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HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Friday, November 9, 2007 – Sunday is the 24th Sunday after Pentecost
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
This Week’s News Headlines
News and Information
Something to Celebrate
Worship Resources
Ministry Resources
Movie Review
Deaths
Ministerial Appointments
New Job Listings
Previous Job Listings
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
Jesus answered: The people in this world get married. But in the future world no one who is worthy to rise from death will either marry or die. They will be like the angels and will be God’s children, because they have been raised to life.
In the story about the burning bush, Moses clearly shows that people will live again. He said, “The Lord is the God worshiped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” So the Lord isn’t the God of the dead, but of the living. This means that everyone is alive as far as God is concerned.
-- Luke 20:34-38
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
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Ill., Minn., Dakotas delegations endorse Episcopal candidates
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South Indiana Foundation sports new Web site for giving, investing
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University of Evansville receives grant for injury prevention
NEWS AND INFORMATION
INDIANA PASTOR NAMED UMC 2007 DISTINGUISHED EVANGELIST
The Foundation for Evangelism announced the selection of the Rev. Dr. Kent Millard, senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, as the 2007 Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church. The Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church Award is given annually by The Foundation for Evangelism to a person who has been recognized as an extraordinary United Methodist leader in the field of evangelism.
Dr. Jack Ewing, executive director of The Foundation for Evangelism made the presentation Nov. 2 during the Foundation’s annual banquet at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Millard accepted the award on behalf of the team at St. Luke’s UMC. The outstanding evangelism of this church has added 1,179 people to its membership with 716 of these joining by profession of faith is the work of the Church in the past four years. “The mission of St. Luke’s is to be an open community who gather to seek, celebrate, live and share the love of God for all creation,” Millard stated.
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS TO ELECT NEW PRESIDENT THIS WEEK
The United Methodist Council of Bishops, which includes Bishop Mike Coyner, will elect a new president and a new ecumenical officer at its fall meeting, and also review plans for worship at the 2008 General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative meeting held once every four years. The Nov. 4-9 meeting at the Lake Junaluska (N.C.) Conference & Retreat Center brings together United Methodist bishops from around the world. It’s the council’s final meeting prior to gathering at the site of the 2008 General Conference next April in Fort Worth, Texas. This week the council discusses a State of the Church report released in June and hears an update on its special Hurricane Katrina appeal for offerings to rebuild churches and church facilities in the Gulf Coast. More than 100 active and retired bishops are expected to attend. The council represents more than 11 million United Methodists in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
BISHOP HUIE INVITES CHURCH TO IMPACT GLOBAL HEALTH
The president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops invited her episcopal colleagues and the church to step out of their comfort zones and make connections to impact global health.
Houston Bishop Janie R. Huie, in her Nov. 5 president’s address at Lake Junaluska, N.C., invited the worldwide 11.5 million-member denomination to be bold and take risks in making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She said the church has an unprecedented opportunity to bring together its resources and skills to bring about change in the lives of millions of people.
The keys to impacting global health, poverty, education and climate change are found in partnership and collaboration, described as “connexion” in Wesleyan terms, she said.
Acknowledging many partnerships already existing among annual conferences and churchwide agencies across regional and cultural lines, Huie described her vision of collaboration as “so expansive in scope and quality that it (is) like discovering a new world.” -- UMNS
ILL., MINN., DAKOTAS DELEGATIONS ENDORSE EPISCOPAL CANDIDATES
The recently announced retirement of Illinois Great Rivers Conference Bishop Sharon A. Brown Christopher has opened the opportunity for a bishop to be elected during the 2008 North Central Jurisdictional Conference next July 15-19 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Indiana Area is part of this jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church.
The Illinois Great Rivers Conference delegation to Jurisdictional Conference has endorsed the Rev. Timothy Bias as a candidate for episcopal office. Bias is senior pastor of First UMC in Peoria and makes his second run for the episcopacy.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Conference delegation to the General and Jurisdictional Conference has endorsed the Rev. David Alan Bard, 48, senior pastor of First UMC in Duluth. Bard also has served as superintendent of the conference’s Northwest District (1998-2005).
The Dakotas Conference delegation to the Jurisdictional Conference has endorsed the Rev. Randolph Cross as its episcopal candidate. He currently serves as both the Lower James River District Superintendent and Dakotas Conference Director of Leadership Development and Connectional Ministries.
Currently, one bishop will be elected in this jurisdiction. Bishops are elected for life and actively serve until the quadrennium in which they turn 70 or upon their announced retirement. Bishop Christopher could have served another quadrennium, but chose not to do so.
For more information about the 2008 North Central Jurisdictional Conference, log on to www.ncj2008.org.
SOUTH IND. FOUNDATION SPORTS NEW WEB SITE FOR GIVING, INVESTING
Along with a new name, the United Methodist Foundation of South Indiana, Inc. has been working on a new Web site with lots of new information and features. The site has an area designed specifically for individuals to get help in creative giving, and places for church leaders to get help with investing church funds and nurturing endowment funds. We are planning for a special page where retirees can find one another, share information and connect.
The new Web site can be found at www.umfsi.org. Also make note of new foundation e-mail addresses in your address book: bob@umfsi.org, darcy@umfsi.org, jenny@umfsi.org, kathy@umfsi.org and marie@umfsi.org -- The Rev. Marie E. Lang, Executive Director, United Methodist Foundation of South Indiana, Inc.
NATIONAL SHALOM MINISTRY FINDS NEW HOME AT DREW UNIVERSITY
Starting in January, the Drew University Theological School in Madison, N.J., will be the new home base for Communities of Shalom, a United Methodist ministry engaging congregations and communities to work together for community development, peace and wholeness.
The new partnership was announced jointly by United Methodist Bishop John Schol of Washington, chairman of the National Shalom Committee, and the Rev. Maxine Beach, vice president and dean of Drew Theological School.
For the past 15 years, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries based in New York City has administered the Shalom Initiative in collaboration with the National Shalom Committee. Drew will support and develop Shalom as a national network, and Global Ministries will continue as a partner, providing significant funding for the next two years.
UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE RECEIVES GRANT FOR INJURY PREVENTION
Many activity-related injuries can be prevented. And thanks to a grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc., students and faculty at the United Methodist-related University of Evansville – in collaboration with ProRehab – will spend the next year helping teach that prevention to young children.
The University of Evansville’s Physical Therapy Department received a $39,500 grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc., last week for a collaborative, school-based wellness program incorporating “healthy” movement into standard physical education activity. In this program, UE faculty and ProRehab professionals will go to St. Ben’s Elementary School during both the spring and fall of 2008, where they will spend eight weeks each semester working with students’ active movement patterns. For more information, log on to www.evansville.edu.
UINDY TO TEST EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM TUESDAY
The United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis has scheduled the first major test of its new emergency alert system, which will send prompt warnings by phone and e-mail in the event of severe weather or other threats to campus safety.
Dubbed “Watchdog” in reference to the university’s greyhound mascot, the system will deliver test messages to students, faculty and staff at noon Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Members of the UIndy community can elect to receive Watchdog messages through as many as six telephone numbers and two e-mail addresses. University administrators and information services staff will assess the outcome of the test to identify possible improvements to the system.
The system launch is part of the university’s ongoing review of procedures and equipment related to campus security, including security patrols, building access, lighting and emergency call boxes. The effort has gained greater urgency in the wake of April’s Virginia Tech shootings and other incidences of violence and threatening weather around the country. – UIndy
IRISH METHODIST PASTOR RECEIVES WORLD METHODIST PEACE AWARD
An Irish Methodist pastor who spent years working to end sectarian violence in Northern Ireland will receive the 2007 World Methodist Peace Award. The Rev. Harold Good, 70, will receive the award during a Dec. 8 ceremony at Knock Methodist Church in Belfast. The award is given by the World Methodist Council to individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to peace, justice and reconciliation. A former president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Good is being honored for his role in working for stability and peace in Northern Ireland, according to the Rev. George Freeman, the council’s executive director. Good was one of two witnesses, along with Catholic Priest Alec Reid, to the decommissioning of the Irish Republican Army’s arsenal of weapons. On Sept. 26, 2005, they verified the conclusion of John de Chastelain, a retired Canadian general, that the IRA’s weapons had been destroyed. – UMNS
LT. GOVERNOR LAUNCHES FORECLOSURE HOTLINE FOR HOMEOWNERS
Hoosiers at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure now have a new place to turn for advice. Lt. Gov. Beck Skillman announced this week the launch of a confidential help line that will be available free to consumers. The line – 877-GET-HOPE – is operated by the nonprofit Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service, which will have counselors available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Whenever possible, counselors will assist homeowners over the telephone, Skillman’s office said. If more extensive assistance is needed, the counselor will refer the homeowner to a certified foreclosure intervention specialist. The state also will have information available online at www.877GetHope.org. “There are far too many Hoosiers having trouble making ends meet. They need to know help is available,” Skillman said in a statement. -- Louisville Courier-Journal
NY YOUTH SURVEY ON GAMBLING SHOW 10% ADDICTION RATE
A new survey by New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services in Albany found a greater percentage of students have experienced problems gambling than adults.
Approximately 10 percent of New York students in grades 7-12, about 141,000 kids, have experienced problem gambling, compared to about 5 percent of adult New Yorkers, according to OASAS.
The survey, conducted in 2006 found that 72 percent of students had gambled at least once in the past year, and 34 percent had gambled in the past month. Another 12 percent had gambled four or more times in the past month.
Students engaged in playing cards for money most frequently – eight percent had done so on 20 or more days in the past year. But the survey found students also bought lottery tickets, gambled online and bet on sporting events, among other things. – newsday.com
More stories are available
online at www.umc.org.
SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
BISHOP’S ‘SENDING OF THE SAINTS’ BEARING FRUIT IN NORTH INDIANA
Rob Barton and LaFontaine UMC, in the Huntington District, understand “Sending of the Saints.” They developed a ministry outreach system to the marginalized in a trailer-court housing area. A Good Neighbors Harvest Dinner was their initial kick-off with the ministry. Here is a note received from Barton:
“Well our Good Neighbors Harvest dinner was a huge success. I prayed with two women who recommitted their lives to Christ that night. After our concert, one of them grabbed me during the meal she felt so called by God to get right with Him. We have I think two families who want us to pick them up for church Sunday, another single man who wants us to hook him up with a prayer partner, and a couple who want a Bible Study. These folks are hungry for God but they have so many needs and are so broken please pray that God equips us for the journey ahead.
Bishop, your vision is producing eternal fruit.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK TO BE CELEBRATED NOV. 18-25
National Bible Week is annually observed from Sunday to Sunday of Thanksgiving week, this year Nov. 18-25. It has become as much a civil occasion as it is an observance in the church. The Bible continues to be the best selling book of all time. It is estimated to have sold between five and six billion copies. By comparison, the second all-time best seller is Quotations from Chairman Mao, with 900 million copies; third is The Qur’an with 800 million copies. The Bible’s perpetual best-seller status has caused it to be eliminated from weekly and periodic lists of best sellers. This article contains information on National Bible Week. It also looks at what the hymns in our hymnal actually say about the Bible. For more information about National Bible Week, log on to: www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45511&loc_id=17,823
MINISTRY RESOURCES
PLAN NOW FOR UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY SUNDAY, NOV. 25
Being a ‘Gift of Hope’ scholar means that there is money available for university students within The United Methodist Church for people willing to award scholarship money.
Offering from United Methodist Student Day, observed the last Sunday in November (Nov. 25), helps support United Methodist scholarship and loan programs. In 2006, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to 2,800 UN students and loaned nearly $1 million to college and university students. Apply for loans and scholarships at www.gbhem.org or call 615-340-7342.
Order Special Sundays resources at www.umcgiving.org/ss or call toll-free 1-888-346-3862.
Read more Gift of Hope profiles at www.interpretermagazine.org.
NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE MEDIA CENTER PICKS FOR NOVEMBER
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. November “Picks” include:
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Iron Wall (2006) DVD 52 Minutes Adult
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God Rocks Series (2003) DVD/CD-ROM (each DVD/CD-ROM contains 5 sessions) Children-grades 1-6
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God Rocks-Because God gave me RULES, I am RESPONSIBLE!
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God Rocks-Because God helps me, I am CONFIDENT!
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God Rocks-Because God created me, I am SPECIAL!
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Outflow (Youth Leader Kit) (2007) {Group’s The 1 thing } 5 weekly sessions DVD/Leader’s Guide/Youth Journal Youth Jr/Sr High
Order by calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-783-5138. This service is provided through your connectional tithe.
For information on any of these and many more, go to our Web site, www.nicumc.org and click on Media Library or call Angel at 800-785-5138.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR NOVEMBER
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Center” and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources” and “Picks of the Month.” November “Picks” have been posted. Some of the newest additions include: Affectionately yours, Screwtape: Devil and C. S. Lewis; Christianity’s Family Tree: What Other Christians Believe and Why (Adam Hamilton); Igniting Worship: Communion; Junior’s Giants; Living the Questions 2.0; Veggie Tales: Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s; and We Should Talk Peace. By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-919-8160, you can order these and other resources from a selection of more than 4,000 videos and DVDs. Return postage is your only cost. This service is provided through your connectional tithe. Mary Barnes, Media Director, can be reached at mbarnes@sicumc.org for more information/consultation or you can access the catalog directly at www.sicumc.org.
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER TO BE CLOSED DEC. 17-JAN. 2
The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center in Bloomington will be closed from Dec.17 to Jan. 2. Mary Barnes, director of the center, will be away from the office for holidays and vacation time during this period. Please call now for resources you need during that period and please return all items to the Media Center by Dec.17 if they are due back by that date. Thank you for your assistance and use of the center.
MOVIE REVIEW
MICHAEL CLAYTON
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Production Company: Warner Brothers Pictures
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Director: Tony Gilroy
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Cast: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Pamela Gray
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Rating: R for language, including some sexual dialogue.
By Gregg Tubbs
(UMC.org) – Adults rejoice! A bona fide grown-up drama, filled with ideas, moral dilemmas, realistic action and intelligent dialogue has arrived. And it’s got George Clooney’s star power to boot! Michael Clayton is the kind of thinking person’s drama – like Three Days of the Condor or The Parallax View – that used to be a Hollywood staple, but is now as hard to find as a film in black and white. Michael Clayton plunges us into the shadowy world of high stakes, big money, backroom deals that are hidden from all but the richest and most powerful. In a world where the risk is vast and dollars are counted in billions, right and wrong gets twisted, and sin is measured on a sliding scale. And when you get in too deep, someone like Michael Clayton bails you out. But what happens when the morally flexible “fixer” discovers his conscience?
For the full review, log on to www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3558643/k.36C5/Movie_Review_iMichael_Claytoni.htm
DEATHS
None listed this week.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2007 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the week of November 9, 2007.
North Indiana Conference
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None this week
South Indiana Conference
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Zirkle, Jeffrie V. from Indianapolis: Chapel Hill, Indianapolis West to Greensburg, Rushville, 12/1
NEW JOB LISTINGS
BLOOMINGTON FIRST CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
Director of Youth Ministries: Full time professional role working closely with youth and volunteers in large downtown church. Experience with youth programming, knowledge of Christian theology and BA/BS/equivalent experience required. Send application letter and resume by November 12 to: Mary Beth Morgan, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 936, Bloomington, IN 47402, or by e-mail at mbmorgan@fumcb.org.
Visit First UMC Bloomington on the World Wide Web at www.firstchurchbloomington.org.
PART-TIME GENERAL OFFICE POSITION OPEN AT N. IND. UM FOUNDATION
Immediate opening for a General Office Position – Part-Time (16 hours/week) – word processing, backup on answering multi-line phones, photocopying, mailings, assembling copied items, database entry, various secretarial duties as assigned, computer skills including use of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel (minimal), Microsoft Access (minimal). This is a small Christian office, compensation dependent on skill and experience, Equal opportunity employer. For more information please contact: Tamara Hendricks 765-664-2327
Or send resume to: North Indiana United Methodist Foundation, 1001 North Western Ave., Suite D, Marion, IN 46952.
PREVIOUS JOB LISTINGS
FORT WAYNE CHURCH SEEKS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Saint Joseph United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne is accepting applications for the staff position, Director of Weekday Children’s Ministry. This is a full-time position with primary supervision of and responsibility for all of the weekday children’s programming. Saint Joseph is accepting applications through November 5 with anticipated interviews the week of November 12. Job description and applications are available from Pastor Shannon Stringer. To express interest please call her at 260-485-9681 x 26.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.