e-NEWS

This newsletter is paid for through your annual conference connectional ministries giving.

Deadline for submitting news items is Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

NEWS AND INFORMATION

PEACE WITH JUSTICE SUNDAY TO BE CELEBRATED MAY 18

Your gift offers The United Methodist Church a voice in advocating for peace and justice at home and around the world.

Peace with Justice Sunday is celebrated the Sunday after Pentecost. That’s May 18 this year. However, this special emphasis and offering can be received at any time of the year.

Recipients: Each of the two Indiana annual conferences keeps 50 percent of the receipts for Peace with Justice Ministries within the conference. The remaining 50 percent is used for Peace with Justice Ministries related to the General Board of Church and Society.

In the South Indiana Conference, PWJ offering funds are used to help support gambling recovery, prison and jail ministry, and inmate reentry partnerships.

ANNUAL CONFERENCES ASKED TO RATIFY CHANGES IN CHURCH STRUCTURE

The 2008 General Conference, which met earlier this month in Fort Worth, Texas, reflected changing demographics, as membership has shrunk in the United States while growing in Africa and the Philippines and parts of Europe.

This gathering was less centered on issues confined to the United States than at previous assemblies. That was partially because 278 of the 992 delegates came from beyond the United States –– 100 more than attended the 2004 session. It also was the result of proposals from a task force studying the global nature of the church.

Delegates approved 23 constitutional amendments that would make it possible to change the church’s U.S.-centric structure to a more uniform global structure. The amendments must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the aggregate total of annual conferences. A 20-member committee will bring recommendations to the 2012 assembly.

In separate action, The United Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire, the largest conference of the worldwide denomination with almost 700,000 members, received its full rights and responsibilities. As a result, United Methodists in the West African country, which has only two delegates at this General Conference, will receive significantly greater representation at future assemblies.

Delegates approved $20 million for Africa University in Zimbabwe; $10 million was already budgeted in apportioned funds, and $10 million will be raised through World Service Special Gifts. Delegates also approved $2 million to help United Methodist theological schools in Africa train additional pastors. – UMNS

OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HEADED OUR WAY

General Conference passed a number of other amendments to the church’s constitution, which now await action from annual conferences. All constitutional amendments approved by a two-thirds vote of General Conference must be ratified by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the aggregate number of voting annual members.

Delegates passed a constitutional amendment that reduces from two to one the number of years a person must be a professing member of a local church before he or she can be a member of an annual conference.

Annual conferences also will vote on proposals that provide for newly created conferences to be represented at general, jurisdictional or regional conferences on a non-proportional basis. The issue arose after the Côte d’Ivoire Conference was assigned two delegates for the 2008 General Conference.

One amendment would enable deacons, associate members and provisional members to join ordained ministerial members in full connection in voting for delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences. To vote, local pastors must have completed the Course of Study or master of divinity degree and have served under appointment for two consecutive years immediately preceding an election. Only ordained members in full connection with an annual conference may be clergy delegates.

If annual conferences ratify another amendment, then local churches, jurisdictional and General Conference, “organizations, groups, committees, councils, boards and agencies” will have to adopt ethics and conflict-of-interest policies. These policies will apply to both members and employees to help them “embody and live out our Christian values.”

Another constitutional amendment would make it clear all persons shall be eligible to attend worship services and, upon taking vows, become church members. – UMNS

NEW CHURCH STARTS LEADER TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

The Rev. Thomas G. Butcher is a man on a mission. And the mission is a daunting one: create new places for new people, while renewing existing congregations. The good news is – Butcher is not alone. He is joined by the Path 1 team charged with finding and training 1,000 Church planters who will start 650 new churches by 2012. Butcher is the first executive officer to lead the newly created New Church Starts Path 1 ministry, created in response to the Council of Bishops’ vision pathway #1.

United Methodists dare hope that the efforts of Path 1 will stem the tide of membership decline.

“By focusing on starting new churches, we will do what John Wesley admonished us to do in ‘following the people.’ We have thousands of huge demographic areas to where people have moved and there are no United Methodist Churches there,” said Butcher.

“I’ve talked to all kinds of folks: several church planters, bishops, a lot of delegates and large-membership church pastors. They are the ones I’ve had great conversations with around ‘multiplying’ themselves and what they thought it would take to do that,” said Butcher.

“There’s a lot of interest in starting new churches, which is really good for our denomination moving forward. This is a proven way for us to attract not only more people, but also younger and more diverse people,” he said.

Butcher will address the North Indiana Annual Conference session on Thursday night, May 29.

UINDY TAKES TOP HONORS AT STATE BROADCAST COMPETITION

The University of Indianapolis has been named the state’s Television School of the Year in the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters annual college competition, adding to a growing list of recent awards for UIndy’s communication students.

In results announced this week, UIndy TV placed second in the Video Magazine and Television School Newscast categories, and UIndy students earned nine other awards for TV and radio work. Other participating institutions included Ball State University, Indiana State University, University of Southern Indiana, Valparaiso University and Indiana Wesleyan University.

Scott Uecker, a United Methodist and general manager of UIndy TV and UIndy radio station WICR, noted that campus cable channel UIndy TV 5 debuted just two years ago.

“It’s a credit to our students that they’ve taken this outlet that the university has given them and learned everything they could,” said Uecker, who also teaches in the Department of Communication. “They’ve gotten good, and these awards are an indicator of that.” – UIndy

UINDY COMMENCEMENT’S IMPACT IS PERSONAL, GLOBAL

The University of Indianapolis awarded 879 undergraduate degrees and 473 graduate degrees for the 2007-08 academic year, with commencement ceremonies on the home campus May 2 and May 3. This year’s projected graduates total 1,153 in Indianapolis and 199 at partner institutions in Greece, China, Belize and Cyprus. The graduates represent 18 states and 22 nations, with international students – other than U.S. citizens – accounting for 20 percent of the total.

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE TO CONFER 511 DEGREES MAY 10

The United Methodist-related University of Evansville will confer 511 degrees on 493 graduating students during its 2008 Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 10. The ceremony will be held in Roberts Stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m., following a Baccalaureate service – where Chaplain Brian Erickson will be the keynote speaker – and a Commencement luncheon. J. Gordon Kingsley, principal of UE’s British campus, Harlaxton College, will be this year’s Commencement speaker. Kingsley has been the principal at Harlaxton since January 2003 – a position he took after 27 years at William Jewell College. While at William Jewell, he served as a professor, dean, and – for his last 13 years on campus – president of the college. As president, Kingsley was named among America’s “most effective” collegiate leaders in a nationwide study of college presidents funded by the Exxon Foundation. – UE

HOOSIER AAs ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN DAYTON

Pam Voss, Lisa Morris, Katie Swisher, administrative assistants at the Indianapolis Districts Office, and Brenda Hakes, secretary at Honey Creek United Methodist Church, attended the 29th Annual Conference of the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) which was held April 17-19 in Dayton, Ohio. More than 240 professionals representing United Methodist offices on various levels, both nationally and internationally, were in attendance.

A seminar led by Cea Cohen Elliott, professional motivational speaker, wellness and fitness coach, and seminar leader, proved her mission in life is to help others laugh more and live better. Show on the Outside what have on the inside, was led by Barbara A. Wourms, who presented a “how-to” program to help each person connect with his or her own personal image and live life to the fullest. Catherine Ritch Guess, published composed and author of inspirational fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, specifically designed a workshop to help PAUMCS members discern their calling, understand it fully, and discover how to Spread Your Wings and soar to new heights in ministry.

The PAUMCS Annual Conference provides continuing education and a supportive professional network. The organization, established in 1982 under the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church, fosters individual growth, professional development and spiritual enrichment for members from the United States, Russia, and Africa.

Lisa Morris, administrative assistant for Metro Ministries, Inc. (mission and program arm of Indianapolis East and West Districts) received recognition for renewing her professional certification. She is a member of the Class of 1987.

WHERE ARE THE YOUNG ADULTS?

In a recent article that, in part, relies on the book After the Baby Boomers by Robert Wuthnow (Princeton University Press, 2007), Ann Michel of Wesley Theological Seminary provides some interesting information on the presence and absence of young adults in the church and what this may mean for the future. This article looks at some of those points for United Methodists to consider about the present and future of our church. For more, log on to: www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=46199&loc_id=17,823.

NORTH INDIANA RANKS THIRD IN MEALS FOR MILLIONS CAMPAIGN

The Society of St. Andrew, a food reclamation ministry, ranked the North Indiana Conference third in its top ten conferences contributing to the Meals for Millions campaign that received matching funds from the Feinstein Foundations to assist hunger-fighting agencies nationwide based on the pledges and contributions received before April 30. The North Indiana Conference gave $6,015 to the campaign.

The Northern Illinois led the campaign with $7,793 in contributions. Detroit was ranked second with $7,586 given. Other conferences ranking in the top ten by order (4-10) included: Virginia, Missouri, Baltimore-Washington, Central Pennsylvania, W. Virginia, West Ohio and North Carolina. – Society of St. Andrew

GALLUP POLL GIVES METHODISTS HIGHEST POSITIVE RATINGS

Methodists have the highest positive ratings of religious and spiritual groups in the United States, new research by the Gallup Panel shows.

Ninety-six percent of the 1,005 persons interviewed during the March poll had either a positive or neutral view of Methodists. Four percent had an overall negative view of Methodists. The survey used the broader category of Methodists rather than United Methodists specifically

Methodists are one of the four U.S. religious groups with strongly positive ratings. The others are Jews, Roman Catholics and Baptists. Broader groups of “evangelical Christians” and “fundamentalist Christians” did not fare as well, but still rated more positively than negatively, according to an analysis of the survey

Methodists received the highest marks in the total positive and net positive categories of the survey of “Americans’ Views of U.S. Religious and Spiritual Groups.” The 45 percent net positive rating is the result of subtracting the 4 percent negative rating from the 49 percent total positive rating. Forty-seven percent of the respondents gave Methodists a “neutral” rating.

As a matter of comparison, Jews had a 42-percent positive rating, Baptists 35 percent, and Catholics 35 percent. The random, demographically weighted poll was conducted March 24-27, 2008. Gallup says it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. – Gallup Poll

PORTLAND CHURCH BECOMES IGNITING MINISTRY WELCOMING CHURCH

Congratulation to Trinity United Methodist Church in Portland, Ind., on becoming an Official Welcoming Congregation, awarded by the Igniting Ministry team of United Methodist Communications.

For more information how your church can become a welcoming congregation, log on to www.ignitingministry.org.

BIBLE PASSAGE FOR SUNDAY

On the day of Pentecost [a] all the Lord's followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

WORSHIP RESOURCES

HYMNS AND RESOURCES AFTER THE CYCLONE

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis and its 200 km/h winds and 12-foot high wall of water brought death and disaster to the southeast Asian nation of Burma. As of Tuesday, May 6, the death toll had risen to 30,000 with up to 250,000 deaths expected. 41,000 are missing. Such devastation naturally brings questions to the minds of Christians. Here are hymns for use in worship or personal meditation following such disasters.

MYANMAR CYCLONE BLOG – PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR

There is much to pray for, much to seek God’s deliverance to address. This is a place for you to offer prayers, litanies, hopes, and other forms of intercession… with all who are suffering, all who are seeking to help, and all who may stand in the way.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SOUTH INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION REGISTERS NOW ONLINE

Online Registration for the South Indiana Annual Conference Session is now available. Everyone planning to attend this year’s session can register today. Online registration allows participants to pay with credit card or choose to mail a check. One also can purchase parking permits, reserve dormitory accommodations and sign up for special conference meals. To register online, go to www.sicumc.org/AnnualConference.

If you have any questions about this year's session please contact Jessica Lindsey the 2008 SIC Annual Conference Session Coordinator. She may be reached by e-mail at jlindsey@sicumc.org or by voice mail at 800-919-8160, ext. 220. For more Annual Conference information and updates please visit www.sicumc.org/AnnualConference

NORTH INDIANA GAMBLING CONCERNS LUNCHEON TO FEATURE TOM GREY

The Gambling Concerns Team invites everyone to attend the Gambling Concerns Luncheon at Annual Conference on Friday, May 30 at 12:30pm. Cost is $12.75. Our lunchtime speaker will be Rev. Tom Grey who has spearheaded anti-gambling expansion movements all across the U.S. In light of the recent expansion passed by our own state legislature and a bill signed by Gov. Daniels, this timely luncheon will inform and energize you about what your church can do to finally put the brakes on the spread of gambling in our state. If we don't stop it, it won't ever stop!

Reserve your tickets with the annual conference forms mailed to the pastors and lay delegates.

NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE FORMS AVAILABLE

The theme of the 2008 North Indiana Annual Conference Session is “Friends with Christ.” The 2008 session will take place at Purdue University in West Lafayette, May 29-31. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to Annual Conference time.

Here are some North Indiana Annual Conference forms that are available in Abode PDF format. Adobe Reader www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html is required to view and/or print these forms.

Annual Conference Report Form

Banquet Reservation Form

Child Care Registration Form

Disability Needs Awareness Survey

Housing Reservation Form

Journal Order Form

BISHOP TO SPEAK AT NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE UMW BREAKFAST

North Indiana United Methodist Women are honored that Bishop Mike Coyner will speak at their breakfast in the John Perdue Room in Stone Hall at Perdue University on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 a.m. The cost is $6.25 and reservations deadline is May 16. Contact Margaret Woody, P. O. Box 42, Stockwell, IN 47983 – Phone 765-523-2816. For registration form online go to: www.gbgm-umc.org/nicumw/forms.html and click on the Annual Conference Breakfast link.

CALDWELL TO SPEAK AT RECONCILING MINISTRIES AT SOUTH CONFERENCE

The Aldersgate Society and Reconciling Ministries Community of the South Indiana Conference will hold a joint Dinner at the South Indiana Annual Conference on FRIDAY, JUNE 6, at 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union at Indiana University. This is the annual meeting for each group. Members of both groups and other interested persons are invited to register to attend.

The speaker will be the Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, a founder of the United Methodists of Color for an Inclusive Church. Caldwell has been active in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other civil/human rights activities. He has led “outside the center” Communions on behalf of GLBT inclusive persons at several past General Conferences.

If you area a lay/clergy member of the South Indiana Annual Conference please make your reservation (and any guests you wish to include) on your Conference Registration Form. Cost is $17.75 per plate. The form is available at www.sicumc.org.

If you are a person wishing to attend the dinner, send a letter with name/s of all who wish reservations and a check for $17.75 for each reservation to Lynn Oliver, 8792 N. Briarwood Lake West Dr., Monrovia, IN 46157. The check should be made out to “Indiana University-Conferences #19-08.” Her e-mail address is packerbackerinin@yahoo.com. The deadline for reservations is May 19.

WOMEN PLAN PRAYER VIGILS DURING INDIANA CONFERENCE SESSIONS

United Methodist Women of North Indiana and South Indiana Conferences will be participating in an intentional prayer vigil during both North and South conference sessions.

United Methodist Women of Indiana will be in prayer from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 and June 5 and Friday, May 30 and June 6; and from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 31 and June 7.

We are privileged to be able to support our Conferences, enveloping each one in prayer. – On behalf of Jeanie Park, UMW President and Cheryl Cole, UMW Spiritual Growth, North Indiana and Kyle DeWeese, UMW Spiritual Growth and Vickie Newkirk, UMW President, South Indiana.

HEALTH SCREENINGS AT SOUTH INDIANA CONFERENCE BY CLARIAN HEALTH

The screenings will be held during this year's Annual Conference at the South Indiana Conference Center (1520 S. Liberty Drive Bloomington, IN 47403) on the following dates:

To schedule your appointment, please call Lynne Armitage at 800-919-8160, ext. 214. If you are unable to make it to the Annual Screening, please request a physician packet from Lynne. The physician packet process will be the same as last year. Spouses on the plan are also eligible for the screening.

NORTH CENTRAL JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

The North Central Jurisdictional Conference is scheduled to meet July 15-19 at Grand Rapids, Mich. Volunteers are needed for this event. At least one bishop will be elected during this conference. All bishops of the jurisdiction will be assigned to an area of service. For more information and biographies of episcopal candidates, log on to www.NCJ2008.org.

SINGERS NEEDED FOR JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE CHOIR

Sing Unto the Lord. For those attending the 2008 North Central Jurisdictional Conference, you are invited to participate in the conference choir. We’re hoping for a solid 50 voice choir that will participate in worship on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Rehearsals will be Wednesday from Noon to 2 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. All music will be provided. We ask that you bring your robe and your voice. Please contact Conference Music Director, Brenda Austin Wheaton at Brenda@fumer.org if you are interested in being part of this glorious experience. Brenda Austin Wheaton, First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827, phone 517-663-3524.

MINISTRY RESOURCES

SOUTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR MAY

“The South Indiana Conference Media Resource Center’s latest acquisitions can be found online at www.sicumc.org. Click on “Media Center” (on the first two screens) and explore all the available options, including “Newest Resources,” “Bibliographies,” and “Picks of the Month.” May “Picks” have been posted. Highlighted are these titles:

Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change; Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living with Addiction; NOOMA: Open; and Tex Mix: Stories of Earthy Mysticism (with Tex Sample).

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. Contact Mary Barnes, Media Center Director, for more information/consultation. For the complete catalog resources, log on to www.sicumc.org and click on the Media Center header.”

NORTH INDIANA MEDIA RESOURCE CENTER PICKS FOR MAY

Summer is approaching and it’s that time of year that anyone with a heart for children begins to look for safe, fun activities to keep our little dynamos occupied. You do not have to be a children’s ministry leader, Sunday school teacher, Day Care or Preschool to use the resources available at our Media Resource center. Parents and Grandparents may find some of our resources useful as well! Here are a few hits to make your summer more enjoyable: Dyna Games, 12 easy step by step games for children 6-12. Miracles of Jesus: Read-A-Long Sing-A-Long: Digital Story Book, Helps your children learn to read while they learn Bible stories that teach of Faith, Love & Service. Different and the Same: From the producers of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood comes this set of five videos with topics such as - Sticks and Stones - Name calling/hurting others as a reaction to being hurt, Cinderella and Me - Being excluded from mainstream culture, The Club - Standing up against prejudice directed at someone else, Tug of War - Choosing a friend across racial/ethnic lines, I'm American, Too - Who is an American? - friendly puppets help children resolve difficult situations and move toward positive solutions. Many more are available please browse our website www.nicumc.org. It is also that time of year when parents and children/youth leaders begin to really promote camp. We have a few resources that will help you do that: Making Disciples for Jesus Christ: Campers, counselors and camp directors share what Christian camping is all about in the North Indiana Conference. Camp-It’s Better than Bologna: Every summer over 3,000 kids and adults gather at one of the North Indiana Conference Camp sites to canoe, climb, swim, sing, praise, party, worship, work, listen and learn-all in the name of God. Hang on to your seat, as you watch this thriller that will leave no doubt in your mind why camp is better than processed pig parts.

We have many helpful resources on parenting and a few on grandparenting. Feel free to call Angel at 800-783-5138 for help selecting the right resource for you or e-mail Angel Rea.

DEATHS

THEODORE E. FORBES, retired Elder (SIC), died Saturday, May 3, 2008. A memorial service was held May 8, at Epworth UMC in Newburgh, Ind. Survivors include: Wife, Donna Forbes, 6111 Jamestown Court, Evansville, IN 47715; one son, Todd Forbes; 3 daughters, Tammy, Angelique and Wendy; and one step-daughter Lisa. Memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

JUDITH A. TRENARY, member of Forest UMC (NIC), active in District and North Indiana Annual Conference UMW, and missions including Operation Doctor, Operation Classroom, Africa University, Brazil, Gulf Coast, died May 3, 2008. A memorial service was held Thursday, May 8, at Forest UMC, with the Rev. Steve Gray officiating. Condolences can be sent to Mack Trenary, 9533 E 800 N Forest IN 46039. Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard Regional Hospital Foundation for a nursing scholarship or to the Missions Fund at Forest United Methodist Church, 9393 E. 600 North, Forest, IN 46039.

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 May 9, 2008.

NEW EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS

PART-TIME POSITION FOR RETIRED UNITED METHODIST ELDER

Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church in Vero Beach, Florida has a lovely unoccupied parsonage (due to Senior Minister’s recent marriage).

We would like to offer residence in this newly remodeled 4 bedroom home (including utilities, gas reimbursement for use during pastoral care) located just one block from the ocean, in exchange for a part- time assistant pastor position.

There is no dollar compensation for this position. You have the option of a six month stay from November1 to April 30 or longer, up to a full year (on a year to year basis).

Tell us your spiritual gifts and we will match them to our needs. Send resumé and indication of the months available to CBTS1stasstpastor@hotmail.com. Or mail to Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church 3755 Highway a-1-A Vero Beach, Fl 32963

HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS e-NEWS

Deadline for submitting news items is Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

NEWS AND INFORMATION