its mind. With three generations of heavy hitting stars—Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan – Georgia Rule is like white water rafting through treacherous familial rapids. Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you scream, and throughout, you hope the family raft manages to hold together. For full review and study questions, log on to: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2769223/k.96E4/Movie_Review_iGeorgia_Rulei.htm
For theater trailer of this movie, log on to www.georgiarulemovie.net/
DEATHS
ROSS COOK, retired pastor (NIC), died Friday, May 25, 2007. A memorial service was held May 30 at the Nappanee UMC. Survivors include: wife, Lois; children, Rita Pittman of Tomah, Wisc., Diane Stewart of Cicero, Ind., Gary Cook, Syracuse, Ind.; step-children, Jill Boleman of Atlanta, Ga., Mike Anglin of Nappanee, Ind., Tom Anglin of Nappanee, Ind. and Joan Crieg of Fort Wayne, Ind., former wife, Charlotte Morrill of Syracuse, Ind.; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to Lois Cook, 555 N. Williams St., Nappanee, IN 46550-1544. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s unit, Miller’s Merry Manor, 300 N Washington St., Wakarusa, IN 46573.
ROBERT SPENCER ECCLES, retired pastor (SIC) and former professor and chairman of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at DePauw University, died on Sunday, May 27, 2007 in Greencastle, Ind. A memorial service was held at Gobin Memorial UMC in Greencastle on June 2, with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle. His wife, Kathryn, preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 2006. Survivors include: sons, Bruce and Tom; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
LOIS E. GEIBLE, widow of the late Rev. Merrell D. Geible (NIC), died Saturday, June 9, 2007. A memorial service was held June 14 at the North Manchester UMC. Survivors include: three daughters, Elizabeth Shoemaker, Katherine Geible and Rebecca Geible; and two sons, David and Norman. Memorials can be given to the Merrell D. and Lois E. Geible. Memorials can be sent to Scholarship Fund, United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Rd., Trotwood, OH 45426. Condolences can be sent to Norman Geible, 2012 Riverstone Ct., Avon, IN 46123.
CHARLES V. ROCKEY, pastor (NIC), died Thursday, May 31, 2007. A memorial service was held June 4 at the Burlington UMC with the Revs. Michelle Cobb and Tom Watt officiating and burial was in New London Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Winifred “Winni” Rockey; mother, Annabelle Rockey, Kokomo; four children, Lesa L.Brown, Monica “MoMo” Wentzel, Charles D. “Chuck” Rockey, Jennifer A. Lewis; and five grandchildren. Memorials can be given to the Family Ties Gospel Music Ministries through the Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, IN 46979-9187.
DAVID W. WIDMOYER, retired pastor (NIC), died June 12, 2007. Visitation will be Sunday, June 17 from 1-7 p.m. at the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, 950 N. Main St., Nappanee, IN (574-773-3173) and one hour prior to the funeral service on Monday, June 18 at 10 a.m. at the Nappanee UMC, 301 E. Market St., Nappanee, IN (574-773-4183). The Revs. Larry Kurtz, Jay Morris and David Harrold will be officiating the service. Survivors include his wife, Donna; son, Clark (Kathy) Widmoyer, Elkhart; and daughters, Beth Bowman, Nappanee; Gail Alexander, Indianapolis; and Portia Ham, Nappanee; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Memorials can be given to the Community Foundation of Elkhart Co., Inc., 2930 S. Nappanee St., Elkhart, IN 46517 or the donor’s choice. Condolences can be sent to Donna Widmoyer, 251 E. Market St., Nappanee, IN 46550-2119.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Ministerial appointment lists for each of the two conferences were sent separately yesterday. If you did not get a copy, you can find this information on the Indiana Area Web site at www.inareaumc.org.
NEW JOB LISTINGS
GREENCASTLE CHURCH SEEKS PIANIST, CHOIR DIRECTOR
Gobin Memorial UMC in Greencastle has two positions opening July 1: Church Pianist and Choir Director. They may be, but do not have to be, served by the same person. Please contact the church office at 658-6003 for more information or send an email to gobin@ccrtc.com to have job descriptions sent to you.
PENDLETON CHURCH SEEKS PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT
The First UMC in Pendleton seeks a Preschool Assistant. This is a full-time position with child-care experience required. Those interested in applying for this position are asked to fax a resume by June 27 to 765-778-1125 or mail it to Pendleton First United Methodist Church, 225 W. State St., Pendleton, IN 46064
KOKOMO DISTRICT SEEKS RETIRED PASTOR TO SERVE SMALL CHURCH
The Kokomo District is looking for a retired United Methodist pastor that would like to serve a small church with parsonage. If you are interested contact Frank Beard at 765-864-0655,
INDY CHURCH SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Cumberland UMC in Indianapolis is in search of a detail-oriented, organized, and efficient Administrative Assistant to assist with general administrative duties including newsletter preparation, pastor correspondence, record keeping and other duties. This 20-hour-a-week position is perfect for a stay-at-home mom, retiree or someone looking for a wonderful opportunity to serve in a meaningful way. Please submit your resume via mail to Cumberland UMC, Attn: Staff Parish Search Committee, 219 N. Muessing St., Indianapolis IN 46229, or via email to cumc219@sbcglobal.net.
ST. MARK’S BLOOMINGTON SEEKS DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church of Bloomington, Ind. is seeking a new, part-time Director of Youth Ministries to begin service by Aug. 1. Candidates should have strong leadership skills and experience in church youth activities. For a complete listing of personal qualifications and job responsibilities, go to www.stmarksbloomington.org. Mail application information to Youth Ministries Search Committee, St. Mark’s UMC, 100 N. Hwy 46 Bypass, Bloomington, IN 47408, or e-mail to smumc@stmarksbloomington.org.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.