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-NEWS
For Friday, February 8, 2008 – Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent and Boy Scout Sunday
This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.
Edited by Dan Gangler, director of communication dgangler@inareaumc.org.
Deadline for submitting news items is Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
THIS WEEK’S NEWS HEADLINES
Flood waters hit northern Indiana again, prayers requested
Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee hears pull tab bill
General Conference expects wider global representation
Discipleship agency leads effort to ‘Create New Places…’
UM Church’s Social Justice Agency opposes human cloning
SMU says it has approval to give Bush Presidential Library OK
NEWS AND INFORMATION
FLOOD WATERS HIT NORTHERN INDIANA AGAIN, PRAYERS REQUESTED
According to United Methodist pastors at Monticello and Delphi, Ind., the Tippecanoe River is again flooding below the Oakdale and Norway Dams. This is the same area that flooded last month causing residents in more than 300 homes to evacuate. The river continues to rise as heavy rains continue today in that area of northern Indiana.
The Rev. Mary van Wijk, pastor of Remington United Methodist Church, reported creek water is high in Remington, but there is no flooding at this time.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offices have opened in Remington, Monticello and Delphi as residents begin filing paper work needed for federal government assistance to the January flooding.
No pastor expressed a need for flood bucket cleaning materials at this time. Since the Tippecanoe River continues to flood, no volunteers are needed for clean-up until the waters recede.
The Rev. Todd Ladd of the Delphi UMC requested prayer for both flood survivors and those who are helping them recover from this disaster. He said the emotional toll on residents is becoming very evident on those living along the Tippecanoe River in White and Carroll Counties. Volunteers anticipated that clean-up would be finished within a couple of weeks. Now the same residents are flooded again.
United Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ and Church of God pastors and laity are working together in forming a regional long-term recovery team to assist flooded residents of a three-county area.
Hoosier United Methodists are encouraged to contribute monetarily donations to assist survivors of the flooding in North Indiana and may send funds to:
North Indiana Conference UMC, P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952. Note for Flood Relief in North Indiana – Account 030401
Disaster News Network posted a story on the northern Indiana flooding at www.disasternews.net/news/article.php?articleid=3609.
INDIANA SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HEARS PULL TAB BILL
The Indiana State Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing yesterday morning on HB1153, the pull tab gambling bill which was passed by the House last week. The Rev. Lorin Clemenz, a retired NIC pastor and convener of the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, testified against the bill as an expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.
Last year, they voted to allow slot machines at the state’s two horse tracks. Some legislators argue that expansion was offset by another bill under which 16 law enforcement officers were hired to crack down on illegal electronic gambling machines commonly found in bars across the state. As a result, many of those machines, known as Cherry Masters, have been removed from Hoosier taverns. But to help appease those upset by the crackdown on Cherry Masters, lawmakers decided in 2007 that they would allow American Legions and other nonprofit organizations to offer pull tabs and other paper games. And now, Indiana’s bars want the same treatment. The committee will vote on the bill shortly. If approved, it will be advanced to the whole House for a vote.
The Indianapolis Star featured an editorial on Wednesday asking Governor Mitch Daniels to veto the pull tab (for bars and restaurants) bill if approved by the Senate.
National anti-gambling advocate the Rev. Tom Grey will be traveling to Fort Wayne next week to meet with pastors and interested laity to block a proposed expansion of legalized gambling in the Fort Wayne area. Grey also suggests Hoosier United Methodists ask for a statewide referendum against the expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.
Editor’s note: Contact your senator TODAY by e-mail to protest the legislature’s expansion of legalized gambling and ask your Senator to vote against HB1153 as an expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.. To find your senator’s e-mail addresses, log on to www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl. Don’t know your senator, log on to www.in.gov/apps/sos/legislator/search/.
GENERAL CONFERENCE EXPECTS WIDER GLOBAL REPRESENTATION
When 992 United Methodist delegates convene on April 23 in Fort Worth (Texas) Convention Center, for their worldwide assembly, they can expect wider global representation; a denominational budget built around four new areas of focus, and carefully choreographed opening sessions aimed at fostering unity through common ministry instead of gridlock over divisive social issues. The 2008 General Conference will meet for 10 days and will sort through more than 1,500 petitions. In addition to hearing opening addresses from a bishop and lay person, delegates will hear the first-ever Young People's Address – delivered jointly by six teens and young adults. The new approaches are among a bevy of changes outlined during the recent United Methodist Pre-General Conference News Briefing held near the Fort Worth Convention Center. A complete story of the coming General Conference is coming in the February issue of Hoosier United Methodists Together newspaper, hitting the mail next week.
DISCIPLESHIP AGENCY LEADS EFFORT TO ‘CREATE NEW PLACES…’
If its discipleship agency gets the green light, by 2012 the United Methodist denomination could see exponential growth in the number of new churches started in the U.S. According to the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for the General Board of Discipleship, the agency will oversee a collaborative effort of recruiting and training “1000 church leaders who will plant 650 new congregations over the next 4 years.”
While responsibility for actually starting churches rests with annual conferences, GBOD is committed to training and equipping the new church planters.
“We can reach thousands and millions of new people for Jesus Christ, if we decide to do so. It’s not about church buildings; it’s about creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout their lifetime,” said Greenwaldt.
Greenwaldt addressed more than 200 delegates and communicators attending the United Methodist Pre-General Conference Briefing in Fort Worth, Tex., Jan. 24-26.
The number of churches in the United States is not keeping up with current population growth. In looking at the top 500 growing cities, church leaders found that too few United Methodist churches existed in most of these areas. – GBOD
UM CHURCH’S SOCIAL JUSTICE AGENCY OPPOSES HUMAN CLONING
An announcement that scientists have created human embryos through cloning stands "in stark opposition" to The United Methodist Church's position, said an executive with the denomination's social action agency. "The United Methodist Church position on this issue is very clear," said Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project at the United Methodist Board of General Church and Society. "Our opposition to such developments is based on a belief that God is the creator, and our identity as humans is much more than our genetic inheritance, our social environment, or the sum of the two." Scientists at Stemagen, a biotechnology company in San Diego, announced on Jan. 18 they used skin cells of two men to create cloned embryos. It is not clear whether the embryos would have been viable if implanted into a womb, said Dr. Samuel H. Wood, chief executive of Stemagen. – UMNS
SMU SAYS IT HAS APPROVAL TO GIVE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY OK
Officials of Southern Methodist University in Dallas say they have approval to give the George W. Bush Foundation a 99-year lease to build a presidential library, museum and policy institute on school property. The lease is renewable up to 249 years. However, United Methodists who oppose building the library and institute here argue that only the church's South Central Jurisdictional Conference can give final approval for the lease. The jurisdictional conference, which meets once every four years, is scheduled to meet this July in Dallas. University officials and 10 bishops in the South Central Jurisdiction say jurisdictional rules permit its Mission Council, which is the executive committee of the jurisdictional conference, to make decisions between sessions. In a closed executive session last March, the Mission Council voted 10-4, with one abstention, to allow SMU to lease to the foundation up to 36 acres on the southeast side of campus. The opposing opinions suggest that the project's future may depend on interpretation of church law. – UMNS
ART WORK NEEDED FOR BOTH INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCES
The theme for both North Indiana and South Indiana Annual Conferences will be “Friends with Christ,” based on John 15:15.
You can help both Annual Conferences by submitting art entries before March 1 for original artwork for the conference auditorium banner to Gloria J. Nelson, 107 W Campbell St., Edinburgh, IN 46124, Church: 812-526-5840, Fax: 812-526-8617, e-mail: gnelson@sicumc.org or revgjnelson@aol.com.
The South Indiana Conference also needs an original song or new words to a non-copy-written melody to Lynn Renne, Aldersgate UMC, 5130 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47715, Church: 812-477-7816, Fax 812-477-8658, e-mail lrenne@aol.com.
INDY CHURCH CHALLENGES MEMBERS TO LIVE GREEN THIS LENT
Members of Epworth UMC in Indianapolis will compete with each other to live greener during Lent, as part of the church’s annual Lenten fitness challenge for groups and individuals.
This friendly competition focuses on a theme to “Live Simply, Buy Wisely and Love People, Not Things.” Participants in the challenge can compete as individuals or small groups. Points are earned for 21 different green activities, such as combining car trips, reducing engine idling, walking or biking instead of driving, using organic foods and non-toxic consumer products, and using reusable shopping bags. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and teams. This is the third year for the Lent fitness challenge, but the first year with a green theme.
A healthy recipes book that have less impact on the environment is part of the green challenge.
More stories are available online
at www.umc.org and
www.umportal.org.
BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY
In some ways Adam is like Christ who came later. But the gift that God was kind enough to give was very different from Adam's sin. That one sin brought death to many others. Yet in an even greater way, Jesus Christ alone brought God's gift of kindness to many people.
Romans 5:14b-15,
(Contemporary English Version)
www.bibles.com
WORSHIP RESOURCES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN SONG
“Come Sunday” by Duke Ellington is a hymn (#728) in our UM Hymnal that often elicits strong reaction – approval, disapproval, complaint over the difficulty for congregations, it’s popular and secular sound, and more. This article, the first of a series for Black History Month, explores this hymn by an African American composer and jazz artist. For the article, log on to www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45958&loc_id=17,823
Other hymnal and music resources for Black History Month (February):
- United Methodist Hymnal Resources for Black History Month
- Index of Music and Prayers of Africa, Africana, and African Americans in The UM Hymnal
- African and African American Songs, Hymns, and Spirituals in The Faith We Sing
- For a general listing of resources for Black History Month, see
GENERAL CONFERENCE COVERAGE
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING AT GENERAL CONFERENCE
Anyone wanting to learn more about General Conference and how it works can take a free five-session online course called "Exploring General Conference" through United Methodist Communications. To register, visit http://training.umcom.org. More than 600 people have already done so. During General Conference, United Methodist Communications will send a daily e-mail digest of United Methodist News Service assembly coverage to anyone who subscribes to the free service. The agency also will provide an RSS feed allowing church and annual conference Web sites to list General Conference headlines as UMNS stories are posted. Coverage will include print stories in English, Spanish and Korean; video stories; audio newscasts; and a General Conference photo gallery.
InfoServ, the church's free information service, will staff the meeting and respond to questions by e-mail at infoserv@umcom.org, as well as by phone. Indiana United Methodist Communication plans to be in the press room during the second week of General Conference. Inquiries about Hoosier United Methodists at General Conference can be sent to editor@inareaumc.org.
MINISTRY RESOURCES
NORTH INDIANA MEDIA CENTER HOT PICKS LISTED FOR FEBRUARY
The North Indiana Conference Media Center is in the process of implementing new software. This software will allow you to order on line! The availability on-line may not be correct at this time, if you have any questions, please feel free to call Angel at 800-783-5138 or e-mail Angel Rea. Our on-line catalog can be accessed at www.nicumc.org/in/mc/. This month we are featuring some Hot Authors, who make it difficult to keep their resources on the Shelf! Get them while their Hot, these resources do not sit on the shelf!
PHILIP YANCEY – What's so Amazing About Grace? – The Bible Jesus Read – The Jesus I Never Knew
JOHN ORTBERB – If You Want To Walk On Water – God is Closer Than You Think – Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People – An Ordinary Day with Jesus – The Life You Have Always Wanted
BETH MOORE – Heart like His – To Live is Christ – A Woman's Heart – Breaking Free – Beloved Disciple
RICK WARREN – Doing Life Together – Purpose Driven Church Conference – Purpose Driven Life – Purpose Driven Youth Ministry
RAY VANDER LAAN – FAITH LESSONS – Death & Resurrection – Promised Land – Early Church – Life & Ministry of the Messiah – Prophets & Kings of Israel – Walk as Jesus Walked
ADAM HAMILTON – Selling Swim Suits in the Artic – Christianity & World Religions – Confronting Controversies – Making Love Last A Life Time – Serving From The Heart
SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR FEBRUARY
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.” February “Picks” have been posted. Highlighted are the latest Lent and Easter selections, including Animated Passion Trilogy, Gospel of John (Visual Bible), He Chose the Nails, Prophecies of the Passion, True Easter Story, Veggie Tales: Easter Story, and Victory at Jerusalem. NOTE: Additional Lent/Easter resources can be found online. Click on “Media Center” (twice), then on “Bibliographies” and scroll down to HOLIDAYS. Click on “Lent/Easter.” Find and click on RACE RELATIONS under “Bibliographies” to locate resources for Black History month.
By calling the Media Center toll-free at 800-919-8160, you can order these and other resources from a selection of more than 4000 videos and DVDs. Your only cost is return postage. This service is provided through your connectional tithe. Mary Barnes, director of the center, can be reached at Mary Barnes for more information/consultation. For the catalog of resources, log on to www.sicumc.org and click on Media Center.
MUSIC REVIEW
CARRIE UNDERWOOD: CARNIVAL RIDE
- Label: Arista
- Sound/Style: Forward-thinking but highly commercial country-pop
By Steve Morley for umc.org
You can’t really talk about Carrie Underwood without talking about the televised talent contest American Idol. She had the goods to make it big without the benefit of her visibility on the show, but she’ll forever be known as the American Idol winner who went country – more or less – and soared higher than any winner before her. Oklahoma-raised and Baptist-bred, she has the right credentials for a country singer. Still, Underwood’s exposure on Idol gave her broad crossover appeal and proved she could handle songs and styles ranging from Pat Benatar to Elvis Presley to Martina McBride, a personal favorite of the rising young star. The stew pot of influences is still at a rolling boil on her second disc, Carnival Ride, an album that leaves no doubts about her staying power but poses some questions about her musical identity. Underwood takes on aggressive country-rockers, theatrical ballads and effervescent pop-flavored country, with only her vibrant and full-bodied vocals providing the common ground.
For complete review, log on to www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3841915/k.15D5/Carrie_Underwood_iCarnival_Ridei.htm.
DEATHS
MARIETTA BLYTHE, surviving spouse of the late Rev. Andrew Blythe (SIC), died Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 8, at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road in Evansville, Ind.
Survivors include: Daughters, Ruth Cobb, 12245 Winter Falls Lane, Evansville, IN 47711 and Suzanne Toy; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
RONALD G. THOMAS, Associate Member (SIC), died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. A memorial service is scheduled to be held Friday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. at the Hope UMC, 432 E. Washington St., Hope, Ind. with a calling prior to service from Noon to 2 p.m. A second memorial service is scheduled to be held Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at the Carbon UMC, 1471 N Poplar St., Carbon, Ind. with a calling prior to service from 1 to 2 p.m. Survivors include: wife, Sandra Thomas, 429 Washington St., Hope, IN 47246; daughters, Karen Barker, Kim Finnerty and Kelly Jones and 8 grandchildren.
ROSS E. WALLACE, retired local pastor (SIC), died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. Calling hours are scheduled for Monday, from 4 to 9 p.m. at. A memorial service was held Tuesday, Feb.5, at the Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home in Columbus, Ind. Survivors include: his wife, Eva Wallace, 1901 Taylor Road, Columbus, IN 47203; sons, Doug Wallace, Mike Wallace, Tim Wallace and Mark Wallace; daughter Becky Hobbs and 10 grandchildren.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Area. All dates effective 2008 unless otherwise noted. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by Indiana Area Communication during the week of February 8, 2008.
North Indiana Conference
- None this week
South Indiana Conference
- Barnett, Harold David from New Hope, New Albany to Benson Chapel, Lafayette, North Indiana Conference, 2/1
- Butler, Bill from Newberry/New: Mt. Nebo/New: Prairie Chapel, Bloomington to Newberry, Bloomington to Newberry/New: Prairie Chapel/New: Scotland, Bloomington, 11/30/07
- Lapham, Thomas from Newberry/New: Mt. Nebo/New: Prairie Chapel/New: Scotland, Bloomington to Newberry/New: Prairie Chapel/New: Scotland, Bloomington, 11/30/07
- Sanders, Douglas Lee from Worthington: Folsom Memorial/Worth: Allen Chapel, Bloomington to Worthington: Folsom Memorial, Bloomington, 12/31/07
NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
EVANSVILLE CHURCH SEEKS DIRECTOR OF CHURCH MINISTRY
The Turning Pointe UMC in Evansville seeks a Director of Church Ministry – this person will play a strategic role for The Turning Pointe by supporting the ministries that make every new guest, visitor and member feel welcomed and connected to our church. The DCM will engage lay people into the church and ministry. This person will focus on developing Connections, our small group ministry, so that we are a church of small groups who teach, nurture and encourage one another. Caring for our congregation will also be under the realm of the DCM’s duties, shared when needed by our pastor. The DCM will also be expected to continue to grow in his/her own faith and skills.
Requirements: BA/BS or equivalent life experience, demonstrated commitment to the Christian faith, high level of competency in interpersonal relationships, excellent communication and organizational skills, willingness to teach and mentor other staff and ministry leaders, demonstrated leadership capability, comfort with message delivery/teaching. See complete job description at www.theturningpointe.com.
Please submit cover letter, resume & three references to: The Turning Pointe, Attn Personnel, 9800 Middle Mt Vernon Road, Evansville IN 47712 or send to info@theturningpointe.com.
INDY CHURCH NOW HAS OPENING FOR MUSIC DIRECTOR, ORGANIST
Bethel UMC located at 5252 W. 52nd St. in Indianapolis has immediate openings for both a Director of Music and an Organist. We currently have two Sunday morning services (at 9 and 10:30 a.m.) and hold special programs (such as Christmas Eve, Lenten Services) throughout the year.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: We are seeking a part-time Director of Music to develop, nurture, and sustain church music ministries and programs. The Director of Music will oversee all musical programming including adult choir, children’s choir, and hand bell choir. Administrative duties include: rehearsal and scheduling of all choral groups and musical programs, overseeing the music ministry budget, purchasing music, and attending Worship Committee and Staff Administrative meetings. Candidates should forward resume and cover letter to bethel52office@dslextreme.com care of Cari Southworth, Staff Parish Chair.
Please include “Director of Music” in the subject line.
ORGANIST: Responsibilities for the organist include: playing for worship services and holiday services, rehearsing with the choir, and assisting in the coordination of music with sermon topics. Candidates should forward resume and cover letter to bethel52office@dslextreme.com care of Cari Southworth, Staff Parish Chair. Please include “Organist” in t he subject line.
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
-
None listed this week.
Other employment opportunities previously listed can be found at www.inareaumc.org/job.htm.
Last updated on 04/01/2008Compiled as a service of Indiana Area United Methodist Communication in Indianapolis.