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General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
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Foundation
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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-newsletter
For Wednesday, November 21, 2007 – Last Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King Sunday
United Methodist Student Day
Bible Sunday – National Bible Week Nov. 18-25This 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
Worship Resources
Ministry Resources
Movie Review
Deaths
Ministerial Appointments
Added Events
New Job Listings
Previous Job Listings
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”
– Luke 23:33-35a
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
Last call for United Methodist Student Day, Sunday, Nov. 25
South Bend Clay UMC moves to new campus
General, Jurisdictional conference delegates prepare for 2008
Franklin clergy named ‘Chaplain of the Year’
University of Evansville’s study abroad ranked among top 10
Warsaw District welcomes new administrative assistant
United Methodist bishops plan racism dialogues
General Assembly plans no expansion of legalized gambling
Heart attacks decreased 70% in city with smoke-free ordinance
NEWS AND INFORMATION
LAST CALL 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.
This past year 62 Hoosier United Methodist students collectively received more than $73,000 in scholarship or loan money from last year’s Student Day Offering. One-tenth of this offering is rebated back to the annual conference for its own scholarship program.
Offerings 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 UM 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.
Special Sundays worship and other resources are available at www.umcgiving.org/ss .
Read more Gift of Hope profiles at www.interpretermagazine.org.
SOUTH BEND CLAY UMC MOVES TO NEW CAMPUS
Clay United Methodist Church, in South Bend, Ind., is opening its new north campus. Bishop Michael Coyner will be a part of its dedication Sunday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Dec. 2, first Sunday in Advent, will be its grand opening. The 20-acre north campus will be the primary location for the church’s worship and children’s ministry. Its 7-acre south campus will be primarily for its ministry to youth. Click on the article in the South Bend Tribune for details. Congratulations, Clay UMC! – CHURCH DEVELOPMENT, NIC
GENERAL, JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES PREPARE FOR 2008
Meeting jointly, the North and South Indiana Conference delegates elected to General and Jurisdictional Conferences discussed episcopal elections, orientation to both conferences and items coming to the 2008 General and Jurisdictional conferences next spring and summer in Fort Worth and Grand Rapids, Mich. There were 20 (out of 26) delegates present from the North Indiana Conference and 21 (out of 30) delegates from the South Indiana Conference present for the Saturday, Nov. 16, three-hour session held at the Plainfield UMC.
Bishop Coyner shared with the group that the opening day of General Conference will feature a “7 Vision Pathway” presentation and four calls to action by the Council of Bishops. The four calls include: Live the UM way, start new churches, reach the children and stamp out poverty and disease. New this GC will be the inclusion of a Young People’s Address scheduled to be given by six young leaders of the UMC. Another issue coming will be the possible renaming of the Central Conferences and U.S. Conferences into global “regions.”
The North Central Jurisdictional Conference, of which Indiana’s two conferences are participants, plans to elect at least one bishop to replace retiring Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. Both Indiana delegations began to discuss whether they would endorse a particular Hoosier candidate, but endorsed no candidate at this meeting. The Rev. Frank Beard of Kokomo and Kayc Mykrantz of Logansport lead the North Indiana delegation. The Rev. Ann Glass of Plainfield and Ike Williams of Indianapolis lead the South Indiana delegation. The delegations will next meet on Jan. 19 from 10 to 3 at Plainfield UMC.
FRANKLIN CLERGY NAMED ‘CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR’
The Rev. John S. Eley, senior chaplain of Franklin (Ind.) United Methodist Community, has been named Chaplain of the Year for 2008 by the United Methodist Association.
The United Methodist Association, based in Vandalia, Ohio, recently announced the celebration of excellence recipients for the coming year, including Eley. These recipients were selected by a committee of their peers.
Consisting of United Methodist organizations throughout the nation that offer healing and caring ministries to children, youth, older adults, and families, the United Methodist Association will recognize Eley at their annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., on March 29.
Eley, an ordained Elder of the South Indiana Conference, has served as a chaplain of the Franklin UM Community since 1993. In addition to his chaplaincy responsibilities, he administers the activity and social service of the community, as well as supervising three on-campus salons.
Earlier in 2007, Eley was in Boston to accept the “Best Practice” award on behalf of the chaplaincy services provided by the Franklin UM Community to its residents and patients at nearby Johnson Memorial Hospital.
UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE’S STUDY AROAD RANKED AMONG TOP 10
Participation in the University of Evansville’s Study Abroad program once again has been ranked among the Top 10 in the United States. The Institute of International Education has released preliminary information from its most recent study, including the percentage of American students who study abroad. According to those numbers, 53 percent of UE students study abroad at some point during their education – the ninth-highest percentage among all U.S. master’s degree-granting institutions.
“We take a great deal of pride in our Study Abroad programs,” said UE President Stephen Jennings. “The experiences our students gain from traveling and studying abroad – whether it is at our British campus, Harlaxton College, or anywhere else in the world – give our students a cultural awareness and well-rounded education that can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom.”
UE is a United Methodist-related institution of higher education. – UE
WARSAW DISTRICT WELCOMES NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jan Fager has been hired as the new Warsaw District Administrative Assistant. She will begin work on Monday, Nov. 26. – Warsaw District Newsletter
UNITED METHODIST BISHOPS PLAN RACISM DIALOGUES
The bishops of The United Methodist Church are struggling with the issue of racism and how to eliminate it from the church, society and even their own Council of Bishops.
The council voted, during its Nov. 4-9 meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C., to conduct three dialogues over the next two years to examine racism within the council, how the church perpetuates racism through its culture, processes and policies, and to raise awareness of global racism.
The dialogues are among several task force proposals approved by the bishops during their fall meeting. The council had agreed last spring to address the problem following a plea from one bishop of color that the bishops look inward on the issue of racism.
The bishops represent 11.5 million United Methodists in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines. Of the 50 active U.S. bishops, 12 are African American, four are Asian American and two are Hispanic. The council also has 12 African bishops and three from the Philippines.
The United Methodist Church is preparing for its global legislative session next spring, held once every four years, with a focus on unity and hope. – UMNS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLANS NO EXPANSION OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING
When asked whether the Indiana General Assembly planned to expand legalized gambling to increase needed revenue, both Senate President Pro Tempore David Long of Fort Wayne and Representative House Majority Chair Dale Grubb of Covington said, “No.” Both men were participants in a Legislative Preview luncheon held Monday in Indianapolis and sponsored by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Along with Rep. Brian Bosma and Senator Richard Young, the four lawmakers predicted the upcoming session will be devoted primarily to a property tax overhaul.
Long went on to point out that even though property tax relief was tied to the legalized expansion of slot-machine gambling at the state’s two horse-race tracks, the legislators this past session also passed a bill that strongly enforced illegal gambling by busting so-called “Cherry Masters.”
On another gambling issue, both legislators don’t see any possibility that Governor Daniels’ plan to privatize the state lottery will pass this coming session. Grubb said, “We’ve had enough privatization for a while.” He said Indiana needs to wait and see whether privatization is good for the state. Earlier this year, Governor Daniels proposed a 30-year lease of the state lottery in exchange for $1 billion to be used for state-university scholarships. The plan passed the Senate, but never had a hearing in the House.
HEART ATTACKS DECREASED 70% IN CITY WITH SMOKEFREE ORDINANCE
A study conducted at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., reported this week in Indianapolis that heart attacks decreased by 70 percent among people with no risk factors for heart disease after a smoke-free workplace ordinance was passed. Among people who smoke, heart attack rates remained the same.
“The report increases the mounting scientific evidence from around the country for more smoke-free ordinances and more importantly, a statewide smokefree law,” said Dr. Richard Feldman, vice president of the American Heart Association Indianapolis Board of Directors and Director of Family Medicine Residency at St. Francis Hospital.
The 44-month research period compared Monroe County with a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance and Delaware County without such an ordinance. The two counties were selected because of similar income, geographic areas, racial and ethnic makeup, and heart disease mortality rates. The effects of secondhand smoke on the heart have been well-documented; exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease in non-smokers by about 30 percent. -- American Heart Association
More stories are available online at www.umc.org.
WORSHIP RESOURCES
ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING MEDITATION FOR CHURCH, HOME
Here are some Advent wreath candle lighting meditations for church or home (two sets for 2007) from the General Board of Discipleship:
- www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45396
- www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45401&loc_id=733,32,44
SINGING ADVENT vs. SINGING CHRISTMAS
ROCKPORT CHURCH SEEKS USED HAND BELLS
Trinity United Methodist Church of Rockport, Ind., seeks a set of used hand bells in good condition. Please contact the church office at 812-649-2658 if you can help.
MUNSTER CHURCH HAS BELLS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE
Ridge UMC in Munster has orchestra bells/xylophones/glockenspiels available. Please email me directly if you are interested. I also have pictures I could send if you are interested. Contact Heather Clinger, Worship Leader/Choir Director, Ridge UMC, Munster, Ind., heather@ridgeumc.org.
MINISTRY RESOURCES
BOOK OFFERS BLUEPRINT FOR WESLEYAN WAY OF LIVING
In a world divided and filled with fear for what tomorrow may bring, comes a still, quiet voice saying “God loves us all.” Rueben P. Job, retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, uses John Wesley’s three general rules to give Christians a blueprint for a faithful life in a new book, Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living, published by the United Methodist Publishing House.
The rules from Wesley, the founder of Methodism, are simple: “Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.”
“These simple rules then and now applied to everyone,” Job says. “No one was left out. No one was too good, too mean, too rich or too poor, too educated, too illiterate.”
Drawing parallels between Wesley’s time and the world today, Job says the feelings of disenfranchisement, doubt and fear are much the same.
“There are two enormously encouraging truths for us to remember,” Job says. “One, God is with us. God continues to woo us, seek us out, love us, speak to us, enable us and lead us into the future. Second, it has been done before.”
Wesley’s three simple rules transformed women and men and started a movement that became a denomination and transformed a forming nation in North America, Job points out.
Three Simple Rules is published by Abingdon Press and can be ordered at www.cokesbury.com
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:
- Iron Wall (2006) DVD 52 Minutes Adult
- God Rocks Series (2003) DVD/CD-ROM (each DVD/CD-ROM contains 5 sessions) Children-grades 1-6
- God Rocks-Because God gave me RULES, I am RESPONSIBLE!
- God Rocks-Because God helps me, I am CONFIDENT!
- God Rocks-Because God created me, I am SPECIAL!
- Outflow (Youth Leader Kit) (2007) Group’s The 1 thing Five 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 titles, 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: AffectionatelyYours, 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
HOLIDAY FAMILY MOVIE GUIDE AVAILABLE FROM COMMONSENSE MEDIA
A Holiday Family Movie Guide is now available from Common Sense Media www.commonsensemedia.org. For a review of 17 movies, log on to:
DEATHS
None listed this week.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
No appointments to announce this week.
ADDED EVENTS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS FELLOWSHIP TO MEET DEC. 6 AT FISHERS UMC
CEF is open to anyone (lay or clergy, paid or volunteer) who is interested in bettering the education ministries of the local church. CEF meets on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is Thursday, Dec. 6, at Fishers United Methodist Church, 9690 East 116th Street. We will be continuing to discuss our dreams for 2008, including how we can best reach and support churches across the conference. Please bring $7 for lunch. For more information, please contact Sharon Dunlevy at 317-849-1805 ext. 424 or by e-mail at sdunlevy@fishersumc.org.
WORKSHOP FOR REACHING OUT MISSIONALLY
The Kokomo Urban Outreach has been a pioneer the past two years in demonstrating how churches, working together, can impact their communities through extending Christ’s love missionally. Now your church has the opportunity to learn from the Rev. Jeff Newton, KUO’s founder and pastor of Trinity UMC. This workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, at Trinity UMC, Kokomo, and is part of the conference’s Sending of the Saints workshops. KUO’s slogan is “Every church a mission base, every person a missionary.” Come and learn how your church can become a mission base too and you can be a missionary! – CHURCH DEVELOPMENT, NIC
NEW JOB LISTINGS
WABASH CHURCH SEEKS PART-TIME CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP DIRECTOR
First United Methodist Church in Wabash is looking for a person to direct/lead our contemporary worship service (9 a.m. Sundays) and to direct the music ministries of the contemporary service. Responsibilities include: Working with pastoral staff, Worship Committee, church musicians, audio-visual personnel, and leading Contemporary Worship Team in order to provide worship which connects with needs of contemporary adults and youth.
Hours: up to 20 hours per week. Bachelor’s Degree level training in music performance desired, with abilities in voice as well as keyboards or guitar. Salary is negotiable.
Send inquiries, letter of interest and/or resume to: The Rev. Chris Madison, First United Methodist Church, 110 N Cass Street, Wabash, IN 46992 or call 260-563-3108 Fax: 260-563-3109, e-mail pastorcbm@msn.com
PREVIOUS JOB LISTINGS
FORT WAYNE CALVARY CHURCH NEEDS CHOIR DIRECTOR
Fort Wayne Calvary UMC is in search of an adult choir director. 6-10 hours per week. It would be a plus if this person is able to build and direct a bell choir. Contact Scott Carmer at scottcarmer@aol.com or 260-747-9218.
McGRAWSVILLE CHURCH SEEKS YOUTH PASTOR
The McGrawsville UMC, 9347 South 300 East, Amboy, Indiana 46911 seeks a Youth Pastor.
The Youth Pastor will direct and oversee the mission of the Church (to Reach, Teach and Serve) in the area of youth ministry for Jr. and Sr. High students. Key responsibilities include:
Set the vision and overall planning of youth ministry and oversee all areas of it, provide leadership for all Middle School and High School ministry programs, model Godly character and encourage them to live for Christ, provide counseling and spiritual direction to teens, reach out to un-churched kids, teach biblical truths and personal application through various methods and other responsibilities related to youth ministry. For more information call 765-395-7712 or log on to www.mcgrawsville.org.
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNICATION JOB OPENINGS
Administrative Assistant III, Global Health Initiative
Provides administrative support and office management for the Executive Director, Global Health Initiative. Forty percent of the job is to perform administrative functions for the Global Health Team. This position requires excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office, Excel and financial accounting software. PowerPoint skills would be an asset. It requires database entry and excellent Internet competency for Web and Internet research.
All resumes must be post marked by Nov. 23.
Any interested applicants should apply to the Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-742-5137 or fax resumes to 615-742-5428.
Share this information with a friend or contact us for more information at hr@umcom.org.
Project Coordinator, Global Health Initiative
Oversees the administrative and project management of the Office of Global Health Initiative. Serves as the primary back-up for the Executive Director of Global Health. Ensures that projects are completed on deadline and within budget. Assists the Executive Director of Global Health Initiative with the implementation and development of agency projects related to the Global Health Initiative.
This position requires a background in Global Health research and/or development. Some fundraising experience is required. Knowledge and ability to build innovative marketing partnerships is needed. Skills in project management, including experience in negotiating contracts, providing leadership and managing budgets are needed. A background in international affairs is needed.
All resumes must be post marked by Dec.11.
Any interested applicants should apply to the Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 320, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-742-5137 or fax resumes to 615-742-5428.
Share this information with a friend or contact us for more information at hr@umcom.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.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.